For Liz - a little happy birthday fic

[dragonheart]

Title: Second Chance at Good-bye

Author: Kytivafan

Written for: proseac1 ’s birthday

Note: Because Tony and Jeanne never did get to say a proper good-bye

 
 

Ziva and Tony were just leaving the midnight showing of It’s a Wonderful Life when she felt him stiffen next to her – her instincts immediately clicked in and she started looking around for possible danger. 

It wasn’t a physical danger that caused her to mimic Tony’s actions and stiffen up, but an emotional one – she saw Dr. Jeanne Benoit walking towards them with a group of what looked like close friends – if they didn’t deviate from their path – they would literally be on a collision course.

Ziva could tell by Tony’s shallow breathing and rapid eye movement that his avoidance mechanism had kicked in – he was looking for a way out – he didn’t want to be seen by or speak with Jeanne. Ziva laid her hand gently on his forearm and spoke softly “You should talk to her.”

Tony snorted “She accused me of killing her father; she is the last person I want to talk to”

“You know as well as I do, that she never would have carried through with that accusation – she was hurting; she was betrayed by her father and her lover – you were the only one left that she could strike back at” countered Ziva.

“Still doesn’t change the fact that she tried to get me arrested” Tony whispered harshly, the pain obvious in his voice.

“Please Tony; you can’t have this having over you, over us, for the rest of our lives”

“There is nothing hanging   Ziva, I am over it” defended Tony

“Are you?” questioned Ziva

Tony was unable to answer because just at that moment, Jeanne and her friends walked past them – and kept walking - Tony sighed in relief - which then turned almost immediately to dismay as he saw her stop short and turn - and he heard her ask “Tony?”

Tony looked quickly at Ziva who gave him a smile of encouragement as she said “I will meet you at the coffee shop – take as long as you need”

Tony gave her an uncertain smile and then he turned to face Jeanne, who had stepped away from her friends and was walking towards him.

“Hi Jeanne” he mentally kicked himself – he had imagined this moment for years and all he could come up with was hi Jeanne?

“How are you Tony?”

“Good, and yourself?” more mental kicking – was this the way this was going to go?

“I am good Tony.  Life is good”

Tony was genuinely happy to hear that, and it gave him the courage to say what had been in his heart for a long time “Jeanne, I am so sorry- for everything, but mostly about how badly things ended between us”

Jeanne smiled sadly and hesitantly touched his elbow “Me too, but it worked out – for both of us.” She looked at and nodded towards an obviously pregnant Ziva sitting across the street in the coffee house window patiently reading a book.

“I met someone –the love of my life - and we have two beautiful children.  For a while, it was good for us Tony and I loved you, but I know in my heart that what we could have had – it would not compare to what I have now.”

Tony smiled and leaned in for a slightly awkward hug and whispered “What we had? It was real. I am glad that I met you. You made me realize I was capable of giving and receiving love.  You gave me that”

He felt Jeanne smile against his cheek before she pulled back and said “Good-bye Tony”

Tony took her hand and squeezed tenderly “Good-bye Jeanne”

The two former lovers gave each other one final smile – one full of forgiveness and redemption.