Snow and Airports
Disclaimer: *puppy dog eyes at CBS executives*… sorry guys… it's still a no.
Summary: Just a friendly gesture…. Or was it?
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"There's a laugh in my eyes
There's a waltz in my walk
And it's been such a long time
Since there was hope in my talk
If you never knew
What it is that's new.. it's you"
-"It's You" by Westlife (Verse 1)
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Part I.
Most people in their right minds would've stay home and cooped themselves up with a cup of hot cocoa flicking through Christmas programs. But not Tony DiNozzo, though only a few hours ago he would've been considered as those many people in their right minds. Now he was stuck in traffic through a terrible snow blizzard and it wasn't getting any easier to look out for pedestrians and cars on the street.
"You just had to leave on such a sunny fine day," he mocked himself as he banged the steering wheel. But then as he thought back to the reason as to why he was on the road in the first place it made him feel that it was all worth it. She was worth it.
Ziva was finally returning home from her short holiday with Mr. South Beach. Although he kept denying it to himself and everyone else, he really was jealous. He was not glad at all that another guy was putting that smile on her face and making her laugh like that. And after much consideration he convinced himself that out of pure partnership he'd pull a friendly gesture just to make her smile. Hopefully.
When he'd arrived at the airport's arrival terminal it was jam packed full with people of all ages, sizes and races. His eyes wandered around until he found an empty spot near the rails at the front. He felt like an idiot after only waiting for twenty minutes, incredulous amounts of people had come and gone already and he was still there waiting for someone he wasn't even guaranteed would arrive today. Maybe he should've made a call at least to check her flight number or the time of her arrival.
His toes were beginning to grow numb from the cold biting wind that made an entrance every time the electronic sliding doors opened. And that was very often, he wondered if it wasn't even necessary since it was open literally all the time. He was taken aback when a girl who looked to be in her mid twenties jumped up at the guy that stood next to him. He was utterly disgusted as they reunited with a kiss that made many around them uncomfortable and to turn a cheek.
He'd settled into the routine of examining the people who exited those doors that Ziva should've been walking through any time now. It was actually quite sad as he watched people reunite. There was an elderly couple who had the biggest of smiles on their faces when they saw two children run towards them followed by their respectful parents. They shared hugs and kisses before they left the airport. He sighed, another family that would spend a merry Christmas together.
"Sorry," a man that looked about McGee's age but definitely had gotten much better genes propped up next to him, being pushed aside by another crazy in love girl jumping into the crowd.
"Hi, I'm James," the guy stuck his hand out for a greeting.
"Tony," he accepted it, and his eyes immediately returned to the arrival hall, still searching for Ziva.
"Who you waitin' for?" James' tone of voice was tinged with a slight Texan accent as he leaned against the railing next to Tony.
"Ahh, just a friend," he answered uncertainly. At that moment he really considered just turning around and leaving because it would be hell embarrassing if Ziva doesn't show up.
"Must be one hell of a friend." Tony glanced at him.
"What would make you think that?"
"Well, it's snowing like crazy out and I'd definitely not want to wait in traffic for possible hours just to pick up a friend," he said a-matter-of-a-factly then laughed it off awkwardly.
"Then what are you doing here?" and his mind couldn't help it but damn, Ziva was definitely one hell of a friend, and at times he wonders if the definition of them was actually friendship.
"My girl's visitin', she's the only one that I'll ever cross through that chaos for," he pointed his thumb towards the storm that was getting worse outside. Tony couldn't help but agree. He wouldn't have done this for McGee, Ducky or Gibbs. But Abby was another matter, he'd probably be reluctant but she'd beg him until he'd agree. Maybe a better way to put it was that he'd never willingly do this for the others.
He felt sort of proud for James; he looked like the star quarterback with chiseled looks that could get any girl he wanted. But he hadn't abused that, hadn't abused it like Tony had.
"There she is," and he flashed that smile that only one who was in love could, one that was filled with compassion and endearment, "Good luck man!". And with that James and his girl that he-would-do-anything-for left, another pair that would have a merry Christmas together.
It had been well over two hours that he waited for her and he really felt like leaving right then and there. Out of this horrible cold and into the warm comforts of his home. The little voice in his head had taken sides with the red devil upon his shoulder and was doing everything to get him to back out of this. After much thought and reasoning he made a deal with himself, he'd wait another thirty minutes before he would call it quits.
Some might question how he could spot Ziva out of the massive crowd and the only answer he could come up with was that Ziva was different. She had a glow that you couldn't miss, she was unique in every way possible, and for some reason he just felt like they had this bond where he could just tell, just know.
As it closed on his deadline of thirty minutes a boy that couldn't look more than five years old ran into his leg and clung onto him like he had done so for all his life.
"Mark, no!" the woman who he assumed was the mother of the little tyke approached him, "I'm so sorry."
"No problems," he untangled himself from the kid and returned him to his mother. She thanked him and he watched her as she walked away and met up with a man who looked as if he was old enough to be her father, but he really doubted that when they kissed and it wasn't one a father and daughter would've share.
A quick glance of his watch informed him time was up and that he should be leaving as promised. He hadn't made it three steps before someone behind him called his name.
"Tony?" He froze, not knowing what to do. He'd waited all day for this moment and now he hadn't a clue what to say.
"Tony?" a hand came to his shoulder and turned him around, "what are you doing here?"
"I don't quite know actually," his eyes darted around the room looking for an escape route.
"How long have you been waiting here?" Her voice sounded soft in the roaring hall.
"Quite awhile," he tried to laugh it off but it just turned out awkward and painful.
"You could have just asked me," her face had that cute look she wore very rarely. She lifted her luggage and handed it to him, and his eyes must've reacted with surprise for it to have coaxed the next response from her, "you are here to pick me up, right?"
"Of course! Who else would I come to pick up?" he grabbed the luggage from her and was astonished by how heavy it really was, "what do you have in here? It weighs a ton!"
"What Tony? Can't handle a little baggage?" her face leaned in just a little like she always did and he challenged her for a moment as he held onto her gaze. He chuckled as she broke out into a full grin.
"Alright, let's go," he turned and led her towards the door which now revealed a storm that had calmed down drastically but had left a horrendous amount of snow that camouflaged the trees with complete white, "We better hurry before it starts again."
He hadn't noticed until they were about to reach his car that his hand had slipped comfortably into hers, both fitting into each other like it was designed to. But the most shocking part of it all was that she hadn't minded or flinched at his contact. Either that or she hadn't noticed, and that just couldn't be possible could it?
She was a ninja after all…
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A/N: If I get a good enough response I'll write the next two parts, if not I'll just leave it as a one shot. Thanks! Review on your way out!