Sorry this took so long! Thank you for your patience. I had to get a new computer! Now that I have it I can finish this story!

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Hell House

Chapter 10

An hour later, Sasha had stopped crying and clinging to Gibbs long enough to eat several containers of Jello and a few pieces of toast. Now she was curled up in the bed, watching him with half closed eyes. The sedative that they had given her was rapidly leaving her system but just having eaten a good meal was putting her to sleep. He had tried asking her a few questions but other than a few shakes of her head, she still hadn't communicated anything. Apparently she wasn't ready to talk yet. He however, was ready to pass out. It had been a very long day.

"Sasha, you need to get some sleep. And so do I. I'm going to have to leave for a few hours, okay? I'll be back though. Are you going to be alright for a little bit?"

The little girls eyes widen, accompanied by a look of fear. Gibbs decided to try and head that off. "Are you scared you won't be safe if I leave?"

She nodded. Gibbs sighed. "Would you feel better if I had someone else come stay with you while I'm gone?"

Sasha gave him a sceptical look. He thought he understood. "I take it you would prefer that it isn't someone like Dr. Anderson or Ziva?"

She nodded again, still not saying a word, communicating with just her eyes. Gibbs pinched the bridge of his nose and quickly thought through his list of people who wouldn't frighten the girl and had had a chance to get a good night sleep. He reached over, grabbed the phone and dialed. "Ducky, are you busy?"

Tony and Ziva had been exhausted by the time they had finished collecting evidence from the basement but they still wanted to look in on the twins before getting some rest. When they checked on the children however, they had found them asleep and decided not to wake them. Just down the hall they had ran into Gibbs. He was slouched in a chair watching over Sasha, with a coffee in his hand and a tired and worried expression on his face. They let him know about the evidence before telling him they were heading out. Gibbs just nodded, most his attention on the poor child who seemed much too small for the bed she was laying in.

By the time they reached the car, they were practically stumbling. Two days with little to no rest was more than even they could take. Tony unlocked the car and just about fell into the drivers seat. Ziva did the same thing on the other side. They just sat there for a few minutes, both trying to get up enough energy to make it home. Tony finally lifted his arms off his lap, placed the key in the ignition and then sagged for a minute against the wheel before turning the key. Ziva watched him for a moment before her tired brain caught up to her and forced her to speak.

"Tony, do you want me to drive? You are about to fall asleep." she said.

Tony looked at her and smiled. "So are you. I'll be alright, but I think we should get something to eat. We haven't had anything since yesterday morning. I think it was yesterday morning....".

Ziva really didn't want to stop anywhere. All she wanted now was a hot shower and her bed, not necessarily in that order. But she also knew he was right. Even this tired, she wouldn't be able to sleep with her stomach cramping for want of food.

Tony watched Ziva in silence, waiting for her to say something. He had to admit, he was starving and so should she be, but mostly, he just really wanted her company. Something about watching her the last few days, the kiss, the situation, something about her was fascinating him. Ok, well, fascinating him more than usual. She always fascinated him. The way she moved, her moods, the way she talked and mangled the language, her intelligence.... she was just amazing.

Ziva finally sighed and answered him. "You are right Tony. We both need to eat. Where do you suggest we go?"

Thirty minutes later found them in Tony's apartment. He had planned on stopping at his favorite diner, but when he drove past it, it had been packed with people. Since neither one of them felt up to dealing with a crowd and his place was just down the street, he invited her here. After digging through his refrigerator, he ended up making them cheese omelets with toast.

"Why Tony" Ziva said with amusement "I had no idea you could cook! I thought you just lived on Pizza."

Tony just laughed. "Man can not live on Pizza alone. Even me." He sat down at the table across from her and began shoveling the food into his mouth.

Ziva watched Tony eating like he hadn't eaten in days. Well, a day anyway. In all the excitement, they had both forgotten. She ate her omelet at a slower pace, taking the time to observe him.

The truth was, right now he looked awful. He had dark circles under his eyes, his skin was pale and his hair was a mess. His signature Dinozzo shine wasn't there right now and he looked oddly endearing. The last few days with him had really surprised her. In a way, she had learned more about the Tony Dinozzo that he usually kept hidden than she ever expected to. Once he stopped trying to show off for every pretty female he encountered, Tony actually had a good side. Other than just his looks. He could be sweet, kind, generous and caring. Even more shocking, she also had learned he could be polite and considerate. And even looking as bad as he did right now, he really was good looking. And that kiss! That had made her skin tingle all the way down to her toes.

When he had finished eating, he looked up to see Ziva softly smiling in his direction. He was going to ask what was on her mind, but she spoke first.

"What do you think will happen with Sasha now that we found her? She certainly seems to like Gibbs."

Tony blinked. That wasn't a subject he expected her to bring up right this moment. He took some time to think about the answer as he picked up the dirty dishes and dumped them in the sink. "I have no idea. At least with the twins we might be able to find a relative, but if she was adopted from Russia, there probably isn't a blood relative her to take her. There might be someone on the adoptive mother's side of the family though. I'm sure Gibbs will have McGee checking."

Ziva nodded and moved to the couch. Tony joined her. "And what about the twins? If we don't find a relative? What happens?" she asked.

Tony sighed, mostly because he didn't like the answer. "They will probably be put in foster home somewhere until they can find a family to take them. " He didn't really like that idea. He didn't like to admit it, but the thought of the kids going away anywhere made him distinctly unhappy.

Ziva apparently felt the same way. "I would hate to see them go to someone who didn't love them Tony. They have been through enough already."

Tony leaned over to her and pulled her into a hug. She was taken off guard and fell into his chest. Tony smirked as he wrapped his arms around her. She must be tired. She didn't immediately hit him but instead snuggled into him. "Ziva, lets see what happens. Abby was working on a way to find their mother's relatives. We might be worrying over nothing." He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead.

To his surprise, Ziva's eyes fluttered shut at his touch and her head fell backward over his arm. Greatly daring, he moved just enough to plant a feather light kiss on her lips.

Ziva had felt a jolt of electricity run down her spine. She had wanted him for so long that she was surprised this was happening, even more surprised than the kiss they had shared in the parking lot. She reached up and pulled his head down, lifting her head just a little to return the kiss he had given her. She lost all track of time as their lips met.

Tony was shocked. First the kiss at the store and now this. In the past two days he had gotten to see a softer, more intimate side of Ziva but he hadn't really imagined he would ever have her in his arms like this. Or rather, he had imagined it often enough. He just didn't think his fantasy would turn into reality. He finally broke off the kiss when he couldn't breath anymore.

Her eyes slowly opened and she looked at him with an expression he didn't think he would ever see in her eyes. Vulnerability yes, but also...desire? Tony slowly stood up, taking her hand in his. She smiled, stood and wordlessly followed him into the other room.