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When Tony woke that cold February morning he had no reason to suspect that anything in his life had changed. He thought that Ziva had gone out for her normal morning run. However, when he went to make coffee he knew that something was up when he saw the note propped up against the coffee maker. He opened it and he couldn't believe the words that he read. He had to read it a second time to actually understand the words printed there on the cream colored stationary. Her note read:

My Dearest Tony,

Please forgive me for what I am doing. Please believe me when I say that I wish there was another way. The people that are after you will not stop until we are no longer together or until you are dead. I could not live knowing that I had caused your death. I would rather live worlds apart and you alive.

Never doubt the love that we shared. The time that we had together was special and precious. I will never forget the day that you asked me to marry you. Do you remember that day Tony? We promised each other that no matter what happened we would always love one another. I still love you Tony. So much that it hurts deep inside my soul. I feel as if my heart is being torn from my chest. I wish there was some other way to stop the killers that are after you. However, they will not stop until their objective is complete.

I will always remember everything that you meant to me Tony. I have never been so proud of anyone in my life. You are a wonderful man and will make another woman a wonderful husband. Find someone else to share your life with Tony. If I know that you are happy it will make this easier.

Love Forever,

Ziva

At first Tony thought that he was dreaming. He ran through the house opening doors and calling out her name. He was like a mad man. He felt the panic running through his mind. If only he'd woken a few hours earlier, maybe he could have stopped her from leaving. Maybe, just maybe there would have been a way to talk this out.

Once he realized that she was really gone, he sat down on their couch and put his head in his hands and let the tears come. He hadn't cried in years. Now seemed like the perfect time.

He raised his head and stared straight ahead. The first thing he thought of was the day that he realized that he'd fallen in love with her. He'd been so unsure of how she would take it. So, it took him a few times to finish. Thinking back on it now, he wondered if it was all a lie.

The evening had been absolutely perfect. They'd gone back to his apartment after a long day at work. Tony patiently explained the basics of the baseball. Ziva was concentrating on learning all about it. That alone surprised him, because he never thought that she would like something as trivial as baseball, especially since he liked it so much. When she told him that he could be charming, it had surprised him at first. Then, he tried to act like it was just a rare thing.

Then, something seemed to happen between them. Something that Tony was certain he'd imagined. Tony leaned forward and looked her in the eyes. His eyes searched hers for permission. She nodded her head slowly and Tony leaned forward kissed her softly on the lips.

When their lips met, Tony swore that he felt something pass between them. However, he was certain that he was imagining things. He heard Ziva sigh softly. He pulled back and whispered, "Wow."

Ziva nodded slowly and murmured, "Wow."

They looked into each other's eyes, neither wanting to speak afraid that any words would ruin the moment. From somewhere in the background one of the cell phones started ringing. They pulled apart and looked at one another nervously. Neither knowing quite what to say, so they said nothing as Ziva got up to answer her phone, leaving Tony to wonder what happened and why it felt so right.

That was just the start of their wonderful love story. Tony and Ziva had the kind of love that most couples could only hope for. Sure, they still argued and disagreed, but they always managed to see the other's point of view.

So, it surprised no one when Ziva came into NCIS headquarters and told Gibbs that she was resigning. Gibbs smiled and told her, "Congratulations Ziva."

Then he called out loudly, "Congratulations DiNozzo. You'd better not hurt her or you'll have me to answer to."

She laughed when she heard Tony reply with, "Sure thing boss."

Ziva laughed and for a moment everything felt perfect.

Tony sat in their room and wondered if the truth was as perfect as the memories were. He walked over to their bedroom window and stared out into the bright sunlight.

Meanwhile, Ziva was driving further and further away from Tony and their life together. She knew that Tony would have found the note by now. He always woke at the same time of day. No matter whether he had to work or if it was his day off. He never needed and an alarm clock. She always marveled at that fact.

The further she drove, the harder she had to fight to hold back the tears. Tears were not for someone like her. She did not deserve to cry. She did not deserve to feel sorry for herself. She was a quitter and had given up on their love. So, she would not allow herself to cry, even though every part of her soul begged her to let go of the tears. Her body seemed to have a mind of its own however, because she soon had to pull over to the side of the road. Once the tears started they came in a flood and could not be stopped. No matter how hard she tried to stop them. So, she leaned back and closed her eyes and finally allowed a heart wrenching sob to leave her throat. It was full of such grief and sorrow that she wondered if she would truly ever be the same again.

Where would she go? How could she go on without the other half of her heart? Tony had meant everything to her. They weren't just husband and wife, they were, each other's best friends. There was nothing that they kept from one another. If either had a problem, they could count on the other to be there to help. She truly wondered if she was going to be strong enough to just walk away from him, to put his safety above her own. She knew it was selfish, but she wanted him beside her now. Wanted to get into the car and just keep driving. Further and further away from the danger that surrounded them at their home.

Why was life so unfair? She pulled herself together and started driving again. She wanted to put as much distance between her old life and the new one that she was beginning, one without Tony and everything that he had come to mean to her. The one question she couldn't answer was the most important one. How does one go on without their heart? She wished that she knew because the further away she got from him, the more her heart hurt and the harder it was to continue. She knew that she could not think about it, because if she did, she would not continue. She knew that she would turn around and run back into Tony's arms. If she did that, it would cost him his life and she would be dead along with him. So, she turned her attention back to the road and drove further and further away from the only man she had ever loved….