It had been two months since that embarrassing and failed apology from Tony. Two months, making it December. Christmastime was inching closer and closer, and Tony knew he'd have to make his next move soon if he wanted Ziva back.

Now it was a week before Christmas, and Tony was at a loss for how to get her back.

"Hey Ziva, CI-Ray coming into town for Christmas?"

"No, unfortunately he can't make it," Ziva said sadly, her head falling slightly at the thought.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear…" Tony answered back nicely, "So what are your plans for Christmas?"

"I have no plans," Ziva answered back with a huff. Her next words took Tony by surprise, "Would you want to come for coffee with me?"

Tony's eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets, "When?"

"Right now,"

Tony took up the offer so quickly he was sure his answer was almost incoherent. Fifteen minutes later, Tony and Ziva sat inside a cozy cafe with a fireplace going and the snow falling gently outside.

"So," Ziva said, taking a sip of her coffee, "How have you been doing?"

"Good,"

It was a lie. He had been hurting so much over the past year. EJ was just a distraction. So he didn't have to see Ziva with someone else. It hurt him too much. He would lie awake at night, thinking of all the missed opportunities and tender moments where he had almost had her all to himself for a just a moment.

"Ray has not come into town for a few months. I really miss him," she confessed suddenly.

Another round of pain knotted through his stomach. Lying cheater, were the first words that passed through his brain. But love took over and he offered the most comforting words he could muster, "He's probably busy with work Ziva - he loves you, y'know."

"I know…"

The next few moments were spent in silence, except for the quiet noise of sipping their coffee.

"Tony. I want to apologize for what happened between you and me a couple months ago. I should have not left in such an angry mood,"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. I should have never mentioned Paris. The past is the past,"

"Is it?"

Silence overcame them again. Tony placed his hands on the table and so did Ziva. For a moment their fingers brushed and their knuckles touched, but then the moment was over. Tony missed his chance again.

"Hey Ziva. Since you have nothing else to do without Ray in town, wanna go for dinner tonight with me?"

"Sure…" her answer was hesitant, but she agreed nonetheless.

"I'll pick you up at seven tonight, okay?"

The devestating call came at six-thirty just as Tony was beginning to get dressed.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hey Tony!" Ziva's voice rung through the phone, "I can't go tonight. Sorry. Ray stopped in town for Christmas! Such a nice surprise!"

Yeah, nice surprise, "Oh! Great. Have fun!" he hung up without another word.

Tony threw the roses in the garbage, cancelled the reservations and crawled into bed for another lonely night.

Plan foiled again. Was he ever going to get her back? He couldn't lose hope, but just as things were beginning to go his way, Ray got in the way.

Why did he ever let her go?