I am queit happy with this chapter; I hope you like it too :)
Disclaimer: Not Mine.
When Ziva arrived home she went to her room and stayed there. Something was wrong; something told her that agreeing to marry him would make her life hell; would she be able to risk seeing Tony? What else was that man capable of? She didn't want to speculate. She was strong, she could hold her own, she could fight; but something told her that he was stronger and that he would hurt her if she engaged in a fight. She wasn't that stupid.
If she and Tony were to find away to get her out of this... It would have to be soon.
Riley seemed insecure. Him saying that he needed to know that she would marry him in the future and needed her to say yes sort of proved that.
She decided that Tony was more independent. He wanted someone that was in his life to help make it feel fuller, not because he actually needed someone.
It was the same with Ziva; she wanted someone to be there for her. Not someone who babied her and just gave her what she wanted. She liked to work for things; it made the end result feel worth it. Riley was wrong for her. She knew that. But her father and Riley didn't seem to know that.
After an hour she emerged from her room and walked to the bathroom making sure her towel was slung over her shoulder and covering her arm where Riley had grabbed her even though the sleeve of her top hung low and the bruise would barely be showing.
She stood in front of the mirror and removed her top and could see the bruise. She knew she didn't deserve to be treated like she was - by her father, let alone Riley. It would be easier to cover than the disappeared bruise on her face and at least it wasn't a gash that would leave a scar.
Tony had invited Ziva to his house - he knew it was strange invite a girl on the second date to his house. But he didn't care, and it didn't sound like she did either by the lack of hesitation in her voice when he asked her.
When she arrived she wore a loose top that dropped to her elbows, a pair of jeans and wore her hair down and curly. She also wore a smile; but something told him that there was something hidden underneath the beautiful smile.
After they had eaten they sat close to each other on his lounge with his arm around Ziva. A movie was playing but an absent look echoed in Ziva's eyes.
He paused the movie, "Is everything okay? You seem distant," he said.
She adjusted her position and smiled at him before turning to half kneel next to him, "Yes, why would it not?" She asked before pressing her lips to hers.
"You are acting different compared to the limited amount of time I have spent with you," He stated, pulling her in for a longer kiss.
"I need to talk to you," She said pulling away from him and diverting her eyes from his.
"About what?" He said.
"He asked me to marry him," She stated quietly as she moved her hand to his chest and begun fingering the thin fabric of his top.
"Why?" Tony asked.
"He told me that I knew the situation, that he asked my father and he basically told me to marry him,"
"What did you say?"
"Yes," She whispered still not looking at him.
"Why?"
"I had to," She stated. He waited for her to elaborate, but instead of talking Ziva pulled back the arm of her top - exposing the developing finger shaped bruises.
"Ziva," He breathed, "No one has a right to do that,"
"I know. He would not let me go until I agreed. I do not want to marry him. I do not want to date him. I do not want to see him. I want to date you. And I am worried,"
"Worried about what?" Tony asked.
"If this is what he does when he wants me to say one word; what will he do if he wants something else from me?" She rhetorically asked, "And I am dating you; what happens when he wants to sleep with me?"
"Both of those questions are the same Ziva,"
"No they are not," Ziva argued.
"If he wants to sleep with you - he seems like a guy who will get what he wants anyway. Whether it's ethical or not. I think if you're put in that position they you will have to forget about me for the five minutes it will take to prevent yourself from getting hurt. As much as it kills me to say it,"
"Five minutes?" She giggled as she looked up at him.
"Yep," Tony said unashamed with a small smile on his face from her finally giving him a genuine smile.
"And how long would it take you?" She asked moving closer to him.
"A very long time. I have good stamina," He said, "I will prove it one time,"
"I do not want to sleep with him," She stated.
"If it stops him from hurting you... Just do it,"
"I do not think I can do that Tony," She stated, "I cannot sleep with him while I am dating you. It is not right!" She stated firmly,
"We won't get anywhere with this, will we?"
"No,"
"Stubborn," He stated.
"Yes," Ziva replied.
She moved a little away from him as he continued the movie.
"C'mon Ziva, please tell me what happened," Abby begged although Ziva wasn't sure why.
"Tell you about what?" She said.
"About Tony. Second date. His house. What happened?" She said impatiently.
"Nothing; we had dinner, we talked, we watched a movie," Ziva said.
"What did you talk about?" She asked.
"Riley told me to marry him," Ziva said.
"Don't change the- He what?" Abby exclaimed.
"He asked - told - me to marry him. I told Tony that and I think it bothered him more than he let on. Can I ask you a question Abs?" She asked as she took a seat at the park bench.
"Sure," Abby stated.
"Is it normal to not know someone and yet go on a date and it feels as if you have been on more than two dates?"
"Who are we talking about? Riley or Tony?"
"Yeah; because I have so much chemistry with Riley,"
"Okay; so Tony?" Abby said, "I think there is nothing wrong with it, it just means you are made for each other," Abby said.
"You are so hopeful," Ziva said.
"What? Don't you believe in 'love at first sight' and 'meant to be' and soul mates'?" Abby asked.
Ziva thought about her answer for a moment, "It is not that I do not believe in it; I just find it hard to believe. I do not understand how someone can see someone and just know that they want to spend the rest of their live with them. Or that chance meetings are 'meant to be'. And how there is only one person out there for you; 'soul mates'. I think it is kind of like looking at destiny. People believe it but don't know why. I do not believe my life is planned out - if it is I shun whoever wrote in the part about Riley - as I believe that there is not one person for everyone. The saying is; 'there are plenty more fish in the ocean,' yes?" She explained.
"Sea and yes," Abby corrected, "So you think the ball that you caught the day you met Tony was by accident and that all the meetings afterward were coincidences?" Abby asked.
"Yes, I cannot afford to believe myths and legends that are made to comfort people. That is not me denying its existence, though,"
"Yeah accidentally on purpose," Abby replied, "How else do you explain the connection the two of you had?" Abby asked.
Ziva remained quiet then changed the subject, "If it is meant to be then why am I meant to be married to Riley by the end of next year?" Ziva asked
"Life is throwing a curve ball. Roll with the punches. Maybe it's life's way of saying 'hey I know you don't believe in fate and destiny and all but I'm here and I'm going to prove it. I'm giving you your other half and a complete jerk and allowing you to see that your other half won't care whether you are marrying someone else and will fight until they have all of you'," Abby said, causing Ziva to laugh, "Life is giving you lemons; make lemonade!"
"When life gives you lemons; take the lemons and throw them back and tell life to give you the lemons," Ziva said under her breath but loud enough for Abby to hear.
"No, I don't need lemons. I have a date tonight," She shot back in return.
"A date! With whom if you don't mind me asking," Ziva said turning her full attention to Abby.
Abby smiled slyly, "Remember that boy that we meet with Tony?" Abby asked.
"Tim, yes," Ziva said.
"Well; it's him,"
"That is good; I have only seen you and him together once and you and he look cute together. At least there is proof that the world is not against all of us," Ziva said.
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