Author's Note - so the CSI fic contains a character that isn't on the list so I am waiting for him to be added then that should be up. Enjoy!
He was a father to all of them. Family is more than DNA he thought. And with that, he too, went to bed.
The next day Tony awoke to find Gibbs sat on his bed.
"You ok?"
"Where's Ziva? Oh," he sounded upset, "yeah, we broke up but I'm ok."
"You drove over here crying Di'Nozzo, you are not ok! You called her your Shannon!"
"It's not my fault I love her." his voice was almost a whisper.
"She loves you as well you kn-" Tony cut him off.
"If she loves me why would she break up with me?" his voice had gotten louder and was almost a shout.
"Tony! Calm down! Ziva told me that she loves you but that she couldn't hurt you! She isn't used to being in a relationship with a co-worker, especially one she loves!"
Tony went quiet. Had she really told Gibbs this? He knew she was close to Gibbs so he wouldn't be surprised but he wasn't sure.
Gibbs hasn't exactly lied to Tony. Ziva had told him this but not with words. Her eyes and actions said it all. His gut told him everything he needed to know and he trusted that.
Ziva had slept the night at Abby's. She went through to the kitchen to find Abby with two cups of coffee. She looked ready for something but Ziva didn't know what. Abby hand her a cup of steaming coffee.
"We need to talk." Ziva felt uneasy.
"What about?" she asked.
"Tony and how upset he was." Abby said this like it was obvious.
"Abs, I love him I just don't want to hurt him. It didn't feel right. I lied to him, the real reason I broke up with him was because I didn't trust myself not to hurt him." Wow, she thought, it's too early for this! Why am I just coming out with everything? Maybe she drugged my coffee?
"No Ziva, I haven't drugged your drink!" Ziva thought she was the one who could read minds not Abby, "Why didn't you tell Tony the truth? It would've been easier on him!"
"I, it was the reason I stopped us being together before. I figure that if I didn't tell him then he wouldn't get as upset but I was wrong." Is Abby sure that she didn't drug this coffee?
"You need to speak to him and tell him the truth!"
"I will tell him the truth if you tell McGee the truth!" Ziva's idea was genius! She knew Abby would deny her feelings for McGee meaning she wouldn't have to talk to Tony.
"I don't lie to Timmy!"
"You like each other!"
"Fine, I will speak to him but you have to talk to Tony first!" Ziva's plan had back fired. As much as she dreaded talking to Tony, she cared about Abby and McGee more. She realised that she would have to talk to Tony anyway.
"Fine. I will talk to Tony but he will need some space first."
The rest of the day went slowly for all of them. Tony and Ziva especially. They spent all day thinking about each other. Ziva regretting what she did and Tony wondering what he had done wrong. Gibbs and Abby tried to comfort the two lost souls but to no avail. At the end of that day all Ziva wanted was to apologize and all Tony wanted was to hear her voice tell him she needed him.
The next day they got a call that a marine had been found dead outside a nightclub. As they waited for Abby to get back to them on the results of the tyre tracks they had found, Ziva decided that it was the perfect time to talk to Tony.
"Tony."
"What?" he sounded hurt.
"Please, can I just explain?"
"Why, you explained the other day! How much do you want to hurt me?" despite all attempts to keep his feelings at bay, he let it slip and almost started crying.
"Tony, I lied to you! The reason i bro-"
"Wait, you lied to me? After everything, you still lied to me?"
"Tony, I didn't want to hurt you! I thought by saying there was distance between us that you wouldn't get as upset but I know now that lying was wrong! I love you Tony and I would do anything to keep you from getting hurt but it seems like I hurt you. I am really sorry." Ziva herself had tears running down ger cheeks. Tony had rarely seen her cry, especially over a man. He was hurt that she was crying over him.
"I love you too Zi." That short sentence was all that needed to be said. They knew they were good and that they were back together. They found themselves looking into each others eyes. They were enjoying each other's company when they were interupted by Abby.
"Hey lovebirds! We have some news!" she had a smile on her face that said it all. The two agents knew before Abby even said anything.
"Let me guess, you two are together?" Ziva said this with a hint of sarcasm.
"Maybe they murdered an assistant the Director sent down. Maybe they have cleaned up so well that thee is no evidence!" Tony's voice, however, was dripping with sarcasm.
"No," A normal person would've been put off by Tony's comment but Abby simply dismissed it with the wave of her hand, "we are going out!"
Ziva jumped out if her chair and gave Abby a hug while Tony hit McGee on the back if the head. "You dare hurt her and you will have me to deal with!" he glared menacingly at McGee.
"Tony! Don't be mean to my Timmy!"
"Just making sure you don't get upset! That's hell for all of us!"
"There I was thinking you were being protective but no."
Tony felt a hand hit his head. "Shut up, all of you! Tony, don't be horrible to Abs and McGee, be careful. You hurt her Tony will be the least of your worries!"
Gibbs could see Tony smirking at the thought of Gibbs and McGee. "Same goes for you with Ziva Di'Nozzo!"
"B, b, but boss!" He was left standing in the bullpen and quickly followed everyone down to the lab, rubbing the back of his head.