I had an idea of a way for Tiva to begin an actual relationship. They just need a little help ;) Let me know what you think!

It was a normal day in the orange squad room. Gibbs was out for another cup of coffee, and McGee and Tony were busy at work. Another desk, however, had remained suspiciously empty all morning.

"McGee, have you heard from Ziva?" Tony asked, concerned. McGee noticed.

"No, actually, now that I think about it, no. No I haven't." McGee was equally as concerned now. "Do you want me to track her phone?"

He thought Tony would hesitate, but the severity of the situation made even him drop the act.

"Do it. Now."

McGee went right to work. As he did this, Gibbs walked in.

"DiNozzo, what's with the face?" Nothing could ever get by Gibbs.

"It's Ziva," he wasted no time. "We haven't heard from her all day."

Gibbs was instantly furious. "And why exactly am I just finding out about this now, DiNozzo?"

"Originally we thought she was just running a little late. We thought we'd cover for her. But she still hasn't made contact-"

"It's her phone," McGee interrupted. "It's off. I can't track it." He was obviously worried.

Gibbs was beginning to look concerned too. DiNozzo walked towards his desk.

"Boss?" He questioned.

"Go."

With Gibbs' okay, Tony grabbed his coat and was at the elevator in a flash. McGee looked at Gibbs, his concern apparent on his even more than normal pale face.

TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER

When the elevator dinged, McGee and Gibbs looked up instinctively. And they were instantly relieved.

"Ziva!" McGee and Gibbs immediately jumped out of their chairs and walked towards the no-longer-missing agent.

"I am so sorry I am late," Ziva exclaimed. "I had a crazy morning. I went for a run and it began to pour like rats and dogs-"

"Cats and dogs," McGee corrected.

"Whatever! Anyway, as it rained I was still about three miles away from my apartment, so by the time I got back, my phone was dead, and then-"

"Ziva," Gibbs cut off her rambling, obviously aggravated. "Where's DiNozzo?"

"Tony?" Ziva was evidently confused. "What do you mean? He has not been at work?"

"Ziva, he went to find you. He left about a half hour ago," McGee answered. "We were worried about you."

"No need to worry, McGee. I am fine," she responded.

"Well, now that we're all caught up, would you all mind if we worked on our case?" said Gibbs, sarcastically.

"Sorry, boss," McGee and Ziva answered simultaneously.

"Good. And call DiNozzo, we need all hands on deck.

"On it, boss." McGee went to work, while Ziva put her jacket down, something she hadn't had the chance to do since she stormed in late.

As the team gathered their things to prepare for the case, Gibbs realized Tony had still not resurfaced. However, due to Ziva's late arrival, they couldn't wait any longer.

"We have to get going," he said forcefully. "DiNozzo can catch up with us. Someone text him the address."

And with that, the team grabbed their gear and headed off. McGee made sure to text Tony in the process:

Tried calling you- Ziva's OK. On our way to the case, meet us there ASAP.

The case was pretty routine. A petty office had been shot at a base in Virginia earlier that morning. The team went about its normal business, taking crime scene photos and interviewing his family. However, there was one important difference- Tony had never shown up.

Gibbs was obviously furious the entire afternoon. Ziva, McGee, even Ducky knew to stay out of his way. They worked quickly and efficiently, as quietly as any of them had ever worked a case. When they were done, they quickly loaded their cars and left.

Gibbs drove Ziva and McGee. Their ride home was silent, until Gibbs broke it.

"He ever text you back, McGee?"

"No, boss. I called him twice in the squad room after Ziva showed up and texted him when we were leaving." McGee left out the five text messages he sent Tony at the crime scene:

We're here. Where are you?

You're late. Boss is pissed.

Tony you need to get here NOW.

TONY.

You owe us. Big time.

Despite the numerous messages and phone calls, Tony had not responded. While the rest of the team figured he was pulling another one of his cheesy pranks or class clown acts, Gibbs had grown concerned. While it was unacceptable for any of his agents to be late, especially miss a crime scene, he knew it wasn't like them. Either of them. And something in his gut told him that this time, something was definitely not right.