Notes: This takes place the day Tony and Nikki go to Iraq in the episode "In the Zone," so, possible spoilers for "In the Zone"
Jenny is on leave.
Assistant Director Leon Vance is running NCIS during this story.
The elevator dinged, Tony and Ziva stood next to each other, she was holding two cups of coffee.
Gibbs rose from his desk, walking towards them..."I called you an hour ago, DiNozzo, where the hell have you been?"
Ziva stepped off first, Tony right behind..."Here, there, everywhere."...Tony started to speak, Gibbs didn't look amused..."I found her, if that's any consolation...uh, sorry, Boss."
Gibbs stares at Ziva..."What's rule #3?"
"Uh, never believe what you're told. Always double check?"...Tony answered.
"Never be unreachable."...Ziva quickly replied.
"Damn, you sure?"...Tony questioned.
Gibbs glared at Tony.
"Shutting up, Boss."
Gibbs turned back to Ziva..."It's not her fault, Gibbs. She was with me."
"Excuse me?"
"She was trying to cheer me up after the whole being accused of murder thing."
Gibbs looked at Ziva, gestured towards the bullpen with his head. She slips past, moving past her desk to McGee's, kissing him on the cheek, handing him a cup of coffee.
"And did it work?"...Gibbs asked.
"Yeah, yeah it did, Boss...it took about an hour and several locations, but yeah."
"Good, because I need you to focus."
"We have a case, Boss? Should we gear up?"
"Not me, you."
"Okay, where am I going?"
"Iraq."
Tony cocked his head, looking off to the side..."Wasn't expecting that, Gibbs."
"And you're most likely escorting Nikki Jardine."
"Huh?"
"You heard me."
"Wait, Miss Germophobe is going to Iraq? Wait, wait, wait, wait, Boss."...Tony rubs his brow..."I'm trying to understand this. She, who won't even touch a doorknob with her bare hand is going to freakin' Iraq? Ok, I get it. Uh, nope, I don't. That's like Ziva eating a porkchop wrapped in tasty bacon!"
"She's the only one who speaks Arabic."
Tony looked towards Ziva.
"Not a chance in hell, DiNozzo...and I don't want McGee going either."...Gibbs suggestively nodded.
"Boss?"
"His skills are better suited for here and I'll be damned if I lose an agent, maybe two because he froze under fire."
"I know I give him crap all the time, but he is a good agent, Boss."
"I know, DiNozzo, I trained him."...Gibbs pats Tony on the arm then presses the elevator button.
"Heh. The little McGoo grows on ya, doesn't he?"
"Just worry about Jardine."
Tony groaned..."Does she have any field experience whatsoever?"
Gibbs moved into the elevator..."What do you think?"...The doors closed, leaving Tony staring at the door.
"What do I think?"...Tony moved his hand to his stomach..."I think I suddenly have a craving for a BLT."
Acting Director Vance had just informed Tony and Nikki they are going to Iraq
"Looks like I'm going to Iraq."...Tony declared, standing from his desk, holding his bag. He walked towards the elevator, Ziva rose quickly, moving to and sliding through the doors before they closed.
"Why do you do that?"...Ziva asked.
"Do what?"
"Treat McGee like he's an idiot."
"He's a probie, that's his job...and he should be used to it."
"I have been here shorter than him and yet you do not treat me like that."
"You're different, Ziva."
"Because I have a vagina, yes?"
Tony turned towards her as the elevator doors opened..."Wait, you have a vagina?"
Ziva groaned, rolling her eyes..."Idiot."...She said, stepping out of the elevator.
Tony took a step, grabbing her arm, they both stood in the doorway, stopping the doors from closing..."McGee has trouble picking what kind of muffin he wants from the food cart, he's not ready for a warzone."
"And this Nikki is?"
"Ziva..."...He took a deep breath..."There's no one I'd rather have covering my back than you, but you heard the acting Director, my, your, Gibbs's hands are tied and aren't you one who said, sometimes the truth can hurt worse than the lie?"
They stood looking at each other, Ziva raised her head, looking into his eyes..."You will come back to me?"
"Of course I will...I'll be back soon as I can, I don't tan well, you know that. Heh."
"Why do you joke? You could die there."
"It's how I cope, Ziva. I could die here, right now, ya know?"...He smiled..."You should've seen the zingers I told when I had the plague, they were doozies. Besides, I already know how I'm gonna die, in bed, making love."
Ziva's eyes widened..."To whom?"...(Me?)...She thought, bordering on begging.
"Heh. I dunno, you have someone in mind?"...He smiled..."But it'll be a massive heart attack, Zee-vah. Coming and going at the same time: the DiNozzo way."...He smirked.
"Close your eyes, Tony."
"Why?"
"Just do it!"...She said, starting to get frustrated.
"Okay, okay...I'm sorry."...Tony closed his eyes.
Ziva sighed, she moved her hands to his face..."For good luck."...She stood on her toes as she softly kissed him on the lips, her hands slid down along the lapel on his jacket before gently pushing him out the elevator door. She took a step back..."I...I...be safe."
Tony opened his eyes as the doors started to close, she was smiling.
Ziva stepped off the elevator back into the squad room, her cell rang, she quickly answers it..."David."
"By the way, I know you have a vagina."...Tony spoke, the phone clicks.
Ziva chuckles, she slowly snaps her cell shut, pressing it against her chest. She moves to her desk and sat down, she thought for a moment, then quickly took out her cell and dialed..."Officer Bashan, bevakasha."