If Tony had had any doubts about the state Ziva was in, they would have been dispelled when she didn't protest as he wrapped an arm around her and guided her to his car. Like a ragdoll, she allowed him to place her in the front seat and didn't respond to any of the clownish comments he threw her way in an attempt to rouse a response. Eventually even he ran out of inspiration and the rest of the ride was spent in silence.
Once they arrived at her apartment and Tony guided her through the front door, Ziva shrugged him off and headed for her bedroom, closing the door in Tony's face when he tried to follow her. Mindful of Gibbs' instructions, Tony stationed himself outside her bedroom door, periodically pressing his ear to the wood in an attempt to hear what she was doing inside. Tony had to work hard to control his impatience when twenty minutes went by without a single sound. He had expected to hear her cry, or even more likely, rage and throw things, but there had been nothing. Finally, his hand crept to the knob and he eased the door barely open, expecting to find Ziva asleep but needing to check in order to ease his concerns.
Tony panicked for a moment when his gaze fell on Ziva's empty bed. Then he heard a soft rustle from down on the floor and lowered his gaze to find Ziva sitting there, her back resting against the bed, legs drawn up and her face buried in in her knees. She must of sensed his presence because she raised her head and looked at him. Her eyes were dry, but the desolation they contained made Tony's gut clench in anguish. The look she gave him was that of an animal, caged and tortured until it could stand no more. It was a look of pure desperation and defeat.
Tony did not wait for an invitation. He threw open the door and strode across the room, sliding down to the floor next to her and gathering her stiff form into his arms.
"Ziva, for God's sake, cry already. Or yell," he coaxed her. "Heck, I won't even care if you want to hit me as long as it makes you feel better."
It was to no avail. Even his last comment failed to provoke her. She simply sat there, neither resisting nor responding, her body stiff in his arms.
He tried again. "Ziva, I know you're hurting but you have to let it out. Do something, anything, but let it out before it kills you."
She finally raised her head and looked at him. Something primal flashed in her eyes and then, before Tony could react, her mouth was on his and she was kissing him, holding him desperately, as if she was drowning and he was her only source of air. Tony was too shocked to help himself. Despite all of his best intentions, his body responded and before he could decide what to do, he found himself kissing her back with an intensity that almost matched her own.