When Friday came, Tony sauntered in looking lively and chipper.

Until he saw the string of garlic on his desk.

He put his bag down, and then looked over at Ziva, who had her head lowered, then McGee who was looking at his computer but giving Tony a sideways smirk.

Gibbs was not at his desk, so Tony picked up the garlic and threw it at McGee, hitting him in the head with it.

"Hey!" McGee cried, while Ziva looked on, smiling.

"Garlic is for vampires, McFunnyman, not for witches," Tony said in an irritated tone, though inside he was highly amused at McGee's attempt at burning him. "Haven't you ever watched horror movies for crying out loud?'

"Probably has no time because he's working, Tony," Gibbs said as he passed Tony and went to his desk.

"Oh, ah, hi Boss. Good morning," Tony smiled and then sat back down.

Ziva was staring at him.

"What?"

"Well, I'm just wondering if your new girlfriend will help us put a spell on you to make you be quiet."

McGee chortled from his desk.

And even Gibbs had to control the smirk.

"Ha, ha, ha," Tony said, sighing. "Okay. It's fine. You'll get it out of your systems eventually."

"Speaking of systems," Gibbs said, walking over to Tony's desk with a huge box of files, "we have to do some input of these cold case files into our digital filing system, so you three need to split this up how you see fit and get it done."

They all three groaned.

He ignored them, and walked back to his desk, smiling.

They divided it up equally, after Tony sneakily tried to take a very small pile first, and started the work. They all expressed deep and heavy sighs of boredom as they went at it for a few hours.

Tony's phone rang, and he silently prayed for a dead body to get them out of filing– and then felt a tiny bit guilty about it.

"Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo speaking, how may I help you?"

"Junior!"

"Oh," he was momentarily thrown. "Hey, Dad. How are you?"

"I'm fine Junior. I was just calling to see if you got the package I sent you last week."

Tony could hear a little guilt in the tone.

"I did, Dad. Thanks."

He heard his father sigh on the other end of the line. "I know I should have come to town told you in person about selling the house. In all actuality, it was hard for me to do. And I feel bad about it Junior. But…I had no choice."

Tony blinked for a moment and licked his lips. He was playing a little with the phone cord. "It's okay, Dad. Really, I understand."

"Did you get a chance to go to the facility and see what's there yet?"

"Yeah. I was a little…overwhelmed, to tell you the truth," he said softly, while Ziva looked up intently at him.

"I know. It's a lot. But you know, some of that stuff is worth good money, and if you don't like it you could sell it. Maybe get yourself a hot car with it or something…"

"Ah, just what I need," Tony said, not meaning to sound offensive at all. But his father must have read too much into it.

"Well, how the hell do I know what you're into nowadays?"

Tony rankled at his father's sudden quip. "You could always try just asking," his voice picked up an angry tone as he snapped the words out.

He heard another sigh.

"I'm sorry, I…just thought I was doing the right thing with all that stuff…maybe I shouldn't have-"

"No," Tony said, contritely, "no Dad, I'm sorry. I'm really glad you did. And I really do appreciate it. Especially all the photos…of Mom…" Tony swallowed harshly.

There was silence on the other end.

Then finally, "Okay Junior, I'm being called into a meeting, but how about I call you next week, and I'll plan a stopover in town?"

"Sure, Dad," Tony said, knowing it wouldn't be likely anyhow.

"Okay, bye Son."

"Bye Dad."

Tony hung up the phone, and seemed to be off in his own headspace for a minute.

They all saw it and heard the conversation, but quickly went back to what they were doing so they didn't make him uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Abby came racing around the corner. It was lunchtime most likely, when she had stopped to get her midday Caf-Pow.

"Hi Gibbs! Hi guys!" she breezed by, hardly glancing at them. She was entirely focused on Tony.

She stood for a moment in her black and red striped stockings and black jumper dress in front of his desk. Waiting for him to look up.

When he finally did, she said, "When?"

"When what Abs ?" he was a little surprised to have her large eyes locked on him in obvious expectation.

She folder her arms over her chest.

"You know when, and who."

"What?"

"That wasn't the question."

Gibbs rolled his eyes from his desk.

"The question is, when, am I going to meet Maura the witch, otherwise known as your magical girlfriend?" She tapped her foot.

When he hesitated, looking over to McGee for help, McGee just raised his brows and shrugged. Ziva was tapping her pen against her desk, smiling.

"Ahhh…" he stalled.

"OH COME ON! Tony, I have to meet her. She has to meet me. -"

"Alright," he finally cried, throwing his hands up, laughing. Like Gibbs, he couldn't say no easily to Abby.

"YAY!" Abby smiled. Then looked at him dead seriously. "When?"

"How about I take you to her job," he smiled, knowing she would love the next part, "and she can read your cards, and then we can all go to dinner?"

Abby literally started bouncing up and down with joy. "Yes! Yes! YAY! Okay, I'm gonna' go now, and think about what I'm going to wear. Thanks Tony!" She jumped on him, hugging him, almost knocking him and his chair over. And then she turned to run off.

"I'm in!" McGee smiled, stopping her in her tracks.

"You?" Abby asked, surprised.

"Yeah," McGee looked from her, then a little nervously at Tony. "I could just meet you guys out for dinner when you're done…I'm just…really curious."

"Ditto," said Ziva. "I am curious as well, Tony. I would also like the opportunity to ask her about the spell I spoke of earlier." Ziva tilted her head, smug expression on her face.

He sighed again, giving her a sour look, "Fine. But you better be good. Do not screw this up for me. She's awesome in the sa –" he remembered Gibbs was still there,"...bookstore. She's awesome, in the bookstore. Always…knows…where to find what I'm looking for…"

They all laughed at him.

Abby turned, "What about you, Gibbs? You wanna' meet her?"

"Already met her," he said, getting up to go out and get coffee. "She's got a great gut."

As he walked out, he heard Tony snort, as the rest of them looked confused.