"She's gone," Tony held the phone to his ear as he sat on the edge of the sofa. "Oh God, she's gone, McGee."

He'd wanted her to see, to feel how much he loved her; so many years of holding it in. He'd wanted her to see how much they all loved her. The wedding had been his way to drive the point home but had he gone too far? He wanted to marry her so desperately but he'd also wanted her to have this undeniable connection to him, to home; and maybe, just maybe she'd open up - stay. But he'd woken and she wasn't in their bed, she wasn't in their home. At first the note, signed your wife, had eased his nerves but no - she wasn't here. He didn't know where she was and panic gripped him.

"Calm down, Tony," came McGee's voice, "did she take her bag?"

"No," Tony glanced at the black backpack behind the sofa. "But she doesn't need that, you know how she is."

"We still have days!" Tony shouted before he heard the key in the door and then saw Ziva walk in. After a moment he said, "she's here," into the phone and hung up. "Where the hell have you been?"

Ziva set down the coffee and bakery box on the island before going to Tony, she stopped before touching him because she could feel the anger coming off of him in waves, "I am sorry, Tony. I left you a note. Did you not read it?"

"I saw it," Tony tossed the phone into the couch's pillows, "I thought it was a lie."

"Tony, I would not leave like that and not this morning," Ziva assured him. "It is just seven in the morning I thought you might sleep longer."

"Why did you have to leave at all?" Tony challenged, "Why couldn't I wake up with you in my arms?"

"I am sorry, Tony," Ziva stepped closer, "I just needed to clear my head and running helps. I have been...overwhelmed."

Tony pulled her into his embrace, held her tight, "I know. I am too. I hate this, Ziva. I hate this. I don't want to lose you." She felt the emotion in Tony, the fear as acutely as she'd felt his anger when she walked in. "I need to know. I need to know what the hell this is all about?"

"I cannot tell you, Tony," Ziva felt him tense in her embrace before he took hold of her arms and pushed her back.

"Why?," he bit, "We have faced hell as partners. Why is this so different? Damnit, Ziva, stop trying to protect me and let me in!"

"No!" Ziva pulled out of his hold and took a few steps away from him, "I do not want you near this! I was not lying when I told you you would put me at risk because you are so clearly an American. I have to do this my way! And yes! I want to protect you, I love you!"

"You're walking away from me! When I need to be by your side - in life or in death," Tony empathized, the veins on his temple pulsing as he turned to her.

Ziva's face went white, "I took this on, Tony. Not you!"

"I'm not your co-worker anymore, Ziva but your husband."

"I know," Ziva blinked then stepped up to him, took his face in her hands, "but it is my husband I want to know is safe, alive."

Tony glared at her, grabbed her waist, "I want the same thing for my wife!"

Ziva closed her eyes, put her head on his shoulder before murmuring, "I will compromise, Tony. I will find a way to let you know I am all right."

He placed his hand on her head and leaned his head on hers, "I want more. I want you."

Ziva shook in his arms, "I do not want to hurt you, Tony." Her voice grew smaller, "I do not want to leave you."

"Then don't," Tony sat with her on the sofa and tilted her head up, "Sweetcheeks," he smiled, "nothing is this important."

"It is, Tony," Ziva nodded then looked away from Tony; stared out into nothing, tears clouding her eyes.

"Ziva-"

"Please," Ziva turned back to Tony and held onto his arms, "I am compromising, which is more than I intended to do. Gibbs was right. I have been expecting to die but no, Tony - not anymore. I swear to you that if I can come back I will. I will fight as hard as I have ever fought for anything in my entire life to come back home to you!"

"You are here in my arms, now," Tony pulled her closer, "I don't want to let you go. I don't," his voice cracked, "want you to be alone. And Ziva, I feel so alone without you."

"I do not even know how this happened, Tony," Ziva leaned into him as the emotion began to overwhelm her again."

"What?" he whispered.

"Before I left, you were mad about Adam. You kissed me on the forehead and we called ourselves...friends. Then you found me and now...look at us," Ziva held onto his arm as he tightened his hold on her.

"I love you," Tony stated simply, "I've loved you for so long. Please, Ziva, let's fight this together?"

"That was not our deal," Ziva pulled away from Tony and stood. "I told you I would give you eight days and you accepted. I don't know if I can handle this anymore, Tony. I have made my choice. Perhaps I should-"

"Tony reached her in two strides and pulled her into a searing kiss. He felt her hot tears on his cheeks and lifted her into his arms taking her to their bedroom.

They made love desperately, grasping for each other half in anger, half in pain. He felt her anger on the surface, anger at his insistence, anger at the situation, anger at her own loss of control with him. A loss he relished because it meant she was his now without it he'd never have gotten these eight days. And he felt her pain blend with his - he knew she didn't want to leave but he couldn't seem to get her to stay- to open completely to him. And he knew why, he knew she simply wanted him to live. But how could he get it across to her? How could he make her see that he had no life without her in it.

Since their first meeting there'd always been this undeniable pull between them and Tony knew it would never cease, never ease. He wanted her and he knew she wanted him. It was the sweetest ecstasy and the most painful torture he could imagine.

And now...I think it is time for a little fluff. I'd love to hear your suggestions for their next day. Maybe a day at the park? A picnic? Chinese food after a rainstorm?

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! I have enjoyed reading them so very much I cannot tell you! HUGS!