Title: The DiNozzo Diaries 3: As Good As It Gets
Author: rekkidbraka
Rating: T
Pairings: Tony D. and Ziva D.
Category: Romance; humor; angst
Disclaimer: No infringement intended.
Spoilers: From final two eps. of Season 6
Summary: Sequel to "The DiNozzo Diaries 1 & 2." Special Agent Tony DiNozzo's most private thoughts and desires revealed, chapter by chapter. TIVA. Warning: Intense sexual content in some chapters. No slash.

-------------------- The DiNozzo Diaries 3: As Good As It Gets ---------------------

There's not enough kosher wine in the world to make this moment between Ziva and her old man -- this moment right now -- something I can handle.

OK, I'm lying. Because whatever Big D's got out on the table tonight is fantastic. Ahhhh... kosher, screw-top, out of a box or out of some dusty old cellar -- this stuff is PRIMO.

"Hey, Eli, what's this wine called?"

"It is Chateau Lafon-Rochet St. Estephe '03, Tony. Of Carmel Winery here in Israel. One of our finest vintners, Carmel."

"Ahhh... Well, lemme hand it to you. You know your grapes, Big Guy. Me, I could drink a whole bottle of this stuff by myself! Heh... You ... heh ... you GOT one I can crack open? Heh... I've just about run right through THIS one! Ha HAH! Ziva, you want any? Get it while you still can!"

"Tony, each bottle is $100."

Leave it to Sweet Cheeks to ruin a perfectly GREAT conversation. And NOW I've gotta pay for the dry cleaning of Daddy-O's best white shirt. Damn movies. Spit-takes always look HILARIOUS on the big screen. But in real life? Not.

And here I thought Eli was gonna grill us -- not the kosher lamb we're having for dinner -- over Ziva ditching her mission to come find me in Paris. Funny thing, he hasn't said word one about any of that. So I'm not saying anything about how he let me think Ziva was dead for a month. And didn't call me. But, yeah, lamb... looking forward to that. Smells great out here on this patio, roasting away.

Ziva and Daddy are playing it real cool -- all kisses and 'Papa' and 'Shalom' and Mossad mushiness. Seems like they're thick as thieves. Heh... I just... really DON'T get that. At ALL.

Hmmm... Just noticed that Hollis isn't here tonight. Weird.

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Ziva just told Eli that I'm on 'medical leave' from NCIS for the next month and I'll be helping with the mission. Whatever the 'mission' is.

Eli? Is... absolutely kosher with that.

And I mean that in the most serious sense of the word.

What the HELL is in this wine?

I need a private moment with Papa. A little mano-a-mano. I hope I live.

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"Tony, I am most pleased to have you assist Mossad in our mission. And please accept my apologies for my failure to contact you regarding Ziva's ... status ... of late."

"Well, let's just let 'turns out my girlfriend didn't really blow up in that car' bygones be bygones, huh? No hard feelings. These things happen."

"My apology to you is sincere."

"Look, I know it is. But I spent a month thinking Ziva was DEAD, Eli. I was on my way HERE to find you and get the truth about everything. Because I LOVE her. Thinking she was gone? Forever? Was KILLING me!"

"I am sorry. As Ziva can tell you, Tony, trying to balance our personal lives with the demands of Mossad is -- 'difficult' does not begin to describe the pressure. So much, we sacrifice. I, too, have suffered ... great loss. Many losses, in fact."

"Yeah... I can imagine. Just... trust me. Eli -- you can trust me. With this mission. With Ziva. With anything. Please believe that."

"I will try. That is all I can offer -- at this time."

"Then that's all I can ask."