Author's Note: The following is based on NCIS characters, but an original work from the author. The premise is to introduce Tony to a female character similar to his quirkiness. Enter Claudia, a coworker of Suzanne Gibbs.

In past chapters, a bit of the characters begin to develop. The reader learns that Claudia was a widow; her husband was killed in action during a tour.

The following chapter expands into Tony DiNozzo's lovelife.

Jethro Gibbs is being recognized for another Meritorious Service Award and so is Senior Agent Anthony DiNozzo. While Jethro is planning to attend the ceremony, Tony is dateless. Suzanne immediately thinks of a coworker that would complement DiNozzo. Would the pairing start a real relationship both are seeking?

She returned to work-resumed her hectic schedule and multitasking duties. She blamed the airline food for her illness, citing it was 'just a 24 hour bug.'

The President was on retreat, expecting to return that evening. It gave her time to clear past due information and schedule upcoming events, particularly the Latin American tour. Suzanne Gibbs whistled while working. The mundane details-filing and sorting information-she did with a sprightly tune. Suzanne distributed folders with specific instructions about the future trip. Her first stop was to Linda. The second was Claudia's desk, though she passed it before. She whispered a question of personal nature.

"What are you up to Thursday night, Claudie?" Suzanne's nickname for her colleague drove her crazy!

"Anything in mind?" Claudia asked, concentrating on her typing.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact." Suzanne inquired, standing in front of her desk.

"How about a date with Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo?"

"Oh, come on, Suzanne!"

"It's an inter agency event." Suzanne explained. "Jethro's been with the Agency almost 25 years, receiving yet another Meritorious Service Award. His senior team member is also being honored for 15 years service. Everyone's paired up, except for him."

"What's wrong with him?" Linda stopped typing, fascinated with the conversation.

"Other than acting like a pompous ass…nothing." Suzanne grinned, giggled slightly.

"I swear! Tony's actually a really decent man; I think you'll like his company."

"Why didn't you go out with him?" Claudia asked.

"He's like a brother: an overprotective, overbearing, but endearing brother."

"A blind date…" Claudia closed her file cabinet with the tip of her foot. "From the same woman, who received good press on her appearance, without trying?" She shifted her attention to Linda and continued.

"I give her hell and she's nice enough to fix me up with an NCIS agent!?"

The attention refocused on Suzanne, still standing in front of the desk. Their eyes all met, except Claudia's expression was skepticism.

"I know…there's a catch to this, Susie Q."

"Please don't call me Susie." Suzanne leaned in, continued smiling. "Besides, I really think you'll hit it off."

"What do you think, Linda?"

"It sounds better than your last date." Claudia was introduced to a professor from Hamilton University.

"Ah, yes...Mr. Woodrow Wilson..." The professor of American Studies spent the entire evening discussing the life of Woodrow Wilson-or 'Thomas Woodrow Wilson, Ph.D. from Staunton, VA.' Claudia replied.

"I had on a sexy LBD, got my hair done and used the last of my Shalamar to spend the entire evening discussing why the U.S. History curriculum mentioned Wilson by name, not his achievements." Claudia scoffed. "The man had nerve to give me his 600 page book on the life of Woodrow Wilson!"

"Definitely...not your type." Linda said.

"And I guess our Suzanne the newlywed would know my taste in men?"

"Well, Tony will appreciate the dress, the hair and Shalamar..." Suzanne returned to her desk, logged onto her desktop computer and began typing. "I think you like men who are dapper-well dressed, a little flirtatious, humorous, definitely well-read and observant."

There was a pause in the conversation. Linda nodded in agreement with Suzanne's main points.

"OK." Claudia nodded, her expression still of skepticism. "I trust you, Suzanne. Let Tony know he has a date Thursday evening."

"You won't be sorry, Claude."

"Hell, I'm already sorry!"

There was a buzz of excitement around the building: Gibbs planned to accept the award in person.

"My wife convinced me…" Jethro said, eventually smiling. "It would be nice—having someone to share it with." He shook his head, amazed the word wife made him smile. Bishop, McGee, and DiNozzo nodded in agreement. Tony wondered who could be his date? Suzanne's brother, Simon, agreed to go with Abby. Dr. Mallard asked Susan McNamara; even Ducky had a date!

"By the way, DiNozzo…you have a date Friday evening."

"…Is she hot like Suzanne?"

Jethro gave his colleague a piercing stare of disapproval.

"Don't say that about my wife."

"Rule 67…" Tony interrupted.

"Never compliment or compare another woman to yours…" Jethro shared. "It's with Claudia Bailey from Scheduling and Advance."

"Claudia Bailey—she's the one in the shoulder padded suit jackets?" DiNozzo asked. "She resembles Joe Greene from the Steelers on the Sunday Spin shows for the POTUS?"

"Claudia is nice looking and very smart." Jethro continued reading the daily notes on-screen. "She's dedicated to her work with the White House."

"I trust you, Boss."

"Generally, I stay out of love lives, but in this case, DiNozzo, she is your match." Jethro slipped on his glasses and read from the computer.

Suzanne insisted to meet Jethro at the gala for two reasons. First, they were scheduled to work until 6 pm. Secondly, Claudia wanted her colleague's advice on the outfit. It did not take Suzanne long to grab her belongings, agreeing to change over Claudia's home. Within a matter of minutes, the two arrived at her townhouse in NW Washington, near Catholic University. The two were in the bedroom, sharing space, primping and preening for the gala,

"You know you can make up your bed, Claudie." Suzanne flipped through a magazine, sitting at the edge of her bed.

"Why?" Claudia muttered while slipping on her dress. "I'm going to get back inside it anyway."

Suzanne chuckled. Suzanne noticed the neatly decorated home but without pictures.

"Claude, I understand you're never home…but this is your home."

"Minimalist look, Suzanne."

"More like sterile!" The white walls were bare all over the home. It was a stark contrast to the Gibbs' home, filled with pictures, souvenirs from traveling. She noticed a couch, a recliner chair in the living room. Papers, magazines and a laptop computer were the only signs that someone lived in the town house. The kitchen shined as if no one cooked.

"How long have you lived here?"

"Three years." Claudia answered.

By seeing the home, Suzanne understood Claudia's behavior; she was alone, perhaps a little lonely. On the cheat of drawers were two pictures. One was of Will in his Dress uniform. The other was a wedding picture-Claudia in a simple white suit and Will in a suit, the snapshot of the two married at City Hall.

"You know how it is, Suz. I was a military wife 15 years. You keep everything nice and orderly."

"At least, I could bring over a Pothos plant for a little greenery." Suzanne suggested. "Easy to maintain, easy to grow..."

"It'll give you an excuse to come over more often..." Claudia retorted.

"You don't need an excuse to drop by, Suzanne."

"Well, you're always welcomed at our house." Suzanne said.

"I'm not coming over until the honeymoon's over, which seems like never..."

The two chuckled.

"Hey, Suzanne? Have you taken a pregnancy test?" Claudia noticed the thickening of Suzanne's waist, uncommon for an person who works out four days a week with the President of the United States.

The comment caught her off guard. As such, Suzanne remained silent for a moment.

"I'm not pregnant, Claudia." She tried to change the subject. With her new friend, it always tend to land on sex. "And promise not to mention the remote possibility I may be with child."

"Well, have the sheets cooled off since you've been back?" Again, Suzanne chuckled. "Face it: you and Jethro have made a Gibbet."

Claudia stepped out of the bathroom moments later.

"Your outfit..." Suzanne laughed. "...is everything but minimal!"

"Will...really liked it when I dressed for military balls..." She reminisced. "He liked the way I dressed." Claudia shared while changing purses, releasing a large and heavy sigh.

"You look beautiful." Suzanne nodded for reassurance. "You really look beautiful, honey."

"Not everyone is a Suzanne McNamara Gibbs..." Claudia said. "Susie, this is a big step for me."

"I know it is." Suzanne continued to nod. "Tony is a really good friend."

"Ready to go?" Claudia clutched her keys in one hand. "It's almost 7."

It was understood by everyone that Claudia and Suzanne would arrive around 7:15. The others sat at the table, chatting until the final guests arrived. The Bishops were together, chatting with the Palmers. Ducky invited Susan McNamara to the event, which coincided with her visit to the newlywed's home. Delilah was on Tim's arm. Even Abby was cozy with Simon, Suzanne's brother, visiting the city for his meeting.

"Do you know what she's like?" Ellie asked.

"All I know is from the TV politico shows and that she works with Mrs. Gibbs." Tony answered.

"Mrs. Gibbs?" Ducky chuckled. "She only changed her last name, not her first!"

"Well, there's Suzanne now." Tim noticed at the front door.

"Lawdy, lawdy, lawdy Miss Claudy!" Tony smiled, left the table to meet with the two.

Underneath the tough exterior, the unflattering clothing during work hours was a lady. Claudia was equally attractive standing beside Suzanne. Suzanne's dress was a black short-sleeved, floor length gown with thin-crossed backing and a shawl. Claudia wore a grey halter-styled floor length dress, a style that accentuated her shoulders and bosoms. Her shoulder length hair flowed with slight curl. The mantra at EOP—Executive Office of the President—was to "Move It," the mind, body and spirit connection with exercise! Claudia joined 4-4 basketball tournaments, was physically fit like Suzanne.

Tony looked dashing in his tuxedo. In his hands, he carried a corsage.

"You're going to pay for this, Newlywed." Claudia muttered. "He looks too eager!"

"Well, put on a half-assed smile, like the one you had when we first met…" Suzanne muttered. Her co-worker snickered. The smile was genuine, one of surprise. Claudia thought to herself that Suzanne had a good idea of a date.

"Hi, Tony."

"Hello, Suzanne. You look very nice." Tony greeted with a hug. "Boss said he'll be right back."

"So formal…" Claudia said. "Suzanne? Not Suz?"

"Jethro's the only one who calls me Suz, even Susie, besides my family." Suzanne answered. "Not even our Boss calls me Susie."

"DiNozzo." Tony kissed her hand. "Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. You must be Claudia Bailey."

"Oh, Good Lord! Another 007 fan?" Claudia laughed. "It's frustrating enough to have a Bond-inspired President!"

"Claudia, you're meeting a huge Sean Connery fan." Suzanne whispered.

"Sean Connery? I prefer Sir Roger Moore." She thanked Tony for the wrist corsage, even allowed him to place it on her wrist.

Jethro walked over to the women, carrying a splint of champagne. He wore a simple black suit, grey tie to accent his graying hair and compliment his blue eyes.

"Claudia, it's nice to meet you again." Jethro gently shook her hand. "I see you've met DiNozzo." She nodded. His focus soon turned to his wife.

"Hello, Love."

"Hi, Sugar." The Gibbs' shared a quick peck on the lips.

The four walked to the table. All exchanged pleasantries and introductions. Suzanne kissed her mother on the cheek, as well as Dr. Mallard.

"Susie, you look wonderful." Susan complimented. "Your skin is glowing!"

"I guess married life is agreeing with me."

"Glowing? Breena's mother thought she was pregnant and used that word..." Jimmy said.

Suzanne nervously chuckled as a response to the possibility of carrying a baby. She immediately segued into another topic.

"Anyhow…" She acquired the Gibbs stare in her own way—her eyes peered over her glasses at the well-meaning friend.

"Claudia is one of the President's senior aides with the Press Corps. She slums in Scheduling and Advance mostly..."

"Beautiful name." Ellie smiled.

She nodded. "My parents named me after the First Lady of the United States-Lady Bird Johnson, except I'm Claudia Lucille."

"I can relate to it. My name is Eleanor Rosalynn, after Mrs. Carter." Bishop shared.

"Can I call you 'Lady Bird?'" Tony asked.

"You can call me Claudia Bailey."

The others chuckled.

"Did I mention Claudia is very straightforward?" Suzanne said with a nervous chuckle. Tony smiled, nodded.

"Q and I work together in the office…whenever she's in town." The group chuckled, curious about the initial. She further explained how The President was a Bond fan, bestowing interesting nicknames.

"Susie Q-the song?" Claudia asked the table. "She's the 'secret weapon' for Presidential diplomacy."

Miss Bailey, may I ask? Your work moniker is…?"

"I'm just 'C' as in 'cautious,' nothing exciting." Claudia said. "Suzanne is the Owens Girl—nicknamed 'Q' for 'query.'"

"Are you cautious about everything, Miss Bailey?" Tony asked.

"Just with strangers, Special Agent DiNozzo..." Claudia responded.

"With women like you and Suzanne around…" Tony glanced at Claudia, pleasantly surprised at her appearance. "I'm surprised he gets any work done!"

"Tony, I'm married!" Suzanne said.

Both Claudia and Suzanne answered: "He's married!"

"I like this song." He answered.

My love must be a kind of blind love
I can't see anyone but you

Very romantic song—"I Only Have Eyes for You."

"Come on. Let me show you off…"

Suzanne, surprised, asked Jethro if he was sure.

"I thought you hated dancing."

"I think I can make an exception…" Next, Jethro took his wife's hand, led her onto the floor.

"Miss Bailey: would you care for a dance?"

"Why, certainly." She smiled.

Tony awkwardly placed his hands around Claudia's waist.

"I'm not Q."

Are the stars out tonight?
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright

"You most certainly are not." Tony replied, glanced upward and downward. "Her description of you…didn't do you justice, Miss Bailey."

I only have eyes for you, dear

"Claudia." She insisted, finally smiling. "You can call me Claudia."

"Tony."

The two remained quiet. Tony continued with nervous babbling about movies, about work, and his glory days at Ohio State. Anything to fill the void in conversation.

The moon may be high
But I can't see a thing in the sky
I only have eyes for you

"Look at it; another great photo-op!" Claudia admitted, rolling her eyes as she glanced at Suzanne, smiling, holding an intimate conversation with Jethro. The two embraced, smiling, focusing their attention on one another. "She is not camera-shy at the least!"

"Are you a little jealous of Suzanne Gibbs' meteoric rise to the White House?" It was silent for a moment. Tony's dancing was impeccable, so masterful that Claudia ignored Suzanne and listened to Tony.

"You know, she's a very private person. She didn't want to do the interview or the cover."

"I know; I did it."

Tony chuckled.

"I actually mentioned to the President how it would generate positive press—you know, an All-American girl working in the Administration. That's why I tease her a little."

I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue

She chuckled at Jethro and Suzanne, wrapped in an embrace, still conversing softly and continued.

"Contrary to popular belief, I like her...very much. She's a good person." Claudia noticed Tony moved closer.

You are here and so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you

The two spent the evening dancing with light conversation, mostly about work. Tony was convinced that appearances can be deceiving. Jethro and Suzanne were right on target for the blind date suggestion. Tony and Claudia chatted the entire night outside of earshot of others.

The evening came to an end, a tine where good nights were exchanged. Others exchanged farewells; Claudia and Tony remained at the table, chatting away as the professionals came in to dismantle the setup.

"We've spent the entire night discussing the Boss and his First Lady." Tony escorted Claudia to her car.

"I don't know much about you, other than the 'official' bio...and you're very attractive after work hours."

"It's not much to tell—from New York, went to Princeton for undergrad and graduate school…" Claudia chuckled.

"I'd like to know more." Tony said.

"Off record…" Claudia laughed nervously. "It's not much to tell!"

"Let me be the judge of that." Tony opened the car door. Claudia gathered herself into her two-seater convertible.

"What are you doing Saturday evening?"

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"I'll call you tomorrow afternoon." Tony smiled.

"You don't have my number." Claudia laughed, starting her ignition.

"But the First Lady does…"

"Good Night, Claudia."

"Good Night, Tony."

Tony watched Claudia leave and felt the tremble of his cellphone. He glanced at the screen—a text from Suzanne:

202-447-1355: Claudia Bailey. 'Thought you might need it.'