No judgement on the Hebrew in this chapter. I'm learning the basics but I've only got the internet for assistance.
Thank you to everyone who continues to enjoy the journey on this story, I love you all.
Chapter Twenty-Four
He disappeared from the bedroom while Ziva was still in the bathroom. She'd helped him replace his bandages and checked over his injuries. Everything seemed to be feeling better. He knows he still needs to take care of himself, because he's had a hard run. Before Ziva could see him, he went to the kitchen with only one crutch. Because his leg was feeling better and the doctor had said to try and use it a bit while it healed.
The house sounded quiet and as he rounded into the kitchen; he could hear the kettle boiling. His eyes landed on Ezra who was making himself a coffee. Ezra turned to him briefly, smiling when he saw who it was. Tony didn't miss the ghosting of tease in the other man's eyes.
"Good morning" Tony greeted, slowly making his way into the kitchen as he found a good pattern to his one crutch walking style.
"Yes, it sounded like a good morning" Ezra returned. There it was Tony thought. He was all but waiting for that one as soon as he'd seen the other man's look. Okay, so they hadn't been quiet this morning after all. Ezra was turning a smirk on him now as he got out another two mugs from the cupboard.
"Sorry" Tony said, feeling his cheeks flush with heat. Normally, he'd be a man to skite about his sexual adventures. Puff up his bravado and walk around like a peacock. But not with Ziva. She was different. This wasn't just about sex and showing off women love his sex; no this was love. When it comes to love, you don't kiss and tell about your sex. It was just different.
"No need to apologize about it" Ezra returned, his tease sobering and a lighter smile gracing his face. Tony smiled back at the man and realised just how peaceful this was. Ezra started making a tea and went to go for the coffee, silently asking Tony with a look how he liked his coffee.
"Two sugars and milk, thanks" Tony said, leaning against the bench by the man. It was quiet for a while as Ezra made the hot drinks and Tony found himself getting lost in his own thoughts. He's battered and bruised from a hard few weeks, but right in this moment he'd never felt lighter. His heart was full, his broken body didn't ache so much because he was so relaxed. He couldn't help but think about just how much he was in love with Ziva.
When he'd met her there had been something different. Then when they'd slept together, something had been entirely contrary to what he was used to. Maybe that's why he felt this way, because she had been different to everything else he'd known. That she was different because she was the one for him. It's been a long time since he'd felt such emotion for someone and she just draws it out of him in waves, she always had.
Ezra finished making the drinks and Tony carried his while Ezra carried his, plus the tea Tony suspected was for Ziva. They walked outside and made themselves comfortable on the outdoor seating they'd been drinking on last night. Tony took a sip of his coffee and closed his eyes at the feel of the warm sun on his skin and how beautiful this day really was. For a moment, he felt like he could live in this country if this is the feeling he'd have every day.
"Have you guys talked about it?" Ezra's voice suddenly filled his ears. Tony opened his eyes and looked over to the other man. He knows what Ezra is talking about without asking. As much as he was trying to stay away from those thoughts, all of his new friends have been asking. Only because they care about the two of them. It was nice. And even though Tony previously had worried about the thoughts of him going home, after last night things seemed a little different. Like there was some clarity that they will be okay. Talking to people about it was making it feel easier. Tony took another sip from his coffee.
"I wouldn't say we've outright talked about it, but I think the feeling is mutual that we don't want to just give up on it" Tony explained, watching the other man for clues he was on the right train of thought. He knows they are close and maybe Ziva has said something to him about it. Ezra nods his head at him knowingly, like yes that's what he was aware of too.
"She can seem like she's being a cold shoulder sometimes with her emotions, don't let that discourage you. It normally means she cares a lot and is trying to hide from those feelings" Ezra explained, sipping from his own coffee. Tony laughed lightly at that comment, because he knew that one well. It had literally been the up and down of their relationship when things started getting too heartfelt between them.
But now, it was like they were passing that hurdle. Last night emotions were shared on both sides of the table and it looked like they were going somewhere. Tony had a feeling even though they hadn't really talked about it yet, it was coming. He knows he for one won't be able to get on that plane without having a serious conversation with her about what they were doing now. He didn't think his heart could take it if they didn't have that discussion.
He doesn't want to feel like he's unsure about what is happening between them, what the next step is. He needs to know. But for now, he's going to keep enjoying her and how easy things were without pushing that conversation. He could wait, his energy was far too light and happy to worry about how heartbreaking that conversation could get.
He noticed that Ziva had appeared from the bedroom as he could see her inside the house. Her eyes caught his from behind the windows and he found his mouth moving without thinking about what he was saying.
"I think I'm falling in love with her" he whispered. He doesn't take his eyes off her and she's opening the French door and walking out to where he and Ezra are. A peaceful smile gracing her beautiful lips. The silence next to him is almost deafening and he suddenly realises what he just said, aloud. He turns to look at Ezra, his palms feeling suddenly sweaty.
The other man is looking at him, clearly as surprised as he was at the words that slipped from his lips. The look Ezra gives him though, it holds pure care and respect. Like the fact Tony loves his best friend, meant more than Tony would truly know.
"Don't leave here without telling her that" Ezra's voice was soft. Ziva was almost joining them on the couch.
"I won't" he promised. Because he will tell her, so she knows exactly how he feels about her. Ziva's smile is beaming when she gets to them and he cannot help but feel his chest tighten at the sight of her.
She greets Ezra and takes her tea from him with a kiss to the cheek. Affection for her dearest friend. Yes, Ziva was in a relaxed mood this morning. She steps over Ezra's legs and settles herself between the two of them on the cushions. Leaning over and without a second thought, kissing him softly on the lips. His arm goes around her shoulders and she all but leans into him while she tucks her legs under her and smiles.
"What a beautiful day" she states looking out to the sun and sips from her tea. Tony finds himself catching Ezra's eyes over the top of her curls. They smile at each other knowingly. Yes, beautiful indeed he thinks to himself as he pulls her a little closer to his side.
They had ended up down the road for lunch at a little café. The café looked over the beach, the beautiful white sands and deep blue sea. Ziva was at his side eating her lunch and laughing with the others at the table and he couldn't help but stare. She was glowing today, like he'd never seen her before. He wondered if last night and this morning had brought her further out of her shell.
He hoped that was the case because he was for sure feeling as bright as she looked today. He couldn't help it when his hand reached out under the table and touched her thigh. She was laughing at something Derek had said, but he wasn't really paying attention. All his brain was doing was taking her in and thinking about her.
As she laughed, she turned to him and her eyes were settling on his. He wasn't quite sure what he saw in her gaze, maybe happiness? Her smile deepened on him and her hand was sneaking under the table to meet his. He always found her hands were the most gentle and soft things he'd ever touched. It was interesting, the hands she thought were rough and belonged to a killer, he experienced as the kindest hands of love.
Her fingers ran across his and she was intertwining their fingers then, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Not that he thought it was possible but her smile deepened even more on him before she faced back to their friends. Her hand, not going anywhere as she committed to eating her meal with one hand. Lucky for him, she'd gone for the small seafood platter which definitely allowed the use of one hand to eat.
Because he never wanted to let her go.
Everyone had finished their meals and they were enjoying a few drinks. He'd been forced into having some weird girly cocktail drinks. He made a fuss about how they were weird, but Ziva and Sarah had encouraged him to drink what they were drinking. He couldn't say no to the playful side of either of these women, especially Ziva. What he won't admit while the other men were around was that he actually really enjoyed them.
He made sure to make a fuss about getting a new one each time, just to keep his male bravado intact. At the looks he was getting from Ziva next to him, he definitely wasn't fooling her. That made him smile. Ziva's phone began to ring in that moment and she picked it up, sending him a beautiful smile. She'd been giving him those smiles all morning and he's addicted.
"Shalom" she greeted. He watched as her eyes softened at the voice that returned her greeting.
"Harbe zman lo ra'iti otach" she replied and he noted the private tone to her voice, he knows that tone. She uses it with him. He realises this must be someone dear to her on the phone.
"Excuse me for a moment" she said to the table then, her eyes mainly on him. He wondered who it was that had her reacting like that. He wasn't in any way concerned about it but the way she leant over to kiss him softly on the temple before disappearing made his heart flutter and any worry dissipate. Her way of assuring him that the phone call was of no concern.
How was she able to do that? Calm him even more with a simple kiss and make his heart grow so much fonder for her in a single moment?
He watched her walk a little bit away from the table and find a private spot to take her phone call. He noted the smile on her face and the way her eyes held such emotion for the person on the other end of the call. He's curious, but he lets his curiosity slide for now and turns his focus back to his friends at the table.
A few weeks ago, he would think that Ziva might not share with him who her phone call was with, but he knows they are in a different place now and he has no doubt she will share with him later. He gets that feeling with her now, like they don't feel the need to hide things between them. After last night when she opened up about her family, it was different.
She cannot believe the voice she hears over the phone. It has been so long since she has heard from him, years in fact. The time since she'd seen him had been even longer. It had started to get to the point where she saw him like her mother and sister, no longer there. Like he was gone. It had been such a time since they had connected.
Her father never told her about him, so for all she knew he could have been killed on a mission and if Eli decided not to tell her, she would never know.
She had thought the only one she had left was her father when he stopped calling her. It had to be at least three years now since she's heard this voice. Five since she's seen his face. Ari. He'd always been the best brother until her father had all but ripped them apart with work. Ziva sometimes thought it was on purpose, because he knew how much Ziva loved Ari. And maybe if Eli kept her without that connection, she would focus more with his demands.
"Am I interrupting?" Ari's voice charms as she walks away from the table to some private space to talk. She smiles over the phone at him. Same Ari, her needs first. God, she'd missed him.
"No Ari, I am just out for lunch with some friends. But they do not mind. It has been far too long since we have spoken" she said, her heart going tight. Far, far too long.
"I have missed you Ziva" his voice was so familiar even if it had been so long. His voice was warming her already thriving heart.
"I have missed you also, very much" she said, feeling herself tear up at the thought.
"Eli had me deep cover, but that is all over now. I return to Israel in a couple days" there was the explanation, the reason she hadn't heard from him. She knows what it's like to be in that position. Yes, her father was to blame. She suddenly feels curious to the fact if Ari had been put on this mission by purpose and if it had gone on longer than necessary.
Maybe all this just made the idea of leaving Mossad and her father all that much easier.
"You will see me, yes?" she asked, making sure. She was dying to see her big brother. Hug him. She'd felt like she'd lost him forever.
"Of course Ziva, I wouldn't miss it for the world" he returned. There was her brother, the one who used to be there for her. She suddenly wondered what Ari would think about her current situation, torn between what her heart wants and the life she's always known.
She suddenly hopes that he will be home in time before Tony leaves, because she would like Ari to meet the man who captivates her heart.
"You will let me know when you are back?" she asked.
"Yes, I will see you then. Ani ohev otach"
"Ani ohevet otcha Ari" she returned her love before ending the call. She took a moment to compose herself, taking a deep breath. Ari. Wow, she missed him. It was a relief to hear his voice after so long. She slipped her phone into her pocket before making her way back to the table.
Tony's eyes were the first to settle on her and she had to smile at that. There was something about this man that pulled all the little strings in her heart. Last night, had been very heartfelt. The things he said to her, the way he sees her, its different. He is far too good to her and she doesn't want to take that for granted. She knows how she feels about him and she doesn't want to try and back away from it anymore.
She wants to follow her heart for once in life. Because maybe Tony was right and she was like her mother. A lover.
Harbe zman lo ra'iti otach – It has been a long time since I have seen you.
Ani ohev otach & ani ohevet otcha – I love you (male to female & female to male)