Author's Note-Hey, so I'm in a slump with Happy Endings thus I'm trying something new to try and break myself out of it. I am well aware that the timeline with this story doesn't add up, so please don't go on and on about it, just accept it and go with the flow. Please let me know what you think of this story, it's the first one I've written without a Tiva pairing. Plus, it's a little different to my usual storylines. Also, this story has to be dedicated to Zivacentric, who has provided the much needed help and support in making the decision of jumping aboard this ship. Thank you Sweetie, expect more hand-holding to be needed as we progress haha. :D Okay, read, review, enjoy! NYLF xx

Tony, Ziva and Tim all sat at their desks while Gibbs had disappeared about ten minutes before without a word. The team were all working on the suspicious hanging of a petty officer. With a dodgy suicide note and Gibbs' gut both pointing to murder over suicide, they had opened the investigation and were looking for and eliminating suspects; had been for the last day and a half. The bullpen was quiet, unusually so. Tony was half asleep, slumped over his desk as he mumbled eliminating questions into the receiver of his desk phone, Tim was working, slowly, through their victim's bank and phone records and Ziva was multitasking as only she could; checking in on their BOLO for their victim's car, helping Tony with their substantial list of suspects, liaising with local LEO's and writing up her paperwork for the case before. Just an ordinary Wednesday afternoon. Which is why, when Tim's phone rang and security told him that someone was there to see Agent Gibbs, he told them to bring them up without hesitation.

"Agent McGee?" Rick from security announced his and their visitor's presence. The three agents looked up with a synchronicity that everyone had come to expect from Team Gibbs.

"Cheers Rick." Tim stood to greet their guest. The young woman thanked her escort as he retreated back to the elevator before turning to face the team. She stood at about five foot five with a perfect hourglass figure. Her beautiful crystal clear ice blue eyes flitted from one team member to the other while she subconsciously played with the edge of her light blue shirt with the hand not hooked into the belt loop of her light blue frayed jeans. She stopped playing with her clothing long enough to raise a hand.

"Umm, hey." She started rather shyly. "I was told I could find Agent Gibbs here?" Tim leant against the edge of his desk.

"He's not here right now, and we don't know when he'll be back. May I ask what it is you need him for? Maybe one of us could help?" He asked politely. She shook her head, her high fire-red ponytail, which sat just short of the middle of her back, swinging with the movement.

"I don't think you can." She shifted from one foot to the other. "Do you have any idea where he is?" Tony looked from their guest to Ziva, who was glaring at the young woman.

"He's probably going for coffee." He smiled at her and she laughed, shaking her head.

"I suppose I should have known that." Tony puzzled that for a moment.

"Then you might know how unpredictable he is?" She nodded with a knowing half smile that had an air of familiarity to it.

"Yes, I have a vague idea. Is there anywhere I can wait?"

"Who exactly are you, by the way?" Ziva asked rather abruptly, making her jump and both men shake their heads at her.

"I should have introduced myself. My name is Pennie." Tony smiled reassuringly, noticing, as he was sure Ziva had, that Pennie had moved minutely closer to him, putting more distance between herself and Ziva.

"And why do you want Agent Gibbs, Pennie?" Her name sounded bitter coming from the Israeli's mouth and Tony looked at her imploringly.

"Zi!" Pennie quickly turned to him.

"It's okay Agent…?"

"DiNozzo, but please, call me Tony." Pennie smiled until Ziva scoffed.

"I need to speak with him Agent…?"

"David." The fact that she hadn't given her her first name so as to make them less formal didn't go unnoticed by anyone.

"Agent David." She smiled tensely. Tony rounded his desk and mimicked Tim's stance. He looked her up and down, taking in every detail, causing Ziva to glare at them both. "Umm, so, is there anywhere I can wait for him?"

"Umm, sure, I'll take you to the Conference Room." Ziva was on her feet before he had barely finished speaking.

"Sure. Why not?" Pennie turned to the woman with much more confidence than anyone was feeling from her.

"Agent David, have I done something to offend you?" The tears in her voice were undeniable. "Only you haven't said a single nice word to me since I arrived." Tony stood in a gesture of camaraderie for her, prepared to step between them both if the need arose. Ziva glared at them both.

"Well, when you come in here, demanding to see our boss, with no explanation, and casually flirt with any man you see, did you expect me to be nice? You could be anyone." Pennie shook her head as tears started to pool in her eyes.

"Where is the ladies' room please?" She asked Tony who quickly shot a look that quite clearly asked 'what the hell?' at Ziva before turning back to Pennie.

"I'll show you, this way."

Tony stood outside the ladies', leaning against the wall, ready to take Pennie to the Conference Room and reassure her about Ziva. She had been in there for about five minutes before Tony decided to check on her.

"Pennie?" He asked concernedly as he saw her leaning over the sink, tears pouring from her closed eyes. She jumped at his voice and was quick to try and wipe away the tears.

"Agent DiNozzo. This is the women's bathroom; you are not supposed to be in here." He smiled as he came to lean beside her, facing away from the mirror.

"Tony, and I do this a lot." He chuckled before turning his head to face her. "Are you okay? You really mustn't worry about Ziva; she's just a bit…."

"Combative?" Pennie asked slowly. Tony laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, yeah. She doesn't play well with others." She smiled gently.

"She bit my head off because you were nice to me, I kinda got that impression." Tony chuckled.

"Sorry. I don't know what got into her. She's usually alright." He pushed off the sink and went into one off the stalls, returning with tissue for Pennie. She thanked him before wiping away her tears. "So, how do you know Bossman?" She smiled slowly, turning to face the wall before leaning against the sink again.

"I've known him for, a while. I haven't seen him in years, and we didn't leave it very well. To tell you the truth, I am a little apprehensive about seeing him again." The complete omission of 'how' didn't escape him.

"You didn't marry him did you?" Pennie laughed incredulously and Tony couldn't help but joining in. She had one of those laughs, one of those smiles, you just can't help joining.

"No." She laughed, shaking her head. "Heavens no." She turned to face him. "I don't suppose you can assure me that he'll welcome me back into his life with open arms?" Tony shook his head slowly.

"I don't think I know Gibbs well enough to do that. If it helps though, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." She smiled sadly. Tony's phone buzzed in his pocket. "It's McGee, Gibbs has just got back. You ready?" She faltered before nodding. "Okay, come on." He squeezed her hand before holding open the door for her.

"Tony, where the hell have you…?" Gibbs started before he noticed Pennie. Tony gently pulled her in front of him.

"You have a visitor boss." Pennie smiled shyly while Tim and Ziva looked on with interest. "Special Agent in Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs, this is Pennie. Pennie, Agent Gibbs."

"Hello Pennie." Gibbs answered tensely. Pennie's smile tightened slightly.

"Hello Daddy."