Tony was watching her put on her boots, one at a time.
"You're welcome, Ziva." Tony said, as they sat in the car, he watching her buckle the last boot. Ziva looked at him, and looked back at her boots.
"I did not thank you, Tony." She said. Tony leaned back in his seat, in the NCIS parking lot, and saw Abby's red car. Where had she even gotten that from? "And anyway, you need a workout, although that didn't really count as one."
"You just thanked me, Ziva." Tony replied, stretching, and pulled the sedan out of the parking lot. "I only hear the stuff I wanna hear. Only the good stuff." He explained, smiling.
"I actually understand why Gibbs always slaps you on the back of the head." Ziva said, annoyed. Tony gave her an innocent look. "And do not give me that look."
"Well, finally!" Tony exclaimed, completely ignoring her last sentence. "I think the rest of the six billion, nine hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine people in the world realized that. But it's alright. You're not too far behind." He paused. "Only a coupl'a years slow."
"I am currently resisting the urge to slap you silly, you big oaf." She forced though gritted teeth.
"Big oaf? Are you trying not to call me something worse?" I appreciate it. Thanks." Tony said. "And 'slap you silly'? I think the real Ziva would say 'snap your neck' or 'break your back', not 'slap you silly'." Another pause. "You're getting mellow." Ziva smiled, leaning back in her seat. "Ziva?"
"Shh… I'm hearing only the good stuff, and you are just plain annoying." She closed her eyes. Her partner just rolled his eyes, and carried on driving.
… … …
They pulled up behind another black sedan, undoubtedly Gibbs'. "Oh great." Tony groaned. "What are they doing here?" they entered the stucco type house. Gibbs appeared from another room.
"Took you guys long enough." He remarked. Tony looked innocent.
"Ziva decided to re-lace her boots." He volunteered. A sharp, stinging slap was delivered to the back of his head, as Gibbs reached forward to knock the marbles out of his skull. Tony winced.
"Ya think I'm blind, DiNozzo? Ziva's boots don't have laces." Gibbs headed into another room, leaving Tony staring at Ziva's boots, which had buckles. He looked up at Ziva, dazed.
"Now that's my boss." Tony squeaked, staggering into the room. "Hey McGee. What are you guys doing here?" McGee looked up at them from the floor.
"I think the question should be: Why are you guys not here? Because the answer to your question is, 'We're here because you're not.' Didn't you bring your cell?" Tony reached into his pockets, pulled out his cell phone, and flipped it open.
"Oh. Battery's dead." McGee pursed his lips in an 'I knew it' way. "You should've called Ziva." He said, and pressed a few more buttons. "Hmm… I could've sworn that there was still battery just now." He added, thinking.
"I did call Ziva. Straight to voicemail." McGee explained wearily. "You know what one of Gibbs' rules is: Never be unreachable." Ziva pulled out her cell and flipped it open. She frowned.
"Don't tell me." Tony said, groaning sarcastically.
"Battery's dead." Ziva said. "I thought I'd charged it. And anyway, Tony used his cell to call Gibbs just now." She exchanged looks with the others. Tony grinned like a maniac.
"We have a case of the battery drainers." He cackled. Another slap was delivered to the back of his head, as Gibbs strolled past.
"Or the body snatchers." He said drily. "Which would explain why my team is doing anything but working." The trio exchanged looks again, and hurriedly scuttled off. Gibbs smiled to himself.
A/N Hi guys! Thanks for reading, and a very early happy holidays to you!:D Next chapter is coming right up after this, so be sure to read that too! Do review/follow/favorite, thanks!
-Eliza:)