Hey everyone!
Here's a new chapter, the longest since I started writing this story, enjoy!
I would love to hear your opinion about this chapter!
Thank you all for reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or the characters!
When it was finally Wednesday Ziva was starting to get nervous, tonight she and Tony would go out on an actual date. Not pretending to be married or whatsoever, but just going out as Tony and Ziva. It was exciting. Ziva had no idea what to expect, Tony wouldn't give her any hint on what they were going to do at all. Ziva had texted him several times these last two days, in the hope he would give her any clue but to no avail. His only response was that they weren't going out to dinner, not this time anyway, and that he would pick her up at 7:45pm. Ziva had no idea what to wear, she wanted to look good for Tony, so a dress would be fitting but maybe it would be too much since they weren't going out for dinner, dilemma…
In the meantime Tony was preparing himself for tonight, this would be their moment! He had to pull some strings to make his plans work and he hoped Ziva would like it. Tony had never done something like this before because it was going to be something very personal. Never before had he trusted anyone enough to share these memories with him, but with Ziva it felt right. Tony trusted her with his life. Ziva would hopefully understand what it means for him to share this with her. Tony hopes were high for tonight, he was going to make sure Ziva had a great night. He decided to wear comfortable but nice clothes, one of his new jeans and a dark blue shirt he liked.
At exactly 7:45pm Tony arrived at Ziva's place, thirty seconds later Ziva opened her door. Ziva was looking absolutely beautiful, she wore a simple but elegant dark green dress that came just above her knees and showed her figure perfectly. Her hair was woven in a half French braid and a little make-up was visible on her face. Tony had trouble keeping his eyes from her.
"Hey Tony." Ziva greeted him, a big smile on her face.
"Hey Ziva. You look wonderful." Tony spoke, smiling as well.
Ziva started to blush and was slightly thrown off. How was it possible that Tony could make her feel like a completely different woman? When she was around him she felt appreciated and respected, it was a very nice feeling. She was lucky to have him in her life!
"Thank you Tony, you are looking quite handsome yourself." Ziva answered and it was the truth. Tony looked very good when he wore a suit at work. But it was refreshing to see him in more casual clothes, he looked lighter in them, more carefree.
"Ready to go Ziva?"
"I am, were are we going?"
"Someone is a little impatience." Tony stated.
"I do not like surprises, you know that Tony." Ziva replied, looking Tony directly in the eyes.
"Yes I know Zi, but I hope you will like this one."
"Without a doubt, I trust you!" Ziva said, while giving Tony an honest smile.
"Great, oh before I forget this is for you." Tony said while giving her a single rose.
Ziva was a little bit overwhelmed by everything. It was very pleasant to be treated like this, like you are important to someone else. She was definitely not used to all of it, Ziva had dated many men before but most of the time it was in regard of a mission. To gain their trust and the needed information she would sleep with them when necessary, romance and dating was not included in that plan. Even when she was in a relationship with Michael and later Ray, it wasn't all that bride and shiny.
Tony saw the doubt reflecting in Ziva's eyes, had it been too much too soon? She was looking at the floor, avoiding his eyes. This is where the past interfered he thought, both of them had commitment issues as a result of their pasts. But Tony wouldn't let her withdraw from him, not tonight.
"Hé Ziva, can you look at me?"
Ziva was not sure she could look at Tony, she felt kind of emotional at the moment. Moments from the past were flashing through her mind, she knew Tony was not like those other men but opening your heart to someone is never very easy, even more difficult because of her past. But Ziva was determined to not to let her fears come between them tonight and spoke:
"Thank you Tony, all of this is really sweet."
"You deserve the best Ziva." Tony answered her honestly.
"Come on it's time to go or we will be late."
Tony and Ziva rode in a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. The hopes for tonight were high on both sides. They agreed to take things slow but going on a first date is a big step no matter how the circumstances are. Twenty minutes later they arrived at their destination, the movie theatre. Ziva first thought was seriously Tony another movie? Tony on the other hand was starting to get nervous, this is it he thought. He exited his car and opened Ziva's door like a gentlemen, even extending his hand to her. Even if Ziva was perfectly able to get out of the car by herself she took Tony's hand, knowing all of this was a big deal for him as well.
"Are we going to watch a movie Tony?" Ziva asked, a bit unsure about his plans for tonight.
"Yes we are sweet cheeks, come on!" Tony responded, tugging her hand to indicate her to follow him toward the entrance. His typical DiNozzo grin still plastered on his face.
A couple of minutes later they entered a small room with only about twenty seats and of course a big screen, popcorn and soda in hand. Ziva was confused, she thought the room would be much bigger. Tony guided her toward two seats in the back of the room.
"Why are we here Tony, I thought it would be much bigger? Which movie are we going to watch?" Ziva shouted question after question, doubtless about why they where here all alone.
"Whoho little ninja relax, this is supposed to be a calm night out, just the two of us. Just wait and see Ziva, try to enjoy it." Tony almost pleaded.
Ziva could sense that Tony wanted this night to go smoothly and that she was ruining it by asking all those question. I seriously need to be more patient, Ziva thought.
"Sorry, I am not good with surprises that is all, but I will enjoy myself. How could it be any different, you are already here with me." That last sentence escaped Ziva's mouth before she knew it but she didn't mind, it was after all the truth.
Tony was very delighted by Ziva's comment, it was obvious by her facial expression that she hadn't meant for the words to come out but it was clear she didn't mind. Otherwise she would have said something right? He hoped she would love what he had planned or else he had no idea how to handle the situation.
"I like it too, being here with you I mean." Tony answered. It didn't went unnoticed by Ziva that a slight blush was visible on his cheeks, but she thought it was charming seeing him so open.
They waited in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, till the movie started. It was Tony who took Ziva's hand after a while and squeezed it lightly. Ziva looked Tony in the eyes, a smile visible on her face and squeezed his hand back. Letting him now that is was okay of him to take her hand. Suddenly the screen light up and the movie started, it was only after a couple of minutes that Ziva started to recognize the movie. A light sign of surprise escaped her throat.
"Tony…" Was all Ziva could manage to say.
Tony had no idea if the way Ziva reacted was positive or negative and a feeling of uncertainty aroused within him. Meanwhile Ziva was taken aback by Tony's choice of movie, was he willing the share such a bittersweet moment with her? I was Tony who spoke first:
"You only read the book, so I thought you should see the movie as well, you know?"
Ziva knew Tony was hiding his feelings again by making a silly comment about it but she would not let him get away with it so easily. Had he any idea how touched Ziva was by letting her in on something so personal to him? She knew it was the last movie he had seen together with his mother, later he had told her he never had found the strength to watch the movie again. Ziva was planning on letting him know how grateful she was to bring her to this place, she gently squeezed his hand urging him to look at her.
"Thank you Tony. This is wonderful, it is true I have never before saw 'The Little Prince'. Thank you for sharing this with me, it must not be easy." Ziva whispered.
All Tony could do was give her a shy smile, one Ziva was not very familiar with. A few seconds later Ziva placed her head on his shoulder and they continued watching the movie in silence.
When the movie ended the lights came back on and Ziva could see that Tony's eyes were shimmering with tears. Seeing him like this made Ziva's heart ache. Seeing the movie again for the first time in such a long time must bring back memories for him. She gently placed a light kiss on his cheek.
"Are you okay Tony?" She whispered, urging him to look at her.
"Yes I am Ziva, I had no idea it would bring back so much memories from the last time I saw the movie that's all." Tony whispered back, blinking with his eyes to make the tears go away.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ziva asked him tentatively, knowing it's difficult to recall the past.
"Not really." Tony shrugged.
"That is fine." Ziva responded with a small smile. She would like to be able to take his pain away, she was not used to see Tony this vulnerable. At work he behaved like the biggest class-clown in town most of the time. But Ziva knows he is an excellent investigator, he just always hides his real feelings behind jokes and movie references. Only this last year, the whole post-elevator-us, and in particular these last few weeks she had begin to see the Tony behind all these masks. And it truly hurts her to see him in so much pain. It was Tony who interrupted Ziva thoughts:
"It's only 10pm, if you like we can go back to your place and go for a walk before we go home? What do you think?"
"Yes I would like that Tony." Ziva answered.
"Okay let's go then." Tony announced, while taking Ziva's hand in his and leading them toward the exit.
The drive back was silent. 'The Little Prince' is really a beautiful movie, Ziva thought. Tony on the other hand was relieved Ziva liked the movie, it was probably different than any other date she had been to, but he wanted to make it a special occasion for the both of them. Tony parked his car at Ziva's apartment, got out and opened Ziva's door.
"Thank you Tony."
It was Ziva who took Tony's hand in hers and together they walked toward the park, the sun was slowly starting to go down. They made their way toward a bench.
"Did you like it Ziva? It was probably not what you expected but I hope…"
Tony couldn't finish his sentence, Ziva wanted to make sure Tony knew she loved what he had done for them.
"I loved it Tony, do not worry. It was perfect."
Tony was smiling wildly due to her answer. "Glad you liked it Zi."
Ziva snuggled closer to Tony and intertwined their hands. They stayed like that for a long time, only when it was practically dark outside they made their way back to Ziva's apartment. When they were in front of Ziva's door Tony planned to say good night but apparently Ziva had others plans in mind:
"Tony… It probably sounds stupid and I should not be this weak but would you like to stay over?"
Tony had not expected that question at all. He wanted to do things the right way with her, it was after all only their first date.
"First of all Ziva it's not weak! But… I want to do this, waving between them, the right way. Don't get me wrong. I would like to stay over, but normally the guy just gets the woman home safely, not staying over on the first date."
Ziva was touched that Tony wanted to do the right thing and be a completely gentlemen but she didn't want to be alone tonight.
"Since when do we do things the normal way DiNozzo?" Ziva smirked.
"Yea I know Ziva." Tony answered, while smiling because she was absolutely right. Doing things like it's supposed to be it not their thing.
"Tony I do not want to be alone tonight." Ziva told him honestly, her voice giving away that she felt very emotional.
"And it is not like we never slept in the same bed before." She added.
"I can't argue with that." Tony answered, secretly happy not to be alone tonight. It had been an emotional day. He was relieved that Ziva liked the date he had planned for them, but it was still hard.
"I think I still have my bag in the car, I will be right back."
Within two minutes Tony was back, bag in hand. The two made their way toward Ziva's bedroom, both preparing themselves for the night. They crawled under the covers, facing each other.
"Thank you Tony for tonight, it is really a beautiful movie."
"Does that mean you want to go out on a second date with me David?" Tony asked with a playful voice.
"I do not know yet, I have to think about that." Ziva responded, picking up on Tony's playful mood.
"Yea thanks, that's the way to bring down someone confidence Ziva."
Ziva hid Tony on the arm. "I was just joking Tony, I would love to go on a second date with you."
This brought the smile back on Tony's face. "Thank you Ziva, good night." Tony said and placed a small kiss on Ziva's forehead.
Ziva smiled at Tony, she truly felt safe in his company. "Good night Tony."
Both happy about the day events, they quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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Like always reviews are more than welcome! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!