Konichiwa!

I know, I know, I promised that I would write more as it is my summer vacation. But I had to go back for my school musical (even though I didn't do anything very productive and it was such a waste of time) Updates are gonna be slow, yes I mean real slow. I've got a whole lot of new shit to deal with. Please be patient!

Sorry for the hiatus!

PS: More reviews? Pretty please?

And now, onto the story!

Chapter 12,

When Ziva appeared at work the next day with Kate, everyone grew suspicious but no one said anything.

It was at about an hour after lunch break, the precinct was considerably quiet, no teams heading out on new cases, officers running up and down with constant refills of coffee and the occasional grab of a classic sugar donut. Paperwork being done by the detectives and the veteran detectives knew how to secretly social network without being caught. Kate's team and the NCIS team were occupied with chasing leads.

Debates being held at the murder board, theories being exchanged, agreements and disagreements.

Five minutes past 1300, the neutral silence of the bullpen was going to be broken. The significant elevator "ding" signaled the commencement of drama.

Adam came storming into the bullpen and straight up to Ziva's desk. Ziva was caught off guard.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he started

All movement in the bullpen halted. It was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

"Excuse me?" Ziva shot back

"This shit about the doorman saying that you moved out and now I suddenly get kicked out of my own apartment!"

"I did move out, but you getting kicked out of your apartment is a whole other story. That's your own damn problem."

"What was that about?"

"None of your damn business,"

"You are my business."

"Not anymore, we're done."

"What did you say you bitch?"

"I said, we're done, over and gone with, dead and gone. Get out of my face and don't make things difficult."

"Oh that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Make things difficult."

He raised a hand to slap her but she grabbed it, twisted it painfully and shoved him into the lift. She hit the button for the first floor and hit the shut button.

Ziva calmly swept her hands and adjusted her hair. She took in a deep breath and went back to work. Ignoring the stares her co-workers were giving her.

"Ziva, can we talk?" Kate asked meekly

Ziva stood up from her seat and followed Kate out of the precinct.

At a nearby Starbucks,

Kate and Ziva both ordered themselves their preferred warm beverage and Kate got the conversation going.

"What the hell was that about?"

"What was what about?"

"Don't play coy with me here Ziva. You and Adam, what was that about?"

"I argued, he argued, we had some disagreements, we broke up. That is about it."

"So, a one year relationship ends because of some disagreements."

"Did my actions suggest otherwise?"

"Is that why you moved in?"

"Maybe,"

Kate scoffed, Ziva was a tough nut to crack. She was going to have to do it sometime or she might shut down on her.

"Has anyone told you that secrets are like time bombs…"

"They explode sooner or later. I've heard that one before."

"Good, so you know if something is bothering you on the inside, it's gonna come out sooner or later. Whether you like it or not."

Ziva stared out of the window. Kate sighed and continued,

"I'm giving you the day off, I hope you sort out anything that's bothering you. As your friend, if anything, anything at all, call me."

Ziva nodded and went out of the coffee shop. Kate leaned back in her seat and sipped her coffee. She watched as Ziva crossed the road and headed on back to the precinct and she frowned.

At Kate's apartment,

Ziva leaned back on the couch. She was immersed in a book that she didn't hear the doorbell. Only after three loud knocks did Ziva peer through the peep hole. No one was on the other side. That's odd.

She opened the door cautiously with her sig in her other hand and noticed a bouquet of dead black roses at the door attached to a note.

"You want to play rough, I can play rougher. Let the games begin."

No points for guessing who this came from. Ziva picked up the roses calmly and headed to the back alley. There, she used the lighter she brought along and torched the flowers till the last petal. All that was left in her hands were the dust residue.

She opened her palms and the dust flew away into the breezy night air of the ever bustling New York City.

She went back up to her apartment. Sat back down but was again disrupted by the doorbell ringing again. This time, she was more prepared. She grabbed her gun sitting by the coffee table.

She crept to the door, mentally counted to three in her head and opened the door and held out her gun simultaneously.

Tony put up his hands in mock surrender. "What did I do?" he yelled.

Ziva sighed and calmed down her breathing. She drew back her gun slowly. "Geez Tony, call me when you're coming next time."

"Did you just call me Tony?"

"That is your name is it not?"

"Yes madam!"

Ziva rolled her eyes, "Odd men these days."

She stepped aside and let him in.

"I brought a peace offering." He placed the bottle of chardonnay on the kitchen counter and pulled out two glasses.

Ziva went into the kitchen and retrieved her glass and took it down in one shot.

"Whoa, relax senorita."

She rolled her eyes at him but managed a smile anyway.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Detective Beckett had to work overtime so she asked me to come over and check on you. Where's the little ball of sunshine?"

"Aria? She's at the nanny's." Ziva smiled a small smile at the mention of Aria's name. Tony took advantage of this and asked.

"So what's the beef between you and your boyfriend?"

Ziva's smile automatically faded. She poured herself another glass of wine and went back to the living room. She plopped herself onto the couch and let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding.

Tony followed her to the living room and sat on the unoccupied side of the couch.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Stop running Ziva,"

"I'm not running from anything."

"Maybe not physically running, but inside you, what are you afraid of?"

Ziva kept silent.

"Since when did you decide to make a career shift from special agent to special shrink?"

"When my best friend is in trouble,"

"So I'm still considered your friend."

"Always,"

Ziva started to tear up a little.

"Zi? What's wrong? Did I say something?"

"That's the problem then."

"What's the problem?"

"I'll always be just your friend, nothing more."

Tony swallowed deeply.

"I ran away for a reason, watching you and Alison hurt like hell. It was eating me up, I had to get away before I did something stupid. I…"

Tony grabbed Ziva by the waist and pulled her face to his and embraced her with a sweet and loving kiss.

After they separated, Ziva was stunned.

"What was that…"

"Ziva David, I love you, you idiot."

Ziva stared at Tony.

"Well, you know what? I promised myself a while back, I would never love again. Well darling, you are the only exception."

Tony smiled genuinely for the first time in a long time.

R&R please! (Let's just say Ziva made that promise even though I didn't write it down)

Sorry for the mini hiatus again!

*Sucky ending*