Tony breathed in deeply and appreciatively. This was definitely one of his favourite of Ziva's many talents. Though anything related to her ninja like tendencies were always cool. When they weren't being used against him, that was. Oh, who was he kidding, they were still cool even when he was the one being threatened. Now that was something he wasn't going to analyse too closely.

But this talent wasn't cool. Well, not in the same way a judo throw or a lightening fast reflex or speaking yet another language would be. There was only one word for this talent and it was amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. There were probably more words he could use but his stomach was grumbling in the most distracting way. And who could blame him? What with all the delicious and distracting smells wafting about.

You see, Ziva liked to bake and cook. She also liked to share what she baked and cooked, claiming it was no fun to do it just for herself and she was used to baking and cooking for many people. And he definitely wasn't going to complain about tjat. Not when he benefited so well from it. Maybe too well, he had to unbutton his jeans that time she made bread. He hadn't known that he could eat so much bread in one sitting but apparently he could. Normal, shop bought bread had tasted weird for weeks after that.
Today's baking involved bread again. But not all bread, just two loaves. Sourdough loaves he was pretty sure she had called them.

Whatever they were, they looked and smelled amazing and his mouth was watering for a slice or two or three. Then there were these biscuits that Ducky had given her the recipe for, apparently they were his favourite so Ziva had eagerly baked those. Completely different from a cookie. He'd managed to sneak one when they were still way too hot. Most of those were getting packaged up, one container going to Ducky, the rest to share with the team.

He hoped they realised how lucky they were. Both to get Ziva's baking and for them to actually get some as he actually managed some self control by not eating them all in one sitting. Not that Ziva would allow him to do that but still.

"No more, Tony," she scolded as he snuck another biscuit.

Okay, he really didn't have self control. They were just so good. It wasn't his fault. It was the biscuits. If they didn't taste so good he wouldn't want to eat so many. It was as simple as that.

"Please?" He asked.

He probably could have gotten away with it if he hadn't inadvertently sprayed crumbs everywhere. Ziva scrunched up her nose in disgust and removed the tray of biscuits from his reach.

"Definitely not," she said decisively.

"Aw, come on."

He tried to duck around her but her kitchen wasn't the biggest and she could easily take a step or two to block him. And it wasn't like he was about to use physical force against her because, let's be honest here, he would not come out the winner in that sort of situation. Though, be was tempted. That's how good everything smelled and tasted. Thankfully, he regained his senses and did not do that. Though, he did sulk (not pout) about it. The puppy dog eyes that accompanied that didn't win Ziva over.

"I need to get you some apples," he said decisively as hetook l a step back to prove he was listening to her. "Nothing says Fall like a freshly baked apple pie."

"I am pretty sure you can get apple pie all year," Ziva said in amusement as he groaned in longing for one.

"Oh, you can," he assured her. "America's favourite dessert and all that. But there's something special about the fall ones."

"I will take your word for it."

Oh, now he was going to have to prove himself. Not that it was going to be hard, he hadn't been lying when he said fall apples were the best ones. She would see. And maybe he would get more baked goods if he proved it? Hey, he could live in hope.

Apple pie was magical in the first place but and apple pie baked by Ziva? Well, it was just too good to even think about. He was drooling. Yuck. But a perfectly natural reaction to the thought of a Ziva-baked apple pie. Yum.

Oh, this was definitely going to be great. He couldn't wait. He would get lots of apples, the best apples, and then Ziva would bake them into pies. Would he be allowed to watch? There was something mesmerising about watching Ziva bake. And maybe he would even get to sneak a slice or two if he was around while the pies were being made. He would even do all of the washing up if she let him hang around. He would also offer his help with the baking but Ziva was the type who trusted no one with her in the kitchen. She was very protective of it.

Then he realised that he never actually asked his partner if she would do all of this. He had kind of just assumed. Which was just plain rude.

"If I get you proper fall apples will you bake an apple pie?" He asked hopefully.

She looked incredibly amused at this but nodded her consent.

"Yes. I enjoy baking and a pie would be a nice change."

He decided to take a chance.

"Two?"

She shrugged. "Why not? It feels odd not baking multiple of the same thing. Do you want one of your own, Tony?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation.

He really had no shame. But that didn't matter when it came to apple pies.

"Could you really eat a whole one to yourself?"

"Absolutely."

She just gave him an amused look. He didn't care, he was getting a pie out of this and he was allowed to be excited.