Summary: Chaplain Burke and Tony talk.
Author Note: I took a longer then intended break from fanfiction, but I am really glad to be back writing though! Again, I don't own NCIS.
Anthony DiNozzo Jr. was sitting in a church, which was becoming more common now.
The church was empty, but the sunlight enhanced the beauty of the glass windows.
"This is a pleasant surprise." Tony looked up to see the smiling face of Chaplain Burke. Burke observed Tony's dark circles and the extra large cup of coffee in his hand. He must have been out late or at work.
"Mind if I take a seat?" Tony nodded and she took the seat next to him.
"Merry Christmas." Tony spoke for the first time since he had walked into the church.
"And Merry Christmas to you. What did you do for Christmas?"
"We were on call Christmas Eve, and then I spent Christmas Day working on paperwork. I did have dinner with Leyla, and her daughter Amira. I was hanging out in Gibbs's basement and he made me go. Ziva was there too. "
"How did that go?" Burke asked, making herself comfortably. She knew she wouldn't be going anywhere for a while.
"It was wonderful. It felt like I was part of a family for once. There was one moment at the end of the night when Ziva was leaving to go home, and Amira wouldn't let her go. She almost had a hissy fit when Ziva left. " Tony's eyes lit up with joy as he spoke about the memory. A smile lingered for a few minutes until he took a sip of coffee.
"Your coworkers are family, even through it is unconventional. Tony, what are you doing here the day after Christmas when you could be catching up on sleep. " She was getting to the point of Tony's visit. "Are you thinking about your bucket list again? More specifically Number 26, tell her?"
"No, I just have nowhere to be."
"For being a federal agent, you are a horrible liar." Burke laughed before saying what Tony wasn't going to admit. "You have conquered your fear of children, but you are hiding behind something else. What everyone in love is afraid of, getting hurt. " Tony laughed.
"What, did I hit a nerve?" Burke joked.
"Ziva said something alone those lines a few years agos."
"You know exactly what you have to do to get what you want. You just haven't gone through the steps yet. The first step is telling her and then if there is truly something, which I don't doubt there, is something. Then you cultivate it. "
"If what you say is true, why am I here?" Tony asked.
"If you had told her already, you would be with her instead of talking with me. " Burke said bluntly. "Just tell Ziva already. The worse that could happen is she says no. All you do is work, go home, sleep, eat and repeat. Everyone wants something more in life eventually and you may not have wanted it before, but you desire it now. Stop wasting precious time. "
"Why would you think it is Ziva? She is just my coworker, we have each other backs. Besides, she is in relationship with CIA Ray Cruz. I may be many things, but I wouldn't cheat with another person's girlfriend. "
"Tony, a blind person could see the chemistry between you two." Tony didn't respond, but chose to admire the windows.