CHAPTER TEN! ALRIGHT! Talk about ontimeness, if that's a word (which I highly doubt). I promised you another chapter today, and here it is! And as for the riddle of the week, I need to give you guys harder ones… so… DRUM ROLL PLEASE! *background drum roll* The winner is! HICKS07! Hooray for you! But, as only one of you has noticed (or has had the bravery to mention to me) I have put another challenge into last chapter. At first, Mr. DiNozzo's name change was an accident, but I decided to wait and see how many people noticed! And I am disappointed; only one person said anything about it! And because of that, this person's username will be placed in this story (as well as our winner!)… for only she has noticed the Enrico for Ricardo swap! (It has been changed back)
~Sbteja
Disclaimer:
Me (at an unnamed bank, 'cause I only advertise for myself) hello, I'd like to take out a loan please!
Teller: o…kay…? May I ask what for?
Me: Well, seeing as I blew all my savings on Christmas presents, I need money so I can buy the TV show, NCIS. Is that a problem?
Teller: *stares blankly*
Me: umm… do I need to sign anything… or what…? I've honestly never taken out a loan before.
Teller: *blinks* Umm… I need to see some identification, please.
Me: …Oh… er… I seemed to have left my license at home… oh darn! Do I absolutely need it?
Teller: *sighs* Look, kid. How about you go back home to mommy, okay?
Me: *huffs indignantly* I, sir, happen to be an adult, and I-
My father: Come on, Sarah, let's go home.
Me: *sigh* coming dad…
Tony smiled. 'Today is a good day.' He thought, as he walked towards school, his arm thrown over his girlfriend's shoulder. Girlfriend. Ziva is his girlfriend. This made Tony smile wider, and Ziva chuckled, as if reading his mind.
"I assume you are enjoying yourself." she teased, leaning further into him. Tony nodded wholeheartedly, and tightened his arm around her.
"Today is a good day." he repeated out loud, kissing the top of her head. Ziva rolled her eyes and proceeded to ask same question anyone would if they were in her position.
"Why?" Tony gasped dramatically, feigning shock as he gazed down at her.
"You don't know what today is?" he nearly shouted, earning a few stares from his fellow classmates. Ziva quickly covered his mouth, glancing around to make sure no one was paying special attention to their conversation.
"Tony!" she hissed, glaring at him "Do not be so loud!" Tony only chuckled, and pulled her hand slowly from his mouth, cradling it in his two before returning to their earlier arrangement.
"I'm happy, Zee-vah. Today is a good day." Ziva sighed, officially giving up as he once again became loud.
"And why is it a good day, Tony?" she asked politely as they reached her locker. Tony leaned up beside it as she gathered her books.
"You really don't know?" he asked, perplexed. "Most people know this is coming months in advance…" he paused, a thoughtful expression on his face, before grinning again. "Well, then again, you're not like most people." Ziva was only partially listening to him, and nodded every once in a while, so his feelings wouldn't get hurt. Though she loved him, truly, even if she would never admit it under any circumstances, sometimes she needed a break from Tony. Too much Tony could drive her crazy.
"Ziva?" he asked, breaking into her thoughts as she continued to rifle through her locker. She glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. He looked frustrated, but still happy. 'Today must be very important to him…' she mused.
"Are you listening to me?" he asked, a look of hurt crossing his features. Ziva sighed, placing her free hand on his cheek.
"Of course I am, Tony. Now will you tell me what today is?" Tony's expression immediately changed from one of hurt and frustration to one of love and happiness.
"Today is your birthday, Ziva. How could you forget that?" Ziva froze, confusion becoming the dominant emotion before she became neutral.
"It does not matter." She shrugged, turning to close her locker before heading down to homeroom. Tony frowned, running to catch up with her.
"Doesn't matter?" he exclaimed, trying to keep up with her fast pace. "You were BORN today Ziva! If it weren't for today, you wouldn't be here!" Ziva stopped, and turned on her heal before facing him, an almost angry expression on her face.
"Do not yell, Tony!" she growled, glancing around to see if anyone heard before pulling him into the men's restroom. She sighed and locked the door after checking under stalls. Tony felt extremely confused.
"It's your birthday, Zee…" he whispered, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you want to celebrate?" Ziva shook her head, chuckling softly. Now he whispers. She thought sarcastically.
"Tony…" she said, looking up into hurt filled eyes, and instantly felt regret. "I do not wish to celebrate my birthday. It brings up too many bad memories…" Tony frowned again, pulling her against his chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." He whispered into her hair. Ziva smiled and turned up to give him a small kiss.
"Thank you, Tony." she murmured, snuggling further into his embrace. Tony chuckled.
"For bringing up bad memories?" he question, feigning hurt when she his chest. Ziva smiled.
"No. For caring." And with that, she snaked her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his. All thoughts of being late for class left her mind.
Tali sighed, tapping her fingers idly against the keyboard of the computer in front of her as she listed to the computer teacher drone on and on about the important use of the pinky. Honestly, Tali could type perfectly well; a skill that was learned early on in her life. And now, she was completely bored. It was when she started considering the pros and cons of sleeping in class, that she saw the IM symbol on her toolbar had a '1' next to it.
She frowned 'who would message me during school?' she thought, as she hesitantly opened it.
ncislover10: (AKA: Abby) ugghh! This is so boring! I wish I could fall asleep!
Tali giggled silently and typed back a response.
Hicks07: I know, I wish I could also sleep. Nice username, I like it.
She only had to wait for a few seconds as the excited clicking of a keyboard stuck out from everyone else's bored pace in the second row.
ncislover10: thanks, it's the same as my email, even though I am only using this temporary username for the school's computer.
Tali rolled her eyes and typed back another response.
Hicks07: mine's a temporary one too, I could not risk logging on with the school's computer. Speaking of which, how did you know which computer number mine is? We got new seats today…
ncislover10: …I counted… you would be surprised at how much Caff-Pow has helped me!
Tali frowned. Caff-Pow! No wonder Abby was responding so fast. She only shook her head and continued their 'illegal' conversation.
Hicks07: I do not want to know… besides, how could you use your real email for your temporary one? Will they not find out? It is very risky. That is why I did not use my real email…
ncislover10: Relax! You need to just chill out. So I heard that today is Ziva's birthday from Tony… what should I get her? OH! And we need to plan a party! Maybe invite everyone from school! It would be so much fun, don't you think?
Tali's eyes widened, and she typed her answer furiously.
Hicks07: NO! Ziva does not celebrate her birthday, I told Tony that much. He never listens, does he? But, seriously, we cannot throw a party! She will literally explode! Please do not, Abby. I am begging you!
ncislover10: …fine, but I am SO getting her a present… and a cake! We can have a private party! And I can plan it! OH, this will be so much fun! I can't wait to tell Tony!
Tali sighed and closed the window before the teacher noticed. And as her eyelids fluttered close, her last coherent thought was 'Poor Tony and Ziva'
"Just out of curiosity, Tony. Who told you it was my birthday today?" Ziva asked sweetly as they walked hand in hand to his car. Tony grimaced and raised both hands in front of him while still keeping their hands laced.
"Sorry Zee-vah, no-can-do. I was sworn to secrecy." He took their hands and placed it over his heart. "or else, I'd have to stick a needle in my eye." he looked extremely serious. Ziva shrugged.
"You really only need one eye Tony..." she lied, smirking seductively at him. Tony blinked but shook his head.
"Nope, sorry. I need both of them, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see you clearly." Ziva rolled her eyes and placed her hands on his chest once they reached his car. She leaned up to whisper in his ear.
"I'm sure whoever told you would not mind, Tony." she cooed. Tony's eyes widened as his heartbeat accelerated.
"Aww, come on Zee..." he pleaded. "that's cheating." Ziva chuckled softly, making him gasp as the warm air hit his sensitive flesh.
"It was Tali!" he replied without a moment's hesitation. Ziva's smirk deepened.
"Now, that was not very hard, was it Tony?" she murmured before pulling back and lightly thouching his cheek. "good boy." Tony rolled his eyes and shrugged it off before wordlessly climbing into the car. Ziva followed suit.
"That was so not fair..." Tony muttered, acting much like a spoiled child. Ziva laughed and leaned over, giving him a small peck on the cheek.
"There, Tony. Better?" she asked. Tony could only grin.
I just want to let you know, that even though I promised a big chapter… it wasn't this one. Sorry, it just wasn't in the cards. And when I started to write this one… well, that's the way it flowed. I will let you know that Gibbs team will be making another appearance soon… maybe even next chapter. But from now on, I will be updating every Saturday, and I will let you know beforehand if I can't, Okay? Good. Alright, here is the riddle of the week:
'Old mother Twitchet had one eye,And a long tail that she let fly,
But every time she went through a gap,
She left a bit of her tail in the trap.'
Who, or what, is Old Mother Twitchet?