Tim sat at his desk, blankly staring at the closed elevator doors. The office's energy hummed, surrounding him as his thoughts drifted. The only sound he responded to was the sudden ding of the elevator, increasing his heart rate.

Word was, she had not returned from Tel Aviv. He was unwilling to accept it but the fact that he had entered the office this morning without her by his side wasn't reassuring. Walking in together was their usual routine, along with the meaningful talks and happy banter they shared.

It was so easy to elicit a laugh from her, her full attention on him as she touched his arm or gave it a playful squeeze, always creating a warmth, deep within his chest.

The doors slid open revealing John from accounting. He glanced at the clock that hung on the wall. There was an ache in his chest, that he absently rubbed as his eyes focused on her empty chair.

He opened his desk drawer looking at the photograph he had professionally matted and framed for her. The composition consisted of red, thorn-less roses, rich in color. He had set-up his tripod at the park and waited till the lighting was perfect, snapping more shots than he needed, choosing one explicitly for her.

She held a close connection to flowers, believing each kind symbolized a different meaning.

xxx

"How are the Amaranths that I planted in your yard for your birthday, Tim?"

"Great, Zeevs-"

"Did you know that some people express their feelings towards others with flowers? They have a language all of their own."

"Oh-"

Tony had walked by, starting a new conversation with Ziva , as Tim quickly researched the meaning of the Amaranth on his computer.

"Unfading Love."

He looked up, as she gathered her belongings to leave, then hesitated, directing her gaze towards him, confident and steadfast. She smiled, then left.

xxx

That was last week.

He rubbed his eyes then opened his desk drawer for the tenth time that morning to read what he had titled his photograph.

"Love at First Sight."