Hello everybody! I'm back from my vacation and with a new chapter. Considering the fact I haven't updated in like forever, this is a longer chapter. Thank you again for the wonderful reviews. It warms my heart. I promise I will try to update faster...and I can promise you that during this story you would hate me, you will laugh and cry and I intend to bring some bad guys into the picture :)) Until then read and review and more importantly ENJOY:))

P.S. I think it's a little OCC but I'm not really sure...please tell me...

I wish, but still don't own them...you know what I own :))

I won't let them hurt you.

It was nearing midnight and Timothy McGee was close to collapsing. The past 12 hours had been exhausting and the only thing he wished to do, was go home and listen to a jazz CD, while looking at the flames play joyfully in his fireplace. Unfortunately for him, this dream seemed to fade with every passing second, because his boss had other plans for him. McGee had been assigned to locate the maintenance team who had access to the fighter jet. However this proofed to be a problem, considering the fact that the team was from Arizona and that most of the people were sleeping during this hour.

McGee glared at the other side of the bull pen only to spot a very pale Ziva. She was desperately trying to find the last pilot who flew the plane. She needed to find out if this man had any connections to the John Doe lying a few floors down in a refrigerator. But her efforts were in vain as well. The hanger where they had found the dead marine was not keeping any clear records, so Ziva had to call at least two dozen people who had access to the plane in the last three weeks.

McGee took a quick glimpse to his left only to notice that the senior field agent was not having any luck either. Gibbs had assigned Tony the task of finding out who had access to the jet in the last 24 hours and get them back to HQ. Again Gibbs seemed to ignore one important fact. People needed sleep, and couldn't survive only on caffeine, like he did.

Tim felt his eyes stinging from exhaustion, and wished he could put his head on his arms and just doze off for a few minutes. In fact the only person in the building still capable of functioning, besides Gibbs, was Abby.

"You have anything?" Gibbs barked, climbing down the stairs of MTAC, with Jenny and Fornell on his tail.

"Not yet boss." Tony began.

"It seems that the maintenance team hired a few weeks ago is not from DC. It's a team brought from Arizona." McGee explained sheepishly.

"And it seems that every pilot in DC is sound asleep at this hour." Ziva concluded.

"Well wake them up! I want to know who this guy is, and who killed him." Gibbs yelled out.

"Jethro!" Jenny began…"It's late. Let the team go home, there is nothing they can do anymore at this hour."

"She's right Gibbs. It's late and they have been working their asses off for the past twelve hours." Fornell tried his luck in convincing Gibbs.

Gibbs looked at his team, and the exhaustion was obvious to him now. Tony was tiered and had dark rings under his eyes. The last couple of days had been hectic for him, considering the fact that he was doing Ziva's job also, but mainly the amount of cases overwhelmed him, and at home he was trying to spare Ziva as much as possible.

McGee looked like hell as well, and Gibbs couldn't shake off the feeling that the young agent would collapse if he wouldn't get any sleep soon.

Of course there was Ziva as well. He was most of all worried about her. Her face was pale, to pale for his liking, and it seemed that every move she made caused her a tremendous amount of pain.

"Fine! All of you go home… NOW! Before I change my mind." He barked out, looking how the faces of his agents light up.

"Thank you boss." Tony said while picking up his bag.

"I want you all back here at 0800. Don't be late." He yelled and looked at all of them.

"Will do boss." McGee spoke and took his iPhone from his desk.

"McGee, go down to Abby and tell her that I said she should take you home." Gibbs ordered with a milder tone.

"Oh, boss, that's ok. I can drive." McGee began.

"That wasn't a suggestion McGee that was an order." He barked once again.

Tim nodded and made his way towards the elevator, deep down grateful that he could spend some time with the happy Goth.

Gibbs turned his face to spot his other two agents. They were moving also towards the elevator and Gibbs noticed that Tony was holding Ziva firmly around her waist, while whispering something in her ear.

His conscious told him that he shouldn't have ordered Ziva to come in, in the morning, but he needed all the help he could get.

"Jen, Gibbs, I'm off too. You know how cranky the wife gets if I'm late." Fornell said, giving Gibbs a look, somehow seeking understanding from the grey haired agent.

"I'll see you in the morning Tobias…if you are still alive that is." Gibbs smirked.

"Heh! Leave it up to you to know what I'm talking about." The replay came.

Once Fornell left it was Gibbs and Jenny left, looking at each other in perfect silence.

"I presume you are going to have a restless night, working on your boot, hoping you might understand something from this." Jen began and Gibbs smiled.

"Probably, but first I need some food, a cold beer and some company." He trailed away smiling.

A few minutes later, both of them left the building, hoping to spend a relaxing evening. If they only that it would be the last relaxing evening they will enjoy for a very long time.

His Mustang was chasing down the streets of DC, hurrying to get back to the warmth of an apartment, the smell of good food and the comfort of a bad and a shower. The couple was quiet; both emerged in their own thoughts, trying to process the day.

"I though about Chinese. What do you think?" the Italian finally broke the silence.

"That sounds good Tony, but please let's stay at my apartment." Ziva's weak voice responded.

"Fine by me, but first we have to stop at my place so I can get some clothes." The response came, and then the car was emerged once again in shear silence.

Forty-five minutes later, the Mustang stopped in front of Ziva's apartment, and the two agents got out of the car. Ziva dragged her feet along, while Tony suppressed a yawn. She finally opened the door, after a small argument. Ziva had insisted to take the stairs, so Tony scooped her up and carried her inside the elevator. He was too tiered to argue with her anymore, or even give in.

Once inside the apartment, Ziva placed the food on the kitchen counter and started getting out the dishes, so they may dine. In the mean time, Tony stepped inside the shower, hoping that the water could wash away the crime scene out of his head.

He had been feeling crappy all day long, and he just wanted to eat and get some sleep. Most of all he was worried about Ziva. She was not feeling well and he hoped that the excitement wouldn't make matters worst.

He turned the water off, letting the small drops glide down his body, swallowing the bitter thoughts down and getting back to his regular self. A few minutes later he appeared back in the kitchen with nothing on, except a towel wrapped around his waist. He leaned on the door frame, his head resting on it, his arms crossed to his chest, observing the woman he loved from the bottom of his heart.

She was sitting on a kitchen chair drinking a glass of water, staring out the window, with her right hand tracing circles around the burn marks. He involuntarily winced when he saw the marks. They had healed beautifully, but small marks still reminded the team of the horrors she went through.

"You are better at sneaking up, but you still have a lot to learn. Don't let your whole weight on your heals, it makes too much noise." She commented, slowly turning her head, so she could face him.

The sight almost took her breath away. Tony always had this effect on her, and she suddenly felt the urge to kiss him, and hold him tight. He was her own version of a Greek god. His muscles beautifully contoured his lips red, his deep green eyes, she wanted him more then anything in the world.

He could feel her eyes burning on his body, and he couldn't hide a smirk. Tony loved when she did that, because it made him feel wanted, and most of all, it felt good to know that such a beautiful woman wanted him.

"See something you like?" he asked, with a large smile.

She just swallowed hard, knowing that he was still out of reach for her.

"I…I…I need to take a shower." she said, feeling the heat rising up inside of her. He looked at her, longing in his eyes, but she swiftly walked passed him, leaving him a little confused. Little did she know that he was the whole time fighting the urge to sweep her off her feet and take her to the bedroom.

Ziva closed the door behind door and slid down, sitting on the floor. She felt her heart beat like crazy and could still feel the electricity in the air. It was something about Tony that made Ziva loose control over her senses. After she managed to get her breath back, she slipped out of the sweaty clothes and stepped into the shower. Because of her injuries, Tony and she haven't been able to explore each other properly. He was to afraid of hurting her, and most of the time she felt to exhausted to heat things up. One time they had tried it, but she had flinched under his touch every time. Tony had been as gentle as possible, but her injuries and the memories accompanying those wounds made it almost impossible for her to enjoy anything. After that Tony had spend countless nights sleeping on the couch. He couldn't trust himself next to her, for that she was too beautiful and he wanted their first time to be perfect, and not see pain in her eyes. This hadn't been easy for any of them.

Nightmares plagued her most of the time, and she needed to feel his protecting arms, so she sneaked out of her own bed and into Tony's many times. Ziva couldn't admit this openly, it would make her look weak in his eyes, and that she didn't want. All along she had thought that Tony had no idea of her actions during the night.

Little did she know that Tony had heard her moan in her sleep, and had seen her cry almost every time. When she would sneak up on him, he would pretend to be sound asleep, but after she would snuggle up to him and he could hear her peacefully snore he would take her in his arms, protecting her from herself and her demons.

The assassin turned off the water and slipped out of the tub. The mirror above the sink was steamed, and she swiftly wiped it off with her hand. A rather pale and sickly looking Ziva stared back at her. She looked horrible, and felt the same way. "And yet he loves me." She thought and smiled. A warm and fuzzy feeling invaded her heart. "Tony…he's perfect." She said to herself and wrapped a towel around her frame. All of the sudden a sharp pain made her gasp. Looking down on her abdomen she observed that her wound was red and sore. She had been wearing a bandage for some time now. The doctor had ordered to keep dust and dirty away from the wound; it closed up slowly and there was always the risk of infection. She took out of her cabinet some fresh bandages, cotton balls and disinfectant. The Israeli hated this part the most; it reminded her to much of Barak.

She came out of the bathroom and rapidly went to her bedroom, hoping that Tony wouldn't notice. Ziva didn't want him to see how much pain this procedure caused her. Unfortunately Tony saw her practically run of to the bedroom and followed her. Quietly he opened the door, only to see a half naked Ziva sitting in front of the mirror, her jaws tightly closed, her lips white, her hand shacking, her eyes concentrated on the task.

Tony came behind her and took the cotton ball from her hand. She raised her eyes, only to meet his, eyes full of concern and love.

"Lay down Ziva." He spoke softly and she obeyed.

He sat next to her, taking a clean cotton ball and applying on it disinfectant, then gently rubbing her wound. She winced a couple of times, but he kissed her skin every time, hoping to bring her some comfort.

"I'm sorry baby." He whispered, kissing the soft skin once again.

"That's ok." She responded, but Tony could feel in her voice how unpleasant this whole thing was.

She turned her face towards him, running a hand trough his hair, and smiling.

After a few minutes, he secured the bandage and kissed her stomach once again, while she was caressing his face with her fingers. He kissed her fingers gently, while she arched her body towards him and kissed his lips.

"Thank you. You have such a gentle hand." She whispered.

He smiled and took her in his arms, holding her in a warm embrace, while she ran circles on his back. The minutes passed, and none of them wanted to break that moment. Finally Ziva let go of Tony and went to her drawer, taking out an old t-shirt of Tony's. She could feel his perfume, and it made her feel safe. He smiled and stood up from the bed.

"Let's get some food baby. I'm hungry." Giving her a funny look.

His facial expression had the gift of bringing a smile on Ziva's lips.

They both sat in front of Ziva's TV watching "How to her rid of a guy in 10 days", the slices of vanilla cake still untouched on her small coffee table. The scene where Kate Hudson plays Bullshit with Matthew's family unfolded in front of their eyes. He liked this movie, although it was a chick flick. It was funny and romantic at the same time, and above all he knew how much Ziva liked it. A quick look to his lap revealed the sleep form he loved so much. She had fallen asleep twenty minutes after the movie started. Tony smiled and decided it was time to get her to a more comfortable bed, plus he could not feel his legs anymore. Gently he tried to stand up, while trying to get a pillow under her head. She stirred, but soon started snoring softly. Tony couldn't suppress a smile, she was so cute. Once in front of the couch, he put an arm under her legs and another one on under her shoulders, and prepared to lift her up and carry her to the bedroom.

"Thank God the bedroom is not far away. She's been eating too much pizza." He spoke quietly.

"And who's fault is that?" she asked tiered.

"Ah Ziva…you're awake…I didn't mean that…heh." He explained, laughing nervously.

"Tony let go of me. I can find my way to the bedroom….But thank you for being you." She trailed away, tenderly kissing him on the cheek.

She stumbled back to her bedroom, and Tony had a full view of her legs and bottom. The Italian had been dreaming about the day, when he could caress her body without her flinching at his every touch.

The movie had ended, and like all Hollywood love stories, the guy got the girl in the end, and they lived happily ever after. Tony smiled at the though of him having the same Hollywood story, sleeping not far from him. He got the girl of his dreams; they just had to work out the happily ever after part.

A large white pillow lay on Ziva's favourite armchair, and Tony stood up from the couch to grab it. A low cry caught his attention, but he shook his head after a few seconds.

"DiNozzo, you need some sleep." He said out load, then turned off the TV, then snuggled on Ziva's couch. But he couldn't sleep, his heart was racing, and his ears were like radars, waiting to hear a needle fall.

"No!" Tony heard, and jumped off the couch, rushing towards Ziva's bedroom. He switched the hall light on, opened the bedroom door only to reveal a frail form, crying and struggling with the bed covers.

Tony jumped on to the bed, and caught the two arms hitting the pillow. "Ziva, baby wake up. You are having another nightmare." He spoke, trying to wake her up.

"Please no! No more, please!" she yelled out, making Tony shiver. Her voice seemed to belong to a small child being beaten up. She was still struggling with the bedcovers, but Tony managed to remove the material and free her body. She continued to struggle, hitting Tony in the process over the head. The NCIS agent grabbed her body, immobilizing her arms.

"Ziva, wake up. It's me Tony!" he spoke in her ear.

She seemed to calm down, and Tony's grip eased up, but then she started hitting the bed again.

"ZIVA!" his voice thundered down, while he shock her more violently then he intended.

She woke up, her whole body shacking, and Tony could feel how tense her muscles were. Suddenly Tony felt how her body began to shack violently and he could hear her gasp for air, while large tears were falling on his hands. Her body started relaxing and Tony embraced her tighter, rocking her and kissing her hair.

" Shhhhh….It's ok Ziva! I'm here, everything is alright!" he tenderly spoke, letting her cry as much as she felt she needed too.

Tony had no idea how much Ziva had been crying, he could still hear her sobbing. He placed her tenderly back in bed, she didn't object. He got up to take her blanket, but she caught him by the hand.

"Please, don't leave me alone. Stay with me in bed. Please!" she begged him, large tears rolling down her cheeks. He took the blanket from the floor and covered her, then laid down next to her and took her in his arms. Tony continued to whisper smoothening words, while she tried to stop the avalanche of tears.

"Tony, make them stop!" she pleaded and snuggled up to him more.

Tony had never seen the thought assassin so vulnerable, so hurt and, could he dare say it, so afraid.

He continued to rub circles on her back and plainly stated.

"I won't let them hurt you Ziva. I promise!" and deep down inside he knew he would squash anyone trying to harm her again.