I Will
Abby's head was spinning as she sat in MTAC looking at the two of them just sitting there as they were. She took some time to really take in their appearance again before she began processing her thoughts.
Tony was sitting in the center of the screen wearing only a pair of shorts. His hair was a mess and wet as though he had just gotten out of the shower not too long ago. He was staring contentedly at Ziva, who was actually there. This was the first time Abby was looking at Ziva since she had resigned.
Ziva was wearing Tony's Ohio State T-shirt. It was gray and it was long on her, but short enough where Abby could tell that she wasn't wearing shorts or anything else that covered a little more. Ziva was also sitting on Tony's lap and staring into his eyes as they talked on the computer.
Abby had a lot to think about already and so many questions that she wanted to ask all right now. But, before she could ask questions, she had to process what she had just heard.
First thing was first. Tony wasn't coming home. At least, he wasn't coming home right away. He had already been gone for the better part of the past four months and he was going to be staying away from Washington, DC for another month or more. That was a lot to take in by itself. She would question why, but that reason was extremely obvious in front of her.
Ziva was on screen. That was the second thing to process. Ziva looked well and extremely happy, all things considered. Why had Ziva run to Israel? Why had Ziva run away? Why was she deciding that she couldn't come home? Why hadn't she taken the time to explain all this to Abby herself? Why had she done this through Gibbs if she was willingly sitting on-screen with Tony now?
Then, there was the comments made back and forth between Tony and Ziva. Tony said he couldn't live without her and that was why he hadn't come home. That was a huge comment to make to a former Mossad Assassin who didn't show emotions. That was huge and it was scary for Abby to hear, though it made her wonder why Ziva didn't push him away, though she had obviously heard those words before and processed their true meaning by now.
But, then, Ziva told Abby that he was about to come home and then she realized that she couldn't live without Tony either. Had Ziva asked Tony to stay with her in Israel? Why was she staying there and not coming home? Had Tony offered to stay and Ziva taken him up on that offer? What had happened to make these two so obviously attached at the hip?
The knowledge that Tony had found Ziva more than a month ago was huge news to Abby. They had talked to Tony only a few days ago. Then, he had been bearded and looking bedraggled. But now, he was clean shaven and looked overly happy. What had changed?
A month, Abby thought. A month could change someone that much if they let it. But, could it change Tony and Ziva who never shared anything deep and personal, the two who were obviously in love and denying it every step of the way? Could it do that? Why hadn't Tony just been honest? Was he buying more time and how did he get the time out of Gibbs when he was needed desperately to come home with Ziva?
But that trusting little peck to Tony's temple. Ziva had actually kissed Tony on the MTAC screen and in front of others for them to see. Abby knew that Ziva wasn't big on public displays of affection and she had just showed Abby what Tony meant to her through that small kiss and through her words. What was going on? Abby was so confused.
Then, to find out that Tony and Ziva had been seeing each other off and on throughout the last eight and a half years was something else entirely. How had they hidden it? What made this time seem permanent if they hadn't been before? What was so different about them now aside from them being happy and wrapped around each other as they were?
"We need you now, Tony," Abby tried to argue, wanting both of them home and things to return to somewhat normal.
How was she going to deal with McGee's new girl, Delilah, on her own? Who was going to torture the new probationary agents with her? Who was going to bring her extra Caf-Pows when Gibbs wasn't looking? Who was going to throw out random movie references and crack ridiculous jokes to keep the mood light?
"Abby, do you remember learning about the unspoken rule?" Tony asked quietly, pulling Ziva closer to his side, reassuring her that he wasn't going anywhere without her.
"Vaguely, but I don't remember that one," Abby said quietly. "It's not like the famous Gibbs talks about that one a lot."
"What don't I talk about much?" Gibbs asked, stepping up next to Abby in MTAC. "Hello Tony, Ziva. I can see you're enjoying yourselves?"
Both agents looked down at their lack of attire and laughed, pulling each other closer together. This caused Gibbs to smile. His two kids were happy and that was what mattered most. That also meant that DiNozzo hadn't screwed things up yet.
"The unspoken rule, Gibbs," Abby said. "That's what Tony's using to get out of coming home and doing his job. Tell me you didn't approve this month and maybe more off work."
Gibbs laughed. Oh, there was a lot of explaining to do now.
A/N – Thank you for the excellent responses I'm getting to this story. A special thanks to the guest, Maureen, who reviewed, since I cannot thank you personally through a private message! I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story. I can't wait to continue this conversation since we've only barely touched it.
