The next day at the bullpen…

Tony glanced at his time on his cellphone for what seemed like the twentieth time that morning. It was 7:00 AM. Ziva would be arriving in thirty minutes. As Tony sighed, he could not help but be brought back to the memories of thirteen years ago. He truly had loved Ziva. But the pain had been unbearable. As a result, he drank until it seemed like he could forget the hurt and filled his nights with meaningless one night stands. Yet, Ziva would stay in his mind. Even thirteen years later nothing had changed. Nothing at all. When he first found out about the scholarship offer, he tried countless times to convince his parents that he wanted to be an NCIS agent. Not a football player. His father was unrelenting though. He had been a football star and he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. So, Tony eventually caved in. But truthfully, it had been the worst decision of his life. He had not only had lost the only family he knew, but also the true love of his life. Ziva. Just at the thought of her name, he felt enormous regret. The kisses and the love they had shared those years ago would be nothing more than the past for him. Ziva could never forgive him now. He was sure of it. At that thought, he felt like he could drown in his grief and sorrow. He only hoped that he could put on a façade convincing enough when she arrived. He turned to the paperwork that he had not finished yesterday. Gibbs would be arriving soon as well. Another sigh escaped him as he attempted to focus. His focus was broken though, when he heard a voice he thought that he would have never hear again especially not this soon. Ziva's melodic voice.

Tony looked up to see Ziva walking through the elevator with Gibbs looking deep in thought. He felt himself gasp. It was not from the shock of seeing her after thirteen years ago. It was the shock from seeing her look more beautiful than she ever had. Her hair, which had been cut short when he knew her in high school, was now shining brown hair that curled perfectly down her back and framed her face. She still had the same eyes, eyes that he could get lost in and want nothing more than to just kiss her. And her smile. Oh, it still could light up a room especially the sparkle that was reflected in her eyes. At this point, Ziva finally looked up. Their eyes met just for a flicker of a second. But Tony saw something flash in her eyes even then. Shock, Disappointment, Anger? He could not tell. At that, he knew that he really had to get this paperwork before he was caught staring at Ziva's obvious beauty again.

Ziva was grateful that Tony had turned back to whatever he had been doing. Or else, he might have been able to read the shock in her eyes that told him that she still loved him. No matter what she might have told herself. While Tony had been good –looking in high school, he was simply breath-taking now. Even from that one simple glance, Ziva once again felt herself blushing just like she had in high school. He had that effect on her. He still had the rugged, chiseled face and not only that, he had a toned and tanned muscular body that would have caught any girl's eyes. However, she shook her thoughts away about Tony's good looks. She could not afford to think this way. Not with such a dangerous job. With that thought, she took a deep breath and bravely walked towards Tony. She just hoped that she was ready for this job. Little did she know though that Tony was thinking the exact same thing.