Disclaimer: See the preceding chapters. It's all there.
Authors Note: First let me say I've been gratified by your response to this story. That said, this is the last chapter. This baby was supposed to be a one chapter deal. It grew into two and now three. I tied everything up neatly I hope. To all my regulars (and you know who you are) thanks for coming back. To all the new people who read this story, thanks for trying me out. If you liked this story and you haven't reviewed please do so. Like all authors I love the feedback. So without further ado here's the last chapter. Enjoy.
Metropolitan PD District 3 Robbery/Homicide Squad Room
Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo sat, drumming his fingers on the desk. He was waiting for his paperwork to be approved by the Watch Commander of the R/H Unit. After the paramedic had gotten all the glass out of Tony, he'd come here and given his statement. Then he'd met with the Officer Involved Shooting team. Then he'd done all of the paperwork that goes with firing your weapon in the line of duty. Now he was waiting.
As Tony shifted in the chair, his cell started to vibrate. He checked the screen. Abby. Tony groaned.
This is gonna go well. Not.
"DiNozzo."
"TONY. Are you okay? One of my forensic buddies from Metro called me and said an NCIS agent was involved in a liquor store shoot out and I called Gibbs and he said it was you and he was going to the scene, then he called me back and said you were okay but you had a lot of paperwork and stuff to do. I held off as long as I could and what were you doing in a liquor store in the morning anyway and…"
"Abs, ABBY. Take a breath."
"Sorry."
"No problem. I'm okay. Waiting for my paperwork to clear. I was getting a bottle of wine for dinner tonight."
"Oh, hot date?"
"Well, not exactly. Ziva's coming over. Dinner and maybe a movie or two."
Abby squealed.
"Ooooh, that is so coool."
"Down, Abs. Listen the watch commander is comin' this way. I'll see you on Monday."
"You better spill all the gory details then, Mister."
Tony laughed.
"Okay, Abby. And don't you call Ziva, you hear. I'll tell her all about this when I see her."
"But Tony…"
"No 'buts', missy."
"Okay. I'm glad you're okay Tony."
Tony's face softened.
"Thanks Abby. Gotta go. See ya."
The watch commander walked up.
"Your paperwork is approved, Special Agent DiNozzo. Good job. Our ME is going to post your two playmates on Monday at around 1300 if you're interested."
The watch commander paused.
"I also have a message for you from Special Agent Gibbs. 'Don't forget to go see Ducky'."
Tony sighed.
"Okay Captain. I got it. Thanks for the hospitality."
The captain stuck out his hand.
'No problem. Enjoy the rest of your day."
Dr. Mallard's house
"Everything looks fine dear boy."
Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard was closely examining the various cuts on the side of Tony's face and neck.
"Just keep them clean and be careful shaving."
"Thanks, Ducky. If we're done, I gotta go. I still have to pick up a bottle of wine and some bread for dinner."
Dr. Mallard raised an eyebrow.
"Ziva's coming over and I was out of her favorite wine. That's why I was at the liquor store."
Ducky's face brightened.
"Anthony, I think I can be of some assistance."
Ducky left the room leaving a puzzled DiNozzo behind. A few minutes later the good doctor returned bearing two bottles of wine.
"Ducky, how did…"
"Oh, the last time we had a get together I bought a few bottles. These are what are left."
Ducky handed over the bottles.
"Let me pay you Du…."
"Nonsense, dear boy. Be off. Have a good evening."
Tony's apartment
Luckily Tony had made the lasagna he was serving for dinner prior to going to the liquor store. All he would need to do was put it in the oven and make up a salad. As the oven warmed up Tony straightened up his apartment and set the table.
As he slid the lasagna into the oven, the door bell rang.
"C'MON IN. IT'S UNLOCKED!"
Tony looked around the edge of the kitchen doorway as Ziva sauntered into his apartment carrying a bottle of wine.
Now if I'da known that was gonna happen, it would have saved a whole helluva a lot of aggravation.
"Hey, Zi. Bring the wine in here and I'll put it in the fridge."
As Ziva came towards the kitchen, Tony took in her outfit. She was wearing an emerald green blouse and black form fitting jeans.
Damn.
When Ziva came into the kitchen, Tony tried to keep the left side of his face away from her. It worked for all of thirty seconds.
"Tony, what happened to your face?"
"Cut myself shaving. Ya know I shouldn't really shave when I'm hung ov…"
As he was talking Ziva stepped into his personal space and gently took hold of his chin.
"Those are not shaving cuts. They are from shards of glass. Since your car is in one piece, you did not have a car accident. So what happened?"
She was looking at him with that ninja look. The one that could cut thru any bullshit story he could try. So he told her. When he was done she punched him in the arm. Hard.
"OW, Ziva. What was that for?"
"You should have called me."
"Well, I would have, except I was a little busy. Guys with guns shooting at me and all."
Ziva punched him again.
"After"
"OW. Okay, I get it. Listen I was gonna see you anyway, so I figured why ruin your Saturday."
Ziva raised her fist again.
"Tony…"
"Okay, okay. Next time I'll call. Jeez."
After a while the salad was tossed, the lasagna came out of the oven and they were at the table. Tony was finally feeling relaxed. A couple of glasses of wine and a beautiful woman opposite helped.
Tony portioned out the food and poured them both another glass of wine.
Ziva raised hers and they clinked glasses.
"I'm glad you're okay."
Tony had had such a shitty day and she set him up so beautifully, he couldn't resist. He got on his best Bogart.
"Here's looking at you kid."
A/N: That's it folks. All you TIVA fans out there are gonna have to use your imaginations from here out. Which shouldn't be too much of a problem should it? Thanks again for reading. Now hit the green button and make the cycle complete.