Title: Favourite Friend
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (same as the show, nothing explicitly naughty)
Disclaimer: I am an unmotived beauty consultant and frazzled barista who does not own NCIS, it belong to its creator, network, writers, actors, actresses and other people who bring it to life weekly, I make no money from having fun with these characters, just some much needed sanity. I also do not own the song which helped this fic to grow it belongs to Katie Rox, and likely SOCAN.
Summary: Tony goes to pick up Ziva from the airport after she buries her father, but she doesn't want to go home.
Notes: So this part features the idea that made this whole fic come to life for me, and then my muse ran away with things and this got longer than I thought cause they are so much fun to write. Thank you again for the support on this fic… sorry about the glitch last night's update hope you got a chance to read it when it worked, the site emailed me today to say that it is now fixed. Let me know what you think enjoy!
"...Taken off the shelf and in your arms..."
It had been nearly a month since Ziva had come home from Isreal. Tony knew logically that she was still healing, but it was becoming harder and harder for him to accept the new routine they had fallen into. He would wake up next to her usually with her curled up into him, which he loved. He would always think he had found her softer side, but by the end of the day he was always questioning what was happening. They would both leave for work and the whole day it was as if nothing had changed between them. As they left, whenever that might be, she would find an excuse to invite him over, he had even found himself leaving things he needed there. After dinner, and usually a movie they would go to bed, engage in some heavy making out and fall asleep together.
Dinozzo was past the point where he felt he had to wait in order to not lose her, although that was still his excuse when she would ask, as she would most nights. Lately he felt he was denying her because he wasn't sure where their relationship was. He was afraid taking that last step would make it too hard to get through their long work days. He was unlocking his car when he heard her voice.
"Tony?" she called.
He looked up at her. "Poker with McGee tonight," he lied.
As much as he hated to lie to her, he needed a break. He enjoyed the time they had been spending together, but he was too conflicted, too worried, that night. He would have to send McGee a text later to tell him if anyone asked they had a poker game. He didn't expect Ziva to check on him, but he would rather have his bases covered. He hated to lie to her, but he really did need a break and wasn't sure how to explain that to her.
"Tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Sure," he agreed getting into his car.
Ziva went to her own car and drove home. The whole evening felt strange not having him there. Usually when he came over she would make dinner, then he would clean up, lately she had been getting him to listen to some of her favourite operas with her, while other times they would watch a movie he'd bring. There was something comforting about having him there, and it felt wrong to be alone. She knew that he still had his own life but she'd hoped he would call after his night with McGee, and go over anyway.
That night she decided to go to bed early, knowing it would take her longer to fall asleep without someone next to her. There was a small part of her that wanted to check up on him, but she wanted him to know she trusted him. She decided to leave her phone close, just in case he changed his mind. She looked around her room, and found one of his button up shirts, and put it on. It made her feel less alone as she slid into bed.
She fell into a restless sleep. It had been a few days since her last nightmare, and she was sure she would have one that night. After only almost an hour she fell into a dream, but it was like nothing she had ever experienced before. It was surreal. She was in her childhood home in Israel, in the bedroom she shared with her sister, but she didn't feel like a child. She could feel a depression in her mattress, and she looked up.
"Abba?" she questioned.
"Ziva," Eli David whispered.
She could almost feel his fingers touch her cheek as tears began to fall down them. "Abba, what are you doing here?"
"We need to talk Ziva."
"This is just a dream."
"Dreams are answers to questions you have not already asked. Although, you have asked many of these questions already, Ziva. I have told you many times God works in mysterious ways."
She nodded. "I miss you."
"I know, but that is not why I am here. You keep asking God why he has taken so much from you, but you don't seem to see all that he has given you. You always knew one day you would lose me. Tali was taken from us too soon and Ari's choices lead him to where, but God knew I should not bury all of my children. That is why I was always so proud of you Ziva, my American daughter, who got away from the turmoil of our homeland. You found everything I ever wanted for you here."
"Abba," she whispered.
"It is the way of nature for a child to outlive their parent. The way I was taken from you was difficult and for that I am truly sorry, but you do not see all that you have been given Ziva. Do not focus on the negative until it is too late like I did."
"I do not understand."
"You say that, but look in your heart, and then look at the man who has stood by you this past month, and long before that. God has given you a blessing he does not often enough bestow and your actions are pushing him away. Do not cast aside the greatest thing in your life for petty revenge, Ziva. Do not make the same mistakes I did."
"It is not that easy."
"You are making it difficult. Take a moment to think of how he has treated you. You will see what you need to see. I love you, Ziva." He kissed her forehead.
"I love you," she whispered, when she opened her eyes she found herself alone in her own bed.
The dream had seemed to real, it was as if she had gotten another chance to talk to her father. She took a deep breath, and replayed the dream in her head, it had been a dream she kept reminding herself. As much as she wanted to believe there was something after death, she could not wrap her brain around the idea that her father's spirit could talk to her. The dream had explained itself perfectly well, this was just her mind's way of making her see the answer to a question she had been debating for weeks.
End Part 5
Notes: I warned you that I am evil. This might be one of those moments where I prove it. But I promise it will be worth it.