VII
Paris
It was late and Tony was sipping on his vodka martini at the bar of the Caveau de la Huchette in Paris.
He listened as the sound of the live jazz band filled the air and watched as people danced in pairs.
He had been at the Caveau de la Huchette every night since he arrived in Paris three days ago and the staff and regulars now knew him by name.
"Bonjour Tony," a cute, petite blond girl whispered into his ear.
"Raina, how are you tonight my love?" Tony asked the girl.
"Better," she said taking a sip from his glass, "now that you are here Tony."
Her voice was smooth, sensual and filled with unspoken promises.
Tony smiled one of his best smiles down at her and was about to ask her back to his hotel when he suddenly paused and turned his head.
From the corner of his vision he saw a beautiful brunette slowly making her way across the dance floor and he had to look properly.
Raina said something which was totally lost on Tony.
"uhm…Raina how about a rain check?" he asked.
She pouted and sulked away.
Tony would have felt bad for stringing her along and the giving her the brush off if he wasn't so engrossed in watching the brunette.
Her hair fell all the way down to the center of her back in soft waves and it bounced lightly as she glided gracefully across the room.
He looked her up and down and noticed how her green dress clung to all the right places.
She walked up to the bar and stood right next to him signaling for the bar tender with her back turned to him.
He held his breath as he examined the smooth expanse of her bare shoulders and back.
Tony smiled his best smile as she turned and glanced up at him making eye contact.
She returned the smile and he felt a familiar tightening in his groin and a small flutter in his heart.
Her were the most beautiful he had ever seen. They were so dark they looked almost black but he could clearly see the fire burning in her eyes.
The bartender arrived and she leaned over the counter to whisper something in his ear.
Images of himself slowly undressing this beautiful woman flashed through his mind and for once Tony found himself unable to say a word to a woman.
She finished talking to the bartender and quickly retreated for the bar.
Tony watched her leave and mentally kicked himself for letting her leave without even saying one word to her.
He stayed that night until closing time in the early morning, hoping that his mystery woman would return but she didn't.
He was in Paris for four more nights and every night at opening time he returned to the Caveau de la Huchette staying until closing time in the hopes that she would return.
She never did.
On the last night, he thought he saw her but it was only a mirage created by his own longing.
The next afternoon, only minutes before his flight to his next destination Amsterdam, he remembered his promise to Abby and quickly bought a post card at the airport and mailed it to her.
Returning to his gate after mailing the post card, he walked with his head hung. Not watching where he was going as he was deep in thought about his mystery woman.
He turned a corner and collided with someone who was leaning against the wall.
"Oh sorry I…" he trailed off as he looked in to the face of the woman he had been constantly thinking about for days.
She smile at him, "It is fine," she spoke her words slightly accented but not French.
He stood there looking at her stupidly.
"I saw you at Caveau de la Huchette a few nights ago, yes." She said snapping him out of his trance.
"Oh… yes," he said holding his hand out, "I'm Tony…uhm…DiNozzo."
She took his hand and chuckled soft, Tony could barely stop himself from caressing the silkiness of her soft skin.
"Ziva David," she offered.
She looked him over through lowered lashes and Tony was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable (in the pelvic area).
"Were you in Paris for business or pleasure Mr. DiNozzo?" she asked, her voice sounding a bit husky.
"Definitely pleasure," he said giving her a bright smile which she quickly returned.
He was about to ask her the same when a message came over the intercom announcing that they were starting the boarding for the flight to Tel Aviv.
"That's me," she said bending to pick up a duffle bag.
She straightened and Tony noticed for the first time the golden Star of David necklace she wore.
"If you're ever in Washington D.C. feel free to look me up," Tony told her with a smile.
"You do the same if you are ever in Tel Aviv, yes." She said.
Tony nodded and she walked away.
"Shalom Zee-vah," he called after her.
"Ciao Tony," she called back to him before disappearing.
Tony smiled to himself as he made his way back to his gate.
He definitely will be visiting Tel Aviv some time soon.
Author's Note: OK they've met. What do you think? Is it good so far? :D