NCIS ~ I Will Love You Thru Everything

part 37

*one week later*

Ziva sat up in bed and slowly stretched. She felt no pain in her ribs or her neck! The only thing left to remind her was the bruises on her stomach and arms.A smile lit her face. Today was her release date. She could finally go home, and hopefully soon be able to go back to work. Gibbs told her he would let her know by today whether she and Tony could stay as part of the team while still maintaining their relationship.

She swung out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. Sitting on the sink were two shopping bags - one Victoria's Secret bag and the other, Jessie's. She opened the card on top curiously. Inside was Tony's handwriting; the note read: 

Ziva,

Inside the bags is your special outfit for tonight. I'm picking you up at seven and taking you out, to celebrate being released. I love you, princess. Don't ever forget that.

Be ready at 7 my darling!

Tony

Ziva read the note, her heart filling with love. It was 8 o clock in the mornkng right now and Tony started work at 7 a.m so he must have dropped this off so early! She peeked inside the victoria's secret bag - there was a little black dress and a pair of sheer, shimmery tights. The dress was beautiful. Ziva then opened the Express bag. She pulled out a beautiful pair of black flats with ribbon laced around the edges. Something jangled at the bottom of the bag, so Ziva felt around for whatever it was. It was a beautiful bracelet of black and silver stones set in a silver band.

Ziva sat down. She looked across the room to the photo Tony had given hee. I could spend the rest of my life with this man, she realized to herself. She put everything back in the bags and then looked in the mirror. Her hair was all over! Ziva quickly it back into a braid and washed her face. She changed into some jeans and a light sweater and then hastily applied some concealer on her neck. The scars were still slightly visible, despite the rejuvenation treatments she had been doing.  a few more days and they should be all gone! She loaded her things into a bag and then got back in bed. Her final check-over was 9 a.m to give her the all-clear.

When the doctor finally came in, Ziva was tense. She held her breath as he did the final examinations on her rib cage and neck. He flipped through some papers and smiled at her. "You're all set." he told her. Ziva breathed a sigh of relief. As she left the hospital a few minutes later, she realized she had no way home. Feeling slightly depressed, she began to walk towards the bus station. She had only walked about a block or two before a car zoomed up next to her. A blue charger, NCIS style. Ziva smiled as Gibbs pulled over next to her. "Ziver, what the heck? You just got out of the hospital, why are you walking? Didn't Tony tell you that I was picking you up?" he said.

Ziva shook her head. She didn't think he had mentioned it...

Gibbs motioned for her to climb in.  Ziva got into the front seat and buckled herself in, assuming he was taking her to NCIS. As he made different turns, she realized they were headed to her apartment. "Oh,"she said quietly. Uneasiness slithered through her; she did not want to return here after..everything. Gibbs noticed and instantly understood. He assured her that there would be watchmen outside the door til the case was solved.

He walked her upstairs and set her bag down, then went to the kitchen table. Ziva sat down across from Gibbs, wondering what his decision was about her relationship with Tony.

"I won't beat around the bush. I'm disappointed in the way you and Tony handled this. But we've already discussed that, and its past." Ziva's heart thudded. She could hear the blood rushing in her ears.

Gibbs continued, "After much discussion with Je-- Director Shephard...I have decided to allow you and Tony to maintain your relationship while on the team." Ziva looked at him in astonishment. She had been so sure that he would transfer her. Her mind worked to find an appropriate reply but came blank.

Gibbs laughed. "I know, Ziver. You're welcome. Just..the important thing is that you're here, safe. Stay safe. And be happy with Tony." he finished. Ziva saw him to the door, her heart floating. After a few moments of floating around the room, clueless, she began to come to her senses. It was almost 10:30 a.m. That meant she had the rest of the afternoon to clean up her apartment and get ready for tonight.

She hurried into the bathroom and drew a bubble bath. Hopefully this would get the hospital smell out!

Ziva spent all afternoon relaxing and getting ready. When she slipped on the dress, she felt the silk slide against her skin. It felt amazing.

She painted her nails lightly and applied her makeup, then checked the clock. 6:45 p.m.

Tony would be there in 15 minutes.

thanks for reading! the next chapter will be my final chapter ;) comment what you thought\think?