NCIS ~ I Will Love You Thru Everything

chapt 23

After work the next day, Tony decided to go visit Abby. He gave Ziva a quick kiss and helped her into her car, then watched her drive off. In a daze, he stood and watched her tail lights fade. "I need to marry her" He thought to himself.

He picked up some chinese takeout to take with him to the hospital. Tony took the elevator at the hospital to the 11th floor, and found her room at the very end of the hall. He knocked gently, and only heard a cough, but walked in anyway. He stopped short when he saw Abby's face. she had dark circles under her eyes and her cheeks were hollow; it was obvious she had lost weight. Her normally cheerful pigtails were undone and her dark hair hung limp and dull around her head on the pillow. Her lips were faded.

Abby tried to sit up to greet Tony, but couldn't manage it. Tony walked slowly over, his face pale. "Abs..they told us you were better. If Id have known..I would have come much sooner to see you." he stared at her. Now that he was by her bedside, he was shocked at how thin and pale she had become. Abby tried to smile. "I am doing better, Tony. Last week I couldn't breathe without a machine.." she trailed off when she saw his shocked expression. Tony felt horrible. By the way Gibbs talked, he'd tbought she just had a cough.

He sat down with his food and started to visit with her. After a few minutes of nonchalant talk, Abby casually asked, "So how is Ziva doing?" Tony nearly choked on the rice in his mouth at the mention of her name. He coughed, trying to clear his throat. "She's..she's fine, I think. I mean I don't really talk to her that much.." he lied. Abby smirked. "Dont lie, Tony. Is there a little 'sumthin sumthin' going on her that I should know about?" she teased. Tony didn't know what to say.

Ziva briskly made her way thru the hospital halls. She thought tonight might be a good time to visit Abby again. As she knocked once and came through the door, Ziva skidded to a stop. Tony was sitting by her bed! The two weren't talking, but Tony looked strained.

Tony stifled a gasp as Ziva walked into the room. "Ziva!" Abby said cheerfully. "We were just talking about you!" tony cleared his throat and set his food aside. "No, Abs, weren't we talking--" Abby cut him off. She looked Ziva in the eye and asked, "Is there something you want to tell me, you two?" Ziva went pale. She didn't think Tony would have told Abby, but..She glanced at Tony. "No..what are you talking about, abby?" her voice cracked though, and it was apparent that Abby knew she was lying. She took a deep breath and sat down next to Tony. Should I tell her? Ziva asked herself. No, she answered herself.

"Abby, I'm not sure what you're talking about," Ziva lied smoothly. Although her face was still pale, her voice was smooth as she had pretty much regained her composure. "Tony and I are still as annoyed at each other as before you got sick, Abby." she lied again.

Abby eyed them both. Her face clearly belied that she didnt believe either of them, but she let it drop. "Alright, if you say so.." Ziva nodded.

Abby yawned. She was gettin tired but still wanted to visit with them. They talked of general things for the next hour or so, until the nurse poked her head in to say that the visitation period was over. Abby was dissappointed but also extremely tired. Ziva gave her a hug. "I will come visit you again soon, Abby" she promised. Tony set his present, a pot of black and red death flowers, on the window ledge. "To cheer you up," he explained. Abby smiled.

The two then walked out of Abby's room. Ziva exhaled. "What in the world..?" she asked. Tony rolled his eyes. "She asked me how you were doing, and it took me off guard and I choked on my food so she knew somwthing was up. She then asked if there was something going on between us that she should know about, and then you walked in." he explained. They were nearing the elevator, and Ziva began yearning for the aloneness that the closed doors would bring. Lately his kisses were all she thought about.

Tony caught the direction of her thoughts and took her hand. They walked in together, Tony barely waiting til the doors were closed before he wrapped his arms around her. He held her tightly, and gently kissed her forehead, then her nose, and finally her mouth. Ziva was lost in his embrace. "I love you, Ziva David.."he whispered. Finally, he had told her. Ziva's head rested on Tony's chest. She wanted to tell him so badly that she felt the same way, but just still wasn't quite ready. She explained this to Tony without.looking at him, feeling horible. She felt awful.

Tony let go of her and took her by the arms. He looked deep into her eyes. "Don't ever let me pressure you into doing or saying something you're not ready for." he said. He kissed her forehead once again. "I wanted you to know how I felt about you, but I'm so glad you're waiting til the right time to tell me. " Put like that, Ziva felt at peace. This was Tony, after all, and he made her feel treasured and so special. The elevator dinged, and instead of pressing the door close button, they walked out together holding hands. Tony walked Ziva to her car and kissed her goodnight. One kiss led to another, and soon Ziva was pressed up against rhe side of her car with Tony's lips on hers and his arms pinning her to him. She felt the warmth of his body and the taste of his kiss, and she couldn't imagine anything better. Tony was lost in her perfume and couldn't stop kissing her beautiful face. His hands moved up and down her back and trailed through her soft hair. Only once the car next to Ziva's went off with an alarm did they break apart. Ziva blushed as the owner approached. Realizing he had interrupted, the owner hirriedly got into his vejicle and drove off. "Where were we..?" Tony murmured. He kissed her once more, and reluctantly pulled away. "I suppose I had better let you go home." he said. Ziva slowly nodded. She kissed Tony once more, and climbed into her car. Once again, Tony watched her drive off. And once again, he had the same thought of I need to marry her. But, once again, he had to push the notion aside.

He climbed into his car and drove home, preoccupied with thoughts of Ziva.

thanks for reading ;)