Chapter posted 12. 24. 2011

Thanks for clicking on Fortuitous Obliteration

for·tu·i·tous[/fawr-too-i-tuhs] adj. happening/coming about by chance, especially giving rise to good fortune o·blit·er·a·tion- verb [uh-blit-uh-rey-shuhn]To do away with completely so as to leave no trace

It began in the middle of the winter, December 29,when the day burned itself into two individuals' memory, leaving them close to death. She had never expected to come to love the one who destroyed her world. It seemed as though the top of the world fell on her, but he helped her push it off. So will forbidden love bloom, or will she nearly kill him… again? Tony Dinozzo never realized that she could make his life a living hell. After all, she was just a girl, and he was the school's star athlete. First he befriended the goth science geek, then he had to protect the loser computer geek too and finally his best friend Kate was put in a coma. His life seemed to start to crumble when he accidently crashed into the girl's car when he was driving to escape his father on that fateful icy day…

No Turning Back

Swish.

Clunk.

Swish.

Clunk.

Swish.

Clunk.

Ziva sighed as she sprawled on her bed and fumbled her catch, the pen in her hand flying away and rolling under her desk. She just couldn't seem to muster up the energy to go after it.

She had the vague feeling that she should be doing homework right now – she was behind enough in her classes that she should be working like mad to catch up, but it didn't seem worth the effort. Most of her teachers would probably let a few late turn-ins slide, and had in fact told her promptly upon her return to school.

Some year this was turning out to be, and January had hardly started.

For a second, the brief thought of doing laps in the pool crossed her mind, but her doctor's orders resonated in her memory.

No strenuous activity. Those ribs won't heal themselves, and we don't want something to be punctured that shouldn't. That arm of yours will probably need some PT soon, but we'll focus on the important things first.

Guess she wouldn't be going to State for swim like she'd planned.

She was back to where she was before – nothing to do, and no will to do anything.

The girl allowed her legs to dangle off the bed as she stared at the ceiling. Tali had painted it just last summer and the glow-in-the-dark painted stars were still twinkling brightly at her. She didn't want to look at Tali's happy creation – with a groan, she rolled to her stomach and buried her face in her arms.

Aay.*

Bad idea, she realized wryly before rolling off the bed.

"Ziva! Dalet!"* her father's voice echoed through the far too empty house, and Ziva grunted.

"Alright," she called back, before throwing her own door open and stomping down the stairs. She wasn't in the mood for Abby's light-heartedness, no matter how well intentioned.

With the words rising to her lips to tell Abby that no, she wasn't exactly in the mood right now, Ziva threw open the door and her mouth fell open.

"Tony?" embarrassingly enough, the word was a slightly squeak.

He looked tired, and awkward. From the wan look in his eyes, the hospital visit to his friend didn't go all that well.

"Er – hi," he said, looking adorably sheepish.

Adorably sheepish? Where did that thought come from?

"Is there something you need?" her tone came out more accusatory than she meant, and he flinched automatically.

"Um – well… I was actually wondering if you wanted to go to lunch," his invitation was more beseeching than not.

Ziva realized her mouth was still agape, and she shut it with a click. For a moment, she leaned against the doorway, contemplating his words and examining every angle possible. He didn't rush or hurry her, but he stood there patiently, posture slumped, hands in pockets, avoiding eye contact.

Point to him for the patience.

She had to give him points for pulling off the kicked-puppy look as well.

"Should you not be in school?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

"Shouldn't you be in school as well?" he returned and then sighed. "Sorry – I didn't come here to fight. I just wanted… never mind, I don't know why I came here in the first place. I thought – well, see you around then."

He turned as if to leave and Ziva's body moved by her own violation. Her hand shot out to grab his sleeve, and he flinched as if he expected her to hit him.

"Yes," she said, and received the satisfaction of confusion welling up in his eyes.

"Um… Yes?" he repeated, and she found herself laughing. He relaxed slightly, but remained wary looking.

"Yes, lunch sounds lovely," a smile was on her face, and there was a matching smile on his. He still looked cautious but she couldn't blame him.

The girl wasn't even sure why she agreed in the first place.

But now… with the shy smile she never imagined Tony 'I can date three girls at once and keep them all happy' DiNozzo could wear in her sight, there was no turning back.

Somehow she couldn't find it within herself to regret accepting.

Author's Note:

Er. Hi. This is awkward, isn't it? *waves*

I never really expected to write another word for this story again. Then I hit a block in A Question of Honor, had a review from the lovely Gillian4Tiva pop up at the right moment… I wrote two oneshots (one NCIS) and then I turned to this.

And here it is.

Thank you to all the fabulous people who reviewed the last chapter. I love you more than words can say.

Next chapter: A conversation about Kate in the hospital, and a little bonding.

Merry Christmas, happy Yule, happy Hanukkah! Happy whatever else you celebrate too!

*Aay: ' ouch ' (Hebrew)

Dalet: 'door' (Hebrew)