Title: Full of Surprises
Fandom: NCIS
Author: Alidiabin
Words: 582
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Warnings/ Spoilers: 3x06
Parings: Tony/Ziva
Summary: Ziva surprises him at dinner.
Full of Surprises
"Ziva," Tony said as they looked at the menus on the secluded and romantic terrace of the restaurant Valentino's. It was the restaurant where he had expected to take his date Monica too until she turned out to be married.
Ziva had offered to pay for dinner to cheer him up but Tony could not help but remember how money did not go very far when you had just moved to a new city. Tony had only moved from Baltimore to Washington DC but he had spent the first few weeks living from pay cheque to pay cheque as he paid for the rent deposit and sorted out his utilities. Ziva had moved from a whole other country, she had to pay for her stuff to be shipped over, a new car and furniture as well as the costs like rent deposits and utilities he had over four years ago.
"You don't have to pay for this dinner; I know how much money it costs to set yourself up in a new city."
"Oh, do not worry," Ziva said as she opened her bag and held out a foreign credit card, "My father thinks we will have a closer relationship if he lets me spend his money, so this meal is on him." She looked at the wine list. "And get one of the more expensive wines on the list."
Tony had not expected Ziva to remind him of the girls he used to meet in The Hamptons, the ones with absent Fathers and high credit limits. Of course Ziva was slightly different, from what Ziva revealed about herself (which was very little) her issues were more than abandonment and attention seeking. Daddy David had done more than just miss a few birthday parties.
The Chef Tony's old friend Valentino walked onto the terrace with a massive smile on his face.
"This must be Monica," he said walking toward Ziva. Ziva slid her necklace under her blouse and before Tony could explain she got up and greeted the middle aged man.
"Buongiorno," she said kissing the man on both cheeks and not correcting Valentino regarding her identity. "You must be Valentino; Tony told me you are wonderful Chef."
"Anthony, where did you find this lovely woman?" Valentino asked as Ziva sat back down, "she is definitely a keeper."
"Thanks Val," Tony said still in slight shock at the situation happening in front of him. Was Ziva really pretending to be a woman she had never met? Why? he wondered.
"I have to go my new Chef hasn't quite learnt to ride without the training wheels," the aging Italian immigrant said, "You know how it is."
"Ciao, Valentino," Ziva said in a sultry voice before grabbing Tony's hand and rubbing it affectionately.
"Buona note you two and the drinks are on me," he said before leaving.
"What the hell was that?" Tony asked once Valentino was out of earshot.
"I figured you didn't want to have to explain about Monica," Ziva said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Anyway, what is the problem we are getting free drinks." Tony nodded. Did Ziva just lie about her whole identity to protect his ego? She was certainly full of surprises. "What is the matter, does the bat have your tongue?" she asked.
She was full of surprises and he could not wait to see what other things she would surprise him with, not just for that evening but for however long their partnership went on.