Disclaimer: This new idea of mine is mine and mine alone. The character Ziva David belongs to Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill those lucky devils. But, I've got Seamus Dolan. Even up I'd say.

Authors Note: I did have a case of writers block when I wrote this. Watching the Season 9 opener however gave me a few ideas. This story is one of 'em. There will be one or two more, ideas that is.

Spoilers: Small one's for 'Nature of the Beast'.

Background Note: A wetting-down is a ceremony for newly promoted officers in the US and British Navies. It used to involve actually throwing the honoree into the drink, hence the name. The wetting-down is always paid for and hosted by the newly promoted officer. Alcohol is almost always involved. There are usually toasts and in a naval officers case if the bar/pub is anywhere near water a for real 'wetting-down'.

Charlie's Bar, Present Day, 2030hrs.

Team Gibbs rolled into Charlie's at quitting time bent on 'wetting-down' Special Agent Ziva David's promotion from probationary to full agent status. Being a Monday, it was cheeseburger night at Charlie's. So all hands ordered burgers as well as drinks. Toasts were offered and gratefully acknowledged. Now, Ziva sat back in her chair smiling slightly. Gibbs as was his wont quietly sipped his bourbon taking it all in. Ducky was regaling Palmer with a story of a Royal Navy wetting-down he'd attended in Portsmouth. Abby and McGee were talking quietly, their heads together. Since Dr. Cranston's visit (see my AMWIAB arc, Chps. 22-28 in "Observing") Ziva noticed a change in their dynamic. She'd mentioned it to her partner Special Agent Anthony 'Tony' DiNozzo. He'd just smirked and said, "Probie One finally grew a pair". And that was all she could get out of him.

Grew a pair of what, exactly? American idioms are sooo strange.

Thinking of Tony brought a slight frown to her face. Tonight was the second time her partner missed a significant event in her life here in America. Granted he'd been on an assignment for the Director when she'd become an American citizen, but tonight he could've come. His 'homework' for whatever mysterious assignment he was working on could've waited for at least one drink couldn't it? Thoughts of Tony led her to thoughts of Ray Cruz. He at least had a good excuse for not being here. He was out of the country on assignment. When he left Ray gave her an empty ring box as a 'promise' that he would return and claim her. While she knew he thought it would be romantic, the whole empty ring box thing really bothered her. A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts

"Earth to Ziva! Are you in there?"

Ziva looked into the concerned green eyes of her friend Abby Sciuto, the team's forensic scientist.

"Yes Abby, I am here."

"Okay good, 'cause Rosie's been asking you if you want another mojito for a couple of minutes now."

Abby gestured to the blond waitress.

"Sorry. Yes Rosie, I'll have another."

"'Kay, comin' right up."

Ziva glanced at the bar and noticed that the usual evening bartender, Seamus Dolan was not there. She looked at Abby.

"Where's Seamus?"

Abby took a sip of her Zombie.

"He's off Sunday and Monday, why?"

Ziva's face colored slightly.

"Oh, no reason, it's just that the mojito's taste different tonight."

Abby's brows knitted.

"Okaaay..."

What's with Ziva? Asks about Dolan, using his first name no less and then…blushes? Gonna have to find out what's up with that.

But before she could take her thought further, Tim distracted her by putting his hand on her thigh under the table and smiling.

"What do you say to going back to my place later?"

Abby grinned wickedly.

"How about my place instead. You haven't slept in the coffin in a while."

"Come on Abs…"

"Please Timmy? For me?"

Tim looked into Abby's green eyes and caved.

"Oh, all right. Jeez."

At about eight o'clock, Gibbs was the first to pack it in. He stood and walked around the table to Ziva.

"Gonna head on home."

Jethro leaned down and kissed her on the cheek and then whispered in her ear.

"Congratulations Ziver. You're off tomorrow. Do something nice for yourself. You've earned it."

Ziva looked up and smiled.

"Thank you Gibbs."

Jethro made his goodbyes and left. Ducky and Palmer were the next to go.

"I have a 'guest' to see off early tomorrow my dear. Mr. Palmer has to assist me."

"That's quite all right Ducky, Jimmy. Thank you for coming out."

After the ME and his assistant left, the three agents had one more drink. Ziva caught several significant looks between her two friends and smiled slightly.

"You two can go you know. I may have one more drink and pay the check. I'll get a taxi home."

Both her friends protested, but half heartedly. Ziva grinned.

"It's fine, go on."

The three friends stood and walked to the bar. Ziva sat and watched as her two friends left arm in arm.

I wonder if Gibbs knows.

Ziva snorted

Of course he does. He knows everything.

"What can I get you miss?"

Ziva turned and faced the bartender. He had on a nametag that read 'Steve'.

"A mojito Steve. And the check from dinner please."

"You got it."

After paying the check, Ziva sat and sipped her drink. She did not feel like going home. Earlier in the evening she'd gone to the ladies room and called Tony's cell. It rang and rang and then went to voicemail.

How did that phrase go Tony used once? 'All dressed up and no place to go'?

Well, not exactly no place to go… Ziva shook her head. She was stalling. Pre-Somalia Ziva would have been up and doing what she was currently contemplating. But that Ziva was dead and gone. The new Ziva wasn't so sure this would be a good idea.

"Another mojito miss?"

Ziva looked down and saw her glass was empty. Making up her mind, she shook her head.

"No thank you."

Seamus Dolan's apartment, 2040hrs.

Seamus Dolan was sitting in his recliner reading 'Painted Ladies' the latest Spenser novel by Robert B. Parker. The novels took place in Boston, which was Seamus' hometown. Next to Dolan on a little side table was a glass of three fingers worth of 18 year old Jameson Irish whiskey. His kid brother brought a bottle down with him the last time he'd visited.

I owe him a trip up to Boston. Haven't been in about two years. Maybe in June, we can catch a Sox game.

All in all Seamus' life was pretty boring. He worked behind the bar at Charlie's five days a week, volunteers two Sunday's a month at the Washington DC VA Medical Center and that was pretty much it. Of course he'd done two tours in Vietnam on the bow gun of a PBR, followed by a twenty year career as a cop in Boston. Then when he retired there was that stretch as a private investigator and skip tracer in Florida.

But now I'm just a sixty one year old Boston mick tryin' to get by.

Seamus put down the book and taking his glass with him walked into the kitchen. There was some leftover pizza in the fridge. Just as he touched the door of the fridge, a knock sounded at his hallway door. Seamus lived on the second floor over Charlie's. There were three other apartments. Dolan's was the only one with two entrances. One led downstairs to the bar's kitchen, the other to the second floor common hallway that had a stairway from the street. The street door had an electronic lock that the apartment resident needed to buzz open if someone wanted to come up.

Could be somebody who can't find the right apartment. No, 'cause I'm the one who neatly labeled everybody's buzzer.

Seamus moved back into the living room going towards the door. He placed his glass on the table next to his recliner. Another knock sounded this one a little louder.

"Alright, alright, hold your horses, I'm comin'."

Dolan slowed down and being in his stocking feet moved quietly to the door. Next to the door was a waist high small table that Seamus put his outgoing mail on so he wouldn't forget it. On the underside of the table a holster was riveted. In the holster was a 9mm. Makarov pistol. Seamus drew the pistol and held it behind his right thigh.

I really should install a peephole in this door.

He gripped the knob with his left hand, twisted and jerked the door open. Standing there was a smiling Ziva David.

"How did…"

Ziva's smile widened. Seamus' mouth snapped shut.

Hellllo, ex-Mossad spy/assassin. How d'ya think she got in boyyo.

"Are you going to invite me in?"

"Uh, of course. Come in."

Seamus moved aside and at the same time slid the Makarov back into its hiding place. Ziva caught the movement as she entered the apartment. Seamus closed and locked the door.

"Was that a Makarov?"

"Yes it was."

"Not a common pistol for an American to have."

Dolan smiled tightly.

"The VC it belonged to had no further use for it."

"Ah."

Ziva moved into the living room, noting it was just as neat as the last time she was there. She saw the book on the arm of the recliner.

"You read the Spenser novels?"

"Yeah, reminds me of home. Can I take your jacket?"

"Thank you."

Seamus put her jacket in the hall closet and came back to the living room. Since the last time she'd been here, Ziva'd come into Charlie's by herself more frequently. A couple of times she'd needed a ride home, but Seamus got Tommy the swamper to do it. He wasn't avoiding her exactly. More like he was avoiding temptation. Now with her again standing in his place, he remembered her parting words from the last time.

I'll be back.

"Not that I'm averse to having beautiful women knocking on my door, but to what do I owe the pleasure?"

For the first time Ziva felt a little uncertain. He didn't seem all that happy to see her.

"We were downstairs celebrating. I am done with my probationary period. I'm a full agent now."

"Congratulations. Wetting- down your promotion were you?"

"Yes, how…"

"I was in the Navy at one time, remember?"

"That's right, you were."

"Still waiting for the punch line darlin'."

Ziva looked confused.

"I'm not going to punch you."

Seamus rolled his eyes, sighed and pointed at the floor.

"Why are you here Zee?"

Well, that was better, he used his nickname for her, but he still didn't seem that happy to see her.

Ziva took a deep breath.

"Everybody went home. Ray is away, Tony is off working on some assignment…"

She saw him smile and then realized how what she'd just said came out. Her face started to redden.

"Seamus, I'm…"

"Not very good salesmanship Ms. David mentioning your boyfriend and male partner, making me the third choice."

Now Ziva's face was a very interesting shade of crimson.

"Oh my God. Seamus I'm soo sorry. I didn't mean…"

Dolan laughed, his green eyes dancing.

"Relax Zee. I'm just pokin' a stick in your cage. I was getting ready to warm up some leftover pizza. Would you like some?"

Ziva looked relieved.

"Yes, that would be great."

After Dolan reheated the pizza they decided to watch some TV while they ate. Seamus turned on the TV. Earlier he'd been watching one of the classic movie channels. There was a Humphrey Bogart marathon on. As they sat down on the couch, the opening credits to "To Have and Have Not "were rolling. Placing her plate on the coffee table in front of the couch, Ziva turned to Seamus.

"I've seen several of Bogart's films, but I've never heard of this one."

Dolan smiled.

"Came out in 1944, has some pretty good actors in it and Hoagy Carmichael sang a couple of songs. I've watched it a couple of times."

The Big Guy upstairs must have a sense of humor. A forty something Bogart meets nineteen year old Lauren Bacall on the movie set and falls in love. Not trying to tell me anything are ya Big Guy?

After finishing the pizza Ziva gradually made her way across the couch to where Seamus was sitting. When she was close enough she put her head on his shoulder and drew her legs up on the couch. Dolan stiffened at first but then relaxed. When the movie ended, Seamus took one more stab at sanity.

"Don't you have work in the morning kiddo?"

Still leaning on Seamus but with her eyes closed, Ziva snuggled in closer.

"No, Gibbs gave me the day off."

Crap. Thanks Agent Gibbs.

"Listen Ziva…"

Ziva David went from her position next to Dolan to in his lap. She leaned in and kissed him deeply. Pulling back slightly she fixed him with her vivid brown eyes.

"I do not wish to be alone tonight. Can I stay? Please?"

CRAP.

Dolan's apartment 0415hrs.

As Yogi Berra would say, 'it was déjà vu all over again'. Seamus Dolan woke up, but it wasn't on his own. There again was the scent of sandalwood and sex in the air. Now that he was fully awake he heard the whimpering. It was coming from Ziva. In her sleep she'd rolled away from him and was lying on her side facing away. Seamus hesitated to wake her up. If she was having a nightmare he might be better off to let her ride it out. In the 'Nam he'd awakened a friend who was having a nightmare. And almost lost two teeth when the guy woke up swinging. Dolan didn't want to think what a former assassin could do if suddenly awoken from a bad dream. There was another round of whimpering.

Well, don't just lay there like a lump, DO something.

Seamus scooted closer to Ziva and taking a deep breath wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her close to him, he whispered in her ear.

"Easy Zee, I've got ya, I've got ya."

Ziva stiffened initially when he touched her, but hearing his voice, she relaxed and murmured 'Seamus'.

"Yeah, it's me darlin'. Go back to sleep. I've got ya."

Ziva sighed and pulled herself closer to him.

"Okay."

Eventually Ziva's breathing evened out. Seamus sighed. At this point, he couldn't decide who he hated more, Ray, DiNozzo, or himself.

A/N: I rewrote the end of this story three times. This last version sounded the best to me. I'm leaving this open ended 'cause I'm not sure where the writers are going to go with Ziva and Ray. I've got a funny feeling he's gonna turn out to be a bad guy. The title for this chapter comes from the Bonnie Raitt song. It was playing on iTunes when I was writing this and seemed to fit.