A/N: Thank you for all the feedback so far. I hope everyone enjoys this part too. Em x
"Are you sure you've never played before?" Tony asked as Ziva knocked down all ten pins for the fifth time in a row.
"I am sure. It is fun though, don't you think?" Ziva smiled, sitting down on the bench.
"Yeah, great," Tony mumbled as he stood up to take his turn. Abby had joined the group on their night out and they were currently split into two teams – male vs. female. Tony had expected an equal match between McGee and Abby, knowing that each of them would have worked out some kind of calculation to find the perfect angle and projection for the bowling ball to achieve the perfect score. He hadn't figured on their Israeli counterpart being a regular 'Rain Man' when it came to bowling. As Tony watched his bowling ball strike the pins, he silently willed them to scatter and cursed under his breath when the two remaining pins teetered for a moment before righting themselves.
"Better luck next time," Ziva commiserated, without an ounce of sentiment.
"No heckling from the stands!" Tony snapped as he tried to take out the spares but missed completely. "Your turn, boss," he said gruffly as he sat back down and crossed his arms.
"No one could ever call you a sore loser," Abby teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"We haven't lost, yet. The bossman can still win it for us if he can just get a strike with his last two goes," Tony reasoned. "No pressure, boss,"
Gibbs picked up the ball and threw it half heartedly down the lane. He stared after it as it weaved to the left and then corrected itself, smashing into the centre pin and knocking down all ten.
"All right, boss!" Tony jumped up and slapped the older man on the back. Gibbs turned to stare at him and Tony carefully removed his hand. "Sorry, boss,"
Gibbs turned back to the lane where the pins had been set up again. Tony was right. It was the final round and if he could get one more strike then the game was theirs. The question was would it be better to spend the evening with a gloating DiNozzo or a sulking one? Gibbs determined the best answer and threw the ball.
"Gutter ball!" Abby shouted excitedly high-fiving Jenny and Ziva as they celebrated their victory.
"Aw, boss, come on. That was deliberate," Tony whined. "Hen pecked," he added under his breath so that Gibbs wouldn't hear but when he felt the familiar slap against his head he realized he hadn't been quiet enough.
"Losers buy the drinks," Abby announced gleefully as they gathered up their coats and went to exchange their shoes.
"My treat, DiNozzo," Gibbs said as he passed, raising a small smile from his senior agent.
NCIS NCIS NCIS
"You having fun?" Jenny asked once they were ensconced in a booth at Finn McCool's, an Irish bar around the corner from the bowling alley. Gibbs looked over to the bar where the four younger members of the team had gathered to get drinks. The girls were obviously teasing McGee and Tony about their loss but there was laughter all round so Gibbs wasn't too worried. He turned to Jen and squeezed her hand under the table.
"Yeah, I'm having fun. Look, I'm sorry I've been in a bit of a funk today. It's just…"
Jenny cut him off. "It's okay, you don't have to explain. I just wish I'd known before so that I could have been there for you,"
"I guess I always thought it was something I had to deal with on my own," he admitted and gave her a soft smile.
"You don't have to deal with anything on your own, Jethro," Jenny replied softly. "Not anymore. We're your family. We're here for you,"
"That we are, Jethro,"
"Ducky! I didn't think you could make it," Jen said, moving closer to Gibbs so that Ducky could sit down.
"Mother exhausted herself reenacting her favourite WWE move. I thought it would be safe to sneak out for an hour or two while she's sleeping,"
"Well, I'm glad you came, Duck," Gibbs said as the others returned from the bar with the drinks.
"Saw you come in, Ducky," Tony explained as he placed a double Laphroaig in front of the older man.
"Thank you, Anthony," he said gratefully. He waited until everyone was settled and then he stood up. "And now, Jethro, if it's alright with you, I'd like to make a simple toast,"
Gibbs looked at him with a confused expression but nodded his head, not sure that Ducky was even capable of making a 'simple' toast.
"I think I speak for everyone when I say we are blessed to be a part of a wonderful team. Not only a working team but a family; there for one another whenever we can be. We haven't been there for you in this regard in the past, Jethro, but I'd be honoured if you'd allow us to raise our glasses in a toast," Ducky paused as he waited for everyone to stand. "Happy birthday, Kelly,"
Gibbs slipped his arm around Jenny and held her tight to him as they all charged their glasses and repeated the sentiment.
"Happy birthday, Kelly."
OMG – Corny or what???? I did warn the majority of you!! Please say you didn't totally hate it though.
