AN: This came to me in a dream. I know, weird dreams, right? But here it goes ..
DISCLAIMER: Heartbreakingly disclaimed.
Nighttime in New York City isn't as cut up as it seems to be. Normally, she likes going to this place. But tonight, is not a normal night. After tonight, things will never be the same again.
As the woman on the bed raggedly pulled her last breath, the young girl standing on the corner of the hospital room felt her breath being pulled as well. She can't look at her but her she can't stop her eyes from staring. She could feel her vision starting to blur as her tears, no matter how much she tried to stop them started falling. She wanted to shout, rant at the unfairness of it all, and be angry with the man sitting beside the woman's bed holding her hand.
But she can't. There's nothing coming out, she wouldn't let it come out.
She pushed herself from the wall and the man turned his head towards her, she looked at him defiantly. "I need to go"
Out the door she went, straight to the elevators, answered prayer sent her way as she descended the building alone.
She needed to get out of here. It's suffocating her, she can't breathe.
She needs air.
Tony DiNozzo was having a good time until now. He hasn't taken a weekend break in quite a while. It's good to see his friend Mark again.
Mark, a good friend a former teammate back in Ohio State who now plays for the NY Knicks gave him the ticket to see the game courtside. They had dinner the night before, to catch up on things. James invited him to the dugout for the post-win celebrations tonight but he graciously declined, feigning an early night since he needs to be up early for the flight back to Philly. He has accepted four years ago that he will never have that career he always dreamed of in the NBA, but he would be lying through his teeth if he says he doesn't feel at least a tiny bit of envy, jealousy and anger, seeing his friend and former teammate living what was suppose to be his.
He needed to get out there. It's suffocating him, he can't breathe.
He needs air.
Cutting through the park towards the bar he was thinking of going seemed to be a good idea ten minutes ago. Now noticing how late the hour is and that he hasn't seen any person going his way, he started having seconds thoughts.
"Jeez, I go to NY on a weekend to get myself mugged" as he shook his head at his own stupidity. He was thinking of turning around and going back when he notice a somewhat small figure sitting on one of the benches.
"Poor place for a street walker to choose" he mused.
But nearing the figure, he knew it wasn't a streetwalker, the person's not dressed for it. He can't' even tell if its a man or woman.
He wanted to walk away. No need to borrow trouble. But taking a long look at the huddled shape, he could see that whoever it was, it was shaking.
"Oh God, not a druggie please." he thought.
He tried to walk away once more, but as soon as he turned he heard a small whimper, a quiet one but a whimper nonetheless. The cop in him couldn't ignore the creature any more.
"Hello.. Pretty late for you to be out here by yourself. Are you lost? Do you need help?" he asked.
"No, I am fine. Thank you very much" There's no mistaking that for a female voice, a husky female voice. And she sounded like she's crying.
"You don't seem fine. Is there anything I could do to help?" he asked again.
"No please, I need to be alone. Thank you." as the girl looked up briefly and gave him a tight smile. Eyes rimmed red, puffy nose and cheeks from crying obviously. Curious accent too.
"You're not from around here, are you? You see it's dangerous for a young girl like you to be sitting in the dark by yourself in these parts, especially at this time."
"Would it be not dangerous for you too?" the girl unexpectedly replied.
"Well, you see I'm a cop, a policeman. Though not from New York but from Philadelphia but I was born near here so I'm used to these parts." he responded
"Do you mind if I sit down? Here it looks like you could use this." as he handed her his handkerchief.
"Thank you" as he accepted graciously.
They sat in silence for while. The occasional sniffles from the girl are all you could hear.
"My mother died today." as she breaks the stillness between them.
"I'm so sorry to hear that." as his heart goes out for this little slip of a girl, most likely a teenager. He knows how devastating it is to lose a mother. He's been there.
"It was colon cancer. She had it for three years before it beat her."
"My younger sister is inconsolable. They were close." she added as though an afterthought.
And you were not? He asked in his mind but thought better than to voice it out.
"My Mother died too of cancer, it was breast cancer when I was 8 years old" He revealed instead.
"I am so sorry to hear that."
"Does the pain ever go away?" the timid voice spoke after a minute.
"Well, it's different each day. There are days like her birthdays and my birthdays and Christmases where it hurts the most, and there are days that it's somewhat easier"
"Even after all this time?"
"Even more so after all this time. But somehow you get through it. You remember the fun times, the laughter, the wonderful times you spent with her."
"She will always be in your heart. That's how you get through." his voice sounded sincere.
Another round of quietness ensued.
"You know, its really getting late and I'll bet your dad or your sister is worried now looking for you." He started as he stood up.
"I highly doubt that about my father but my sister and my aunt will worry. You are right, I should go back now." she said as she also stood up from the bench.
"I'll walk you back. Where is it?" Tony for some unfathomable reason is feeling very protective of this young girl.
"Marymount Hospital, about 3 blocks from here. I could walk by myself really. There is no need to go all that way for me. I do appreciate the offer though" she smiled; she does really value the offer.
"Now isn't that a coincidence? That's where I'm heading too. Not to the hospital but near it. We might as well walk together, better protection for each other" He grinned easily, lying through his teeth.
He absolutely abhorred that place!
That's the same hospital where his mother died too. No surprise really, It's one of the country's premiere cancer centers. But he swore on that day that he would never ever shadow that place again.
But he cannot in good conscience, let the girl alone at this time, so utterly vulnerable and lost, so lost. He of all people should know. He had been in her shoes.
"Are you sure?" sounding skeptical.
"Yes, pretty sure. Let's go" as he took a step forward.
They walked in silence. Her head is down but on rare times that she looks up he's looking at her, smiling. She couldn't help but smile back even just a bit. He has such warm smiling eyes. It's one of the two things she will remember of him.
Soon enough they reached their destination.
"So this it. You take care ok? All will be fine in due time." was all he could muster as a goodbye.
"Thank you for walking me back. Until we meet again." She said warmly and shook his hand.
Ziva went back to her mother's hospital room. It was quiet and empty except for her father who was sitting on a chair beside the bed where her mother still lays.
Eli stood up, went to Ziva, lifted her chin so he can see her face.
The utter sadness so palpable in her eyes.
He let go of her face, touched her shoulder and said "Your Uncle will bring you back to the hotel when you're ready" and he left her there alone in the room.
Ziva went up to her mother's bed. She sat beside her and touched her beautiful but still face, now devoid of the pain she has endured in the last 3 years. She started talking as if her Mother is listening as she always does when she use tell her stories of how her day went.
"I am sorry that I ran away earlier. I met a nice policeman and he was kind enough to walk me back here so I would not get lost. Oh, and he gave me his handkerchief and I now I forgot to return it. I do not know his name"
"He seems very nice. Would you be so kind to watch over him every now and then? To make sure he is safe? A policeman has a dangerous job, like Abba does."
She kissed her cheek, and whispered in her ear, "We will be fine Ima. You need not to worry now. I will take care of Tali, I promise."
And she started praying.
Tony having changed his mind had decided to go for a drink. He's heading straight to Paddy's Pub he knows is just around the corner.
He looked up at the sky; saw a twinkling bright star and he suddenly feels a bit better.
He looked around for any person passing by but there was none.
He then started talking, "Hey Mom, I'm ok. Don't worry about me. And oh, there's this girl whose mother has just passed away. But I forgot to ask her name. Would you mind keeping an eye out for her Mom? You know, give her a welcome party or something? Also, the two of you could watch over her, make sure she's safe? She needs it."
Tony then chuckled to himself, now you've lost it DiNozzo.
He walked away towards the bar whistling.