A/N: So....I'm not sure if this is going to be a multi chapter or not. Maybe if enough people pull for it, I will continue it. Each chapter WILL have a song in it, (whatever song happened to inspire the chapter, if it is continued). That does NOT mean the chapter or story for that matter is revolved around the song...(at least totally around it).
This is mainly about Tony and Ziva and their relationship. How it progresses, the arguments, the set backs, ect.
It is set for right after this seasons final episode, where Ziva is seen beaten and being asked about NCIS ( And i say daddy dear set her up for that btw...) and go from there. Cases will be mentioned here and there. References will be mentioned as well from previous episodes as well. ....So... onto the story.
Featured song- One step at a Time- Jordan Sparks
I do not own any of this but the plot line. Song is not mine (as the above mentioned song is cited) nor do I own NCIS or anything to do with it!
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Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Special Agent Tony DiNozzo sat in autopsy. It was late and they had just gotten back from overseas. Well, around four hours ago. Maybe six. Tony wasn't sure. He had lost count. Ducky had gone home hours ago. McGee was probably playing a game that involved him being an Elf Lord. He snorted. Gibbs, well Tony wasn't sure where he was. Probably building his boat. That only left one other team member.
Ziva David. The reason he was sitting in the dark with a small light on for the second time in about two years.
The overseas rescue had gone a bit haywire. After Gibbs had received a call from Ziva herself- and Tony wasn't sure how she had managed that- Gibbs had ordered them to gear up and lead them to the airport where, once on a plane, he had explained everything. In short, they were to find Ziva, bring her home. He and McGee had understood the orders well enough. This wasn't an official case or mission.
Until they had found Ziva a week later. He and McProbie had burst into the terrorist hideout, Gibbs on their six. They cleared all the rooms. Or so Tony had thought. McGee hadn't been able to get into the basement of the place. They hadn't told Gibbs that part. So when four armed men had burst through the door, Leroy Jethro Gibbs had been beyond pissed at his two agents. Tony had left the men to McGee and his boss to head into the basement. The room had to be locked for a reason. He had wanted to see what they were guarding. Nothing could prepare him for what he saw.
Ziva, one eye swollen shut, face cut, body bruised and bloody. Tied to a chair. Blood dripping down her arm, dirt all over her and her clothes.. He almost lost it. Lost it as in he wanted to pull her into his arms, tell her he loved her, kiss her, cry, say he was sorry for killing Rivkin, mention how he wouldn't ever let her go again, hold her until they both died.
Everything that you always dreamed of Close enough for you to taste But you just can't touch.
You wanna show the world but no one knows yours name yet
Wonderin' when, where and how you're going to make it
You know you can if you get the chance In your face and the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you getting all kinda impatient
Waiting,
Of course he did none of that. Instead, he untied her from the chair, where she fell into his arms, more out of relief than anything, Tony was sure. He could see rope indentations in her skin around her wrists and was sure her ankles had looked similar. When the gunfire overhead had ceased, he had yelled for Gibbs and McGee.
And they were back now. Ziva was back. In pain, but back.
Ziva had insisted she was fine to make the flight home. Gibbs allowed it but had sent her to Bethesda five seconds after they had landed. Gibbs had gone with her, leaving him and McGee to unpack, file paper work, whatever. Nothing specific. Which is why Tony was in the basement of NCIS, alone.
Or so he thought. Just as before, a bigger light turned on. Not even bothering to look up, he stared at his fingers. No alcohol. No glass. Obviously Ducky had learned from last time.
"How'd you know I'd be here?" Tony asked quietly.
"Because you wanted to be alone, undisturbed. You were here after Jenny for those same reasons."
We live and we learn
"And it was all working great till you came in."
"Well pardon me for wanting to talk,"
To take one step at a time
There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly, or falling in love
It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen
And we find the reasons why
One step at a time
Tony snorted. "Talk? Last time we tried that, you floored me and stabbed me with a gun."
"I was...upset. Pissed off."
"That's an understatement.." He finally looked up. "What do you want, Ziva?" From what he could tell, she had been released from the hospital and had gone somewhere to shower and change before arriving at NCIS.
"To say thank you. If...you had not come into that basement, I probably would still be there."
For the first time he noticed her arm was in a sling and that there were butterfly band aids on the cuts marring her face. Yes, he was angry with what had happened a few months ago, angry with her for lying to him. But his anger diminished slightly. She had been through hell, and didn't need him to give her any more of it.
You believe, and you doubt
You're confused, and got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew
So instead he nodded. "You called Gibbs. All we did was follow your information." He knew she was trying to patch things up. "Have you figured out who you can trust?" he changed the subject.
At her silence, he looked up into her eyes and saw unshed tears before being blinked away. She didn't answer, but turned and left autopsy.
You wanna show the world but no one knows yours name yet
Wonderin' when, where and how you're going to make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face and the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you getting all kinda impatient
Waiting, we live and we learn
To take one step at a time
And he let her go. Her answer was obvious.
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly, or falling in love
It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen
And we find the reasons why
One step at a time
Tony knew it was going to take awhile. But it had been four months. He didn't like waiting for an answer. Wasn't sure how he liked having her back if she couldn't trust them- him. He was her partner! He needed her trust!
When you can't wait any longer (you can't wait)
But there's no end in time (when you need to find the strength)
It's your faith that makes you stronger (the only way we get there)
He would just have to wait and hope. Hope she could trust him again before the next time their lives depended on it. Wait for her to come around. Baby steps. Like when she had first joined after Kate had died. He winced as he thought about how long it had taken to gain her trust. Would they ever be the same?
The only way we get there
Is one step at a time To take one step at a time
There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly, or falling in love (Falling in love)
It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen
And we find the reasons why One step at a time One step at a time
There's no need to rush It's like learning to fly, or falling in love (Falling in love)
It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen
And we find the reasons why
"Baby steps," he muttered out loud. That was all he needed to remember. Baby steps. And he would. Tony vowed he would gain her trust back, and maybe, hopefully, get her to love him.
One step at a time
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A/N: SO.... What do you think? If I get at least...six reviews, I might make this a multi chapter. For now, its going to stay as a one shot unless you all say more more more...lol. :) And yes, this will be a bit depressing, but humor will be present as well, if it is continued.