Lie Again

Chin Up

Early update for you guys because I really need to chill (I've spent most of my day trying to write my first resume, and it is not fun). Enjoy!

*****

"Tony..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but every piece of him heard it.

"Tony."

He slowly opened his eyes. His heart squeezed as he took in her beautiful face.

"Ziva," he breathed.

"Shh." She leaned a little closer, and Tony didn't need to be told twice. Her fingers gently stroked his temple, once or twice straying into his hair.

He was hoping against all hopes that she would close the last few inches between them.

But apparently fate had other plans.

Searing cold suddenly touched his skin, and he flinched away. The warm bubble enclosing his mind burst. "Ziva, what the hell are you doing?"

"You got hit pretty hard," she murmured, pressing the ice to his head again.

"Hit?" He vaguely remembered sucker punching Ray, but everything after that was gone.

She nodded. "Some guy saw you... hit Ray... and he misunderstood. He hit you over the head with his beer."

"Ouch."

"Definitely."

So if she knew he had punched Ray, why was she holding ice on his head? Why wasn't she flipping out on him? Why wasn't she even the slightest bit mad? The only emotion he could find in her eyes was exhaustion.

"About Ray... How is he?" Tony asked carefully. He only wanted to know for Ziva's sake.

"He is fine. His jaw is a little sore, but he is fine."

"I'm sorry."

"Do not apologize to me."

"Right. I'll apologize to Ray later."

He thought he saw the smallest spark of approval in her dark eyes. "That would be big of you."

"Just a question..." Tony reached his hand up to hold the ice himself, and his fingers briefly held hers, until she pulled away. "Why aren't you yelling at me for going ape on your fiancé?"

Ziva shrugged slightly. "He told me what you were talking about. It is understandable that you would want to hit him after hearing... that. But this is not me giving you permission to do that ever again."

"Noted."

That put a small smile on her face. "You should go home and get some rest."

"What? I got knocked out cold and you're going to send me on my merry way?" he teased.

"No, McGee is going to drive you home."

Tony's heart sunk a little further hearing that Ziva wouldn't be the one to drive him home and maybe tuck him in to bed. "Oh. Okay."

He sat up, his head immediately pounding with the exertion. It was like his hangover was already getting into full swing.

"Careful," Ziva said, helping him to his feet.

It was then that he had the presence of mind to ask where they were.

"Secret back room," she said with a mischievous grin. "I did not think your ego could handle everyone watching you drool."

"I did not drool," Tony said hastily, but he swiped at his mouth just in case.

"If that is what you want to tell youself." Ziva led the way back to the others, and Tony swallowed his pain long enough to lift his chin up.