A/N: Hello all you wonderful people! Welcome to Ch 1 of Moments In Time - Part 4, Season 7. This one promises to be a bit of a crazy ride, as Z's healing will stretch through most of the season and we slowly see her return to herself. Also, because I'm working in more characters and details than in the other parts, the chapters are likely to be fairly long and taking place over several days instead of just one or two moments here and there. So settle back and get ready, because here we go! ~Aliyah

Monday, October 12 - Ziva home 3 weeks

Tony sat down on the edge of the bed and brushed his knuckles over his wife's cheek. "I'm sorry to wake you babe, but we've got a few things to talk about before I leave."

Ziva's eyelids fluttered and she slowly pushed herself up. "I did not sleep very well."

"I know." He handed her the hot mug of tea in his hand and she smiled, taking a cautious sip.

"Thank you."

Tony drew the letters 'ILY' on the back of her hand. "You were pretty restless. Any particular reason why?" She'd tossed and turned for half the night and only dozed the rest of the time.

Ziva shook her head. "No nightmares, if that is what you mean. But I am dreading today, so I'm sure that did not help."

Leaning forward, he shot her a quick grin. "Can I get my good morning now?"

Smiling, she set the mug aside and lay her palms on his cheeks. Ziva's lips touched his and Tony immediately deepened the kiss, taking as much of her as she allowed. His thumb caressed her bottom lip and the look in his eyes could only be described as tender. "Thanks. That helps start my day off right."

Ziva was beginning to wish another way of starting their day off right was an option, because so much of what she was dealing with having sex would help ease, and yet she was nowhere near physically or emotionally ready to explore that area of her marriage. For the time being she hid her thoughts from him and settled back with her tea. "What do we need to talk about?"

Tony took her hand. "Well, to start with, I'm not thrilled about leaving without you."

She squeezed his fingers. "We went over this last night Tony. I need to speak with Gibbs first."

He made a face. "I haven't really been...without you in two weeks. And now there's no Aunt Nettie to leave you with."

Ziva sighed. "I have to learn how to be alone sometime. I need to be okay with myself. Today will be a trial run."

"And what about work?" Tony continued. "Are we back to the pretending game? Because I just...don't want to leave you facing it all alone."

She tilted her head. "For now it is necessary to pretend, I hope that is not always the case. It would be good to have my position at NCIS and my citizenship taken care of before we think about sharing our secret with the others." Ziva put her hand on his chest. "You will be by my side ahava, and I will know what they do not."

Tony's shoulders sagged. "That's just not enough."

Unable to think of words that would bring him peace, she scooted closer and kissed him again, just long enough to get his attention. "I'm going to take a shower."

He blinked, her words taking a little bit longer to sink in. Tony cleared his throat. "Uh, right. I'll have breakfast waiting."

Ziva was out of the shower and covered in a green silk dressing gown before she thought of what she should have told him. Opening the bathroom door, she stuck her head out. "Thank you for the offer Tony, but I think I am too nervous for breakfast." Her stomach was all twisted in knots and food held no appeal.

Tony smiled from his place at the counter and turned around. "I figured you might be." He held up a tall glass. "How's a smoothie sound?"

Her eyes lit up. "Perfect." She decided to finish getting ready later and came out to sample the drink. It was just the right thickness and Ziva sucked on the straw eagerly. She saw Tony watching her and lifted an eyebrow. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. I just like that look on you."

Ziva glanced down at herself. "I am hardly wearing anything."

Tony's lips quirked up. "Yeah, I know." Catching his meaning, she blushed and went back to the smoothie, but he considered it progress that she didn't leave the room or ask him not to make comments like that.

Checking his watch, Tony sighed. "I better not be late. Even if Gibbs isn't there, he'll still have my head."

Her eyes ran over him as he reached for his backpack and Ziva saw the glint on his left hand. "Tony, your ring."

He stopped short, turning it around. "Yeah." Sliding it off, he looked at the gold circle and put it back on. "Just when I was getting used to wearing it."

Ziva stood and walked over, using one finger to trace the thin chain under his collar. "At least you are not without a reminder."

Tony pressed her hand flat over his heart. "It's not like I'm going to forget. I just really liked not having to hide the fact I'm married to you."

She took his hand gently in hers, working the ring over his knuckle. "You can put it back on tonight." He rubbed the empty spot on his finger, already feeling the loss. That was the longest he'd worn his wedding band in three years, not counting when he thought she was dead. Ziva took her own rings off and frowned at the lack of weight. Then something occurred to her. "Tony, where is my anniversary ring? I would like to wear it to work."

His expression dropped and he looked away. "Oh, uh, I had to put it away."

He was withdrawing from her hard and she had no idea why. "Tony? What did I say?"

Tony backed up and sat on the arm of the chair, swallowing painfully. "When I got back from Israel after we left you there, I went into the bathroom and saw your ring lying on the counter. You'd tossed it there like it didn't mean anything. And I knew that was my proof that you wanted out, and maybe you'd never come back." He rubbed his face. "The only other time I cried like that was when Gibbs told me you were dead."

His confession ripped a hole in her heart. "Tony..." She closed her eyes. "I am sorry that is what you thought. That is not how it happened." The defeat was back in his posture and he raised tired eyes to hers. Ziva moved closer. "When I was in the bathroom that morning I packed nothing, believing I was coming back no matter how far away from you I felt. I almost forgot about my ring and I stood there for a long time trying to decide if I could wear it and not get caught. But I concluded that it was not wise, so it was left behind. I never-" she choked on the emotion. "I did not mean to hurt you with that decision."

He seemed afraid to hope that he'd read things wrong. "Promise?"

She nodded. "I promise. I never stopped loving you Tony, even when I was angry and hurt and feeling betrayed. Somehow...somehow my heart always knew the truth, but I was afraid to trust it until it was too late."

Tony stood and engulfed his wife in his arms. "I love you Ziva. I love you more than anything else in the world. Please-please help me hold on."

Ziva gave herself completely to comforting her husband and hugged him as tightly as she could without hurting herself. "I love you too Tony. I will not let you forget."

He blew out a breath, burying his face in her hair. "I might be clingy for awhile."

She played her finger over the short hairs on his neck. "I think I can handle that." She pulled away. "May I have my ring back?"

Tony let go reluctantly and went to the office, opening a drawer in his desk and taking out a small music box that had been his mother's, where he kept very important things. He fished through it for the rose gold emerald ring that had been Ziva's second anniversary present. After looking at it for a long time, he returned to the livingroom where she stood and held out his hand for hers. Ziva willingly gave her right hand and Tony pushed it carefully over her knuckle, trying not to react to the now-poor fit, her weight gain not yet what he hoped - less than ten pounds since she came back. He pressed a kiss to her finger and worked hard to smile.

"There. Back where it belongs."

She twisted it around. "Yes." Her eyes fell on the clock. "You should go. You wanted to be early, remember?"

He did, but was still loathe to be away from her. "Okay. Will you be in today?"

Ziva shrugged. "It depends on what Gibbs says. I will...text you..." She trailed off and looked around with a frown. "What happened to my phone?"

Tony opened the drawer where their phone books were kept and got it out. "It should be fully charged. I plugged it in the other day when you and Nettie were outside and forgot about it until last night."

She accepted the palm sized device. "Thank you."

He shuffled his feet, stealing a kiss on her cheek and grabbing his bag. "I'll try to be home early. Be safe. I love you." Then Tony left before he could give himself another reason to stay.

Ziva watched him go and touched her cheek, smiling slightly. She finished her smoothie then turned towards their bedroom. It was time to bring back Mossad Ziva, or at least the part of her that would get Tony's Ziva through what promised to be a very difficult day. If only for a few hours, she had to believe she could do this.

NCIS

Tony met McGee in the parking lot and jogged to catch up to him. "Tim, hey."

McGee stopped and looked at his co-worker. "Tony. I'm surprised to see you all in one piece. I heard Ziva was staying with you. You two weren't exactly on speaking terms before...y'know."

Tony sighed. "No, we weren't. It's slow but, uh, we're working things out."

Tim smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. How's she doing?'

He stopped walking. "Really hurt. For someone who's never been broken to finally break..." Tony shook his head. "It's hard. And Ziva's lost, and sometimes...I just can't help."

McGee's brow furrowed. "I've never seen Ziva broken."

"It sucks," Tony muttered, then changed the subject. "Look, I should've said it sooner, but thank you for coming. For having my back. For helping me get her out of there. Just...thanks."

McGee held out his hand. "Someone had to make sure you didn't do anything stupid. I did that for Ziva, but I'm glad you've got your partner back Tony."

"I sure hope so," the other man agreed. "Now come on. Don't want to be late on the first day back."

McGee snorted. "Speak for yourself DiNozzo. I've been up to my elbows in paperwork these last two weeks while we've been off active duty and two men down. Now it's your turn."

Tony winced and followed his friend inside. "Oh joy."

They got upstairs in time for the director assigned temporary replacement to shove an eight page resignation letter at them and storm out in a huff. Tony tossed it on Gibbs' desk without a second look and McGee glanced at the now empty desk. "Ziva's coming back, right?"

Tony stared extra hard at the desk across from his and made a mental note to grab the box of Ziva's stuff from the evidence locker where he'd stashed it behind a decade's old case after she chose to stay in Israel. It wouldn't be found easily and he'd hoped it would be needed again. Now it finally was. "I think that's what she's about to find out."

NCIS

Ziva took a deep breath and slowly walked down the stairs to her former boss's basement, offering in hand. It had taken a long time to sort through the mementos she had from Mossad missions and find the gift she now held. Gibbs stood in the basement with a measuring tape and Ziva gathered her courage to speak. "Hello Gibbs."

He looked up and studied her carefully. "Ziver. How are you?"

She closed her eyes briefly, hating the oft-heard question. "I am fine."

Gibbs grunted. "Rule seven."

A smile touched her lips. "It was not convincing?"

His head shake was brief. "Not even close."

"Oh." Ziva took a moment to think about how she was feeling. "I suppose I should say that I am...coping." She frowned at the word but could come up with nothing better.

"DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked.

Ziva swallowed. "We are working through things. I think I will...stay for awhile. He is not a bad host and I do not...want to be alone yet." The misdirection came easily after three years of practice. She shrugged. "And it will be helpful for carpooling until Ducky says I can drive again." She glanced up at him. "That is, if I am still wanted."

He set the tape measure aside. "Need to hear you say it."

She sighed and pushed the gift into his hand. "I should have said this when you brought me home but...thank you." Ziva rubbed her arm, the one that still ached at times while the bones slowly mended together. "Which hardly seems sufficient, considering." Gibbs pulled the string and unwrapped it. "It is called, um..."

Gibbs gave his impression of a smile. "It's an old Buck Mortise chisel. This is a nice tool Ziva."

Ziva shrugged. "I got it from an old...friend. Of all people, I knew you would appreciate it." She looked away, then made herself meet his eyes. "When you left me in Israel I...I felt betrayed. But I..." she turned and paced towards the wall. "I had a long time to think about things." Ziva paused, remembering hours and days alone in the dark, suffocating cell before she shook it away. "A very, very, very long time. And I...understand why you did it. I had forgotten who I was, who I could trust. For that I am sorry." She swallowed hard, getting to the most important part. "We were a team Gibbs, and I would like that again."

Gibbs nodded. "You need to talk to the director."

Her eyes grew shiny when he tried to put her off. "It is your blessing I came for."

His phone rang at that moment and Gibbs grabbed it off his belt. "Go talk to Leon Vance Ziver, I already told him to expect you."

Gibbs answered the call on his way upstairs and Ziva let out a breath. That was not when she expected or hoped for, but at least it was a start.

NCIS

As per usual, Tony and Tim were arguing when the elevator doors opened, but stopped mid-sentence when she appeared. "Hi," Tony managed, taken aback. He hadn't expected to see her like that - in black, hair straight and pulled up, wearing dark make up. She was so different than the soft version he left at home that morning, but he also recognized that she needed the mask to pretend for everyone who would see her, to have the strength to deal with what was coming.

"Hello," Ziva responded cooly.

Playing along, he forced a polite smile. "So, what are you doing here?"

Before she could speak, Vance walked by. "David, with me."

Tony's stomach clenched, knowing this was it. "I guess that answers my question."

Ziva excused herself. "I have to go."

If McGee hadn't been there, Tony would've clasped her hand. As it was, they had to leave and all he had time for was a quick backward glance.

Up in his office, Vance wasted no time. "Agent Gibbs already briefed me. You want back, is this right?"

"That is correct."

He leaned forward in his chair. "Have you discussed this with your father?"

Her brow furrowed. "I am not sure how his opinion is relevant."

Director Vance tapped his pen on the desk. "We rescued you, not Mossad and not your father. I think it would be very relevant."

Ziva's expression showed incredulity. "Have I not been a valuable asset to NCIS?"

"Without question," he answered immediately.

"Then what is the problem?" she demanded.

"David, you were never an agent," Leon explained. "You were the Mossad Liaison officer. Which, by definition, requires you to have a relationship with Mossad." By her body language he could tell she didn't like where the conversation was going. "Have you even spoken to your father?"

She shook her head. "No."

Vance folded his fingers together. "You're damaged goods. How damaged I need to know before I can even begin to figure out what to do with you." He considered the woman in front of him and nodded. "You pass a psyche evaluation battery and we'll talk."

Ziva was stunned by the blow he'd dealt and barely managed to conceal the hurt behind a time tested blank mask. She nearly missed what he said next, but found it in herself to say, "Thank you." She started to leave but the director called her back with another nail in the coffin.

"David, no promises."

She nodded once and left in a daze of hurt and confusion. How she ever managed to get on the right bus to go home she wasn't sure, because all Ziva could hear over and over in her head was, Damaged goods. You're damaged goods David, no good for anything. Damaged goods. That's all you'll ever be.

NCIS

His first day back on the job passed slowly, with no new case and nothing but the paperwork McGee predicted to help pass the time. Tony's gaze must've strayed to his partner's empty desk a thousand times before Gibbs walked by and headslapped him, barking that he was not getting paid to daydream and the files weren't sitting there for his health. Point taken, however, that still didn't stop the senior field agent from checking his phone every two minutes, hoping to hear from his wife. But the hours passed and Ziva's promised text never came, and Tony got incredibly worried about her silence.

He was the first one out of the bullpen when Gibbs called time and put them out of their misery at five pm. Tony ran downstairs, jumped in the car, and drove home at a pace only slightly less than what would earn him a ticket. There wasn't time for that, something was wrong. Under fifteen minutes later he burst into the house and found Ziva sitting on the floor by the chair, a notepad on her lap and papers strewn all around, scribbling the same words over and over, so absorbed in her task that she never even heard the door.

"Zi?" Tony asked, his concern tripling when her pen continued to scratch across the page and she didn't look up. He crouched down and reached for one of the loose papers, his eyes widening when he read what was written there. Damaged goods, damaged goods - repeated again and again like some stupid echo. He gathered the rest of the sheets and each one was more of the same. Finally he got close enough to touch her knee and Ziva jerked away, the pen and pad dropping to the carpet.

"Sweetheart, what is going on?"

She looked up with eyes too bright to be fully in this reality. "That is what he called me," Ziva muttered, wrapping thin arms around her pulled up knees and rocking back and forth. "That is what he said."

Tony's fingers clenched and the papers crumpled. "Who?" he demanded. There were only two 'hes' that she could've seen today and that either would dare to label her like that when she was three weeks out of hell made his blood boil. "Who said it?"

"Vance," she mumbled and his annoyance skyrocketed.

"That pompous, toothpick chewing jerk!" Tony seethed, grabbing his badge from his belt and tossing it to the floor. "I'm going over there right now to give him a piece of my mind! No one gets to treat my wife like that, I don't care what the name on his office says."

He was reaching for the door handle when Ziva suddenly held her hand out to him. "No, don't!" Tony frowned and she scrambled to her feet, grabbing onto his arm. "Do not," she repeated and he wondered how she got from on the verge of losing it to sane and rational in a heartbeat. She touched his cheek. "He does not know that I am your wife Tony, but even if he did it would make no difference. Please just leave it alone."

His fingers curled around her wrists. "How can I Zi? Look what his careless words did to you."

Ziva glanced around at the mess and sighed. "The truth is a bitter pill to chew, I suppose."

"Swallow," he corrected automatically. "That's not the truth honey, not by a long shot."

She stared at a button on his shirt. "What is?"

Tony slid his fingers along her cheeks and into her hair, making sure he had her attention. "That you were hurt very badly and some of the scars still show. But you are also healing and making progress and Zi, we have hope now that we didn't a week ago." He drew her close. "Cut yourself some slack. Better doesn't happen in a day or even three weeks of days. But it will happen."

"Promise?" Ziva whispered, but her question was swallowed by the pressure of her husband's mouth on hers and Ziva melted into the kiss, letting his touch reassure, calm, and ground her. When he pulled away she already missed the connection. "Again," she whispered and Tony gladly joined their lips a second time, taking as much of her as Ziva was willing to give. She fell into his arms when they parted and Tony hugged her tightly, his hand cupping the back of her neck.

Finally she stepped back and gave him her best imitation of a smile. "How was your day?"

Tony wasn't done being close to her and kept his arm around her waist, one thumb running gently over her bottom lip. "Long, boring, and utterly miserable without you." He pulled at the elastic keeping her ponytail in and freed the smooth curtain of dark hair from its prison, running his fingers through it. Ziva smiled, knowing he loved when her hair was down, and Tony leaned his forehead on hers. "How'd it go with Gibbs?"

She shrugged. "He had more to say than usual, but less than I would have liked."

He rubbed tiny circles into her neck. "You never texted me."

Ziva's expression was contrite. "Sorry. I was not thinking very well after I left NCIS."

Tony's jaw clenched. "The toothpick say anything helpful?" He glared at the floor. "Like he would be just fine and dandy if someone had dropped him in that pit where we found you and left him there for four months."

She used her fingers to smooth the lines on his forehead and ease the tension from his cheeks. "I have to pass the psychological evaluations first."

He closed his eyes. That was not going to be easy. She hadn't even talked about it with him yet and now she was expected to share the experience with a shrink she'd never met? "You gonna be okay?"

Ziva sighed. "That is difficult to tell." She fiddled with his tie. "I know how to pass them Tony, but I have to be honest enough to make them think I am not lying about the rest. It will be fine line between what they want to know and what I need to hide. The doctor will not believe it when I say I am fine, but if they are thinking about giving my gun back I am not allowed to fall apart either."

"Wish I could go with you," Tony lamented.

Her eyebrows rose. "What would you do?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. But at least I'd be able to hold your hand."

Ziva swallowed. "Then I wish you could come also." His support meant more than anyone else's.

"Promise you won't leave the Yard without saying goodbye?" he pleaded. "I need to know that you'll be okay until I get home."

She laid her palm over his heart. "My appointment is at eleven, they usually take two hours for something like this. If you are in the office, meet me behind the stairs at one oh five." Ziva bit her lip. "I will probably be needing you by then."

Tony kissed her fingertips. "You got it." He cleared his throat and looked around. "So, we ordering pizza tonight?"

Ziva bit her lip but declined the offer. "No, I don't think so. I am going to try to make something, but I do not remember everything I used to cook. I will have to go through my binder." She turned towards the kitchen, then looked back at him. "Coming?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh...no, not yet. I think I'll...head to the gym for a bit. Unless you need me?"

The tone of his voice hoped that she did not, so Ziva shook her head. "No, that is fine. Can you be back in an hour?"

"Sure." Tony was suddenly anxious to get out of that house and away from the papers on the floor that he wanted to burn. He grabbed his keys and closed the door, knowing that his gym bag was in the trunk. Sixty minutes and the clock was ticking. Tony wished he had said the shooting range instead - what he wouldn't give to have a picture of Leon Vance to use as a target. As it was, the words he'd said to Ziva were all he could hear in his head, and it would take more than a little bit of physical exertion to even begin to drown them out.

NCIS

Ziva had finally settled on a chicken and vegetable casserole when she started to get a strange feeling in her stomach. She glanced back at the door her husband had left through, and checked her newly found watch for the time. Twenty minutes, and something was off. Biting her lip, she stared at the yellow recipe card and tapped her fingernails on the counter. Tony needed to leave, she understood that, and she knew what was driving him to go to the gym and wear himself out fighting against the punching bag, but it did not seem right that he should be alone, even if he thought he should be. Several more moments passed before she made a decision, and pulled the red leather address book from the drawer near their phone.

Flipping through the pages, she got to the Rs and found the entry she was looking form. Picking up the phone, Ziva took a deep breath and dialed the number. It was answered after two rings. "Reece residence, Cassie speaking."

Ziva swallowed. "Hello Cassie, this is Ziva...DiNozzo." Despite what her legal name was going to be, when she introduced herself to people outside of work, she wanted to be known by Tony's name.

"Ziva! What a surprise! How are you?" Cassie asked brightly, then paused. "I'm sorry, that's probably a stupid question."

"It isn't," Ziva hastened to reassure her. "At the moment though I am concerned about my husband. Is Mark there?"

"Tony?" the other woman worried. "What happened? Something at work?"

"In a manner of speaking," Ziva agreed. "But he is not injured, if that is what you are thinking." She let out a breath. "I had a meeting with the director today about returning to NCIS. Something he said about me made Tony very angry. He has gone to the gym on M street, I think he could use a friend."

"Mark should be on his way home right now, he doesn't usually work past six," Cassie explained. "I'll redirect him."

Ziva hesitated. "I do not want to take him away from your family."

"Mark and Tony are like brothers Ziva. Trust me, he'll want to help." Cassie hesitated. "Are you okay by yourself Ziva? The kids and I could come, if you need us."

Ziva shook her head. "Thank you, but I am fine."

"Tony told us you only say that when you're hiding something," Cassie confided. "We're here for you too."

"I am just about to start making supper. I really am alright," she insisted. "We will get together soon, I promise."

"Okay, as long as you're sure."

"I am," Ziva said firmly.

"Then I'll call Mark. And I don't know if it means anything to you, but we're praying for you guys."

Ziva was surprised. She hadn't known the Reece's long enough to see that their lives revolved around their faith. "I was raised to believe in God," she told the other woman. "So thank you. Knowing that you would take the time means a lot."

"You and Tony are never far from our hearts," Cassie said softly. "We'll talk to you later. Good night Ziva." She hung up and immediately dialed her husband.

"Mark? Ziva just called. Tony needs you."

NCIS

Mark strolled into the gym fifteen minutes later, nodded at the owner (who was a previous employer), and scanned the floor area, spotting his friend in the corner working over a punching bag. He walked that way and grabbed the bag when it swung on a particularly vicious hit. "Your form stinks buddy," Mark commented as Tony lashed out again. He was breathing hard and sweating like a pig, but seemed more wound up, not less, after over half an hour of exertion.

"I don't give a flying fink about my form," Tony grunted, firing off a couple quick jabs.

After that Mark kept quiet, steadying the bag and watching Tony beat the stuffing out of it while his frustration level continued to grow. When the minutes finally trickled past an hour, he put a stop to it. Clapping a firm hand on Tony's shoulder, he steered him towards the door. "That's it D, you're done."

Tony whirled on him. "Like heck I am."

Mark crossed his arms and surveyed his friend. "You wanna take me on DiNozzo? Try it. I can still put you on the ground."

Tony glared at his friend for almost thirty seconds before tearing open the velcro straps, flinging his gloves to the floor, and turning away in disgust. Mark followed him outside and planted himself against the driver's side door of Tony's car. "Not sending you home like that."

He braced his hands on the hood and blew out a hard breath. "What do you want from me Mark?"

"Armchair shrink, remember? Talk to me D."

Tony sighed. "The director called Ziva damaged goods, can you believe that?! After everything she's been through he throws that in her face." He ran agitated fingers through his hair. "She can't handle stuff like that yet, can't just let it roll off her back like before. It nearly sent her over the edge." Tony slammed his hand on the car. "I am so done losing her to the desert man. I don't know how much more I can take."

"Well you better figure it out in a hurry," Mark said pointedly. "Ziva's worried about you."

He looked up in surprise. "She called you?"

Mark shook his head. "Called Cassie and Cass called me."

"That's a pretty big step for her, reaching out," Tony mused.

"How'd you think I got here?"

He shrugged. "Sixth sense brother thing?"

Mark snorted. "Yeah, right." He studied his friend. "You good?"

Tony went to slip his hands into his pockets only to realize he was still in workout clothes. "Will be, eventually."

"Good. Now shower and get home to your wife, she's making supper."

Tony's lips quirked up and he held out a hand. "Thanks."

Mark nodded. "We'll call this a bonus session. You still have to phone me or come over this week. I gotta make sure you don't self-destruct before basketball practice." He turned to go, then looked back. "Watch your words tomorrow. It won't help anything if you get fired for lipping off to your boss."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Tony scoffed, even though he'd spent the last hour envisioning scenarios where he stormed into Vance's office and tore a strip off him for being a jerk. "Good night Mark. Tell Cassie thanks."

The other man left and Tony squared his shoulders before heading back inside. He needed to be presentable when he got home.

NCIS

Tony walked in the house just as Ziva shut off the stove. She heard the door close and spun around, seconds later he had her in his arms. He hugged his wife, then pulled back and cupped her face, kissing her gently. "I'm sorry for leaving."

She ran her hands over his chest. "Are you okay?"

He sighed. "And I'm sorry for making this about me when you were the one who was hurt."

Ziva shrugged. "It is good for me to focus on someone other than myself." He hadn't answered her question. "Are you okay?"

Tony rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm really angry. You're home now, I'm supposed to be able to protect you from getting hurt, and this one happened right under my nose." His fingers curled into fists. "I hate that he would be so callous. You deserve more compassion and understanding than that."

"Thank you," Ziva said softly. "But home is one thing and work is another. They will not coddle me at NCIS just because I am..." she searched for the right word, "...recovering. It is a man's world. Women are expected to be tough, to persevere, to survive. I cannot expect everyone to be careful so their words do not take me somewhere I am not willing to do."

He pushed her ponytail over her shoulder. "I wish I could make this better for you. I wish love was enough to heal the hurts and make everything right again. I'm just so sorry this happened to you Zi."

"Rule Six," Ziva quoted, tired of apologies and empty words. She searched his eyes. "Did Mark find you?"

Tony forced a chuckle. "Just about had to knock some sense into me, but yeah, he came."

She leaned into him. "Is it going to get easier?"

He rubbed her back. "I hope so sweetheart, I really hope so."

A/N2: As I'm sure you are all now aware, Cote is leaving NCIS. I am absolutely devastated by this news, but I want to assure you that changes in the show in no way impact what I am doing here. I will continue this series, I will do my best to post 2x/week as long as I have enough written, and I plan to complete all the 7 parts. I am undecided yet if the news will affect any of my future Tiva story ideas, but MIT, at least, will be here. According to my rough calculations, I may very well be working on it for the next year and it could possibly be next summer before everything is wrapped up. I hope, like with Jibbs fans who continue writing stories even after a character is gone, that the writers here on FF will continue telling T&Z's story, even if it's something we now won't see on the show. Thank you again for all the support, I love you all dearly. Thank you for being such great friends. ~Aliyah

Replies:

Emma (A15) - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it :) I think by the time we get to that part of season 8 where Eli is starting to regret what he's lost, Z's going to have long since decided that she wants nothing more to do with him ever (kind of like 'you had your chance and you lost it big time'). Their conversation will turn out slightly differently. It'll be a couple years before Eli gets another chance with his daughter. Thanks for reviewing!

ncisfan (A15) - I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I can't promise anything regarding the intimacy issue. This is an entirely different story and the effects of rape, not just once but being violated for an extended period of time, don't change just because it's getting old. Things will be different this time around because they're married and they've already had sex, it's not the first time in more than one way like it was in SMH, and it'll actually be months before Z's even healthy enough for that kind of physical activity. I need to stay true to the story and the characters and the keeping it real that I'm aiming for. The research I've done on the subject is hard to forget and I don't want to cheapen what she's been through by rushing it so no one gets bored. I hope you decide to keep reading, if not, thanks for giving it a chance. ~Aliyah

Sarah (A13) - you're welcome! I was so glad to hear from you! I always get nervous when my FF people disappear for awhile, so I'm glad you're okay and it was only an internet issue and not something more serious. Thanks, I'm glad you picked up on that. I was trying to make the chapter lighter, to show T&Z able to have fun together (hence the card scene) and slowly moving forward. I hope there will be more moments like that, instead of the dark ones, tho unfortunately they will intrude at random intervals just because they can. AN helping Z feel like a woman again was a huge thing, hopefully she'll be able to remember that more easily, and see what T sees next time she looks in the mirror. Thanks so much for reviewing, I hope you had a great first couple weeks of summer :) ~Aliyah

Sarah (A14) - Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I'm glad you liked that line, I was afraid it would come across as too cheesy. The guys are fun and they will definitely be around more in Part 4, as will Cody. Thanks for reviewing! :)

Sarah (A15) - haha...thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed Nettie's attempt to set him straight. Unfortunately it didn't do any good, but he'll have plenty of time to ponder his mistakes between his sister shutting him out and it being 3 years (minus the few moments in the Enemies eps) before he really gets to talk to his daughter again. Thank you for reviewing, I always appreciate them! :) ~Aliyah