Less than a second
I've always thought that when I finally fell in love, it would be an earth shattering, dramatic experience. I thought it would be huge. Me, Anthony DiNozzo, in love with someone, it was almost a joke.
I thought it would be love at first sight, like a scene in a movie. Two people would accidently bump hands, look at their hands, then into each other's eyes and BAM. The camera would zoom in on their faced and they would have a goofy expression called love on their faces.
But that is not what happened. It wasn't love at first sight. It was so subtle and quiet, I barely noticed it was happening until it was over. But I will always know that it was this moment that i fell stupidly, headlong in love with Ziva David.
We had had a whole weekend off, which didn't happen too often. It was great, I had a hot date with a leggy blonde woman and I couldn't wait to brag about it. I, suprisingly, was the first one in the bull pen. I was in a very, very good mood. I was sitting at my desk leaning back in my chair with my legs up when Ziva walked in.
She looked terrible. Her clothes were baggy and not flattering in the least bit; it was almost blinding to look at. She wasn't wearing a trace of make-up on, she usually didn't look bad without make-up, but today was different. There were dark circles under her puffy, bloodshot eyes. Her hair was completely out of control; like she tried to control it but failed miserably. It was bigger and bushier than any hair ought to be.
And in less than a second, in one moment, the date from last night vanished from my mind. I couldn't even remember her name and I still can't. I didn't think I'd ever seen a more beautiful woman in my life, or none of them came to mind. That is the moment where I fell in love with my partner.