Gibbs cursed at how limiting being forced to rest his voice was. He was home, forced to rest and spend serious time recovering. The doctor had even refused to clear him for work yet he had much to be grateful for. For one thing he was alive and well. Secondly the doctor said it was likely his voice would return as long as he gave it plenty of time to heal.

So he was here at home only hours after being released already feeling the frustration of being unable to work. Yet for once that emotion was easily pushed aside. As frustrating as it was to have to wait to get back to the life he'd known. Where before he would have pushed at the constraints he could accept them now as they meant more time to spend with Ziva. Glancing at his watch he knew it wouldn't be long before she was back from the store. She'd driven him home, fussed with getting him settled and then run out for groceries or whatever it was she'd muttered about grabbing. He'd almost laughed out loud at the way she'd hurried off. They hadn't had a chance to talk in private since everything had happened, no time to process being together both physically and in the way that all their colleagues seemed to accept. That too had caught him off guard, the way no one had seemed surprised or unsettled by the way he'd shared his affection toward Ziva. To be fair though Tony had given him a warning look at one point that told him there was at least something he didn't remember from right before he'd been injured.

Whatever had happened no one had been surprised at the way he held tightly to Ziva as he was being discharged. Even Vance hadn't seemed fazed. Later when he had more energy he would ask about that for now he was content to be alive and have Ziva. As though her name were some sort of signal she stepped through his door, arms burdened with grocery bags she refused to let him help with.

Ziva set the bags down and instantly felt his arms around her. His mouth locked with hers plying her mouth open reminding her of how powerful the feelings she had for him were. It was her undoing. The passion he'd intended was there but beyond all that was the very solid feel of him wrapped around her. The scent of him and how real he felt to her touch, vibrant and alive in comparison to cold and lifeless as he'd been only days ago. All the strength she'd managed to muster until now disappeared and she felt the sob welling up in her throat even as her fingers anchored into his shoulders.

Gibbs felt her tears washing over his cheeks even as he felt the sobs that shook her body. She was breaking apart in his arms and all he could do was hold her as they sank to the floor. Her sobs racked her body, even as she tried to fight them he felt the fear running through her beneath his fingertips. He spoke softly murmuring words of love that only touched the surface of what he felt and pressing kisses against her cheek.

"I thought I'd lost you. I'd never seen you like that before not even after the explosion on the ship. Then you were fighting, angry raging against everything lost to you. This time you were slipping away in my arms, so cold and.." she pulled in a stuttering breath knowing she was hanging on by a thread. "I thought you were gone and I couldn't accept that."

Gibbs held her so tightly he thought she might protest instead she only sank deeper into his touch. "I heard you Ziva. Heard you calling for me begging me to stay and I honestly believe you're the reason I managed. I couldn't let our one night be our only moment. I wanted so much more with you, still do." Her tear stained face looked up to his. He saw her frown at him and point to his throat but he denied her even that indulgence. He'd spend the next two weeks completely silent if necessary but this moment she needed and so did he. He compromised by keeping his voice a whisper which impacted his vocal cords far less.

"You're crazy." Ziva sniffled pulling back her tears and fighting against the grief that still bit at her rough edges.

"Maybe but I still want more with you. I told you that not so long ago."

"Feels like so long ago. Are you still as certain as you were then?" She saw his blue eyes fix on hers in a stare she knew well from work. She couldn't fight the smile since she knew it was meant to intimidate but only made her giggle.

"Even more certain. Being with you wasn't a fling Ziva. Unless you want something different I want you with me all the time." He saw the doubts clear like clouds form her eyes. She was a woman who'd been used most of her life. She'd spent most of her time pleasing others it wasn't arrogance that told him when she chose him it was about what she wanted. It was simply evident in the way she looked at him that she wanted him and no other. There was a satisfaction in that but even more than that he saw it for the gift it was.

Ziva saw the truth in his eyes and knew he wasn't the kind of man to lie to her just to ease her worry. He said what he meant and that was enough for her. She managed to stand bringing him with her. When she might have reached to put the groceries away she saw him tap the radio and then pull her into his arms.

His throat was starting to protest the words he'd had to have and so he pulled her into his arms instead. The radio floated something low and bluesy in the air perfect for the slow mellow dance he swayed her into. As though they'd been made to fit she rested her head on his shoulder relaxing into his lead. There in his kitchen with beat of the music and every step across the wood floor he showed her what his words couldn't, that she was his forever and nothing could change that.