Two Days Later

-----

"Yes, home free! Well, technically Paris free..if that makes sense, since you know we're not actually going home.." Tony let his fingers pet the sensitive skin around the stitches in his head as he spoke.

"Shut up, DiNozzo."

"Shutting up, boss."

Jenny straightened from her bent position over the front desk and smiled at the nurse.

She turned to the rest of the team. "All set. DiNozzo is completely cleared."

"Yes! Now where's McGoo? The good little Probie needs to give me a lift," Tony said, searching in vain for the younger man.

Gibbs rolled his eyes and headed out, followed closely by the director.

Abby turned on her heel, setting off to find Tim, leaving Tony and Ziva alone.

"No, no! This is not happening. I need to get out of here. I'll be stranded in the middle of Paris with old, sick people," Tony ranted on.

Ziva shook her head. "I will drive you back to the hotel, Tony, calm down."

As if seeing her for the first time, Tony grinned. "Well thanks Miss Mossad, but you have to obey the speed limit. I'm still a fragile patient."

McGee and Abby suddenly reappeared, and Tim snorted at Tony's statement.

"Yeah, more like fragile mind," the younger agent retorted.

Tony made a face at him, and together the group of friends made their way to each of their respectable vehicles.

Hopping into the passenger's seat, Tony smiled and stretched his arms out wide. "You have no idea how good it feels to be out of there."

Ziva rolled her eyes at him. "Tony, I was only released a day before you."

Ignoring her remark, DiNozzo went on rambling about movies that related to their current scenario. Ziva sat silently the entire ride, her face void of emotion as she sped along streets.

"We're here," she stated, cutting off Tony's movie rant. As she moved to exit the car, Tony reached over with his good arm and tapped her shoulder.

Trying to hide her momentary shock, Ziva looked at her partner expectantly.

"You okay?" He studied her carefully, waiting for the reply.

Those green eyes of his burned into her own, only making it more difficult to force the next sentence out of her mouth.

"I am fine."

With that she broke away from him, getting out and striding towards the lobby. Tony stepped out as well, watching her leave. Abby and McGee stopped next to him, watching Ziva's retreating figure.

"Enjoying the view?" Abby questioned, a sly smile overtaking her features.

Tony finally tore his eyes away from her, looking at his other friends.

"What's wrong with her? She won't tell me."

McGee stared at him in disbelief. "You don't..remember? You said.."

Tony looked between the duo in agitation. "What did I say wrong? I didn't mean to!"

Abby took a step closer to him, squinting. "You coward."

Tony opened his mouth in surprise, but Abby had already walked away towards the lobby door. DiNozzo turned to raise his eyebrows at McGee.

The younger agent shook his head. "You'll understand when you remember... if you even forgot."

Tony threw his one hand up and crossed the parking lot, making his way to the lobby.

McGee grinned, following.

This could be fun.

-----

He was slipping out of her sight.

She ran faster, calling his name.

He was at the door, reaching for the port that would close her out once more.

Only a few more feet.

His hand rested on the handle.

Her fingers managed to grasp the cool metal just as he tried to enter the room.

"I know it's your sight that's bad, not your hearing."

Gibbs didn't look up from the door handle.

"I would like to go take a shower, if that's okay with you, Director," he spat.

Jenny narrowed her eyes in anger. "Yes, and I would also like for you to talk to me without all the anger, but that's not happening either is it?"

"Guess not!"

Neither of them realized that they had raised their voices until a nervous guest poked their head out of a nearby room.

Gibbs waved the man off in apology. He went to open the door once more, and this time Jenny let him. He leaned against the frame, keeping it open. They eyed each other coldly for a long minute.

Finally, Jen broke the silence. "What are you so afraid of, Jethro?"

As Gibbs answered, he moved inside, letting the door slam shut in her face.

"You."

-----

"Honey I'm home!"

Tony walked into the hotel room, all smiles. He stretched out and yawned, making a beeline for the couch. He was about to flop down on it when he noticed his partner laying on her back, staring up at him blankly.

"Honey?" she questioned.

Tony laughed, "Come on, you know, like in I Love Lucy? 'Lucy, I'm home!' You had to have seen it, that's a classic."

Ziva shook her head. Tony gaped at her for a moment.

"Okay, well when we get back to the States, we're watching it."

"Whatever, Tony."

They stayed like that for awhile. Tony, debating what his next move should be, and Ziva, stretched out with her eyes closed. Tony finally came to a decision, and moved Ziva's legs over so that he could sit on the edge of the furniture. He leaned up toward her face, staring at her intently. He placed his good arm on the back of the couch, effectively trapping her between his body and the back of the sofa. Ziva kept her eyes shut.

"What do you want, Tony?"

He gave her a wide grin. "Well if I'm honest, I'd want you to be dressed in--"

"DiNozzo, if you're going to ask, you need to be serious for once."

He sighed. "What's wrong?"

Ziva opened her eyes. "You don't remember?"

Tony jumped up in frustration.

"No I don't remember! Everyone keeps talking about it, and I'm lost. What the hell did I do?"

Ziva stood up slowly, looking her friend in the eye. She couldn't tell if he had really forgotten his past words, or if he was afraid to own up to them. She decided that either option bothered her. It tortured her, knowing that someone could make her feel like this, knowing that someone was finally scaling those walls.

Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "Well, when you remember, I'd love to know if you meant it."

Tony didn't move as Ziva walked away, but shut his eyes, scolding himself. He let out a tense breath as the door clicked shut behind his partner's exit.

Why am I always holding back with her?


A/N: As always, please review! They make me happy. Ooooh, you guys are SO in for it during the next chapter. This was just the calm before the storm. ;D

Anyone else wish it was Tuesday already? I keep watching the finale preview over and over. That and the last five minutes of Semper Fidelis. Great last few episodes. I can't wait to see what happens in Israel!