I won't give up

by orangedebateboxes

Despite his best efforts to forget her, Tony Dinozzo finds it harder then he thought to forget Ziva. He thought Zoe Keates was they key to letting Ziva go, but when things don't go well between the two of them, he realizes that he will never be able to give up on Ziva. Meanwhile, Ziva is having her own problems forgetting Tony. Is it enough to pull her back to DC?

7. A Purpose

Gibbs made Ziva stay the night at his house - whether it was out of kindness or worry that she might bolt before morning, Ziva didn't know - but she chose not to contend with him and instead opted to grab an extra blanket from the hall closet and head to the guest room. It was rare that anyone stayed in the guest room, but Gibbs had insisted that she not sleep on the couch tonight. Ziva crept up to the door (her ninja skills at work, as Tony would say) and pried it open. She entered the room and took a good look around.

It had once been painted pink but it had faded to an almost white color over the years. There was a window above a small desk on the right side of the room and Ziva could easily imagine a young Kelly Gibbs staring out of it for hours day-dreaming. Every little thing about that room -from the chipped paint to the music box that was still on the dresser- spoke to Ziva about a girl that was full of energy and happiness. And, not for the first time, Ziva wished she could have met Gibbs' young daughter. He didn't speak often about his late wife and daughter but whenever he did there was always a bit of sadness in his eyes but something else as well. The words that Gibbs had spoken to her earlier that day replayed in her mind like a cassette player.

"That's not why you came back Ziver. You didn't come here tonight to explain yourself to me. I know how you feel. . . I found another purpose for continuing. That's why you came back Ziva."

Ziva shook her head and spread the old blanket over the bed. Is that really why she had decided to come back to DC? Maybe . . . maybe not. Either way she knew now that she could not leave without seeing the others - no matter the outcome it might have.

As Ziva turned off the light and crawled into bed, she found herself smiling in spite of the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Tomorrow she would make plans to see the rest of her former teammates and worry about their reactions then. But for tonight - everything would be fine. There was a certain security about being here in Gibbs' house and that was the last thought she had as she settled into a gentle slumber.

...

THANK YOU so Much for all of the helpful and encouraging comments, as well as all of your patience. I can't believe this is technically AU now. . . Why did they have to kill Ziva? I feel terrible for leaving you all hanging for so long. :( So thank you again, and Merry (be-lated) Christmas!

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