Chapter 4: Yesterday
A/N: Here's your final chapter. Sorry it took so long, but I wrote and rewrote this chapter 4 times. Hopefully this one is a winner. Thanks to everyone who reviewed this story, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
And for all those who have been asking about my other stories, I promise I will update them soon. I haven't given up on either Waking Up In Vegas or Glimpses of Us. More chapters will be coming...eventually.
Yesterday you forgiven me,
Now I'll sit back and wait till you say you're sorry.
"She's been down there a long time," Tony said to no one in particular as he stared at Ziva's empty desk. McGee looked at him but said nothing. "What do you think she's doing anyhow?"
"No idea, Tony."
"I bet she's pouring her heart out to Abby."
"Does Ziva pour her heart out to anyone?" Tim asked. Seeing the look on Tony's face he quickly amended, "Aside from you that is." The elevator dinged and Tony's eyes darted to the silver door, his shoulders falling when someone else walked out. "This is stupid, just apologize."
"Why should I apologize?"
"Because you obviously did something wrong and it's driving you--and me--crazy," McGee said.
"What would you know about it, McSingle?" Tony growled.
"I'm just saying--"
"Don't," he interrupted. "Just stay out of it Probie." Tony stormed from the bull pen leaving McGee to sit and wonder how much longer he was going to have to deal with his overly moody coworkers.
NCIS
He pounded his fist against the vending machine, cursing under his breath. Why did this thing hate him so much? It spit his dollar out for the fifth time causing Tony's blood pressure to skyrocket. All he wanted was a freaking Snickers!
'If you stop forcing things they will come to you.'
With a deep sigh Tony leaned back against the machine slamming his head back against the glass. Her words always seemed to come back to haunt him. She was like a mental ninja, she knew just how to sneak in and hit him where it hurts. He was going to have to do some major league groveling to make up for the last few days.
NCIS
"Stupid door," Ziva growled pressing the silver circle for the tenth time. She'd spent way too much time in Abby's lab. Surely Gibbs would be looking for her, probably to tell her she was fired. When the doors finally opened she was surprised to see Tony waiting in the elevator instead of Gibbs. He was leaning against the back wall, arms crossed over his chest, eyes staring intently at the floor in front of him. The elevator alerted him that his desired floor had been reached causing him to look up and immediately catch Ziva's gaze.
"We need to talk," he said just above a whisper.
She stepped between the doors and let them shut behind her. Pressing the button for the fifth floor Ziva waited for the elevator to begin its ascent before flicking the emergency stop switch. She looked at Tony expectantly.
"I screwed up," he began. "I know I'm new at this commitment thing, but you gotta believe me when I tell you that I never meant to hurt you. I love you, Ziva, and I would never do anything to hurt you or what we have together." Tony took a moment to just stare at her, gauging her reaction before continuing. "Think you can forgive me?"
Ziva's face was unreadable, as she'd been trained to keep it that way, for a few moments. Tony felt like he was in front of the firing squad waiting for the command to fire. Finally a small smile graced her lips. "I forgive you, Tony. And for what it is worth I may have blown things out of proportion."
Tony smiled reaching forward and capturing her lips in a chaste kiss which she returned with equal enthusiasm. They broke apart, Ziva flipping the emergency switch and bringing the machine back to life.
"We should get back to work," she said placing another quick kiss to his lips.
NCIS
They'd made significant headway on the case, based on an anonymous tip that Corporal Hayes had a mistress who had also disappeared. McGee and Tony had spent upwards of three hours tracking Veronica Milan, her financials, friends, and anything else they could learn. Ziva and Gibbs had gone back to talk to Mrs. Hayes, now armed with the knowledge of the affair, hoping to discover some more clues.
"Go home," Gibbs bellowed. "We can't do anything more until the morning. Get some sleep, I expect you to be back here at 0700."
McGee quickly shut down his computer and grabbed his gear. "Good night," he called on his way to the elevator.
"Why the rush McGoo? Hot date?" Tony teased.
"Actually Tony I do have plans tonight."
"Really?" DiNozzo laughed. "Who's the lucky lady?"
"None of your business," McGee said disappearing into the elevator.
Tony watched him leave, making a mental note to torture him tomorrow for further information on his lady-friend. But that would have to wait until tomorrow, right now he had more important things on his mind. "What about you Zee-vah? Any plans tonight?" Her desk was empty, computer shut down, and everything put back in its proper place. "Where…"
"Why are you still here?" Gibbs asked rounding the corner to his desk.
"I was--"
"Go home DiNozzo."
"Yes boss,"
When he got home nearly half an hour later, Tony was pleasantly surprised to see Ziva sitting on the couch with two pizza boxes in front of her on the coffee table. She was toying with her sleeve and looking particularly nervous.
"Well surprise, surprise," Tony called setting his gun and badge on the counter top.
"What took you so long?" Ziva asked not making eye contact with him. "Your pizza will be cold."
"I like cold pizza," he said taking a seat on the couch next to her and reaching for the top box. He opened it to reveal a pizza stacked with vegetables and closed it back up. He grabbed the bottom box and dug into the meat lovers pie inside. "Not that I don't appreciate the dinner, but why are you here?" Tony asked around a mouthful of pizza. "And how did you get in?"
"I picked your lock," she answered. "I came to apologize," She took a deep breath and began, "I overreacted earlier this week and I am sorry about that. It is hypocritical coming from someone like myself."
Tony scrunched his eyebrows. "Hypocritical?"
"I am not new to the concept of using sex to get information," she explained climbing to her feet and beginning to pace. "But it is different when you are in a relationship. It bothered me so much because I was jealous of her Tony. And that scares me."
"There's no reason to be afraid of this Ziva."
"I know that but…I have never been one for relationships. Mossad taught me that emotional connections make you weak. They can be used against you. And I never want that to happen." She dropped back onto the couch, running her fingers through her hair. "It scares me how much I rely on you."
"We're partners Zee, we're supposed to rely on each other," Tony explained.
"This goes beyond our partnership."
Tony turned so that he was facing her and took her hands in his. "Do you love me, Ziva?"
She looked deep into his eyes and smiled. "You know I do."
"And I love you. That's all that matters. Forget Mossad, forget NCIS, forget everything other than us." He leaned forward and captured her lips, pouring a week's worth of pent up emotion into the kiss.
Breaking away from him, Ziva sat back. "Sometimes I wonder if that is enough Tony," she whispered.
Tony smiled stuffing his hands into his pockets. "How can I make this right Zee?"
"I don't know."
He huffed taking her hands into his yet again. "Will this work?"
She was about to ask him what he was talking about when she felt a metal object sliding over her finger. She looked down and found a silver ring with two small mounted diamonds on her hand. Her eyes flashed to Tony with a questioning look. He only smiled back.
"I've come to realize that I can't imagine my life without you Ziva. I want to go to bed with you every night and wake up next to you every morning. I want to be with you Ziva, no matter how hard it gets." He took her hand and kissed her fingertips.
"Are you asking me to marry you?" Ziva asked incredulously. She couldn't believe he would choose now of all times to do this.
"No…yes," he laughed. "I'm making a commitment to you. If and when you want to get married, I'll be here."
Ziva thought about this. She was not ready to get married at this point in her life and a part of her wondered if she ever would be. She never thought about it before, mostly because she never thought she'd live long enough to do so. She'd chosen a dangerous profession and she had to live with that choice. "This is a big step."
Tony smiled nervously. "Yeah it is. Especially for me, but I feel like it's the right time. I love you, sweetcheeks."
Ziva smiled feeling a calming relief settle over her. "I love you too, my little hairy butt."
Again I'm not crazy about the ending, but it's the best I could come up with. Sorry if it sucks! lol