Title: Man of Two Minds
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (like the show to be safe)
Disclaimer: I remain a poor barista I make nothing from this I am borrowing these characters for fun and they still belong to their network, creators, writers, actors and actresses who bring them to life.
Summary: Ziva comes back from Israel, but Tony is already in a relationship Keates. How will he choose between two such important parts of his life?
Notes: Tony finally talks to Ziva. All right, so far no death threats, nothing too negative. A few people who quit the fic, but I really don't think I mislead people and I am sorry if you feel that way, that was not my intention. I liked the mystery of this one it's so different from what I usually write. So here it is... eeps!

DiNozzo knew he couldn't hide from his past forever. He finally gone home, and wasn't surprised that she was still there. He wondered how well she'd planned this trip back. He fed his fish, quietly Colby came over purring and rubbing her head against his leg. He leaned down to pet the feline and smiled. He could smell something cooking in the kitchen and wondered why she`d chosen to stay after everything that had happened. There were still pillows and blankets on the couch and he knew she would have been more comfortable at a hotel.

"Hi," she greeted him. "I bought some groceries, I have found cooking helps me to relax. I wanted you to see I had changed," Ziva explained.

He sighed loudly and ran his hands through his hair. "Did you really think you'd be able to just waltz back into my life as if the last two years was just a blip on the radar?"

"I thought we could talk. I did a lot of thinking while I was home."

"That's great, but that doesn't change anything right now. I didn't get the same opportunity. I'm happy, or I was until you came back. It was fine when you were in Israel and she didn't have to see you. I didn't lie to her we were real and honest with each other from the start."

"She knows about me?"

Tony nodded. "Of course she does, she deserved to know. We know about each other's pasts. She knew right away when we saw each other that something was on my mind, and it was nice to have someone to talk to who didn't already know you."

"I do not understand."

"With Abby and McGee and even Gibbs it was like they were judging me for what I did and how I felt about you. I didn't want to get into all the details with them, and hear them say I told you so. It was easy to talk with Zoe, like we did when we worked together. Then one thing lead to another and decided to try together and it was good, it was easy and I was happy. She didn't need the stress you've caused since you came back. We all know a part of me will always love you."

"Tony?" she asked him uncertainly.

"I never lied to you, but I couldn't keep my life on pause forever. When Zoe came back into my life I took a chance and it ended up better than I expected. I've been wracking my brain since you came back trying to figure out what I wanted; who I wanted."

"I needed some time. I know I went about things wrong, but this is where I want to be."

"Time changes everything Ziva. I knew who that was but I guess I needed it to be confirmed. I don't want to hurt you, but I can't, you'll never understand that part of my heart. If you want to be here you should be here, just not – with me."

"That is it?"

He kissed her cheek softly. "I'm sorry my ninja but you're too late." He took her hand and slipped her necklace into it.

She looked at her old necklace and a pang of loss washed over her. She knew that the door was closed and she couldn't blame anyone else but herself for that. As much as they had shared, the good and the bad they had always come out on top, she had never expected that to change. Although she had seen the reality hearing the truth from him hurt. She nodded, hiding her face from him and turning around. She knew he wasn't going to change his mind, but she wasn't about to let him see her cry either. She knew it was time to walk away but she didn't want to go back to Israel either she knew she still had a lot of thinking to do.

He watched as she left the apartment, not making eye contact with him again. When he'd left Israel it had been one of the hardest things he had ever done, and watching her leave was almost as heart wrenching. But he needed to make the choice that was right for him, and he knew who that was, things with Keates had been eaiser and he wanted to keep moving forward with her, he just hoped that these past few days hadn't ruined that relationship too.

Notes: I still like Tony/Ziva it just wasn't where my muse went with this one. Let me know what you think, I hope you liked it and now we go onto just some fuzzies between Tony and Keates. Take a moment to tell me what you think, but as always please be kind heart heart