NOTE: I'm not dead. I just wanted to say that. I haven't written anything for what? Two three weeks? Whatever. So basically, this is a story I wrote after watching the christmas episode online(because my stupid DVR didn't record it on tuesday.) So...yeah. I meant it as a one shot but as always I am willing to expand it in exchange for reviews. Just tell me what you think. NOt really that much Tiva. Just a little at the end.

Regrets

Tony settled into his lounge chair, eggnog in one hand, remote in the other. If he tried really hard, he could almost imagine the last few days had never happened. He hadn't spent christmas working on a case, he hadn't missed all the christmas specials on TV, he hadn't had a christmas eve feast that consisted of tiny finger sandwiches.

In the quiet sanctity of his humble apartment, time flowed backwards. It was the night of December 25th and all was well in the world. That was possible, wasn't it? The passage of time was just a concept the human psyche created millenniums ago so that the setting of the sun would have meaning. Tonight was no different than last night unless he believed it was different. Right?

He groaned and dropped his head back to stare at the ceiling.

Why the hell had he taken those philosophy classes in college? Once it got into your head, it multiplied, like a virus. Questioning your very existence and purpose generally never turned out very well for him. So why had he subjected himself to a semester of the crap? Oh, right. Chicks thought it was hot.

But even now, what had that type of thinking gotten him? Nights of amazing sex aside of course.

He let his gaze wander around his sparsely decorated living room.

In one corner, a pathetic looking Christmas tree wrapped with a single strand of lights twinkled mournfully. A stuffed Santa old enough to be considered a DiNozzo heirloom glaring reproachfully from the highest shelf of the cabinet above the television completed his collection of Christmas paraphernalia.

In all fairness, by the time the majority of his visitors arrived home with him, they were past caring about how he showed his holiday spirit and were more interested in the resiliency of his mattress.

Yet on those occasions where he didn't bring home a date, occasions gradually beginning to occur more than occasionally, it was all somewhat depressing.

What would it be like to have a wife waiting for him at home? Kids? Something to look forward to on Christmas day other than treating himself to a breakfast alone while his friends celebrated with their respective families?

His internal monologue that was slowly turning to self pity was mercifully broken by the harsh knocking at his door.

He shook his head to fully bring himself back to reality. He muted the television he didn't remember turning on and slowly made his way to the door, checking the time as he did so.

Who would want to see him at eleven o'clock on Christmas day?

He opened the door to reveal a somewhat uncomfortable Ziva doing her best not to look that way.

"Ziva...What are you doing here?"

"I suppose I have been pushing you a little to hard the past few days about your former girlfriend." She replied with a calmness so absolute it had to be fabricated. "I brought some food. You are welcome to keep it if you wish to celebrate your christmas alone." She gestured at the bag in her hand that Tony had failed to notice.

He gave it only a cursory glance before smiling warmly at his partner.

"Come on in Ziva."

She took a few cautionary steps inside, glancing side to side as if scouting hostile territory. Ironically, she was probably the most hostile thing in the room.

"So, this is the DiNozzo Christmas?" She commented, raising her eyebrow as she spotted the lonely tree.

"This is only one DiNozzo actually." He retorted dryly. "And somehow I doubt you came all the way over here to insult my inner interior decorator."

"I didn't mean to-"

He cut her off with a laugh.

"Don't worry about it," he gestured at the tree. "I will admit it's pretty pathetic. Now down to business. What ever is in that bag is really starting to smell tempting."

Ziva donned a smile to match his own.

"I know you did not eat as well as you would have wanted to for christmas, so I simply brought a few things I thought you would enjoy."

She quickly walked to the kitchen and placed the bag on the table. Within a few moments she had produced a small turkey as well as a still warm baguette and various other delectable food items.

He gazed at it in wonder.

"Wha-how did you find a bakery open this late?" He asked in wonder as he broke off a piece of the steaming bread.

She slapped his hand and grabbed it from him.

"I have my ways." She gave him one of her infuriating smiles. "Now wait until I am finished setting everything out."

He watched silently as she quickly and methodically prepared the food she had brought.

"I am finished." She announced finally, once she was satisfied everything was in it's proper place.

"Ziva..." He struggled to find the words. How did he tell her that she had kept his Christmas from being sad, depressing and downright lonely? "Just...thank you."

She smiled at him.

"Merry Christmas Tony." She said softly.

"Merry Christmas Ziva."