Oct 14
I think that when you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself.
Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ), 20th Anniversary DVD
Ducky entered the squad room with a smile on his face. Today was a good day. It was Sunday morning, the sun was shining, and his guests had all been dealt with and were awaiting familial arrangements.
Jethro and his team were in their usual places, having unfortunately drawn the weekend shift. But for once, it looked as though naval personnel and marines had refrained from killing each other; Jethro would never allow Anthony to get away with making paper airplanes so obviously on his desk if they had any work to do.
"Good morning, Ducky." Ziva was the first to notice him, her Mossad training picking up on his movements and determining who he was without turning around.
"Boker tov," he replied, finding himself embroiled in the familiar round of greetings. Jethro simply looked up from his work and raised his eyebrows.
Ducky resisted a grin; for a man who said almost nothing, Jethro could be very expressive when he wished to be.
"I was wondering if anyone had any important plans tonight." He addressed them all, watching as they each shook their heads in turn. "A lady friend has given me a magnificent chicken for my tea tonight, and I couldn't possibly eat it alone. Since you drew the weekend shift, I thought you might wish to partake of it with me."
Anthony cheered so loudly at the idea that Jethro looked as though he would rise out of his seat to deliver a headslap. Meanwhile, Ziva and Timothy began thanking him and wondering if they could supply anything.
"Of course not," he assured them. "Come as you are whenever Jethro allows you to leave."
He smiled to himself as he made for the elevator. Naturally, the invitation needed to be extended to others.