A/N: Ah. The idea that started it all. :) This was the one shot I first thought of, and it inspired me to write all of the other ones. Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?


"Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?"
- Glitter in the Air by P!nk


Genuine

Tony looked around the bullpen with a small smile on his face. A small tornado had just blown through and the bullpen had taken the worst damage. McGee's computer had an eraser-drawn heart on the screen and a hastily scribbled 'Wet Paint!' sign taped onto his chair. Ziva's desk had drawings scattered on it, all labeled, 'To Miss NCIS Agent Lady'. Gibbs' current coffee cup was covered with butterfly and star stickers and he had a few drawings of his own littered on the desk.

Tony glanced down at his own desk and smiled. Everything of his had been cleared off his desk and tucked into drawers. It was now covered with stacks of printer paper, glitter pens and jars, markers, stickers and crayons.

"Tony, Tony!" A tiny voice squealed just before a pink and purple blur launched itself into his arms.

He laughed, "Hey Sara!" as he caught the small, blonde-haired child before she flew straight past him and collided with his file cabinet. She quickly wrapped her small, thin arms around his neck and stared into his face.

"I'm bored." Sara declared, her face transforming into a pout.

"Oh, is that so?" Tony asked, teasingly, reaching around to tickle her, "I can fix that!"

"No, no!" She giggled, trying squirming away from Tony's dancing fingers and successfully wiggling her way out of his arms.

Tony grinned at her freckled face, now pink with laughter, as she tried, unsuccessfully, to pout again without breaking into giggles.

"Abby will be back soon. Why don't you color me another picture?" He encouraged, picking up the small girl and depositing her on his chair.

"No." She stuck out her bottom lip and crossed her arms defiantly.

"Oooo-kay," Tony drawled, glancing around the room for something that would entertain his young charge until Abby got back. He grinned as an idea suddenly popped up into his head. He quickly made his way over to Ziva's desk and, pushing the drawings out of the way, climbed upon it. He scanned the room, and once he was satisfied that there would be no witnesses – especially the cleaning crew – he hopped back down.

"Grab the glitter and c'mere," Tony commanded, pointing to Sara. She quickly complied, snagging the jar and climbing once more into Tony's waiting arms. Tony stood and held out one hand to Sara, "Okay, now pour some glitter in my hand." She did, pouring some of the multi-colored glitter into his palm.

"What are we doing, Tony?" She asked, her voice excited.

"You'll see," Tony smiled, "Now close your eyes," he instructed, "And don't open them until I say!"

"Okay!" she smiled and slid her crystal blue eyes shut.

Tony glanced around the room before sliding his eyes shut too. "Okay," he murmured, "Now!" He tossed the glitter into the air and they both opened their eyes. Sara gasped, her blue eyes wide with wonder as she looked at the rainbow floating down around them. Tony smiled a genuine smile as he watched her outstretch her arms, absurdly happy that she was happy. Acting on impulse, he spun her in a circle, his smile turning into a rich laugh as he listened to the pure mirth in her giggles.


Abby stood by the elevator, watching the scene unfold. She had been about to butt in when Sara refused to color, but ducked behind the wall by the elevator when Tony clambered up on Ziva desk. She watched him curiously as he called the girl over, with the jar of glitter grasped in her little fists. When she realized what he was going to do, she too glanced around, looking for the cleaning crew. And that's when she noticed the dark shadow lurking on the other side of the elevator wall.

"Gibbs!" She whispered, gesturing him over with one hand as she returned her gaze to Tony and Sara.

Still, she started in surprise when Gibbs whispered in her ear, "It's a good thing he looked out for the cleaning crew or I'd have another murder on my hands."

"Naw," she whispered back, never taking her eyes off Tony as he slid his eyes shut, "He'd outrun 'em."

She gasped and clasped her hands as Tony threw the glitter up. Her eyes welling up at both Tony's and Sara's reactions, a small smile curving her lips as she listened to Sara's giggles and Tony's rich, genuine laugh – one she hadn't heard for a long time.

Tilting her head in Gibbs' direction, she whispered, "Have you heard him laugh like that?"

Gibbs shook his head and paused before whispering back a response that mirrored her own thoughts, "Not for a while."

They stood watching for a moment before Abby turned on Gibbs in a slightly louder whisper, "Told ya." He glanced down at her outstretched hand.

A small, real smile graced his lips as he handed over the extra-large Caf-Pow.

Abby snatched it, greedily sipping at the straw.

Gibbs gave her a one-armed hug, and with a quiet, "Good job Abs," he headed towards the elevator, allowing himself one last look at Tony's unguarded face before stepping into the elevator.


A/N: This story is dedicated to Ashley, my 'Sara'. Dance on, honey. :) Starkid and I miss you. 3

So, what did Abby and Gibbs bet on? Any ideas? :D