FANFIC NCIS : Crash and burn, Dinozzo's way
FANFICTION : NCIS
Title : Crash and burn, Dinozzo’s way
Disclaimer : I don’t own anything. It’s just for fun.
Summary : Aftermath of Ziva’s captivity in Somalia.
Takes place in the middle of season 7
Rated K+ : Tiva
***
It was way past noon and he missed lunch. The past few days had been very intense and exhausting as they were working on a particulary tricky case. Abby made wonders, as always. Thanks to her forensic magic, she managed to fill the remaining gaps and link the victim to his murderer. No wonder why she was Gibbs’ favorite. Tony watched his superior swallow his seventh coffee of the day in one gulp. Another characteristic trait he shared with Abby. Their little addiction to caffeine preserved them from exhaustion. Years of practice. In days like this, he envied them. But four cups were already more than he could handle. They were about to apprehend the main suspect. He needed to think clearly and have a steady hand on the trigger.
Then, his attention turned to the woman in front of him. Ziva was already packing, waiting for orders. He studied her for a moment, allowing his eyes to travel up and down her body. He did that a lot recently. It was silly, he knew that. But he felt the need to constantly check on her. He came so close to losing her, in Somalia. It was hard enough to know she was angry at him and didn’t want to see him, but when Gibbs reported the Damocles’ wreck, his heart sank as well.
His eyes stopped on her face and drowned into hers. He missed her so much. He watched her bend down to pick up her gear, her hair loosening on her shoulders. She was beautiful. But something was wrong. She was not the same since she came back. She pretended to be alright but Tony knew better. She fooled the psychologist, but he didn’t buy it. Neither did Gibbs.
She looked like hell. Her eyes were sad and tired, her smile was forced. But who could blame her ? Her boyfriend had been killed by her co-worker, she had been captured and tortured for three months. And last but not the least, she had been betrayed by her father. She was a strong soldier, the best he knew after Gibbs. But she was only human after all. He remembered the time she went undercover and was attacked by a serial killer. She had not been herself for days. The most difficult part had been to force her to admit that she was not fine. She could be stubborn sometimes.
This time was different. It was worse. Gibbs gave her time and space, hoping she could suck it up eventually. But Tony knew her well. She needed a confrontation, face to face. And since Ducky failed to reason with her, Tony decided to take the problem in hand… The Dinozzo way was far less subtle and gentle. But it was necessary… for her sake.
He stood up as his boss checked his gun and gave his orders.
‘McGee, I want the location of this bastard.
- I’m on it, boss.
- Ziva, Tony. Grab your gear and meet me in the garage in fifteen minutes. Abby’s got something, I’m going to her lab.’
Tony went straight to him and looked into his eyes.
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea, boss.’
Agent Gibbs straightened up and tried to sound out his intentions. Tony could feel McGee’s nervous gaze on his back.
‘What’s the problem, Dinozzo ?
- well, it’s not what, but who is the problem. I think Ziva should step back for this one.’
Ziva gasped but Tony didn’t look at her.
‘Why ? what’s your problem, Tony ? you don’t like competition or you have something against me ?’
Her voice was composed but betrayed her anger. Gibbs was quiet, still drowning into his eyes.
‘It’s a delicate situation, boss. A single mistake and we can blow up the whole mission.
- who do you think you are, Tony ? You’re no better than me. I’m the best shooter of this building and I…
- have you looked in the mirror, lately ?’ Tony brutally interrupted her. ‘You’re a wreck, Ziva.’
She remained speachless, her hands gripped her chair for support. He hated to do that. She looked tiny and weak all of a sudden. He turned around and faced Gibbs again.
‘I’m sick of the pretense. She walks to my apartment twice a week in the middle of the night. She falls asleep on my couch. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my co-workers, watching movies and drinking beers. But two in the morning… come on !’
Tony paused a second, deliberatly avoiding Ziva’s glare.
‘Let’s face it, boss. Our supersoldier is cracking up. I say, we take McGee this time.’
Gibbs imperceptibly nodded and walked away. Tony used to joke about his boss and the Director Vance’s relationship. At the time, he didn’t get the subtle glances and voice’s intonations. Now he did. Tony walked away as well, still ignoring Ziva. He briefly glanced at McGee and bit his lower lip to stop his urging smile. Probie’s mouth was widely open. In other circonstances, he would have loved to tease him, but now was not the time. He headed straight to the men’s room and stopped in front of the mirror. It would not be long. He rested his hands on the sink and waited.
The door suddenly opened and hit the wall. Ziva stormed into the room and stopped behind him. A small smile formed on his lips. So foreseeable.
‘What’s wrong with you ?! how dare you…’ her voice was shaking with anger. She violently closed the door, hitting agent Brown in the process. She locked it and remained still for a brief moment. ‘In front of the others… in front of Gibbs.’ She whispered. She was hurt, he could tell. But he remained silent and stared at the tap. He could see her shadow, from the corner of his eyes, pacing like a lion in cage.
‘After all these years, I thought I finally figured you out. I trusted you and you betrayed me ! What kind of partner are you ? what kind of friend are you ?!’
She was screaming again. ‘You had no right to tell him ! It was… private. Can you possibly imagine how hard it was for me to get over my pride and knock on your door in the middle of the night ? How many times I lay awake in bed… crying.’ Tony closed his eyes, feeling somehow guilty and responsible for her pain. But she was talking and he let her continue.
‘You let me sleep on your couch, you accepted my lame excuses. I thought you understood. But I guess I was wrong.’ She paused, emotions overwelming her. He glanced at her reflexion in the mirror and saw tears watering her lovely eyes. ‘I’m not a wreck’ she murmured. ‘I am not…’
Silence filled the room, fueling the tension between the two agents. Then Ziva moved again and hit Tony’s back. He winced but remained quiet. ‘I am not a wreck !’ she shouted. She pushed him again… hard. ‘I am a trained Mossad officer. I can fight. I can shoot. I am a good agent, damnit ! why don’t you trust me, Tony ?’ She grabbed his left arm and turned him around. ‘Look at me !’
His reaction was quick. He reached for her and violently pinned her to the nearest wall. She tried to get out of his embrace but he forestalled her and grabbed her arms. He drowned into her dark eyes and stared as tears were now running freely on her face. ‘I hate you.’ She struggled again and he tightened his hold. ‘I trust you, Ziva.’ His deep voice echoed in the room and the young woman stilled. ‘I never questioned your skills. You are a good agent. And I’m glad to have you by my side in the field, covering my back.’
Ziva frowned, confused. Tony took a minute to study her face. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were getting red and her wet cheeks were glowing. Still, she was lovely. He let his eyes wander on the thin curves of her lips, inches apart from his, then dived back into her eyes. ‘You are a brave women, Zee-va David. But you are not infallible.’ She stared back at him. ‘I’m sorry for Michael. I’m sorry for your father. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through in Somalia.’ He paused. ‘But you have to let go.’
Ziva bit her lower lip, desesperatly trying to contain the tears that were threatening to fall down on her cheeks. ‘Come on, Ziva.’ He whispered. The woman closed her eyes and sighed. She was breaking up. Tony slowly released her arm and gently cupped her cheek. She leaned on his hand and took a deep shaking breath. ‘You should keep your distance, Tony.’ She said, her voice barely audible. ‘The ones who get too close always end up dead.’ Tony’s heart broke into pieces. He watched her as she finally surrendered.
‘When the Damocles went down, I chose to continue the mission. I knew it was suicide. I thought I deserved it. I did not mean to live through it, but Salim thought overwise and held me captive.’ She stopped, unable to continue. A weak sob escaped from her mouth and she began to cry silently. She slowly moved into Tony’s embrace and buried her face in his neck. ‘Torture is worse than death.’ She managed. ‘The pain… the solitude. When I close my eyes, I go back there, in Somalia. I see the dusty cell, I can’t breath. Each time I brush my scars, I feel the excruciating pain coming back to life.’ Tony gently stroke her back, as she continued. ‘I am so sorry, Tony. I should have believed you, I should have trusted you. I did not deserve to be rescued.’ Her last words tore Tony’s heart apart. ‘Don’t say that’ he begged. His arms tightened around her. ‘I can’t live without you.’
Her hands gripped his shirt as she cuddled deeper into his arms. He inhaled the subtle sent of her hair, suddenly relieved and grateful for the second chance he was granted. They remained in eachother’s arms for long minutes. Ziva’s body finally began to relax against his. The conversation was not over, far from it. She needed to get it out of her system. But now was not the time. She admited she needed help and she was ready to talk. It was a good start. Tony glanced at his watch. He was reluctant to let go of his partner, but Gibbs was probably waiting for them. ‘I think we’re up to a nasty slap on the head, this time.’ Ziva chuckled. ‘I can live with that.’ She whispered.
***
The End.
Title : Crash and burn, Dinozzo’s way
Disclaimer : I don’t own anything. It’s just for fun.
Summary : Aftermath of Ziva’s captivity in Somalia.
Takes place in the middle of season 7
Rated K+ : Tiva
***
It was way past noon and he missed lunch. The past few days had been very intense and exhausting as they were working on a particulary tricky case. Abby made wonders, as always. Thanks to her forensic magic, she managed to fill the remaining gaps and link the victim to his murderer. No wonder why she was Gibbs’ favorite. Tony watched his superior swallow his seventh coffee of the day in one gulp. Another characteristic trait he shared with Abby. Their little addiction to caffeine preserved them from exhaustion. Years of practice. In days like this, he envied them. But four cups were already more than he could handle. They were about to apprehend the main suspect. He needed to think clearly and have a steady hand on the trigger.
Then, his attention turned to the woman in front of him. Ziva was already packing, waiting for orders. He studied her for a moment, allowing his eyes to travel up and down her body. He did that a lot recently. It was silly, he knew that. But he felt the need to constantly check on her. He came so close to losing her, in Somalia. It was hard enough to know she was angry at him and didn’t want to see him, but when Gibbs reported the Damocles’ wreck, his heart sank as well.
His eyes stopped on her face and drowned into hers. He missed her so much. He watched her bend down to pick up her gear, her hair loosening on her shoulders. She was beautiful. But something was wrong. She was not the same since she came back. She pretended to be alright but Tony knew better. She fooled the psychologist, but he didn’t buy it. Neither did Gibbs.
She looked like hell. Her eyes were sad and tired, her smile was forced. But who could blame her ? Her boyfriend had been killed by her co-worker, she had been captured and tortured for three months. And last but not the least, she had been betrayed by her father. She was a strong soldier, the best he knew after Gibbs. But she was only human after all. He remembered the time she went undercover and was attacked by a serial killer. She had not been herself for days. The most difficult part had been to force her to admit that she was not fine. She could be stubborn sometimes.
This time was different. It was worse. Gibbs gave her time and space, hoping she could suck it up eventually. But Tony knew her well. She needed a confrontation, face to face. And since Ducky failed to reason with her, Tony decided to take the problem in hand… The Dinozzo way was far less subtle and gentle. But it was necessary… for her sake.
He stood up as his boss checked his gun and gave his orders.
‘McGee, I want the location of this bastard.
- I’m on it, boss.
- Ziva, Tony. Grab your gear and meet me in the garage in fifteen minutes. Abby’s got something, I’m going to her lab.’
Tony went straight to him and looked into his eyes.
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea, boss.’
Agent Gibbs straightened up and tried to sound out his intentions. Tony could feel McGee’s nervous gaze on his back.
‘What’s the problem, Dinozzo ?
- well, it’s not what, but who is the problem. I think Ziva should step back for this one.’
Ziva gasped but Tony didn’t look at her.
‘Why ? what’s your problem, Tony ? you don’t like competition or you have something against me ?’
Her voice was composed but betrayed her anger. Gibbs was quiet, still drowning into his eyes.
‘It’s a delicate situation, boss. A single mistake and we can blow up the whole mission.
- who do you think you are, Tony ? You’re no better than me. I’m the best shooter of this building and I…
- have you looked in the mirror, lately ?’ Tony brutally interrupted her. ‘You’re a wreck, Ziva.’
She remained speachless, her hands gripped her chair for support. He hated to do that. She looked tiny and weak all of a sudden. He turned around and faced Gibbs again.
‘I’m sick of the pretense. She walks to my apartment twice a week in the middle of the night. She falls asleep on my couch. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my co-workers, watching movies and drinking beers. But two in the morning… come on !’
Tony paused a second, deliberatly avoiding Ziva’s glare.
‘Let’s face it, boss. Our supersoldier is cracking up. I say, we take McGee this time.’
Gibbs imperceptibly nodded and walked away. Tony used to joke about his boss and the Director Vance’s relationship. At the time, he didn’t get the subtle glances and voice’s intonations. Now he did. Tony walked away as well, still ignoring Ziva. He briefly glanced at McGee and bit his lower lip to stop his urging smile. Probie’s mouth was widely open. In other circonstances, he would have loved to tease him, but now was not the time. He headed straight to the men’s room and stopped in front of the mirror. It would not be long. He rested his hands on the sink and waited.
The door suddenly opened and hit the wall. Ziva stormed into the room and stopped behind him. A small smile formed on his lips. So foreseeable.
‘What’s wrong with you ?! how dare you…’ her voice was shaking with anger. She violently closed the door, hitting agent Brown in the process. She locked it and remained still for a brief moment. ‘In front of the others… in front of Gibbs.’ She whispered. She was hurt, he could tell. But he remained silent and stared at the tap. He could see her shadow, from the corner of his eyes, pacing like a lion in cage.
‘After all these years, I thought I finally figured you out. I trusted you and you betrayed me ! What kind of partner are you ? what kind of friend are you ?!’
She was screaming again. ‘You had no right to tell him ! It was… private. Can you possibly imagine how hard it was for me to get over my pride and knock on your door in the middle of the night ? How many times I lay awake in bed… crying.’ Tony closed his eyes, feeling somehow guilty and responsible for her pain. But she was talking and he let her continue.
‘You let me sleep on your couch, you accepted my lame excuses. I thought you understood. But I guess I was wrong.’ She paused, emotions overwelming her. He glanced at her reflexion in the mirror and saw tears watering her lovely eyes. ‘I’m not a wreck’ she murmured. ‘I am not…’
Silence filled the room, fueling the tension between the two agents. Then Ziva moved again and hit Tony’s back. He winced but remained quiet. ‘I am not a wreck !’ she shouted. She pushed him again… hard. ‘I am a trained Mossad officer. I can fight. I can shoot. I am a good agent, damnit ! why don’t you trust me, Tony ?’ She grabbed his left arm and turned him around. ‘Look at me !’
His reaction was quick. He reached for her and violently pinned her to the nearest wall. She tried to get out of his embrace but he forestalled her and grabbed her arms. He drowned into her dark eyes and stared as tears were now running freely on her face. ‘I hate you.’ She struggled again and he tightened his hold. ‘I trust you, Ziva.’ His deep voice echoed in the room and the young woman stilled. ‘I never questioned your skills. You are a good agent. And I’m glad to have you by my side in the field, covering my back.’
Ziva frowned, confused. Tony took a minute to study her face. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were getting red and her wet cheeks were glowing. Still, she was lovely. He let his eyes wander on the thin curves of her lips, inches apart from his, then dived back into her eyes. ‘You are a brave women, Zee-va David. But you are not infallible.’ She stared back at him. ‘I’m sorry for Michael. I’m sorry for your father. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through in Somalia.’ He paused. ‘But you have to let go.’
Ziva bit her lower lip, desesperatly trying to contain the tears that were threatening to fall down on her cheeks. ‘Come on, Ziva.’ He whispered. The woman closed her eyes and sighed. She was breaking up. Tony slowly released her arm and gently cupped her cheek. She leaned on his hand and took a deep shaking breath. ‘You should keep your distance, Tony.’ She said, her voice barely audible. ‘The ones who get too close always end up dead.’ Tony’s heart broke into pieces. He watched her as she finally surrendered.
‘When the Damocles went down, I chose to continue the mission. I knew it was suicide. I thought I deserved it. I did not mean to live through it, but Salim thought overwise and held me captive.’ She stopped, unable to continue. A weak sob escaped from her mouth and she began to cry silently. She slowly moved into Tony’s embrace and buried her face in his neck. ‘Torture is worse than death.’ She managed. ‘The pain… the solitude. When I close my eyes, I go back there, in Somalia. I see the dusty cell, I can’t breath. Each time I brush my scars, I feel the excruciating pain coming back to life.’ Tony gently stroke her back, as she continued. ‘I am so sorry, Tony. I should have believed you, I should have trusted you. I did not deserve to be rescued.’ Her last words tore Tony’s heart apart. ‘Don’t say that’ he begged. His arms tightened around her. ‘I can’t live without you.’
Her hands gripped his shirt as she cuddled deeper into his arms. He inhaled the subtle sent of her hair, suddenly relieved and grateful for the second chance he was granted. They remained in eachother’s arms for long minutes. Ziva’s body finally began to relax against his. The conversation was not over, far from it. She needed to get it out of her system. But now was not the time. She admited she needed help and she was ready to talk. It was a good start. Tony glanced at his watch. He was reluctant to let go of his partner, but Gibbs was probably waiting for them. ‘I think we’re up to a nasty slap on the head, this time.’ Ziva chuckled. ‘I can live with that.’ She whispered.
***
The End.