Title: Baby Assignment

Chapter: 7

Disclaimer: I do not own ANY of the original characters from the show, they belong to the writers of NCIS.

Author's note: So I guess you can tell that I willbe continuing the story. :) Although I received 13 (not 15) reviews, they were such nice ones that I will still write the story. Thank you all for reviewing, I really appreciate it and I got all happy reading them! I thank you all so much you really made my day. I also hope you know I was simply trying to find out if the story was worth continuing, not blackmailing you for reviews to make myself feel better. Well, your answers were yes, please continue so that is exactly what I am doing! :) Thanks for reading and thanks for reviewing. I think that you will all enjoy this chapter. I really liked writing it. I hope you like it, and thank you for reading. :)


Tony walked over to the radio and shut it off.

He forced himself to calm down so that he could think rationally. Once his anger went away he was filled with sorrow and regret.

What had he done? He had almost told Ziva he loved her, meanwhile she's dating his friend. Tony rolled his eyes, after what Matt pulled, asking Ziva out, Tony wasn't even sure if they were still friends anymore. After all, friends don't ask out another friends girl, right?

Tony walked into the living room and plopped himself down on the couch--he needed to think.

Tony simply lay there, trying to make sense of it all. How could Matt ask Ziva out? Tony sighed, why wouldn't he? She was smart, funny, beautiful, she was perfect and Tony repeatedly mentioned that he didn't love her.

He sighed in frustration, knowing that it was all his fault that he was in this situation.

He could talk to Matt about it, but Tony shook his head. Talking about "love and feelings" was not something guys did, no matter how close they were.

He pushed himself up off the couch and started pacing in front of it, what did he do now?

He couldn't tell Matt, he couldn't tell Ziva... Tony ran his left hand through his hair, worried about the thought that popped into his head.

What if he already did? What if he already told Ziva he loved her?

What if she knew what, or rather who, he was talking about before? Is that why she left so suddenly? Does she know? Tony shook his head, she didn't know, she couldn't know. She didn't say anything...

What have I done?

Tony dismissed that thought, he knew Ziva well, and he knew that she wasn't one to run from problems, if she knew he loved her, she'd confront him. This caused him to smile, he could just picture her facing off with him in one of their many arguments, only this time it wasn't being caused by something stupid he'd said or done. This time she'd be initiating the arguement, trying to show him how stupid he was being to have these feelings, she'd tell him that she didn't feel the same way and he needed to move on.

This thought sobered Tony up, his smile disappeared and he found himself clutching his chest. The incredible pain was coming from his heart, it was breaking just thinking about Ziva not loving him.

He winced at the next thought that came into his mind, not only did she not love him, she'd just told him that she loved someone else.

She had unknowingly broken his heart when she told him that she loved someone else. Now, being alone with his thoughts, it hurt even more.

He couldn't help but dwell on the fact that she didn't love him, and how stupid he was to ever believe otherwise.

He knew he should move on and forget her like he did all the other girls, only Ziva was different. He couldn't move on, and he was torturing himself by wondering who it was that she loved.

Tony ran all of the possibilities out before him. She said that he didn't love her back... That leaves all the guys who only want her for her looks, meaning every guy but him.

Tony sighed and ran his hand through his hair, who is it? Matt? She did accept his offer to the dance, and she looked very happy when he asked her.

Tony couldn't help it, he knew it wasn't Matt's fault but he couldn't help but begin to feel angry. Matt was his friend! How could he do this?

Tony went into his training room and began to take his frustrations out on the punching bag. WHY? Why did this have to happen to him? What did he do to deserve this?

He was out of breath so he walked to the wall and leaned against it for support. His life was going great until she came in and ruined everything for him.

Tony slumped to the ground in defeat at that thought. As much pain as Ziva had brought with her when she walked into his life, he was glad to have met her.

He was only trying to take his frustrations out, she didn't ruin his life, she made it better. As much pain and confusion she put him through, Tony had to admit that he was never happier than when he spent his time with her.

He loved making her laugh and her smile lit up the room. She was always there for him. He still remembered last year when he had lost his team the championship game. She had repeatedly told him not to worry, that no one is perfect, she'd even made him laugh when she paused and added, "not even me."

Tony grinned at the memory; it was just one more example of how amazing she was, the way that she could make him laugh even in the worst situations.

He loved correcting her idioms, and she always put a goofy grin on his face at the exasperated look she'd give him whenever he did.

The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts. Tony went downstairs and opened the door to find Ziva standing there.

Tony braced himself for another shouting match, but was surprised when she began, "I'm sorry, what I said was uncalled for."

Tony was sure his mind was playing tricks on him, not only was the stubborn Ziva the first to give in, she was apologizing? His mouth practically dropped open in shock but he quickly shut it at the glare she sent him.

"My apologies are not that rare Tony."

Tony shook his head and grinned, "Well…"

Ziva cut him off, "Then again, you're probably right, I don't apologize often." She smirked at the look of shock on his face to see her give in so easily. His face returned to its' normal grin, however, when she continued, "I just don't mess up often enough to have much to apologize for."

She smirked, but her smile went away, "Seriously Tony, I am sorry, I realize that you can have true feelings for a girl."

Tony noticed the pain in her eyes as she said the last part, but he wasn't sure what to make of it. "It's okay Zee, you were right too, I haven't had very meaningful relationships in the past—but this one's different, she's special."

Ziva nodded, refusing to look him in the eyes, "I know Tony, if you love her she must be." Tony nodded, finding this conversation very ironic, Ziva was unknowingly complimenting herself.

"She is."

Ziva still refused to look him in the eyes, but she simply nodded, "I am happy for you."

Tony nodded, not knowing what to say, "I'm sorry to Ziva, I was out of line too."

She nodded and dared to look up into his face. She could feel the magnetic pull his eyes had on her, but forced herself to forget about those thought, he loves someone else.

Tony noticed her back straighten, though he wasn't sure why, "Friends?"

Ziva nodded, "Friends."

Tony grinned, but his silly grin was replaced by a huge smile when Ziva stepped forward and gave him a hug. He thought that for the full ten seconds she hugged him, he must've died and gone to Heaven.

He was blushing deeply, but his grin disappeared when she began pushing away. He wondered what he did wrong but Ziva simply looked at him and grinned, "You smell."

Tony grinned, "Well, Zee-vah, I was working out."

Ziva smirked, but didn't say anything, even though Tony could tell from the look on her face that she definitely had some evil thought running through her beautiful head. He realized he was standing in the doorway, "You want to come in?" He asked, but she shook her head.

"No, I have to go home but I wanted to apologize."

"Bye Ziva."

"Bye Tony." She said, he realized how she looked a little hesitant, then grinned and gave him a peck on the cheek. She practically whispered "good luck with your girl" before making her way down the driveway.

Tony was shocked that she kissed him, but he was quite thankful that she left so quickly afterwards, because he was blushing furiously. Little did he know that so was she.

He closed the door and leaned against it, trying to take in everything that had just happened. As he was thinking about the kiss his hand made its' way up to his cheek, the only thought in his head being, "she kissed me!"

Even if it was only a small, non-romantic kiss on the cheek, that one kiss gave him a much bigger rush than his first real kiss had.

Tony had a stupid grin on his face as he thought back to the way she had so simply leaned in and given him a peck on the cheek. He also realized however, that if a small kiss like that could make him feel like he was, he needed to find out what it was like to be her actual boyfriend.

As much as Tony didn't want to lose his friendship with Ziva, that small kiss had shown him that sometimes you've got to take a risk. She made him realize that as great as their friendship was, he needed more.

Tony's nerves were making him shake as he picked up the phone, but the smile never left his face. He slowly punched in the phone number and held his breath while the phone rang. The world seemed to stop as a voice came on the other line, "Tony?"

Tony snapped himself out of his thoughts and answered, "Yeah, it's me… We need to talk."

The other voice seemed concerned, "Why? Is everything okay?"

Tony nodded, then realized she couldn't see him, "Yeah, everything's fine. Look, I really do need to talk to you; can I see you at the diner in about half an hour?"

She seemed hesitant but answered, "Sure… I'll see you then, bye Tony."

Tony breathed out slowly, "Bye Melissa."

So... I don't think you were expecting him to be calling Melissa, but Tony's too classy a guy to tell Ziva he loves her while dating Melissa. So the next chapter will be him talking to Melissa, just as a little preview for ya. :) Again, I thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed it and if you did, please review! :)

P.S. I have some great ideas to put in the next chapter but if you have any suggestions let me know and I will try to write them in. 3