The first week of January had been a whirlwind at work, and both Tony and Ziva were more than ready for their weekend getaway. Tony had planned everything, from the cozy cabin tucked away in the woods to the route they'd take to get there. As the weekend arrived, the two of them packed up Tony's car with essentials and set off early on Saturday morning.
The drive was filled with light banter, laughter, and the familiar rhythm of Tony's music playlist, which Ziva mockingly teased but secretly enjoyed. Snow blanketed the trees lining the road, creating a picturesque landscape. Ziva couldn't help but smile as Tony kept pointing out landmarks and cracking jokes about how "rugged" they were becoming by heading into the wilderness.
When they reached the cabin, Ziva was immediately charmed. It was small and inviting, with a rustic charm—wooden beams, a stone fireplace, and large windows overlooking the snow-covered forest. Tony grinned as he opened the door for her, announcing dramatically, "Welcome to Casa DiNozzo, winter edition."
Ziva rolled her eyes but smiled warmly, taking in the cozy atmosphere. "This is lovely, Tony. You have done well."
"High praise from Miss Perfection herself," Tony quipped, helping her with her bag. "Now, let me show you what else I've got planned. I stocked up the kitchen with everything we'll need, including ingredients for s'mores. Yes, Zee-vah, s'mores. You're going to love them."
Ziva shook her head with a soft laugh. "I am sure I will."
--
The first afternoon was spent exploring the area around the cabin. They walked hand in hand along a nearby trail, the sound of crunching snow beneath their boots and the crisp air making the moment feel magical. Tony occasionally threw snowballs at Ziva, grinning mischievously, though she was quick to retaliate with her precise aim.
By the time they returned to the cabin, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Tony lit a fire in the fireplace while Ziva unpacked their things. Soon, the warm glow of the fire filled the room, and they sat on the plush rug in front of it, sipping hot cocoa that Tony had made.
"This," Ziva said softly, leaning back against Tony, "is perfect."
Tony smiled, wrapping an arm around her. "I aim to please, my ninja."
--
That evening, Tony cooked dinner—a simple but delicious pasta dish. They ate by the fire, laughing over stories of their past cases and joking about Tony's exaggerated tales of heroism. After dinner, he surprised Ziva with a bottle of wine he'd brought specifically for the occasion.
As the evening stretched on, Tony turned on some music—Sinatra, of course—and held out a hand to Ziva. "Dance with me?"
Ziva raised an eyebrow but took his hand. "You surprise me, Tony. I did not know you were such a romantic."
Tony smirked. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Zee-vah. But I plan to change that."
They swayed together in the glow of the firelight, their movements slow and unhurried. Ziva rested her head on Tony's shoulder, feeling completely at ease.
As the song came to an end, Tony pulled back slightly to look at her. "Ziva, I…" He hesitated for a moment, his expression softening. "I love you."
Ziva's breath hitched, her eyes searching his face. She could see the sincerity in his gaze, the vulnerability he rarely showed. A smile spread across her face as she cupped his cheek. "I love you too, Tony."
Relief and happiness washed over him, and he leaned down to kiss her, the moment sweet and unhurried. When they finally pulled apart, he grinned. "Guess we're officially one of those disgustingly happy couples now."
Ziva laughed, resting her forehead against his. "I think I can live with that."
--
The rest of the weekend was filled with moments like this—quiet, tender, and filled with love. They built a snowman outside the cabin the next morning, Tony insisting it needed a scarf, which Ziva eventually conceded to. They made s'mores that evening, with Ziva laughing as Tony managed to get melted marshmallow on his nose.
Their time in the cabin was a perfect escape from the world, a chance to just be themselves without the pressures of work or the outside world. By the time they packed up to leave on Sunday, both of them felt closer than ever, the words they'd exchanged cementing their bond in a way that felt unshakable.
As they drove back to the city, Tony glanced over at Ziva, who was gazing out the window with a small smile on her face. He reached over to take her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. She turned to him, her smile widening, and squeezed his hand gently.
Neither of them needed to say anything—the love they felt was clear in the comfortable silence between them.
As they arrived back in the city, the glow of their weekend still lingered. Tony parked the car in front of Ziva's building and turned off the engine. For a moment, neither of them moved, reluctant to leave the bubble of peace they had created over the past two days.
Ziva turned to Tony, a playful smile on her lips. "I suppose reality awaits us."
Tony sighed dramatically. "It does, but can't we just run away and live in that cabin forever? I could chop wood, you could catch dinner with your ninja moves. We'd be the ultimate survival duo."
Ziva chuckled, leaning over to kiss him softly. "As tempting as that sounds, I think we both know you would last exactly three days without pizza delivery."
Tony grinned. "Fair point. But I'd survive for you, Zee-vah."
She rolled her eyes affectionately. "Come on, let's get inside."
--
Once inside her apartment, Ziva immediately set about unpacking her bag while Tony flopped onto the couch, letting out a contented sigh. "Your couch feels different now, Zee. More… domestic."
Ziva arched an eyebrow as she walked into the living room. "What does that even mean?"
He gestured vaguely. "I don't know. It just feels like home. You know, warm and welcoming. Like you."
Ziva tilted her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You are quite the charmer today, Tony."
"Just speaking the truth, ninja," he replied, sitting up and holding out a hand to her. She took it and allowed herself to be pulled onto the couch beside him.
For a while, they sat together in comfortable silence, Ziva leaning against Tony's shoulder while he absentmindedly traced patterns on her hand with his thumb. It was moments like these that made everything feel so simple and right.
Eventually, Ziva broke the silence. "I am glad we went away. It felt… different. Good different."
Tony nodded, his expression softening. "It was different. I mean, we've had good times before, but that weekend? That felt like the start of something bigger, you know?"
Ziva looked up at him, her eyes full of warmth. "Yes, I know."
Tony smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Just promise me one thing."
"What is that?" Ziva asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Next time we go away, you let me teach you how to make s'mores properly. No ninja shortcuts."
Ziva laughed, shaking her head. "I promise, Tony. But only if you agree to let me teach you how to properly build a snowman."
Tony pretended to consider it, then grinned. "Deal."
--
That night, as they lay in bed, the quiet stillness of the city settling around them, Tony felt a sense of peace he hadn't known he was missing. He glanced over at Ziva, who was already drifting off to sleep, her hand resting on his chest.
He tightened his arm around her and whispered, "I love you, Zee-vah."
Though she didn't respond, her small smile in her sleep was all the confirmation he needed.
It was a quiet evening in late January when Ziva decided to bring up the topic. She and Tony were at her apartment, sharing a bottle of wine and lounging on the couch. The TV played softly in the background, though neither was paying much attention to it.
Tony had his arm draped around Ziva as she leaned into him, a peaceful silence between them. Ziva traced small patterns on his hand, her mind turning over the idea she had been thinking about for weeks.
Finally, she turned to him, breaking the silence. "Tony, can we talk about something?"
Tony looked down at her, a teasing smile on his lips. "Uh-oh. That tone. Am I in trouble?"
She gave him a playful nudge. "No, you are not in trouble. It is something… I have been thinking about."
Tony sat up slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Alright, hit me. What's on your mind, Zee?"
Ziva shifted to face him fully, her expression a mix of seriousness and anticipation. "I think… we should move in together."
Tony blinked, the words sinking in slowly. "Move in together?" he repeated, as though testing the sound of it.
"Yes," Ziva said, her tone confident but gentle. "We spend most of our time together already, Tony. Your things are often here, or mine are at your place. It makes sense, does it not?"
Tony tilted his head, his expression softening. "It does. But, Zee, your apartment—much as I love it—is a little… compact. And my place? Let's face it, it's basically a bachelor pad."
Ziva nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "Exactly. That is why we would need to find a new place. Somewhere that is ours, not just yours or mine."
Tony considered this, his heart swelling at the thought of taking this next step with her. "You really want to do this?"
Ziva reached for his hand, her gaze steady and full of warmth. "Yes, Tony. I do. I want us to have a home together. Do you not?"
Tony chuckled softly, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Of course I do. I've been waiting for you to bring it up. You're the organized one, Zee. If I'd suggested it, you'd have had a list of reasons why it wouldn't work."
She smirked at him. "That is true. But now there are no reasons for it not to work."
He grinned. "Alright, ninja. Let's do it. We'll start looking for a place that's perfect for us."
Ziva leaned in to kiss him, her heart full. "Perfect," she murmured against his lips.
The next day, they began their search. Tony joked that he was looking for a place with a kitchen big enough for his snacks and a living room where they could fit a massive TV for movie nights. Ziva, on the other hand, focused on practicality—plenty of storage, natural light, and a space where they could host family or friends comfortably.
As they browsed listings and debated over locations and features, Tony couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This wasn't just about finding a place—it was about building a life together.
And as Ziva's hand slipped into his while they scrolled through options, he knew that no matter where they ended up, as long as they were together, it would be home.