Oh, this was a lovely way to spend the holidays. Maybe even the best, in Ziva's opinion anyway. Yawning, she buried further into her couch, blanket around her shoulders, and took a long sip of her hot chocolate, she had finally found the best brand. Lovely and rich and creamy. She was glad McGee had given her the tip of making it with hot milk instead of water like the packet told you to, this was infinitely better. Far richer and just a better flavour.

She also had a holiday themed tea in nerves cupboard- it had cinnamon, cloves and orange notes in it apparently but somehow hot chocolate just seemed more right this evening.

Watching as the snow swirled outside, Ziva sighed happily. It was just so pretty, now that she was all cosy in her lovely heated apartment an in her fluffy pyjamas (a Jenny gift). She didn't have to feel how cold it was, which was always good. She didn't think she would ever get used to snow even if she stayed here the rest of her days. It was just too cold and wet. Yuck.

But not when she was safely inside. Inside Ziva could fully appreciate how lovely it was. How its stark whiteness stood out against the night sky and how it costed everything to make them look iced. It made the whole world seem quieter, more peaceful in a way.

Not just the snow but Christmas seemed to have that sort of effect on people. At least, when they weren't running around like headless animals doing their shopping. That was just chaos. But there were peaceful parts to this Christmas season as well. Freshly fallen snow in the evening. The putting up of Christmas lights that glittered along what seemed to be everyone's rooftops. The smell of cloves and cinnamon and dried fruit. Ziva definitely enjoyed it and she wasn't even celebrating.

The happiness and laughter around her were infectious. Oh, she knew that this was also the season for fights and arguments and stress, she had seen plenty of that too. But the good cheer more than eclipsed all that.

In a way it kind of made her feel sad as well. It wasn't her holiday, it felt like she was on the outside looking in both for cultural and religious reasons - though she hadn't seen much of the religion in Christmas yet. And she felt... well, she felt alone. Which was ridiculous because she was always alone and that had never felt sad before but now ... Stupid, see? America really was making her soft. As soft as these blankets. That she didn't want to move out from. They were really soft, okay?

'Knock knock'

Ziva frowned, she had not been expecting anyone or any deliveries. Maybe she had just imagined it. She had found that wind and snow made some interesting noises.

'Knock, knock, knock'

There it was again but only more incessant. It did not sound like they were going to stop.

Reluctantly, Ziva peeled off all her blankets and got up to go to the door.

'Knock, knock, knock, knock'

"I'm coming, I'm coming," she grumbled.

All that noise really was not necessary.

Peering through the spyhole, Ziva saw something that she did not expect to see. Or someone rather. A very familiar someone.

It was Tony? Why was her partner at her door on Christmas Day?

"Tony?" she exclaimed in surprise and confusion.

Tony grinned at her, his cheeks red and snow on his hair. He wasn't wearing a hat. Why was he not properly dressed for the weather?

"Hey, sweetcheeks," he greeted, waving the bag he was carrying it the air. It was steaming slightly. "Want to take a guess what this is?"

"Takeaway?" Ziva tried, she had seen that there were a few Chinese places open. She had been planning on ordering her dinner from them later this evening.

Tony shook his head. "Leftovers. Well, not really because I cooked it this morning and then brought a few servings over."

She stared at him, not understanding.

"It's Christmas Dinner," he elaborated. "Even down to the turkey. Gobble gobble."

"You brought Christmas Dinner over?" she said slowly.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Wasn't Christmas Dinner meant to be eaten with your family all around you on a table with a nice tablecloth and other tasteful decorations in the background? That's what all those movies Tony made her watch had in it.

"Well, let's just say I'm committed to giving you the full winter, non-denominational, not religious at all Christmas experience."

He even finished that with another grin. She rolled her eyes at him. He was making this ridiculous. Which meant he was trying to cover something up.

"You did not have to do this, Tony," she felt like she had to say.

Because he definitely didn't. This was interrupting his holiday for no good reason. He was being silly. Stupid even.

"It felt kind of wrong to have you all alone on Christmas."

"I do not celebrate it, Tony," she reminded him yet again.

"Yeah, well," he waved around vaguely. "Still felt wrong."

"It's not wrong."

"Christmas is a time for family and I know we aren't really family but we are good friends and good friends don't-"

Ziva had to hold up a hand to stop him. He was starting to ramble and nothing good came out of people rambling, she knew that.

"You aren't going to go away, are you?"

Tony grinned brightly at her, a thankful change from his nervous look. "Nope!"

Rolling her eyes, she gestured towards her kitchen. But she was smiling.

"Take your coat off and put the food in the kitchen. I'll turn the oven on. You get the dishes."

He knew where they all were. There had been enough movie nights. Tony gave her a salute with the hand holding the bag of food.

"Yes, ma'am!" he said smartly, clicking his heels together.

"Don't make me regret this, Tony."

"Oh, you won't."

Sceptically, she herded him into her kitchen and started helping him with the food. There was an awful lot of it. But they were soon bustling around her small kitchen together with well-practiced ease.

Tony nudged her with his elbow and smiled at her.

"Merry Christmas, Ziva."

She smiled warmly back at him.

"Merry Christmas, Tony."

AN: And Happy Christmas / Holidays to everyone who has read and reviewed. Hope you've all had a good (in spite of the times) and safe year. Stay safe and happy everyone!