A/N: I am yet to see the new episode but considering the only thing I know is that it involves Tony and Ziva, I think this chapter is extremely fitting for today. Also, without sounding rude, I am beyond grateful for your amazing reviews but could you keep in mind that others, including myself, are spoiler free in case you mention anything about the latest of upcoming episodes. *blushes* Thank you :)


Jan 28

"Time is only a fragment of eternity that belongs to man; and, like life, it can never be recalled." - Samuel Smiles.

Tony DiNozzo hated queues. Judging by his partner fidgeting next to him, he guessed he wasn't the only one.

Cold weather meant lots of people wanted coffee to warm them up - he got that. He just wished he could use his badge to his advantage… Jump the queue. Making the boss wait for coffee counted as National Security, didn't it?

"People always talk about such personal matters in coffee shops." Ziva hissed at him, her eyes scanning the various couples sitting around, no doubt reading each one.

From her days as an assassin and a fair amount of guidance from Abby, her lip reading skills were fast becoming as useful as her aim. Or her interrogation skills. Or her-

"Tony!" She elbowed him, ignoring his yelp and glaring at the woman in front who turned round. If she heard the mumble of 'domestic violence' she chose to ignore it. "Unwanted Christmas presents and dinner disasters… New Year hook ups, what are they?"

Tony simply smiled. "I'll tell you later, my dear."

"You sound like Ducky."

"Pumpkin?" Ziva glared. "Or not."

Twenty agonising minutes later, coffee in hand, Tony walked away from the entrance towards a very large couch.

"Tony?"

"We deserve a break after that. Gibbs can wait another half hour."

"Remind me of his coffee rule again?" She tried to warn him, taking the seat next to him anyway.

"What is everyone else talking about?" He glanced around himself. A redhead… Too young. Brunette… Married. Brunette again… Daughter sat next to her. "Do you want kids, Ziva?" She tried not to inhale her drink at his words, staring at him like he'd grown another head. "You must have thought about it."

She followed his gaze to the woman he couldn't take his eyes away from; the little girl with the pigtails next to her that laughed as her father tickled her.

Nothing even close to their own upbringing.

She could hear the sincerity in his voice. The wonder. And something a lot like need.

Did she want a child? Possibly. Did she think she could? Possibly.

Placing a hand on his thigh to catch his attention, the softness of her eyes gave her answer.

She watched as his demeanor slipped back to 'DiNozzo' almost like a cloak over his eyes, the moment already gone.

"So, a hook up is…"