Ziva and Monique were at the Espa Life Spa at the Corinthia hotel for a full pamper package. Ziva's birthday, gift to her friend. As someone who was unfussy Ziva really enjoyed being pampered. The massage was amazing.
Several hours later after being waxed, facials, manis and pedis as well as having their hair done in the Daniel Galvin salon. She felt like a new woman.
"Ziva thank you. One of the best birthdays ever and we have tonight to look forward to yet." Monique had her swept up into an elegant up do. She looked gorgeous. Ziva's hair had been set in heated rollers and tumbled down her back in glorious loose waves reminiscent of a 40s movie siren.
"Yes what are the plans for tonight?" They got into the cab to head back to Camden. In London sometimes it was easier than driving plus the ladies had indulged in a Bellini cocktail.
Monique smiled waving hands with nails painted a deep plum that would match her dress. "The Savoy Grill for dinner and afterwards cocktails. After that we will see." She smirked, Monique was very private much like Ziva she often thought that's why they got on so well.
Tony had hit the gym pretty hard. All the vesper martinis were making him feel out of sorts. Now he felt sharp and clear headed. He had contacted an old buddy from New York who now lived in London. Dave was a doctor who had come to England to study fell in love and ended up moving here some 10 years before. They were meeting for dinner a few beers and a catch up. Tony was glad of some company he was even missing McGoo.
Ziva stared at her reflection. She hardly recognized herself. Apart from missions she had hardly got dressed up that much. All her life was the job and the last two years in Israel had hardly been glamorous. She looked simply radiant. Red was definitely her smokey eyes, red lips and matching nails. The dress with its simple front and low cut back held its own. Strappy black sandals and purse completed her outfit.
Monique looked as equally striking. " We are a long way from Colombia." Laughed Monique.
Ziva nodded unbidden memories of Tony saying she was an incredible woman flashing thru her mind. She swallowed a lump. "Come on mademoiselle your carriage awaits."
The Savoy Grill lived up to it's reputation the food was delicious. "So Miss Lisson where to next?" Ziva had indulged in two glasses of red after today she vowed the alcohol stopped.
"Well we have a choice but The American bar. They play jazz and if we want later I have reserved a table for the Beaufort bar it's very glam won numerous awards." Ziva nodded they headed into The American bar renowned for it's cocktails.
"I'm having a mojito." Monique sighed. "Oh Zivi you are in a famous bar and you still just want a mojito?"
"Yes Monique it is what I like." She sat down looking round her surroundings. Despite the huge refurbishment the bar had stayed true to it's original roots she liked it.
Tony had enjoyed his catch up with Dave and he had talked him into one drink at The American bar then an early night. No over indulging tonight. He made his way to the bar a familiar looking brunette catching his eye. He hadn't seen her for four years and she looked incredibly glamorous compared to Colombia but he could swear that was former Interpol agent Monique Lisson.
He turned to see her companion and felt every bit of air leave his lungs. There sitting across the room was the face of his dreams and nightmares. Ziva David looking incredibly beautiful in a striking red dress wearing make up that enhanced her dark, chocolate eyes and sultry red lipstick. As if sensing his gaze Ziva glanced up and felt her heartbeat begin to race. Their stare was similar to that when they had rescued her and poor McGee being a third wheel went for a Nutter butter.
"Here madame here's your mojito. Earth to Ziva." She turned in a daze and practically swallowed it in one go.
Dave had returned from the bathroom he had asked for a whiskey cocktails weren't his style. His attention was caught by Tony staring at two attractive women. One in particular was a knock out. Dark hair, tanned skin she was in her early thirties he guessed a little bit young but hey.
"She's gorgeous, shame I'm married."Tony picked up his drink and headed to a table. "She's an assassin." Dave burst out laughing, making Ziva once again glance over. "DiNozzo you're mental but she seems to like what she seeing must be your designer threads."
Monique sensed her friend's mood had changed and followed her gaze to where one very special agent sat.
Monique coolly stood up before Ziva could do anything she had headed for DiNozzo. "Well, well agent DiNozzo of all the bars in all the world. How are you?" She lent forward kissing him on both cheeks. Tony ever the gentleman returned the gesture.
"Monique I'm well thanks. Yourself and Miss Dah-veed how is she doing? It's been almost 3 years since I last heard from our mutual friend. I use that term loosely these days because friends keep in contact but not Ziva! She vanishes for months and then when you find her she lets you make an ass of yourself, she sends you packing. Then no contact thinking is she ill, married DEAD." He stopped abruptly talking in Dave and Monique' s horrified faces at his outburst. He swallowed his drink and headed back to the bar.
Ziva moved stealthily to the exit trying to make a get away. Monique grabbed her arm ready to shake her. Enough was enough.
"No Ziva you need to face him. That man is in torment. You have hurt him a great deal judging from his outburst just go talk to him. Before I kick your butt ninja or not."
Tony could smell her scent before she spoke. "Hello Tony. I know you must be as surprised as I am." Tony half turned. "Oh really Miss Dah-veed let's just say this ranks up there with thinking you were dead until a burlap sack being dragged off your head revealed you weren't." Ziva swallowed at his bitter tone and mention of Somalia."A mojito for the lady please. I take it you're not pregnant." His eyes raking her slender figure. Tears swam in her eyes he didn't know how cruel his words were.
"No I am not." Tony smirked and handed her the drink. Monique and Dave sat chatting at a nearby table.
"It is Monique's birthday perhaps we should.." Tony sat down at Ziva's previous table. "Nothing, nada, zilch for 26 months and you still don't want to talk. Oh Ziva you never change I'm waiting for the famous why are you here line. I am on vacation by the way not looking for you."
Ziva could hardly recognize this bitter, angry man as goofy, laid back Tony. He was as handsome as ever but seemed hard. His eyes raked her up and down. "You look beautiful by the way but too thin and you've aged." She hadn't really but he wanted to lash out, break glasses. What was fate doing first Jeanne, now Ziva who next EJ, Wendy again?
She just sat and didn't utter a word. Where was the ninja who would have had him strung up for talking to her this way? "I have hurt you yet again like numerous times Tony. I am sorry but I cannot do this it's too painful. Enjoy the rest of your vacation I am glad you have moved on and you are happy I made the right decision for us both then. I wish you and your girlfriend every happiness." She practically fled from the room closely followed by Monique.
Tony sat in stunned silence. How did Ziva know what was going on in his life?!Dave headed over and sat down somewhat bemused by it all.
"Your friend Monique has just given me a very brief history on you two. Wow but hey she is something." Dave was impressed. "She's a teacher now." Tony turned stunned. "Ziva?!" "Yes apparently she loves it staying with her friend for a few weeks then going round Europe. I even have a phone number Monique said you might want it. Hers not Ziva's."
Tony grinned he needed to think but at least he had a contact number. She couldn't just vanish again he needed answers.
Monique had taken Ziva into the luxurious Beaufort bar hoping it would provide a distraction. Ziva despite her hurt didn't want to completely ruin Monique's birthday despite her assurances. She went to the bathroom and repaired her make up.
The bar really was something else designed in opulent golds and black. It was quite busy. Ziva had another couple of drinks and felt the tension ease a little.
"I need to see him. Monique. I can't run and hide any longer." Monique stared at her friend making a snap decision she sent a quick message. A reply pinged back almost immediately. "Ok cinderella it is almost midnight and agent DiNozzo has agreed to see you. He will meet you in the lobby of The Savoy. I have plans, you have a key. Stay safe and just be honest with him."
Ziva kissed her friend on both cheeks and headed to meet Tony she felt sick.
Tony had been laid on his bed when he had received the message. He quickly put on his shoes left off his jacket and tie and headed down to the lobby.
Ziva waa already there looking beautiful but fragile. Since when did badass, ninjas look terrified. He felt a tightening in his chest. She had changed since Israel and another thing was obvious above the rage and bitterness. He still loved her, felt an overwhelming need to protect her. This made his attitude change slightly.
"Ziva. Would you like to come up to my suite so we can talk in private? " She blinked nervously. Taking a deep breath she nodded and followed him.
Tony's suite was impressive decorated in greys and shades of purple. Ziva sat on the edge of an armchair. She had taken off her high sandals but still felt tense.
She studied Tony he really did look wonderful. "You have lost weight yes? You remind of how you were ten years ago. You look good." This Zoe was a lucky lady.
Tony felt himself go slightly red. He was pleased she had noticed. He had always felt somewhat embarrassed over his weight it had gone up and down over the years.
"Yes I'm somewhat more active these days. Know what the gym looks like. What about you? Still in great shape."
Ziva shrugged. "Running still and when I get the chance swimming. I do not go to a gym much these days. Oh and yoga I practice that daily". She could see Tony blushing. Teasingly in a way that was very familiar she invaded his space
"Spill DiNozzo. Why are you blushing? Do you do yoga too? I know when I showed you the basics you were interested." She stared up at him and without thinking Tony grabbed her much like he had on the tarmac in Israel. He buried his hands in her gloriously soft, shiny hair. He had always loved her hair from the day he met her teasing him and when they were undercover. He brought his lips down on hers and oh God they were as soft and welcoming as he remembered. Ziva matched him kiss for kiss
It felt like forever but was probably just minutes. She pulled away breathless. Their chemistry was as hot as always.
Tony walked away trying to calm himself. "Look Ziva first I don't know what you have heard but yes I am with Zoe." Ziva felt tears begin to fall. She could no longer control her emotions like she used to had no need to.
"Ziva please don't cry. I came to London to clear my head Jeanne showing up shook me." Ziva looked stunned. Jeanne? "Don't, she's married now it's a long story. It's made me question my feelings and now seeing you well I know. Suppose that's something." He laughed dryly
"Tony I have not stopped loving you. I wanted better for you than me. I was too damaged when Tim told me you had met Zoe I was happy for you. As painful as it has been your happiness mattered more."
"Well you see Ziva that's were we differ. I wanted you and only you! NCIS be damned. Yes I missed my partner but I missed my ninja mourned her for a year. Went to a fricking mens group for support. Couldn't sleep for days. Had everybody worried sick. So how was that better?"
Ziva was openly sobbing now. She had no reply. She felt drained it was all too much. Both miles apart, hearts broken. What had been the point?
Tony was pacing oblivious to her distress. Caught up in old wounds. "I spent a full year feeling in limbo. Were you even alive? Abby told me to move on you weren't coming back. Funnily enough Keates came back that day. It felt like a sign. Enough DiNozzo. Time to MOVE ON. Jesus, do you know how much I hate that expression? " He turned stunned at her emotional meltdown.
Tony bent down and took her in his arms. The blame game was just killing them both. When she quietened he kissed her gently on the forehead.
"It's getting late Ziva. Are you free tomorrow? How about a date? Strictly friends remember the post elevator us? We got pretty good at it one time?"
Ziva blinked away her tears. "A date?"
"Yes be ready for noon.I'll meet you at Monique's." He seen Ziva into a cab and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David going on a date even as friends in London. Who knew, fate was a strange thing.