Disclaimer: Gary and I had a nice little chat, but alas, I still don't own NCIS.


Tony walked to the kitchen to see her fumbling around, probably wanting to cook dinner.

"You're quite the firecracker, aren't you?" he wondered out loud.

Ziva chuckled. "I have been called worse." And walked past him to put the stove on.

"Do you need any help?" Tony asked. Even though he was exhausted from the trip, it was the polite thing to do. Besides, he was fascinated by Nick's new girlfriend. He had been right. She was different.

"No, I am good, thanks. You have had a long trip, so just go sit down somewhere" she replied and continued after a small pause. "Plus, I remember Nick saying you suck at cooking, so I would rather if you did not mess up my dinner."

"I would argue, but what's true is true. My talents lie elsewhere." he grinned.

Ziva turned around to eye him appraisingly for a minute, almost as if she was trying to unnerve him. "I bet they do." she smirked. "I've heard all about your little adventures in the big city."

At least they had one thing in common. They both tantalized the opposite sex to gain the upper hand. Well two could play at that game.

Tony walked past her to sit on a chair at the table. "So tell me, Ms. David. How did my little brother snag a girl like you?"

Ziva's eyes narrowed at him impishly. "A girl like me?"

"Well yeah. You are a free spirit. You seem-" he paused to think what she was like. Obviously, he didn't know much about her and even at first sight, she seemed quite mysterious. "You seem quite untamed and wild, I gotta say. Nicky doesn't seem like your type or vice versa." he continued.

"Are you saying you are my type, Tony?" she quirked her eyebrow mischievously.

This woman was impossible. "Oh I most definitely would be. You see, I'm quite a catch. But unfortunately, you're not my type." he said. That was an outright lie of course. Of all the women in the world, she seemed to be exactly what he would go for.

Ziva let out a laugh. "I am everybody's type, Tony. But unfortunately for you" she pointed at him with a spatula, "I am already taken. Nick is who I need." she smiled.

Tony nodded. "Well, Nicky does have some redeeming qualities I admit." he conceded.

"Nick has some talents of his own." she grinned and continued. "Must run in the family if what you say is true."

Ew. He didn't want to think about his younger brother's sexcapades. "Do you always do that?" he questioned.

She looked at him. "Do what?"

"Talk in innuendos." he explained.

Ziva laughed and went back to stirring the pasta. "More fun this way, don't you think?"

Tony smiled brightly. This was definitely fun. The corners of his mouth were aching from smiling and laughing so much.

He liked this one. Tony thought his brother was way in over his head with Ziva, but nevertheless, he believed his brother might have chosen the right woman this time. She was funny and carefree. Not like those insanely uptight and humorless ones he had presented Tony in the past. Perhaps he was projecting his own desires in a woman onto Nick, but in any case, his brother needed someone who was slightly different from him. Otherwise, he would end up in a loveless, passionless marriage. But Ziva most definitely was passionate.

He watched her meander around the kitchen, flawlessly knowing where every ingredient and utensil was located which made him wonder how long they had been together.

"So how long have you guys been dating?" he asked.

Ziva didn't stop moving around and came to the table to cut some vegetables. "A little over 3 months, I think."

"Really? Well you seem to know your way around this place quite well." he mused.

"Oh. Yeah, I guess so. I have been spending most of my time here." she shrugged. "I miss Nick and this house makes me feel at home."

"You don't like it at your own apartment?" he inquired.

She went back to the stove. "No, I do. I just-I just feel a bit lonely there. This place has a warmth and glow to it that I can't describe. Everything just seems brighter here. Better, if you will." she sighed dreamily. "Sorry, I must sound so strange describing your house to you like that. Nick always makes fun of me for thinking this house has a soul" she laughed shakily.

"Oh you're most definitely strange, Ms. David." Tony chuckled. "But I couldn't agree more with you about this house. I've always thought like this place was alive somehow. It's like the second you step foot into this house, some kind of energy comes rushing towards you." he described.

Ziva came back to the table, watching him with her careful big brown eyes for a minute before putting back on the teasing look. "Look at us two nutters. Nick would have a field day with us, so you better not say anything about this to him. I will skin you alive" she waved a knife at him.

"You're threatening a federal agent here." Tony grinned.

"No one would know that once I am done with you." she smirked and went back to making dinner.

Tony swallowed tightly. For some reason, he believed her. She seemed to have an edge to her, he wouldn't want to cross. She appeared so strong and compelling. But Tony couldn't help but notice that there was a sadness in her eyes, she didn't want anyone to see. He wondered if this flirty teasing act she was putting on, was simply for the benefit of not breaking down in front of strangers. He hoped Nick was the one who offered her support with whatever was troubling her. Tony would hate for someone to suffer alone like he had in the past.

He had no idea why this protecive streak had come over him, but maybe that was just the overly observant cop talking in him.

He quickly shrugged it off and asked. "So what are you making for dinner?"

She was still fussing around the kitchen like someone was poking her with a fiery stick. "Huh? Oh, I am making chicken with lemon-leek linguine."

"The what now? Aren't you all fancy?" he asked rhetorically.

"Not at all. I am a simple girl." she gleamed.

"Simple is the last thing I would call you." he snorted.

Ziva's face seem to fall for a moment before asking. "What would you call me then, Tony? I mean, we hardly know each other."

Tony didn't quite know what he had done to upset her, so he tried jokingly. "You, my brother's dear girlfriend, are a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

Ziva scowled and eventually let out a laugh. "Winston Churchill. Now who's being fancy?"

Tony looked confused for a moment before realizing. "Oh. I actually referenced Oliver Stone's movie JFK."

"I don't watch a lot of movies. I don't even own a TV at the moment. My old one broke."

Tony's eyes almost popped out and he scoffed. "You don't own a TV?! Well, what's your furniture pointed at then?"

"Um. The centre? I am more of a book person." Ziva shrugged.

Now everything made sense. "Ah, I see. Now I understand how in at least one category, Nick and you fit."

Ziva looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I thought it was a bit hinky that my brother was dating someone so different from all his previous tamed picks, but now that I know you're a bookworm, it all makes sense."

Ziva just looked at him amusingly. "Oh, Tony. I might be a bookworm, but I am certain that is not what your brother was attracted to at first. You two are not the only ones with certain talents." she wiggled her eyebrows.

And they were back to that. Tony gaped at her and was about to retort when he heard the front door open. "Ziva? I'm home."

Ziva's face lit up. "Nick, we are in the kitchen."

"We?" he heard his brother's questioning voice nearing.

Tony got up to go greet his brother. "Nicky! Great to see you again, buddy." he hugged him tightly and patted him on the back. "Looks like you have lost all your baby fat." Tony grinned.

"Yeah and it looks like you gained it." Nick countered.

Tony feigned horror. "I think you've hit your head, little brother. I look sensational." he looked to Ziva. "Your lovely girlfriend can attest to that."

Ziva went to kiss Nick on the cheek and put an arm around his waist. "Sorry, Tony. I hate to break it to you, but I find Nick the more handsome one." she smirked.

Tony scoffed. "That's because you have love-goggles on."

Ziva went to pat him compassionately on the shoulder. "Oh, do not be a sore loser. I am certain you will find someone who thinks you are handsome, one day." she chuckled.

"Hey, I remember you saying something along the lines of that just earlier this day." he quirked his eyebrows at her.

"I was just being polite to my boyfriend's brother. Did not want to sound rude."

"Well you sure have no trouble being rude now." Tony retorted.

Ziva barked a laugh. "That is because I already know you like me. No need to keep up the act." she winked at him.

"Told you so, Tony." Nick piped in.

"I haven't said I like her. In fact, I find her quite irritating." Tony defended, not willing to admit it.

Nick came beside him to pat him on the shoulder. "Well we all know there's a fine line between love and hate." he said teasingly.

"Right now, I am borderlining on hate."

Nick and Ziva both snorted. "Oh come on, brother. Admit it. You like this one." Nick urged him.

"Macho Law prohibits me from admitting I'm wrong." he tried to keep his face serious, but was failing at it.

"You are hardly macho, Tony." Ziva laughed and continued. "I bet under that tough, scruffy federal agent act is a soft and fluffy inside."

"I will have you know, Ms. David, that nothing is soft and fluffy about me." Tony defensively said and continued. "But, I also know when to admit my mistake."

He turned to Nick and grabbed him by the shoulders. "You actually did good this time, baby bro. I'm pretty sure you're going to have your hands full with this crazy-ass knife nut, but she is a huge improvement from your previous weirdos. I'm proud of you." he said and mussed Nick's hair.

His brother laughed. "Gee thanks, Tony. I thought no one would live up to your ridiculous expectations."

"I only want the best for you, Nicky." he smiled.

"Aw, Tony, are you saying I am the best?" Ziva grinned. "I think this will be one of the rare times I agree with you a 100%."

"No, I'm merely pointing out the fact that you are simply a progression in the crappy line of women my brother has a habit of dating."

Ziva turned to look at Nick. "Wow, your brother is such a charmer. Are you sure he is telling the truth about his conquests back in the big city?" she pointed out sarcastically.

Nick roared a laugh. "Hmm, interesting point, babe. Who knows, maybe all his stories are just a way to cover up his wounded ego?"

Tony narrowed his eyes at them. "Okay you two. Questioning my quite remarkable tales is going too far. Ganging up on one? Not fair."

"I thought you were supposed to be this big bad agent. Cannot handle a little teasing?" Ziva's corners of the mouth quirking upwards.

"Oh, I can handle it. My stamina is extraordinary." His eyes twinkling with mischief.

Ziva raised her eyebrows at him in amusement while Nick chuckled lightly. "Okay, okay, Tony. We yield. No one will question your skills in getting a woman ever again."

"Speak for yourself, Nick. I am not promising that. I am yet to be impressed." Ziva laughed and went to put plates on the table.

"Prepare to be blown away, Ms. David. We will go out to a bar one night and I'll prove you wrong." Tony challenged. "I am certain the ladies will be pleased."

Nick was pouring the wine and yelled from the living room. "As long as you're not practicing it on my girlfriend."

Ziva giggled. "Ooh, a girlfriend-stealer for a brother. Fascinating."

Tony walked to sit at the table. "Okay, let's get one thing straight. I go for available women only. Females are enough of a hassle without having to deal with the jealous boyfriends as well."

Ziva was the last to come to the table with the food. "Be that as it may, Tony, contrary to what you think, you are not my type, so trying to prove me wrong while taking me as the target would backfire." She grinned.

"You would be eating your words, Ziva, if my dear brother hadn't had enough sense to grab you to yourself." Tony countered.

"Careful, Tony. This sounds an awful lot like a compliment." Nick said amusedly.

"Well, I am trying to be charming now."

"Try harder." Ziva laughed and started cutting the chicken.

Nick started cackling and Tony snorted. He hadn't thought this would be the situation he would be in. Having to try to impress his brother's girlfriend? He thought it would be the other way around. But he had a feeling spending time with Ziva was bound to bring out a few other surprises.

It was true that he didn't go after others' girlfriends. Especially after his brother's. He never even felt the desire to. But this might have been the first time, he felt a small prick of envy towards his brother for being able to get someone so wonderfully enigmatic as Ziva.


Whoa guys, thanks so much for all the reviews and follows! I'm so glad you enjoyed the first chapter, and I hope you like this one as well :)

Anyway, let me know what you think :)