Hi guys!
This is my first fanfic ever, so please read. This day also holds a special place in my heart since it is my 1 year anniversary of watching NCIS! I would really appreciate reviews and suggestions. Tell me what you like and what you don't! All feedback is appreciated :D
Just want to say that I (sadly) own none of the characters – not even Tony That is all owned by CBS – lucky them!
The rain was getting harder day by day, hour by hour. For 3 whole days the constant hammer of the raindrops was heard on the sky light of the NCIS headquarters. It was giving her a headache. That, among other things. She was trying to concentrate on the heated discussion in the bullpen – McGee talking computer stuff, Tony adding in his own unneeded comments, Gibbs saying the occasional word or two. But it was hard, especially when she felt like her head was about to explode. So, instead of working on the case and making contributions to the discussion, she unintentionally drifted into her own world of thoughts.
It had only been about 3 weeks since Franks' funeral – 23 days actually. Probationary agent Ziva David was counting. She hadn't gone. She couldn't. Ziva had wanted so much to go, to pay her respects. It was her duty and she knew that. However, on the morning of the funeral with her clothes all laid out crisp and clean on her iron board, Ziva had chosen an alternative. She, ex-Mossad assassin and daughter to the Director of Mossad could not bring herself to see Franks' funeral. Granted her and Franks' were never really close – but for Ziva this was a loss of another person in her surrogate family. Jenny had been the first of this family to go, but Ziva had managed to convince herself then that such things would happen in her life and she had to move on. But with Franks, it all became too much.
"Ziva, take DiNozzo. Go check out that warehouse." Gibbs in his usual to-the-point tone began barking orders at them.
Immediately Ziva snapped out of her thoughts, and although tried to hide her emotions behind her mask, they did not go unnoticed by her boss and her "senior field agent" (as he liked to often brag).
Trying to keep the situation calm and making a mental note to talk to her later, Tony tried to change the subject.
"Boss, shouldn't it be DiNozzo take Ziva. I mean not to brag or anything, but I am the Senior Field Agent…."
Tony's feeble attempt to divert the conversation was immediately interrupted by Gibbs steel eyed stare.
"Shutting up boss" DiNozzo said as he began taking out his weapon, badge and I.D. noticing that Ziva was also mirroring his actions.
The two walked briskly into the elevator. The elevator dinged. The doors opened. Tony and Ziva got in. The doors shut.
"It's now or never" Tonysaid to himself.
So when Tony was sure the steel doors had shut completely and the buzz of the elevator descending could be heard, he flipped the emergency switch.
They were impaled with darkness, and the only way in which Tony could see Ziva's expressions was from the back-up lights under the railings. Ziva's expression didn't change. She knew this had been coming, but right now she wasn't prepared to listen to Tony's pep talk.
"You okay?" Tony asked with a genuine voice of concern, turning to face her. She however, kept her gaze on the shiny steel door, avoiding eye contact.
"I am fine, Tony" she replied letting out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding.
"You don't look fine." He stated the obvious.
Now she was beginning to lose it. Yes she understood Tony was trying to help her. Yes she knew he only meant good. But right now, all she wanted to do was get this trip to the warehouse over and done with so she could go home for the night.
She turned to face him, her mask still on, and making eye contact she said, "And why does that concern you?"
It stung. Of course it stung him. Tony was trying to help her. He knew why she was still distracted, and all he wanted was for her to open up to him – to trust him.
"It concerns me, because Ziva, I am your partner. I have had your back for 6 years now, and I will always have your back. And if something is wrong…. I just want to help you Ziva."
Her heart melted at his sincerity, and in that moment, all her anger vanished. This was the caring side of Tony, which nobody else in the team saw. She felt special when he spoke to her like that. Like Abby had said, Tony was all goofy on the outside but 100% rock on the inside.
She could feel the tears beginning to burn the back of her eyes – no matter how hard she tried to keep her personal issues personal from Tony, it never worked. He always managed to find a way to find out.
"It is stupid Tony." She tried to find a way to not tell him.
"Is it about Ray, because I swear, if he has done anything to….."
"No." She interrupted. "It is about….." She didn't know how to explain it to him. Right now, it was all a big knot inside her. Even she didn't quite fully understand what had got her so upset.
"Franks?" One word and Tony had nailed it.
She gave Tony a sad smile, telling him that his guess was correct. "You hammered it".
No matter how hard he tried, he could not stop himself. "Nailed it, Ziva. Not hammered" he corrected.
"Same difference" she mumbled under her breath. The tears reached the surface of her eyes, and although Ziva tried her best to be strong and hold them back, just one small tear managed to escape. It fell down her cheek.
Instinctively, Tony raised his finger to brush away the tear and he gave her a consoling look. It said it all.
"I know Ziva. I know what it's like to not have family around you. And I know Franks was part of your family – we all are. Things like this happen for a reason Ziva, but trust me when I say everything will be alright."
"You've still got me sweetcheeks" he added with his large DiNozzo grin.
Ziva let out a small laugh. Tony would always be Tony. She leaned forward with a happy smile on her face, realising that she still had family, who really cared about her. Tony was right, things like this were bound to happen in their chosen career, but everything would be alright. She leaned forward, and kissed him on his cheek, instantly sending a shiver down both their spines.
Tony froze. The only time she had done this was in the men's room after Ziva came back from Somalia. It felt nice to have Ziva trust him. He had managed to show her that he was there to listen if she wanted to talk.
The kiss was short - a token of appreciation from Ziva. She stood back and Tony reached out behind her to flip the elevator back on.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. Together, they walked to their cars and from there, they drove to the warehouse. Tony had got her to open up to him, and he knew she felt better now. Being DiNozzo, he decided he wanted to know more, so he did something which Ziva hesitantly agreed to. Baby steps at a time, he would show Ziva that she could trust him completely.
Thanks for reading guys! Being the first chapter, it was meant to be introductory, so I promise you it will get better :D Tell me how it was please :D Just hit that review button xx I love you all for reading it! I am so excited to see your feedback and comments xx
