Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. That is all.

a/n: Well, I succumbed to the peer pressure. Here is the sequel to "Happiness." If you haven't read that story, you might want to. You can find it on my profile page.

This is a post Aliyah fic, so there will be spoilers.

Just a quick FYI, this will be essentially the same style as "Happiness," with POVs alternating between Tony and Ziva. I'm thinking this will end up at 11 chapters as well.

Enjoy:

Ziva's POV:

--==--

-=-

"Abby, calm down." I say, throwing on my backpack as she quite literally bounces beside me.

"I can't calm down Ziva! You're coming in to work today!"

It is the fourth time she has said it.

"Yes, I know."

Gibbs had ordered me to take a week to myself before starting again with NCIS and Abby had graciously offered to let me stay in her apartment. McGee and Palmer moved in a queen-sized mattress that took up half of her living room while she helped me shop for clothes.

I use "help" loosely.

"But Ziva, you get to see everyone today!"

"You have had them over for dinner every night."

She had.

I would have rather just eaten by myself, but I felt that since Abby was generous enough to let me stay with her, I should at least humor her social desires.

"I know, but now it's different. Now it's at work!" She says it so happily, and I do not have the heart to argue with her.

I do not know why I should be excited to return to NCIS. I mean, I do, obviously, want to return, but Gibbs has placed me on desk duty for the next six weeks as Ducky thought that was the prudent amount of time I needed to fully recuperate.

Suffice to say, I do not agree.

Abby has promised to keep me company as I complete hours of mindless paperwork. I am not sure what she intends on doing, but I appreciate the offer.

Abby really has been amazing to me.

I glance over at her and she smiles back as we walk out to her car – I have not been cleared for driving yet.

Tony would laugh and tell me I never should have been cleared in the first place.

Tony.

I sigh, opening the door to her hearse and taking my seat on the comfortable black leather.

He had been at dinner with the rest of the group, sure. But we had hardly talked, exchanging pleasantries at the most.

I know he wants to take this slow, and Abby had explained to me that he just does not want to mess things up this time… but "taking it slow" does not mean not talking.

And if it does, then I do not wish to take things slowly anymore.

I miss him. I miss his movie references, and his stupid teasing.

What I would not give to hear him say my name as he used to – elongated the syllables, turning it into "zee-vah."

"You care what we listen to?" Abby asks, breaking my tangent.

"Not in the slightest."

She gives an evil smile. "Brain Matter it is."

-=-

My ears are still ringing as I pass through the Navy Yard's security. I do not think I will be buying Brain Matter's newest album any time soon.

"So, I know you didn't want a big entrance, but I did ask McGee to get you a cake." Abby admits, pressing the call button for the elevator.

"Do not worry about it." I respond, stepping through into the metal box. "As long as there are no balloons."

I give her a large smile, and she returns it.

My face still is a little swollen, but I managed to make it look relatively normal after thirty minutes of make-up application.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Tony and Gibbs put all your stuff back on your desk. They didn't know where it all went, so I guess you'll have something non-paperworky to do today. I can help you get organized, if you want."

"Thank you for the offer, Abby, but I think it would be easier if I did that by myself. I like to know where things are."

"I'm a little OCD about my desk too."

"OCD?"

"You know… Like, anal." She says as the elevator doors slide open and we walk into the bustling squad room.

"What?" I ask, and she sighs, patting me lightly on the shoulder.

"Ask Tony."

"Ask Tony what?" I hear him call from his desk as we enter the bullpen.

"Could you define 'OCD' for her?"

"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and welcome back Ziva." McGee answers quickly, and I send him a small wave.

"Thanks for stealing my thunder, McDoctor." Tony mutters, as Abby leaves me with a small hug before heading off to the lab.

"It is nice to see you too Tony," I laugh, placing my backpack down next to my extremely cluttered desk.

I never realized how much stuff I kept at NCIS. Large stacks sit next to my computer among them were several books, a few spare items of clothing, and a book of English idioms I am sure Tony sniggered when he saw.

Other piles had various other trinkets I had collected in my years: maps, address books, knives, and a steaming hot cup of tea…

I do not think I left that there.

I cough loudly, holding it up for Tony and McGee to see.

Tim immediately looks at Tony, who sends me a nervous smile.

"I was getting myself a coffee, and I thought you might want something too." He says, reaching into his coat pocket. "I didn't know how you wanted it, so I brought back some cream and sugar."

He retrieves the two items from his pocket and holds them up to show me.

"I prefer it as is." I smile and he sets the flavorings down. "Thank you."

The surprise is evident in my tone. Tony did not normally get other peoples' drink unless he is forced to.

"Any time Zee-Vah."

My heart jumps at the name, and he flashes his infamous DiNozzo grin.

I take a long sip of the tea to hide my smile as I look on at my desk.

"You want some help organizing, Ziva?" McGee asks.

"No, thank you though. I like to know exactly where things are."

"That would explain the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder conversation…" Tony responds.

"Speaking of which, I still do not know what exactly that is."

"In layman's terms, it's called being a neat freak." I hear Gibbs say as he walks in, fresh coffee in hand. "Gear up, we got a dead marine."

I had just been getting my hopes up on having company today.

Tony and McGee quickly shuffle around their desks as I look sadly at Gibbs. He grabs something out of a drawer before walking towards me.

"Just because you aren't going in the field with us doesn't mean you don't get this." He says quietly, handing me my badge and SIG.

I smile at the familiar feel of the objects. I missed this.

"Welcome back, Ziver." He adds a kiss to my cheek before walking towards the elevator, McGee and Tony in tow.

"I still do not think it is fair that Tony gets to go out in the field!" I call after them, and Tony turns around to face me.

"I got cleared for duty yesterday." He says happily, holding up his sling-less arm.

How did I not notice that earlier?

The elevator doors close after Tony narrowly slips in.

I am surprisingly happy, even though I have been left behind.

It feels good to be back.

-=-

It took me less than one hour to complete the reorganization of my desk. After that it was paperwork, answering calls, taking notes, reviewing files…

Essentially everything that I hate.

I rest my head in my hands as I hear the ding of the elevator followed by familiar footfall.

"How is the case?" I ask, rubbing my temples.

"Over," Gibbs says, and I look up.

"Open and shut. We showed up at the crime scene and a guy came up to us to confess." Tony explains, placing a large white bag on his desk.

"Why did it take you four hours?"

"We got lunch," he replies, pulling out a couple items. "Club sandwich for the McGoo," he says, hurling it at the young agent. "Meatball pour moi, and a Philly Cheese Steak for the ninja."

I look up just in time to catch the tinfoil wrapped sandwich.

"Thank you, Tony."

Second food item he has gotten for me today.

"Thank probie, it was on his dime."

That explains it.

"Thank you, Tim."

"You're welcome."

I do not think there is a food less kosher than a Philly Cheese Steak, and I would never have found one in Israel, but quite frankly I do not care.

To me, it tastes like America, and NCIS, and family.

Perhaps I am taking too much symbolism out of this one little thing, but this one little thing is yet another reminder of why I need to stay here.

And that is what counts.

-=-

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Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. You all inspired me to write it…

This was a little bit of a filler, just to set the scene of where the characters are. Things pick up in the next one.

Reviews?