I know; I'm terrible.. I say that at least one of my stories will get an update per day, and I don't update anything for like four days.. Oh, well, here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Not Mine.
Ziva opened the door to her father's office without knocking. It didn't really surprise her to see that Riley was there with him. She waited patiently near the door until she was acknowledged, then she spoke to her father, "I wish to speak with you - in private," She stated.
"I was just telling your father here about the weekend I have planned for the two of us," Riley said.
Ziva faked a smile and said, "Yeah, I cannot wait. Riley; would I be allowed to talk to my father alone for a few minutes?"
"Of course," He said. As he walked past he gave her a small kiss to the cheek. Ziva wondered briefly how he could go from being furious one minute to completely sedate the next.
She waited for the door to be closed before she began speaking, "I would like to know why?"
"Why what Ziva?"
"Why you are making me marry him?"
"I think he is good for you,"
"So I am unable to choose a man that I like that I believe is good for me?"
"That is not the point?"
"Then what is the point?" Ziva said as she folded her arms over her chest.
"The point is Ziva, that Riley is a lot better than you think-"
"Yes he has lots of money - but that is it. He has nothing else I want,"
"What do you want Ziva?"
"Someone who treats me with respect, someone who actually cares about me more than perhaps a pay check, someone who would actually consider my ideas, value that I may value different things to him, patient, willing to listen to my sometimes unreasonable ranting. Riley seems strangely devoid from many - it not all these traits. He does not fit with my personality nor mine his," Ziva said.
"Does it matter; this time next year you will be married, Ziva,"
"You are brining the deadline forward?" Ziva said. She saw her father nod, "How long?"
"Four months,"
"Four months!" Ziva exclaimed, "No, I refuse to go. I will not go," She said with conviction.
"You will be Ziva David. I don't care if we have to drag you down the aisle,"
"That is a little harsh Abba. What does he have that you want?" Ziva asked as she read him.
She knew she had hit the nail on the head when the question stumped his answer.
"Oh, so you are the one that is really marrying him; I am just you pawn," She stated, "Just so I know; what is it you want from him - just so I know what to keep my eyes open for? Actually I am going to let you ponder that while I go out with a friend," Ziva concluded as she walked out of the office and back to her car.
"Did I ever thank you for breakfast the other day?" Ziva asked with a smile as Tony's front door opened.
"I don't know; do you want me to ask him?" Tim asked.
"I'm sorry, I did not think anyone else was here," Ziva said as Tim stepped to the side and allowed her in.
"What is he doing?" She asked when she looked at Tony with a small book opened in front of him and a small half built entertainment unit.
"He is putting together a cabinet - he won't let me help - but he is having a little trouble," Tim chuckled.
"Tony," Ziva said.
"Yes Ziva?" Tony replied.
"Need help?"
"No,"
"What is so hard about putting a cabinet together?" She asked.
"I opened all of the bags which had the bolts in them. I don't know where they all are now," Tony replied.
"Do you need help?"
"No,"
Ziva turned back to Tim, "What is he trying to prove?"
"That he is smarter than me," He smiled in reply, "He already proved that when he opened all the bags and everything," He added sarcastically.
Ziva walked over and knelt next to him, "Are you sure you don't want help," She said as she kissed his neck, "It will go quicker," she said before whispering, "Then you can have me all to yourself,"
"Time to leave Tim," Tony said as he stood.
"No, that is not part of the deal," Ziva said.
"What?"
"He has to help too,"
"He doesn't have to," Tony said.
"Why don't I call Abby and she can help too?" Ziva asked.
"If you wish," He said.
An hour and fifty minutes later the cabinet was finished and it seemed to hold together. Tony had his doubts when it came to putting his TV and DVD player on it. He made Ziva hold his TV while he decided that the cabinet was strong enough.
"You know what we should do," Abby said.
"What?" Ziva asked
"We should double date" She suggested.
"How?"
"We go out together," Abby clarified.
"That is not what I mean. What if my father catches me? My brother and sister and mother wouldn't care," Ziva pointed out.
"Well that sucks," Abby said as she folded her arms over her chest.
"We could order pizza and watch a movie her. It eliminates the chance of you getting caught and Abby gets her double date," Tony said.
"Let's do it!" Abby suddenly exclaimed, her enthusiasm bringing a smile to their faces.
"Everyone care what pizza?" Tony asked as he stood from the lounge. When everyone shook their head he walked to the phone and began ordering.
"Ziva, did you talk to your father?" Abby asked.
"Yes, I have worked out that Riley has something Eli wants although I am not sure what," Ziva replied.
"Money?"
"Maybe,"
"What are you leaving out?" Abby questioned.
"Pizza will be about half an hour; what are you talking about?" He asked as he took a seat next to Ziva and wrapped his arm around her.
"Ziva talked to her father today," Abby said.
"What happened?" Tony asked diverting his attention to Ziva.
"He is making me marry Riley because of something he wants. That much I can work out. And there is one other thing he told me," She said.
"What?" Tony asked.
"He is moving the wedding up," She replied. She looked down at her hands and therefore missed the look Abby gave Tony.
"When?" Tim asked, talking for the first time.
"Four months," Ziva said.
"Four months!" Tony and Abby said together.
"Yes. When I arrived Riley was in Eli's office with him and talking. I did not hear what they were talking about; Riley said something about this weekend, but that is all I heard," Ziva informed them.
Tony looked down at Ziva as they shared a moment, before Abby spoke, "What movie do you want to watch?"
Abby and McGee left not long after the movie finished; leaving Tony and Ziva alone in his apartment. They walked back to the lounge and sat down.
"Tony, are you sure you are okay with this?" Ziva asked.
"This?" He asked gesturing between them.
"Not this," She said, "The whole thing; with Riley and my father and you and me?" She asked.
"I really like you," He admitted, "So I guess I don't have a choice,"
"Don't have a choice?" She questioned, "You, Tony, you are the one with the choice,"
"Who says you don't have a choice?" He asked, "You are your own person, Ziva, this is a free country, move out - you could live with me - cut the ties with your father," He suggested.
"That would mean me never seeing my sister or my brother or even my mother. They are all the ties that I have with my father. If they did not exist then I would have left there a long time ago. It is not a nice place there - that and I also had no where else to go," She explained, "You did not answer my question,"
"Ziva, I'm not going anywhere. We will find a way through this okay," He said before he lent over and kissed her.
I am very surprised at the response to this story. We are at chapter 12 and closer to 100 reviews then - I think - all of my other stories at this point in time.
Please Review :)