I wrote this a little while back and it has been sitting on my computer for ages. I won't be writing much now and I haven't posted anything lately as I have a mass of exams to revise for.
Disclaimer; If disclaimers were horses, beggars would ride. If you recognize a character, I don't own it.
Brotherly Love
"David."
Tony was leaning back in his chair watching Ziva.
"….can you pick me up at 8...thanks……Bye"
"Got a date Ziva?" he said, eyebrow raised.
"No, a friend is here, from Israel. I asked him if he wanted to meet me and he said he'd call me later with the arrangements."
"A, friend, huh," Tony said nodding knowingly, although if someone had looked closer they may have seen hints of jealousy.
"Yes, a friend." Ziva glared at Tony. "I've known him since I was a child. He is like a brother to me."
"A brother, sure," Tony said half smiling at her.
"Only you would think it is impossible to be just friends with someone of the opposite sex who isn't related to you."
"Sure you're not friends with benefits?"
"I don't quite get that phrase."
"It means… oh never mind." Tony decided that in the interest of his own safety, it would be better to keep his mouth shut. He sat back in his chair, with his feet on his desk. At that moment Gibbs strode in and he almost fell off his chair trying to get his feet on the floor quickly.
"DiNozzo, you got that licence plate yet?" Gibbs barked.
"Working on it Boss," he said wincing as Gibbs wacked his head.
"Less relaxing, more working DiNozzo, we need that plate."
"Right, Boss."
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The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and they caught the man who had killed Petty Officer Hawkins earlier that week. At six, Ziva got out of her chair and grabbed her coat. Tony got up and did the same.
"We're leaving now Boss, okay," Tony said, and Gibbs just nodded, not even looking up. Tony and Ziva rode in the lift and walked across to the car park in silence. Ziva carried on walking, but half way across the car park, Tony suddenly drew to a halt.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"There's someone by your car waiting for you," he replied his hand moving to his gun.
"Ziva looked where he was looking, relaxed and smiled. "It's just my friend, do not worry." Ziva walked across the rest of the car park quickly.
"I thought you were going to pick me up at my house, Micah," she said smiling.
"Ah, well, it's been 7 years ZIzi, I couldn't wait to see you again," he said holding his arms out and she stepped into them, hugging him. She saw out of the corner of her eye Tony raise his eyebrow when Micah called her Zizi.
"Well, "he said stepping back, "Who's your friend?"
"Tony," he said and held his hand out, "Anthony DiNozzo." The other man shook it.
"Micah Kerem. Do you work with Zizi?"
"Yeah, we've been working together 3 years."
"I've known Zizi since we grew up together in Tel Aviv; she's like a sister to me." He looked at Ziva. "I heard about Ari. I'm sorry, I know you were close." Ziva just nodded.
"Do you want me to drive you to wherever you're staying," she asked. "How did you get here?"
"No thanks, I don't need a lift," he said, pointing to a motorbike parked in between to cars, a few feet down.
"Nice bike," Tony said.
"I know," he said. "Well, I'll see you tonight, Zizi," he said, kissing her on the cheek, as he walked down to his bike got on it, revved the engine, and rode away. Tony and Ziva stood watching, as he drove off. They stood in silence for a few seconds until Tony turned to look at her and broke it.
"Zizi?" He said almost laughing.
"So?" she said punching him on the arm. "I believe it is also quite common in America to have childhood nicknames."
He ignored her and carried on laughing. She hit him on the arm again, a lot harder that before, and he broke of.
"Ow," he said, rubbing his arm. "That hurt."
"Well I was an assassin."
"Zizi the assassin," he said with a grin. She sighed.
"I'm going home now," she said.
"I will see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," he said as he turned away to walk back to his own car.
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They sat in a small restaurant a few blocks away from Ziva's apartment. It was summer still, and the last rays of dying light washed through the large plate glass windows that fronted the restaurant. Ziva had a really good time with Micah, they discussed the people they both knew, and laughed and joked, it was almost like they had never been separated.
"You're married now?" Ziva said to Micah.
"Yep, a girl called Rina and we have twin boys, Amir and Tamer. Hang on, I think I have a photo here somewhere," he said searching his pockets. "Ah, here we are," he said sliding the picture across the table to her.
"Cute," she said, and handed back the photo. It had contained a happy smiling family, and she couldn't help feeling a little empty.
"Yeah, I love them to bits. What about you, married, or engaged?" he asked.
"No, not yet." She said, looking a little sad. Micah seemed to pick up on this.
"Anyone you like?" he said smiling, and she blushed.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure he even likes me."
"Who could not like you? You beautiful, strong, smart, and even though you worked for Mossad, you're still caring. Who couldn't like you? Tell me his name, and I could take care of it for you," he said jokingly.
"I don't think I want you taking care of him," she said and looked mock alarmed. "Besides if there's any taking care of to be done, I'll do it myself."
"Well, who is he? Is it this Tony, I met today." Ziva looked up, shocked.
"Why would you think that?" she said a little too quickly.
"It's obvious darling. He likes you, and you like him, yes?"
""Um, I have to go to the restrooms," she said, and left the table. When she returned, Micah dropped the subject and didn't mention it, and she was grateful for that. She didn't need her honorary brother playing matchmaker. The paid the bill and left, Ziva clinging on to Micah's back as he accelerated down the streets, weaving in and out of traffic. Outside her house, he waited before driving off, and pulled out his cell.
"Hello, this is Karem. I wondered if you could get me the address of an Anthony DiNozzo?"