A/N This is my first post and also my first NCIS fan fic. I hope you enjoy!
It had been two days since they had arrived in Cartagena. The trip had nothing to do with pleasure, but Tony didn't see the harm of having a little fun on the side. He could see Ziva sitting in the far corner of the dimly-lit hall. Even under the circumstances, Tony was mesmerised by the way the light shimmered in her dark brown eyes.
"Go and talk to her" McGee said from behind, causing Tony to turn red with embarrassment.
"What do you know about women McGee, this is a very delicate situation!" Tony replied, looking again in Ziva's direction.
"It's Ziva, Tony, you work with her everyday!" McGee stated as he left Tony to think it over.
For once in his life, Tony was at a loss for words. How could he tell her how he felt? That all this time he'd had feelings for her, and she just didn't know. Suddenly Tony felt something hit the back of his head. HARD. He turned, bracing himself for what he thought Gibbs was about to say about rule number twelve. Instead, he saw Abby standing behind him, her short green dress a contrast to the usual platform boots and lab coat that everyone had grown accustomed to over the years.
"You NEED to go and talk to her!" Abby demanded as she took Tony's wrist and dragged him over to where the two had been sitting, instantly being noticed by Ziva.
"Tony," Ziva said, standing to reveal a dress the same shade of green as Abby's. The fact that Ziva was wearing a dress was amazing to some, but Tony could not take his eyes away from the way the light bounced off of her crystal necklace in all directions, or at least that's what he said he was looking at. "What is it?"
"Would you ... care to... dance?" Tony stuttered, holding his hand out for her to take.
"Of course." Ziva replied, taking his hand almost too eagerly and pulling Tony out to the dance floor.
"Whoa, my ninja!" Tony said as he placed one hand on Ziva's hip. "I lead!"
Ziva allowed Tony to lead. He was a hopeless dancer, but as Ziva and Tony started dancing, none of that mattered. Time seemed to slow down when they were together, and until now neither of them had ever noticed. Tony lead Ziva out the door to the front steps where they both sat.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you." They both said nervously at the same time.
"You first, Ziva"
"Tony, I did not think it were possible, but..." She took a breath, biting back tears as she prepared herself for what she was about to say."Go on, I'm listening." Tony said as he placed a hand on her shoulder for comfort as her distress became apparent.
"I have been thinking everything over, and... I think I love you, Tony."
Ziva started crying as Tony pulled her close to his chest and held her tight. He knew that it was a big deal for Ziva to say something like that, especially after what had happened with Ray and Michael. Ziva trusted Tony, even after everything he had put her through, and he knew not to take it for granted.
"Hey, it's okay!" Tony whispered to Ziva as she looked up at him, those brown eyes that Tony loved filling with tears. "I've felt the same way."
"Why have you never told me, Tony?" Ziva sobbed, still shocked about everything that had just happened.
"I never wanted to hurt you!"
"I understand."
Tony and Ziva fell asleep on the stairs, Ziva's head on Tony's shoulder, and his head rested against hers. Neither of them noticed the music stopping or the crowd leaving until they felt Gibbs nudging them to wake up:
"Let's go home!"