"You owe Ziva an apology…" – Gibbs to Tony

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"I am not in the mood Tony…" She held the phone on her shoulder as she grabbed a few bags of groceries from her car.

"I can help you take in the bags?"

She did her best to look around without dropping anything. "You are waiting outside my apartment…again?"

Tony opened his car door about twenty feet away and waved, phone in hand. "Well I wanted to make sure you got home okay…rough couple days and all…"

"You do not think I am capable of taking care of myself?"

Tony was pacing closer as the conversation continued. "Oh when you're focused, I wouldn't want anyone else watching my back, but when you're not, I'd rather have McGeek."

She tried to hide her smile as he got closer and put his hands out. "Let me take 'em."

She resisted the urge to throw the bags at him and stepped a few inches closer to him. "Thank you Tony…but do not think you are getting anything in return…"

Tony plastered an insulted look on his face. "I'm no gigolo…"

She laughed outwardly this time and waved for him to follow. It was silent until they reached the apartment door and entered the kitchen. Tony set the bags down and peered around. "You moved some things around I see?" He couldn't help but notice the state of chaos her apartment was in, and had no doubt it was a result of the past day's events. "Shall I help you clean up?" He examined her expression. "And I know, I know, nothing in return…sheesh…" He started to turn over the love seat and felt her eyes burning into him. "What?"

"What are you doing here Tony…I mean really?"

"Cant I just help a sister out? Plus, I thought you might want some company…"

"And what made you think I wouldn't have any?"

He shrugged. "Saw you jotting down that Devin chicks number…that was pretty sweet of you. Makes me think you got a beating heart in there somewhere."

She managed a smile. "You were paying close attention to me yes?"

"Of course, it's what partners do…"

"Then you are paying close attention to me now?"

Tony almost blushed. "Uh, well, yeah…I mean no…I'm just here following orders."

Her smile quickly faded and Tony swore she looked disappointed." Gibbs then?"

"Well yes and no…mostly yes…partly no. He said I owed you an apology and well, let's face it, I did press the whole Lock thing a bit too far."

"A bit?""

"A lot…but I meant well."

She nodded. "Well out with it then."

Tony grabbed a couple pillows and put them in their rightful place. "You know, I saw these pillows the other day that would go perfect with that fabric…I'll have to remember the name of the place, but I'll find out, if you're interested?" He watched as she crossed her arms and remained silent.
"Right…out with it…" he bit his lip slowly. "I'm sorry. I should've trusted your judgment more. We could've got the guy sooner."

She stepped a few feet closer to him. "I was a bit unstable, I suppose I can take a little of the blame."

"A little?"

She agreed. "A little…so now that you've followed your order, you will be going yes?"

He leaned over to pick up another pillow. "You really should look at redecorating a little, black and browns are so last fall…"

She laughed a bit and picked up another pillow near her foot. It was mere seconds before she swung it around and made contact with Tony's left shoulder. And it wasn't long before the two were engaged in an all out pillow war…later involving couch cushions and lamp shades. I suppose following orders wasn't the only reason after all…