Sorry I've sucked at posting anything this summer. But I've just been through the process of getting a new laptop, so thought I'd just give ya'll a small series of unconnected one-shots to break in the new keyboard. I may add to this every now and again but, for now, I have posted five little one-shots. Hope you enjoy them.

Returning home after a long day's work always had its merits. There was always a bed to sleep in, a couch to lay back on and a distinct lack of crime investigating to be done. For years he would spend Home Time alone. Evenings would consist of ordering take-out, watching TV, drinking a beer or two, and going to bed. There was no one to share this mediocre lifestyle with. No one to help him recover from a trying case or a traumatising shoot-out. No one to crawl under the covers with at night. No family outside of his surrogate NCIS one. His goofy and self-confident façade became harder to maintain as his loneliness increased.

But those days were long gone.

Nowadays, he opened the door to a warm and familiar smile. Deep, brown eyes surrounded by exotic curls was a sight that never ceased to brighten his day. And that was before he even laid eyes on the swollen stomach unsuccessfully trying to hide beneath one of his old shirts. Yes, loneliness really was a thing of the past.

He found her on the couch, eyes closed, feet up, and an absent minded hand gently running over her ever-growing baby cocoon. He couldn't hold back the smile, and didn't want to. Being gleeful about the future was nothing to be ashamed of. And a future with Ziva? Some dreams really do come true.

''Tony?''

His smile grew. Of course she would notice his presence, even when she was supposedly sleeping. He approached the couch and leaned down to give her a loving kiss on the forehead. This greeting seemed sufficient enough, her soft smile made that clear. His heart never failed to skip a beat whenever he saw the twinkle in her eyes when she looked at him- as she did now- when they were reunited after a long day.

''Everything ok?'' He asks, referring to both the life forms currently residing on the couch.

She nodded, knowing full-well that he liked to have assurance. ''Everything is fine. Although, your daughter has been quite restless today.'' Her hand stills as they both gaze down at her stomach. ''I think she is anxious to meet us.''

''Yeah? Well I'm anxious to meet her, too.''

She looks back at him, a loving warmth in her expression, before reaching up and pulling him into a deep kiss. ''You are home early.'' She states when they've pulled back. ''I thought you said it would be a late night at the office.''

He shrugged. ''It would've been, if the boss hadn't sent me home.''

''He did? In the middle of a case?''

Her surprised frown made him chuckle lightly. ''I know, right? Maybe he's hit his head, or something.''

''Well, you do have a pregnant wife waiting for you at home. I think he, of all people, understands what you are going through.'' She ran a gentle hand through his hair in a comforting gesture he'd become wonderfully familiar with.

He tilted his head in consideration. ''I guess that could be the reason.'' He theorised. ''Or it could be the fact that I whined like a little kid until he couldn't stand the sight of me any longer.'' Her soft laughter was music to his ears, as always. ''It's been known to happen.''

She hummed in agreement. ''Well, I am happy to see you, so it has worked out for everybody.''

''Yeah.'' He said, re-arranging himself so he could sit down and lean against the foot of the couch. ''Except McGee. He's stuck with a grumpy Gibbs and a crap-load of searches to run.''

''He will understand, too.''

He simply grunted in response as she began massaging the tension out of his shoulders. It had such a relaxing effect on him that he actually closed his eyes and thought about snoozing right there and then. He decided against it, though. His responsible role had now officially transformed from senior field agent to helpful husband. ''You eaten anything? I can fix dinner if you want.''

''I have eaten like a pig for months, Tony, and today was no different.''

He let out a light-hearted chuckle. ''Well, it's dinner time, Little Miss Piggy, so-'' He yelped as she pinched his collar bone in apparent offence. ''I mean it's dinner time, my beautiful wife, so you must be getting hungry again.''

She groaned. ''I am starving.''

He turned his head back around to look up at her. ''Why didn't you say something?''

''I only just realised when you mentioned dinner.''

He frowned in confusion. ''I don't think that's how hunger works.''

She rolled her eyes. ''Please can you get me some food, Tony? I cannot be bothered to get up.''

''Me neither.'' Her glare told him what she thought about that particular joke. ''I'm kidding. What do you want? There's still some of that lasagne left in the fridge.''

She chewed her bottom lip. ''No…there is not.'' She informed him with a hint of embarrassment.

He held back the sigh. ''Ok. Is there anything left in the kitchen?''

''I am not an animal, Tony.'' She snapped.

''But, you just said you've been eating like a-''

''-Oh, would you please just get me a Philly cheese-steak sandwich with bacon before I- literally- die!''

Her sudden outburst was loud and slightly frightening. She covered her face with both hands in distressful exasperation while he stared at her, mouth agape. He had seen a lot of mood swings during her pregnancy but he didn't think he'd ever be able to successfully predict her next craving. Seriously, how can a hormonal brain be so specific? ''Right, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess we don't have any of them in the house.'' He said carefully.

Her face reappeared from behind her fingers, four of which were moved to her temples for a calming massage. ''I am sorry, Tony. I am being unreasonable…again. You just mentioned dinner, and then I thought about the sandwich, and now you must hate me-''

''-It's ok, Ziva, really.''

''No, it is not.''

He reached up and brushed a few loose curls from her face. ''If my baby needs a Philly cheese-steak, then she's gonna get a Philly cheese-steak.''

Her eyes were wide and pleading when she met his. ''You would do that for me?''

''I'd do anything for you.''

Tears started forming in her brown orbs now, and his brief panic ended when he realised this particular brand of emotional crying was a somewhat happy one. He gave her a quick kiss before he got back to his feet. ''I'll be back in twenty minutes with a special pregnant-Ziva care package.'' He vowed.

He was about to leave the room when her tear choked voice halted him. ''Tony?'' He turned back to her with a questioning eyebrow. ''Could you also get me some fries.''

''Sure.''

''And a jar of peanut butter.''

His brow furrowed. ''Um, okay.''

''I love you.''

His frown was replaced with a warm smile. ''Love you, too.''

And so off he went. On a new mission.