Chapter 3

After a few minutes they arrived at Abby's apartment. She did not change a bit, that made Ziva smirk.

"So, first at all I want to know where you're staying at."

"I've rented a hotel room a few blocks from here."

"Okay. You're going to live with me…of course until you found a new apartment, but there's no hurry with that. I'm just soooo glad to have you back!" Abby embraced her once again. "Wait. You're staying here? I mean like forever? You're not going to leave us again, are you?"

"I…I honestly don't know, Abby. I feel like leaving all over again." She told her sadly.

"Okay. Sit down. Don't run away. I'll make us some tea and then you're going to tell me why you're so sad and why you were crying earlier."

Ziva sighed and did what Abby told her to do. Five minutes later Abby came into her living room with two steaming cups. She gave one to Ziva and sat down next to her.

"So, why were you crying?"

"I was just happy to see you again."

Of course Ziva wanted to be more open to people but she couldn't talk about it, not yet. Ziva managed a small smile.

"Awww Ziva! That's too cute! But we know, that's not what made you, or makes you, sad. And you're going to tell me what it is."

"I, I,…Abby, please, I do not want to talk about it right now."

Suddenly it dawned on Abby. She found her in the street to Tony's apartment. Abby's eyes went wide.

"You visited Tony." It was a statement, not a question.

Ziva managed a whispered "Yes."

"So you know?"

"Know what exactly?"

"That Tony has a girlfriend?" Ziva's eyes went wide because of shock. And Abby clapped her hands over her mouth. "I'm soooo sorry! I didn't know you didn't know and now you know and omg that's not good. Tony should've told you himself."

Ziva began tearing up again. She stood and grabbed her jacket, ready to leave.

"Abby, I am sorry. I just need to go, be alone for a while. I will call you tomorrow."

"Ziva wait. What's wrong? Tell me, please!"

"He's just an idiot, a selfish idiot. I need to go. Bye."

And then, just like that she slammed the door behind her, leaving Abby wondering what she meant with that. What happened between her two best friends? She needed to know.

At Tony's apartment.

Shit. What has he done?! The love of his life just went out his door, maybe forever. And now, he has nothing, besides his girlfriend, who is or was a replacement for his Ziva. She looks exactly like the love of his life. Brown eyes, dark, curly hair and even their smell is similar. What should he do next? Should he break up with his girlfriend and try to be with Ziva? But what if Ziva does not want him anymore? Then he really would have nothing! Zara is a great woman, but she is not the one he imagined to have a family with. It always was and is Ziva. He is old and needs to start a family soon if he does not want to be too old to play basketball with his little princess. Secretly, he always wanted a family. He wanted a real, functional family, with members who are carrying his genes.

What should he do with his life? Should he just marry a woman who was only a replacement for Ziva and actually means nothing to him? Or should he break up with Zara and grow old, alone? He was desperate so he decided to get drunk and be drunk the whole weekend through. He did not want to think. Thinking hurts.

Sunday.

Gibbs heard steps above him. He knows that kind of steps, delicate and very silent ones. He heard them stopping at the staircase. He knew exactly who it was, but he calmly sanded his boat. He waited but nothing happened, that's when he decided to speak.

"Hello, Ziver."

Then he heard her going down the stairs.

"Hello, Gibbs." She managed a small smile.

"You're in DC again." Gibbs stated and smiled at her.

Ziva grinned "Yeah." They hugged. Ziva sat down on an old chair and Gibbs continued sanding his boat, they spend a couple of minutes in silence, if she wanted to speak she would.

"I visited Tony. And then Abby."

Gibbs kept sanding.

"Tony… Tony and I…er…"

"What's wrong Ziver?"

"We-we slept together and-and the next morning I found out he does not love me. I met Abby after I left his house, but I could not tell her. She told me, that he has a girlfriend." Ziva rambled Abby-like and tears made their way down her cheeks. Gibbs went to her and kissed her temple.

"Talk to 'em, Ziver."

"I do not think-"

"Ziver." He glared at her "you two need to sort things out."

"I…Okay. I will think about it. Thank you, Gibbs."

"Welcome home, kid." He once again embraced her and kissed her temple. Ziva felt home and smiled.

Monday. NCIS.

"Ugh, Tony, you stink!" McGee said, really disgusted. "Did you get drunk?"

"What d'ya think McKnowItAll?" Tony said in a harsh tone.

"Did something happen?" McGee asked concerned about his best friend.

"Obviously."

"Do you want to talk about it? Maybe I could help you?"

"Tim, look, I made a really, really big mistake and I'm hating myself for it. I lost the love of my life."

"Err, you mean Zara?"

"Tim, you have something to do today evening?"

"Nope."

"Good. Grab a few beers, I'll order pizza and come to my apartment. It could help to talk about everything."

"Okay."

McGee resumed typing his case report, while Tony grabbed fresh clothes from his bottom drawer and headed to the showers. After a few minutes Gibbs appeared.

"McGee! Where's DiNozzo?"

"Err, he just, err, he went to the showers, boss." McGee stammered.

"He got drunk?" Gibbs asked shortly.

"I-I think so, boss."

"You keep an eye on him." After that Gibbs disappeared again with his coffee. That was strange to McGee clearly Gibbs knew something he did not know. Maybe he should head down to Labby and ask Abby if she knows why everyone is acting weird.