A/N: Just something that I thought of one day when I was in a less than happy mood. I also thought the characters warranted a story like this.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to NCIS, which I find to be slightly distressing.

Silence

Their dance around each other had ended awhile ago. There were no sparks, no cheers, no outward signs that something had changed. The only detectable difference was a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the bullpen. Sometime after that two individuals became known as one. You call one name and both respond. It had unnerved him at first, but eventually he got used to it.

The teasing that usually flew around the bullpen almost ceased to exist. Everyone centered on their work and the noise level lowered, but not to an uncomfortable level. Smiles found their way onto faces much more often than frowns ever did; then came the inevitable day that no one wished to see, including him. They said it was a mutual decision…that work had to come first. They said rule 12 was there for a reason. Silence settled over the bullpen.

That had been 2 months ago. Now, they all sit trying to get work done in the oppressive stillness of the room. He can barely stand it. The clicking of the keyboards makes him want to scream. Any noise is too much noise. Tony's phone rings ripping through the quiet with hurricane-like force. He jumps at the abrupt disturbance. Long ago they would have both made a comment. Today is not long ago.

"Scared McGeek?" Tony smirks.

"Leave him alone Dinozzo," Ziva commands. Her voice is barely controlled and he can hear the subtle threat in her undertones. They have come to argue about anything and everything. They never allow themselves to concede to the other, no matter how obvious it is that the other is correct. It is painstakingly obvious that this is going to escalate. He attempts to ignore the oncoming earthquake. He never had a chance.

Tony rolls his eyes and mutters something incoherent under his breath. Ziva growls in utter frustration and stands, slamming her hands against her desk the only outward side of the maelstrom that resides within. Thankfully, she stays behind her desk. Tony follows her movements, but he does so, much softer than she does. There is no sound as his position mimics hers across the bullpen. There is no caring in the look that they give each other, only malice. He knows they have the uncanny ability to fight without a sound. Silence reigns supreme.

Ziva's eyes move rapidly back and forth. He is stunned by how slow time seems to tick by as they stand oblivious to the world around them. He waits for some sound of any kind to escape either one. The explosion is only seconds away; he can feel it in his very bones. Yet, something holds them back. They both sit in their respective chairs at the same time. He can't decide if he is glad that the fight is over.

Someone has to go see Abby. He is elected because they have been banished from her lab for the remainder of the week. Gibbs has not been easy on them for breaking his rule in the first place. Gibbs has deemed the best form of punishment to be keeping them together. They remain partners, and actually get offended if someone tries to cut between them. He cannot begin to comprehend their ability to ignore each other when they are practically on top of each other all day.

Abby runs to him the minute he walks in the door. She is crying. He is instantly on guard wondering what has happened to distress her this much. Abby tells him the awful story and McGee is not surprised. They have reached a new high in their effort at emptiness. They had argued in the one place where arguments do not happen. Abby had been witness to a Tornado of emotions in her one safe place. It is then he realizes what is missing and his heart breaks a little for his friend. There is not sound in the room, none at all. The machines are complying with his co-workers wishes. Abby's lab is completely and utterly silent.

His next stop is Autopsy to see what Ducky has discovered about the body. Ducky banished them the day Ziva showed her distain for the man standing next to her. She actually bit the finger that Tony had pointed at her. After Ducky had bandaged the wound and assured him he did not need a rabies shot her sent them away. She refused to leave until Tony was ready. Ducky had told Gibbs if they couldn't get along he did not wish to see them. They had not been back since.

Today, he listens as Ducky tells him the details of the case. Ducky inquires about the rest of the team. He shrugs his shoulders and explains the situation to the older man. Ducky nods his head and begins to psychoanalyze two people that are too difficult to understand. They are a paradox that ceased to exist after too long spent apart. Ducky continues his rant until he stops him, threatening the older man with their presence if he doesn't get back up to the bullpen.

Gibbs is seemingly ignoring them. They stand next to each other in front of the plasma decidedly not talking to each other. Whenever one of them thinks of something pertinent to the case they turn into the other only to talk to Gibbs. Ziva comes up with a plausible theory that Gibbs concedes to, and sends them to interview the victim's wife again. They glare at each other, but leave the bullpen without a sound.

"Boss," he implores.

"Let 'em go McGee,"

"But Boss," he tries for the second time, practically begging. He is rewarded with a stare that would humble Ziva. He sighs as he goes to sit at his desk. They are going to come back angrier than they were before. They always come back angry. They charge the very air with their fury and it stifles him. He cringes at the thought of how deadly quiet the rest of the day will be.

A few weeks later there is no progress. The bullpen is as silent as it was the first day they decided leading separate lives would be better for all involved. The sound of the elevator registers in is tired brain and he looks up hoping to see his Boss with some much needed coffee. It is not his Boss that walks into the bullpen. It is Eli David.

Tony stands the moment the two men make eye contact. Tony takes two steps before he has all the body guards pointing their weapons at him. The grand total is four. Tony raises his hands in the classic "surrender" gesture. He has no choice given his predicament. Eli shoots him a victorious grin.

Eli takes the last few steps over to where Ziva now stands. He turns the corner at the partition to come face to barrel with Ziva's weapon. She doesn't say anything; she simply stands there. Eli's smile disappears as his expression returns to one of feigned indifference. She gives her father one movement, a simple movement of her head. He waves his hands and all weapons find their respective holsters. Ziva's is the last.

They stare at each other for a few long seconds before his ears are assaulted by the sheer volume of their "discussion". They speak at the same time, not giving any leeway. They stand toe to toe. Eli has long since continued his journey up to Director Vance's office before their voices quiet down. He catches the concern that laces their words every once in awhile. Sometimes it takes panic to break the silence, and that was as close to panic as either of them will ever get.