Chapter 4 – A Watched Stove Never Boils

It'd been two months, and Ziva had a new hard-to-break pattern. Every night she'd try (and fail) to fall asleep, then at three o'clock-ish she'd email Abby, and Tony (sometimes McGee) then read Deep Six until she passed out and had horrible reoccurring nightmares, then at five she'd be woken for her days work, for which she relied extensively on coffee.

Today was one of her days off. She lay in bed drinking strong coffee and reading the replies to her emails.

From:

To:
Subject: RE:Tony

Heya Ziva,

I don't know why Tony isn't saying much to you, but I consider you lucky- He won't reply to my emails and Gibbs won't let me talk to him through MTAC.

McGee is being super geeky-er then before. I think the little Probie's Pets are making him big-headed.

I'm annoyed with Keating and Lee, and Langer (still can't believe you liked him). They don't get me. 'Cept Lee, but she doesn't like Gibbs, and glares at my photos of you guys.

Everything is so boring- I can't believe Gibbs let it get this far. Two whole months!

Love Abs XxXx

From:

To:

Subject: RE:

Hey Ziva,

Can't talk. Missing you heaps.

Tony xoxo

From:

To:

Subject: RE:

Hi Ziva,

Cyber Crimes has been a bit dull lately, Abby's been snapping at me- I think I'm a bit out of touch.

I'm writing a sequel to Deep Six and Rock Hollow; it's called Ocean Far. I think you'd like it.

Tim

Ziva looked at Tony's email. Eight words. He gave her eight crap words.

Director Jenny Shepard sat in her office finishing a cup of light coffee when her phone started to ring.

"NCIS, Director Shepard."

"Hello." Said a deep, electronic voice. "I have some information that may concern you. A former NCIS agent. They were killed. But they faked their death… They are working for me… But not for long… Soon enough their mission will be over and they will be fired." The person hung up.

Tony lay on a deck chair, breeze running through his hair. This was perfect. The best honeymoon ever. He looked at a small table. Champagne. Yes, this was a good excuse as ever. He stood and poured two glasses then went to find his wife. He found her sitting in the captains chair. He smiled and wrapped his arms loosely around her neck.

"Zee-vahh." He whispered.

"Yes Tony?"

"Come with me, we should celebrate."

"Isn't that what the wedding was for?"

Tony chuckled and picked Ziva up in his arms wedding style. He carried her to the deck, music had started to play but he ignored it. He set her down on his lap and they sipped champagne. Ziva leaned back into the crook of his neck and sighed happily.

"I'm so glad we got married."

"Yea, me too."

And suddenly they were dancing slowly in time to the music. Ziva hand her arms draped around Tony's neck and he had his hands resting on her waist.

"I love you Tony." She whispered.

"I love you too, Ziva."

Tony woke with a start as the terrible sound of a plane landing echoed through the ship. He pressed his pillow to both ears and groaned loudly. He'd never be able to get back to sleep now.

So he lay on his bed –if you could call it a bed- in the dark, and thought about his dream.

He'd been on a boat, with Ziva. On a holiday- no a honeymoon. They'd been married. She had said she loved him, and he said it back. Did he?

Did he really love Ziva? Well of corse he loved her, but was he in love with her? He found the answer popped into his head almost instantly.

Yes.

And as he thought that, he felt his heart swell, his mouth broaden in a smile, and his head swim.

Ziva David.

He was in love with Ziva David.

Who'd've thought?

A week had passed and Jennifer Shepard was going through her morning mail. Bill, bill, love letter (she blushed bright pink), bill, postcard, bill.

Turning the post card over, she read.

Hey Jennifer, it's your favourite agent afloat here.

Haha. But seriously. Jenny, I need advice. Before I left I'd been dating this girl for a bit. We're so different but I can't stop thinking about her. She's been sending me non-stop emails (not that I have time to reply properly) and recently- I think I'm in love with her.

I know it hasn't been long since, Jeanne. But I can't seem to stop. (Like a wise woman once told me, the heart wants what it wants).

I need advice Jen, what do I do?

Tony

(PS: give Abby a hug from me)

Jenny was surprised. Tony was in love- again. After only four and a bit months, he was in love again.

She didn't even know he'd been seeing someone. But then again, he hadn't really talked to her since Jeanne.

Jenny walked to her study and took a pen and paper, then wrote her reply.

Eli David was looking through his mail. He came across one letter different to the rest. It was addressed to Ziva. He looked at the envelope. A stamp in the upper-left corner; NCIS. Ahh, some information from Director Shepard. He turned the envelope over and looked briefly at the name above the return address; Anthony DiNozzo.

Shrugging Eli opened the envelope and took out a single folded piece of paper. There was a quote; lyrics, written right in the middle of the page.

Love; Love changes everything;
Days are longer, words mean more
Love, Love changes everything;
Pain is deeper than before

"Ziva!" He called into the emptiness. He listens to foot steps and Ziva comes into the room.

"Yes, Papa?" She asks in Israeli

"Who is Anthony DiNozzo?" he to speaks in Israeli.

"Anthony DiNozzo, Papa? He was a co-worker. At NCIS, he was my partner."

"What was your relationship?"

"Friends, Papa. Why?"

"It seems he thought you were more." And he held out the letter. Ziva read then looked up and yelled at her father,

"You've been reading my mail!?"

"Who is this man? Ziva, tell me who this man is."

Ziva glared at Eli, then sighed. "He is my lover." And with that she left the room.