Previously:

Unbeknown to Gibbs, Ziva didn't want to sleep in her own bed, but instead opted for the couch, where she sneaked under the covers with Tony, who was totally oblivious to his new sleeping partner.

When Tony woke up he felt something warm and soft next to him. Not awake enough to open his eyes yet, he raised his hand to touch whatever it was that was half lying on top of him. Feeling the form move under his fingers, he slowly cracked first one then the other eye open.

With the curtains still drawn, the living room was badly lit. Confused, he looked around, taking the unfamiliar surrounding in. "Wth.. Where am I?"

Then he remembered the unusual weight waking him up in the first place. Looking down he found a mop of curly brown hair resting on his shoulder.

"Ziva??"

It took him a few moments to conjure the last day up, "Right, we're at Gibbs' House."

Running a hand through Ziva's hair, "But how did YOU end up here on the couch?" he wondered as he suddenly he felt 'it'.

"Boss, I swear, I don't know," Tony said.

From his position on the couch he only heard a short-lived chuckle, followed by "I know," before the older agent appeared in his view, drawing the curtains back. Letting sunlight stream into the room which blinded the young agent momentarily.

"What time is it?" Tony groggily asked.

"7 am."

"Oh." "Guess I can sleep a few more minutes"

"Get up DiNozzo," Gibbs ordered.

"But, I thought we had the week off," complained Tony.

"We do. But I can't have you sleeping in my living room all day long."

"What about Ziva, Boss," Tony asked as he looked at his unexpected sleeping partner before slowly standing up, stretching his aching limbs while doing so.

"Let her sleep for a few more hours," Gibbs said, going back through the door onto his porch.

Just as Tony was about to pull the covers more properly around Ziva, Gibbs came back.

"Bring her upstairs DiNozzo," the gray-haired agent ordered, flashing Tony a glare. "That couch is too uncomfortable to sleep on," Gibbs thought to himself.

"Right..." replied his senior field agent as he picked his partner up and carried her upstairs. Tugging her into her 'own' bed, he quietly wished her sweet dreams before leaving the room again.

"Sogni d'oro, my crazy ninja chick."

As Tony came down the stairs, after having taken a shower, he found Gibbs sitting at the kitchen table, with glasses on, reading the newspaper.

"Anything planed for today Boss?"

"Nope."

"Not even working on your boat?" Tony joked, earning himself a Gibbs' Slap.

"I guess I deserve that," muttered Tony as he helped himself to a cup of coffee. "Bad timing to make a joke when passing Gibbs at the same time."

"You got any sugar around here?"

"Nope," Gibbs replied, smirking slightly at the disgusted expression of his agent when Tony realized that he couldn't kill his coffee with sugar.

"Add it to the grocery list," said the gray-haired agent as he pointed to the list on the fridge.

"Thanks Boss," replied Tony, feeling much better in knowing that his next coffee would be improved in taste.

It was around 10 am when Ziva finally made an appearance.

"You know?" she stated as she sat down next to the senior agent at the kitchen table.

"Yes. Gibbs told me," said Tony, looking at Ziva as she nodded.

"I'm sorry Zi," he continued after a short time. Making Ziva grimace. "I begin to dislike this word. Now I know why Gibbs does not like it."

"So what does the Ninja Chick want for breakfast?" Tony asked, seeing her reaction to his earlier words and wanting to change the topic to lighter subjects.

"Anything but that stuff from yesterday," winced Ziva, while ignoring Tony's nickname for her.

"How about toast? Shouldn't upset your stomach," considered Tony.

"Sounds good."

"Tea? I think the boss got some," frowning as he started to open cupboards.

"Left wall cupboard, right side, next to the crackers," laughed Ziva.

"I don't want to know, do I?" Tony asked in more of a rhetorical way than actually wanting to know for real why she knew where their boss stored the tea.

A few minutes later Tony had managed to fix some light breakfast for his partner.

"Todah Tony," smiled Ziva as he set the plate and tea in front of her.

"You look tired Tony," observed Ziva after having finished her breakfast.

"This couch isn't really designed to sleep on it. Even less comfortable for two," moaned Tony. "Let's see if you know how you ended up next to me..."

"Two?" Ziva knitted her eyebrows. "Did he and Gibbs fall asleep on it?" she briefly wondered.

"You don't remember?" he asked, smirking at her obvious confusion.

Then her eyes widened as she recalled the last night. But as fast as her slightly shocked expression came, it was replaced by a teasing smile.

"Maybe you should sleep in a bed tonight, yes?" Watching him closely as she said so.

"Don't think the Boss would like me to sleep next to him in his bed," joked Tony, causing Ziva to laugh. "I love it when you laugh," Tony thought inwardly.

They kept talking about light topics and glancing at each other, only stopping when Gibbs came back into the house, after he had spent most of the morning doing some gardening.

"Boss," getting the attention of their team leader, who was looking for a cup of coffee to refill his caffeine level, "McGee messaged me. Abby demands answers. He went out for a drink with her yesterday, to keep her occupied, but he's pretty sure that she'll start asking questions again very soon. I think McGee is curious too."

"Do you want to tell them or should I do it?" Gibbs turned to Ziva, offering her a way out.

"Could you?" she softly asked, not looking at him.

"Alright. Need to check on some work anyway," he said as he finished off the lukewarm coffee.

"Ducky will come by in an hour," Gibbs informed Ziva before going upstairs to shower.

Not ten minutes later the gray-haired agent was back. "Tony, take the list from the fridge and get us some real food. Ziva if you want anything special, tell him," Gibbs said as he grabbed his car keys and left.

(Gibbs' House - 12:00 am)

With Gibbs gone, Ziva made her way upstairs, while Tony got ready to do some shopping. He had just put on his jacket when Ziva reappeared in front of him.

"Tony?"

"Yea?"

"Could you, please?" Ziva gestured to her right hand which sported a bright red cast. Holding a bag in the other hand. Clearly upset at having to ask for help.

"What about your left hand?" Tony asked, after having put the bag as protection around her cast.

"Ducky will come, yes?" smiled Ziva as she turned around to go to take a shower too.

"Maybe I should wait till Ducky is here," Tony called out. "Don't want to find you passed out on the floor when I get back."

"You will not come in Tony," warned Ziva as she saw Tony approaching as she was about to step into the bathroom.

Giving her one of his patented DiNozzo' smiles, he settled himself in front of the bathroom door, which caused Ziva to shake her head in amusement. "Reminds me of Gucci... Always pursues me."

A while later Dr. Mallard's car pulled up on the driveway. Getting out of his car the M.E. made his way to Gibbs' house. Fully knowing that the front door wouldn't be locked, he stepped into the house.

"Hello?" He called out, only hearing running water.

"Upstairs," Tony's voice was heard.

Once having reached the upper floor, Ducky couldn't help but smile as he spotted Tony sitting on the floor.

"Anthony, hello, what are you doing on the floor?"

"Hey Ducky, just waiting for Ziva to finish her shower," he said, smiling somewhat.

As if on demand the sound of running water stopped.

"Guess that's my signal to leave. Got some groceries to buy," Tony said as he climbed back onto his feet.

"Very well my dear boy," replied Ducky.

Once Tony had left, Ducky softly knocked on the bathroom door, trying to get the attention of the young woman in the room.

"Ziva?"

"Hello Ducky," came her voice, muffled through the door.

"I'll be waiting downstairs," the M.E. said, leaving after he heard her acknowledge his words.

(Meanwhile NCIS Headquarters – Abby's Lab)

"Don't know Abby, he just told me to come here," McGee exclaimed as the Goth in front of him continued to ask him the same question over and over.

"I'm worried Timmy," she finally said, hugging Bert to her and producing a farting sound from it.

"You don't need to Abs."

"Gibbs!" Abby exclaimed as she throw herself at him, hugging him as powerfully as she could.

"Abs, need to breathe," the gray-haired agent said, slowly suffering from the lack of oxygen.

"Sorry Gibbs," the Goth stated as she stepped away, looking a bit remorseful, "Also you don't like apologies, so... Tell us what's going on!"

Gibbs briefly gave her a smile and then started to explain exactly what was happening.

(Gibbs' House 13:50 am)

When Tony got back, loaded with two large shopping-bags, he saw his partner lying on the couch with a book in hand.

"Ducky gone?" He asked from the kitchen.

"Yes, about an hour ago," Ziva replied as she stood up and came over to inspect the food.

"What have you done since then?" Tony asked while he put something in the fridge.

"Reading." Turning to face him, she asked for her tomcat, missing him since the night before. "Did you saw Gucci somewhere?"

"He was checking out the garden in the morning," Tony replied absent minded, but seeing her worried frown he elaborated, "He'll be back. Plus Gibbs put the collar that I bought yesterday on Gucci. So no worries."

With the food stored, Tony deliberated if he should start cooking lunch or wait for his boss to come home.

A phone call to Gibbs later, he was sorting the sausage for the pasta dish he was cooking, while Ziva watched him from behind the counter.

"Wait, can you even stomach this yet?" Tony suddenly asked.

"Yes, Ducky said I could, since the toast did not come back up," laughed Ziva, smirking at Tony's facial expression at her choice of words.

"But not too much at once," she added in afterthought, causing Tony to look up from the sausage again.

"Tony!" Ziva exclaimed, doubling over in laughter.

"Huh?" Confused and a bit worried Tony watched her as she approached him.

Smiling she stopped in front of him, her eyes twinkling with delight as she reached up with her hand. Tony held his breath.

"You got something there," she said as she whipped the sausage from his cheek with her finger. Licking her finger off afterwards, while looking at Tony who momentarily wasn't able to even move a muscle.

"Good, yes?" Ziva teased him as she slightly cocked her head to one side.

"Damn Ninja Chick," muttered Tony under his breath as he stared down at her.

For a few moments they kept standing really close, just looking into each others eyes, before Tony slowly bent down, capturing Ziva's lips with his own.

The kiss started off slow and soft, both wanting to mesmerize the lips of the other, enjoying the feeling of their first real kiss. Seconds past before Tony hungrily drew her body closer to him and Ziva's hands went into his hair as she slung her arms around his neck, intensifying the kiss even more.

Short of breath they slowly parted, smiling at each other, before Tony drew her face close to his once more.

They were about to kiss again when the sound of the front door being opened startled them.

"Gibbs!" They both exclaimed.

Hastily separating, Tony turned to the sausage again, while Ziva slowly made her way to the hallway in order to great Gibbs.

Gibbs looked at her inquiring, "Anything happened while I was away?"

"Ducky was here," stated Ziva, causing a raised eyebrow.

"You knew exactly that I meant. Your lips look pretty swollen, Ziver," Gibbs thought but instead opted for something else to say, "What did he say?"

"That I am fine," replied Ziva sourly.

"Ziver," growled the gray-haired agent.

"Apparently I got wood shavings into my stitches..." she lamely replied.

"So he told me," Gibbs stated, smirking at her sudden wide eyes.

"You asked him!" Realization visible on her face as her voice took a slight accusing tone.

"Just making sure you're doing ok," Gibbs replied as he passed her, "Gonna need to find some gloves we can put over the dressing next time," winking at her which caused her to smile.

After they had eaten dinner, Gibbs persuaded Tony to help him sort out the garden, while Ziva had gone upstairs to rest, since she felt slightly sick from the food.

(Later that night)

"Hey, come on, wakey-wakey," Tony said, mocking his female partner in a sing song voice.

"Hmpff... Tony?"

"Gibbs said you slept long enough." Grinning at her as she scowled and yanked the blanket over her head again.

Searching for Ziva's hand under the blanket Tony was having none of it as he pulled her up and out of the door.

"What now?" Ziva asked annoyed, once they had reached the living room.

"Movie!" Declared Tony, causing Ziva to roll her eyes.

"Where's Gibbs?"

"Basement," stated the senior agent as he put the first movie on, before joining Ziva on the couch.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, in which Tony had drawn the woman next to him close, so that she was snuggled against his side, Ziva broke the stillness.

"What happened today in the kitchen?"

"You don't know?" Tony tried to joke, not knowing how to react properly.

"I know what we did, but..." Frustrated she started to gesticulate with her hands, moving away from Tony while doing so.

"Hey, stop that." he said, pulling her close to him again, sighing, "I meant it. This wasn't just out of a mood. I want us to be together. I... I'm not good at this stuff, Ziva."

"Neither am I," she stated.

"But you started it anyway," observed Tony.

"Cause we need to clear this when we want to continue to work together, yes?"

"What about Gibbs?" Ziva asked after a while.

"We'll worry about him when it comes to it," Tony stated, planting a light kiss on Ziva's lips afterwards.

(3.5 hours and two movies later)

"And now, the best Bond movie ever," exclaimed Tony as he put another DVD on.

"What?" Ziva sleepily looked around, "Sorry Tony, those medications make me sleepy."

"Don't worry Sweet Cheeks, maybe it's time to sleep anyway." Seeing the clock turning 1 am.

"Yes," agreed Ziva as she stood up and stretched while Tony watched her every move.

"You coming?" Asked Ziva over her shoulder as she ascended the stairs.

"Sure!" Tony quickly followed her. To sleep.

(Another hour later)

When Gibbs finally came out of his basement in order to use his bed for once as a sleeping place, he couldn't help but notice that his couch was deserted and his senior field agent was nowhere to be seen.

"They better not be," growled Gibbs to himself as he made his way upstairs.

Quietly approaching his guest-room he opened the door to find Ziva sleeping peacefully next to semi-dressed Tony, who looked up as the light from the corridor illuminated the room.

"No funny business!" Gibbs scolded Tony knowingly.

"Wouldn't dream of it Boss," smirked the younger agent.

"DiNozzo you'll get to sleep in the doghouse!" Gibbs warned the other agent.

"You got a doghouse boss?" Tony mischievously inquired.

"I'll build one," said the gray-haired agent as he left the room.

"I don't know if I should feel worried or happy that he like me enough to build me someplace to sleep in..." wondered Tony, readjusting the duvet over both of them, before lightly kissing Ziva's cheek. Falling asleep with her snuggled into his side once more.

TBC...

A/N: Do you like the Tony/Ziva teasing banter? I really miss it on the show, so I wrote my own scenes *grins*

Numbers of reviews for the last chapter was awesome. Thx ya =) Please review again?!