Chapter 6

A month after the first night they spent together, Tony and Ziva were going strong and their new formed relationship seemed to be helping the team work more effectively together. Tony was becoming more willing to take on tasks by himself and was no longer making fun of McGee. Oddly enough Gibbs no longer felt the need to slap him in the head for doing something stupid. He found a method to keep himself calm every day, kickboxing early in the morning provided him with an outlet for his anger and an ability to spend a few hours alone with her.

"Gibbs," Tony yelled as he was walking towards the elevator. "There's something I need to talk to you about. It's about rule 12."

"You mean never date a coworker?"

"Yeah," Tony looked sheepish. He was more afraid of going against one of Gibbs' rules and getting fired than he was of getting broken in half by Ziva.

"Tony, I tell you never to date a co-worker because I have been there. I dated Jen Shepard. Many years ago, I made that rule after she broke my heart."

Tony looked shocked he had never heard this story before. He knew that there was something under the surface while Jen was still alive that caused them to work extremely well together. But he didn't know just how extreme the connection they had was.

"Tony, look you love Ziva and it is obvious that she loves you just go for it prove to her you are her number one fan. That you will be with her no matter what that protecting her and being there even if she says she doesn't need anyone is the most effective way to keep her happy and knowing you are the true love of her life. You have been together for a month Tony and already you have changed in so many ways. Trust yourself and trust your heart."

Gibbs walked away and gave Tony one last word of advice. "Break her heart and I'll break you before she gets the chance."

Tony smiled. "Yes boss."

Back at Tony's Apartment…

Ziva was sitting on the couch watching another one of Tony's favorite movies. She was enjoying it and couldn't believe what his taste in movies truly showed about him. He seemed to be sensitive, a dork, and a little bit of a rebel. She smiled and couldn't believe how lucky she was to finally be with someone who on a constant basis offered her comfort and a source of strength when she felt like she was going to fall. She would never admit this though. As she was thinking she was interrupted by a thought of was this too good to be true? Would Tony brake her heart?

Tony knew that this was his first chance to not make any errors and that in many ways getting a person a gift who you love was probably one of the best ways to provide them with a belief that no matter what you were always there for them.

"Ziva," said Tony as he entered the living room. "I have something for you. I think you might enjoy it but you have to close your eyes. Please don't be mad. If you don't like it I'll get rid of it but I feel like it shows you just how much you mean to me and how much I love you."

Ziva smiled. "Tony you know you don't have to get me gifts. To be honest I don't actually believe in the whole anniversary thing. I told you this once. Remember?"

Tony did, in fact, remember. He was quite aware that this was what she said and that her opinion had probably not changed. However, he didn't really care he wanted to give her something that she would cherish forever. A good memory of life in America once she was first brought into NCIS and a memory that would give her a new lease on life.

Tony stood in silence after he handed her the wrapped present. He waited smiling. As Ziva opened the package, she began crying. It was an image. An image of the first time they had ever worked together, the first case. When Abby decided it would be a good idea to take a picture of the team together. But before she could snap the picture McGee and Gibbs ran out and Ziva and Tony were left in the lab. The picture was of the two of them looking into each other's eyes. Even then they knew that there was a spark between them.

Ziva got up and walked into the bathroom so that she might be able to keep her composure before the flood gates opened, but before she could get there Tony stopped her and hugged her.

"Ziva," Tony said holding her while she cried in his arms. "I will never hurt you. I've been in love with you since the moment I met you. I never want you to feel like you are alone. You never will be. Not as long as I am with you."

Ziva looked in his eyes. She smiled and kissed him with more fire and passion than she ever did before. Even the first kiss they shared a month ago in the kitchen couldn't compare to what they just shared. The passion was growing and the hunger in Ziva's eyes was intense. She wanted Tony. He wanted her. Was this the right time? Would they regret it in the morning? They had pretended to have sex while they were undercover quite a few times. But for some reason, it seemed even harder for her to restrain the desire she was feeling.

"Tony," Ziva said taking his hand. "Come with me."