"Tony, this is a bad idea."

McGee was honestly trying to be the voice of reason in the get up but that was kind of difficult when he wasn't being listened to.

"It's a perfect idea, McScared."

It really wasn't. Tony's idea was, in his words, "Make Ziva enjoy and appreciate the fine activities of the season". Which wasn't suspicious at all. Especially those first two words.

"You can't make Ziva participate in Christmas festivities."

"McGee, I am not so stupid as to try and make Ziva do anything. I quite like having the ability to breathe through my nose."

McGee stared at him and then shook his head. That was far too specific to be made up but he didn't want to ask for an explanation. It would probably emotionally scar him and he'd already had enough of that from his co-workers. It was better to focus on the fact that Tony was not going to try and force Ziva to do anything which, quite frankly, was a relief. Something positive to focus on.

"I'm just going to suggest it to her."

Never mind. McGee groaned and wished that Gibbs would appear to head slap Tony because he really needed it at the minute. Why did his teammate choose now to take leave of his senses?

"I'm pretty sure it's some form of harassment. And isn't she Jewish?"

"No, it's not and so what if she is?"

"You can't make a Jewish person participate in Christmas," McGee answered in a scandalised voice.

You just couldn't. It wasn't very welcoming and definitely discriminatory. Something McGee wanted no part in.

"I'm not going to make her write a letter to Santa, McGrinch," Tony said dismissively. "I'm talking about winter activities here."

Well, that was slightly better. Slightly. There was still the case of trying to force Ziva to do it but at least they weren't encroaching on her religious freedom or anything.

He still gave Tony a sceptical look though because somebody had to be the voice of reason here and it certainly wasn't going to be Tony DiNozzo.

"Come on," Tony coaxed. "We need to show her wallet winter is all about. She grew up in a desert."

"Which is why she doesn't like winter."

Ziva had definitely been very vocal about that in the year that they had known her. She had a fair point. Nobody liked being cold and when you came from a literal desert like she did then the cold must be intolerable. He actually felt a bit sorry for her. He must introduce her to those warm, fluffy socks you could get. Sarah always went on about them. Did verifiable ninja assassins wear fluffy socks?

"Exactly!"

McGee gave him a blank look. He didn't know where Tony was going with this.

"You lost me," he said quite truthfully.

"You see, McGee," Tony said, perching himself on the end of his desk (almost squishing his yoga figurine!) "I just have to show Ziva that winter activities can be fun. That cold weather isn't bad."

"Yes, well, have fun with that."

That had to be a pointless endeavour if there ever was one. And one he was very glad not to be a part of.

"And you're going to help me," Tony told him, leaving no room for argument.

McGee just groaned. Why him?

Yep, it was definitely a bad idea. Now, instead of just glaring that terrifying glare of hers at Tony, it was being directed at both of them. Something McGee could really be doing just fine without. He was unashamed to admit that it more than slightly scared him.

As soon as Ziva had returned to the bull pen, Tony had pounced on her. Not literally, of course, Ziva certainly wouldn't let that happen, but he did laugh straight into his "plan". Which wasn't really a plan at all and McGee had told him this. Only to be ignored. As usual. Would it kill Tony to listen to him sometimes?

"What do you two want me to do?" she asked slowly.

Phew, there was a little bit of confusion mixing in with the anger. That was a good sign. A very good sign. It meant that she could possibly be redirected.

"Have fun in winter!" Tony said in an overly cheerful voice.

He sounded like one of those kids adverts, he was that peppy.

"Fun is not just a winter thing," she told him.

"Yes, but you're not having any fun!"

"I am," she claimed. "I am very much enjoying curling up at home under a blanket with a book."

Tony looked thoroughly unimpressed by this.

"That isn't having fun."

And, of course, that got Ziva riled up. Fantastic.

"Ziva," McGee interrupted with a calm, even tone that he honestly had thought was beyond him at this point.

She turned to him with a scarily raised eyebrow.

"Yes, McGee?"

He gulped, almost forgetting what he had to say.

"We were just wondering if you wanted to tag along to some events and things that happen at this time of year," he said. "Lots of things are more winter related or only loosely Christmassy. Like ice skating. Or cookie making and other things."

Other things that he couldn't for the life of him think of right now.

She gave him a long look that seriously made him consider taking a one-way trip to Mexico before finally nodding slowly.

"Cookie making is Christmassy?" she asked. "And why would you want to walk on ice? Isn't it cold?"

"People make more of them around Christmas and ice skating is fun if you have good balance and wrap up warm enough."

Ziva would probably be quite good at it. She seemed to have perfect balance.

She gave him a thoughtfully look before nodding slowly.

"Those do sound interesting," she agreed. "I like baking and I am willing to give ice skating a try."

"Yes!" Tony cheered, pumping his fist into the air.

"Only because McGee asked nicely," Ziva told him, promptly popping a hole in his inflated ego.

That had to be the most injured look McGee had ever seen on Tony and he had seen a few.

"Seriously? I did all the work!"

"And McGee asked me nicely."

"Hmpf."

The glare that Tony sent him was nowhere near as possible as one of Ziva's. Wait, what had just happened?