Disclaimer: Despite my strong hints, no one gave me NCIS for Valentine's Day. It's a cruel, cruel world. Oh well, at least yesterday was Half-Price Chocolate Day, which almost makes up for it.

A/N: My first tag for 9x15: "Secrets." And is it just me, or did anyone else think that Wendy was a little bit like Kate in appearance and/or demeanor?

Apparently FF.N deleted this fic (which I posted yesterday), though I can't imagine why; I followed all of the prescribed rules and guidelines, as per usual. So I'm giving this another try… hopefully FF.N will leave it alone this time. My apologies to those of you who tried to read this story only to be told that the link was 'invalid,' and my apologies to any of you who may have read or reviewed before FF.N did strange things! FF.N and I definitely have a love/hate relationship.

"You know, it's all about chemistry; zing, the sssss, the pah!"

– Anthony Dinozzo, 7x01: "Truth or Consequences"

He kissed Wendy because she's still really hot. Because they used to have a relationship. Because they still have a… connection, if the term isn't too girly. He kissed her because he was curious to see if that spark was still there.

And it's still there, alright. Sort of. He's still attracted to her and vice versa. They still have chemistry. But something about that kiss was different. (He still cares about her, but he isn't in love with her anymore.) There's a shadow of that initial spark in their interactions, but it feels different somehow.

She's still hot and stubborn and too damn perceptive, and they still have chemistry.

But she doesn't get it, not at all.

(What's with everyone thinking that he's sad and lonely and pensive, huh?)

Oh, Wendy thinks that she gets him. She always thought she knew what was going on in his head, and – to be fair – she was usually right. That doesn't mean that she understands this situation. He's changed in ways that she couldn't possibly comprehend. How could she? She wasn't there for any of it; she left his life when she all but left him at the altar.

"You should… tell her how you feel, whoever she is."

(And what's with everyone telling him to tell "her," anyway? Yes, it's on his list, but…)

He won't lie and say that there isn't there isn't a "her," because that wouldn't be true, and despite what Ziva said Wendy said, Tony doesn't always make a habit of lying to himself. There is a someone, but it isn't going to happen. It isn't. It can't.

And Tony doesn't make a habit of wishing for things that he can't have.

(So apparently he was Wendy's "One" and she wasn't ready for him. And now she's changed her mind and he's just supposed to… to be happy or something?

Huh.

Well, it's too little too late. Right? Right?)

Still, as Wendy saunters out of the flower shop, he can't help but wonder.

Ducky's words pop unbidden into his mind: "Jethro coped with his pain by repeatedly marrying the wrong woman, thus ensuring that he would be alone and safe from heartbreak. You… repeatedly chased the wrong woman. You're alone because you never did, as you just said, put it all behind you."

Has he really put Wendy behind him for good?

(Is she the right woman… or the wrong one?)