Chapter 12

Truce

(Ziva's POV)

It was a perfect night's sleep, the first one I have had since my real life nightmare began. I was so exhausted last night that Tony must have carried me to bed. Tony. I am lying on his chest, drooling over him yet again. That will be good for his ego! He is looking at me smiling but does not tease me as I wipe my mouth. I lay back down on a dry spot and he continues rubbing my back. I am content. We stay this way for half an hour before either one of us breaks the spell.

"Sleep well?"

"Yes, Tony, thank you."

I sit up and pull my knees to my chest.

"How about another movie marathon today? I call the shower first!"

I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him from getting up quite yet. "That does sound nice but I think I would rather go into work."

He pulls himself to sit, leaning against the headboard, and looks up. I can plainly see that he does not think it is a good idea, but he is careful in his response.

"Gibbs said not to come in today, and might I remind you that it will not be your hide on the line if I bring you in." He looks over and raises his eyebrow for playful emphasis.

"I have been thinking, Tony. You came to rescue me when I was imprisoned but that poor Marine had no savior. She deserves the peace of having her tormenter behind bars. We can help her. I need to help her."

His hand hesitates then rests on my knee. I kick myself because I know he is being careful so that I will not flinch again at his touch. "Ziva, it's just one more day to rest then we can avenge anyone you'd like. You haven't eaten anything since breakfast yesterday since we fell asleep before I even got the pizza in the oven. You're exhausted and Ducky said you need to rest for a few days, besides," He flashes me a flirtatious smile, "How often does Gibbs order us to hang out together?"

I do not respond, but return his winning smile with a determined grin of my own. I understand his struggle. He feels that he needs to protect me, he does not want to suffer Gibbs' wrath, yet he also does not want me to resent him for controlling my situation. Despite all his heroic sensibilities, he will relent. I would never admit to this out loud, but I know that I am his weakness. He will not tell me no. He sighs shaking his head in defeat. He then meets my eyes, "Tell you what, Ziva, let's get showered and dressed, then we will talk about it."

"Fair enough. But I am warning you, do not use all the hot water or it will be you in Ducky's care today!" I say with an arched brow. He made a mock-scared face and left the room.

I make the bed, tidy the apartment and heat the oven. It is already 11 and I have to admit, I am starving . . . no I have starved before, but I have not been this hungry since then. Tony does not take long but I hear him singing his own "Sound of Music" medley in an exaggerated opera voice. I know it is his way to try to persuade me to stay home. It does not work, but I do appreciate the effort and hum along.

Tony comes out barefoot, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, proving that he had not expected to go to NCIS today. He rubs his hair dry with a towel. I smile despite myself as I think of how ruggedly handsome he looks when it is messy. He takes the pizza from my hands, puts it in the oven and says, "You might want to hurry, Ninja. I stayed in there until it turned lukewarm." He throws me his towel to hang up, I whip him with it then saunter out of the room to take my turn.

The hot shower feels refreshing. As the water skims down my skin I am more and more convinced that I am making the right decision. I do not linger over my scars this time. They have been appropriately mourned, and deserve no more pity. I start humming "Doe, a deer, a female deer . . .

Tony is sitting on the couch, half a slice of meat lovers already consumed. I go to the kitchen, find him a soda and pour a glass of water for myself before sitting next to him. Oh, the pizza tastes so good. I wolf down my first piece. Tony looks at me, impressed. We eat in a comfortable silence.

"So, am I allowed to go to work, or am I on house arrest?" I arch an eyebrow in a playful warning that he had better pick the right option.

Instead of a playful answer he puts his drink down, turns to face me and his gaze holds such intensity that I give him my full attention. He takes my hand again and strokes his thumb back and forth. He may have found my Achilles heel.

"I know you're feeling better today and you're willing to risk more anxiety if it means catching this monster. You never back down from a personal mission, and I admire that about you. But, Ziva, to tell you the truth, I am not sure I can handle watching you go through anything like that again. Yesterday you scared me half to death. You were shaking so badly and you passed out cold. To be honest, even though you feel ready, I could use at least one more day with you to settle my nerves." He had a vulnerable look in his eyes and it was having an effect.

I started remembering how I had felt when I thought it was his charred body in that exploded car years ago. I understand what he is saying and I feel my determination soften and my thumb begins to soothe his.

"Tony, thank you for taking care of me yesterday, for calming me, for letting me unload on you, even drool on you." That at least earned a smirk. "I promise you that I would not consider going to work if I did not think that I would be capable of handling myself. Tony, I am anxious and I do fear all the eyes that will be on me when I walk in the building after I made such a scene yesterday, but I just want to get it over with so I can put this behind me. I cannot promise that my hands will not shake or that I will be unaffected, but you will be with me, and I have no doubt that you can rescue a swooning heroine twice in as many days."

This brought a reluctant smile to his face. He narrowed his eyes at me, knowing I was using his chivalry against him.

"Besides, it has been, more than 24 hours since Gibbs ordered you to baby sit me, so I think your hide will indeed survive."

"You are sure this is what you want?"

"Yes."

"Can I at least ask you a few favors since I'm reluctantly going along with this?

"Anything."

"We will only stay until 5 unless I see that you're tired, then you'll let me take you home earlier."

"Okay, but it had better be due to more than a yawn."

"Fine, second, you have to talk to Gibbs right when we get there to see if he's okay with this. He's in charge of this investigation and he will be worried about you. That may cause too much of a distraction for him and actually slow down the investigation."

"I will agree to any terms Gibbs sets for me."

"Thirdly, Tonight. You and me. Musicals."

"Agreed."

He had to at least try one more time. "You're sure?"

"Yes"

He pats my knee, stands then grabs my hands to pull me up. "Alright then. Let's go."