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12. “You’re adorable when you’re sick.”
“Okay, go get comfortable while I make a run to the store,” Tony said, setting Ziva’s bag on the small table by her front door. “What do you need?”
Ziva toed off her shoes and reluctantly stripped out of her winter coat and scarf, hanging them in the closet as she sniffled. “I’m not sure what is in my cabinet.” All she wanted to do was curl up on the couch with the tv remote, and it seemed like Tony could read her mind, because he was already waiting near the couch with a thick throw blanket to cover her with once she sat down.
“I’ll go check for you.” Once Ziva was comfortable on the couch, Tony tucked her in and made sure the remote was within reach before going to the bathroom to check her medicine cabinet. There wasn’t much in there in the way of cold medicine, so Tony made a mental note of what he needed and returned to the living room. “What about food?”
“Fridge is empty,” Ziva whispered, pulling the blanket more tightly around herself.
Tony made a mental note of that, too, and frowned down at his partner. “You doing okay?” He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and let his hand linger on her cheek to feel her temperature.
“I just need to nap,” she said, turning her head into his touch ever so slightly. Their relationship was a complicated one, but she would be lying if she said she didn’t like the way Tony’s touch sent sparks across her skin.
“Alright. I’ll be right back.” Tony reluctantly left her apartment and hurried to the store around the corner.
When he got back, he quietly entered Ziva’s apartment and set the bags of goodies he’d acquired on her kitchen counter before peeking into the living room to check on her. She was curled up on the couch, pretty much where he’d left her, and he smiled when he saw how cute she looked. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips parted as she slept, her hair draped across the pillow.
He crouched next to her head, feeling her forehead again with the backs of his fingers. “You’re adorable when you’re sick, you know that?” he whispered. He kissed her forehead gently and stood, returning to the kitchen to put away the supplies he’d gotten.
By the time everything was put away, tea was steeping, and soup had been cooked, Tony decided it was time for Ziva to take more medicine. He sat on the coffee table and rubbed her head gently, waiting for her to wake up on her own so that he didn’t accidentally get himself shot for waking her up.
“Tony?” Ziva looked around in confusion. Her throat was killing her and everything ached.
“Yeah, it’s just me. I’ve got some tea, soup, and medicine here for you. Need help sitting up?” Tony asked, knowing Ziva well enough to give her her space.
Ziva shook her head and pushed herself to a sitting position. She took the pills Tony handed her with the tea he’d made, and got comfortable to eat her soup while she watched tv. “You don’t have to stay, I’m alright.”
Tony smiled softly at her. “I know. You always are.” He left the living room then, carrying everything he’d bought back with him from the kitchen. After laying everything out so that it was within reach of the couch, he stood with his hands on his hips. “There, now you have everything you need. Take more Tylenol at 2:30, okay?”
Ziva nodded, sure her voice would crack if she spoke, though not from her cold but from emotion. Tony was always so kind to her. It was something that took some getting used to.
“Alright. Gibbs is expecting me back at the Navy Yard. Call me if you need me, okay?”
Ziva nodded again. “Thank you, Tony. For all this. I appreciate you.”
Tony huffed a laugh. “I’m happy to help. Feel better soon,” he said, pulling on his jacket. He was out the door before she could say anything else.
Ziva ate her soup, which was delicious, and watched terrible daytime tv, and when Tony called at 2:30 to remind her to take her medicine, she was feeling quite a bit better. All thanks to Tony.