AN- first chapter of a (possible) two in which Ziva realises that she doesn't like being alone. Written slightly too late at night and it has just occured to me that Victoria Sponge might not be a thing in America. Still, Ziva's well travelled enough to know about cakes of the World... Hope you enjoy- let me know what you think!
At 6am on Wednesday the 19th of June, Ziva David's alarm clock did not go off for the first time in 14 years and 3 months. She'd taken the batteries out of the damned thing as soon as she got home after handing in her badge, because if there was one thing that Ziva David needed, it was sleep. However, 14 years and 3 months of waking at 6am does things to a person and so it was with some regret that, at a quarter to 8, she pulled herself out of bed and pulled out her list.
It was safe to say that working for Gibbs did not allow one much "me-time". As a result, Ziva had spent the last few years compiling a list of things that she never quite found time to do and if there was any upside to her newfound state of unemployment it would be managing to (finally) tick a few off. One 10 kilometre run and two Meg Cabot novels later, it was time to bake (a passion that she had not found time for in too long) meaning that by six O'clock that evening, Ziva was surrounded by more chocolate brownies and Victoria sponges than she knew what to do with. She was just about finished with the pile (almost a foot high; a new record) of washing up when the phone rang.
"Hello?" she said, her voice cracking as she realised that it was the first time she had spoken all day.
No answer.
"Hello? Who is speaking, please?"
Still nothing.
Ziva was starting a final 'hello' when the automated message began. A cold call. Fantastic.
As she listened half-heartedly to the advert, well aware that she had no need for double glazed patio doors, Ziva's thoughts drifted to Tony. A spark of annoyance tried to flash up within her; until the phone rang she had not realised that she had been hoping that he would call. Their first day as…not co-workers and they had spent the day apart. Alone.
Before she knew what she was doing, Ziva David hung up on the double glazing company and dialled Tony's number as fast as she could.
Unlike Ziva, Tony had had no trouble getting his lie-in, finally rolling out of bed at 11 to spend the day doing what he loved best: watching films. So far he'd managed The Blues Brothers and Casino Royale; he was about to move on to The Prestige when his phone rang and it was at that moment that Tony realised that he had not spoken all day.
"DiNozzo," he said, his voice a little higher than intended.
On the other end of the line, Ziva David giggled despite herself at her partner – no, ex-partner. She had forgotten how good it felt to giggle.
"Hello, Tony," she said.
"Ziva! What's up?" Tony asked. The pause that came before Ziva's answer worried him. "Ziva?"
"I am not proud to admit this, Tony, but… I feel alone," she whispered.
Tony switched off the television and picked up his keys before he knew what he was doing. "I'll be there in five," he said. Ziva let out a breath she had not realised she had been holding.
"Thank you, Tony," she said.
"Nothing to thank me for; the pleasure is all mine," he replied, realising with a shock that, although it had been but a day, he missed his partner. Oops. Ex-partner.
As Tony waited for the elevator and Ziva watched the local news, they both found their minds straying to one thing. Or one rule, to be precise. This unemployment business might not be so bad after all…