The Dove and The Ant: An NCIS Fairytale
Chapter 4
November 8, 2---
Dear Tony,
I write my first letter to you after our whirlwind flight and getting situated in the new clinic. I slept most of the flight. The pain was much more than I was prepared for. Our little walks around the upper floors of Bethesda did not prepare me for as much movement as was necessary getting to and from the airport and then the long flight and drive to the clinic. When I woke up after my first day, which I slept through, I was greeted by open windows with the Alps set picturesquely in the background. My room is huge with a very comfortable Queen sized bed, overstuffed feather mattresses and down comforters. It is all in a relaxing lavender and pink. There is a full private bath with a Jacuzzi tub and marble everywhere. My room has Brazilian cherry floors with luxurious throw rugs that must have cost a fortune (and used a lot of tiny children's fingers to make- not so nice after all I think.)
I, along with my parents, met my 'team' this morning,. There are several plastic surgeons, all specializing in different things, a therapist specializing in trauma and rape, a psychiatrist, a health trainer, and a wellness specialist, which I think will be providing me with an appropriate menu, massages, etc. I'm not really sure, and all this attention seems overwhelming. We spent almost the entire day going over what would be happening while I would be here.
They will start immediately with the repair of my cheek bone structure and other structural damage. That will be the scariest and most painful part I think. What if they mess it up and make it worse? But these are supposed to be the best doctors in the world so I must rely on them to do their jobs as well as can be expected. Once they get the fragmented parts of my face and body put back together, the healing will begin. Most of the team will start to help me heal from the inside out, which is good I think. They seem to take a whole body approach including naturopathy and other wellness techniques. Part of the major issues we will deal with, which hadn't really occurred to me or my parents, is that I will not look the same as I did before the …incident. I will look similar but while they say they can rebuild my face, they cannot create the exact same face from where we are today. Apparently getting used to a mostly or completely new face is a major hurdle for most patients, friends, and family. Of course, you never knew me before, so perhaps it won't be a problem for you.
I hope you are staying safe there. I never used to worry about harm coming to anyone before, and now that I am not so oblivious I worry about my father, you, Gibbs, Ziva…all of you in the constant firing line. Please be careful. I would hate to lose you before I ever had a chance to have you.
After our kiss the other day, I thought of a wonderful quote I want to close with. I hope you still remember it as fondly as I do. I miss you so much. I miss you singing 'Holy Water' to me at night before I would fall asleep. I always felt so safe when you sang that song to you. Stay safe Tony,
Soul meets soul with lover's lips,
Dove
November 18, 2---
Dear Dove,
I heard from your father that your surgeries turned out well, and the surgeons and your parents are quite happy with the results. He tells me you have been too weak to write, and that your pain is overwhelming. I wish you would let me be there with you baby. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I know it sounds trite, but at least everyone thinks it will be worth it. It's easy for us to say when it isn't us going through the pain.
I messed up the other day. The scare is over though so you don't need to worry. I stupidly opened an envelope that had an airborne pathogen in it which I inhaled most of. The woman who did this was smart and had the envelope sealed in lead so the pathogen wasn't killed when it went through our screens. It turns out I was the only one who got sick, but I got really sick. They put me in this containment room where no one but the doctor and nurse treating me could come in. The lights were blue and then they would go black when they wanted me to sleep. It was very 1984ish. There was no antidote which drove Gibbs nuts. I think he actually cared if I died or not. Of course, I know he would care, but I think he might have been more scared of having to face you if I died. And baby, I almost did. I got sick within a few days of getting your letter and so haven't been able to write since then. I am now at home with some home care nurses coming and going to help me out and make sure I eat. And the navy didn't send nice pretty ones either. They look like they fought battles in Vietnam or Iraq. They aren't scared of anything, and are most unimpressed with yours truly. Your folks wanted me to stay with them while I recovered but that felt too weird. Anyway, at the end of the day I am fine and will return to full duty in a few more weeks. Of course, Gibbs had to give me a gentle head-slap with a "You will not die D'Nozzo" which helped me to feel better too. Don't be mad at him or your father for not telling you I was sick. I asked them specifically not to. You were going through too much already.
Unfortunately I cannot travel so I can't come surprise you. I can however watch movies again which I sorely missed. I've been watching the Pink Panther series in order and then I plan to start all the Abbott and Costello's.
I've included a CD of me singing 'Holy Water' as well as a few other songs I thought you might like. Don't play them for your friends. I'm not that great a singer. You were just on too many drugs to know better.
I've thought a lot about how you signed your last letter…Soul meets soul on lover's lips…that is perfect for us, for those two kisses we shared. Maybe that is why the kisses felt so different for both of us. Our souls touched. I know my soul aches for you and thoughts of you were all that kept me alive during my illness. I long to see you soon, to bury my face in the smell the lavender and jasmine in your hair, to touch your soft skin, to kiss you again. I will write again soon.
Soul meets soul on lover's lips,
Yours always,
Tony
Christmas 2---
Dearest Tony,
Your letters have been so wonderful and are truly gifts for the soul. I've read them until some have become tattered at the folds. One of the nurses here gave me some clear sheets to put them in so I don't destroy them completely. I listen to your CD every night as you know. Even that is getting worn. I have transferred it finally to my computer and my iPod so that I don't wear it out.
I enclose a Christmas present for you. Wear it proudly, you are a man who deserves fine things, and this is one of the finer things Switzerland has to offer. It is a Jaeger Lecoultre Dual Time Master Men's Watch.... I've had the major time set for Washington D.C. and the minor time set for Switzerland.
I love the pictures you have sent of yourself and the others. You all seem to be having a wonderful time in between cases. Thank Gibbs for sending the pictures of the progress you both are making on the boat. I love it so far. I have the pictures up on my wall with the pictures of my family. I will miss Christmas with you. My mom and dad are coming for a visit which will be nice though, if only for a few days.
I have made several friends here. Many are women who have been through something similar so we have a lot in common although we have moved past discussing that particular subject. You are certainly an object of infatuation for many. They think you are 'bee-uuu-tee-ful'. Most of my friends are French. Fortunately my French is very good, as their English leaves much to be desired.
During the Christmas holiday as I am healing rapidly, the therapist and doctors are insisting that I go out of the clinic and be out with other people. This is very hard to do and I am scared much of the time. No one knows or can tell what has happened to me. My face and body to the outside are completely healed and have been left remarkably unscarred. I cannot explain how they accomplished this, and yet I see it every day. Still, I am always afraid and fortunately I am not asked to go out alone. Either some of the staff accompany me or a few of my friends who are coming close to ending their visit here. My father is talking about hiring a permanent body guard for me here and who would return home with me to protect me there. I both love and hate that idea for so many confused reasons I won't bother to explain them now. Feeling safe once again may never be possible, but is feeling safer worth giving up my privacy?
Now that my body is almost completely healed, we have added to my 'curriculum' for lack of a better word is self-defense classes. They are teaching me to shoot a gun, several different types actually, and to defend an attack if I am unarmed and attacked by someone armed. That is the scariest of all and some nights after those sessions I have nightmares. Those nights I sit in my window seat piled with pillows and listen to your voice on my iPod singing to me while I watch the beauty of the moon reflecting on the snow on the mountains. I eventually find peace even if I don't find sleep.
Ziva tells me you are spending a lot of time at the gym working out. You were already in great shape, what is driving this new habit? A cute trainer perhaps? And Gibbs tells me you spend almost every night in his basement helping him with my boat. I think that is very sweet of you. I'll know there is as much of your sweat in making that boat as Gibbs'. I can't wait to enjoy sailing on the Potomac with both of you and Ziva, the wind sliding through our hair and the sense of freedom I feel I have lost since the attack. I think that I have gained a lot of fear and lost the sense of freedom I once had.
Please write soon. I treasure every letter.
Soul meets soul on lover's lips,
Yours,
D---
Christmas 2---
Dear Dove,
Merry Christmas! I wish I could be there with you, but I understand that even if you did want me there, your father says there are rules about visitors, especially during the holidays. I can understand everyone's need for privacy.
I have included your Christmas present. Hopefully you have opened it by now. I had it made for you. The bracelet is of course made from top quality diamonds, the base medal is platinum and the dangling dove is made from sapphires. I hope it fits. Of course, being there in Switzerland it will be easy to find a jeweler's to fit it right if it is too big.
I will be spending Christmas with my family for the first time in years. Gibbs will actually be joining me as will Ziva. Ziva is worried about how she doesn't really celebrate Christmas of course, and here she is going into a house full of big, loud, Italian Catholics, but I think she'll do fine. She can just go Ninja-chick on my brothers and cousins if they bug her. We will be celebrating at the big house in the Hamptons. I don't think I have been there in 10 years or more. When my dad cut me out of the family fortune, that was that and I was out on my own. Someone, perhaps an Alumni Admiral we might know, might have said something to my father, because I am back in his very good graces, and back in the will. Go figure. He tossed me out on my ass for becoming a cop, and now that I've become an important part of a certain Admiral's daughter's life, suddenly being a cop isn't so bad. Or maybe the Admiral just respects me enough to try to bring us all back together again? Or maybe he doesn't want you to marry some poor cop who can't support you in the manner you are used to? That's probably it. Well, being back in the family means between us, we will never have to worry about money ever, as if after this experience either of us would consider that to be important anyway.
Did I say marry earlier? Oh dear! Another cat out of the bag. But no pressure, baby. Just come home to me soon. I am desperately in need of another one of your soul stealing kisses. THAT is the reason I work out all the time, to drain off some of my energy that has nowhere else to go. Instead, I put it into workouts and your boat.
I need to see you soon. Please send a picture or something. Let me come and stay with you and we will ski the Alps. Are you well enough for that? Now that your body is healed and your mind is getting there, are they still thinking you'll be there for the whole 6 months, or might you come home sooner than that? I am trying to wait patiently but like you my soul aches for you. Phone calls and letters are just not enough.
Soul meets soul on lover's lips,
Yours always,
T---
February 2---
Dear Tony,
By the time you read this letter, you will probably know about this incident. I called Gibbs and my father first because I knew you would be on the first flight out here and that would not be helpful, even if I did want you here with me. I will try to tell you firsthand what happened, and perhaps by the time this letter is received we will all know the outcome.
My girlfriends and I were out in one of the larger cities near the clinic. One of them was still undergoing surgery and had gauze protecting her face and a scarf to cover her hair and face. We were attacked by a couple of men who, figuring we were from the clinic based on the coverings on Sasha's face, thought we were vulnerable targets. They were predators down to their very DNA. First they started with name calling and bullying, and then one of them made the mistake of touching Sasha. My training kicked in and I kicked him into a brick wall where his head struck very hard, causing him, and his brains, to slide down the ancient stonework. The second man came at me, but by this time a third man had become involved in the situation and relieved the second man of consciousness and left him lying in the street. I don't know if he was alive or dead. The third man was blond and Norwegian, tall like a Viking with long blond hair tied behind his back. He was dressed impeccably and even I could tell he was armed although he never wielded a weapon.
He quickly ushered us into a private limo and ordered the limo driver to take us back to the clinic. He handed me his card, with his name and phone number the only thing embossed on it. He told me to get everyone back to the clinic and he would arrive with the police and handle everything. He threw several hundred dollar bills into the front seat with the driver, and left no doubt in the driver's mind what would happen if we did not arrive safely. I was terrified that I had killed that man and would end up in prison here in Switzerland. Sasha was sobbing uncontrollably which would not help her healing. The other girls were either silent or staring sullenly out the window. No one said a word except to try to sooth Sasha.
By the time we arrive at the clinic doors, someone had already called and reported the incident and that we would be arriving so they were prepared. I found out later it was the man who protected us earlier. It was not long before he was protecting us again. Sasha was taken back into the hospital wing and medicated so she would sleep. The rest of us went and changed clothes and prepared to meet the Swiss police. Two detectives arrived with the tall Viking to interview us. They were all very kind and talked very carefully to us. Both detectives were extremely well dressed so while they have an incredibly low crime and murder rate here, they must pay very well. The two men took our statements. We told the complete truth which the clinic staff and the lawyers as well as the Viking told us to do. When I would doubt, I would look at our tall savior and he would slightly nod his head. The two detectives left, telling us, much to our relief, that there would be no further need to pursue the matter. A couple of ruffians assaulted some tourists to their fair city and both were killed as a matter of self-defense. End of discussion. It was all really very civilized. I never was sure what the role was of our fair Viking but it was obvious he commanded a great deal of respect and his support of us both on the street and with the police certainly made a great deal of difference to the outcome. While several of the girls with us were crying later in shock at being attacked yet again, for the first time in a long time I felt empowered and not like a victim. I had killed to protect myself and my friends, and would do it again. I just hope I never have to.
Tony, I sent this letter overnight so you would receive the information and at the same time give Gibbs and my father some time to research the situation before you learned of it. I do not need you to rush in here please! I believe my 'performance' out and about in town and ability to protect my fellow 'sisters' here at the clinic will be sending me home sooner than any of us expected. Perhaps they just want to rid themselves of a now dangerous and troublesome woman now known to the police, or perhaps I am considered well enough to protect myself from further harm. I don't care which it is, just that I will be coming home, and I hope you will be waiting for me. I want to surprise you so I will not tell you when I will be home, just that it will be soon, so you better be sure your apartment is clean!
I am so happy to soon be home. Switzerland is delightful, even though my reasons for being here were not. But there is nothing like home, with the food of home, the warmth of friends, my own bed, the cherry blossoms will be blooming soon, and I will be going back to teaching. But best of all Tony, you are home, my home, and I will be there soon.
Soul meets soul in lover's lips,
D---
A/N: Thanks for the sudden rush of reviews and alerts. I'm glad to know people are reading and want me to finish. I think one or two chapters more will complete this little piece and I can return to my fair Viking in my other True Blood story. I can't help but admire the grown-up Tony in the last couple of seasons, especially this one. I really like his character now and no longer feel the need to bash him in my stories. He's grown up, learned to love, gotten his heart broken, and is no longer the predator he once was. A good man, but a predator none the less. He was awesome last night (Legend Pt. 2) and really showing his growth as a man. And I am obsessed with a tall, fair Viking Vampire in True Blood so it is amazing how he shows up in this little more than a drabble of a story. Thanks again, and don't forget to click that little button. Renee