A/N: Hi guys! So wow, 60 chapters, right? I hope everyone can hang in with me for awhile longer, we're looking to hit at least ninety by now, maybe more. I've kind of given up predicting the length of this story, it will just end whenever it ends. On that note I really hope this chapter makes sense. I had to add a bunch of scenes so it feels kind of broken up to me. Any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks so much for the reviews and comments and for sticking around for the journey. Enjoy! ~ Love, Aliyah

Despite the way they'd fallen asleep, Tony and Ziva woke up Saturday morning all tangled together. Ziva had meant to stay awake after Chaya's seven am feeding but the allure of a warm bed and a warm husband was too strong a pull to resist and she returned to her place under the covers. At what point Tony had moved closer and cocooned her in his arms Ziva was not sure, but as she lay her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat, she smiled, not wanting to change a thing.

Chaya's fussing soon came through the monitor and Ziva reluctantly extricated herself from her husband's grasp. By the time she returned to their room with the baby, Tony was half sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Good morning."

She smiled. "Did you sleep well?" Ziva adjusted her pyjamas so Chaya could nurse and Tony scooted closer. He leaned down to kiss Chaya's feet.

"Hi princess, hungry again huh?" Then he met his wife's gaze. "I sleep fine until you move, then I just lay here waiting for you to come back. I miss when I was with you for her night feedings."

Ziva touched his cheek. "We are not supposed to make them exciting so she can go back to sleep. If you came, you would distract both of us."

Tony grinned and kissed her fingers. "I'm a distraction?"

She rolled her eyes. "You are searching for compliments."

"Fishing Zi, and yeah, I never really get enough of them."

She wrinkled her nose. "What does fishing have to do with anything?" Then she reached up to press her lips lightly to his. "This is all you get."

"I'll take it," he assured her.

Tony got dressed while Ziva finished nursing and went downstairs, returning with tea and toast. He took Chaya to do his part and looked hesitantly at his wife. "You might want to grab a shower." She raised an eyebrow and he winced. "Don't hate me. You've got company coming." Ziva opened her mouth and Tony held the baby against himself like a shield. "It's not my fault!" he protested. "Abby decided and neither one of us had a choice. She's scary," he stage whispered.

Ziva chuckled and relaxed. "Where are we going?"

Tony shrugged. "Beats me, she wasn't telling. I was just supposed to have you ready by eleven-thirty."

She checked the clock and sighed. "I will hurry."

By the time Chaya was napping in her bassinet and Tony had cleaned the kitchen, Ziva was showered and dressed and downstairs. He barely had time to appreciate her appearance before there was a knock on the door and Abby stuck her head in. "Ready?" Her eyes widened. "Ziva, your hair!" She came closer and walked around her friend to get the full effect. "Wow, it's like when you first came to NCIS, only shorter." Then Abby beamed. "Say goodbye, we have to go."

Ziva turned to hug Tony and gave him a brief kiss. Abby peeked in on Chaya and then looked up. "What time do you need to be back?"

"I should not miss more than one feeding," Ziva decided. "Four-thirty at the latest."

"Okey-dokey." Abby flung herself at Tony and he put his hand on her belly, smiling when he felt movement. "Have fun ladies." He caught Abby's significant look and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Abby grabbed Ziva's hand and pulled her out. Tony waited until the car left the driveway and then picked up the phone. He had five hours to work on the basement. If reinforcements were available, they'd get a lot done and would be one day closer to finishing Ziva's surprise.

NCIS

Once they were in the car and on their way, Ziva turned to Abby. "Will you tell me what the surprise is?"

Abby glanced at her with a smile. "I booked us in for a half day at the spa. We're getting manicures, pedicures and massages." At the last thing Ziva's face fell and she seemed to curl in on herself without moving. The other woman shook her head. "Don't worry Ziva, I made sure we'd have female masseuses."

Ziva closed her eyes, her mind racing. She was only just getting used to having Tony's hands on her body. Allowing a stranger the same liberties seemed wrong somehow. "Abby...my back," she whispered and felt a hand on her arm.

"I'm sorry Ziva. I didn't think...I just forgot about that part." Abby bit her lip. "Do you want to cancel?"

Ziva saw the disappointment in Abby's eyes and swallowed. "I know you are only trying to do something nice." She thought back to one of the few times she'd experienced a massage and knew it would likely take care of the lingering discomfort from pregnancy and labour and recovery, not to mention the number she'd done on her body by dancing. She sighed. "I will...try. But it will have to be modified." Ziva shook her head. "I can only handle a certain amount of touch."

Abby nodded. "The ladies who do the massages are friends of mine - Emily and Heidi. I'll explain."

"Alright." Ziva didn't feel very sure, but neither did she want to ruin what her friend had planned.

Despite her concerns, Ziva enjoyed the massage very much. Emily was a skilled masseuse and never once showed a reaction to Ziva's scars except to make sure she wouldn't be hurting her in any way. Anytime Ziva tensed, Emily simply moved away from that area and continued loosening her tight muscles elsewhere.

Abby loved her massage as well, though hers was done differently because she was pregnant, and she talked to both ladies the whole time, leaving Ziva free to close her eyes and relax. She was tender afterwards and was glad to be sitting while they got their nails done. Ziva chose a simple milky prism polish while Abby went with sparkly black nails and got the esthetician to paint red stars on when they were dry.

By the time they got their pedicures, Ziva felt like she could dissolve into a puddle on the floor. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so stress free. Abby delivered her home just before four-thirty and Ziva thanked her, then went inside. Tony met her at the door and she melted into his hug.

He kissed the top of her head. "Have a good time?"

"Mmm," she hummed in appreciation as his fingers traced a path down her back. Tony had a hard time recalling if he'd ever seen her so relaxed.

Ziva moved to check on Chaya and the baby stirred, sucking on her hand. She lifted her up and went to the couch to nurse. The hormones released by breastfeeding sent a wave of sleepiness through her and Ziva fought to keep her eyes open. She'd lost the battle by the time Tony returned from changing Chaya. Once the baby was settled back in her bassinet, he knelt by the couch and started running his fingers through Ziva's hair.

"Tony, stop," she protested weakly, "you will put me to sleep."

"That's kind of the idea," Tony chuckled, kissing her cheek.

"I am only resting my eyes."

"Uh-huh," he said unbelievingly and continued his ministrations. Ziva was out in a few minutes and he smiled as he watched her. "Sweet dreams Zi."

While he got things out for supper, Tony wedged the phone between his cheek and shoulder and called Abby. "Well?" Abby asked. "How is she?"

"Sleeping," Tony reported. "It was a good idea Abs, thank you. She just looks so...serene. I think her being this relaxed is a first. It's nice."

"I aim to please," Abby chirped. "Oh Tony, don't forget to notice her nails, the little details are important."

He grinned. "Thanks for the head's up."

"See you Monday!" Then she was gone, leaving Tony alone with his sleeping girls.

NCIS

The aroma of homemade pasta sauce and garlic bread woke her before the baby did. Yawning, Ziva got up and shuffled into the kitchen to stand beside Tony. Leaning up to kiss him, she smiled and he rubbed her shoulders. "No knots, that masseuse must've been good."

Ziva wrinkled her nose. "I have never been very good about being touched by other people." She blinked and her eyes twinkled. "I think I like it better when it is your hands."

Tony grinned. "I'll keep that in mind." He lifted her hand and kissed the back, then examined her fingernails. "I don't know if I've ever seen your nails polished before."

"It did not used to be an option." Mossad did not allow for small indulgences like that unless she was running a seduction game on a mark. She wiggled them. "It changes colour." Holding her hand up to the light, she showed him the subtle rainbow hues that danced over her nails.

"Pretty." He raised an eyebrow. "Get your toes done too?"

"Yes," Ziva answered, "but you will have to wait until bedtime to see them."

Refraining from making any comments that could be taken the wrong way, Tony stirred the sauce and checked on the pasta. The evening was comfortable, warm and quiet, enjoyed by two people who used words only when they conveyed something looks and touches could not. And for this particular couple, they could say an awful lot.

Tony came out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth to find Ziva on her stomach on the bed reading a book. Her feet were in the air, crossed at the ankles, so he plopped down beside her and grabbed one foot. Ziva shrieked with laughter when he tickled the bottom of her feet and squirmed around to lay on her back, trying not to kick him. Her look was a warning and he moved his hand so his palm cradled the bottom of her foot instead. Ziva smiled as his thumb caressed her toes.

"Green, huh?" And not just any green, but a dark, rich green with a hint of sparkle to it.

Ziva dragged her finger down his chest. "That is my favourite colour."

"Really?" he smirked. "You'd take the royalty green over army green like that shirt you used to wear?"

"They are both parts of me," she explained, "but you are spoiling me with this life, so this green fits."

Tony leaned down and Ziva could smell a hint of the cologne still clinging to his skin. Their lips met and his hand slid along her cheek to tangle in her hair. Soft, yielding mouths, shared breaths and the heat from his touch overwhelmed her, almost too much until Tony pulled back.

"For the record," he whispered in her ear, "I like spoiling you. I want you to feel like a princess every day, to feel...cherished. It's okay to get used to it sweetheart, I promise I won't stop."

Ziva brushed her fingers over the bit of scruff on his face and along his jaw. "I love you." Sometimes, when she was at a loss for words, she used those ones. Tony loved to hear them and she hoped, somehow, that he could read into them everything she wished she could say. Because he did cherish her and Ziva had never known what she was missing until now.

NCIS

It was later on Monday night when the phone rang at the DiNozzo house. Ziva shifted the baby to one arm and picked it up. "This is Ziva."

Tony sighed on the other end. "Hey Zi."

She could hear the heaviness in his voice. "Is everything alright?"

"Can I say goodnight to Chaya? I'm sorry, but this case really swallowed us and I won't be back until late."

She was disappointed but understood the demands of the job. "Of course. Count to three, I will put the phone by her ear."

Tony's words carried through the speaker, even though he wasn't talking very loud. "Hi princess, it's Daddy. I'm sorry I won't be there to read you a story tonight, but tomorrow, okay? Be a good girl for Mommy. I love you." He let out a breath. "Sleep sweet baby girl."

Ziva smiled. "You are very good with her."

He hated missing out on any part of his new life. "Think she knows my voice?"

Laying the drowsy infant on her back in the crib, Ziva rubbed her tummy gently. "Yes. I think she has known it since before she was born. Go work Tony, we will be here when you get home."

"Yeah." He shifted in his chair, getting the look from Gibbs. "Don't wait up for me honey, it might me a long one."

"I love you."

Those words made his whole night. "Me too. Laila tov."

"Buona notte."

Pressing the off button, Ziva checked on her daughter a final time and walked down the hall to get changed for bed. It was strange to put on pyjamas and brush her teeth without him there, making funny faces at her and teasing her with looks and touches. She got into bed alone and found out immediately that she didn't like it. Tony's pillow lay across the bed so Ziva reached for it and pulled it against her chest, breathing in the familiar and comforting smell of her husband. It was hardly a substitute for the real thing, but tonight she would take what she could get.

NCIS

When he got home shortly before midnight, Tony undressed as quietly as he could, although it seemed like he was never louder than when he was trying not to make a sound, and slipped into bed behind Ziva, who was already asleep. He chuckled the realize she was sleeping wrapped around his pillow, though somehow the gesture made him feel special.

Tony lifted the sheets on his side and slid close to his wife, needing to be touching her while they slept. His hand barely grazed Ziva's arm when she sat straight up, eyes wild, reaching for the gun he was trying to convince her to put in the bedside table drawer when their daughter was older.

Immediately Tony moved away, holding his hands up. "Whoa Zi, it's okay. It's just me."

The sound of his voice brought her back to reality and Ziva blinked once, then laid the gun back on the night table shakily. "Tony, you startled me."

"Yeah," he swallowed, "I can see that." He paused a moment to let his heart recover and moved to lie down, tugging her with him. Ziva followed his lead and slowly relaxed as her husband drew tiny circles on her arm.

"I am sorry," she whispered. "It is not you."

Closing his eyes as he understood her meaning, Tony sighed. "I know babe." He didn't want to think about all the other men that came into the room after she was asleep, only to prolong her torture in the darkness. "It's okay." She snuggled back into him and Tony held her tightly, wishing his presence and his touch could erase all the memories that still haunted her at night.

NCIS

Monday marked McGee and Abby's seven month anniversary and she waited until they were getting ready for bed before she showed him her surprise. "What do you think of my new tattoo?" Abby pulled her hair to the side to reveal a now inked spot behind her ear - a heart with a three inside that was somehow done to resemble a four leaf clover as well.

"Isn't it cool?" she gushed. "The heart is for our love, the three is you, me and the baby, and the clover is to remember our honeymoon." Tim was quiet and Abby looked at him. "What's wrong?"

He hesitated. "Is it safe for the baby for you to get a tattoo now?"

Righteous indignation sparked in Abby's eyes and her hands flew to her hips. "Do you really think I would do something to hurt our baby McGee? What kind of person do you think I am?"

She pushed past him into their bedroom and curled up on the bed, her fingers stroking the firm roundness of her stomach. Tim sighed and rubbed his face, cautiously joining her. "I'm sorry Abs, I didn't mean it that way. I just...worry, okay? Every day about you and the baby in the lab and driving and every time you're out of my sight." He kissed her fingers. "Forgive me?"

Abby's features softened and she turned to hug him. "Yes." She slid his hand to the front of her belly and watched his face while their baby kicked. He smiled and bent to kiss the spot.

"Daddy loves you baby." Tim sat up and captured Abby's lips. "I always like when you get a new tattoo." He kissed down her neck and pushed his hand under her shirt where the cross was. "But my favourites are the ones no one else gets to see." McGee brushed her hair back. "Does it still hurt?"

Abby shrugged. "A little, but I'm used to it. Do you really like it?"

He pushed her down on the bed. "Mmhmm..." His kisses didn't stop and Abby closed her eyes, extremely willing to follow her husband's lead. She was one lucky woman.

NCIS

Tuesday Chaya's third feeding was going to coincide with the time they had to be in Devon's office, so Ziva pushed it back a bit and then had to nurse immediately when they got in the room. She beat Tony by a few minutes and was chatting with Devon about innocuous things when he showed up. He kissed his wife, nodded at Devon and sat down close enough to be in Ziva's personal space. It was with great interest that the doctor observed Ziva's non-reaction to his nearness.

"So," she began, "does anyone want to tell me what happened last week?"

Tony rubbed his forehead and Ziva caught his gaze, somehow reassuring him with whatever he saw in her eyes. She turned towards her doctor. "Our partnership has never followed the smoothest road. We have spent six years together and there are many things for which hurt still lingers." Ziva slid her hand into Tony's. "It was not easy to talk about, but I think, I hope we have started to heal now."

Tony nodded in agreement, remembering the tender way she'd held him, the honesty with which she'd explained her actions, and the understanding he'd been so grateful for. It was a huge weight off his chest to have finally told her everything he was keeping inside, things he didn't even realize were still bothering him. And even if it was uncomfortable, he was glad the therapy had forced them to have that conversation. His eyes drifted back to his baby, who was focused on her mother.

"Nothing I need to do then?" Finding it quite difficult to get the couple to focus while their baby was eating, Devon nonetheless persisted because they were on a time limit. She got the minutest reactions from both spouses and continued asking question, hoping for a response. There was a surprising lack of things to share from the previous week and the therapist had a hard time keeping Ziva's attention as she watched her husband burp their baby and spread a change pad on the floor to take care of her diaper.

Tony returned to his place beside Ziva and held Chaya in his lap. That he found comfort in his daughter was obvious. He sat there brushing his thumb over her fist as Chaya's eyes fell shut, staring at her like she was the eighth wonder of the world. He clearly couldn't get enough.

Devon looked at her notes. "Tony, Ziva shared an observation with me a few weeks ago. She thinks you're trying to do right with Chaya everything your father did wrong with you. It seems to her that you have a very specific idea of what a dad is supposed to be like and you're working hard to live up to that."

Tony's gaze flickered to Ziva, reading her concern for his reaction. He smiled faintly and reached to slide his fingers between hers, preparing to be very honest. "Ziva and I, we didn't grow up with the greatest dads. Good moms yes, but we both lost them too soon. Our dads put everything else before their kids - work, duty, country, vision, deals, wants - everything."

He looked into his wife's eyes and saw her agreement. Tony touched Chaya's foot. "I want more than that for our daughter. So yeah, I'm going to do whatever it takes to give her everything I always wanted from a relationship with my dad." He gathered Chaya into his arms. "My little girl will never have to wonder if her father loves her, I can promise you that."

Ziva turned to face her husband and daughter, putting her hand on Tony's arm and leaning close to whisper to him. From what Devon could tell, it didn't sound like English, but clearly Tony understood because the look he gave Ziva was enough to freeze the moment. After a minute Devon shifted in her chair.

"Okay, you guys need to have eye sex on your own time. I feel like a third wheel and this is my office." The couple broke their gazes with a laugh and she wondered if they'd been told that before. "What's your relationship with your dad like now?" Devon asked Tony, knowing full well that Eli was an off-limits topic for Ziva.

Tony sobered and sighed. "I don't think you'd really call it a relationship. If he's in town sometimes he calls, or if he needs something. Trouble has a way of finding my father, but for the most part he leaves me out of it."

Dr. Andrews stared evenly at him. "What does that feel like, to be an afterthought?"

He shrugged. "I don't really feel it any more. It's normal, I guess. I've never been anyone's first priority."

The blow hit Ziva hard and Devon watched her take in his statement. "Ata sheli," she told him firmly, hurt swimming in her gaze. You are mine.

Tony frowned as if the words didn't make sense and then a light went on and he wanted to kiss her so badly, but settled instead for caressing her cheek, a grateful expression on his face. Devon rolled her eyes, beginning to re-think this idea of couples' counseling. They were extremely distracted when they were together.

NCIS

Later that evening Tony was watching Stuck on You, with Chaya fast asleep on his chest. After the last feeding, he wanted to keep holding her and Ziva understood, moving to the kitchen to make some sort of dessert so they could have time together. It was peaceful for awhile, then the conjoined twins in the movie did something really funny and Tony laughed out loud, startling the baby.

Chaya, rudely awakened, started crying, bringing both Tony and Ziva's attention immediately to her. Tony looked chagrined and rubbed her back, kissing her head and murmuring apologies for interrupting her nap. Ziva chuckled quietly and stood behind the couch with her hand on Tony's shoulder.

"That is the only problem with having a baby sleeping on your chest. You need to be careful how you move."

Tony looked up at her. "I'd do this even if there wasn't a movie on. Just to watch her breathe is pretty much the best feeling ever. I can't take my eyes off her Zi, she's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I still can't believe she's really ours."

Ziva blinked back the tears that threatened and leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "That is worth more than I have words to tell you," she whispered, retreating back to her pastry. She wondered if any father had ever been more in love with his daughter than Tony was with Chaya. Nothing was ever so precious as the way he looked at her and loved her.

NCIS

Since the case on Monday had interfered with Gibbs' and Abby's plans to go out, he showed up at Tim and Abby's house after supper Tuesday and offered his arm. Abby waved goodbye to her husband, tucked her hand into his elbow and let her father escort her down the sidewalk.

They walked in silence for only a few minutes before she bit her lip. "You didn't have something going on with Celeste tonight?"

Gibbs grunted. "Have time for both of you Abs. Don't exactly have a packed social calendar."

Abby giggled at the picture that brought. "I wonder if you were ever a normal teenager who just went and hung out with his friends, or if you were at home in the basement practicing your woodworking skills."

He sighed. "Normal changed a lot after the girls. The team and Celeste is as close as I'm going to get again."

Her expression dropped. "I'm sorry."

Gibbs frowned. "Rule 6. Wasn't trying to make you sad."

"I think we should do something different," Abby announced suddenly.

The look in his eyes grew wary as they circled the block slowly. "Different."

"Yeah, you know...dinner has been fun and all, but tonight we're going for a walk and I'm enjoying that. So maybe next time we could go bowling or something!"

Gibbs shook his head swiftly. "No bowling."

Abby laughed. "Fine, be an old stick in the mud. Geez Gibbs, my nuns have more of a life than you." She tossed her pigtails. "Anyways, what do you say? Variety is the spice of life."

He nodded slowly. "Got an idea for next week. Come to my place."

She frowned. "This isn't a ploy to make me talk to your mysterious redhead, is it?" He shot her a glare and Abby shrugged. "Just checking. I'm sure you could be underhanded if you really wanted to be. Okay, cool, next week I'll meet you after work."

Quiet surrounded them again and Abby leaned into him. "Gibbs?" she whispered. "Thanks."

Gibbs kissed the side of her head. "You're still mine Abby, I'm not letting you go."

To the girl who loved him like a daughter, those words meant everything.

NCIS

Wednesday night was Girl's Night which meant the guys spent two hours working on the basement and Ziva took Chaya with her because of the baby's more frequent evening feedings. He was in the bathroom brushing his teeth when Ziva got home and put Chaya to bed. She seemed quieter than usual and Tony wondered if he should ask but figured she was probably just tired. Spending time with Abby could be exhausting.

Thursday, however, when she continued acting the same, Tony tried to get her to talk to him before they went to sleep. He got into bed and rolled over to face her. "How was your day?"

She shrugged. "It was good to see Lina."

Tony tucked some hair behind her ear. "Chaya behave herself?"

Ziva frowned. "She is an infant Tony, there is not much she can do wrong."

He sought her eyes, tired of beating around the bush when she was being deliberately evasive. "What's wrong Zi?"

She turned away from him. "Nothing. I am just tired. Goodnight."

Tony lay there staring into the darkness and sighed. With Ziva, 'nothing' never actually meant nothing, it was always something. And how the heck was he supposed to figure out what it was when she wouldn't talk to him?

NCIS

Ziva waited until she was fairly certain her husband was asleep before she cuddled up to his side and rested her head on his chest. She knew he was weary from a long day at work and he only wanted to help. Ziva wished she hadn't snapped at him, but Tony was probing and she was not yet ready to share her thoughts and anxieties.

Going to therapy together was a two edged sword - good because she was getting insight into her husband's thoughts and feelings, but frustrating because she wasn't able to completely open up with him there. So much of what was in her head was left unsaid and unworked through and it was building up.

Ziva sighed silently and ran her fingers through his chest hair. This was not fair to him. He gave her everything and she could not give him herself. Pressing a soft kiss to his collarbone, Ziva rolled over to lay by herself again. "I am sorry Tony," she whispered.

Tony didn't dare move a muscle until she settled, didn't even open his eyes until her breathing evened out. Pretending to be asleep so he could enjoy her attention and touch was a fine line to walk. He was surprised Ziva hadn't felt his heart speed up just from her nearness.

Now Tony wished he hadn't been faking because Ziva's quiet words that he wasn't supposed to hear wouldn't leave him alone. They haunted his thoughts as he tried to go to sleep for real. Why did she feel the need to apologize? It was something he wouldn't easily forget and Tony would've given a whole lot that night to have all the answers.

NCIS

Tony never got the chance to ponder the question until it drove him crazy because in the wee hours of Friday morning, Chaya woke up crying and started her six week growth spurt ahead of schedule, reverting to the hour and a half feedings they'd suffered through during the first one.

They were two incredibly sleep deprived people by the time the sun rose and Tony called Gibbs to explain why he was taking the day off. There was no way he'd be able to function at work, let alone chase bad guys or interrogate suspects or write reports without falling asleep.

The grueling schedule continued for the day, which meant they barely moved except for bathroom breaks as they clung desperately to the little sleep allotted them. Later in the afternoon, Ziva suddenly realized she needed to eat and went downstairs. After a moment's thought, Tony followed her, feeling the need to inject a little fun into their exhaustion laced moments of being awake.

He snuck up behind her as she was making breakfast for a late lunch and grabbed her ribcage between his hands, wiggling his fingers up and down her sides. With barely a pause Ziva drove her elbow back into his chest and Tony doubled over, gasping. Ziva immediately dropped the knife she was using to butter toast and reached for him, horror written all over her face.

"Tony! I am sorry! I did not mean to." Then her hands found her hips. "You should know better than to surprise me by now."

Tony coughed and finally took a breath. "Yeah," he wheezed, "I got that." He pulled her against him. "I was only trying to have a little fun. I thought your reflexes would be slower when you're so tired."

She snorted as if the idea was ludicrous, then Ziva's eyes dropped. "I am not very fond of being tickled."

He stored that information away and gave her his best puppy dog face. "Are you at least going to kiss me? I think I'm bruised."

The long suffering look Ziva gave him told Tony she knew he was milking the injury, but she still lifted his shirt and pressed her lips gently to his sternum. Tony sucked in his breath and his voice was husky. "That wasn't what I meant."

Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "How can I kiss it better if I do not kiss your bruise?"

"Well," he cocked his head to the side, "can I get more than one?"

"Bruise or kiss?"

"Kiss," Tony hastened to say, but when she leaned towards his stomach again he grabbed her face and captured her lips with his, kissing her soundly.

Ziva pulled back after a long moment and patted his chest lightly. "I think you will live."

He put his finger under her chin. "And because of you Zi, it will be a happy life."

Just for that, she kissed him again. Then they ate their toast and went back to bed, this time with smiles on their faces and contentment in their hearts.