Okay, this was a fun activity. Probably the most fun one Tony had come up with so far. Even if it did involve them being outside in the cold. Something Ziva was extremely reluctant to do but, for once (and not that she would ever tell him), she was glad her partner had talked her into this.

This being ice skating. As in walking, or gliding, on ice. Which had intrigued her and made her nervous. She could barely grip onto the slippery pavements these days, never mind walk on a solid sheet of ice. So, it wasn't too fun at first - mainly due to her unfamiliarity with it and fear of making herself look like an idiot in front of her partner. Something she could not abide by.

Which brought her to about half an hour ago, before she actually set foot on the ice.

"Ice skates for the ninja," Tony said, presenting her with them with a flourish.

Ziva eyed the blades on the feet appreciatively. They were very sharp and glinted in the cold light.

Tony, seeing and understanding the look on her face, shook his head.

"Not weapons, Zee-vah."

"Pity," she replied with a shrug.

They would make rather good ones. Blades that size would definitely do a lot of damage.

"Is McGee not coming?" Ziva asked as she proceeded to put her skates on.

Unfortunately, this meant exposing her poor feet to the cold air. Although they were covered in thermal socks (thank you Ducky) it was still freezing.

She had thought that their other teammate was joining them. Tony had suggested it in the bullpen and only Gibbs had given any sort of indication that he wasn't coming (he had glared for his answer).

"I think so. He never said no."

Which meant he would come. McGee was not the type of person to stand people up like that.

"I can't wait to see how he well he can keep himself upright," Tony said in anticipation. "I bet he falls flat on his face."

"Don't be mean," Ziva scolded but privately she was thinking the same thing.

McGee wasn't exactly the most graceful person around. And he tended to overthink things, surely not a good combination when trying to walk on ice?

"I'm not mean," Tony said far too innocently.

Hmm, maybe it would be better if McGee didn't show up.

As if he could hear them, Tony's phone beeped.

"It's McGee," he announced, tapping open the message and then he winced. "One of his neighbours did some of her own ice skating but not on a rink. He says he'll be over once the ambulance comes."

Ziva nodded curtly as Tony tapped a response out. She had to admit, she was a little bit nervous about this whole ice-skating thing. She had never done it before and she was worried she was going to make a fool of herself. Ziva David did not make a fool of herself. She just didn't. Not like the multiple people she had already seen fall on the ice.

"Come on," Tony said impatiently, having already tied his laces and he was now standing up. His phone safely back in his pocket.

"I am coming. Do not rush me, Tony."

No good would come of rushing. Ziva hesitantly put a foot on the ice and almost immediately felt it try to get away from her. To steady herself she put her other foot next to it, which worked but she felt unbalanced. Tony almost looked disappointed.

"I thought you were going to fall," he said at her questioning look.

Automatically, she leaned forwards to hit him which was a bad idea. Annoyingly, she unbalanced herself and pitched forward into her partner, who thankfully (and embarrassingly) caught her.

They stood very close to each other for a few seconds longer than necessary. Tony's steadying grasp on her making her feel somewhat safer. She could feel his breath on her face.

"Out of the way!" a grumpy teenager snapped at them as he skated past.

That made them jump apart, Tony's hand still on her arm to stop her from falling again.

"You okay there?"

"Yes," she said sharply. Not wanting him to figure out how embarrassed she was.

He gave her a knowing look but thankfully didn't say anything.

"I am fine," she insisted, letting go of him.

Fortunately, she didn't fall over just wobbled. It seemed that ice was a hazard no matter what footwear you wore.

"You good?"

This time she didn't react immediately and actually thought for a moment. Slowly extending her arms Ziva found that she actually didn't feel that unbalanced.

"I think so," she answered truthfully.

"Ready to give it a shot?"

"Yes," she said more determinedly, she was ready for this. "What do I need to do?"

Tony explained and demonstrated how she should move her feet. It did seem easy enough though that ice was very deceiving.

She soon got the hang of it, her natural grace and balance coming into play. Once she gained her confidence it was an awful lot easier. Though, she didn't dare go at the speeds some people were going at.

Which brought her back to the present of her actually having fun on the ice, skating with Tony by her side. Her partner attempted to show off by doing this little spin thing but it ended up with him landing on his ass. Which was very amusing for her and the surrounding people but not for him. He was doing that ridiculous pout of his. Ziva came to a careful halt in front of him, still not used to how the skates made you drift forwards a bit even if you were still. At least she didn't fall over Tony.

"What were you saying about your ice-skating skills?" She asked in amusement.

"That wasn't my fault."

"Of course, it wasn't."

That apparently wasn't the right thing to say as the next thing she knew was that she had joined Tony on the ice. Actually, she was more on top of him that the ice.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

He grinned at her.

"Dragging you down with me."