It was weird being back. Very weird. Like she wasn't quite there yet. Which was ridiculous because she was sitting here at her desk and working on real cases. But still, it didn't feel normal yet. Nothing was a habit anymore. It was like she was just going motions she remembered rather than actively doing them. Did that even make any sense?

There was also that restless feeling under her skin - it made Ziva feel like she should be doing something. Something more than normal NCIS cases. She had spent so long being on high alert with Mossad that to be anything less felt unnatural. Being hyperaware of every little thing when it wasn't needed was no fun. Not at all. Which meant she jumped as Tony hit the keys of his keyboard a little too firmly.

"What have I told you guys about the computers and physical force?" McGee complained.

"It's not my fault it's not recognising me entering a letter," Tony retorted irritably.

They had been like this ever since the newness of Tony returning had worn off. Sure, their familiarity and closeness with one another helped them all slip back into some sort of rhythm but not quite the same way as before. They had been apart for several months. People change. More so when you weren't experiencing the same things together. So, yes, that made things a bit more awkward.

It also was also not helping her weird feeling of displacement. Scratch that, it definitely wasn't helping. Even though she very much wanted to be here instead of in America. It was all very confusing. And Ziva did not like to feel confused or off-balance. It made her want to shoot something. Or throw a knife at something. Both of which were frowned upon in the office. This office anyway.

At least Tony was now back. A little but of normality was always good even though they hadn't exactly got back to normal yet. There were some wrinkles to smooth out since they all had got used to working by themselves. Working as a team again was weird but they made it work. They knew how they were supposed to work so fake it until you make it - Ziva was pretty sure that that was the correct saying.

It was like they were trying to find their feet with each other all over again. But they already knew each other so it was awkward mixed in with the relief of actually being together again.

They would get there. Ziva was sure of it. They were too good a team not to. If only it didn't take so long.

"Hey, Miss Melancholy!"

Ziva snapped her head up to see her partner (she had a partner again - one that actually acted like a partner) looking at her with raised eye rows.

"What? And I am not melancholy!"

"You were staring off into space and sighing heavily, how is that not melancholic?"

"I was thinking."

"Now that's dangerous."

She gave him a look, not appreciating him interrupting her thoughts. Was it a good thing or a bad thing that he was not affected by it?

"What do you want, Tony?"

Suddenly, she felt very, very tired. A lot had happened over the past few weeks and she hadn't really been given the chance to process everything. She didn't want to deal with her partner's antics right now.

He gave her a long look. She hadn't received one of those in a while. You know, a Tony look. The one where he knew what she was thinking.

"It's weird, isn't it?"

Now there was a loaded-up question. Many things were weird. Them all being split up was weird. Only her and McGee returning at first was weird. Tony having to be Agent Afloat was weird. Being back at NCIS was weird.

"This whole situation," Tony further explained when Ziva raised an eyebrow at him. "You know Gibbs getting a whole new team because we got split up and then is all being pulled together again. A new Director. Hell, I was half expecting the colour on the walls to be changed when I came back."

"Now that will never happen."

Someone who decided on that awful shade of orange would never change their minds.

"True," Tony agreed. "But everything else changed."

"Things can't stay the same forever, Tony." She said with a tone of finality.

Ziva knew that better than most. Things could change in an instant. Predicted or not. These changes weren't bad in hindsight. Or particularly blindsiding. Just weird. Uncomfortable.

"Well, yeah but that doesn't mean that that we can't feel uncomfortable about it or even like it."

"Is this about the new Director again, Tony?"

A dark look passed over his face and he folded his arms.

"I don't like him."

"None of us do," McGee said, deciding to stop eavesdropping and actually participate in the conversation.

"But he is now our boss," Ziva finished, hoping that that would be the end of it.

"You can't seriously like the toothpick, Ziva?" Tony said incredulously.

Liking or disliking Vance had nothing to do with it. Yes, she disliked him as well but feelings had no right to be in a workspace. Especially when it came to your superiors. You just came in and got the job done. That's all there was to it.

"It does not matter. Whoever our boss is we still have to do our jobs."

Even when she wanted to see a head of red hair exit the office. Even though she still missed her friend. No. That didn't matter because the one thing that didn't change was their jobs.

Tony pulled a face, not liking her response at all. Too bad.

"I still don't like him."

"I don't think he likes you an awful lot either," McGee added unhelpfully.

"He doesn't like anyone, McGee."

"He was quite impressed with my computer skills."

"Funny enough, McSuck Up, that doesn't translate to somebody liking you."

Of course, that made the conversation dissolve into nonsensical bickering. Something she hadn't heard in a while also.

In hindsight, maybe she didn't actually miss Tony that much.