Berlin-The Aftermath Chapter 26
The sound of sipping and the aroma of coffee is what rousted Tony from sleep.
He was laying on his stomach, eyes closed, a headache bouncing around his cranium from lack of restful sleep.
He heard the "sip" sound and cracked open an eye. Gibbs was sitting on the coffee table in front of him. He was fully dressed, sipping his coffee, as he eyed Tony and said:
"Already on the couch, DiNozzo?" he asked as he smirked and shook his head back and forth.
Tony was too groggy to respond with the snappy comeback he so wished he could come up with in that moment.
He had nothing so he just looked at Gibbs with one tired eye.
Gibbs smiled at him and patted his head then stood up abruptly and headed into the kitchen.
"You hungry?" he asked Tony as he walked away.
Tony sighed and said "Yep…..coffee first, please."
Tony didn't mean to whine but that is exactly what it sounded like.
He heard Gibbs chuckle as he struggled to sit up. His body was twisted in the blanket, a testament to the restless night he had.
He rubbed his hands over his face trying to wake up.
He stood and walked into the kitchen. Gibbs handed him a cup of coffee before he sat at the kitchen table.
"Thanks Boss" he said as he took a sip from his cup. Gibbs had already put in the hazelnut creamer and sugar Tony liked.
Gibbs assessed his SFA. Tony looked tired but he looked good. His face had healed with no scarring. The rest and relaxation had done both Tony and Ziva a world of good. Where Tony seemed so relaxed last night he seemed stressed this morning. Gibbs wondered what had happened between his kids.
"Wanna talk about it?" Gibbs asked glancing at the couch and back towards Tony.
"Talk about it?" Tony asked incredulously, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Who are you?" Tony asked with a laugh.
Gibbs just shrugged. He was not going to push Tony if he didn't want to talk.
Tony realized Gibbs was sincere in his offer but he deflected saying:
"Ziva snores like a hibernating bear."
Gibbs snorted, stifling a laugh.
It was then Ziva made an appearance.
"Good morning" she said looking at Gibbs. Tony looked at her expectantly.
Gibbs was aware the greeting was directed towards him as Ziva joined Tony at the table, her eyes never seeking his. Gibbs watched as Tony stared at Ziva almost willing her to look at him. Gibbs could see Tony was about to speak to her but his brows narrowed and a look of anger lit up his moss green eyes.
He stood suddenly and looking at Gibbs said "Not hungry after all boss. Thanks for the coffee. I'm gonna go take a shower."
Gibbs realized there was no hiding that something was definitely afoot between Ziva and Tony. He sighed as he set a cup of coffee in front of Ziva and asked "How about a cheese omelet, Ziver?"
"Thank you, Gibbs…that would be nice."
Ziva sat silently watching Gibbs scramble eggs and grate cheese for their breakfast.
It was comfortable being in his presence and not feeling like she had to make small talk. She knew Gibbs had to have picked up on the tension between her and Tony. She appreciated that Gibbs chose not to question her.
She had a lot to think about. She was mad at Tony although she knew he was right in everything he said. She needed to calm down and re-group. She had not slept well and was tired. She would allow herself some additional time and talk with Tony later that night. In the mean time she would have breakfast, take a shower and hope that her Doctor would release her so she might return to work.
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Tony shaved and muttered to his reflection.
"What in the hell is she thinking!?"
"She isn't, that's the problem!"
"Damn ninja chick! Stubborn, hotheaded assassin! Why can't she just let it go and let me love her!?"
"SHIT!" he said loudly as he nicked his chin with the razor.
Grimacing he completed his task and started the shower.
He took his time, letting the hot water and steam envelope his tired body. He was looking forward to getting back to work. If he and Ziva didn't get past this bullshit it would be unbearable to stay any longer at Gibbs house. He made the decision if she continued ignoring him then he was leaving that night for his own apartment, protection detail be damned.
He stepped out of the shower, toweled off and put on a pair of black jeans and a plain white t-shirt. He was sick of sweats and since Abby was coming over today he dressed up a bit. He dried off his hair and putting a little gel in the palm of his hand, he ran it over his head. He spiked his hair strategically and with a final look in the mirror he headed out.
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Tony returned to the kitchen as Ziva was placing her dirty plate in the sink. She thanked Gibbs for breakfast as she headed towards the bathroom, passing Tony without a word. He watched her walk by as Gibbs noted the hurt in his expressive green eyes.
Hurt turned quickly to anger.
To help defuse the situation Gibbs said "Sit down Tony. I have a cheese omelet for you."
Tony sat down and allowed Gibbs to serve him.
"Thanks Boss." He said as he took a bite.
Gibbs refilled his coffee and joined Tony at the table. He picked up the newspaper and began to read when he heard Tony say:
"This is really great, Boss!"
"You sound surprised, DiNozzo." Gibbs stated dryly.
"Uh, not surprised, just appreciative, Boss!" Tony added
Gibbs returned to his paper, hiding the smile tugging at his mouth.
Gibbs was amused how Tony could go from hurt, to angry, to happy, to flustered in seconds.
Gibbs decided he would stay out of it and let Ziva and Tony work it out between themselves.
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Tony had finished his breakfast and, after cleaning up the kitchen while Gibbs finished his paper, returned to the couch and turned on the TV. He was fast asleep when Ziva appeared from the bathroom dressed and ready to go.
"Ready, Ziver?" Gibbs asked as he grabbed his coat.
"Yes" She said as she headed for the front door.
Gibbs frowned as she walked past the couch without saying goodbye to Tony.
He glanced at Tony who was lying on the couch with his back towards Gibbs. His breathing appeared steady so Gibbs believed he was asleep. He knew if Tony woke to find them gone he would be hurt they didn't say goodbye, so he said loudly:
"Tony! We're heading out to the doctor's. We'll be back in a few hours. Abby will be here shortly."
He heard Tony mumble tiredly, "Got it Boss."
With a look of worry for his SFA, Gibbs closed the door.
Tony was wide awake when he heard the door close behind them.
Ziva had again said nothing and he felt his heart break just a little more.
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Abby arrived about 30 minutes later.
He stood to greet her as she bounded through the unlocked front door.
She squealed and threw herself into his arms.
"TONY!"
"Hey, Abbs!" he said affectionately, swinging her lithe body around in a circle.
He set her down and she stood back to take in his appearance.
"Wow, Tony! You look fantastic! You have done some major healing since I saw you last week!"
Tony had no doubt it was due to the change in rule 12. He wondered how he would look in a week if Ziva continued to act like he no longer existed.
"Thanks Abby! I am feeling pretty good. I see Brad tomorrow and hope to be back to work by Monday!"
She hugged him tightly and said "That would be great!"
"So what do you want to do?" He asked
"I brought a movie we have never seen together."
She rooted around in her large handbag as he raised an eyebrow and said:
"What cha got, Abbs?"
She pulled out a DVD and said "Xanadu!"
Tony groaned with a look of disgust on his face as Abby laughed.
"Kidding, Tony! I brought "Casino Royale"….the remake with Daniel Craig of course!"
"AWESOME ABBS!" Tony said grabbing his laptop and placing it on the coffee table as they sat together on the couch.
Abby sighed at the 15 inch screen and said "We need to all pitch in and get Gibbs a flat screen for Christmas!"
Tony laughed and said "If I think he would let me set it up I would have got him one years ago."
The two friends snuggled on the couch and were about an hour into the film when Abby declared:
"I got to pee! Can you hit pause for me?"
"Sure Abbs…..I'll get us some drinks. Caf-pow?"
"Like you have to ask! Absolutely! Be right back."
Tony got the drinks and set them on the coffee table.
He then returned to the kitchen and threw a bag of popcorn in the microwave. He glanced out the window over the sink and waved to NCIS Agent Jeff Reynolds who was walking the back perimeter. The Agent smiled and waved in return.
Tony leaned against the kitchen counter listening for the familiar popping of corn kernels.
Abby quickly returned to the couch.
She was taking a sip of her drink and grabbed a magazine from the coffee table waiting for Tony to get back. She laughed and said "It amazes me that there is a monthly magazine dedicated to Snipers."
Tony laughed and said "You should see the swimsuit edition!"
Abby's head shot up and said "There is a swimsuit edition!?"
Tony laughed harder at Abby's sucker response. She playfully frowned at him as the microwave dinged. He grabbed a bowl from the cupboard near the sink and as he turned to pour the popcorn into the bowl he caught the movement outside.
Agent Reynolds was on his back and being dragged behind the large oak tree in Gibbs back yard.
Tony could not make out Reynolds assailant.
He froze for only a second. He reached for Gibbs home phone as he told Abby:
"Abbs…I need you to lock the front door NOW!"
She heard the seriousness in his voice and did it immediately.
"FUCK!" he yelled as she returned to his side.
"What!?" she asked, fear beginning to show in her beautiful eyes.
"The line is dead!" he said as he slammed the phone down.
"Do you have your cell on you?" he asked
She grimaced and said "It's in the car."
"Do you have yours?" she whispered, looking around.
Shaking his head he said "The battery is dead. I meant to charge it last night…shit…c'mon Abbs!"
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the living room. He pulled open the drawer that housed both his and Ziva's sigs.
"What is going on Tony?"
She sounded scared and Tony noticed she was wringing her hands as she chewed her lip.
"You trust me right Abby?" he said seriously, staring her directly in the eyes.
"With my life Tony" She responded quietly.
He nodded and said "I need you to do exactly what I say Abby."
He made sure the guns were loaded and then he pulled her towards the basement.
They hurried down the stairs and he pushed her towards Gibbs boat.
The boat was almost complete so it provided an excellent hiding place for her as he shoved her underneath.
He leaned down and kissed her cheek as he placed Ziva's sig in her hand.
He stared her in the eyes and said "Abby, no matter what you hear you ARE NOT to come out from under this boat unless you hear me call for you. The gun is for your protection only if your hiding place is compromised. I need you to be safe Abby."
She fought back tears but gave him a smile and said "I need you to be safe too, Tony!"
The sound of glass breaking drove Tony into action.
Smiling at Abby he ran towards the stairs and ascended them taking two at a time.