TIM

Tim walked briskly through the rain, his collar turned up against the cold. Meeting up for 'pre-Christmas' drinks had seemed a good idea, but right now he could be at home in bed instead of getting gradually soaked to the skin. He'd been down in the cyber division for the last week, and he was getting tired of being cold all the time, though he was looking forward to seeing his friends.

Finally he ducked in through the bar they habitually went to, and stripped off his coat with a grateful sigh. Snow was one thing, but the last three days it had just been freezing cold rain and he was sick of it.

It was toasty warm, and even warmer in the booth in back where Ziva, Abby and Tony were already chatting away.

"Hey, guys!"

Ziva jumped up. "Mah-geeeee! Come here and let me kiss you!"

Tim stopped short and stood stock still as Ziva attacked him with a sprig of mistletoe, planting kisses on both cheeks and his nose.

"Ah, thanks?" Not that he was complaining, but that wasn't the reception he'd been expecting.

Tony caught his eye and shrugged. "Ignore her, I think she's had too much of the Christmas spirit."

"Waiter! More mulled wine!"

"Ziva, I think you actually have to go to the bar to get-"

"Of course!" She swept off, leaving behind a very confused Tim and a cloud of exotic perfume.

He looked back at the others. Tony just shrugged again, and Abby grinned.

"The mulled wine here is really good," she said. "I think Ziva might be addicted."

Tim laughed and sat down opposite them. "How's your week been?"

They caught up for a few minutes, and he'd got quite engrossed when Ziva returned, putting down a new round of drinks and then plonking herself down next to him - in fact, almost in his lap.

"So, how arrrrrrre you, Timothy?"

He raised his eyebrows. "You OK, Ziva?"

She grabbed his face with one hand. "I am splendiferous, McGee. I am happy as a mussel. Though I may be a little... blotted. L'chaim!" She chugged half her wine down in one go.

He didn't attempt to free himself, but did shoot a look at Tony and Abby. Abby was giggling uncontrollably, and Tony was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "I think she means blotto, McGoo."

He looked back at Ziva, and couldn't help but start laughing himself, though he half feared that she'd take umbrage at that. Fortunately, she smiled widely and let go.

"I still have mistletoe," she said, dangling the sprig over his head.

"She already got us," said Tony, gesturing to his mouth, and Tim suddenly noticed the familiar coloured lipstick on DiNozzo's lips - and Abby's, actually.

"Ziva, how drunk are you?"

Her laugh was deep and fruity. "Very." Then she kissed him. Hard.

When she released him, it took a moment for him to recover. "Uh, thank you?" he managed to stutter, and Ziva laughed at him again.

"Merry Christmas, McGee!"

He glanced over at the others again. Abby shrugged. Maybe he was just a bit behind.

Well, OK. As long as she doesn't expect me to kiss Tony like that...

He laughed, took a long swig of the mulled wine and decided to go with it.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Ziva."

So... Maybe it had been worth coming out after all.