What I Need From You

Post-Somalia Tony and Ziva discussion on their friendship.

Ziva curled into Tony's side, his arm around her shoulder. His hand was absently fingering her curls that cascaded down her shoulder and arm. Both were focused on the classic film playing on Ziva's new television.

Tony had bought her a DVD player and when he presented it to her when he arrived for dinner after work, she had thanked him profusely and then reminded him that she did not have a television. Two hours later, after the dinner was consumed, they had carried the new forty inch TV through her front door. Together, they had set up the screen and DVD player. Oddly, Ziva had been the one to read the directions that came with both electronic devices, whereas Tony started pulling things out of boxes and jumped right into the set up. When he did encounter a snag, Ziva had the answer ready. They worked as a team just as they always did.

When Ziva hit the power buttons on the remotes, both TV and DVD player lit up. Tony grinned at her.

"And we didn't even have to call McGeek for help!"

Ziva grinned back at him, "No we did not; we are a good team." He slipped the disc for the movie they planned to watch into the player and both settled on the sofa to watch the classic film.

About two thirds of the way through, Tony realized that Ziva was asleep, using his chest as a pillow. He grinned as he turned his attention back to the screen. Things were getting back to 'normal' between the two since their chat in the men's room at work. He liked that; a lot…

He must have dozed off as well; the next thing Tony knew, Ziva was thrashing against him and whimpering. At first he was startled, and then he realized that she was having a nightmare.

"Zi," he called to her softly. "Ziva, it's okay. You're having a bad dream. I'm here…" She jumped up and had a deer in the headlights look on her face.

"I… I…" she looked around the room, clearly not one hundred percent sure where she was.

"Hey, you're in your apartment in DC. With me, Tony, your loveable office idiot," he grinned at her. She nodded and ran a hand through her hair. He patted the sofa cushion next to him and met her gaze. "Come sit with me again…"

"Tony, I…" she crumpled into his side as he wrapped his arms around her. "Toda," she whispered so softly he barely heard her. She sniffled.

He waited as she continued to cling to his side. The two remotes were within reach so he powered down the DVD player and TV. He could feel her tears soaking through his shirt. He waited…

Ziva sat up about ten minutes later, "I am sorry." She met his gaze and then looked down at her hands, which were in her lap.

"Hey," he lifted her chin to meet her gaze again. "You never have to apologize about that with me. And if you want to talk about it, you know I'll listen."

"I know. I do not want to talk about it."

"Okay; what do you want?" He'd get her anything she needed; all she had to do was ask.

Ziva hesitated; then put her hand on his arm. "I do not want to be alone tonight."

"Okay; I can sleep on the couch," he offered.

"No. With me," she stood up and pulled him to his feet. "I slept more in your arms than I have in many nights." He followed her to the bedroom, watching her moves. He was not quite sure what she had in mind, but he'd let her lead the way.

She disappeared into the bathroom after motioning for him to sit on the bed. She came back in a pair of pajamas that covered her arms and legs. He got up to use the bathroom. When he came back, Ziva was under the covers, with the empty side pulled down for him.

"Are you going to sleep in your clothes?"

"I, um, really don't have any choice," he commented.

"You can strip to your boxers; that is okay with me," she replied and patted the empty space on the bed. He quickly shed his jeans and shirt and climbed into the bed next to her. He looked over and met her gaze.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked. "I can get another blanket or make more room for you or…"

She put a finger on his lips. "Tony, be quiet. What I need from you is the comfort of your presence. Hold me, please?" She moved against his side and laid her head on his chest, over his heart. He wrapped an arm around her and listened to her contented sigh.

"Whatever you need my Ninja," he spoke softly thinking she was almost asleep. He felt her smile against him.

"Toda; and laila tov," she whispered back.