So I'm new to McGiva. I don't own the characters and all the usual disclaimers. If you don't like McGiva turn back now.
"Hey Tim," Ziva hissed to gather his attention from across the bullpen. Her timing was perfect with the boss getting coffee and DiNozzo in the head.
"Yeah Zee,"
"Free for breakfast tomorrow? " Ziva's request wasn't unusual. Quite often on the weekends they weren't on call they'd meet out the front of Tim's, run with Jethro to the park, let Jethro off in the dog park to run while they sip a coffee from the cart in the park. Before retreating for the day to their usual activities separately.
"Of course, pastries?" Replied Tim, indicating a little bakery near the park where occasionally they treat themselves to a sweet treat.
"I was actually thinking somewhere a little more upscale. Like Plethora's?"
"We'd have to give Jethro an extra lap and drop him off first. Why don't you pack a duffle, you can shower at mine. Rather than back and forth. "
"Sounds Perfect, thanks Tim" giving him a huge megawatt grin.
DiNozzo was watching, waiting, listening to their plans. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence for them to make weekend plans in the bullpen on a Friday afternoon, however all week Ziva had been a grouch. She's been snappy and short with everyone, especially him. She'd even called Gibbs a bunch of derogatory names in Hebrew after a disagreement with him over a cold case. She'd even had a frustrating disagreement with McGee over watching grass grow as opposed to watching paint dry. Two American idioms she didn't understand and got frustrated a lot quicker than usual. It was safe to say that as the week drew on, the more short-tempered she'd become. Ducky and Abby had been the only ones not to wear her wrath this week. Ducky had been at a conference all week, therefore, not exposed to her wrath. Abby, had overheard her argument with Gibbs and was hiding in her lab all week.
"What ya doing?" Gibbs came around the corner and head slapped DiNozzo for spying.
"Ninja just asked Probie to breakfast tomorrow. " Tony spat out in a hurry.
"So? Jealous?"
"It's weird, she's been a right royal b-"
"Don't say it."Gibbs cut him off with a head slap.
"Now she's all sweet and wants to be friends. Nope, it stinks." Tony spat, almost furious, but definitely curious.
"Everyone is entitled to have a crap week. This week was Ziva's." Gibbs supplied, having already determined not to cross Ziva.
"You'll see, I know I'm right." Tony confidently exclaimed.
"I need more coffee" Gibbs said storming off in search of more coffee.
Ziva drove home in a daze after finishing up the last of her reports for the week. Knowing she doesn't have to be back in the office until Tuesday morning. She couldn't concentrate. All week she was aloof. She knew she needed to get her head back in the game. Luckily, it was a slow week.
Life has been gnawing at her. Coming to the states had not been in her plans. But after being here for 3 years, she's realised just how much better it is. She's loving everything about her life, except one thing. She's lonely. And it's eating her up from the inside out.
"Morning Tim" Ziva stepped up kissing him on the cheek briefly. She'd started sharing her affection with him after the first year here. At first she was shy, but Tim had turned out to be a great friend and companion. When she was assigned the liaison officer position he helped her settle in, he helped her find an apartment and build some flat packs of furniture. He'd helped her set up a computer with encrypted video chatting capabilities so she could remain in contact with various people she knew around the world. The team was still grieving the loss of Kate. But he put that aside and welcomed her with open arms. Quite literally, after finding her crying in her car one Friday night. He'd treated her to dinner and their friendship was born.
"Hey Zee," Tim greeted returning her gesture as Jethro nudged her hand, sniffed and licked her hello. "Ready?" He asked as they set out at a slow pace to warm up before hitting the circuit within the park limits.
After an extra circuit and the off leash play in the dog section Ziva linked her arm inside the nook of Tim's elbow and they began a leisurely stroll back to Tim's apartment with Jethro leading the way.
The sun had only just popped it's head over the horizon as they entered his spacious one bedroom apartment on the 4th floor.
"I've made reservations for breakfast at 8." She declared as Tim handed her a bottle of water.
"Well you may hit the shower first" He declared, handing her duffle to her from the sofa. "You know where everything is, your shampoo and soaps are in the cupboard under the basin though. I moved them out of sight, when Tony was here last weekend."
" Sweats are hardly appropriate for a cafe like Plethora, but Jeans and a shirt, can be suitable" Tim mused to himself as he pottered around getting his clothes organised whilst Ziva showered. They've both showered at each other's places more times than they can count. Each of them stocking a toothbrush and their favourite soaps. Between dinners 3-4 nights a week, almost daily runs, movie dates and quiet afternoons in each other's company or many of the outdoor activities they partake together it just makes sense. It saves a lot of too and fro between apartments.
Ziva was very quick to shower ensuring to save enough hot water for Tim.
Coming out of the tiny ensuite, dressed in a robe and towel, into the main bedroom to use the larger mirror was normal for Ziva and Tim didn't think anything of it.
"All yours Tim" Ziva called as Tim made his way into the shower. He loves showering after Ziva, his whole bathroom would smell of Strawberries and honeysuckle. It made him feel less alone, when he was with Ziva.
They made plans regularly. Breakfast dates, late dinners, take out, home cooked meals, runs with Jethro, movies on the couch, or movies in the park on a projector, reading together, case files and case reports, take away coffees, late night call outs and early morning call ins. Even the occasional sleep over. He wouldn't say they lived in each other's back pocket. But they definitely spent quality time with one another.
He liked Ziva. A lot. They are friends. That's it. He must admit, he knows Abby doesn't like that he isn't at her beck and call anymore. But he can't live like that anymore, losing Kate made that perfectly clear. Live for now.
From all outward appearances Ziva and him make no sense at all. Inwards, it makes sense. To him only.
But there's no Ziva and Tim as a couple. Just Ziva and Tim - friends - who seek each other out to avoid the loneliness.
"You ok Tim?" Ziva asked knocking to come into the bathroom. "You've been in there a while now"
"Huh?! Oh yeah, all good simply musing" he replied sheepishly. "You need to come in? Give me a sec" he quickly wrapped the towel around himself as Ziva entered.
"Sure you're ok?" She asked stepping closer to him. Her eyes full of concern.
"Fine Zee, I simply zoned out" he smiled. She reached up and pecked his lips bravely.
"I'll let Jethro go tinkle, while you finish getting ready "
Now Tim couldn't wait to get on with his day. Suddenly he stopped after putting his boxers on. Gently his fingertips grazed his lips. They tingled and he realised Ziva just kissed his lips.
"Can I get you a drink to start?" The hostess asked as they were seated.
"We'll both have coffee, latte and cappuccino, both skim milk in a mug" Ziva replied giving their usual order to the hostess.
"Coming right up, I'll leave you a moment before I take your food order" and she scurried off.
Tim and Ziva had both slid into the centre of the booth at the back of the cafe, sitting side by side, hips and knees tight.
"What do you think you're going to order Zee?" Tim asked breaking the silence between them. Ziva hadn't even opened her menu yet. She had a war of butterflies inside her stomach whilst her insides were flip-flopping about.
"Probably the salmon with poached eggs on sourdough " Ziva replied spouting off her favourite menu item. "You?"
"Ooh the western omelet with rye looks like the winner today." Tim smiled big at her. They, the two of them were creatures of habit. Tim always chose something different, slowly working his way through the menu and Ziva always loved the salmon, as the recipe reminded her of simpler times and always bought back warm memories of her Ima.
More often that not, it always perked her mood up.
After placing their order, Ziva began fidgeting with her napkin and it was driving Tim nuts.
"Zee, clearly you're nervous. Is everything ok?" He asked placing his hand on her forearm gently, fully aware at any moment she could flip a switch and kill him in a split second.
"Oh Tim, yes I am. I'm not sure how to say it. It's been chewing at me. I have not been sleeping well either. I'm sorry, I've been short at you this week."
"Short with me, not at me Zee. And it's ok, just let me know what's wrong, maybe I can help." Tim placated. He could see whatever it was on her mind was weighing heavily.
"I don't know where to start" she whispered trying desperately to avoid a tear slipping
"At the beginning, of course" Tim teased with a wide smile. Tim's smiles always put her at ease.
At that moment, their food arrived. It looked absolutely delicious. Smelt heavenly. Coffee was piping hot too.
"Tim, I like you." Ziva declared after her first bite.
"I like you too Zee" came Tim's automatic reply.
"Please let me finish " Ziva begged and Tim nodded in agreement. "I like you Tim. Surprisingly we have a lot in common. We are close friends, best friends even. You know, I never really had a best friend before?" Tim looked surprised at that admission. Ziva was a likeable person, why would she never have had a best friend? "But time is ticking, all day, everyday, I hear it - tick, tick, tick. Tim," Ziva took a deep breath to briefly gather her thoughts. "I'd like to have a baby"
Tim smiled wide. "Ziva, that's wonderful" hugging her sideways.
"With you. I would like you to be the father."
"I see" Tim finally said after a brief silence. He was shocked, stunned even. This beautiful, exotic woman with the most gorgeous features could have anyone she wanted and she's here, asking me to father her child.
"You can be as involved as you want, you don't even have to do it. I just th-"
"I'll do it. " Tim interrupted mid sentence. "Wow, I'm honoured you have that much trust me."
"In all honesty, there wasn't any competition. I never considered asking anyone else. I mean could you imagine if I asked Tony?" They both laughed. Hard. Nothing against Tony, yes as annoying as he was, they were all good friends but even DiNozzo knows he isn't Daddy material. "We are very close, sometimes I think we might have more than friendship happening. We-"
"I think so too." Tim interrupted. "Sometimes I get the urge to make a move. And then I remember you're an assassin and I retreat" Tim smiled wide to let her know he's actually joking. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything!"
"Can I take you on a date?"
"You most certainly can Timothy. Is tonight too soon?" Ziva asked. She's eager to see where this will lead.
"Tonight" Tim confirms and smiles.
They resume their normal banter and enjoy the remainder of their meal.
"I shall collect you at 6pm Zee. Dress casually, and warmly" an idea already formulating in his head as what to do on their date.
"6pm" Ziva confirms and smiles a huge grin his way.
As they reach Ziva's car which was parked across the road from Tim's apartment building, Tim leans across and brushes her hair behind her ear. "Until later" he whispers. Pecking her lips softly, just like Ziva did this morning in the bathroom. Ziva's butterflies in her belly are going a million miles an hour. She barely pulls back whispering "I'll see you then"
The rest of their day is spent doing ordinary Saturday things like laundry and groceries.
6pm saw Tim on Ziva's doorstep with A small honeysuckle plant in one hand. He'd wanted to buy flowers, but everything seemed to pale in comparison. Then his mind flashed to this morning and the gentle aromas of the bathroom after Ziva had been showering and he smiled. He'd always loved the smell of honeysuckle. It reminded him of when his father was stationed in Norfolk as a child and later on when he, himself was stationed there. A huge vine of honeysuckle had intertwined itself to the fence along the laneway by their house on the base. It's not the prettiest flower to look at, but it's fruity, honey smell is just devine and reminds him of Ziva.
"Hello" Ziva said opening the door in her jeans, boots and a deep red wine coloured long sleeve tee. "Hey, you look great Zee" he stepped up and kissed her lightly. "This is for you"
"Oh Tim, you shouldn't have" she exclaimed smelling the fragrant plant. "Honeysuckle Tim, one of my favourites"
"Mine too. If you're ready we should be off"
"So," Ziva began "what is the plan for tonight?" Ziva finally asked as they began to stroll down the street towards the all night diner. The diner was aptly named "Diner" and catered in traditional diner meals.
"Oh, you know, dinner, movie, maybe a drink" he laughed.
Tim didn't have anything exotic or even exciting planned. He figured they'd grab an early dinner at the diner by Ziva's apartment and walked to park where Mamma Mia 2 was being projected against the wall of the old library. Then maybe a drink at the bar across from the park. Before a stroll back to Ziva's. Seemed to be low key and definitely low stress.
After they made light work of a burger, plate of fries and milkshake to share they headed off to the park.
They'd done movies in the park plenty of times beforehand, had even seen Mamma Mia twice, but never the sequel. Mamma Mia was a favourite of theirs and they always danced and sang their hearts out. (Like everyone else in the park) .. and they didn't expect anything less from the sequel.
They sat in their usual spot, at the back of the park on an old tree branch.
They danced and sang the night away, even sharing a few light kisses and simple touches.
Deciding to skip the drink at the bar, given Ziva's request at breakfast. They slowly ambled back to Tim's so they can let Jethro out.
"I had the best time, thanks Tim. It was the best" Ziva exclaimed. She wanted to discuss the baby issue but had not decided how to approach it again.
"Sure" Tim said and slid his coat off and taking Ziva's from her and hung them both in the closet by the door.
"Drink, Zee? I have water, juice, tea or coffee"
"Water is fine, thank you."
Tim returned holding two bottles of water, offering her one. Instead she took both, depositing them onto the coffee table. He then, grasped her wrists lightly, guiding her to him , almost chest to chest.
"Hey Zee, still want that baby?" He whispered slightly unsure of himself.
"Yes" she whispered in return.
"How do you want t-"
"Don't tell me you don't know how to make a baby McGee?" She teased and he blushed profusely.
"I didn't think you'd -, I mean, I , ah" Tim stammered. "Dammit! Ziva! Just tell me what you want" getting frustrated that the words weren't coming. The blood had drained from his brain and it wasn't thinking. His mind was all over the place and his body had other ideas.
"I want you" she whispered seductively. Closing the space between them. "Inside me, with no barriers. Give me your fill and spill your seeds." She blushed. "Wow, that's something I never thought I'd say "
Tim's hands moved from her wrist to her hips, guiding her closer "Are you ready?" He whispered barely brushing her lips with his.
"Just kiss me already damn it!" Ziva demanded latching her lips on his. Lips duelling each other and softly her tongue danced with his.
Catching his breath and unlatching Ziva gently. "Zee, slow down. There's no rush"
"But rushing is fun, no?"Ziva asked smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I prefer a slow burn, Zee. Now music?" He asked escaping her grip. He logged into his Spotify list that contained a beautiful selection of jazz songs. Many of which, he knew Ziva enjoyed from previous times they've listened to music before.
"A little Etta, why Tim are you trying to seduce me?" Ziva teased coyly. As the dulcet tones of 'A Sunday Kind Of Love' filled the room.
"Is it working?" He nervously asked rejoining Ziva.
She resumed putting her arms around his shoulders and he placed his hands on her hips as they began swaying in sync with Etta's voice. "Yes" She whispered.
Slowly, his lips found hers, as they danced. His hands seductively moved to the small of the back holding her in place. Her hands made his way to his cheeks, caressing them ever so lightly. At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
Her hands finally reached their destination, on his side flanks. Gone was the puppy fat he'd had when they'd first met. Replaced with some muscles. Not too hard, but toned nicely. Ziva moved seductively grinding her hips into his, his bulge growing.
"Bedroom?" She confirmed.
He hoisted her up and she latched her legs around his waist and he made his way down the small hall to his bedroom and deposited her unceremoniously onto the bed resulting in a fit of giggles from both of them.
Laying there, sometime later, both completely spent. His seed deep inside her, her juices thoroughly coating him.
"Zee, can I? I mean, may I?" Indicating to the sheet. He pulled the sheet back and looked at her in all her naked glory "beautiful, just beautiful."
"I can't believe we actually did it. " she blushed. "You know how long I've wanted to do that?" She whispered. "For a long time. I've always had a crush on you."
"Me too, I was afraid if you knew …"
"Me too." She confirmed.
They lay there, snuggling and caressing each other. "Oh no!" She exclaimed bolting upright clutching the sheet. "Ducky!" She screamed. "We have a brunch at Ducky's house tomorrow morning for Jimmy's birthday. What do we do?" She asked panicking.
"It slipped my mind. Zee, we don't have to do anything. We be ourselves. I'm not ashamed, but we probably should give Gibbs a heads up, before we 'go public', per se." Reassuring her with a kiss. "Honestly, I'd like to have more time before they find out and don't give us a minutes peace."
"Yes, I like that too. Tony's teasing will be unrelenting. I agree, Gibbs deserves to know. And I'm in no hurry to tell him." Ziva kissed him again.
Jethro comes in gently nudging Tim telling him he needs to go out.
"In a min Jethro " Tim hisses. "Zee, I gotta take Jethro out. Wanna come?"
They get dressed and take him out. Before returning, climbing into bed and drifting off to sleep.