Cherry was worried beyond belief.
She sat at her desk, running her fingers through her hair.
Ziva hadn't signed in yet from last night. She was the get-it-done-and-go kind of girl. She hated this job, anyway.
So why hadn't she checked in yet?
Cherry was worried. She remembered the night before, when Cherry had brought up the job for Ziva.
"Hey, Ziva?"
Ziva stuck her head around the corner, her bag already slung around her shoulder.
"Yes, Cherry?"
Cherry shifted uncomfortably. "Hey, I know it's your night off but…"
Ziva arched an eyebrow. "But what?"
"There's a guy out there. His name is Tony. Ziva's, he's real torn up. I think he just came off a rough relationship."
"So what?" She had come fully around the corner. She had already gotten out of her hooker outfit and was dressed in a plain brown tee and jeans.
This was Real Ziva, not Hooker Ziva.
"So, he could really use a job tonight."
Ziva rolled her eyes. "Great. You want me to play therapist to this guy." She turned to go out the door. Suddenly, she stopped.
"Wait, what was his name?" She asked.
It was Cherry's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Tony. Why?"
Tony.
The name brought back old memories.
Her favorite memories.
She remembered the polished emeralds of eyes, staring into her own, his ruffled brown hair. His well-toned skin and his broad shoulders that were big enough to keep her safe wrapped around her waist. She remembered his scent, not of cologne, but of a slight aftershave. They were standing in something garden-like, she couldn't remember. The moonlight cast his half of his features in shadow.
She could feel him whispering in her ear, his stubble tickling her earlobe.
"I love you." He whispered. Three simple words.
Enough to make her feel loved.
"Ziva? Ziva?" Cherry asked anxiously. Ziva had gotten a glazed look in her eye, and the corners of her mouth were twitching up into a slight smile.
"Hmmm?" She said, giving a slight start.
"So, will you take the job?" Cherry asked.
"Yeah, sure." Ziva said, opening the door. "I'm going on break."
Ziva threw open the door, and slammed it behind her. Suddenly, she started sobbing, sliding down the side of the door.
Reality was hitting her harder than a baseball bat.
Things had changed since high school.
She wasn't going to college.
She wasn't going to graduate with a degree.
She wasn't going to major in music like she wanted.
She wasn't going to be a singer.
Or get married.
Or have kids.
She was living as a prostitute.
And no one would love a prostitute.
Cherry was ripped out of her deep thinking by a knock on the door.
"It's open." She croaked.
The door opened to Ziva. Relief flooded Cherry.
"You're okay." She sighed.
"Yeah." She said. "Listen, Cherry, I'm leaving."
The words struck Cherry. "What?"
"I said I'm leaving. With Tony. He'll find me a job in D.C." She said happily.
Cherry suddenly became alarmed. Ziva was one of her best-selling girls; she couldn't just up and leave!
Cherry had to think fast so she could keep her girl.
"Ziva?"
"Yes?"
"What've I told you countless times in this business?"
"Don't screw any druggies?" Ziva said, grimacing.
"Besides that?"
She sighed. "Don't get attached."
"Exactly. And that's exactly what you're doing."
Ziva clenched her fists. "He's more than a guy looking for a quick fuck, Cherry."
"You don't know that. He's emotionally wrecked, Ziva. He could up and dump by the time you hit the D.C limits."
This thought startled Ziva. "What?"
"I said it before, I'll say it again: This Tony guy is an emotional wreck."
"Tony is different, Cherry. We went to high school together." Determination made her eyes burn like hot coals. Cherry shrank the tiniest bit; she had a pretty fierce glare.
Struggling to keep her composure, Cherry said "Things can change, Ziva. All he wanted was a quickie, and you're turning it into a romance."
Ziva suddenly became angry. She slammed her fists on the desk.
"Well, I apologize for wanting a normal life!" She cried.
"Ziva, you're a prostitute. You can't love anymore. You live in this world now." Cherry sighed. Maybe if she made Ziva think that she couldn't love, she would accept her life.
Suddenly, Ziva's vision blurred with tears. "You liar."
"I'm just stating the truth."
Ziva couldn't believe this. That sleazebag of a woman wanted her to keep working in this sick world.
"Look, Cherry, I'm leaving whether you want me or not." Ziva said coolly. "Pleasure doing business with you."
And with that, she slammed shut her office door, much like when she stormed out of her father's office so many years ago. Tears streamed down her face, but she made no noise.
What if Cherry hadn't lied?
Suddenly, that thought was replaced with a new one.
She was sick and tired of being told how to live her life.
For once, she was going to do something for her.
She walked out to Tony's car parked in the parking lot.
"Let's go." She said sharply, throwing her bag in the back.
Tony grinned. "You are going to love D.C!"
Ziva stared out at the closed club, at the life she had known the longest.
"I hope so."
Suddenly, her lips had met his, and she kissing like she hadn't before. Not roughly, lustfully, but sweetly. Caressingly.
Lovingly.
For once, she had been kissed because she was loved.
Come on guys, pull up them reviews!
Thanks for all your love, please keep reading and REVIEWING!
-Vi
