Yep, another chapter! I couldn't help myself!
When she cannot see him anymore, the woman walks back inside. Her phone lies on the floor, but she decides she should wait to text him. Instead, she returns to her book and trudges through the lives of the Price family. She realizes a few hours later she has a text from Abby about moving over the weekend. The woman responds before picking her book back up, but is unable to keep her mind on the Price family cottage. Instead, the exotic woman grabs a pair of shoes, puts them on, and leaves her apartment.
Parking her car at the more upscale apartment building, Ziva exits the vehicle and heads for the elevator. Thankfully, no one is in the hall. Her determined walk is enough to scare a ruthless dictator.
"Why?" She asks once Tony opens his front door. The man is confused a moment before smiling and delivering his answer.
"I told you. I can't live without you." Tony states honestly.
"But-" Ziva is only able to respond when her friend motions her inside.
"I am not who you need." She continues once the man shuts his door.
"Why?" Tony challenges.
"I am too flawed." She answers softly, unable to look at her friend. No explanation is needed for her answer, they both know what she is referring to. Her life is far from perfect, but so is his.
"Your flaws make you who you are, Zi." Tony says strong enough for his friend to look at him.
"Cold." She adds disdainfully.
"Strong." He corrects. "I would have broken down a long time ago if I had had your life. You chose to overcome all of your obstacles and make a new life for yourself. That is strength, Ziva, not coldness."
His best friend cannot speak. She is too stunned by his exclamation.
"Everyone I love dies." She caustically whispers.
"I'm willing to take that risk." Tony answers cheekily. Ziva continues to stare at her friend unable to produce a new excuse. Instead she answers, "I snore."
"At least you admit it." He jokes. She lightly hits him.
"I can't do this, Tony. I'm leaving. You're where you want to be, but I have so much to think about. Tony, I resigned and chose not to come back."
"Are you mad about that?" He asks as he leads her to his couch.
"I do not know. But, I cannot stay near you."
"Why? What is so bad that you can't stay here?"
"The memories! Tony, you and I played a dance for years, twirling around and around. I liked those years, but when you kissed me in the woods, the dance stopped. I cannot keep waiting for the right song to come along and resume our relationship."
"I said I loved you." He states a if his words are enough to penetrate his stubborn friend's mind.
"Yes, with a hug and a whisper." She says heatedly. "Tell me to my face. I want to know if you feel the same as I do about you." Ziva exclames. Tony stares straight in her eyes, takes her hands in his, and seriously says, "Ziva David, I love you and have ever since you told me to 'Be a man'. You are my soulmate."
"That is all I needed to know." The woman answers stoically before opening the door with a graceful forcefulness and storming down the hall as a single tear escapes her eyes. Speechless, Tony stands at his doorway unable to fathom what emotions have just chosen to cross his ninja's mind
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