DISCLAIMER:I do not own NCIS
***
Ziva moved from the counter to the oven, checking on the meal she was cooking. After running a critical eye over it she turned back to the counter and looked angrily at her cell phone. Almost immediately someone knocked on her door.
"Tony," Ziva opened the door and gestured him in. After quickly giving him an once-over she spoke, "Dinner will be ready soon. I figured we should stay away from the tequila in my freezer. I have wine or water."
Tony nodded as he saw the table wasn't set. He moved into the kitchen and opened one of the cabinets before saying,
"He told me he was sorry. About Mexico, Lee. Not visiting me after the river incident."
Ziva spun around, "Gibbs did?"
Tony chuckled, "I told him not to."
"Good," Ziva sounded irritated. "Saying he was sorry when you are like this?"
She shook her head and grabbed a couple glasses from her sink, "If he was sorry, he should have told you then. Now it does not make anyone except him feel better."
Tony looked at her speculatively, "Someone do that to you recently? It sounds like you are particularly bitter."
Ziva glared at him, "Yes. My father, he told me that he was sorry he did not watch me dance."
Tony nodded and swept out of the kitchen to put the plates and silverware on the table. He saw that Ziva had cleaned up after he supposed they messed up her living room. Considering the amount of alcohol they both consumed, he was surprised at how intact the room was.
Ziva entered the dining area with their dinner and noticed his gaze. Smiling mysteriously, she triumphantly set down the dish.
"It was not that messy," she said as Tony made a face of utter contentment as he filled both their plates. They sat eating in silence before Ziva straightened suddenly,
"Tony, will you tell me about the other times?"
Tony swallowed his bite before nodding, "The first time was when I was fourteen. My father had already disinherited me, sent me off to military school, and blamed me for my mother's death. What set me off was the fact that he forgot me again at a hotel."
Ziva listened as Tony told his story rather expressionlessly. His face was curiously blank, hiding from her things she could only speculate.
"It took me a couple weeks to get over it. Luckily it was three weeks before he sent someone to get me."
A disgruntled growl made him look up at her and grin, "It is nothing to grin over Tony. That is unacceptable."
"I know, but it's the only way I can deal with it," Tony's confession was more gut-wrenching then the story he had just finished telling. Ziva paused before questioning,
"And the second time?"
Tony shook himself a little, "Happened after I graduated Ohio State. Nastier than the first one. My leg had been broken, you remember. Brad Pitt. Well, the fiancé ditched me and I was in a hell of a slump.
"But," Tony continued, "That passed and I became a cop. Best thing that happened to me. Actually both times something pretty good came out it. The first time I started to really to live, break out of the fear. And the second time I became a cop. Which lead me here."
"My apartment," Ziva said knowingly.
"Gibbs told me I needed to talk to someone. You're the only one who would still treat me the same after my little sob story."
He stood and brought his plate into the kitchen. Tony listened as Ziva followed him. Without speaking they washed her dishes and made their way onto the couch.
"It is not a little sob story," Ziva started. "Yes? It is a big deal Tony. Things like that stay with us forever. I understand that. You do not have to tell me everything."
She stared at him as he sat next to her, remembering dark times. He slowly nodded but did not look at her. Minutes passed as Tony's face was reflective of the memories that slipped through his thoughts. Finally, he turned his head to look at her. He smiled.
"Wanna repeat last night? And I mean the going to bed."
Ziva narrowed her eyes, "I may not remember how we went to bed, but I think it is safe to say that it would be not as fun tonight."
Chuckling, Tony settled back into the cushions and patted the space next to him. Ziva shifted closer to him,
"We have not done this in a long time, my hairy butt."
"No, sweet cheeks, but I think we are finally going to work through it," Tony said contentedly. But a picture flashed through his mind and he stiffened slightly.
"What is it," Ziva asked as her arm came to rest pressing against his.
"Ah, don't worry about it."
Ziva bumped his shoulder and looked at him appraisingly; Tony had finally relaxed and really smiled before something happened. Not getting a response she dug her elbow into his side and held it there.
"Ow! It's not! Okay! Okay! Just ease up a little," Tony ran his hand nervously down his shirt sleeve. "I thought I didn't have to tell you everything."
A moment before, "Okay! It's just, lady problems. Not as big of a deal. Unless she finds out I love her and she doesn't love me. And even if she does…"
Ziva shifted, not comfortable with the thought that Tony was interested in another woman. "If she does what?"
"I could get fired. Or reassigned."
It came out as a mumble and Ziva's eyes widened as she turned to face him.
***
McGee walked into work the next morning thankful that it was Friday. That meant, barring the possibility they get called on a case, he would be able to sleep in tomorrow morning. As he passed DiNozzo's empty desk he told himself that truthfully he was glad he wouldn't have to be faced with Tony's problems.
As he booted up his computer, McGee felt guilty over his lack of sensitivity towards Tony's situation. He had, though at the time rather annoyingly, helped McGee through the time he had killed the cop. It took him hours after Tony finally left to go to work to realize that Tony was making sure that McGee was alright.
He checked his e-mails as Ziva threw her stuff behind her desk, already grumbling about the morning. Hiding his amusement at her apparent disgruntled attitude, McGee remembered another time Tony had done something for him, again without him noticing it. Tony gave him an attitude. Downright entertained by the fact, McGee resolved he would do something for Tony.
A smile grew on his face when he decided what he was going to do.
"What's got Probie all excited?"
McGee looked up at Tony with a confident look on his face, "I'm just really glad it's Friday."
Tony raised an eyebrow and slung his backpack behind his desk before sitting on the edge of McGee's desk.
"Ohh, Probie got a date?"
"Meaning do I have plans tonight," McGee really liked the idea that he could keep up with Tony. "Yes, I do."
Knowing that would keep Tony interested for most of the morning, McGee turned his attention back on his computer screen.
"Really, did you hear that Zi-va? Probie's got big plans!"
Ziva sauntered over to McGee's desk and sent him an interested look, "That is not too surprising. McGee is... a good man."
Tony sent Ziva look McGee could only describe as a warning to not continue that train of thought. Chuckling again, McGee felt really good. Tony may be going through a bad time, but McGee finally realized how much he meant to Tony and was determined to be there for his partner.
"Whatcha' doing McPlans?"
"I'm not saying," McGee said before smiling sweetly at Tony. Ziva nudged Tony and they both hurried back to their desks as Gibbs came into his field of vision.
"Cold cases today," Gibbs plopped a stack on Tony's desk before sitting at his.
Tony sorted through the stack before splitting it into three. Handing two stacks to Ziva and him, Tony gave McGee a 'we'll continue this later' look. The remainder of the day they worked over cold cases, and every time Gibbs left for coffee Tony would resume his questioning. It closed in on the end of the day and Tony grumbled,
"How is it that McGeek has plans?"
Smirking, Ziva answered, "Maybe because McGee has a certain charm that you do not."
Making a face Tony turned to his computer and quietly threw a paper ball at her. McGee watched amused as Ziva jerked back and reached for her knife. Before she touched it, though, Gibbs breezed in the bull pen and told them to leave. They promptly gathered their things and hurried to the elevator.
"Tony! You wanna go with me and McGee to that bar we went to a couple months ago," Abby chirped as the elevator opened.
Giving McGee a glance, Tony answered, "Yeah Abs. Coming Zi-va?"
"Oh, Ziva was already going to come, Tony! So were you," Abby rushed on to say. "Even if you said no, all three of us would drag you out anyway!"
A/N: Let me know how I did! :)