Chapter 1.

Author's note: The initialized below is from earlier that day

The clock in the right corner of the computer finally switched to eight o'clock, Tony had been sitting in that same position the entire day. The entire team was waiting for another call, something to keep their minds preoccupied. Each one of them was worrying about something or someone.

"Uh, McGee. When do you think is an appropriate time to call it a day", Tony questioned, swiveling his chair to face Tim.

Tim had been thinking about his relationship with Delilah, the ring he had recently bought her was sitting in his desk. He had been waiting for the perfect time to ask. Better yet, he was waiting for the right time. In their line of work, was there ever a right time?

Tim looked at the watch on his wrist, "Just wait for boss, I'm sure he will be back soon."

Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the boss, was away on a mission in Iraq. The reason the team was worried is because the plane was supposed to land at six, two hours ago. No one had heard from him since his departure, but that was the point. Agent Gibbs was deeply undercover.

Tony looked back at his computer, the words started to blur. He had been staring at the same email since he came to work earlier that day, it was from his father. Tony and his father did not have a great relationship, but it was mending. His father had asked if he wanted to meet at nine for a late dinner, because he had something to talk to him about. Usually when Tony's father had something to talk about, it pertained to money.

The elevator across the room dinged, and out came a guy with almost white hair.

Tim jumped up from his seat, "Boss!"

Gibbs walked around the corner and gave Tim a look, "What?"

Tim sat down almost immediately, and he acted like he was working.

"It's just good to see you, boss", Tim said without looking up from his computer.

There was a moment of silence, "It's good to be back", Gibbs said sitting down at his desk.

"Where is Bishop", Gibbs asked as he leaned slightly back in his chair.

Tim nodded towards Tony to answer, "Uh, I think her family was coming in tonight, and she wanted to be at the airport to pick them up."

Tony knew this was a lie, they had an awkward conversation earlier, and she left the office upset. These awkward moments weren't common between the two, or they used not to be. Tim, better known as McGee, told Tony that Bishop has feelings for him. McGee never told him if those feelings were still there, but did he care that much? I mean, were they mutual?

Gibbs sat up slightly, "Family, huh?"

Gibbs gave his squad, the two that were there, the look that told them he didn't believe a word they were saying. Not that Gibbs would blatantly accuse them of lying, usually he would just go out on his own and figure out what was really going on.

Of course, that is what he did later that night. He drove himself to the apartment of Eleanor Bishop.

Ellie sat in the chair by her window and gathered her thoughts about what happened earlier that day.

"Tony, can we talk", Ellie asked as she tried to gather the courage to tell him what she's been wanting to for awhile now.

Tony sat his coffee on his desk and then turned in her direction, "What's up?"

"Have you noticed something different between us", Ellie questioned adverting her eyes from his.

Ellie's heart was beating faster than she expected it would, her palms were sweating. How was she going to tell this guy she is falling for him? This wasn't how things were supposed to go, her divorce to Jake was so fresh. She had only just signed those papers, the ink could still be drying on them. But these feelings were nothing new, she had felt them for awhile now. Tony was charming and some of that rubbed off on her.

Tony looked confused, "No? I mean, I don't think so. Did I do something?"

Ellie looked down at her feet, "No, I did."

The look on Tony's face increased, he was intently staring at Ellie trying to figure out what she was trying to get at.

"I might have accidentally gotten feelings for you", Ellie whispered.

The air filled with an awkward silence, neither could look at each other. They'd been close since Ellie transferred to NCIS, but Tony always felt like it was a brother/sister bond, nothing more and nothing less.

Tony didn't let himself get close to anyone, it wasn't in him after he got his heartbroken by Ziva.

Ellie heard a knock at her front door, part of her hoped it was Tony. So, they could find a way to talk about what happened earlier.

She cracked the door open a little.

"Bishop", Gibbs said, "Can I come in?"

Ellie didn't answer, just opened the door a little wider.

"It's good to see you're safe. We were all awfully worried, radio silence and all", Ellie said as she pointed at a chair for Gibbs to sit in.

Gibbs sat down, "It's part of the job sometimes, but where is your family?"

Ellie looked at Gibbs confused, "What?"

"Tony told me you left work early to get your family from the airport", Gibbs grinned. He had caught them in a silly lie.

Ellie looked past Gibbs and out towards the building across from her apartment, the trees had begun to blossom. Not that anyone could tell well at this time of night, although the street lights were on them.

"Rule 12", Ellie whispered.

Gibbs nodded, "I had a feeling, want to talk about it?"

Ellie shook her head, "I'm not sure it is worth talking about."

It was understood between the two that this conversation wasn't going any further, but Gibbs knew what Ellie meant.

The next morning

"Morning, morning", Tony greeted as he handed a coffee to Tim.

Tony gently placed Ellie's on her desk, not looking directly at her. Things still were weird between them, but they'd have to move on for now. They can't get into it at work.

Tim took a sip of his coffee, "How was your night?"

"I went to dinner with my father", Tony said with a slight grimace.

"That bad", Tim questioned.

Tony smiled, "Might be worse than you think, but it's fine."

Gibbs walked into the squad room, "Enough talk, dead naval officer downtown, get your gear."

Tony and Tim fought for who was going to drive this time, Tony won. When they all headed towards the elevator, they opened by themselves.

Inside the elevator was some woman, a very familiar woman.

"Hi, Tony", the voice said with an accent.

Tony stared, he couldn't believe his eyes. For a moment, he thought he was seeing something, she couldn't possibly be standing right in front of him.

"Ziva", Tony said with a slight question in his voice.