Chapter 8: Substitute?
Ziva couldn't sleep the night before. Tony's question not only disturbed her but intrigued her. After all, he had said it concerned her as well. Surely, Tony was teasing as usual. He only wanted her there because she was his partner. He needed her by his side in case the news was beyond what Tony could handle. That was all it was. Wasn't it? He didn't mean it really concerned her. Tony also said that he was loopy. That was it! Wasn't it? He didn't mean that it really concerned her. Did he?
Ziva sighed with relief when the that the doctor explained that being paralyzed in part of the body didn't necessarily mean other parts. Tony had reddened profusely. But he was still relieved. Very relieved.
Ziva had to leave Tony's side after he fell asleep. He seemed to want her around. At least she hoped he wanted her around. She definitely didn't want to leave his side. Maybe she was imposing.
"Hey." McGee sat down at his desk. "You're in early."
"Couldn't sleep." Ziva stated mundanely before clicking on her computer.
McGee leaned back into his chair. "Tony is doing okay? Isn't he?"
"Yes." Ziva sighed. "As well as can be expected. I mean…he has to face he can't walk. I don't know if I could be that strong. But Tony is special. He's strong. He should never have came in that day. Gibbs told him to stay home." She seemed to rant on.
McGee shook his head in understanding. "Well, Jeanne Benoit was shot. The boss thought Tony would be too angry to think right."
Ziva glanced at McGee before biting her lip. "Did you think that Jeanne's death bothered Tony that badly?"
McGee arched an eyebrow. "Tony was upset. But…" McGee shook his head. "He wasn't as upset as a man in love."
"He stopped loving her long ago." Ziva informed him. "I think so."
"Yeah. I do as well." McGee nodded. "I guess Gibbs was trying to protect him."
"The killer was baiting Tony. That is why Gibbs wanted him out of this. He was trying to protect him." Ziva nodded. " He knew the killer wanted Tony." Ziva placed her hands on her cheek. "I guess he got him."
"No. Tony is still with us." Gibbs stated as he walked into the bullpen.
Following behind him was a tall handsome man. Gibbs motioned for the man to sit in Tony's chair. Ziva jumped to her feet.
Gibbs held up his hand to warn Ziva to keep calm. "This is Agent Thomas Welling."
"He is not replacing Tony!" Ziva crossed her arms over her chest defensively.
"Of course not." McGee interjected. He thought he could help his boss out with the situation. Gibbs furrowed his eyebrows and looked at McGee to continue. "He's…." McGee thought of his words carefully. After all, he was trying to dissipate Ziva's obvious anger. "He is Tony's substitute. You know as in temporary." Tim stressed the word TEMPORARY.
"Oh." Ziva exhaled. She then sat back down. "Very well then."
Agent Welling wasn't used to woman not wanting him around. Usually women fell over themselves wanting to be near him. However, this one obviously did not.
Gibbs quirked his mouth into a smile. "Get your gear. Missing petty officer. Welling, you ride with me."
McGee watched as Agent Welling grabbed his backpack and followed Gibbs to the elevator.
"Boss seems to like him." McGee noted in a hushed whisper.
Ziva grumbled lowly. "No. He's trying to protect him."
"From?" McGee stepped into the elevator situating himself behind Gibbs and Welling.
"Me." Ziva said in a sing-song voice.
"You do realize I can hear you?" The new agent asked.
"Yes." Ziva answered frankly.
Gibbs chuckled lightly before shaking his head back and forth. He felt sorry for Tony's substitute. He wasn't sure the man could last. Ziva had already scared off two agents before they made it to interview with Director Vance. Therefore, Vance made sure he did his interviews with Ziva out of the office.
Ziva ignored the new agent most of the day. She only acknowledged him twice. Both times to threaten his life in Hebrew. McGee was a little more welcoming. But only a little.
"I don't think they like me much, Boss." Tom stated as he placed his bag at Tony's desk. He was glad the other two agents left for the day. "They do realize I'm only here until Tony is ready to come back?"
"I'd not be so welcoming if Vance tried to replace my best agent." Gibbs informed him. "I know you're a good agent, Welling. I've read your file. But Tony is a part of this team."
"I understand that. To be honest, I don't want to be here. I'll do my job as best as I can. But I was picked because Vance knew I was headed to the new office in Tampa Bay. My wife has already set up house there." Tom chuckled. "I wasn't plan on horning in on Tony Dinozzo. I think the woman would kill me without a trace if I even tried."
"She wouldn't have to." Abby approached. "I wanted to meet Tony's temporary …person to sit at his desk..on a temporary basis…to temporarily do Tony's job. I'm sure not as good. But that's okay. It's only temporary any way."
"I'm just the substitute." Agent Welling winked.
Abby crossed her arms defiantly over her chest. "You may be a hottie. But you're NOT Tony. And charming me will not make me like you. Because Tony is the ultimate charmer. Do you understand?"
"I think." The new agent leaned against Tony's desk. He held up his ringer finger. "Married."
"Oh." Abby nodded. "Good. Because …well...just because. I miss Tony. He's irreplaceable."
Gibbs watched as Abby marched away. He couldn't help but think how much he missed Tony too.
O0o0o0o0o0
Ziva wrapped the towel around her as she stepped from the shower. She was grateful that the hot shower had helped her aching muscles.
She walked out of the white tiled bathroom.
"Nice." Tony teased.
"Quit dreaming, Tony." Ziva ran her hand through her wet hair. "I am thankful that Nurse Stinette allowed me to use your shower."
"You could have went home, Ziva." Tony pushed himself up in his bed. "You didn't have to come here."
Ziva pulled on a NCIS t-shirt just behind the hospital curtain so Tony could not see. She then walked back into Tony's sight.
"I know." Ziva sat on the side of his bed. "Do you not want me here?"
"No..No…" Tony interjected quickly. "I mean. I hate staring at the walls. Boredom sucks."
"So I am better than boredom." Ziva quipped. "I see how it is."
Tony smiled warmly. "You know I want you here." He rubbed his hand down Ziva's bare arm. "I just don't want you to feel obligated. I made the decision to come there on my own."
"We're NCIS agents, Tony. We are partners. I would have done the same. It is our job. " Ziva shivered at the feeling of Tony's fingers running up and down her arm. "I want to be here. Can I be honest with you?"
Tony swallowed nervously. "Yeah. Of course."
"I can't sleep. I keep seeing you laying in a pool of blood." Ziva closed her eyes trying to keep at bay her oncoming tears. "I need to be here more than you need me here. I just want to wake up and see you are breathing."
"Hey." Tony pulled Ziva around to look at him. "I'm not going anywhere. I may not be what I once was."
"Don't say that, Tony." Ziva allowed tears to flow. "You are Tony. Please know that legs or not….You are Tony."
"Don't cry, Ziva." Tony pulled her down to embrace her. "I've never seen you cry."
"I am weak lately." Ziva felt awkward in Tony's arms. Awkward but wonderful.
Tony kissed the top of Ziva's head. He didn't know why they were being so close physically when they had always kept each other at bay before. It felt good though. He needed to feel good again.
"You're not weak." Tony could feel Ziva pull her legs into bed with him. "You're my ninja."
Author's Note: Once again, thanks for the readers and reviewers. You are all too kind.