Summary: It started out as an invitation to lunch, but turned into something more.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS, didn't invent any of the foods mentioned here, and didn't come up with any of the quotes or lyrics written in the last chapter. If I did, I'd be really rich.

Spoilers: Vague references to 3x20: Untouchable and 7x02: Reunion. Doesn't matter if you've never seen them.

Whew. So this is the much needed fluffiness after For One Night. This story focuses on the interaction between Tony and Ziva rather than the plotline, although it is progressive. As with the TV series, the interaction here is a mixture of friendship and romance.

-Soph


Chapter 1

Ziva sighed happily as she powered down her computer and glanced up at the sunrays filtering in through the window. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and the fact that she had finally finished her paperwork made it seem almost magical. She smiled vaguely at the sunrays before getting out of her chair.

"Finished your work?" Tony asked enviously, looking up from the miniscule script on his table at his partner across the bullpen.

"Yes," Ziva beamed at him. "I see you have not finished yours, Tony."

"Yeah, rub it in," he muttered darkly as he continued writing.

"Oh, such a grumpy Tony," Ziva clucked her tongue sympathetically. "Well, that is what happens when you place a bet with McGee knowing that you will lose."

"I didn't know that I would lose!" Tony defended himself. "McGee cheated."

Ziva laughed. "You cheat all the time in your bets with him, Tony. The only difference now is that he beat you to it."

"He shouldn't have," Tony answered rather petulantly, and scowled. "Probies."

That made Ziva laugh again. She picked up her coat and bag, and was about to walk away when she stopped suddenly and said, "Do you want to get lunch, Tony?"

Tony frowned at her, bewildered. "Can't. Paperwork, remember?"

"No, I know." Ziva waved her hand impatiently. "I mean after you are done with the paperwork."

"It might take a while," Tony said doubtfully.

"I know. But I can tell from your face that you are hungry." Tony's stomach chose that inopportune moment to emphasize her point. "As I have nowhere to go for now, I thought we could grab lunch together."

"You could always bring something back for me," Tony said hopefully.

Ziva snorted. "No. I am not going to wait in line for an hour, Tony, just to get you your famous barbeque burger."

"That's only available for dinner, anyway," Tony retorted.

Ziva rolled her eyes. "However, I will wait for you here." She plunked down her bag and flopped back down into her chair, observing him like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

Tony, for his part, was trying to figure out where the trick in that entire conversation was; Ziva was not acting like herself and he felt as if there were hidden cameras all around the room aimed at him, waiting for him to screw up. "Wait. Am I being Punk'd?"

Ziva shot him a confused look. "Punk'd?"

"You know, that MTV show with Ashton Kutcher, where he…nevermind." Tony gave up when Ziva's expression did not change. "Why are we going out for lunch again?"

"Because…do you not want to get lunch with me, Tony?" There was an odd lilt in Ziva's voice that made Tony unsure of his answer.

"I, uh…no! I'll grab lunch with you." He gulped.

Ziva furrowed her brows at him and then leant back in her chair, whipping out a book as she did so. "It is settled, then." She propped her feet up on the table.

Tony's eyes widened at her apparent need to have lunch with him, but wisely kept quiet and bent his head over his work. An hour later he finally cleared the stack on his desk. "I'm done."

Ziva grinned. "Good." She stowed her book in her bag. "I am so hungry."

Tony opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it. Instead, he said, "Alright, let's go."