Author's Note: 1st yes this is a long chapter, but i didn't really want to break it down into seperate chapters for each couple. 2nd i do not own the rights to any of the movies or songs referanced in this chapter. 3rd i'm sorry for going on about Jim van Fleet, but he is my favorite weather man / country singer and i think more people should know about him. everything abby says about him in the chapter is true. if you would like to hear the songs i took the lyrics from, i have uploaded a video on youtube of these sections of these two songs. the link is .com/watch?v=QLMlkhGCZek. ok, so this is a long enough note. back to the story.
Chapter 14: Lazy Sundays
Abby was woken by a combination of sun streaming across her face and McGee pulling her closer to his body. Turning over slowly and gently raising up so as not to wake her boyfriend, she noticed that it was 9:00. For a second she began to panic thinking that she had overslept. Sensing her tense, McGee mumbled something about it being Sunday before falling back into his dream.
Abby smiled as she took in the whole situation. It was amazing how right it felt to be waking up in McGee's arms for the second day in a row. She couldn't even remember why she had let him go in the first place, but she was determined not to let it happen again. Lying back down, she contemplated what they could do on their rare day off, once he finally decided to wake up.
At 9:30, McGee finally awoke. As he gained his bearings, he smiled noticing Abby's singing coming from the bathroom and the sound of the shower running. Truth be told, she did have a nice voice, when she chose to sing something instead of screaming along with her death metal. Listening closer he could just pick out the words:
Is it any wonder I'm not a criminal
Is it any wonder I'm not in jail
Is it any wonder I've got too much time on my hands
It's tickin' away with my sanity
I've got too much time on my hands
It's hard to believe such a calamity
I've got too much time on my hands
And it's tickin' away, tickin' away from me
Styx! She even surprised him with her diverse tastes sometimes. As he heard the shower shut off, he got up to greet his girlfriend, he loved calling her that, and get a shower of his own.
Abby saw McGee's face in the mirror and stopped singing abruptly. "Timmy! You scared me. How much have you heard? How long have you been awake? Why didn't you -" she was cut off as his lips met hers.
"Morning to you, too Abs. And for your information, I think you sounded great." This earned him a brilliant smile and breathtaking hug. "Abs, I can't breathe!"
"Sorry Timmy! Do you really like the way I sing?"
"Yeah Abs, I love it" he answered as he stepped into the shower and turned on the water. She simply finished getting ready for the day and wandered into the kitchen flipping the stereo on as she passed.
As McGee finally made his way into his kitchen, he was once again shocked at his girlfriend's music selection. He stifled a chuckle as he stood in the doorway watching her sing at the top of her lungs, almost overpowering the radio, dance around the kitchen and make breakfast.
It might not be forever but for now
I'll take it with a grain of salt and a straight shot of tequila
Cause baby that's the only way that I can say I don't need ya
Well I might be dying inside
You won't see it in my eyes
I'll take it with a grain of salt and a straight shot of tequila
As the music faded, another song began, seemingly by the same artist that he didn't recognize. Abby didn't miss a beat as she went right into the next song. A slight southern accent slipping in to the match the country music.
I've got a Devil red, knock 'em dead, ass kicking mustang
I keep the tank full of gas and a seat for a sweet thing
Rockin' on ready, Rarin' to go
Up town, down town, or off the road
Dedicate myself to help with a woman's every whim
Climb a tree to rescue her kitty from a high limb
You can't taste the apple, if you don't bite
You gotta unwind 'em when they're wound too tight
Oooh, give 'em what they want when they want it
Anything their heart desires
Whatever the need roll up your sleeves
And the smoke will turn to fire
Oooh, give 'em what they want when they want it
Never leave love to fate
You gotta make your move, when she's in the mood
A pretty woman ain't gonna wait
Taking the advice of the singer, McGee chose that moment to sneak up on Abby, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the nape of her neck. "Country Abs? Really? And who is this anyway? I've never heard him."
"Yes country. Did you forget that I'm from the South McGee!" she scolded. "And his name is Jim van Fleet. Get this, he is a weatherman! Isn't that awesome? His regular job is as a local weatherman for Fox35 morning news in Florida! He's got a great voice though doesn't he? By the way, breakfast is almost ready. Go sit and I'll bring it to you in a minute."
As they ate breakfast and continued to listen to the Jim van Fleet CD, Abby rattled off all of the ideas she had come up with for them to spend the day doing. Among the list were visiting museums, a picnic, touring the monuments, going to a county fair in Virginia she had heard about, and tracking Tony and Ziva down for a double date.
"Abby, there is no way we can do all of that in one day! We probably couldn't do all of that in a month. How long have you been thinking about this?"
"Oh, just since I woke up and realized we had all day to do whatever we wanted" she replied nonchalantly.
"When did you get up?"
"Umm, around 9, I think. So pick some. What are we doing today Timmy?"
"Well, let me think for a minute. It's supposed to be a nice day, so why don't we go to the park and have a picnic. Maybe we can even go out on the lake. Then we can call Tony and Ziva for dinner."
"Can we go to the fair tonight? Pretty please!?"
"I thought you wanted to see Tony and Ziva."
"They can come too. I bet Ziva's never been to a county fair before. Just think how good she'll be at all those booth games! She'll win like a bazillion stuffed animals. That's how I got Bert you know. And it's gonna be such a pretty night. Besides there are supposed to fireworks. I love fireworks!"
"Ok, we can invite them to go to the fair with us. Wait, you mentioned a double date! Are they dating?"
"Well if they're not yet, they will be soon. I can feel it in my 'Gibbs Gut'" she chirped happily. "Come on, let's goooo! We can do the dishes tonight when we get home."
So with an impatient tug on his hand, McGee stood and followed Abby out of the apartment for their 'fantabulous day out' as Abby had dubbed it.
Jenny arrived at Jethro's house by 10 that Sunday. As usual, his front door was unlocked. She shook her head at that. Some things would never change. As she walked into the house she called out and heard his response from the basement. "Well, I should have seen that coming" she thought wryly to herself as she headed towards him, taking a detour through the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge for herself and a fresh coffee for him.
"You know, you really should lock your door. Anyone could walk right in. And with you down here, they could rob you blind and you'd never know it."
"It's my sight that's going bad, Jen, not my hearing. I know every time that door opens. Besides, I don't have much worth stealing anyway" he smirked.
"Fine" she conceded. "I brought you a fresh cup. Thought you could probably use it" she said as she handed him the mug. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"You any good at sanding?" at her nod he continued, "Good. Grab that sanding block off the bench over there. All she needs now before I can start to paint her is a good sanding."
Time flew as the two got into a rhythm sanding down the boat, occasionally talking, mostly enjoying the comfortable silence that settled in the room. Eventually, a loud growl sounded throughout the basement. The two looked at each other before laughing.
"I guess I'm hungry. Why don't you go get cleaned up while I make something for lunch and we can go out after" Jenny suggested.
"That sounds fine except that you, my dear, are a mess too."
"Thank you for that! I am very well aware of that fact. That is why I brought a change of clothes with me. I will not let you spend your entire day off in your basement" and with that she headed for the stairs and the kitchen.
Jethro just smiled after her. "She certainly is a spitfire" he thought to himself before following her upstairs and heading off to get cleaned up.
Jethro walked in just as Jen was putting the finishing touches on their meal. He walked up behind her sniffing appreciatively. "That smells good Dear, what is it?"
"Dear?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. He simply shrugged. She smiled, she wouldn't tell him, but she actually liked that he had a pet name for her, even if it was so generic. "It's a stir-fry. And before you ask yes it's healthy and yes you'll like it."
"Will I now? And what if I don't?"
"That is not an option" she smirked as she threw a glare at him. He noticed, however, that the glare lacked a certain fire to it.
The two sat down next to each other at his dinner table. "Have the kids worked out their stuff yet? Or is it still causing problems?" Jenny ventured, knowing that it was potentially dangerous ground given her part in the mess.
"Well, David and DiNozzo are getting back to normal. They must have dealt with it Friday night because they were back to flirting and joking Saturday morning. Things still didn't seem any better between the boys last night though. They better work it out soon, or I'll work it out for them."
"You can't do that Jethro and you know it. It's not a disagreement or something petty that can be fixed with a head slap. You're just gonna have to give them time, as much as you hate that. If you think it will help, I can have a talk with them. Sometimes it takes a mother's touch."
"They're big boys, they can work it out themselves. I told them all Friday that they had better fix it by Monday." After a long pause in which both considered the situation their children found themselves in, Jethro decided to change the topic. "So, where are you dragging me out to today?"
"Just out. We'll make it up as we go." At his dubious look she gave her most charming smile and promised, "Come on. It'll be fun to be spontaneous and care free for an afternoon." When that didn't work she changed tactics once again. Donning her most seductive smile, she lowered her voice to a husky whisper and promised, "I'll make it worth your while tonight."
That did the trick. "Fine, just go get cleaned up" was the gruff reply.
As she disappeared down the hallway towards his bedroom with her bag she called back "And you better stay away from that damn boat while I'm getting ready."
The smell of bacon and eggs roused Tony from a deep sleep. At least he thought he was awake. He couldn't figure out who was making him breakfast though. He had gotten home from the office late and alone last night and no one had a key to his apartment, except for Gibbs and Gibbs wouldn't make him breakfast. Yawning he got out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans. He considered grabbing his gun, but figured if the person posed any threat they would not be making food in his kitchen. With a fleeting look at the mirror, he ventured out of his room. As he approached the door to the kitchen he saw the culprit. He would now that behind anywhere. Ziva was in his kitchen making his breakfast! He only contemplated how she got in in the first place for a second before he figured she had picked the lock.
"Good morning, good morning. It's great to stay up late. Good morning, good morning, to you." Tony sang as he entered the room.
Ziva was almost startled when she heard Tony start to sing behind her. She hid the momentary shock however, and a large smile crept over her face. "Morning, Tony? 11 am is not morning my little hairy butt. And I know that song. It is from a move, yes? Ringing in the Rain? "
"It's 'Singing' not 'ringing' but yes. You didn't have to make me breakfast, Sweetcheeks. Let alone, break into my apartment to do so. If anything I should be making you breakfast" he finished placing a chaste kiss to her lips. "So what are you making?"
"Eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. I hope you are hungry."
"You're perfect. Thanks my little ninja chef."
Ziva laughed, "I am hardly a chef Tony. The eggs are scrambled, the cinnamon rolls are from a can, the most difficult thing was the bacon. Is it ok? I was not sure, I have never had bacon before."
"You've never had bacon?! How is that possible? Oh, right. Not kosher. Sorry" Tony finished with a sheepish grin before eating a piece of bacon. "Just like I thought. 'Absolutely perfect in every way'."
"I am hardly Mary Poppins, Tony" Ziva retorted before she began giggling. "But I am glad you like it."
"I'm proud of you Zi. You have correctly placed both movie references I've made this morning."
Half an hour later, he two had finished eating, had done the dishes, and were sitting on the couch for their long awaited talk. Neither of them spoke. They weren't sure where or how to start. Finally Tony broke the silence.
"I'm sorry Ziva. I know I should have handled everything differently. I hated keeping that from everyone, but it killed me having to keep it from you. I should have told you. It wasn't that I didn't trust you. I was stupid enough to believe that everything would be easier if I kept my lives completely separate. I thought if I allowed my cover life to flow into my real life, it would flow over the other way as well. It was ridiculous, I know. I wanted out so many times, but I was so far in that it wasn't an option. And to tell the truth after Gibbs left I was floundering and I was, honored I guess, that Jenny thought I was good enough for a mission like that. Most of all, I'm sorry that I made you worry about me. I never even thought anyone would take the pieces and come up with that. If I had known you thought I was sick, I would have … well, I don't know what I would have done, but I would have done something if I had known. I have more to say, but that's all I have for apologies."
Ziva sat in quiet contemplation for a while. The entire time he had been pouring out his apologies, she had kept as much eye contact as possible. Now, she was looking down at her hands. He wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not. Finally she looked up. "I forgive you, and I believe you, and … I don't know……. You said you had more to say, yes?"
"Yes. Do you want the long version or the short version?"
"Why don't we just cut to the catch?"
"Chase, Zee-vah. Cut to the chase. And fine I will." He reached across the gap between them and clasped her hands in his, looking down at their entwined hands for a moment before looking her in the eyes. "I realized something Friday night Zi. Something that has been there for a long time, but I was too blind or scared or something to admit it even to myself. When I was with Jeanne I purposely buried it in the back of - "
"This is the short version?"
"Yeah. I guess all I really have to say is that I don't know when, or how, or why, but I have fallen completely in love with you Ziva." As he finally said the words he never knew had been weighing him down, he felt a lightness settle in his chest and a huge smile broke out across his face.
Ziva felt tears well up in her eyes for the second time in three days. She was definitely getting soft. But it was a good kind of soft, wasn't it? She had loved this man for so long and had not dared to let herself think that he could possibly love her back. But she saw the truth of his confession in his eyes. He was sincere.
"Ziva?" He sounded worried, and unsure of himself. How long had she been silent? How much time had passed?
"Oh, Tony! I love you too!" she cried just before she closed the distance between them and her lips collided with his.
The two contemplated what to do with the rest of their day, but they were too comfortable even think about going out for some trivial entertainment. Instead they snuggled up on the couch to spend the afternoon and possibly the evening watching romantic comedies.