The Morning Light

Ziva became aware of her surroundings first, before ever opening her eyes. She knew that Tony was behind her. His arms were wrapped around her waist protectively. She still didn't open her eyes, relishing in the feel of him protecting her the way he was. She knew he wasn't sleeping. She also noticed that he was hard in her back and she smiled slightly at this, realizing that she wasn't the only one affected by their contact last night.

Still, she didn't move. For the first time in a long time, she was thinking about something more than a simple hug and not flinching away from the thoughts. She allowed her mind to wander to Tony. He was muscular and strong; tall and handsome; he was everything that she wanted. She smiled to herself again and squeezed her eyes shut tightly, knowing that if she opened them she would have to get up and end this perfect moment.

Ziva hadn't had a decent night of sleep since long before she returned to Israel and then to Somalia. She didn't care right then that her body was aching for Tony and her mind was wandering toward a place she never considered she would go again. She knew that his body was aching for her in the same way, and yet she still didn't move.

Ziva was enjoying the fact that her mind was wandering without her flinching or panicking. She was relishing the feel of Tony around her. Right now, she had him and he was keeping her safe. She placed her hand on top of his and snuggled back into him a little more, letting him know that she was awake now.

Tony was the only person in the world that she would trust to lie with in this position. He couldn't know how happy she was to be here with him right then. She smiled to herself again as his arms pulled her closer to him, holding her tighter.

Tony was smiling into the back of Ziva's neck. He had realized when her breathing changed a little and told him that she was awake. He knew that he was rock hard and his body was aching to get closer to Ziva and to have her for his own. But, he didn't make a move, because she wasn't ready. He was happy to know that she was awake and not shying away from his touch or his obvious hardness in her back.

Ziva snuggled backward into Tony a little more, making him smile a little more and want her a little more. He pulled his arms tighter around her body and inhaled her scent through his nose. He buried his face in the nape of her neck, snuggling her for all this moment was worth.

They laid there like that for a long while, just holding onto each other and relishing in the feel of each other. Ziva felt safe. She could feel him with her and snuggling her, protecting and comforting her. She was okay with this, only because it was Tony behind her. After a while, though, her body was nearly in pain from the want she felt for him. She needed to get up and go take a shower.

She began to move and Tony let her go. She sat up and smiled down at Tony. Then, their eyes met. They would not speak of this night again with anyone else, or even with each other. This night was forbidden and they both knew it, yet they both would relish the memory of it forever.

When they returned to Washington, DC they would go back to what they were and they would joke and laugh and that was the way they were going to cope with this all-too-serious adventure. She wasn't ready for anything more than what they were sharing now and he wasn't going to push her on it. She was perfectly happy with having a friend who was there for her whenever she needed one. She was also happy knowing how Tony felt and how she felt and knowing that there was a potential for them in the future.

They were lost in each other's eyes, but they needed to go pick up that witness. Ziva remembered it suddenly and she knew it was time for her to move away from the comfort that Tony so obviously offered her.

Finally, she tore her eyes away from Tony's indefinite green ones. She walked slowly toward the bathroom, feeling far better than she ever had before. She was better rested and happier than she had been in quite a long time.

Maybe, someday, she could have her happiness, with him. But, that day wasn't today. She vowed that before she died, she would talk to Tony about what happened yesterday and last night. But, that day wasn't going to be very soon. She needed to finish healing first. Perhaps she wasn't healing for just herself anymore. Perhaps she was healing for him now, too.

Ziva took an ice-cold shower and Tony then took his turn, also taking a cold shower, trying to wash away the want he was feeling, knowing that he couldn't keep acting quite like that.

When they were both showered and clothed, Ziva walked up to Tony and took his hands into her own, looking into his deep green eyes. She smiled as she looked there.

"Thank you for this, Tony," she said quietly.

"Anytime," he replied, almost as quietly. "Anytime."

She smiled again, unsure of what else to say. They stood there for a moment in silence.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, cry on, cuddle with, you know, I'm only a phone call away," Tony promised her, placing one hand on her cheek.

She leaned into his touch as he caressed her face in the palm of his hand. She smiled at him.

"I will remember that," Ziva said quietly as she allowed her eyes to slide closed and enjoy the comfort that Tony had for her. "Let's go get our witness and go home, shall we?"

A/N – Alright, another chapter done! I love this story. Here we get to see how they're reacting to what's happened already between them and it's all pretty positive, all things considered. I think Tony has her trust but I think Ziva just needs to finish healing before she can really show him that trust more than she already has. Leave a review and let me know what you think!