Today's prompt: stargazing

Tony and Ziva during a night out. Reference to Tony's bucket list (11. watch all Hitchcock films in order of release)


When she opens the door to the parking lot, she finds him leaning on the roof of his car, seemingly lost in thought. His tie hangs loosely around his neck, a tuft of hair stands up from his otherwise still perfectly coiffed hair. She walks out towards him, the midnight breeze that caresses her skin brings some relief from the sweatiness of the crowded bar. A car with steamed up windows draws her attention, and she can't help but feel a tingle go down her spine as she focuses on Tony again, wondering…

She bumps him with her hip when she reaches him, drawing his attention, but not his gaze, and leans back against his car.

"Did you find your wallet?"

He nods and pats his back pocket, her gaze lingers a moment longer than her sober mind would have allowed. She squints up at him, his mood seems to have shifted once again. Going out for drinks had been his idea, now she has a feeling he is lost in thought, like he had been on and off for several days.

Making sure to keep her tone light and casual, she asks, "What are you doing?"

"Stargazing."

She scoffs. "In the middle of D.C.?"

"That's a star," he says, pointing at a light in the otherwise dark sky.

"That is clearly a plane." She stares him down, and even though he doesn't face her, she can tell he is about to give in.

"Just, thinking." He glances at her, then resumes staring at the dark and empty firmament.

"About?" She prods gently.

He really looks at her now, eyes narrow slits. "What, no 'Don't hurt yourself jokes'?"

She gives him a sympathetic look, hoping he will continue talking, not trusting herself to ask the right questions just this minute.

His focus strays to the dark sky once more, brows pulling in. "Life, and…things."

"Things, like your bucket list?"

He glances at her, nods slightly, lips pursed.

"Ooh, there's a star." He points at another blinking dot.

"You have better luck of that being a UFO and getting yourself abducted." She grins at him, he grins back and turns around to lean his back against the car, mimicking her posture.

"I'd hate to explain that to Gibbs," he says lightly.

"Hmm, and Abby would not let you out of her sight for weeks." She leans into him, relieved she can blame that on her fourth shot of tequila. "If you need help with your bucket list…"

His gaze searches hers and she is not quite sure what he is hoping to find. The wisp of unruly hair distracts her and before she realizes what she is doing, her hand is running through his hair, attempting to fix it back into place.

His eyes darken, but he remains silent. She glances at his mouth, and self-consciously drops her hand, the touch of his soft hair lingering on her finger tips.

It takes her a moment to remember their conversation. "I would be happy to watch all Hitchcock movies with you, if you like."

He smiles, amused, intrigued. "You would do that for me?"

She shrugs lightly. "It is a win-win, if they are not as good as you claim I will hold it over you forever, and if they are, then I will have enjoyed watching them."

He chuckles, "Deal."

They remain silent for a moment, her alcohol induced mind pointing out that spending who knows how many hours glued to his side on the couch would make it a win-win-win situation. She is not quite drunk enough to share that particular thought with him, but too drunk to suppress the giggle leaving her lips.

In an attempt to distract his probing gaze, she holds up a hand to block out a street light. "There—" she points at the sky, "—that is a star."

"Sure is," he says, never taking his eyes off of her.