That night at the bar, Tony ordered the most expensive drink he could. He didn't know what to do about Ziva. Or if that was even who she was anymore. Will he ever get her back? His eyes watered at the thought. "I'm not nearly drunk enough yet. Not for her. Not to think about her." He said to himself. The bartender looked at him, and sat down beside him. He was pretty sure her name was Heidi.
"Tony, who is this girl?" She asked. He flashed back to his first time in the bar with Ziva- painful memory at this moment. He recalls Michael Loche, the person, who was tussling her hair, within an hour of his attempt to do the same, only getting turned down with a fierce hand smashed to the desk,. He watched them, jealous. As he was with every other guy she was with. Every other damn guy. And now, this Ziva believes she is still with Ray? Of all people. That-
"Tony?" Heidi asked, a second time.
"Her name is Ziva. You might know her as... Gina.." He paused, remembering how she almost died that day too, and took down the whole rest of his alcohol.
"Yes, I know her. Is she your girlfriend?" Heidi kept asking questions. He wanted to be alone.
"She... I think so. I don't know who she is anymore. Nobody does. Look, Heidi. I appreciate the kindness, but I'd really just like to sulk tonight. Maybe tomorrow, if she isn't back, I'll tell you." He basically shooed her away, not even looking.
The whole reason Tony came to this bar was because of Ziva. Because it reminded him of her. He hadn't been here since they dated, though. Because, why would he? He made a promise to Ziva. He didn't need the alcohol anymore, seeing as he finally had her. She was his. His little Zee. But now... - Heidi filled his glass. He guzzled down the whole thing in one gulp, leaving him dizzy.
"You should go home, Tony. Sleep on it." Heidi said. He listened. Although he hadn't really been to his apartment officially in almost four months, he thought this was the best idea. That is, if he was to sleep at all tonight. Ziva's apartment would bring too many memories to count, and he would never sleep.
Tony scrambled for the key, as it started to rain. "Perfect," He mumbled. "just what I need."
As he lay down on his bed, he remembered pushing and screaming at Ziva. He regretted it right away. What if she remembers it, and leaves him? What would he do without her? He couldn't live a summer without her, he barely survived away at ship, using jokes, again, as distractions- the photos of her on his wall were the only things keeping him going. He knew while he was away at sea, someone in Israel had her attention. He could feel it, and it killed him. Without Ziva, he is nothing. She is his pride and joy; his life. Now... she didn't even know who he was. She couldn't even match an object to his name. She thought he was McGee.
Four hours late, his phone rang as he almost dozed off, unsure of whether it was from the drinking or his drowsiness. He was so tired, his vision straining to focus. The name on the phone read "Ziva" . He answered without hesitation. "Zi-Ziva?" That came out an obvious drunk stutter.
"No, it's Gibbs. Get back to the navy yard now."
"Why should I Gibbs. Everything there reminds me of her. I know we broke rule 12, and it's my fault. She didn't want to, but I-"
"I don't care. It's about Ziva. Ducky might be able to fix her."
Tony hung up; grabbing his bag, coat, and putting the belt with his gun and other things in it. He ran out of the out and into his car so fast he nearly forgot his phone.
He got stuck in traffic, but that didn't stop him. He took the charger over the side of the road, and sped up to the navy yard. When his car got stuck, he ran- all the way to the squad room. He didn't take the elevator because of what was associated with it.
"Tony? Why are you soaking wet." McGee asked.
"Traffic. Couldn't wait. Parked my car and ran." Tony said, out of breath. "Ziva. Where?"
"Autopsy. But Ducky isn't fini-" He ran to autopsy anyway.
"Ducky did you..." His voice trailed off as he stuck a needle into Ziva's leg. She was unconscious and laying on the table like she was… in deep slumber. She was still wearing the dress...
"You should cover her up, Anthony" He suggested.
"Why?" Was she dead? Tony nearly panicked.
"It might take a while to work. I injected her with a chemical that should readjust her brain."
Tony found a blanket from the closet outside the door. He wrapped it around her, his only expression of happiness came with the thought of Ziva's reaction to the dress.
"Are you sleeping here, Tony?" Ducky asked.
"Yeah. Tell Gibbs."
He walked out and got another blanket for him. On the next table over, he made his bed for the night. In the morning, it would all be normal. He knew it.