AN: I know, I know. We are cruel individuals. We are going to start bringing this story to its conclusion. And just for the record, as far as this story goes, the season premiere didn't happen. From the season finale on, it's completely AU.
MN: In an effort to not leave people hanging for so long, we will not be starting another story until Seams is also completed. That is going to give us some time to think about a new story idea. Any suggestions? Feel free to PM us with requests!
As she entered their room, Ziva's heart leapt into her throat. She knew she was going to have to handle Tony and what had happened between them on the dance floor downstairs and she was still at a loss for how to do so. They had escorted Rainey and Seth to their room almost wordlessly, letting the couple carry the conversation and answering minimally when needed. Now, as he closed the door behind them, she knew she had to say something.
She turned to look at him but his eyes were cast downward. Before she could decide what to say, his mouth opened. "I'm sorry, Zi. I crossed a line and I shouldn't have."
She took a step closer to him, placing herself just a few feet in front of him. "Why did you?"
His eyes drew up to meet hers and she could see the tumult of emotions swirling behind them. "The same reason I showed up at your apartment when Michael was there. The same reason that I came after you in Somalia. The same reason I went with you to Berlin. And the same reason I promised to be your friend in the woods a few months ago."
His words made something in her snap. She was tired of running scared. Tired of worrying about what might happen. Tired of hurting both herself and him. "You did cross a line tonight, but perhaps it's a line I should not have drawn."
Confusion swirled in with the mess of feeling already clouding his face. "What are you trying to say, Ziva."
She stepped forward once again, nearly bringing her body in contact with his. She raised one hand and laid her palm on his chest. "Cross it again, Tony."
He hesitated for a split second then leaned in to press his lips back to hers. She raised her free hand to wrap around the back of his neck. That seemed to be all the invitation he needed to pull her into his arms. A moment later, she felt his lips part and shifted her own to allow him to deepen the kiss.
The years of built up tension between them suddenly exploded. She undid the buttons on his jacket and he released his grip on her long enough for her to push it from his shoulders and arms to crumple on the ground. She loosened his tied then started on the buttons of his shirt but suddenly he yanked back from her and brought his hand up to still hers as the other dropped to her hip. Confused, she looked at him.
He shook his head and dipped back in for another quick, simple kiss before bringing his forehead to rest against hers. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but not tonight. Not like this. If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right."
She nodded in understanding, not trusting her own voice in the moment. He pressed yet another fast kiss to her lips. "It's late, why don't you go change for bed?"
At her second nod he released her hand and dropped both of his hands to his sides. She gathered the shorts and t-shirt she had been sleeping in and retreated to the bathroom.
When she exited back into the room several minutes later, he was already sitting on the edge of the bed, his suit now draped over the back of a chair. He was clad in boxers and a t-shirt and his hair was already tousled. Had she done that?
She crossed to the other side of the bed, placing her knife and cellphone on the nightstand before pulling back the comforter. By the time she had settled in under the covers, he had clicked the light off and laid down himself.
She rolled onto her side to face him, and, even in the soft moonlight streaming through the curtains, could tell he was staring at her as he lay facing her. He scooted forward to the middle of the bed and she followed his lead. When they were only a couple of inches apart, his hand came up to brush the hair from her face back and tuck it behind her ear. He leaned in and pressed another sweet and gentle kiss to her lips then retreated back once again to look at her.
She placed her palm against his cheek. "Goodnight, Tony."
He turned into her touch, briefly pressing his lips against her palm. "Yes it is." With that he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against him, and settled in for sleep.
Ziva rolled her eyes but couldn't help chuckling along with the other women. While a fair number of the wedding's guests had left that morning, they were among a small group that was staying one additional day. Currently the women were sitting on the beach in lounge chairs or on towels, watching as the men and children played Frisbee.
What had been caused their current amusement was her partner. He had somehow managed to trip on his own feet, sending him sprawling face first into the sand, but had still managed to catch the plastic disc.
Her cellphone rang on the small table beside the chair she was occupying and she reached over to grab it, smiling as she saw her roommate's name on the screen. She answered and brought the devise to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hey Ziva. Having a good time?"
"As a matter of fact, yes I am." The statement was completely true and brought a grin immediately back to her face.
"Good. I was just wondering if you were going to need to be picked up at the airport tomorrow. As it stands right now, Rhodes and I are going to have the day off."
His thoughtfulness was touching and her grin widened. "Thank you, but the Senator is sending a car to the airport. We're going to be dropped off at the office and my car is there. I appreciate the offer though."
"Alright. Well invite DiNozzo to dinner tomorrow. Rhodes is coming and there will be plenty. You guys can tell us what we missed."
"I will do that. I'll see you when I get home tomorrow, Alex." She disconnected the call and set her phone back down. She looked over to Rainey to find the other woman staring at her. "What?"
Rainey kept her voice low so that no one else could overhear. "Alex, huh? Boyfriend? Fiance?"
Ziva shook her head. "No. Roommate. Wanted to make sure Tony and I didn't need a ride home from the airport tomorrow."
Rainey eyed her suspiciously for a moment then seemed to decide she was telling the truth. "Well that was nice of him. I can't believe we have to go home tomorrow."
She nodded and leaned back in her chair. "I know. This has been an incredible week."
She didn't get a chance to hear Rainey's next thought as the volume level notched up with the return of the men and children from their game. Tony was still covered in sand from his tumble and, as he approached her chair, began pulling his shirt over his head. "A bunch of us are going to go for a swim. You ladies coming?"
Ziva nodded and pulled her sunglasses off to join her cellphone. "That sounds wonderful."
She accepted Tony's hand and he pulled her to her feet quickly. He kept hold of her hand and led her down to the water amid a gaggle of excited children. As she followed him into the warm water, she realized that she was once again grinning. Yes, she was going to miss Hawaii when they returned home, but for now she was going to fully enjoy their last day.
AN: A bit on the short side but too long to add the next bit. Next chapter means going home and starting to bring our journey to its conclusion.
