Based again upon another picture prompt over on Tumblr. .com/post/19861274594/the-need-to-write-a-drabble-was-a-little

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS, nor any of the characters.

The day had been tough. First the death of a Navy Chaplain. No-one had assumed the day would take a turn of events like it had. Ziva had been ordered to travel to Cartagena, and without the order, Tony had jumped at the chance to join her. She had silently suspected his reasoning for wanting in on the trip, was not true to his vocalized response in the bullpen, but had said nothing nonetheless grateful to have her partner by her side.

When they arrived in Cartagena, they had been met by one of the local PD officers who had been assigned to assist them during the duration of their stay. Speaking to hundreds of witnesses throughout the day had worn both Ziva and Tony out completely, and they were more than ready to hit the rack for the night.

That's when fate decided to hit Ziva square in the face and land her another surprise for the year. Her long-time mentor and close friend Monique had popped up in the local PD's enquiries. Turns out she knew the late Navy Chaplain, and possibly had some information pertinent to the case.

At first, Ziva had been shocked but thrilled to see her friend once more. It had been several years since she had seen or even spoken to her last, and she was in desperate need of a good ole catch up. Besides, she had some conflicting thoughts she needed to sort out. Maybe Monique could help?

When Tony and Ziva had been informed by the PD that a Monique Lisson had some information for them, Ziva had nearly fell off her chair in shock, and immediately claimed the responsibility of questioning her friend. Tony had been introduced pleasantly to Monique, and then left the girls alone, sensing Ziva's need for privacy from him.

And now, hours later, here she sat, alone on the beach just opposite the hotel her and Tony were staying at, wrapped up in one of her partner's jackets she had stolen during their movie nights, from god knows how many years ago. She felt as though she was wrapped up in his presence, even if he wasn't physically there.

Monique had pointed out some interesting things during their conversation earlier, and Ziva had felt her confliction deflate slightly with the advice. Maybe her mentor was right. 'Fight for what you want. You won't get it otherwise.'

Ever since, Ziva had done her best to avoid Tony, at least until she cleared her head. So, she had dashed back to the hotel, changed, grabbed his jacket and shot for the beach. The calming motions of the waves in front of her were relaxing to say the least, and a nice change of scenery from the streets of DC.

She felt her head clear the frightening thoughts, as the wind brushed against her hair, cooling her to the touch. Maybe it's not as hard as she'd made herself believe over the last several months. Monique had been point blank, and said how easy it is, it's high time she took that advice on board, and admitted a few things for a change.

Besides, they were on the right track, weren't they?

Thanks for reading. :)