The next morning, Ziva woke early, as usual, and decided to go for her routine run. The brisk air helped her shake off the lingering tiredness from the case. Afterward, she returned to her apartment, stretched, and hopped into the shower. The hot water was a welcome relief to her sore muscles.
Just as she finished and wrapped herself in a towel, the doorbell rang. Curious, she walked to the door and peeked through the peephole. Seeing Tony standing there, she smiled to herself and opened the door.
"Good morning, Zee-vah," Tony greeted her, his smirk already in place. His eyes flicked over her towel-clad form.
"Well, well, Zee-vah," he began, leaning slightly against the doorframe. "Is this your new uniform, or did I just show up at the perfect moment?"
She rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't waver. "Good morning, Tony. If you must know, I just got out of the shower."
"Clearly," he teased, then added with mock seriousness, "You're really testing my focus here."
She narrowed her eyes at him playfully and swatted his arm with the towel she had been using for her hair.
"Behave," she said, stepping aside to let him in.
She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his teasing. "Are you here for a reason, or just to make remarks about my attire?"
"Both," he replied smoothly, pulling a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "Thought I'd bring these to brighten your day."
Ziva's expression softened as she took the flowers from him. "Thank you, Tony. That's very sweet of you." She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"You're welcome," he said with a grin. "Now, about your outfit—"
Ziva swatted his arm lightly with the towel she had in her hand for her hair. "Behave, or you will not survive long enough to see me without the towel at all."
"Noted," Tony replied, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "I'll find a vase for these while you, uh, get less distracting."
Ziva chuckled as she disappeared into her bedroom.
Tony headed into her kitchen, rummaging through cabinets until he found a vase. He filled it with water and arranged the flowers, taking a moment to glance around her apartment. The small details, like the bookshelves filled with titles in multiple languages and the pictures that hinted at a life far removed from her current one, always fascinated him.
A few minutes later, Ziva returned, dressed in fitted jeans and a simple green blouse. Her damp hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and the sight made Tony smile.
"Better?" she asked, noticing his gaze.
"Much better," he said, handing her the vase.
She placed it on the dining table. "Would you like some coffee?"
"I'd love some," he replied, settling onto her couch.
As she busied herself in the kitchen, Tony couldn't help but feel at ease. Something about being in her space, sharing these quieter moments, felt natural. He didn't know where they were headed, but for now, he was content to enjoy whatever this was.
As Ziva handed Tony his coffee, he took a sip before setting it down, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"You know," Tony began, looking at her as she moved around the kitchen, "I was thinking. How about we drive out to that market outside of DC today? I've been wanting to check it out, and it could be fun."
Ziva raised an eyebrow, turning towards him as she leaned against the counter. "What kind of market?"
"Farmer's market. Lots of fresh produce, homemade goods, that sort of thing. Thought we could grab some lunch while we're there too," Tony replied casually, but there was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Ziva considered it for a moment. "Sounds like a good idea," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But first, I need to dry my hair."
Tony nodded, watching as she disappeared into the bathroom. He took another sip of his coffee, his mind still lingering on their earlier interactions. There was something about today that felt different. Easier. More... natural.
A few minutes later, Ziva returned to the living room, her hair still damp as she quickly pulled it into a ponytail. She didn't need to be anywhere in a rush, but there was a quiet sense of anticipation in the air, like they were both waiting for something.
Just as she grabbed her purse and made her way toward the door, Tony stopped her with a smile.
"Wait," he said, his tone low, "before we leave, there's something I need from you."
Ziva turned toward him, a curious look on her face. "What's that?"
Without a word, Tony moved toward her, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. Surprised, Ziva let out a small laugh, something she rarely did, her breath hitching as he gently pressed her against him.
"You're so easy to tease," Tony murmured with a grin before he leaned in and kissed her.
It was soft at first, the kiss tentative and warm, like a promise of something unspoken. Ziva responded, her hands coming up to rest on his chest as she kissed him back, a slight smile breaking through as they shared that brief but meaningful moment.
Tony pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Now, we can go," he said, his voice a little softer than before.
Ziva chuckled, shaking her head. "You're impossible, DiNozzo."
"Yeah, but you love it," Tony teased, reaching for his keys.
Together, they left the apartment, stepping out into the day ahead, their time at the market just another chapter in the growing connection between them.
They drove to the market with the windows down, the early morning air cool and refreshing. Ziva sat beside Tony, glancing out the window as the city gradually gave way to the open road, the bustle of DC slowly disappearing. The drive was peaceful, the kind of quiet that made Ziva feel at ease. She had spent so much time over the years always on edge, always ready for the next mission or danger. But here, with Tony, there was something calming, something steady.
Tony, glancing over at her occasionally, couldn't help but smile. He didn't know exactly when things had shifted between them. It hadn't been a grand moment of realization; it had been more of a quiet understanding. Ziva, in all her complexities, had become the one person he could imagine spending time with beyond work, beyond their cases. He still didn't have the words for it, but he didn't need them. Not right now.
"So," Tony said, breaking the silence as they neared the market, "What do you think? You into the whole 'find something quirky and bring it home' vibe? Or are we just here for the food?"
Ziva raised an eyebrow. "A bit of both, I think."
Tony smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that. They have some of the best pies here."
Ziva gave him a sideways look. "Pies? Really?"
He laughed, the sound easy and light. "You'll see. Trust me."
They pulled into the parking lot and walked to the market, greeted by the scent of fresh produce and the warm atmosphere of people chatting, children running about, and vendors calling out their wares. Tony's eyes scanned the stalls, a playful gleam in his eyes.
"You know," he said as they stopped at one of the fruit stands, "I've got to admit, I never thought I'd enjoy a market trip this much."
Ziva shot him a playful look, taking a small basket from a vendor. "I'm sure it's because of the pies," she teased.
Tony gave an exaggerated sigh. "Maybe. But you can't underestimate the power of fresh apples." He gestured dramatically toward the table of produce. "You see that? That's the kind of apple that changes your life."
Ziva shook her head with a laugh, grabbing a few apples. She felt the tension from the office, from the world they inhabited together, begin to melt away. Here, there was no case to solve, no impending danger to worry about. Just the two of them, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.
As they wandered through the market, Tony kept stealing glances at her, noticing the way her eyes brightened with each new stall they visited. He was enjoying this, more than he expected. It wasn't just the leisurely stroll through a market or the potential pies. It was Ziva.
"Alright," he said, catching up to her as they approached another vendor, "I think I'm about ready to call it a day on the pies. We've been here for an hour, and all I've heard about is food. What about you? You find anything?"
Ziva smiled, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, I've found something alright."
Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? What's that?"
Ziva smirked, holding up a small jar of homemade honey. "This," she said, "and a few fresh herbs. I think I might have a use for them later."
Tony chuckled, unable to hide his amusement. "You're going to cook, huh?"
"I might," she replied nonchalantly. "Would that be a problem?"
"Not at all." Tony winked. "I'm looking forward to whatever comes next, especially if it involves that honey."
They walked back to the car with their bags in hand, Tony carrying the heavier one as they talked about nothing in particular, content to just be in each other's company. When they reached the car, Ziva paused for a moment, a thought crossing her mind.
"Tony," she said, her voice a little softer than before, "thank you for today. It's been... nice."
Tony looked at her with a small, almost shy smile. "You're welcome, Ziva. I'm glad we could do this."
As they drove back to DC, there was a certain ease between them, a comfortable silence that felt just as right as the conversation. They both knew, without saying a word, that this wasn't just a one-time thing. There was more. There would be more.
The drive back seemed to pass by too quickly, and before long, they were back at Ziva's apartment.
Tony turned off the engine and looked over at Ziva, a little uncertain now that they were at the end of their day together. "You sure you don't want to grab dinner?"
Ziva gave him a soft smile. "Maybe another time. Today was... enough."
He nodded, understanding. "Alright," he said, unbuckling his seatbelt. "I'll see you soon then."
They both got out of the car, walking up to the door. As Tony reached for the door handle, Ziva turned toward him.
"Thanks again, Tony," she said quietly.
Tony gave her a small grin. "Anytime, Ziva."
With a final look, she walked into her apartment, leaving Tony standing outside, a sense of warmth in his chest. He knew they'd continue this—whatever this was. But for now, he was content with the quiet understanding they had. The kind of understanding that didn't need words. Just moments like this.
The next day at work, Ziva sat at her desk, sipping her coffee and scanning through the case files. The bullpen was relatively quiet as Gibbs, McGee, and Tony were all busy on separate tasks. The screen on her phone lit up with a message from her mother.
"Ziva, would love for you to join us for dinner tonight. It's been too long."
Ziva stared at the message for a moment, her thoughts briefly drifting. It had been a while since she'd had dinner with her mother and sister, and although she had her reservations about spending time with them especially after everything that had happened there was also a part of her that missed the family connection.
Tony, noticing the hesitation on her face, walked over to her desk.
"Everything okay?" he asked, a small grin on his face.
Ziva looked up at him, still holding her phone. "My mother wants me to have dinner with her tonight," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Tony raised an eyebrow, sensing her unease. "Well, what's stopping you?"
Ziva sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You know how it is. I don't always feel at home with them, especially after everything that's happened."
He nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. But maybe it's a good thing, Ziva. You deserve a chance to reconnect with them, even if it feels awkward at first. It could be… nice."
She paused, considering his words. He was right. Maybe it was time to rebuild some of those connections, even if it took small steps.
"Alright," Ziva said, finally making up her mind. "I'll go. But if things get uncomfortable, I'll blame you for encouraging me."
Tony chuckled. "Fair enough. Just text me if you need a rescue mission," he said with a wink, before heading back to his desk.
After work, Ziva drove to her mother's house. The familiar scent of cooking wafted through the air as she rang the doorbell, her heart racing a little as she waited for her mother to open the door.
When her mother greeted her with a warm hug, Ziva felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Dinner was pleasant, if a little awkward at first, but after some time, the conversation flowed more easily. They spoke about everything and nothing—Ziva's work, her sister's recent travels, her mother's garden. It was normal, which was exactly what Ziva needed.
By the end of the evening, she felt lighter, like she had made progress in some quiet way. Her mother kissed her goodbye, and Ziva headed home, feeling a little more at peace than she had in a long time.
As she drove back to her apartment, her phone buzzed with a text from Tony. She smiled before picking up the phone and calling him.
"Hey, how'd it go?" Tony's voice came through the speaker, warm and curious.
Ziva leaned back in her seat, letting out a small sigh. "It was better than I expected. Not perfect, but… it felt good to be there. I think I needed it."
Tony's voice softened. "I'm glad you went. Sometimes, we just need those little reminders of what we've got. Even if it's not perfect."
Ziva smiled, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. "You were right. I'm glad I listened to you."
"You know I always have great advice," Tony teased, making her chuckle. "But seriously, I'm proud of you for going."
She paused for a moment, considering how much Tony had been there for her lately. "Thank you, Tony," she said, her voice sincere. "For everything."
"No problem. Anytime, Ziva. Anytime."
The conversation turned lighter as they continued talking, and as Ziva pulled into her parking spot at home, she felt a sense of warmth in her chest. Her mother, her family—they weren't perfect, but they were hers. And that night, they had reminded her of the importance of holding on to what she could.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked softly.
"Of cause," Tony replied with a hint of a smile in his voice. "And hey, if you ever need a distraction from family dinners, I'm your guy."
Ziva laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
As she hung up, Ziva leaned back in her seat, staring out at the night sky. There was still a long way to go with her family, but she felt like tonight had been a step in the right direction. And with Tony by her side, she felt like she could keep moving forward, one step at a time.