[Backup Date]
Claire's POV:
It was late on a Friday evening. We had spent the day doing what we do best, catching criminals. It wasn't anything to exciting but a long day none the less. Everyone was finishing up their paperwork before we all headed home for the weekend. Just as I finished up some emails I started to grab my stuff to go home. Yes, it was Friday but sadly I had no plans. I looked over at Tony noticing he wasn't chomping at the bit to leave like he usually does. He had spent the entire week going on and on...and on about some hot date he had tonight. It really got on my nerves that he was so head over heels about her. Her hair, her body, her sense of humor, I really just wanted to deck this girl because she was taking up all of my Tony's...Hold up! No, he's not mine...where did that come from?...Anyways. I walked over to his desk to see what was up. When I stopped he didn't even look up.
"Hey, you ok? I thought you would be all excited about your big date tonight." He simply looked up emotionlessly.
"She cancelled." He looked back down at his work. I kinda felt bad. It was never fun to get cancelled on.
"I'm sorry to hear that. So what's your back up plan for tonight?"
"Well it looks like I'll be going to the restaurant alone. I can't cancel a reservation like that." Hmmmm...
"Get up." I told him. He looked up at me confused.
"Why..."
"We're going on a date." His eyes doubled in size and I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.
"Tony, not a real date. I'm your backup date. There's no sense in going alone. So both of us will get dressed up and go on that date so you can still have a somewhat enjoyable weekend. It's not like I had any plans anyway."
"Really?" he smiled up at me. He thought a moment and then turned off his desk lamp, signaling his leave.
"Alright I'll pick you up at our house at 8." He told me as we walked to the elevator. I smiled and as we walked down to our cars I got even more excited about tonight. It's not a real date though...I just have to keep remembering that.
3rd Person POV:
Tony DiNozzo briskly walked up to Claire's apartment. He was actually really excited about tonight. Not that he would let her know just how excited he was. After all it wasn't a 'real' date.
As she heard a knock on the door Claire quickly ran around to her bathroom to double check herself.
"One minute!" she called out while fixing her hair. She quickly rushed over to the door and paused a moment trying not to seem too excited. She slowly opened the door and smiled at Tony. Tony on the other hand couldn't bring himself to move. His eyes widened and he consciously had to stop his jaw from dropping. She was stunning in her dress. He'd seen her in dresses before but for some reason she looked better than ever tonight. Her raven hair was draped perfectly around her shoulders accenting the strapless top of her knee length gown. It fit her perfectly and he loved it. And as always her, blue eyes just seemed to pop out and he couldn't help but get lost in them. After a moment she looked down at herself thinking something was wrong.
"Does it look ok?" she nervously asked him. He snapped back into reality and gave her a reassuring smile.
"You look fantastic! I was just a little shocked for a moment." he assured with a nervous chuckle. She rolled her eyes but smiled non the less. Claire grabbed her coat from behind the door and stepped out.
"Thanks" she told him. He held his arm out in a gentleman-like fashion for her to take.
"Are you ready to go my lady?" He asked in a posh accent. She giggled and took his arm.
"I am kind gentleman." With that they walked down to his car and toward the restaurant.
Tony's POV:
When we pulled up the restaurant I immediately jumped out of the car to open the passenger door for her. She gave me an amused smile, and I reflexively smiled back. I couldn't help it, her grin was contagious. Walking into the restaurant I was glad to see she was in awe of the place I chose.
"What did you think it was some cheap place?" I asked her in mock hurt.
"No! I've just never known you to go to places like this." She assured me. This made me even more pleased. We sat down and spent the next two hours laughing and enjoying ourselves. If I'm honest, I think I enjoy her company much more than I ever would have the other woman.
"I hope that I didn't do to horribly as your backup date tonight." She suddenly spoke up after a moment of silence. I looked at her oddly. Why would she think this was a bad idea?
"Of course! I mean I assume there wont be any sex after this like I had planned..." her jaw dropped in playful shock and subtly threw a piece of food at me.
"Of course you had that planned you pig!" she told me laughing. I just smiled. It's times like these that I really begin to regret all the time we were separated. Maybe we could have had a little different relationship...Wait?! No she's just my friend. We work together, so that's all we will be.
"No, I have really enjoyed myself tonight. Thank you." I told her in all sincerity. She gave me a soft smile, which I returned.
"Anytime" she replied. Maybe I'll take her up on that...
3rd Person POV:
To everyone else in the restaurant, the two of them were a perfect couple. But in Tony and Claire's eyes they were only friends. That's all they both thought they could ever be. They both wanted to be more, whether they knew it or not at the moment. For now they were both content where they were, enjoying their time together.