DISCLAIMER: You know the deal :]
TONY'S P.O.V.
Things were looking up for us for once. It'd been two weeks of boring old paperwork and Ziva and I were finally back in business. I didn't know how great of an idea it was to be fighting on the roof of an apartment building in the middle of a thunderstorm, but hey, at least I was punching people!
Behind me, my ninja was doing exactly what she did best, and that was be a ninja. I heard what sounded like a person drawing a knife and thought it must've been one of Ziva's- but I was wrong. A moment later, I heard a gunshot, and, ten agonizing seconds later, a thud.
I turned around and realized that it was Ziva's attacker who'd been killed. But the guy I'd been punching got to his feet and ran straight at Ziva.
It was a suicide mission, because Ziva had amazing balance. Except when she was surprised, like now. It was still a suicide mission, because the guy didn't stop in time. I ran forward, but I was on the other side of the building, and time was running agonizingly slow.
By the time I got there, the guy had already fallen off the building and died, but Ziva was clinging to the edge. I knew there wasn't much hope- we were on the roof of a very wet apartment building- but I grabbed her wrist. "ZIVA!!" I yelled.
ZIVA'S P.O.V.
I heard Tony yell my name and opened my eyes against the furious shower. He'd grabbed my wrists and was trying desparately to pull me up. "Oh, come on, come ON, Ziva!"
Something about what he said reminded me of something else he'd said, a few months before.
*FLASHBACK*
"Things aren't so black and white when the walls are all splattered with red, are they?" Tony asked.
"Or when your way of life is threatened?" Ziva pointed out.
"Exactly. Wait a second - are you mocking me?"
"No, Tony, I was not mocking you. It's just that... when I was held hostage in Somalia, Saleem used similar justifications for his actions."
"Saleem. Caf-Pow-swallowing sociopath was a terrorist, Ziva."
"I am sure he would say he was just protecting his way of life."
"You're not seriously defending him, are you?"
"No, Tony. His actions were indefensible regardless of his reasons. That is my point. This country holds itself to a higher standard, it is a nation of laws which are to be followed not only when it is convenient or easy. I have seen first-hand what happens when convenience wins out."
"You never talk about it."
"What is there to talk about?"
"Come on, Ziva."
*end flashback*
Something about the way he'd said that before made me fully revitalize and help push myself even more back up, over the edge of the roof, and stagger straight into Tony's arms.
I don't know why I did what I did, but I know that I was so grateful for what happened earlier that year that I may have kissed Tony. When I broke away, I just clung to him, still remembering.
"Tony," I said softly, "I think your DiNozzo-ness might have just saved my life."
Maybe after this round I'll continue. Maybe not. At least do me a favor and review!
TONY'S P.O.V.
Things were looking up for us for once. It'd been two weeks of boring old paperwork and Ziva and I were finally back in business. I didn't know how great of an idea it was to be fighting on the roof of an apartment building in the middle of a thunderstorm, but hey, at least I was punching people!
Behind me, my ninja was doing exactly what she did best, and that was be a ninja. I heard what sounded like a person drawing a knife and thought it must've been one of Ziva's- but I was wrong. A moment later, I heard a gunshot, and, ten agonizing seconds later, a thud.
I turned around and realized that it was Ziva's attacker who'd been killed. But the guy I'd been punching got to his feet and ran straight at Ziva.
It was a suicide mission, because Ziva had amazing balance. Except when she was surprised, like now. It was still a suicide mission, because the guy didn't stop in time. I ran forward, but I was on the other side of the building, and time was running agonizingly slow.
By the time I got there, the guy had already fallen off the building and died, but Ziva was clinging to the edge. I knew there wasn't much hope- we were on the roof of a very wet apartment building- but I grabbed her wrist. "ZIVA!!" I yelled.
ZIVA'S P.O.V.
I heard Tony yell my name and opened my eyes against the furious shower. He'd grabbed my wrists and was trying desparately to pull me up. "Oh, come on, come ON, Ziva!"
Something about what he said reminded me of something else he'd said, a few months before.
*FLASHBACK*
"Things aren't so black and white when the walls are all splattered with red, are they?" Tony asked.
"Or when your way of life is threatened?" Ziva pointed out.
"Exactly. Wait a second - are you mocking me?"
"No, Tony, I was not mocking you. It's just that... when I was held hostage in Somalia, Saleem used similar justifications for his actions."
"Saleem. Caf-Pow-swallowing sociopath was a terrorist, Ziva."
"I am sure he would say he was just protecting his way of life."
"You're not seriously defending him, are you?"
"No, Tony. His actions were indefensible regardless of his reasons. That is my point. This country holds itself to a higher standard, it is a nation of laws which are to be followed not only when it is convenient or easy. I have seen first-hand what happens when convenience wins out."
"You never talk about it."
"What is there to talk about?"
"Come on, Ziva."
*end flashback*
Something about the way he'd said that before made me fully revitalize and help push myself even more back up, over the edge of the roof, and stagger straight into Tony's arms.
I don't know why I did what I did, but I know that I was so grateful for what happened earlier that year that I may have kissed Tony. When I broke away, I just clung to him, still remembering.
"Tony," I said softly, "I think your DiNozzo-ness might have just saved my life."
Maybe after this round I'll continue. Maybe not. At least do me a favor and review!
