"Ziva, come on!" Tony shouted, catching up with her, blocking her path.
Tony wanted Ziva to go camping with him over the weekend.
"Tony..." Ziva said placing her hands gently on his chest looking deep into his green eyes that made her heart melt.
"I know what you're doing and I... I'm fine." she said, her voice cracking slightly.
He could read her expressions like an open book and he could cleary tell that she wasn't fine. Sure, she's the strongest person he knows but her father just died.
Lately they have been growing closer. They have been opening up to each other and been sharing memories with each other that were close to their hearts.
"Besides, you hate dirty shoes and you hate the cold." she said smiling weakly.
"Ziva..." Tony said staring into her eyes with a concerned look.
"We both know you're not okay. Look... I know you can take care of yourself but I want to help you. Just know that I'm always here for you.
Plus, you know, I think it would be good for you to get away from all of this that has been going on lately. " He said taking one of her hands that were still on his chest and rubbing his thumb over her palm.
"Fine. I'll go. But no complaining about your shoes." she said with one of those flirtly smiles he loved.
" Okay, so I'll pick you up in an hour so you'll have time to pack. And can you b.. " Tony didn't have time to finish before Ziva interrupted him.
" We're going tonight? " Ziva said,slightly raising her voice.
Tony nodded.
" Yes why?" he said as his forhead crinkled in confusion.
" Tony, it's almost 9pm, it'll be 10 before we're on the road and it'll be atleast 11 until we're there and we've found a spot that's ok and until we've got everything up. And it's pitch black so who knows if we wont get lost when we're going home?!
Plus I do not have a tent or a mattress. And sleeping on the ground would not be very good for your back either." she said.
" That's cute, you worrying about my back." he said.
Ziva rolled her eyes.
" But if you don't want to go you can just say so. You know, I just thought.." he said, looking down.
" What! No, Tony. I want to go. Really." she said, placing her hands on his chest like she had done before.
" You sure?" he said, a small smile appearing on his face.
"Yes." she nodded, smiling. Her hands fell back to her sides.
" Okay. But don't worry. I actually borrowed a tent and a mattress from my neighbour yeasterday." he said.
" One mattress?" she said, grinning.
" Well... it's actually pretty big so I'm sure we'll both fit." he said feeling slightly uncomfortable
" Oh, so if I would've said no you would go camping by yourself?" she said smiling.
" No, I guess I just hoped you would come with me..." he said.
" And don't worry about the time. We'll just pack quickly and get there as soon as possible. And there is a thing called a flashlight, Ziva. And besides, I was not planning on camping 3 miles away from the car so I think we'll be fine." he said, flashing her one of his famous DiNozzo smiles that made her heart melt.
" Okay then. If we're in a hurry then why are we still standing here?" she said laughing.
" Oh.. right.." he said grabbing her by her arm, leading her to his car.
Tony turned the key to the right and they drove off the NCIS parking lot.
" Okay so since we haven't eaten anything since lunch and I'm pretty sure my stomach dosen't like me very much right now, what you you think about me making us some sandwiches?" Tony said smiling at her.
" Yeah, sure." she replied, not paying much attention.
" Okay, good. I'll bring food and water for the weekend."
She nodded.
20 minutes later they were outside her appartment.
" Okay Ziva were here now. " he said looking over at her.
She didn't answer.
"Hey Ziva.." he said.
She still didnt answer.
She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.
"Ziva!" He said a litter louder this time.
Still didnt seem to listen.
"Ziva..." he whispered softly brining his hand up to her cheek, stroking it.
This time she turned her head towards him.
" Are you okay?" he said, sounding slightly worried.
"I... I'm fine" she said looking down.
"Are you sure?" he said taking the hand that stroked her cheek and placing it over her hand, rubbing his thumb over it.
It made her heart flutter and her heart beat rising slightly.
She nodded.
They both knew she wasn't but he didnt want to push her too much so he dedided he would talk to her in the tent instead.
" Okay, I'll call you when I'm on my way." he said removing his hand.
" Okay." she said quietly.
She got out of the car and walked up to her appartment and Tony drove to his own.
The sound of her phone ringing brought her back to reality.
She picked up.
"Ziva David." she said, sounding as tired as one can be.
" Hey, it's me. I'm on my way now. I made us some sandwiches and brought some food and snacks for the weekend . We'll bring water but I thought we could fill them up at your place." Tony said, sounding a bit cheery.
But he did notice that she sounded a bit off. He would talk to her in the tent.
"Okay" she replied and hung up.
10 minutes later he arrived at her parking lot. He turned off the engine and stepped out of his car and walked up the stairs to her appartment.
A loud knock on her door brought her back to reality once again.
Walking out of her bedroom and into her livingroom felt like one mile for some reason.
Dark cirlcles had started to develope under her eyes and a thin layer of sweat lay on her forehead.
The look on her face when she opened the door broke his heart.
" Hi." she said, looking down.
" Ziva, what happened?" he said, his voice sounding thick.
" What? Nothing I just packed.. " she said, a small smile appearing on her face.
He knew she was lying to him.
" I have to go to the bathroom you can go grab something to drink I'll be right back." she said.
" Ok." he swallowed hard, walking into her kitchen.
Pouring himself some orange juice he sat down on her couch.
30 minutes went by and she still had not come out.
He started to get worried.
" Ziva." he called out.
He lifted himself from the couch and walked to the bathroom and knocked on the door.
" Ziva, are you okay?" he said with a loud voice.
Still no answer.
" Okay I'm coming in." he said and opened the door which fortunately was not locked.
What he saw there made his heart drop.
" Ziva" he gasped.