"What is it Tony, you can tell me anything."
"I…I…" he looks into her eyes that are still red from her tears.
Should I tell her now or will this make things worse?
"I love you" "I love you" how hard can that be? Three simple words.
"Ziva I … I love…you" he says in a barely audible whisper.
Ziva's eyes get wider as tears start to come to her eyes.
"Tony…I…I can't….I can't" she starts to cry hysterically again.
He holds his arms around her again, letting her cry.
Was I wrong? Maybe I shouldn't have told her..ugh I was wrong wasn't I? I messed everything up.
She sobs uncontrollably with her face against his chest.
He loves me, he loves me… why did I never see it? I love him too.. but this..this is too soon.
"Tony, I….I love you too…but I can't….it…it's too soon.. I am sorry.." She cries.
"You love me…" his heart beats faster… "It's okay; I will wait as long as you need" He holds on to her tighter.
She loves me…me…not Ray…me…I can't believe this! I am the luckiest guy ever. I will do anything for her. I ….I love her so much.
"Is it okay if I stay tonight Tony…I just..I don't want to be alone.. I don't want to go home because Ray might call..or worse come over. I don't want to get weak and take him back…"
"Of course you can. You can stay as long as you want…forever if you want…"He says the last part in a whisper.
A smile creeps to her face… "Thank you Tony."
They curl up on his bed. Her face against his chest. She listens to his heart and breathing. She feels safe with him.
She starts to drift off to sleep as Tony's phone rings…ring ring ring.