Tony woke up to his alarm. He had to go to school. He had already missed way too much. He switched his alarm off quickly and climbed out of bed. He walked towards the bathroom, but was stopped by Ziva's voice.
"Where are you going, Tony?" She whispered.
"School, baby. Go back to sleep, you don't have to go." He said from across the room. Ziva nodded and Tony took a quick shower. He walked out in a towel and slipped clothes on after he was done. He walked over to Ziva, her eyes were wide open and she was alert.
Tony sat down beside her and kissed her forehead.
"I got to go, Zee. I'll text you every time I get the chance." He whispered and Ziva nodded.
"Okay Tony." Ziva said back and Tony kissed her lips. "Bye, Ziva. Call or text me if you need me, and just if you're wondering, if it's you I'll always answer. I don't care where I am." Ziva smiled an actual genuine smile and Tony grinned broadly, this was the first time she had smiled in the last three days. Ziva sat up and Tony hugged her.
"Thank you, Tony. I love you." Ziva said and released him.
"I love you too, Zee. Now, go back to sleep, I'll see you later." Tony said, pushing on her shoulders and making her lay down. He kissed her one last time and grabbed his bag, heading off to school. He climbed in his car and started he engine, driving to school.
He felt guilty for leaving her here by herself, everyone else was already at school and his parents were at work, so she was here all alone until he came home. Ari, Tali, Tim, Emmanuel, Kate, and Abby wanted him and Ziva to come out with them tonight to the big amusement park to see the Christmas lights scattered around the park, but he refused. Although he told them that if they waited, they would go sometime during the next three weeks, Christmas and winter break, but they decided to go without them.
Tony pulled into the school parking lot, very grumpy and guilt ridden, and walked into the school. He collapsed angrily into his chair and Mr. Vance looked at him.
"Ahhhhh, Gibbs is finally here. Where's David?" He said, being a smart ass.
"Ohhhhh, the smart ass is here! Goody, goody! Vance, why don't you just shut the hell up? I'm not in the mood." Tony said sarcastically. Mr. Vance stood from his desk and got into Tony's face. Kate looked shocked and stood up, watching.
"Look Gibbs, I'm not going to deal with your smart ass remarks today." Vance said. Tony raised his eyebrows at him he stood up and stormed out of the door. He went strait to Ari's homeroom and walked into the room. He motioned for Ari to follow him out and he came out with Tony immediately. They walked into the hallway and Tony led Ari outside to the picnic tables. They sat down side by side and Tony started to talk.
"Ari, I need help." He said quietly.
"Ziva." He said. It was a statement, not a question. Tony nodded, putting his head in his hands. He sat there for a moment.
"Why… why won't she let me help her, Ari?" He asked, voice muffled by his hands.
"Tony, you know more about Ziva than I do, but one thing I do know that you do not is this: Ziva will open up when she wants. You can not force her." Ari said seriously and placed his hands on his friend's shoulder. "But, I am glad it is you taking care of her and not…. Ummmm, never mind." Ari said. Tony lifted his head.
"She told me about Rivkin, if that's what you were going to say, last night." Tony said and Ari nodded.
"I am surprised. I did not even know about that until I found her crying on her bed one day. She told me then." Ari said and Tony looked at him.
"But, Ari, what do I do?" Tony said.
"What you have been doing, Tony. Hold her." Ari said. Tony nodded and his phone vibrated. He pulled it out of his pocket and flipped it open. One the screen, it said:
Text Message From:
Zee
Tony opened the text quickly and read. This time it said:
Tony I need you.
3TGandZD
"I have to go, Ari."
"What did she say, Tony?" Ari asked.
"All it said was Tony I need you, and then had her signature." Tony said, running for his car. Ari sighed and walked back to class. He loved her, and he knew it.