Chapter 6: Awaking to Her Eyes
Tony blinked a few times trying to keep the glaring light from hurting his newly awakened eyes. Gibbs stood a distance from Tony's bed. If one didn't know better, they would have thought he was nervous. The truth be told, he was. He was nervous that Tony would be more than upset about the decision Gibbs had made.
Abby bounced excitedly waiting for Tony to open his eyes completely. "Is he awake yet? Is he..is he?"
"Shh, Abby." McGee took her hand to calm her down. "He's coming around."
Ziva swallowed as she fought back an onslaught of tears. Too many times, she had cried lately. What a shame for her to show so much emotion over Tony. If she kept this up, all would know her secret. She was just facing her secret. There was no way she wanted others to know. Her secret was something she had faced over the last few days since Tony's shooting. Faced dead on the night he was shot.
The night of the shooting.
"Hello, Ziva?" Ray asked softly. "Are you there?"
"Yes." Ziva exhaled into the receiver of the phone. "He was shot, Ray. Tony was shot."
"Oh, Sweetie. I'm sorry. I know what he means to you." Ray was comforting as usual. He never asked for more than Ziva was eager to give. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"He jumped in front of a bullet for me." Ziva slid down deeper into her bed covers.
Ray smiled knowingly. "Did you ever doubt he would?" He chucked lightly hoping to calm his friend.
"No. Tony always has my back." Ziva grinned through her pain. "Always."
"You always have his back to, Ziva." Ray sighed as he spoke. "You know that. Don't you?"
"Of course." Ziva scooted farther down trying to stop the chill she felt. "It's just that…."
"What?" Ray loved talking to Ziva. He loved being there for her. However, he knew that a friendship is all she'd ever give to him. Tony was an obstacle that he wasn't willing to try to jump. He could tell he'd fall flat on his face if he ever attempted that hurdle.
"I don't know." Ziva twisted the sheet below her in her fists. "I don't know."
"Okay." Ray pressed on. "But it's okay to feel what you feel."
"He's my partner, Ray." Ziva tried to hide her true feelings.
"I see." Ray took a sip of his sweet tea.
"Oh, Ray." Ziva began to sob. "I didn't really fully realize it until I saw him there. I can't live without him, Ray. I can't."
"The way I understand all that you've told me about Special Agent Dinozzo, he can't live without you either." Ray reminded her of Tony's own words.
"I love him, Ray." Ziva admitted startling herself more than Ray. "I love Tony."
0o0
"You okay, Ziver?" Gibbs touched Ziva's shoulder.
"Yes. Of course." Ziva tried to be her old self by showing little emotion.
Gibbs quirked a smile. "You should really go be near him. He's your partner after all."
Ziva nodded before strolling up to Tony's bedside. Tony opened his eyes once more seeing her beautiful doe eyes staring down at him. He could see the sheen of water that was trapped just on her irises.
"Would you like to dance, Audrey?" Tony weakly whispered out.
"I think you're delusional." Ziva squeezed Tony's hand. "I'm Ziva."
"I know who you are my little ninja." Tony whispered again feeling the pain of a hoarse throat where a tube once resided.
Ziva quirked a smile at Tony. The others soon gathered trying to tell Tony how much they missed him. Soon Gibbs ushered his team out after Nurse Stinette said Tony needed his rest. Tony looked relaxed until Ziva started to leave as well.
Tony squeezed tighter to her hand. "Don't go."
Ziva turned to look down at Tony. "I'm here."
He pulled her down. "Ziva…" Tony swallowed trying to ease the pain in his throat. Fear displayed across his face. He had been jolly in front of the team. He was putting on the clown Tony façade to the fullest. But now it was just him and Ziva.
"Tony." Ziva brushed her fingers across Tony's forehead. "Tell me."
"Abby squeezed my leg. I saw her." Tony bit his bottom lip. "Ziva….." Tony gulped. " I can't feel my legs."
Author's Note: Still don't own them. If I did, Tony would be for my use only. (haha) Sorry so short.