Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS

January 2013

Tony flopped onto the bed in his hotel room, wondering what to do. He was in Tel Aviv with Ziva to bury Eli David. It had a been a strange few days. First Director Vance's home was attacked, killing Jackie and Eli. Then they failed to capture the person responsible for the attack. Naturally, Vance had taken an extended leave of absence. Vance still had two children to take care of. Two children who had lost their mother. Tony had no idea how he would handle it if someone he loved died.

When Tony went to tell Gibbs that he was going to accompany Ziva to Israel, he expected that he would have to prove to Gibbs that it was a good idea that he would losing two agents for almost a week. After the threat on Ziva's life was gone, she went back to her place. Tony had popped over to make sure everything was OK and found Ziva sitting on the floor in tears. That night, Tony told Gibbs he was going Eli's funeral. However, Gibbs seemed to agree with Tony that it would be good for Ziva to have support.

The funeral was odd for Tony. First, it was a Jewish funeral and Tony have never experienced one before. The funerals he had attended in the past were mainly secular ones. It was also strange to be at the funeral of a man you didn't respect or like. But Tony was there for Ziva, not Eli. Many of the guests were colleagues of Eli's, former soldiers and counterparts at other law enforcement agencies that worked closely with Mossad. Ziva knew quiet a few of them. Tony just kept to the side lines, making sure that Ziva ate and drank enough. Orli was also there, and seemed to work as a buffer for Ziva, especially when a guest wanted to talk shop.

After the wake, Ziva and Tony had a small dinner at the hotel, though neither ate much. They could have stayed at one of Eli's properties, given that Ziva had inherited them. However, Ziva adamant that they would stay at a hotel. Now, Tony was in his room, just down the hall from Ziva's. Tony contemplated going to check on her but thought better of it. She's probably asleep, he told himself.

A knock at the door. Tony opened it and found Ziva on the other side.

'Hey, are OK?' he asked as she walked into the room. It was obvious that she had been drinking.

'Yeah, everything is fine' replied Ziva, sounding relaxed, yet also stressed. It sounded odd to Tony.

'Ziva?' began Tony. 'How much have you had to drink?'

'Not that much. What you're doing?'

'Not a lot. Given that it was a heavy day going, I was considering an early night.' Tony studied Ziva. She seemed more drunk than tipsy. She wandered around the room, gazing at random things. Tony went over to her. 'Ziva?'

'Tony.'

'Why are you here?' Ziva paused before speaking.

'I was in my room. I felt lonely and decided to see what you were doing.' They were standing very close now, at the foot of the bed. Ziva reached up and pulled Tony into a kiss. Tony went on autopilot. He sat down on the bed, pulling Ziva on top of him. Tony reached for the bottom of her shirt and Ziva pulled it off, over her head. Heat rose up quickly.

Suddenly, Tony stopped kissing Ziva, pulling away and pushing Ziva off him.

'No' he said vehemently, standing up. 'Not like this.'

'Tony, what is it?' Tony moved to stand closer to Ziva.

'Ziva, this isn't how it should happen. Not like this, not when, or… or after…' Tony tailed off. Ziva looked down, trying to compose herself.

'I, um… I better…' Ziva picked up her t-shirt before running out of the bedroom. Tony sat back on the bed, embarrassed for himself and for Ziva. Why did he just do that? A beautiful woman, who he had feelings for, wanted him, and he said no. Had he blown it? Was that Tony DiNozzo's only chance to be with Ziva David? Tony hoped it wasn't.

The next morning Ziva woke up in her own bed, alone. She was the last David. Sounds like a movie, she thought. She chuckled at Tony's influence on her.

It had been a strange week for Ziva too. There was always a part of Ziva that knew she would bury her father sooner rather than later. However, the actual funeral was tough. So many mixed emotions, thoughts and memories ran through Ziva. They would never have the chance for reconciliation. Their last conversation would forever be a bitter one.

Ziva was grateful for Tony these past few days. He was there as a friend and Ziva needed a friend more than anything right now. He had made sure that she was eating enough, drinking enough, worked as a buffer when things got too much and Ziva just needed a couple of minutes without her father's colleagues talking about how great Eli was. Tony made sure Ziva knew which was up. Without him, Ziva wondered what would have happened these past few days.

The night before, Ziva had gotten back to her room and immediately went for the wine. It was rare for her to drink more then she did, but it had not been an easy day. She turned the TV on but eventually it just annoyed her. She felt alone, and not in a good way. Putting on her shoes, Ziva went to see Tony. She didn't really know what was going to happen. The kiss was definitely not planned, but there was something about Tony. Ziva couldn't put her finger on it. He was the most important person in her life, rest of Team Gibbs following close behind.

Ziva got up and dressed quickly. She grabbed her hotel room key and made her way to Tony's room. They needed to talk.

She knocked and Tony opened the door, smiling at her.

'You OK?' he asked, as he closed the door.

'Small headache. Nothing that a cup of Jasmine tea cannot cure.' Tony chuckled as they sat down on the edge of the bed.

'About last night, Ziva' Tony began, but Ziva cut in.

'You were right Tony. You made the right decision. I had drunk a little too much last night and I was not in the right frame of mind. Sleeping together could have damaged our friendship, and our friendship is too important for me to lose it right now.'

Tony gave Ziva a weak smile.

'Tony, what is it?' Ziva was a little concerned.

'Was that it?'

'What was?' Ziva was confused. Did he mean her apology?

'Was last night my only chance to be with you?' he asked Ziva, very quietly. 'I'm glad that we both think that last night would have not been the best thing, but I have fallen for you, Zi, and I'm scared that I missed my chance.' Tony's voice broke with emotion. Ziva wondered how long he had been holding this in. The idea of Tony in love with her did not scare Ziva. It made her happy. Really happy and hopeful for the future.

She leant over and kissed his cheek lightly. It reminded him of when she had done in the bathroom at NCIS, almost four years ago, after they had rescued Ziva from Somalia.

'No, Tony. You have not missed your chance.' He nodded his understanding, biting tears back. 'Let's have breakfast Tony' said Ziva, holding her hand out for him.

I always wondered what would have happened had Tony gone to Eli's funeral.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.