Title: A Long Way Home (Chapter Twenty-One)

Author: LizzieInk

A/N: I know I am a day late uploading this and I am sorry! I almost finished it yesterday but it wasn't quite right, so I kept it until today and re-worked it a little bit before uploading. Anyway, here it is! Enjoy! ;)

Disclaimer: remains in place.

Tony and Ziva were once again both being treated at the hospital. Considering everything they had been through, they had both done pretty well to get off so lightly. Tony was currently having a new cast put on his leg, while another nurse was cleaning and re-bandaging Ziva's wounds in the bed next to him.

During her fight to the death with Bodnar, Ziva had managed to rip out some of the stitches near her ribs and had made the wound a lot worse, probably adding an extra couple of weeks to her recovery time. However, in the end it was Tony who had come off worse from the days unauthorized mission. By constantly putting so much strain and unnecessary weight on his already broken leg, he had ensured himself not only an extra month wearing his leg cast, but he also had a lot of physiotherapy in his future.

The day had been hard on everyone, not only physically, but also mentally. Tony felt worn out, and looking across at Ziva in the bed next to him he knew that she wasn't far off from it either. At least now that the danger was over with, he and Ziva would be able to focus on building what they had together.

However, Tony realized that after the tiring day that they had both had, that was probably a conversation best left for another day. Instead he fell back to his default setting; humour.

Looking over towards Ziva, Tony chuckled to himself.

"You know I totally saved you today… yep. I was like a knight in shining armour." He said with a cocky grin.

"Maybe… except instead of armour you were wearing bandages." Ziva replied with a laugh.

"Not quite as pretty as armour perhaps, but under the circumstances, still pretty damn impressive." Tony said, looking at Ziva for confirmation.

She was only happy to give it. Smiling back at him, she replied; "You are right. You were pretty amazing today, Tony."

Tony chuckled. "It wasn't just me though. You know some people might say we make a good team…"

"Oh? And which people would that be?" Ziva asked teasingly.

Tony cocked his head to the side, and raising an eyebrow suggestively; "Me." He said.

Ziva blushed and smiled at him, the laughter from moments before still sparkling in her eyes.

The moment was broken slightly when they heard a throat being cleared from the door.

"Dinozzo's not the only one that thinks the two of you make a good team." Said Gibbs grudgingly. "But that being said, if either of you ever goes behind my back like that again, you are both stuck with desk work for the rest of your lives. Do you understand me?"

Replies of "Yes Boss" and "Sorry Gibbs" sounded quietly from the two patients, as they looked guiltily up at their boss.

Gibbs hesitantly stepped forwards before saying; "We're family. Next time you come up with one of your hair-brained ideas, you call me. Okay? You call me." He looked at both of his agents, his family, and smiled grudgingly before continuing.

"When you're finished getting fixed up you have some visitors. They want to make sure you get home safe." Gibbs said mysteriously before leaving the room.

When the nurses had finally finished patching up Tony and Ziva, and gotten both of them to promise to rest properly this time, the two agents were finally discharged. Tony had been given a new pair of crutches, to help him get about more easily. He never had been able to retrieve his old ones from the warehouse. He supposed they had later been processed as part of the crime scene. As Tony slowly headed out of their hospital room, Ziva kept pace beside him.

They had both been given painkillers to help them fight off the pain of the days events, but even so it was still hard work just to put one foot in front of the other.

"Mmmm…" Ziva murmured. "I don't think I have ever looked forward to time off work before, but I cannot wait to get back to my own comfortable apartment. I feel as if I could sleep for a week." She let out a long yawn as she and Tony walked companionably together through the hospital corridors.

As they were rounding the corner to the waiting room, Tony and Ziva both came to an abrupt stop. There before them stood; Gibbs, Ducky, Abby, McGee, Palmer and Breena. All of their friends and family had come to make sure that they were okay. Even Vance stood off to one side with his two children beside him.

Looking out into the sea of smiling faces before them, Ziva's eyes filled with happy tears, and Tony, his voice gruff with emotion, stepped forward towards Vance.

"Are we good?" Tony asked Vance quietly.

"Yes, Tony. It is over. As the Director of NCIS I have to tell you how stupid it was to go in alone like you did. However, as a friend I wanted to thank you…both of you." Vance looked over at Ziva and smiled.

Ducky stepped forward to give Ziva a hug, while Tony and Vance shook hands.

"How are you feeling, my dear?" Ducky asked Ziva.

"I am glad that it is all finally over." She replied with a smile.

Palmer and Breena came forward to give Ziva a hug next, while Tony was playfully hugged from both sides by both McGee and Abby. After Tony managed to un-sandwich himself from his two friends, he laughingly asked; "So which one of you is giving me a ride home?"

Gibbs stepped forward. "Well now that Bodnar is dead and we have the people that helped him in custody, the two of you no longer need to stay at Abby's. She has your stuff in her car. Ducky has offered to take Ziva home, and I don't mind taking you, Dinozzo."

"That's awfully nice of you, thanks Boss." Said Tony, sounding quite pleased with Gibbs' offer.

They all slowly made their way out into the parking lot, arms linked, all talking over each other and laughing companionably.

Ziva looked around herself quietly taking it all in. It had taken a long time for her to fit in at NCIS, but now she couldn't imagine life without all of her friends; her family, around her. She smiled to herself as a realization hit her; It has taken a very long time to get here, but here in this moment, I finally feel like I am home.

A/N: I hope you have all enjoyed this chapter? I found it harder to write than I thought I would. There is one more chapter to go, which I will upload tomorrow. It will be an epilogue. A beautiful ending to my story. I hope you will all think so too. :)