Author's Note: Aloha! Anyone still there? I know it's been a while and I don't really have an excuse, except that my muse apparently went on vacation again. As such, I apologize that this chapter is shorter than the others - I kinda had a hard time getting back into the swing of things, but I think I've fixed that. Anyway, sorry for the delay, but I hope you enjoy! Happy reading.


Ziva stared at herself in the mirror, mildly surprised to note that she looked mostly the same. When Abby had asked – or decided, if truth were told – that she was coming over to do her makeup, Ziva had expected to find herself altered on a much grander scale. Instead, she did not look much different than she would if she had gotten herself ready. She was wearing more makeup than usual, but not more than she would have put on herself; her eyeliner was a little darker, maybe, but Ziva didn't mind the look. Abby's artistry was evident: Ziva privately thought that her Goth friend had accentuated her exotic features almost perfectly.

All in all, Ziva was impressed. Next to her, a beaming Abby was double -checking her outfit in the mirror, running a hand over the purple and black plaid skirt she had picked out for the evening. Her eyes drifted from her skirt to Ziva in the mirror, and the way she grinned made Ziva glance down at herself out of reflex. She was wearing a pair of her own khaki cargo pants (although, admittedly, they were one of the pairs that fit her rather well) and a dark maroon t-shirt that Abby had brought her that loudly proclaimed "Android Lust". Ziva had been expecting a t-shirt like Abby's, but found instead that her friend had picked her out one with a sexy v-neck and the barest hint of sleeves.

"Do you really like it?" Abby asked again.

"I really do, Abby," Ziva answered honestly, smiling.

"You were expecting a short skirt and platform boots, weren't you?"

"The thought crossed my mind, yes."

Abby laughed and reached behind her neck to fasten the dog collar she had chosen for the night, a black leather one with skulls for studs.

"That is so not your style. No offense."

"None taken."

The doorbell buzzed just then, and Ziva's stomach jumped against her wishes. That would be Tim and Tony – she knew because they were teetering right on the edge of being late (and also because no one else would be at her apartment on a Friday night).

"I'll get it," Ziva said, excusing herself.

She crossed the apartment to her door, and when she opened it she couldn't fight the mischievous smile that worked its way across her face. Tim and Tony looked more laid back than she was used to seeing, and the effect that it had on Tim was undeniably noticeable. He looked younger in his dark jeans and band t-shirt, almost unrelated to the serious NCIS agent she knew and loved. Somehow, the jump in age made her suddenly fonder of him, as if he were a younger brother she needed to protect.

"Hello, Tim. Tony." She gave them both a wide smile and stepped aside to let them in

"You look great, Ziva," Tim said as he walked by.

"Do you like it?"

"Absolutely."

"Be sure to tell Abby. She is in the bathroom."

Ziva watched him walk toward the bathroom and was about to turn around when Tony's voice said, very close to her ear, "You're stunning."

She turned and found herself nearly enveloped in his chest, the scent of his cologne reaching out to wrap her in his scent. She had never considered herself a fan of cologne, but there was something about Tony's that she rather enjoyed. He always wore it, she knew, but the smell was never overpowering – she rather thought that he had figured out how to spray it just so, in a way that invited others to get close enough to smell it, almost as if he was trying to draw them in – to draw her in. And damn him if it didn't work.

"You look rather passable yourself," she teased.

"Passable?" he scoffed. "I look like a young Burt Reynolds. Only without the mustache."

She laughed and made herself move away before Abby or Tim could appear. "You look nothing like Burt Reynolds."

He looked much better than Burt Reynolds. The distressed blue jeans and simple black t-shirt he'd chosen for the evening made her think of a night that was some time ago now, when he'd stood next to her in the kitchen, his hair ever so slightly out of place, and listened to her voice her fear over the state of her soul. He looked and smelled wonderful, and she wanted to cross the gap right then and kiss him like she had the night before.

A laughing Abby and grinning Tim emerged just then, effectively erasing all thought of jumping the man before her.

"You look great, Tony!" Abby said by way of greeting. "Very suave."

"Thanks, Abs – suave was what I was aiming for. Hungry?"

"Starving. Lead the way!"

On a whim Tony offered his crooked arm to Ziva, who hesitated only a moment before taking it. Out of the corner of her eye Ziva saw Tim follow suit, and she tried to hide a grin. They stopped long enough for her to lock the door behind them, and then Abby filled their trip down to the parking lot with a soliloquy on the greatness that was Android Lust, and how they would all thank her for changing their lives.

Tony, who had been determined to get at least a little alone time with Ziva during the evening, had successfully managed to suggest to Tim earlier in the day that it would be more economical if the two of them carpooled to Ziva's apartment, where Abby's car would be waiting. Once there, Abby and Tim could drive in one car – his rationale being that at the end of the night, when they were all exhausted, they would not have to return to Ziva's apartment to retrieve said car. Tony would drive Ziva, of course, but he hadn't even gotten far enough to need to justify himself; as soon as Tim realized this plan would give him time alone with Abby, all else was overlooked.

So it was that Abby made sure Tim knew which restaurant they were going to and then slid into her car, content to let Tim drive. Tony smiled in response to Ziva's arched eyebrow as he held the door open for her, then hurried around to the other side of the car.

"Two cars? Did you orchestrate that?"

"Maybe. It was pretty easy, once Tim realized that it would give him time alone with Abby."

"And you time alone with me?"

"Are you complaining?"

She paused a second, just to make him squirm. Then, quietly, she said, "No."


Ziva had never been on a double date before, but she was left with the unshakeable feeling that this was what one would feel like. Across the dinner table, Abby and Tim were sitting close enough to one another that she hoped they would not notice – or realize – just how close she and Tony were sitting to one another.

Conversation came easily to the four of them, and more than once Ziva was reminded of how lucky she was to be here with these people, and how thoroughly she enjoyed their company. The ease of Tim's laughter, Abby's bright grin … they were the same people, she knew, and yet they all felt somehow different from their NCIS counterparts. There were no dead bodies here to disrupt a conversation, no grim murders underlying their interaction; this was purely them, friends out to enjoy an evening together.

Partway through after dinner drinks, Tony's hand found its way over to rest on her leg, just above her knee. His hand was warm, even through her pants, and when she stole a glance his way he winked conspiratorially at her.

Abby, all glowing excitement, was the one to decide that they should make their way to the warehouse-turned-concert-venue; Tony managed to snatch the check before anyone else and disappeared quickly, Abby shouting a thank you to his retreating form.

Ziva planned another thank you entirely.

"So, Abs, is there anything we need to know before we get there?" Tim asked, half curious and half concerned, as they made their way out.

"You guys are gonna love it, I promise!" Abby gushed. "And I made sure to bring extra ear plugs for everyone too."

"Ear plugs?" Ziva questioned. "Why do we need ear plugs?"

"When's the last time you went to a concert, Ziva?" Tony asked, falling into step beside them.

"This will be my first."

Abby looked positively horrified at the confession, but Tony just chuckled and clamped down on the urge to throw an arm around her.

"Well they get pretty loud, even when the lead act isn't called 'Android Lust.'"

"The only thing I love more than my music is my hearing. Okay, well, maybe not the only thing …" Abby said, trailing off.

Tony and Ziva reached their car first; Tony, unable to resist, held the door open for Ziva once more. He had always been in the habit of opening doors for women, if truth be told, especially on dates; with Ziva, however, he found that he truly enjoyed the simple act. She always smiled her little smile at him, the one that told him that while the chivalry was not needed, it was appreciated. He enjoyed doing this one little thing – so unexpected and easily overlooked – for such a fiercely independent woman.

He hurried around the car and let himself into the driver's seat, automatically sliding the keys into the ignition and starting it while simultaneously reaching for his seatbelt. When he turned to say something to his partner, however, he was surprised to find her leaning deliciously close to him. He barely had enough time to bring his gaze up from her lips before finding said lips wonderfully upon his own.

Of all of the women Tony had kissed in his life – and there had been more than his fair share – kissing Ziva was unlike kissing anyone else. He did not know if it had to do with who she was, or who they were to each other, but he didn't particularly care – all he cared about was that he continue to be allowed to do it.

When she finally pulled away (entirely too soon for his liking), her dark eyes were dancing in the yellow glow of the parking garage lights.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Thank you, for dinner."

He smiled. "Remind to pay more often."