"So what happened between those two before Ziva left? I thought Gibbs has a rule against co-workers dating." Bishop asked Mcgee. It was the day after Ziva had returned, and work was going real slow. Their prime suspect was now the wife, who was of the grid, taking her kid with her, and wherever they looked it was just another dead end.

"Happened?" Mcgee asked. "Why, ah why would you think that something had like, happened between them? Tony and Ziva? What?!"

Bishop rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on Tim. I might not have the best people reading skills but I am neither stupid nor blind. I saw the way they were looking at each other, and I noticed how every time someone said something about "old times", anything that reminded him of Ziva, he got in a really bad mood. I never really put the pieces together but now it makes sense."

Mcgee considered this, taking his time, hoping beyond hope that someone would come and rescue him from this extremely awkward situation. He'd never liked talking about Tony's and Ziva's relationship because he never really understood it himself. He'd always just assumed that someday they'd just get their act together, and that Gibbs would make an exception with Rule #12. He hadn't quite known how much she meant to Tony until, well Somalia probably.

Sure, he'd known they were kinda close, but he hadn't thought Tony would dwell on her that much. It had become more and more obvious over the years, so that sometimes he wondered if they were secretly dating, but had always dismissed the thought seeing as Gibbs hadn't said anything about it.

But than Tony had never really told him what happened in Berlin, or in Israel the summer she left. He just knew how much it hurt Tony to come home without her. He hadn't quite been the same since then. Not really noticeably, but Mcgee knew. He was sure Gibbs knew too. They had both been working with Tony for too long to not notice.

"Mcgee?"

Mcgee looked up, startled and realized he'd been staring into thin air for nearly a minute.

He looked around once more and, giving up hope on someone saving him from this, sighed and said: "Well…Its kinda complicated."

Bishop raised her eyebrows: "So?"

"Its complicated is what people say when they don't want to explain something Bishop!"

Tony walked into the squad room and sat down at his desk. He grinned at Mcgee. He'd been in an insufferably good mood all day.

"Abby says she needs your help with something, I think. Or," Tony turned his head to one side, looking thoughtful, "She just wants to gossip."

Mcgee snorted. "Well, she ain't alone." He muttered under his breath.

"What did you say Mcmutter?"

"Nothing, nothing…"

"So?" The moment McGee stepped into the lab, he had Abby's fullest attention.

"Sooo?" He asked back slowly, dreading what was coming. Abby sighed. "Well, what do you think, Tim? What's your opinion?"

"You mean on Ziva being back? That's-" He stopped when he saw Abby roll her eyes.

"What?" He said defensively. Abby sighed again and patted him on the shoulder.
"You're cute Tim, but that's old news. Of course it's awesome. We don't even have to talk about that. Noo, what do you think about Ziva staying at Tony's place last night?"

Tim closed his eyes for a second to try and stop the involuntary head canons that immediately flooded his brain at her words.

"I don't know, Abs, maybe I'm not really the right person to talk about this. How about you ask Tony about this? He's usually rather willing to share."

They both cringed, thinking about all the times Tony had told them about his one night stands when they really hadn't asked for the details.

Abby pouted for a second then said, with an annoyed expression on her face: "I already did and he won't talk about it, he says nothing happened."

McGee had to supress a laugh at the look on Abby's face.

"Well", he said, "Maybe that's all that happened." Abby threw him a dark look, and put her hands on her hips. The way she was looking at him reminded him of how Mrs Weasly looked when she was angry. He backed away slightly. Mrs Weasly had always scared him a little.

"He told you something, didn't he? You know something don't you?" She advanced on him slowly, and her voice was slow and menacing. McGee was sure this was the scariest he had ever seen Abby.

"No" He yelped, raising his arms out of reflex. "Seriously, Abs-" He jumped upon hearing the ding of the elevator. "Oh shit," he muttered. "Gibbs!"

He pushed past Abby, and only just made it around the corner in the back room of the lab before someone entered. He looked around the lab once, than said: "You can come out McGossip, it's just me!"

McGee sighed in relief, and came out to see Tony standing there.

"Did you find anything?" He asked. Tony nodded. "Bishop thinks she might know where the wife is. Gibbs sent us to check it out."

McGee nodded. "Did you…" "Tell him you were down here gossiping?" Tony finished the sentence for him. "Of course not." Tony walked out of the lab. "You owe me one, Tim!"

"Huh," McGee huffed. "You owe me at least ten!" He called after Tony.

He turned around to see Abby stare at him reproachfully. "I'm really sorry, Abs, I gotta go."

He said and hurried out of the lab, kind of thankful he was out of there.

"We're not done here Tim!" Abby called after him. Tim winced. This was going to be a long day.

Ziva stepped into the bullpen. Once again Bishop was the only one there, sitting at her desk.

"Where is everyone?" Ziva asked. Bishop looked up.

"Oh, hey Ziva. What are you doing here?"

"My official 'Abby-welcome.'" Ziva sighed.

"Your what?" Bishop frowned.

"You have never had an official Abby-welcome?" Ziva laughed. Bishop shook her head.

"Well it's not really something you can describe I think you have to experience it." Ziva shrugged. "But do not be sorry if you never have to."

"You've had one before?" Bishop asked, interested.

"2009." Ziva said.

"Oh right, the mission in Somalia." Ziva looked at her, frowning.

"You know about that?"

"Are you kidding me?" Bishop got up and gestured with her arms, excited now. "That mission is legendary. I read all the reports when I became a probationary agent. I wanted to know about the team and who I was replacing…" She trailed of, having lost her train of thought. Ziva smiled.

"Anyway," Bishop continued. "I mean, the way you fought your way through to Saleem all on you own is…and then the rescue mission. What the team did there was…" Bishop shook her head, lost for words, somewhat caught up in her fascination and joy.

"…amazing." Ziva finished quietly. Bishop looked up a little guiltily.

"Yeah sorry, I, I didn't mean to…I talk a lot when I get nervous and…" She blushed.

"There is no need to be nervous." Ziva said, smiling.

"But you're amazing. There's so much gossip about you and nearly as many myths as about Gibbs and since your return that's all everyone's been talking about."

"Well," Ziva looked slightly embarrassed. "Office work can be, ahm, tideos?" She frowned.

"Tedious." Bishop corrected her automatically. "And Ziva?" Ziva, already preparing to leave the Bullpen looked up. "Yes, Ellie?"

"I just want you to know that, well…" She shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not trying to replace you or anything. I don't think anyone could ever do that but, just so you know I'm not trying."

Ziva smiled. "I know."

"Sooo…" McGee said. "She's back, huh?" Tony let out a small huff, but didn't elaborate any further. They were walking to the car, and McGee felt he had to at least try to talk to Tony so Abby wouldn't kill him. Also, even though he didn't want to admit it, he was kind of curious. What was going to happen now that Ziva was back? Now that they weren't co-workers and didn't have rule #12 hanging over their heads anymore. Was he going to forgive her?

"Forgive her what?" Tim looked up startled, and realized he'd said that last bit out loud. He blushed, and for a moment felt like a Probie again, not knowing what to say, being intimidated by the very special senior field agent.

"I didn't mean-" he stammered.

"To say that out loud?" Tony asked. "Well, you did Tim, now you might as well share with the class." McGee sighed, and thought for a second, not wanting this to sound wrong or give Tony the wrong impression, because this was a touchy subject for all of them, and he liked being on Tony's good side for once.

"I just…" He hesitated, then decided to just go all in. "She left, and didn't text, call or mail once." They had arrived at the car now, and Tony stopped at the driver's side door, while McGee walked around the car to ride shotgun. Yet, Tony didn't get in and looked at McGee patiently, waiting for him to finish.

"I saw what it did to you when she left. I saw that you still weren't over her when I talked to you about her a couple of days ago. And I see that you're still scared of her leaving again because she's done it so often and its hurt you every time." McGee took a deep breath. "You can't tell me this doesn't bother you just a little."

Tony exhaled slowly and sound fully, then clenched his jaw once. Only than did he look at McGee, who could see the anger and determination in his eyes. He inwardly congratulated himself for once again managing to bring up emotions Tony really wanted to avoid. He wasn't sure it was a good thing.

"Yes it bothers me, Tim. Yes it bothers me that she left, and didn't call or even try to keep in contact for a year. Yes it bothers me that I can't even really be angry at her, and that I know I can't move on from her, that I don't know what to do and what to expect now. Yes, Tim I wanna talk to her but…" "You're scared you'll lose her again." McGee finished his sentence quietly. He was amazed that Tony had shared this much with him. Tony nodded tiredly.

"I don't think you will." McGee said. Tony looked at him. He had been fumbling with the car keys and had obviously not paid attention to what McGee had said.

"What's that McMumble?" McGee rolled his eyes and continued.
"I don't think you'll lose her again. Not if it comes down to her. Tony, she cares. The reason she left was because she cares and it scared her and she was scared she was gonna hurt you. The fact that she came back says something don't you think?"

Tony looked at him thoughtfully. "When did you become so wise McShrink." McGee chuckled slightly, than shook his head.

"All I wanted to say was yes, you should be careful because you both don't exactly have the best track record and this isn't something you should screw up, but…don't wait too long, Tony. Life's short." Tony nodded once, and McGee could see a smile start to spread over his face. Tony clapped McGee on the shoulder, said "Thanks!", opened the car door and got in, still smiling. This one reached his eyes for a change.

Yeah, I'm sorry this chapter didn't have any direct Tiva scenes, but the next one will, I promise. I'm sorry for any mistakes it's really late and I can hardly think, let alone write straight. Anyway, I will try to update again as soon as possible, and let me know what you think about this chapter. I love you guys, good night, I'm out