Tony sat in the lobby, watching McGee fill out a hospital form on why they had to trash the hospital's MRI machine. McGee twirled the pen in his hand with a look of hard concentration gracing his face. Tony, feeling remorse for what he said, decided to relieve him of the paperwork duty. The pop on the back of the head he received from Gibbs must've altered his perceptions.
"McGee, why don't you let me fill this out for you?" he said. McGee handed over the file with a questioning look on his face.
"Why this sudden change of heart Tony?" he asked.
"Well, you weren't the one to tell the techs to turn on the machines and you weren't watching when the machine exploded. And don't worry, I wont tell anyone about your little romantic escapades with Abby. Just remember, next time someone tries to blackmail you, do what I do." he said.
"And what's that Tony?" McGee asked.
"Deny, deny, deny." he said. McGee laughed and threw his pen on the table towards Tony. He left the lobby, passing Ziva on the way out.
"Tony, could I talk to you for a second?" she asked.
"Sure Ziva, I always make time for my favorite Mussad agent." Tony said with a smile on his face. He made room on the small couch he was sitting on and Ziva sat next to him, trying to keep a little distance between the two of them.
"It's about us." she said.
"Us? Ziva, I thought there wasn't really an us." he said. Ziva stared straight forward, into the crowd of people passing by. She didn't know what exactly to say to Tony to not make her seem desperate.
"I was wondering if maybe you would like to try us' out. You know, try to see if there is anything there. That way we can put everything to rest." she said.
"You mean you want to try and date?" he asked, looking at her.
"Yes, I mean date. But I want everything to go slow. I don't want to rush anything since we still need a good working relationship." she said.
"Are you sure you're going to be able to resist me?" he asked.
"Tony." she said and punched him in the shoulder.
"Sorry, sorry. I would love to try and see if there is any us'. And I will take things slow. Nothing is worth doing unless you do it right." he said and gently held her hand. A smile eased onto Ziva's lips and for once, she felt at ease with her relationship with Tony.
Gibbs laughed a little as he watched Tony grab Ziva's hand. Crazy it seems, but it looked as if they were going to be able to work things out. He saw McGee, hidden away in the corner, making a phone call. He suspected he was calling Abby, letting her know how everything went. He knew what Tony had been talking about earlier. He too had also seen Abby and McGee kissing in the hallway, but like Tony had chosen to stay in the shadows.
"Agent Gibbs?" came Lauren's voice from behind him.
"Yes, Lauren, what can I do for you?" he asked. He took a sip of his coffee and Lauren sat next to him. The table they were sitting at was not visible to the other three agents, making it easier for McGee to spy on them.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving me." she said.
"It was nothing. I take it your okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, the doctors gave me a once over and just said to take the rest of the week off of work to make sure I don't stress out much. What are you looking at?" she asked, following Gibbs' vision line to McGee, then to Ziva and Tony.
"I'm watching them. You know I have a feeling you had something to do with all this." he said and turned towards her.
"You mean matchmaking. It's an old habit of mine. You know what they say about old habits dying hard. I'm sure you don't want to hear about it." she said.
"Actually I would love to hear about it. Why don't we go grab some lunch and you can tell me how you worked your magic. I know this small restaurant down the street with the best burgers." he said.
"Agent Gibbs, are you asking me on a date?" she said, putting a coy smile on her face.
"Maybe, why don't we see what happens." he said. He helped her up and walked towards the door with her arm in his, "And why don't you call me Jethro."