Not beta'd

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the NCIS or the characters we all know and love (and sometimes hate). No money is made due to this fic, just one of the many stories inside my head.

"Thanks For giving me a ride, Ziva," Tim said after closing the door and buckling his seat belt, something that was definitely needed when Ziva drove.

"No problem, I pass right by here anyway."

They spent the next few minutes in silence, just listening to the radio. When suddenly Ziva waved her hand and shouted "I do not understand that."

"What?" Tim asked in confusion

"This day."

Tim frowned as he looked at her, "What's wrong with this day?" He asked.

"It is dedicated to a rodent! One that people believe can predict the weather no less."

Tim tried to hide his smile, "It's just a fun tradition."

"Still does not make sense to me," she complained. "Tony said there were even movies made about this day."

Tim laughed before groaning. Tony, he realized in dismay.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Though he really didn't want to deal with Tony. The thought had him groaning again. "Is it too late to call in sick for the next two weeks?"

"You are sick?" Ziva asked in alarm

"No. I'm fine," Tim replied

"Hmm", she hummed doubtfully, scrutinizing her companion.

As Tim sat there thinking about what was to come, he realized it would be more than two weeks before things would be better.

"I'll be fine in a few months," he stated dismissively.

"That is it." Ziva said as she pulled off the highway to change direction.

"Ziva!" He screeched, "Where are you going? I don't want to be late."

"I am taking you to the hospital."

"I'm fine," he argued.

"No you are not. First you groaned and want to call in sick for two weeks, then you say you'll be fine in a few months. That is not fine." She argued.

"I'm not sick," Tim replied. "I don't need the hospital or even a doctor."

"Then what do you need?"

"Just for the next few months of torment to be over."

"I do not understand."

Tim just waved his hand dismissively. It was his problem, he could deal with it. "Just head back towards work. I'll be fine."

"How can I help if I do not know why the problem is?"

Tim smiled, pleased about her willingness to help. "It's okay. I appreciate the thought, but there is nothing you can do."

Ziva pulled off the highway and onto a side street. She then stared at him for a moment. "At least tell me why you would like to avoid work. Did you have a fight with Abby?"

No," he finally admitted, "I just want to avoid Tony."

"You had a fight with Tony?"

"Tony and I don't fight," Tim retorted. "He teases and annoys me and I get frustrated and upset, which causes him to tease and annoy me more."

"Yes, I can see that," Ziva admits, after all, she had been witness to many such interactions between her two partners. "But why is now any different than normal? And being out for two months? That is a bit extreme, don't you think?"

"Nope," Tim disagreed. "This is Tony's favorite time of year, making it my least favorite time," he explained.

"Why?"

"12 days from today is Valentine's Day, meaning we, all of us at the office, and especially me, get to hear all about his plans for that day, as well as the plans he could've had. The entire time he will also be asking me about my plans, knowing that no such things exist."

Ziva frowned, "Surely you could have plans?"

"I probably could," Tim admitted, "but I don't want plans just to have plans, or to get Tony to stop. Valentine's Day should be spent with someone special."

"Then that is what you should tell Tony."

Tim shook his head, "doesn't work that way. He'll say I'm just using that as an excuse since I don't have plans."

"Does it really matter why Tony says?"

A shrug accompanied his words, "Not in the way you mean. It's just a pain to deal with every day for two weeks each year."

Ziva nodded in understanding, Tony could be annoying, especially when he was relentless. "But that is less than two weeks, why are you saying you'll be fine in two months?"

"Because after Valentine's Day, which Tony will drag out for at least another week, boasting about the good time he had, it's April fools Day."

Ziva frowned, "I believe March comes after February."

"It does," he nodded, "but in this case Tony likes to be an overachiever." He said dryly. "Remember last year? His 'joke' started in March. He had me convinced I was losing my hair. I had doctor appointments set up and everything."

"Ah, yes, I remember."

"Tony lives for those two holidays. It's just an added bonus for him that he gets to torture me as well."

"I am sorry," she commiserated

Tim just nodded. "We should probably head in before we are late and add salt to the wound."

"What wound and why would you add salt, wouldn't that hurt?"

Tim smiled, "That's the point. It's an expression, meaning to make things worse."

"Ah, that one I understand," she said, the two of them sharing a smile, as Ziva resumed the drive to the Navy Yard. One good thing could be said about Ziva's driving, she got them there on time.

Short Chapter

I'm not a die-hard McGiva fan, though I do like the idea of the two of them together. Part of me felt that Tony didn't deserve Ziva since he never took a chance on/with her.

Please let me know what you think.

Also, if anyone has any ideas of activities/things that would interest Ziva, please let me know. Thanks