Author Note: I wrote this as my first ever attempt to write romance, effectively belying my profile where it says I'll never write romance. Please review and tell me if I have actually succeeded. I'm not so sure myself. There's no sex, just the beginnings of a relationship. It's not too long, only eight chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or the characters. Oh the things I could do if I did own them... mmmmm.
Chapter 1
"Let's move out!" Gibbs said as he descended from the director's office. "Tony, you're with me. Ziva, you're with McGee."
Ziva tried not to sigh. She supposed she should be glad that Gibbs was finally letting her leave desk duty, but to be paired with McGee? It wasn't that he was a bad guy. She genuinely liked him. He had been the first to really accept her presence. However, it was no secret to anyone that McGee was the least coordinated on their team... unless she wanted to include Palmer who was, amazingly, worse. At least Palmer wasn't supposed to be a field agent. His clumsiness only affected how quickly a dead body got processed. McGee's mistakes could end with an increased body count.
Gibbs eyed Ziva shrewdly. He could see how unenthusiastic she was about her assignment. He said, "Unless you'd rather be stuck on desk duty for the next month, Officer David, you'd better resign yourself. You're stuck with McGee for the next two weeks."
"Why, Gibbs?" Ziva asked. Then, she kicked herself for questioning Gibbs' decision. She knew exactly why she was cursed with McGee.
Chuckling at Ziva's annoyance, Tony answered, ticking the points off on his fingers as he spoke, "Because McGee has never had anyone threaten to sue him for beating up a prisoner. He's never had Iranians come after him. He's never tortured anyone. And he's never been shot. He's hoping it will rub off on you."
Gibbs smacked Tony and then looked at Ziva. "What's your choice, Officer David? McGee or the desk?"
This time, Ziva let out the sigh. "Where's McGee?" she asked resignedly.
"With Abby, of course. They're tracking the money trail. Tony and I will go and check out the lieutenant's home. You and McGee are to head to whatever location the money trail takes you. Report in when you have a definite destination."
"Yes, Gibbs." Reluctantly, Ziva gathered her gear and took the elevator down to Abby's lab.