This is my first attempt at a casefic and is currently unbeta-d so apologies for any mistakes. Please let me know what you think!

Ziva looked up from her computer as she heard the elevator open and raised her eyebrows slightly as she watched Tony march over to his desk, throw down his bag and drop into his chair with a loud groan.

"It looks like somebody did not have a good night last night," she said, leaning forward on her elbows as she surveyed Tony. McGee glanced over at them then went back to whatever he was doing without a word, a small frown creasing his forehead.

"My night was fine," said Tony, rooting through his desk, "It's this morning I'm having a problem with. McGee, did you take my stapler?"

Tim looked up again, shook his head, then went straight back to typing. Tony's eyes narrowed as he stared suspiciously at the younger field agent and he slammed the drawer shut.

"Why is the probie acting strangely?" he asked, turning to Ziva. McGee glared at him.

"McGee is participating in a sponsored silence," Ziva replied with a smirk.

"Let me guess…" He turned on his heel back to McGee, "Abby."

Tim rolled his eyes and nodded after a brief hesitation, causing Tony to start chuckling darkly.

"Oh I am going to enjoy this." Rubbing his hands together gleefully Tony took a seat on the edge of McGee's desk. "Say, McGoo, if you're not a prepubescent elf lord with no hope of losing that burdensome cherry of yours… don't say anything."

McGee clenched his jaw; the sounds of his fingers hitting the keyboard became louder as he jabbed at them.

"Leave him alone, Tony, it is for charity. Perhaps you would benefit from a sponsored silence also," Ziva commented with a smirk.

"Very funny. I was just-"

"Reliving your high school days, DiNozzo?"

Tony twisted around too violently and slipped off the desk with a yelp as Gibbs strode into the bullpen. Quickly jumping up and righting himself - ignoring McGee's smirk - Tony straightened his shirt.

"Morning, Boss. I was… just going back to my own desk." He scuttled back to his chair, throwing Ziva a dirty look.

"Don't get comfortable, we've got a dead petty officer at Norfolk. Get the truck."

Ziva caught the keys with a flourish and shot the guys a cat-like smile as she grabbed her bag.

"This morning just keeps getting better and better," Tony muttered darkly. He glanced back at McGee who was following him to the elevator. "At least I won't have to hear you screaming like a girl this time."

Seeing the doors were about to close, Tony dashed into the lift and cupped his hand behind his ear with a confused expression as McGee ran towards the closing doors.

"Sorry, did you want me to hold the door? I didn't hear you yell!" he called as the doors closed on McGee's frustrated expression.

Ziva chuckled.

"That was cruel, Tony."

"I'm in a cruel mood today, Ziva."

"I will bear that in mind." She glanced at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Tony grimaced. "It's personal."

"You do not feel that you can tell me your personal secrets?" she questioned, arching an eyebrow as the elevator drew to a halt in its descent.

"Not this one." He edged round her as the doors opened and strode out of the lift, leaving a puzzled Ziva to stare after him.

A/N: Feedback is always awesome if it's constructive and especially awesome if it's on characterisation. I'm working really hard on that and would really like to hear if I've pulled it off or if it could still improve. Thanks for reading.