Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Prompt #3: Books - Contrary to popular belief, not everything he quoted came from the movies. People just knew movies better than the books they were based on.

Words: 526

Tony DiNozzo is a movie buff. No reason to sugar-coat it. No matter what case, no matter where, no matter who was in earshot, he'd find a cinematic reference somewhere in the mundane actions of their suspects, witnesses, or victims and voice it for the world (or more often, the bullpen) to hear.

Ziva David, his partner of five years, rolled her eyes as he quoted from yet another of his stupid action movies during a case. Instead of taunting him, she decided to take the adult high ground and ignore him.

But then something he said caught her attention. It was just a passing remark, but the way he'd said it made Ziva wonder about him.

He'd said, "Had to admit, I wouldn't have imagined that actor in that role, but I guess there's more than one way to interpret the author's description."

It gave her pause. Dark eyes slanted over to look at her partner as an eyebrow lifted. Author? As in, book author? she thought.

Ziva didn't get to ask him about it until later. He was packing up when she asked, "Who would you have picked?"

If she was hoping to trip him up, she had another thing coming. He glanced over at her. "Say what?"

"You said earlier about not imagining an actor in the character of - "

His eyes widened. "Oh, that? Dunno, just not him." A sly grin touched his mouth. "That's an odd thing for you to bring up, Zee-Vah."

"It was an odd thing for you to say," she replied.

"I do read, Ziva," he said, smiling for real as he chuckled. "And yes, I read actual books. Not just men's magazines and swimsuit issues," he added at the knowing look on her face. "What? You didn't think I read actual, substantial books?"

"Do you really want me to answer that question, Tony?" But she said it in jest. "All right then. Honest answer. What are your favorite authors?"

He didn't even hesitate. "Ian Fleming, Alistar MacLean." She raised an eyebrow. "What? I read a lot of Bond as a kid. Not much else to do. And MacLean wrote good action."

"That explains so much." Ziva crossed her arms. "Well, if you read, Tony, then why don't you quote from the books? Why do you keep quote from those movies?"

Tony seemed to actually take the time to think about his answer. He faced her fully and said, "People usually have seen the movies or heard of them. It's not always a sure bet they've read the books." Then the joker's grin appeared on his face again. "Besides, movies are more fun to watch. Night, Ziva."

"Good night," she said, watching him leave. She wasn't sure if he had been on the leveler with her or if he'd been pulling her arm.

But if he had been telling the truth...

She shrugged. It had just been a throwaway question.

Hmm, it's okay. Review please!