Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or the characters.

Chapter 8

The next morning Tony woke up alone. His heart sank. Was it all a dream? Did the past month mean nothing to Ziva? Was it all a joke? He lay in bed alone trying to maintain his composure; the ability to keep from falling apart was all he had right now. Then, he smelled something magnificent. Bacon, Eggs and Toast, his nose led him to kitchen and to his beautiful partner, girlfriend and friend. She looked amazing. He stood in the doorway staring for a few minutes, at her beautiful brown hair, her body as it danced around the kitchen. He didn't want to interrupt her, it would be rude. But, he didn't want to stand and just watch either. He walked up behind her wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck and cheek gently. She laughed.

"About time you woke up Tony."

"Yeah, well I never want to see your side of the bed empty. I got scared, scared that you left and that this past month meant nothing."

Ziva smiled, she knew Tony had a side of himself that could make her heart melt. However, she had no idea that his love for her was this strong. Nor, did she know that one night and one very sexual encounter later could make her completely shed the tough exterior she had shown for so long. She was afraid of letting someone in, but she wasn't afraid of being loved and starting a family. But was she getting ahead of herself? Did Tony want the same thing?

He looked over at her and smiled all during breakfast holding her hand and kissing her every once and a while. He could sense the love she had for him, but there was something he wanted to know even more. Was there love strong enough for them to have a future together?

"Tony," asked Ziva her voice shaking from the nerves, "Do you ever think about the future? I mean yours, and don't give me some movie reference."

Tony smiled. He didn't know how to respond to this question. He knew what it was probably referring to but he couldn't be sure. So he just answered to the best of his ability, and before he got slapped he said it without including a movie reference.

"Honestly. Yeah I do think about it. I think about getting married and having a lot of little DiNozzo's running around. I also think about the perfect wedding. Ziva, I think about all these things every day. I think about them even more now."

She smiled. It was almost as if the connection they had formed years ago in NCIS finally shot through.

They stared at each other in the elevator in the NCIS elevator for what seemed like hours on their way up to the bullpen. Ziva was holding Tony's hand smiling. It was the first day that they would be an official couple and even though it was Gibbs Idea that try to start something special they both always remembered rule 12, but Gibbs through some very scary moments of his own had come up with rule 51. A rule none of the members of his team new about. He didn't want Tony, McGee and Ziva to know that he might be vulnerable as well.

"Good Morning, Tony," said Ziva as they got ready to step out of the elevator.

"Good Morning, Ziva." Tony smiled letting go of Ziva's hand and for the first time all day feeling as though something was missing from his life. He pouted as he looked down at his hand.

Ziva smiled and kissed him. Moving away quick enough to alleviate suspicion should Gibbs suddenly pop out of nowhere. When they finally made it up the floor Gibbs was talking something over with McGee.

"Good Morning. Tony, Ziva. Gibbs said he smiled. I trust you all had a good weekend."

The tension in the air disappeared. The four NCIS agents sat down and talked for a good 10 minutes before Gibbs finally got the phone call saying that there was a dead Sergeant outside of Quantico.

"Grab your gear. Dead marine," Gibbs ran off and pushed the elevator door button.

"McGee, go down the stairs and grab the car. Tony, Ziva and I need to have a talk."

"Are you sure?" McGee asked

"Yes."

McGee made his way out of the bullpen and down the stairs to grab the car.

Meanwhile, Gibbs had just closed the door to his office. "Ziva, Tony! What have I told you about rule number 12?"

Tony and Ziva looked at each other, trying to not freak out about the fact that they were locked in a room with no way out.

"Relax," Gibbs said smiling. "I told you rule number 12 because I was involved with Jen Shepard when we were on a case in Paris. It changed our ability to work together it wasn't as great as it used to be. I was afraid that it might happen to you as well. Tony, you are one of the best agents I have ever met. Ziva, since that night in my basement you have proven to be one of the strongest assets to our team. I just don't want you guys to mess up a good thing."

They both asked at once the same question. "Then why did you lock us in your office?"

"Because rule 12 isn't as important as Rule 51, sometimes you're wrong."

With that Gibbs turned the elevator back on and they went downstairs to meet McGee.

The case solved itself relatively quickly. As it turned out the Sergeant had a history of violent offenses against his son and upon him turning 18 he tried to move out and leave his dad's home. He was beaten and was hiding in a homeless shelter when DiNozzo found him two weeks later.

Tony and Ziva were getting ready to leave the Navy Yard when they were approached by the rest of "Team Gibbs"

"You have some serious explaining to do." Abby said sternly to Ziva and Tony.

The couple looked at each other. Smiled and took the plunge and told the rest of the team the secret they had been holding for one month.