A sigh of relief escaped them both as they left the car. He hadn't realised that it was going to be this warm. The car was roasting. He thought they were going to melt into two puddles before they even got to the beach.

"Wait!" He said suddenly, realising something when they got a few yards away from the car park. "I'll be right back!"

He didn't even bother waiting to see what she would do. This was too important and it didn't matter if she followed him or not, the result would be the same.

It turned out that she had just waited for him from where he had run off, looking confused even though she could see where he went. A smile appeared when she realised what he was holding.

"Can't be at the beach and not have an ice-cream," he said by way of explanation.

She gave him a small smile and took hers from him.

"I believe that we have gone to the beach many times and not got an ice-cream."

"May as well start as we mean to go on, yeah?"

She paused and gave him his inscrutable look.

"I suppose so."

And with that she took the ice cream off him and gave it a lick, a look of happiness appearing as she did so. It was nice to see her smile, even if it was over an ice-cream. He'd missed her smile.

It was hot so a nice cool treat was always welcome, it made Ziva smile and it gave them a kind of natural reason to not talk and just walk without it being too awkward. Like the car rode over here. That had been a bit awkward and weird feeling.

They always had something to talk or argue about. Conversation was, or used to be, so easy between them and now it wasn't and Tony didn't like it. He didn't know what to do or even if he needed to do anything. And Ziva wasn't exactly being forthcoming with any normal conversation never mind anything else. What were they supposed to talk about? What was off limits except for, you know, the obvious?

He didn't figure it out by the time they'd both finished their ice creams and now they really were walking along in awkward silence. At least he felt like it was, did Ziva feel it? Eventually, he couldn't stand it and just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"You're looking well."

And he almost instantly kicked himself. You're looking Well? You're looking well? That was the first thing he said? Really? Great. Just great. They may as well just turn around and go home now.

But then he saw her shoulders relax and he almost let out an audible sound of relief. Was it weird to say that he'd almost forgotten what his partner looked like with un-tensed shoulders? It was like she had been on the defensive for months, expecting an attack. Which he supposed was true. It had to be uncomfortable. She must be feeling really stiff and achy. So, it was good that she was relaxed now. Much better for her. Yeah, that was why he wanted her to be relaxed. Of course. He was concerned about his partner's health. Because he was a good partner.

She didn't say anything in response to him putting his foot in his mouth but she didn't have to because it had somehow released the tension between them.

The rest of their walk along the beach passed much more easily. Which was good. Everything was good. They were chatting with each other, not about anything serious, and Ziva didn't get that look in her eye that meant she was thinking negative thoughts of any kind. Which had to be a record. She looked happy; he was happy. Despite the initial weird awkwardness this was good. It was really good.

The only problem was that Ziva still tired easily, she was still building up her stamina. Something he knew Gibbs kept a sharp eye on, making sure she didn't strain herself and Tony was going to do the same. So, subtlety, he chose a moment to turn back that he thought was far enough that it wasn't obvious what he was doing but short enough that Ziva wasn't going to collapse on him or something out of pure stubbornness because heaven help them all that Ziva actually say when she was tired out. Yeah, some things really didn't change.

"The tide is coming in," Ziva said suddenly, interrupting his spiel on shark movies. He had opinions on those.

And that was the perfect reason to turn back without it being obvious that he was deliberately shortening their walk. Thank you tide.

It took them a bit longer to get back to the car because, like he said, Ziva still tired quicker than she used to. Not that he minded or anything. He'd go whatever speed she needed. They both ended up in the car before the water reached them and that was the main thing.

Tony only realised twenty minutes in that he'd unintentionally decided to take the long way home. Maybe it was his subconscious telling him something. He didn't really want this day to end just yet. Even if it was only going to be twenty minutes longer. Who would want a nice day to end? Not him. And maybe not Ziva either. She hadn't said anything and he was pretty sure that she realised this wasn't the quickest way to either. Why was he even thinking so much about the way They were going home? It didn't really matter as long as they got there, right?

But then they were back at her apartment. The day was over and he didn't really like that.

Ziva got out of the car and paused before she shut the door.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

And Tony knew she wasn't talking about giving her a lift.

"No problem."

He wasn't talking about the lift either.

They stared at each other, neither of them saying anything. What was there to say? They didn't need to. Ziva smiled and Tony was pretty sure the lights in the parking lot suddenly got brighter or something.

"I had a good day."

"Same."

And he really didn't want it to end but there was nothing else he could do to extend it. They were at her apartment. He had parked the car. She had gotten out of it. Today, unfortunately, was over. It had been a good day.