I do no own NCIS or any familar characters, no money is being made from this. Not beta'd

"I talked to McGee," Gibbs began as he and Ziva exited the Navy Yard in one of the agency sedans.

"So I heard," Ziva commented.

Both her words and tone of voice had Gibbs staring at her for a moment, waiting for her to continue. When she did not, he spoke again, "What's going on?"

"Ziva," he questioned when she remained silent.

"I do not know," she admitted.

"You know something."

Ziva went silent for a few minutes, "Does Tim seem different to you?"

Eyes narrowed, "Different how?"

A shrug, "Just different. This last week, he almost seemed more like the old Tim, the Tim from my first year on the team. Friendlier," she added. "Happier. It seemed like in the last few years, he's been even more private and separated from us than before, but this week," she paused, "It's almost as if I imagined all of that."

Gibbs nodded as he reviewed his memories of the bullpen from the last few years. "No you weren't imagining it," he admitted. "He has tried to keep things hidden from the team."

"Hidden?" Ziva repeated, "Do you think he is up to something?"

"Do you?" Gibbs questioned in reply. "Ziva?" he asked when she remained silent.

"I…" She paused for a moment as she thought about what she wanted to say. "I do not think he is up to anything illegal if that is what you are afraid of."

"No worries, there, it's McGee," he snorted. "But you do think he's up to something?"

"I am worried," Ziva admitted. "He has made a few comments this week, too many for me to dismiss,"

"What type of comments?" Gibbs asked, not sure if he like the where this conversation was headed.

"I do not want to break his trust," Ziva finally replied, "Give me some time to determine what is going on."

Gibbs was silent for a moment as he continued driving to Norfolk, "Should I be worried?"

Ziva's silence spoke volumes. Internally, Gibbs sighed, "You'll let me know when you can," he stated.

Ziva nodded, "If there is something to share, of course," she agreed.

Gibbs nodded and continued driving before commenting, "Never pictured McGee as the ballet type."

"I don't think he is," she responded with a smile.

"You seemed to have a good time," Gibbs smirk, recalling her unusual behavior in the bullpen this morning.

"I did, very much so," Ziva agreed, knowing there was no denying that fact. "It had been a long time since I had attended a performance. Though what made it even more enjoyable was that he did all that for me. I am sure he had never attended a performance before in his life and had probably never intended to, yet he contacted a friend and arranged last minute tickets, in a box," she added, "because he remembered that I once mentioned that I enjoyed it."

Gibbs couldn't think of a reply to that. If he hadn't known better, he would suspect McGee of setting this whole 'plan' situation up as a way to get closer to Ziva. For a fake relationship, he certainly wasn't sparing any time, effort, or money.

The car was silent for the next few miles, before Gibbs finally asked the question that had been on his mind for the last week, "Why did you agree to participate in McGee's plan?" He still thought the entire thing was crazy, and was going to end much differently than they thought, but had decided not to interfere. Hopefully however it ended would not hurt his team.

"I did not," she began, only to be cut off by a furious Gibbs.

"Then what the hell was that in the conference room last week? McGee thinks that you are willing to pretend to be-"

"I did not agree, I suggested it," she admitted, stopping Gibbs' rant.

Eyes narrowed, suspiciously, "Why?"

When it had been McGee's plan, he was confident that it was most likely innocent, as well as mostly harmless, with no hidden agendas. That was why he had decided to just let it slide, and see where it took them. Knowing that it was Ziva's idea made him rethink that, however. He knew enough about Ziva to be unable to unequivocally state the same.

"Partly because of what I said earlier," Ziva started to explain. "About how he has been distant form us, rarely talking about non-work related things; not joining us for drinks after work or lunch during the day."

"He's been bringing his lunch," Gibbs pointed out, "Eating healthier."

Ziva gave a half smile, "He only eats lunch in on the days we ask him to join us, other days, he goes out on his own."

"I…how does that happen?" a puzzled Gibbs ask. Last he knew, he was the one the office believed was psychic, not McGee.

"He calls it his J.I.C. food."

"J.I.C.?"

"Just in case," Ziva shared. "In case we work late; in case he can't get away and wants something more substantial than nutter butters; in case-"

"In case people ask him to lunch and he doesn't want to go," Gibbs injected.

"Yes, or in case his lunch gets ruined, lost, or something else happens to it," Ziva added angrily.

"Something else like what?"

"Like him being tricked into throwing it away and not being able to eat," Ziva replied after a few moments of internal debate. "He prepares it on Sunday, and brings it into the office on Monday. It is good for a week, if he uses it, then he brings another one in the next day; if it is not needed, he takes it home with him on Friday, so he has something prepared for the weekend."

"Good plan," Gibbs grudgingly approved.

Ziva gave a half-hearted smile, "He always thinks and plans ahead."

"And that worries you."

Ziva shook her head, indicating she did not want to address that topic at this time. "I was hoping I could use this plan to renew our friendship," she shared, continuing her answer to the question that had gotten them off topic. "I realized how separated he was, how distant and how I missed his friendship. He was a great help to me when I joined the team."

"And?"

"And it's going well," she admitted. "We are talking and getting to know each other a lot better than I predicted. In many ways I have learned so much more about him, and it has only been one week. He is different than I expected," she added impulsively.

"You think you can keep it up for two months?"

"Yes. I am actually enjoying myself," she admitted, "More than I would have expected from a friendship."

Gibbs nodded before asking, "How much was Tony a factor in your decision?"

Ziva frowned, "Truthfully, I thought Tim was exaggerating when he made references to torment and torture when speaking of Tony's behavior."

Gibbs smirked, "Must be the writer in him coming out."

"But he was not," Ziva hastily added. "Tony daily questions him about his external activities. Even when Tim says he doesn't want to talk, Tony persist, leaving Tim without peace, until Tim finally has enough and tries to escape." She frowned, "Damn it, I bet he is doing that right now and Tim cannot even put distance between them like he usually tries to."

Ziva fell silent after sharing those words, upset for Tim for the situation he was placed in.

Gibbs felt her anger and realized that he would be getting no more information out of her on this trip.

"C'mon Probie, I'm driving," Tony called as he walked to the van.

"No, you're not, I am."

"I'll get us there faster," Tony argued.

"It's not a race, and I'll get us there in one piece," Tim retorted shaking his head. It seemed like they had this conversation every time they got called to a scene, though sometimes it was a three way argument about who was driving.

"Cuz you drive like grandma," Tony muttered.

"Gibbs said I was driving, so I'm driving," Tim stated as he got behind the wheel.

"Like you always listen to Gibbs," Tony snapped, climbing into the passenger seat as he thought about what he had just said. Tim simply raised an eyebrow, "Okay, so you do, but rebelling is good."

"Yeah, I don't think so," he disagreed.

Giving a nod, Tony commented, "Yeah, you're probably still in trouble from the talk in Friday's elevator conference."

His words caused Tim to temporarily stop the vehicle, "What do you know about that?"

"Just that he pulled you in there to talk and when you came out you were upset and distracted," Tony admitted. "I didn't have the chance to mention anything earlier,"

"You mean tease, torment, and probe," Tim muttered.

"Because you and Ziva were caught up in that cold case and then out making arrests," Tony continued, other than a twitch in his eye he gave no indication that he heard Tim's remark. "So, what was that about anyway?"

"Nothing," Tim replied.

"I know that's not true," Tony gave a slight laugh, "Gibbs wouldn't have a conference with someone regarding nothing."

"Fine, then it's none of your business," Tim countered.

"If it happens at work and involves a member of our team, of course it is my business."

"Just drop it," Tim pleaded, "Otherwise it's going to be a long drive."

"It's at least a three hour drive when Ziva's driving, closer to four for you, and that's without traffic," Tony mocked, "That already makes it a long drive."

"Then take a nap," Tim suggested, "That will make the time fly by," and give me some peace and quiet, Tim thought.

"You know," Tony began, "With just the two of us in this car, it gives us the perfect time to talk about Ziva."

Tim looked at Tony in surprise. "Probie!" Tony yelled when the car drifted dangerously into another lane.

"Sorry," Tim mumbled, as he focused on the road. "Ziva?" he echoed, wondering what Tony knew.

"Well, more like Ziva's guy."

"Ziva's guy?"

Tony snorted, "It's going to be a long drive if you keep repeating everything I say back to me."

"Sorry," Tim muttered again.

"So, has Ziva mentioned anything about guy in tights to you?"

"Guy in tights?"

Tony sighed and rolled his eyes, "Her ballet guy."

Tim frowned, "He took her to the ballet, I'm pretty sure he wasn't in it."

At his words, Tony waved a hand dismissively, "Did she mention anything to you about him? You guys have spent a lot of time together last week, drove home last Friday, drove in together this morning," he pointed out.

Tim hesitated, not sure what to say. This seemed like a good time to drop a hint about him and Ziva dating, set that portion of the plan into motion. Perhaps he should just admit that he was her date to the ballet? Tim frowned, if he did that, he didn't think Tony would believe him, or if he did, would credit it as an outing as friends, a way to thank Ziva for her help this last week and not a real date. No, Tim decided, if he stated outright that he was 'guy in tights', the plan wouldn't work, especially since Tim had said he spent Friday night with his friend.

"Probie?" Tony questioned when Tim remained silent. "She said something to you , didn't she?" he asked suspiciously.

"No," Tim finally answered, "She didn't tell me anything about the guy that took her to the ballet," he answered honestly. If Tony remembered this conversation later, he might realize the slight emphasis he had placed on the words 'tell me' Tim decided. It could be enough to get Tony suspicious.

As if realizing Tim's words were worth more than they seemed, Tony's eyes narrowed suspiciously. He knew Probie wasn't lying to him, when Tim lied, or rather, tried to lie, it was obvious. With a shrug, he figured he could wait until they arrived at Norfolk where he could get answers from Ziva, even better, maybe he could drive home with her. A few hours of forced conversation could reveal a lot, which reminded him, Tony thought with a smile, sneaking a look at Tim.

Tony grinned, "We could talk more about your girlfriend."

Tim groaned, "I don't have a-"

"Girlfriend," Tony said with him. "Your boyfriend then," Tony corrected with a smirk. "Girlfriend, boyfriend, makes no difference to me," Tony said dismissively.

"Tony," Tim began angrily.

"Hey, I told you that doesn't matter. What does matter is the details. How you met, what she or he," Tony added with a smirk, "Looks like. Their occupation. What you have told them about us. You know, the important things."

Tim groaned, yep, it looked like this was going to be a long trip. Casting a quick look at the speedometer, he wondered if it was worth the risk of a ticket if it meant he wouldn't have to listen to Tony for as long.

"We already talked about her this morning," Tim reminded the older agent, hoping Tony would agree to drop the subject.

"And I'm sure there is much more to learn," he retorted before launching into a long list of personal questions he had been wanting to ask.

Definitely worth it, Tim decided.

Sorry it took so long for this chapter, I couldn't get it quite right...even now I'm not crazy over it.

7-7-18