As Tony lay there, he realized there were many times during the first 3 years that he had known her when he had thought, "Ziva and I could really be something special" But, it was crazy, they barely knew each other. It was too soon, and he wasn't sure if it was real feelings or not yet. He wasn't usually unsure around girls, yet Ziva seemed to have that effect on him. And he definitely liked it.
The first question she asked him was, "Having phone sex?" From that moment, within seconds of meeting, she sparked and interest in him. And she definitely intimidated him, and the ghost of his lost partner Kate had so kindly pointed out. She was undoubtedly the most mysterious girl he had ever met. Going undercover with her as married assassins a few weeks later only increased his interest in her. He saw a wild side to her, and he loved it. Getting trapped in a metal box with her a few weeks after that was also fun, besides the fact that they almost died. They had definitely grown close. However, he was scared, and certainly not ready to call it love. So, he never said anything. But he should have told her then.
And then there was that time when Paula Cassidy and her team all died in suicide bombings. Worst part was, Gibbs and the team were supposed to have the shift that weekend. He almost told her after that. He wanted too but he couldn't. He was involved in an undercover relationship with Jeanne, and he wasn't sure who he had feelings for anymore. He thought Ziva seemed jealous and wanted so badly to tell her. But he couldn't blow his cover. So instead of going to Ziva, he went to Jeanne. However now looking back, he should have told her then.
She was almost killed by a serial killer once, and it scared him to death, the thought that she could die without him ever getting the chance to say what he needed to say. By this time he was pretty sure of his feelings for her. He wasn't quite ready to call it love quite yet, but he should have at least asked her out. Let her know that she was very special to him. He should have told her then.
"He has lost a lot of blood"
"Careful there"
"We have to move quick people"
"How's the girl?"
