The snow that drifted down in small flurries that Christmas morning was pure white. It resembled the color of white wool or the lovely material that made up the perfect wedding gown. It fell down in groups, blanketing and sticking to the cool, hard ground. If you looked carefully, you could see that all kinds of animals had stomped through it already, leaving many sized prints zigzagging to random paths taken by those who made them.
In town you could hear the hum of the church bell as it was struck by the priest announcing the wonderful time, and the chatter of voices echoing and bouncing off the walls, filling in the void of silence that usually adjourned this time of day.
In all her years of working she had never seen the Naval Criminal Investigative Service building quite like this. Someone had gone all out this season, trying to inject holiday spirit into those who didn't already possess it. Wreaths of different sizes hung from the grand windows, small, medium and large red bows claiming each individual decoration.
But she was surprised to see in the corner of the room near the elevator, a small, and very much real tree. Bulbs with miniature snowmen and Santa's sat resting on its branches, silver tinsel hazardously thrown into the air and landing onto the pine needles sticking out. Under the woodsy tree sat a replica of Santa's bag, a bulging red sack filled with colored, patterned, and taped presents addressed to a specific someone. Some unlucky gifts had fallen out and were splayed across the floor in heaps while co-workers walked by with amazement clearly written across their faces.
Waking up this morning and feeling the chill in the air, she thought today wouldn't be that different from every December 25 at NCIS. This year, another slipping by with multiple memorable events, had changed her inside and out.
Altogether, Christmas had always been nothing for her. She had never woken up in excitement, rushing outside to see the much awaited snowflakes sprinkling down atop the lawn. Never felt the rush that came with opening presents, wondering what on earth they could be. Sure, she was Jewish and Christmas was of no importance to her, but she had always wanted the thrill of feeling what every other Christian was feeling on that day. Yes, she was absolutely proud to be Jewish and had never regretted her religion in her life, on those rare moments of peace, as December flew by quicker and quicker each year, getting agonizingly close to that date, she wondered whether Christmas was worth the adrenaline, the romance, the spirit.
As the only Israelian in the office, she couldn't help but feel disappointed as her teammates jabbered on and on about their holiday plans, and the parties that they would be attending as she thought of her couch and a good book, her only company planned that evening. When she recalled everything that had happened this past year, she realized maybe some Christmas spirit would do her some good. She knew for sure that a certain happy Goth would not let her be stumped this holiday, would want her to join in the fun and jokes that made up her favorite family. And she couldn't help but notice how the holiday had put everyone in a jolly good mood.
On the contrary, he absolutely loved this time of the year. No work, partying with many ladies, drinking one or more beers wishing everyday was today. As a result, he couldn't help but smile on the 25th, the spirit and the goodness of it all affecting him. Although the tinkling of laughter that floated around the city and the office was enough to warm his heart. What he loved the most about this day was the inner child that rose out of everyone, carefree and wild, with just family and friends to spend time with in front of a roaring fire as you chat about nothing to everything. And he couldn't help but notice how the holiday had put everyone in a jolly good mood.
Approached by everyone to attend the annual office party, she caved, and now here she was. Not being able to help the smile from forming on her face, she watched her co-workers and family, her way of silently telling him she was relaxed, undoubtedly happy. They stood side by side, both discussing topics neither could follow nor could they care. The happy little Goth came announcing the start of the present swapping events, causing a breakout of new grins to form on people's faces.
He grinned and reached behind him, producing a small, square present from inside his desk drawer, its cover, she noticed, designed with small phrases and idioms that she always messed up.
"I thought we agreed no gifts." she told him, not that surprised he got her one anyway.
"I must have missed that conversation."
She smiled slightly and attentively opened the wrapping paper square by square, not wanting to ruin the thoughtfulness on the front.
Pushing away the colorful tissue paper prepared around the object, she gasped aloud at the gift resting inside. Atop plush, velvet interior sat the most gorgeous necklace she'd ever laid her eyes on.
It was a necklace in the shape of a heart, jewels running along the outside, the front, and the chain. The color was distinctive, a navy blue that made up the whole heart. On the piece of jewelry were small, individual diamonds placed in eccentric patterns, one curved in a figure eight while the other swirled around it in a graceful arch. The rim around was covered with miniature replicas of the stones, four put down followed by a Swarovski crystal, then another four and so on until the pattern made its way around the perimeter of the object. Connected to it was the chain of the necklace; a hearty sterling silver. It attached to the heart by a navy blue loop where the chain was inserted through and clasped in the back. Looking at it now, she had never seen something as beautiful before.
"Turn it over," he whispered quietly, motioning to the back.
Making sure to notice how each individual stone caught the light and showed a rainbow as a whole, she slowly turned it over.
There engraved in the back of the heart were seven heart stopping words.
Ziva- I'll always love you, Love Tony
A rush of tears sprang into her eyes at the love and adoration written in that one sentence. The feeling in her stomach was such a loving, giddy, mesmerizing, captivating feeling that she couldn't help the huge smile that broke out on her face.
With tears running down, she threw her arms around Tony, squeezing him in a way she had never thought to do before. In return, he leant his head down to drop a kiss on her forehead. She sobbed into his shirt, not caring if anyone watched and stared because it was just them two standing alone together in the deserted bullpen.
She quickly motioned to the necklace, still choking back tears, and he understood her gesture. His light touches brushed the hair away from the nape of her neck, and her skin tingled and burned where he touched it. Clipping it facing outward, he delicately settled it on top of her collarbone.
She smiled up at him, silence covering them as she enveloped him in another crushing hug.
"Thank you," she managed to get out, still in a daze at his caring movement and the object he used to represent it for her.
"I wasn't.. sure if you would like it, if its your taste," he murmured.
"I love it," she told him smiling, "thank you a million times."
"Only for you," he whispered back, relieved that she loved it.
They stood like that the whole party, next to each other, this new development between them making it tough to let the other go anywhere. No one asked them any questions, simply stared at the object around her neck and the arms around her waist before moving on, smiles playing on their lips.
All night her thoughts were amazing ones, filled with happiness. All night his thoughts were reality, thinking ahead to how they should always spend the holiday like this.
And the kiss they shared, well that too meant something; how Christmas had just taken on a whole new meaning for them.
them.