<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-size: 15px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">Abby cleaned up while Tim was in the shower. And while he did that, she walked down the hall and pulled out some pillows and a blanket from the hall closet, and set them down on the couch. She kicked off her shoes and put them and her purse on the floor and out of the way so they didn't risk tripping on them. And once that was done, she sat back down on the couch and turned on a funny movie. They could both use a pick me up, right about now, but especially Tim, with everything that was going on right now. <br/>
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She cuddled Bert close, and when Tim exited the bathroom, she held out a hand to him. "Get your butt over here and get a cuddle. And don't bother pretending that you don't need one, because I won't be fooled. And I won't give up." To lighten the mood a little bit, she squeezed Bert and a small smile came to her lips as the stuffed hippo farted a few times. When Tim didn't move, she reached out and grabbed his hand. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 255, 153)">She tugged him onto the couch anyway, and pulled him down with her.  She had been seated on the couch with the blanket on one side of her.<br/>
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And the pillow placed across her lap, as she pulled him to join her. And once he was lying down on the couch, with his head on the pillow that was across her lap, she handed him Bert, and smiled. "A good cuddle helps me feel better sometimes.." The goth said, and leaned over and wrapped her arms around Tim, and held him close. She was happy when  after several minutes, he seemed to realize that she was serious about him cuddling not only her, but Bert, too. "Sometimes the smallest things.. the silliest things.. can make us smile."<br/>
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"Even if it's only for a little while.." And as she spoke, she slowly pulled back from her hug with Tim, so that she could meet his eyes. Her eyes locked on his, and for a few moments, she just froze.. Before she lowered her head and met his lips with hers.</span><br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99"><span style="font-size: 15px">Ziva was quiet as Tony exited the bathroom and explained. "Oh. Sorry." She shook her head at his words when he said that he wasn't good at being taken care of. "There is no 'being good at being taken care of'. There is only what you know and what you do not know." She listened to the rest of what he had to say, and when he reached out and squeezed her arm, she gave him a soft smile. "I just.. I need you to know that I care.. maybe more than I should.." She said the last part softly, and then cleared her throat and moved on. <br/>
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"So, how are you feeling? Do you want me to warm you up some soup? Or, do you need me to pick up anything from the store? I am happy to help however you need it." After she spoke, she paused for a moment as she considered whether or not it was wise to do what she was thinking, then shrugged off her hesitance, stepped closer to Tony, and wrapped her arms around him, and hugged him. </span></span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 255, 153)"><span style="font-size: 15px">This went on for a few moments, before she pulled back and stared at him for several moments. Then, unable to help herself, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. <br/>
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Her own arms went around his waist, and she pulled him close as they kissed. She wasn't going to pull back and put a stop to this, unless Tony objected. She had been fighting her attraction to him since they had met, and she had seen the looks he had sent her way. But now, she felt more than a simple attraction to him. Now, she could honestly say that she cared about him. As a friend, as a partner, and as more. And it scared the hell out of her. But, after the loss of her brother, and his and the rest of the team's, loss of Kate from the team.. <br/>
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Maybe this could be something special to both of them. Or maybe.. she was reading into things, and taking advantage of Tony when he was sick. It was only that thought that she was taking advantage of him while he was sick, that made her pull back. "Sorry," Ziva said softly.. Though if she were honest, she really wasn't sorry at all.</span></span><br/>
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Kate placed her hands over his when they moved to the waistband of her pants. She pulled back from the kiss and said, "I want this.. I want you.. All of it. All of you.." She said and hoped that he understood what she said, because she really didn't want them to have to put a stop to this, to get a pad of paper and a pen, or her tablet. So, trying to make sure she was completely clear, she kept her hands over his, and led him to start removing her pants. Once he understood, she released his hands, and moved her own, to resume caressing his skin.<br/>
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And to explore all that was on offer to her. Part of her wanted this to be slow and sweet, and for them to show each other how much they meant to each other. But another part of her wanted it hard, fast, rough.. As a way to wash away all of the pain they had endured in the last few years. But she would follow his lead until they got more comfortable with each other in this new way. She didn't want to risk screwing up something that could be good for both of them. And she was sure that they could be good for each other.</span></span></span>