Christmas Eve…
Christmas had always been Tony's favorite holiday, regardless of what occurred on that day in the past. And now, having a new dad, and a new family, it was so much better.
They had decorated the tree that morning. Tony had never decorated a tree before. His father used to hire a professional decorator. Now he was sitting on the couch, watching Gibbs try desperately to cook a Christmas Eve meal. So far, he was failing miserably.
But Tony didn't mind. Abby said her mom was bringing over back-up food.
It was then that Abby and her parents drove up, all carrying covered pots and one big turkey.
Tony let them in and Abby jumped up and down excitedly.
"Merry Christmas Tony! I can't believe it! This is your first Christmas here! Its so exciting! I got you the best present ever! Trust me you will love it!"
"Abby!"
Abby stopped suddenly and smiled.
"Sorry."
"Just go put the presents under the tree. We'll open them tomorrow."
Abby looked disappointed.
Tony laughed and gave in.
"Fine. We can each open one present tonight. One."
Abby clapped excitedly and ran over to put the presents under the tree.
Gibbs called from another room.
"I hope you all like your turkey well don!"
Abby's parents laughed and brought their food into the kitchen.
Tony motioned for Abby to follow him into his room.
She followed and sat down on his bed. He sat in a chair across from her. Abby was first to speak.
"What are we doing?"
"I don't know. I just, I wanted to say thanks for welcoming me like this. I really feel like family. And I just wanted to make this a good Christmas."
"Awwwwwww Tony!"
Abby ran over and gave him a hug.
"Ok… Abby…can't…breathe." Tony said between gasps.
"Oh, sorry." Abby said and released him.
"Its ok." They both laughed.
___________
Tony and Abby were sitting on the couch together. They were all stuffed after eating Abby's parents' dinner, and Abby had insisted that it was time for them to each open one present.
Abby handed Tony a large box wrapped in black wrapping paper and topped with a big purple bow. He laughed and handed her a small box wrapped in blue wrapping paper.
She opened hers first and squealed with delight. She held up her new necklace, allowing the skull charm to hang down and spin loosely.
"Thank you so much Tony!"
She gave him a one-arm hug and put the necklace back into the box.
Tony smiled and took his gift into his lap.
Abby giggled and clapped excitedly.
Although her face fell when Tony's phone started ringing.
He patted her shoulder and walked to the corner of the room to take the call.
"Tony DiNozzo." He answered.
He didn't recognize the voice that answered.
"Hello Mr. DiNozzo."
"Can I help you?"
"We understand that you knew Ziva David?"
A knot grew in Tony's stomach.
"Yes."
"She has been killed in a Hamas suicide bombing accident along with her younger sister and three other people."
The phone fell from Tony's hand. He stayed frozen where he stood, his hand still held to his ear where a phone used to be. He could hear the small voice from the fallen phone say, "I'm sorry for your loss."
Gibbs called from across the room.
"Everything ok, Tony?"
Tony never answered.
He turned and bolted out the door. He heard Gibbs calling him from the house, but kept running.
He didn't know where, and he didn't know why, he just kept running.
He could feel tears stinging his eyes, but they never fell.
After running down two streets, he ran into Jeanne. She was walking down the street and acted strangely normal when met with Tony's shattering emotional state.
"What's wrong Tony?'
He didn't think she had ever met Ziva, but he wasn't thinking clearly and blurt out an answer.
"Ziva's dead."
A look of pleasure was existent on her face beneath the fake sympathy.
"Well at least you still have me."
A disgusted look came over Tony's fact and he broke into a run again, knocking Jeanne off-balance and causing her to fall face-first into a pile of snow.
Tony blocked out her scream and kept running. Tears finally began to fall, streaking his face as his feet pounded the pavement.
He had run in a complete circle and was now back at his house. He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath before walking back into the house.
Everyone looked in his direction. Their faces all held a strong look of pity.
They had heard.
He walked by them and went up to his room. He sat on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands.
For awhile he sobbed into his hands. No tears, just silent sobbing.
Gibbs had come up at one point, but he had nothing to say. He knew how much it hurt to lose someone.
So there Tony sat, his first Christmas Eve with his new family turned around in one phone call.
A/N: Ok now please please please don't stop reading! NCISaddiction10 almost strangled me when she heard I was going to kill Ziva, but when I told her what else was coming, she was really excited. So please don't give up on my story! Please! Trust me if you read the next few chapters and see what happens but you still don't like it, then you can stop reading. But wait first.
Thanks! Review please! The less reviews I get the slower I update! And check out my new story, Secrets from the Past!
Bye!