Chapter 12: Another Chance

Ziva paced back and forth nervously glancing at her cell phone. She sighed out with a huff.

"Something else you'd rather be doing, David?" Gibbs crooked his eyebrow and stared his glare towards his female agent.

Ziva bit her lip almost afraid to answer honestly. "I'm sorry, Gibbs. I will do better."

Agent Welling snapped a few photos trying to ignore Ziva's nervousness. He still hadn't became her friend. He had befriended McGee. However, the new agent could tell Ziva was anxiously awaiting Agent Dinozzo's return to NCIS. If there was to be a return? Tom Welling thought he was probably the only one to realize Tony may never be able to be an agent again. He'd never dishearten the group he worked with. However, he longed to go to his own station of work. His wife had already set up house there. After all, this was only temporary. He was reminded that often enough by Agent David.

"Do you have a problem too, Probie?" Gibbs turned his attention away from Ziva to his new temporary agent.

"No, Sir." Tom never called him boss. He also never received head slaps. He did his job well. But even he knew that he was TEMPORARY. He wasn't exactly probationary either. He had been in this work for more years than Ziva or McGee. He never dared to remind them though.

"Then why do you keep glancing at Agent David instead of the dead body?" Gibbs squatted down beside of Agent Welling.

Agent Welling squared back his shoulders. "Isn't today when Agent Dinozzo was supposed to go to his doctor?" He shrugged nonchalantly. "I just thought his girlfriend may want to be with him."

"Girlfriend?" Ziva and Gibbs both asked simultaneously.

"Oh." Welling frowned. " I just assumed." He went back to work quickly.

Ziva rolled her eyes. "Pssh. I'm not his girlfriend."

Ziva knew her status was indeed girlfriend status. Her and Tony never said the words. But the feelings were mutual. The problem Ziva had was informing the others on the team. She wasn't sure if Tony wanted that.

"But you are worried. Aren't you, Ziver?" Gibbs turned to Ziva with his arms folded over his chest.

"Yes." Ziva admitted.

"Well, why don't you head over to the doctor's appointment?" Gibbs patted her shoulder. "We have this."

"I would. But Tony said he'd prefer to make this decision on his own." Ziva ran her hand nervously through her hair. "I just worry."

"Is it time for the surgery already?" Gibbs pulled Ziva aside.

"Actually, the doctor prefers waiting. But the last appointment it was discovered he had been taking too many muscle relaxants. They fixed the dosage. Tony is in a lot of pain when his muscles tense." Ziva blinked. "But he actually likes the pain. He said at least he feels something."

"Very Tony-like." Gibbs made Ziva sit in the back of the truck with the doors open.

"Yes. But it is difficult watching him." Ziva sighed. "I'd prefer him numb. I hate seeing him in pain."

"He'll have the surgery." Gibbs informed her to make her aware of her denial of it.

"Why? Why when it may kill him?" Ziva shook her head. "I need him."

Gibbs sat down beside her. He touched her shoulder. "You love him?"

Ziva nodded than answered. "Yes."

"I see." Gibbs half smiled. "I guess I've seen for a long time. I guess most of us did."

"He loves me too." Ziva grinned. "We love each other."

"Well, Rule 12 went out the window." Gibbs laughed. "Support him. No matter what. Because he needs you too."

O0o0o0

Tony waited for Dr. Pitt's response. The doctor placed down his clipboard. "Where's Ziva?"

"I didn't want her to persuade me into another decision." Tony informed him. "She has a way of making me do as she wants." He grinned.

"Don't all women?" Dr. Pitt laughed. "The operation is still dangerous."

"Yeah. Well, with my lungs, isn't it always going to be dangerous?" Tony glanced down at his lifeless legs. "I hate not being able to be an agent. I hate not being able to …." Tony blinked. "To touch her like I want. I know we have other ways of being intimate. I love that. But I fear she will need more one day."

"There are other ways, Tony." Dr. Pitt handed Tony a brochure. "You can take…"

"The little blue pill?" Tony laughed. "Or have procedures done. I got that. But I want to walk again."

"This surgery is not 100% even if you survive it." Dr. Pitt wanted Tony to know the whole deal.

Tony shook his head. "I know. But I'd kick myself for not trying. Well, Ziva would have to kick me because my legs wouldn't work."

"I'll set up a date for surgery then." Dr. Pitt could see there was no getting around this. "Are you sure you don't need to talk this over with Ziva?"

Tony sighed in exasperation. "I'm sure."

He knew she'd make him change his mind. She loved him to much to chance it. But he had a chance. Therefore, he was going to take it.

Tony wheeled from the hospital. He quickly dialed Ziva's cell number. She answered nervously.

"I'm going to have the surgery." Tony breathed out rapidly.

Ziva didn't answer. She bit her lip to stop the quivering.

"Answer me, Ziva." Tony begged.

"I love you so much." Ziva sat down at her desk. "I want to support you."

"Baby, I know this decision should have been talked over." Tony wheeled away from his nurse trying to get some privacy. "But I know how persuasive you can be. I just don't want you to influence me."

"I don't want that either. I fear you would resent my butting in." Ziva placed her hand under her chin as she leaned on her elbow.

"You're not butting in. This concerns you too. I'm aware of that. I plan to have a future with you, Ziva David." Tony thought it was much easier saying that to her over the phone.

There was no hesitancy at all. Instead there was an edge of excitement in Ziva's voice. "I want that too, Anthony Dinozzo."

Author's note: Thanks for reading. Thanks for feedback. Thanks for the suggestions as well. (= I find it difficult to remember to write Ziva without contractions. Then I sometimes remember and forget to make Tony's words using them. Haha.