Before you say anything, I purposefully left out the middle chunk of this story because I do plan on turning this into it's own fic. So it's on the list. *Thumbs up*

Enjoy!

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Panim el Panim - Face to Face

Tony had been checking the clock religiously for the past hour, looking up every two minutes just to make sure the clock was still moving forward. "Somewhere you need to be, Tony?"

He looked up to see Ziva smirking at him expectantly. "As a matter of fact, I have a date tonight. I was hoping to get out early to get ready."

He saw a flash of…something, he wasn't sure what, in her eyes before she looked back down. "And who is this mystery woman?" Oh, she was definitely rolling her eyes.

"She's tall, blonde, beautiful. I think she was a model somewhere in Europe." Liar. He had no idea who this woman was. He'd met her online and they'd chatted for a bit before agreeing to meet in person. Tonight. He didn't even know what she looked like. "What about you?"

"I do not have a date, I plan to take the time to catch up on some light reading." Liar. She was going out tonight to a nice, casual restaurant with a man she didn't know. She'd met him online and they'd chatted for a bit before agreeing to meet in person. Tonight. "So where did you meet this European Goddess?"

Online. "I don't kiss and tell."

"Since when?" She scoffed.

He made a face but she was right. Again he glanced at the clock. Finally. "Time to go." He grabbed his coat. "See you tomorrow." She waved him off but the moment he was gone her smile faded. No, she was no jealous of Tony and his excitement at dating someone else. They weren't a couple, they were never a couple, but lately it felt as though they were becoming closer as maybe more than friends. True, she was also going out but that was only to avoid going home to an empty apartment for the millionth time. Besides, she decided, it might be nice to get back into the dating game, things had not been the most promising for her in that department lately. With a firm nod, she began to pack up.

Time to go and meet her mystery date face to face.

She sat at the table for ten minutes, playing with her napkin before he arrived. She'd gotten a table outside in a warm evening air where the cloudless skies were perfect for a casual – possibly – romantic atmosphere. Per their agreement, she wore a white flower in her hair which she was trying desperately to stop touching in her anxiety. Why was she so nervous? Because you have no idea who this guy is, the little voice scolded, you could have just agreed to date a serial killer.

"Zatana?"

She jumped, hearing her screen name behind her. She took a deep breath. This was it. She stood. "De Niro." Her face paled as did his. "Tony?"

"Ziva?" He choked on his last breath, staring at her incredulously. "You're my mystery date?"

"What happened to your European Model?"

He released a nervous laugh that sounded much more pathetic in his head. "I lied. I met someone online." He smirked softly. "You. So this is code for reading?"

She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would ask questions and you'd make some comment about online dating."

"It is kinda lame."

"You are doing it, too."

"Fair enough," he readjusted his blazer and finally looked at her. "You…you look amazing."

Was Ziva David blushing? "Well I wanted to look nice for…you." She appraised him and her smile reached her eyes. "You look very handsome."

"Well I had to live up to a goddess," he looked at her and her heart stopped. This was dangerous, uncharted territory. He was looking at her like a date. Like candlelight dinners and long, romantic walks. There were so many warning bells going off she could barely think straight.

She cleared her throat, breaking them both of their spell. "Well, since there was obviously some computer glitch that brought us together, why don't we go our separate ways." She turned to walk away. "I'll see you tomorrow, Tony."

She stopped when he grabbed her hand, holding her wrist gently. "Why?" She opened her mouth but he just kept talking. "We're both here, and I haven't eaten." His eyes were pleading and she knew she'd give in. "Please?"

"Okay, Tony."

The next morning, McGee was the last to arrive. Ziva had been in early, not having slept well and Tony had followed suit not long after, looking brighter and very…awake. "Morning, guys."

"Morning McGee." They chorused and he turned to look at them.

"How was your night?" He looked at Tony who looked up with a light smile.

"It was really good. She's…something." His gaze turned to Ziva who was peeking up at him through her eyelashes. "I definitely think I'll see her again."

Tim hummed in admiration. He'd rarely heard Tony speak so fondly of a first date with someone he described as "smoking hot" yesterday. "Ziva?"

She looked at McGee. "I had a nice relaxing evening."

"Right," Tony was doing his best not to smirk at her "reading. How'd that work out for you."

"It was quite enjoyable. A whole new chapter." She stared back at Tony with the same secret smile.

Poor Tim watched the interaction between his friends, completely oblivious, so he set his bag down and buried his head in work. Across from him, Tony continued to smile at her, silently asking if that book would get a sequel. The soft expression she echoed back spoke volumes. Yes.