Title: Thoughts on Soulmates
Rating: T
Summary: Inspired by the episode "Designated Target." What do Tony and Ziva really think about soulmates?

A/N: I found this episode very poignant, and several of the quotes stood out in my mind. I also puzzled over what that look he gave her in the end meant… and this is what I finally came up with. I had to think about the episode as a whole, from beginning to end.


"Why didn't you stop me?"

She felt annoyed. Why should it be up to her to stop him from doing stupid things? She wasn't his mother. Tony was a grown man, and he should have known better.

He'd been impossibly rude, grabbing the phone out of her hand like that. Aunt Nettie was surely having hysterics. Worse yet, Ziva suddenly realized with horror, Aunt Nettie would tell Ziva's father. She groaned, picturing that awkward conversation with him. "You got married and didn't tell us?! To who? It's that American boy DiNozzo, isn't it! He's so possessive he won't even let you talk to your Aunt Nettie?"

She had a lot of damage control to do, and she wasn't looking forward to it. She wasn't sure that Aunt Nettie would understand even after she explained it.

And all because Tony couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Why did he insist on behaving like a Neanderthal? Hadn't his mother taught him any manners?

It irked her to no end.

And yet… Some base, primitive, feminine part of her had found it thrilling. Had gloried in his display of possessiveness of her.

The way he'd growled those death threats with such raw masculine power had been almost… sexy. Mesmerizing.

She'd been stunned speechless. He'd claimed he was her husband, and for one brief instant, she'd secretly allowed herself to imagine that it was true.

Was that what it would be like? Would he defend her, fight to the death for her?

She kind of liked being the object of male desire and protectiveness. The primal need to fight for one's mate. Even if it was only pretend.

That never happened to her. Usually men didn't feel the need or desire to protect her. She was too tough, too intimidating. And she'd thought herself too much of a feminist to ever like it. She'd thought she'd find it repulsive.

But she didn't. At least, not when Tony did it.

He'd sounded so convincing, even to her ears. Even though she knew it wasn't real. None of it. But, oh, for a moment it was so easy to believe that it was. She'd wished that it was.

But she'd never admit to any of that, even if she was tortured.

(To be continued in Chapter 2...)