Author's Note: This is my first ever attempt at writing a fanfiction. To start off, I didn't want to commit to writing a long multi-chapter story. This will most probably last for one more chapter. I'd love to hear back from the readers. Nothing quite motivates a writer like feedback whether positive or otherwise. Thanks for your time.

What Are We Doing?

Chapter 1

"It's been just another day," thought Tony as he finished reviewing his case report and wrote down the date on its cover, "02-14-2013". The case itself had been straight-forward and was tied up neatly but it had proved to be frustrating as it kept them pursuing MC after the big lead they got the previous week. He signed off on it and closed the file with flourish making sure it caught the attention of the bullpen's other two occupants.

"Finished already?" exclaimed McGee watching Tony strut across to Gibbs' desk, drop the file and turn around looking quite pleased with himself.

"Oh yes! Feeling a little jealous here are we?" asked Tony, as he flashed his trademark grin while walking back to his desk to collect his things.

"I'm just worried that I'm going to be late for my date tonight. I am supposed to..."

"Whoa, whoa! Back the truck up, McPouty-Face. You have a date? Tonight? How are we only just hearing about this?!"

"Gee, I don't know Tony. Maybe because I didn't want you badgering me for more information while we were working a case!" snapped McGee and returned to typing away on his computer.

Tony, no longer interested in packing up, crossed his arms, leant on his desk and continued with his prying. "Okay, then. As you may have noticed, we are no longer in the middle of a case. Spill it!"

"Technically, we still are. Atleast, Ziva and I still are," sighed McGee causing Tony to roll his eyes.

"Come on McGee, don't be a spoilsport."

This caught McGee's attention as he swivelled in his chair to face him, defeated, knowing full well that it would be best to get this over with if he wanted to go through the rest of the evening uninterrupted. "Alright then, what do you want to know?"

"Everything."

"Well, Abby and I decided to go on a double date tonight. It was all decided a while back..."

Out of the corner of his eyes, Tony noticed that Ziva had also taken a break from whatever she was doing to listen in. Despite the numerous times she had lectured him about respecting other people's personal lives, he knew that she herself couldn't resist a juicy office gossip like this one. It made him smile a little.

"Wow! So McAbby is back on track then, huh?"

"What? Oh, no.. No. When I said we were going on a double date, I didn't mean that we were going as a couple. Gabi is back in town. So, I actually took your advice and asked her out," said McGee, trying not to look too ecstatic about this development and failing miserably. "Abby is bringing someone who she met at the same animal shelter that her brother, Kyle, works at. They seem to have really hit it off; already been on a couple of dates, in fact. I'm supposed to meet her at the entrance in exactly..." He checked his watch and a panicked look came over his face, "...twenty minutes and that means I've really got to get a move on here. So, if you don't mind."

Tony put his hands up in peace and said, "Fine. Clearly, this means a lot to you so you won't hear another word from me."

McGee, seemingly stunned by and yet wary about Tony's reply, could only say, "Thanks." He pulled up his chair closer to his desk and focussed his attention back onto his monitor.

Tony, for his part, stayed true to his word. He grabbed a magazine lying in his drawer and settled down to read it. His hands flicked through its glossy pages but his eyes were now surreptitiously stealing glances at his partner, sitting across from him, as they seemed to do way too often nowadays. She had worn her hair down, in curls, which were now highlighted by the rays of the evening sun filtering in through the large window overlooking the Navy Yard. The expression on her face mirrored that of McGee's, screwed up in concentration while her fingers glided smoothly over her keyboard as she attempted to complete her own report.

On a couple of occasions, she locked eyes with him and, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to look across the room only to find him gazing at her, smiled at him; a smile that she reserved just for him. A smile that made him feel... just so happy, because it was innocent, natural and genuine. He knew there hadn't been too many of those in her life over the past few weeks.

"Done."

Ziva's voice pulled him away from the disturbing memories and brought him back to the present. This was what he had been waiting for all day.

"Great! Let's get out of here and let McGee have some peace and quiet, spend some quality time with his immortal beloved and grab a cuppa coffee? "

"Yes, of course. And by that, you do mean his computer, yes?"

"Of course," said Tony, winking at her. He let her lead the way towards the break room.

"Did you see that? He was so oblivious to everything happening around him, including my jibe!" complained Tony.

"Well, if you were in his position, you would not have wanted to keep your date waiting either, would you?" Ziva reasoned, as she went about making his coffee adding just the right amount of milk and sugar. This was one of the several small things that they had learnt about each other after all the hours spent together. He tasted his brew and, sure enough, it made him sigh in contentment. Once Ziva had her cup filled, they both proceeded to sit across from each other at their usual small, circular table in a corner of the empty break room.

A few minutes passed by in comfortable silence as they sipped on their caffeinated beverage. Soon, Tony emptied his cup and slowly laid it down in front of him, twirling it nervously as he pondered on how best to go about doing what he had planned. Suddenly, he stopped his motions, leaned back on his chair and asked her outright, "Listen, if you don't have anything planned for tonight you are welcome to join me and catch a movie at my place. I'll let you pick."

There, that seemed casual enough. They had done this a fair few times in the past and it shouldn't make it any different today. And yet, even as he told himself this, he couldn't help the fluttery feeling in the pit of his stomach though he did his best to ignore it.

Ziva paused, half-way between a sip, looked at him with unmistakable surprise, which Tony was quick to catch, although it lasted only for a fraction of a second before she composed her expression to one of mild interest. She completed her sip, which seemed to last for eons to Tony, put her cup down on the table with a clink, looked him in the eye and said, "Yes, Tony. Why not?"

He gave himself a little high-five in his head and said nonchalantly, "See you at my place then at around, say, 8?"

"Sounds good," replied Ziva, getting up and making her way back to the squad room. On reaching the door, she turned around with the air of someone having just remembered something and said, "On one condition." Tony got up with a start and turned around with a perplexed look on his face making Ziva laugh. "I was just going to ask you to pick the movie, Tony. You know which are the ones worth watching and your choices are always interesting, in a good way." Realizing that she may have said too much to feed his self-esteem, she quickly added, "As far as movies are concerned."

Her words eased him up and for a second, he was transported back to the conversation which, in some ways, had opened his eyes to her.

You know, one of these days, I'd like to actually meet someone who appreciates movies the way I do. Or at least appreciates the way I appreciate them.

She does, Tony.

"Can't argue with you there," piped up Tony. Buoyed by the sudden spring in his step, he walked side-by-side his partner who was shaking her head, seemingly annoyed by his cockiness which would have been quite convincing if not for the big smile she wore.

They entered the bullpen just in time to catch McGee swinging his backpack over his shoulder and checking out his hair on his monitor which was now switched off. "Look at our Probie, all grown up! Good luck for your date, McRomeo, sweep her off her feet."

"You look very handsome today, McGee. I am sure Gavriella will be impressed," added Ziva, encouragingly.

"Thanks guys! I appreciate it, really. I'll get going then. See you both tomorrow," said McGee and left in a hurry.

"He sure seems happy," remarked Tony, almost to himself.

"Ah, give it a couple of months." Gibbs' voice preceded him into the bullpen as he took up his seat behind his desk. "I see that you two are done with your reports," observed Gibbs.

Tony and Ziva replied in the affirmative, in unison.

"Then what on earth are you still doing here?" enquired Gibbs. He looked up to see them exchange confused looks and said, "Rule No. 11."

"When the job is done, walk away," Tony reeled off. "Walking away, Boss." Tony and Ziva collected their belongings and exited the squadroom through the elevator doors.