A/N- Sorry for the delay, I promise I'll try and do better.
Chapter 14
"This one?"
"No! For Heaven's sake, Abby, I am not wearing a black wedding dress." Ziva studied the length of onyx satin on the hanger. "Wait, you need a bridesmaid dress, will this fit you?"
"Maybe." Abby regarded the dress with a critical eye. "I'll slip it on, we'll see." She headed for the dressing room.
Ziva returned to the row of dresses, eschewing the traditional white, fluffy monstrosities and opting for ones with a sleeker, cleaner line. She pulled an ivory Empire-waist number from the rack, holding it against her to judge the appearance in the mirror. Hearing a rustle behind her, Ziva turned. There stood Abby in the black satin dress. The neck of the dress formed a V, the wide straps narrowing after the shoulder to small bows that held them to the back of the dress. The skirt, a slightly flounced A-line, ended just at Abby's knees. The fit could not have been better. Abby turned this way and that in the mirror, preening.
"Well, what do you think? You like?" She turned to Ziva, beaming. A saleslady, passing by, overheard and came in the direction of the two women.
"Oh, my dear, that dress looks as if it were made for you. How lovely. How absolutely…." she trailed off as her eyes moved to Abby's feet. Ziva looked down. Of course, Abby's boots. Knee-high, silver buckles and silver studs around the heels, quite a fashion statement with the designer dress. Ziva grinned at Abby, who returned the expression.
"Do you like this, Abby?" Ziva held up the ivory dress. Abby's eyes lit up.
"Oh, go try it on! It's perfect, Z!" Ziva headed for the dressing room, leaving Abby to deal with the still-bewildered saleslady.
In the mirrored changing area, Ziva quickly slipped into the dress, silk- she'd guess. The thin straps that held the dress up descended over her shoulders into a crisscross pattern on her upper back, before ending just before her waist, seaming into the simple slim skirt that fell smoothly to her ankles.
Ziva pulled the zipper up, turned to see the back, and smiled. She opened the door and walked back to Abby, finding her and the saleslady where she had left them. Although, not quite as she had left them.
"You're right, they do wear well." The very proper clerk was now wearing Abby's boots, pacing this way and that across the floor. "Where did you say you got them?"
"Gothic Sole. They have a website, but there's a storefront over on 8th. Ask for Blaine, and tell them Abby sent you." Abby noticed Ziva and gasped. Ziva smiled.
"Well?"
"That's the one. It has to be! You look great!" Abby was hopping up and down in her stocking feet, until the saleslady stopped her.
"Please be careful, there may be pins in the floor. I'd better let you have your shoes back." she removed the boots, replaced the heels that she had been wearing, and crossed to where Ziva stood. Slowly walking around, she nodded. "The fit is excellent. Will you want a veil to match?" Ziva shook her head.
"No, I will have flowers in my hair, so no need for a veil." she smiled. I think I will take the dress. Abby, are you ready?"
"Sure. You want pizza or Chinese tonight? I picked the movie, you pick the food."
"Chinese, I think. Tony and I had pizza last night."
The girls paid for their purchases and left the shop, stopping on the way to Abby's apartment to pick up their dinner. Once at the apartment, both changed into their respective PJs , Abby wearing and outfit more similar to Ziva's instead of her usual nightgown. The movie started, but as both had seen it several times, Ziva gave in to Abby's pleas to practice the hairstyle she would wear for her wedding.
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"No, no, Tony! With the grain."
"Sorry, boss." Tony adjusted his grip on the sanding block and started again. "Uh, boss?"
"You've asked me a dozen times, DiNozzo, and my answer is the same, I know how I get it out of here, and that's how it's going to stay." Gibbs paused, leveling a look at Tony. "Another 'girl night'?"
"Yes, and it's weird not having her in the house."
"You get used to it, that's for sure." Gibbs selected a hand drill and began boring a hole in one of the ribs of the boat's hull. "What was on the agenda for tonight?"
"Wedding dresses. Abs took Z shopping, and she's doing her hair, so girly stuff, I imagine."
"You know she asked me to walk her down the aisle." It was a statement, not a question.
" I know, we talked about it. McGee's going to be my best man, Ducky's going to stand up with us as well." Tony stopped sanding. "Is it OK that she asked you, boss?"
"Of course it is, DiNozzo, she's like a daughter to me. I'm flattered."
Tony opened his mouth to respond, the beeping of his phone cutting him off. He looked at the display. "Text from Abs. Wonder what she wants." Tony opened the phone, pressed the button, and stared. Abby had sent him a picture of Ziva, her hair pulled up and away from her face, the curls piled on top of her head, a large white flower pinned to one side. Ziva faced away from the camera, apparently unaware of the shot. Turning the screen, Tony showed Gibbs the image. Gibbs responded with a grunt.
"Looks good. I'm amazed Abby could sit still long enough to do that."
Tony laughed. Tapping the keys on the phone, he sent Abby a text. You did great. She looks beautiful. Tell her I mess her. Picking up the sanding block again, Tony sighed. Boy, do I miss her.
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Abby read the text and laughed to herself. Tony was so smitten. It was sweet. She tapped Ziva on the shoulder.
"Ziva?"
"Mmm?"
"Look." Abby showed her the pic and accompanying text. Ziva smiled.
"He was going to eat dinner with Gibbs tonight. Steak, I believe. He likes the way Gibbs cooks it."
"Go home, Z." Abby's voice was soft.
"What? Is something wrong, Abby?"
"No! Of course not! But he misses you, and I know you miss him. So, go home. I'll go surprise Timmy. We got your hairstyle picked out, neither of us wants to watch the movie. Go home and surprise Tony."
"You're sure?"
"I'm positive." Abby stood, grabbing her keys. "Let's go."
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Ziva unlocked the door to the apartment, the locked it behind her. She could hear the shower running, so Tony was home. Making sure that the guns were in their usual spot (he wasn't expecting her), she headed down the hall, through the bedroom, and into the bath. Tony's form was blurred by the wavy glass of the shower door, but he stopped as soon as he saw the door open.
"It is only me, Tony. Abby and I decided we wanted to be with our guys tonight, after all."
"Everything OK?"
"Fine. She was headed to see McGee." Ziva heard Tony laugh. "What?"
"McGee. He hasn't stopped going on about her Halloween outfit yet. You know Palmer made her some fangs?" this brought a chuckle from Ziva.
"I do. I also know that they never made it to that party. Abby bought a bed."
The water shut off. "A bed? Well, that settles it, this is serious. Abs in a bed. What next?" the shower door opened a crack and Tony's hand reached out, grabbing the towel he had set on the counter. "So, what did you watch?"
"Nothing. We could not get into the movie. Want to watch one here?"
"Sure, go pick one. But c'mere first." Ziva obliged, walking over to where Tony had stepped out of the shower and rising up on her toes to kiss him. He ran his fingers through her hair. "You took it down."
"It was not practical, and we did not secure it well, just enough to tell that we liked it." Ziva smiled. "You will see it up again, Tony. Don't look so disappointed."
"Oh, I know I will. And I'm looking forward to taking it down, on our wedding night, one pin at a time." Tony's breath fanned across Ziva's neck, making her shiver. Tony grinned at her, stepped back, and picked up his comb. "You want to watch in the living room or in bed?"
"The living room. I want popcorn." Ziva turned to head that way, and Tony smacked her behind as she did so. "Make enough for me, ninja!"
Watching her retreating form, he stood, lost in thought for a split second. God, I love that woman.
A/N- OK, I want wedding ideas! Mine was God-awful, the preacher didn't show up, so I want to know what you'd like. Should Ducky and Gibbs walk her down the aisle? Anybody else for a bridesmaid? Thoughts? Thanks!