Yep. Sad but true we don't own these characters. Shocked, aren't you? They belong to DPB and bellasarius productions and we all know it.
This a joint effort of TonyZivaFan, Jacey05 and Jeanne Luz.
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I swear I am not jealous of the Autopsy Gremlin. I swear. Okay. Maybe just a little bit. Tony glared at Ziva and Palmer as they sat side by side on the little wooden piano bench playing Fur Elise on Ziva's piano. He looked around her living room to see if any of the other remaining dinner party guests noticed his open dismay but no one did. Not even Gibbs who sat on the love seat watching Ziva and Palmer act like old friends.
Ziva had been in a particularly happy mood all day and hadn't stopped laughing the whole night. While Tony enjoyed the sound of it, the fact that Palmer was the one making her laugh made him want to yell at her to shut up.
"Where'd you learn how to do that Palmer?" McGee asked.
Palmer grinned and smiled at Ziva like a little puppy dog with a benevolent owner. "I played when I was a kid but really it's all Ziva's doing. She's been teaching me. She's really a good teacher."
Ziva smiled at Palmer and he grinned back. "You're a good student." She said. And then she went and patted him on the back. Palmer looked blissfully happy. That did it. Tony was going to take her up on those lessons she had offered him. Palmer was going to have to shove over and reserve his affection for another.
The evening wore on, and eventually all the revelers drifted out but Abby and McGee. They stood in the doorway chatting with Ziva, dragging out their good byes. Tony hung back, trying vainly to think of some excuse to let him talk to her in private with out having to hear anything from the peanut gallery the next day.
He only half heard their conversation as he stared at the piano and thought of exactly how to place her body so he could…
"Hey." Ziva said softly. She lounged against the doorjamb. Everyone was gone. Apparently his plan had been to stand there like an idiot and fantasize about Ziva on the piano bench, legs willingly splayed for him.
He took a step closer. "Hey yourself."
"Something on your mind?" She asked with a little lilt to her voice.
"I was just thinking, is tomorrow night good for you?"
"To do what?" She tilted her head up to look him in the eyes.
"Those lessons you offered me. Is tomorrow night good for you? Say seven, I'll bring pizza."
Ziva smiled. "I know what you were talking about Tony. And six is better. No pizza, you're going to help me eat leftovers."
X
The next afternoon found Tony sitting at his desk again pondering his upcoming piano lesson with Ziva. He couldn't help but wonder what would really be taking place later that evening. Was Ziva actually planning to serve dinner for the two of them and follow it up with a piano lesson? He would soon find out. They only had about another half hour before they got off work, barring no case popped up. He stood and walked over to the front of Ziva's desk and sat down.
"So, Zee-vah, about this piano lesson," He started. "I was going to ask what I should call you; Miss David? Miss Ziva? Teacher?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.
He continued, "I mean if we're going to do this the right way, I can't call you Ziva. That wouldn't be polite. Students don't call their teachers by their first names. So, what'll it be?" He asked with a grin.
"Call me what you like. I don't care." Ziva replied.
"OK. 'Teacher' it is, then. I like that, don't you?" Tony was really having fun with this.
Ziva just rolled her eyes again, but she smiled.
"So, Teacher, what happens if I'm bad or make a mistake? What's my punishment?" He emphasized the last word, leaning close to her as he said it.
Ziva pretended to ponder the question. "How shall I punish you for being a bad boy?"
She thought for a moment and then smiled seductively at Tony and crooked her finger at him, signaling him to lean closer. He smiled excitedly and leaned forward. Ziva whispered to him, her mouth close to his ear. As he listened the smile disappeared from his face and reeled back in disgust.
"No way!" he said indignantly. "I don't sing or dance on cue. I don't even like disco!"
Ziva laughed. "You'd better not mess up then." She glanced at the clock. It was time for them to go home. She stood and began gathering her things.
"Get your stuff, Tony. It's time to go. Almost time for your first lesson."
Tony walked to his desk and quickly shut down his computer before grabbing his backpack and following Ziva to the elevator. He was anxious to find out what Ziva had in store for him.
X
Tony had offered to drive them both in his precious mustang. Ziva had no car and he didn't want to suffer her crazy driving if she was to borrow one of the company cars as she often did.
They entered her 2nd floor apartment and Ziva reached for Tony's backpack. "Here, let me take your bag."
She smiled as she saw him take in her piano. If she didn't know any better she could have sworn Tony thought she had offered to teach him to play just to get him over to her place. Men really could be so transparent at times.
"I'm going to heat up that chicken cacciatore from last night before we start the lesson if you like. You are hungry, yes?"
"Ah – yeah, that'd be great." He was hungry alright, just not for food. Tony shook the thought of a naked Ziva sprawled over the keyboard of the piano, her legs spread as he licked and sucked at her…
"Tony? You want to start the lesson first instead…?" Tony seemed enthralled by her piano and was staring at it with such a passion she thought he might prefer the lesson before they ate.
"No – no. Dinner's perfect. Can I help?" Tony had to reel in his overactive imagination, which even by his standards, was acting on overdrive tonight.
"I've got it, you just make yourself comfortable." Ziva got the chicken out of the fridge and the vegetables to make a salad to go with it.
Tony slowly walked around her living room, looking at the various pictures on the walls, until he spied her wine rack. Whoa! Ziva has a Grange Hermitage 1986? "Ziva – where did you get this?" he held up the bottle.
"Careful with that."
"I know, trust me – I collect wine too," Tony answered her.
"You do?" Ziva seemed quite shocked.
"Well what did you think, I was all beer and candy?" Tony grinned at her.
Ziva raised an eyebrow, perhaps there was more to Tony DiNozzo that met the eye. She was starting to get excited about the piano lesson. Maybe he wouldn't be such a loss after all.
X
After dinner they moved to the piano. They sat together on the bench seat, and both placed their wine glasses on top of the piano. Ziva had opened a French burgundy earlier.
"So, I think it would be a good idea for us to start something simple, like scales. Just one octave, starting at middle C." Ziva was quite serious and had started to show Tony the scale she wanted him to practice.
He placed his hands over the keys. "Like this?" he asked. He began to play the scale and hit every wrong key possible. His fingers were all over the place.
"I thought you said you had lessons before" Ziva looked at him.
He kept the amusement out of his voice. "Well it was a long time ago Zee-vah. What, you giving up already?" he challenged her.
"Not at all. It may just take a little more time, that's all."
X
After working with Tony over two hours for his first piano lesson, Ziva had finally given up and concluded the lesson, instructing Tony to practice his scales and work on brushing up on his music reading. He showed absolutely no promise, he hit all the wrong keys and could barely read music. Everything she tried to get him to do was a mess. What had she gotten herself into?
As they sat at their desks the next day in the bullpen, Ziva thought back over the events of the night before. Dinner had gone well; the food was good and they had an entertaining conversation about the prank they had pulled on poor McGee during the day.
He had accompanied Abby to a Plastic Death concert the night before and hadn't gotten home until 2 AM. This was nothing unusual for Abby, in fact it was routine; coupled with the several Caf Pows! she drank daily, the lack of sleep was no problem for her. The same was not true for McGee who fell asleep at the table in the break room and Tony and Ziva had once again super glued his face to the table. Of course, they both suffered slaps to the back of the head from Gibbs for their actions, but it was worth it to see McGee wake up and try to sit up, only to realize his face was stuck to the table.
Ziva smiled at the memory. After dinner the lesson had begun and Tony had been difficult but charming. Ziva had tried to remain firm and on task, but she couldn't help laughing at Tony's antics and flirting from time to time. He always seemed to have that effect on her; no matter how hard she tried to remain serious and stern, he could make her smile.
She would never admit it out loud, but she had truly enjoyed having him in her home the night before. And not just on a student-teacher level. Tony was the epitome of the American male, as far as she could tell, and she was definitely attracted to him.
Ziva loved his child-like curiosity; the way he was always playing with things on her desk or pulling on her hair, even when he drove her crazy. He had exhibited that same curiosity in her home, taking careful stock of everything in her living room and kitchen. If she knew Tony, he had probably gone through her bathroom cabinets as well, he just couldn't help himself. They had discovered that not only did they share an interest in wine collecting, but they also had similar tastes in books and music. Ziva was enjoying learning more about Special Agent DiNozzo on a more personal level; one thing was for sure, there was never a dull moment with Tony around. Ziva was somewhat surprised to realize that she was looking forward to their next lesson.
X
Tony looked up from the report he was working on and quickly stole a glance at Ziva. After yesterday's prank on the Probie, he didn't want to do anything else that might incur Gibbs' wrath. His head could only handle so many slaps a week. Ziva's attention was focused on her computer and her work. A lone strand of hair had fallen over her eye and she reached up and tucked it behind her ear.
The familiar gesture triggered memories from last night's lesson. Tony had thoroughly enjoyed himself. It had been years since he had played piano, but he had exaggerated his lack of ability just a hair. He couldn't help it; he loved the exasperated look Ziva got on her face when he was trying her patience. For someone who prided herself on not showing her weaknesses, she was certainly easy to read at times.
Tony had enjoyed sitting next to her on the piano bench and had scooted closer than necessary, just to unnerve her, pressing his thigh against hers. He had enjoyed practicing the scales, especially when Ziva placed her hands over his to show him the correct hand positions. Tony had been able to lean close and inhale her soft, exotic scent. As he played, her silky hair brushed his arm or hand from time to time and the feeling was incredible. The innocent contact had his imagination going crazy conjuring up situations in which he could bury his hands in that mass of silky curls for hours.
Tony glanced up again and met Ziva's gaze. He grinned at her and winked. She grinned back before turning her attention back to her work.
Yes, Tony was definitely looking forward to his next lesson.
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