A/N: Hey ya'll! How's everyone's week going? I just wanted to say thank you for all those who have been reading this fic - like I can't believe we're already on Chapter 10! It's unbelievable!
Anyways, here is your Chapter 10! Enjoy!
Chapter 10
When he awakes, the smell of bacon and pancakes wafts up into his nose. Pushing the blanket off of him, he immediately walks into his kitchen, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Did I wake you?" she says softly, flicking her gaze to him while putting the now finished pancakes onto a plate.
He leans on the door frame, examining her in his kitchen. "No, the smell of food did," he laughs, voice husky.
"Well, now that I have your attention, I would like to ask you a favor."
He leaves the door frame and walks to the counter. He places his arms onto the counter which is a few inches away from the food and which is also a few inches away from her."Sure, Ziva. Anything."
She sighs deeply as she takes a pancake and lays it onto her plate. When she looks up at Tony, the corners of her mouth now tugged downwards. Something obviously troubling her.
Tony continues softly,"Ziva, it's okay, really. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"Do you think you can drive me to the Navy Yard? I think..it is time I see the team," she says as she runs a hand through her thick brown curls.
The corners of Tony's mouth widen suddenly as his eyes give away his surprised reaction. Nonetheless, it could not make him any happier. He thought she would never ask. "Of course, my ninja."
"Good. After we eat breakfast we can stop by, yes?"
Tony takes a piece of bacon and eats it."Yeah, we could do that."
After they finished their breakfast, Tony starts to take their plates and begins to wash them. Ziva cleans the table and walks over to Tony. She takes a spare dish towel and silently dries the plates, a small smile forming at her lips.
Tony, aware of her presence immediately stops washing the dishes. He then takes the sink head off from the tap and begins to spray Ziva. Her surprised squeal makes him laugh as water soaks her top to bottom. Being her, she quickly and successfully takes the sink head from Tony and sprays him, his clothes sticking coldly to his skin.
In the end, they end up sitting next to each other on the floor, their backs to his counters, shoulders touching, relishing the silence. Seconds after Tony's surrender, Ziva nudges Tony with her shoulder and says, "I am wet. Now we have to stop by my apartment."
His eyebrows seem to lift as he stands up. Extending his right arm, he opens his hand for Ziva to take, helping her up to her feet as well. "You can wear my clothes until we reach my apartment, deal?" She's hesitant at first, but nods her head anyways - the feeling of her clothing tightly sticking to her skin is already irritating.
When Tony enters his living room feeling refreshed and dry, his breath suddenly hitches in his throat as it has done many times before, only due to the fact that there is a very pretty woman in front of him wearing his clothes. She walks up to him slowly, proudly wearing his grey over-head sweater with the words 'Ohio State' on them and matching grey sweatpants. God, as big as they were on her, she never looked so beautiful. When she signals him to leave, he does so willingly. The two leave in sync as they head to his vehicle.
After minutes of driving, Tony unexpectedly says,"I wished for you, y'know. I saw a shooting star and I wished for you to come home." Taken aback by his sudden words causes Ziva to stir uncomfortably in the passenger seat. When she tries to look into his eyes for an explanation, no explanation arises.
"Tony..," was all she manages to say. When she opens her mouth, she is unable to speak. Emotions quickly seized up her words.
"You know what the funny thing is, Ziva? You're here." He pauses. "My wish came true."
She remains silent, absorbing what Tony had said. After some thought, she finally finds the strength to reply. "The only thing that kept me sane while I was away was you. You were what made me wake up in the morning. It was you that made me look forward to coming back to America. And now that I am here, you being with me makes me eternally grateful. So thank you, Tony."
As Ziva was to continue her feelings to Tony, the vehicle comes to a halt, bringing Ziva's head close to the dashboard. When she looks up, they have arrived at the Navy Yard. Suddenly a wave of emotions flood through her, and she begins to hyperventilate. Tony, aware of their surroundings, puts the gear to park and looks over to see her but quickly realizes something is wrong. He tenderly squeezes her shoulder as a sign to look up at him. When she does, he takes her hand into his, caressing the back of her hand. "It's going to be okay, Ziva. It's going to be alright. Nothing changed, I can promise you that. Everyone will be happy to see you - McGee, Abby, Ducky, Palmer, Gibbs.. They're going to be thrilled you're back. It's going to be okay."
She's silent for a moment, but as she brings her head up she gives Tony a weak smile. "Okay."
The bullpen doesn't look like it had changed - like Tony had said. The walls are the same. The flooring's the same. The chairs are the same. But the desks are not the same. She looks up Tony for an explanation but Tony shrugs. "Vance, uh, wanted you're desk to be cleaned off." He stops briefly. "But if you're wondering where your things are, they're in my desk."
Just as she was about to reply, a familiar ding from the elevator stops her. When she turns around, McGee stands there completely stunned.
"Hey McGee, you better close your mouth because you look like an idiot," Tony laughs as he walks over to the younger man and wraps his arm around his shoulder.
"Hello, McGee," she says sternly.
"Ziva...you're here."
"Yes. I am."
McGee stays in eye contact with Ziva. His hands slightly trembling. "That's.. that's good. That's really good." He continues. "And I suppose you're staying?"
"Yes."
Like that, Mcgee's body visibly relaxes as she watches him walk over to his desk and sit down. Immediately he begins to type on his computer but now a smile formed on his lips.
Tony does the same as he takes his firearm and badge and places it in a drawer in his desk. When he sits down, his back leans into the safety of the chair and places both of his feet on top of his desk. Clearly he is enjoying her company.
Next Ziva wanders into her abandoned desk and hesitantly sits down. As much as its familiarity comes rushing back to her, she cannot help but feel like a stranger claiming what is not hers. However the feeling quickly seizes when a high spirited goth comes into the bullpen.
"Ziva!" She squeals with excitement.
Abby strides over to Ziva and captures her in a tight embrace. "Hello, Abby."
Abby pulls back slightly. A conspicuous feeling seen from her worried and tired eyes. "I'm just glad you're here. I missed you so much."
"I know Abby."
Abby takes Ziva's hand and pulls her to the elevator."Come back with me to the lab. I have something to show you." Ziva smirks and willingly follows.
"Gear up. Marine found shot in an alley by a convenience store."
Gibbs' voice startles both men in their wake. However, like as if it is programmed into their brain. Two words come out of their mouths. "Yes, Boss," they say.
But when that same ding from the elevator fills their ears, Gibbs is the first one to look in that direction. Out comes to two women who obviously look happier but when Ziva meets Gibbs eyes, her expression instantly changes. She steps forward towards him. When she does so, Gibbs looks at the two men who immediately resume their work. "Gibbs." He nods and walks away to the elevator. Ziva directly follows him. Once the elevator comes to a halt he turns to her. "Ziva."
She straightens her back and continues,"I know it's difficult with the protocols, but I want you to know that I want to be back. I know you probably have a replacement, but I want to be apart of NCIS again I want to be part of your team again."
"It's going to take some time, but I think I can pull some strings."
"Thank you, Gibbs," she breathes.
"I couldn't forget about you, Ziver. And even if there was a replacement, you and I both know Dinozzo would have made them resign by now," he laughs. Then he continues, "We all missed you, Ziva. Now we're just happy that you're here and you're safe." He kisses her head gently and un flicks the stop button, the two leave the elevator smiling.
It is about 0200 hours when a knock on the door awakes him. Groggily getting out of his bed, he makes his way to the door.
"Jesus, Ziva. It's two o'clock in the morning," Tony complains.
She steps into his apartment and faces him. "Sorry. I just did not want to be alone tonight."
Tony's expression softens as he takes her in. Because of her, sleep is one thing that does not cross his mind. When he closes the door, he gestures her to sit down on his couch. He does the same. "Do you want anything to drink? Are you hungry?"
"No. Thank you for asking though. If it is too much to ask, I would like to watch a movie. Any movie, actually."
Tony mouth widens as he brings a blanket. When he finally chooses a movie - a James Bond movie, he inserts in into the DVD player. When the opening credits roll in, Ziva is already sleeping, her snoring is quietly heard. Just as he did a couple nights ago, he carefully picks her up and places her onto his bed. As he would find his way back to the couch, Ziva stirs gently and calls his name. "Tony."
He turns around and sees her still in bed. "Just go to bed. You can tell me whatever you need to say tomorrow," he says gently.
"Stay with me, Tony," she mumbles.
"What?"
"Stay with me," she replies, voice louder.
He does as she says and climbs into his bed with her, cautiously keeping his distance. After thinking about how she in his bed, he moves closer to her and instinctively wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her close against his chest. He nuzzles his face into her curls as he closes his eyes. When he finally falls asleep, he cannot help but feel a strong sense of déjà vu.
A/N: remember to keep following, favoring, and reviewing! You all mean the world to me! Thanks so much!
~edancel x