So this is a Tony/Ziva/Jeanne story. I got the idea from the chorus of "Now That We're Done" by Metro Station. Hope you like it!
Now that we're done, I'm so sorry
Why did I lie, I'm so sorry
I know I hurt you
I know I hurt you
(some other parts work too, but it's mostly just the chorus)
Small world it was, Tony realized later. Very small world.
Tony and Ziva had been working at an NCIS crime scene, photographing and bagging evidence of a Marine's murder, when he happened to glance up and see a woman he hadn't seen for quite a while. Jeanne.
His heart stuttered, though more from anxiety. In the year that had passed since he had seen her, he realized he hadn't been in love with her. He did, however, care about her.
"Jeanne! Jeanne, wait a second. I—I wanted to say something." Ziva was looking curiously after him, and she hovered within earshot.
Jeanne was also curious. "Hello, Tony. How are you? Is this your girlfriend?" After a moment of shock, the air was filled with Tony and Ziva each insisting that this wasn't true, that they were just partners. "No, no, it's okay. After all, we did…break up. By the way…" Jeanne trailed off, looking at Ziva.
"Ziva, Ziva David. Tony's partner." Although a little voice wanted to accept the girlfriend idea.
"Ziva. Well. You may not be going out, but you are very pretty." Ziva smiled politely, but Tony interrupted.
"Anyway, Jeanne, I wanted to say I am so sorry for hurting you. I never meant to. I mean, I had to lie to you, but I'm still so sorry. I really am." He offered a hesitant and apologetic smile, in hopes Jeanne would realize that he really did mean it and he wasn't just being a pig.
"Tony, it's okay. I've had time to think about it, and I realize that there was no way out of it for you. I forgive you. But thanks, thank you very much." Jeanne returned his smile and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "By the way, I've been watching you two for the last half hour. You may just be partners, but you would make a great couple. Good-bye, Tony. I hope I see you again." And she left him again, but this time with warm parting words. And with a whole new thought: could he and Ziva really make a good couple?
When he turned around and saw Ziva working, he took a moment to watch her. She really was beautiful, and her slight accent made her even more exotic. She glanced up, and for a moment their eyes connected, her deep brown and his hazel. In that moment, he knew they already had something, it had just been buried deep beneath the surface in order to remain professionals and partners. But he didn't want it to be buried anymore. With a deep breath, he prepared himself to start convincing his lovely Israeli partner that they belonged together. He wanted to stop pretending, and he hoped she did too.