Another update? :O In less than two weeks? :O It's shocking.
Hopefully, this chapter will explain quite a few things. I also included Abby; I couldn't resist. It kind of acts as a filler, because after this, we can get down to the Tiva. Can I get a whoop?

Disclaimer: You know you're obsessed with NCIS when you write three pages on Weathering in a geography lesson, and realize you've written 'Weatherly' instead, each time.

Listening to: Be still, by The Fray

Tony stands, ready to address his friend or colleague or whatever, and ask her what the hell is happening. Because he's dumbfounded and intrigued and rather dazed, and nothing is making sense at this very moment.
Ziva slows to a stop right by his desk, a warm smile unfurled on her lips, her arms folding on top of the desk-divider. Then suddenly, he's put at ease- another thing this woman seems to do to him.

"You gonna... explain?" he asks her, determined to not sound as nervous as he somehow feels. She steps closer to the large window right near the bullpen, gesturing for him to follow.

"I tried to tell you earlier. When I was in Israel, I... worked for Mossad." his eyes widen at that, but to her chagrin she continues. "It was dangerous, all the time. Recently- just a few months ago- an incident occurred. Those high up in the agency realized that it could have been averted, had I worked to stop it. I was re-assigned. Since I had worked anti-terrorist operations with Jenny Shepard, NCIS seemed the most obvious choice. I am now a liaison officer."
She's smiling shyly, and he would tease her about it and welcome her to the Agency, were he not incredibly shocked right now. And entirely aware that his partner, Emily, has just returned and is currently being extremely un-subtle about eavesdropping.

"Well... welcome to NCIS, Ziva David."

The woman in question grins, taking the hand offered to her and sending a glare in Emily's direction. Tony pretends he didn't feel sparks as their fingers brushed, and pretends he's not secretly pleased Emily might just be getting what's been coming to her for a long, long time.

000000

Ziva leaves just moments later, to explore and find the team the Director mentioned, but she still feels distinctly alone. Tony has a job to do and a –frankly horrific- partner whose back he must have, and a team to whom he belongs. And a home.
Ziva doesn't have any of these. She will move from team to team, helping interpret things and utilise her vast list of contacts, and advise those inexperienced in their knowledge of Israel and the Middle East. She has no set job; no set partner; no set partner. And no set home.

Giving up on her short-lived quest, she wanders round the building, passing by many doors and quite a few desks. She gets a little lost in a thin, orange-painted corridor (what's with this agency and the colour orange?) and eventually walks down a staircase just to find an exit. Ending up at a laboratory with extremely loud music blaring out of its doors, she discovers an elevator and presses the button, deciding to head up to Tony's floor again. Maybe he'll give her a tour.
The elevator still doesn't arrive after a good three minutes, so she pushes the button again, a little more forcefully.

"Oh, that won't come down here. You'll have to take the stairs." a voice says out of nowhere, and Ziva spins round, clutching her lets go of it almost instantly. An eccentric-looking woman is leaning in the doorjamb of the noisy lab, arms folded and looking altogether amused. Looking her up and down, she discovers this unknown person is wearing an outfit dotted with pieces of metal, and models a pair of five-inch platform boots.
Ziva's losing her touch if she didn't hear this person move.

"And why won't it move?"she asks with a disbelieving chuckle.

"Gibbs is having a conference with McGee."
As if that explains anything, Ziva thinks.

"In the elevator?"

"You're new round here, right? I haven't seen you before, anyway. Gibbs always has his conferences in the elevator, more or less. McGee screwed up a little on the last case, by not answering Gibbs' calls at 3am. And 'cause Tony had just got back from his vacation, he couldn't get called in. Gibbs had to work the entire case with... Emily. I'm Abby Scuito, by the way. Forensics, in case the sign on the door didn't give it away."

With that, Abby wanders back into her lab, turning the music down a little as she walks. Ziva is sure an answer was in that reply somewhere; she'll just have to search for it. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she moves forward, observing the sign as she passes it. Following the platformed-woman, she asks what she thinks is a decent question.
"Who is Gibbs?"

"Geez, you really are new. Gibbs is the boss. Not, like, Director-boss, but he's the leader..." Abby trails off, presumably from the entirely confused look on Ziva's face. "Okay, do you know anyone here?" her voice isn't cruel, more as if she would like to help. Ziva doesn't hesitate as she replies,

"Tony DiNozzo."

"Tony? Wow, he talked to a girl who isn't a complete idiot. That's new." Abby clears her throat, as if to let that piece of knowledge settle in momentarily, before continuing, "Well, Gibbs is Tony's boss. Tony is in Team Gibbs."

"Well thank you, I believe I understand now." Ziva replies, blatantly still confused, with a quiet laugh, one that Abby joins in with. "I... should be going now, Abby. I'm Ziva, by the way. Ziva David." she turns and heads for the door, and Abby shouts,

"I like you, Ziva David. See you 'round."

Ziva turns round just in time to see the scientist pick up a large drinking cup, offering a small wave, which Ziva returns just as she leaves the lab. Abby's off-hand comment about Tony stays in her head somewhat, but she dismisses it. And as she walks away, the music turns itself up once more, making Ziva smile slightly. She likes Abby Scuito, too.
She takes the stairs, though, wanting to avoid the elevator for as long as possible. She's just arrived at NCIS, and would like to get as much done as she can before coming across this Gibbs man. He certainly sounds scary.

Her stomach is twisting in ways she didn't know it could, for reasons she can't explain, and that's something chilling her to the bone right now. Whatever it is, she's not sure she wants to understand it- she doesn't have a clue what she should do.

And that's something much scarier than the prospect of Gibbs.

How'm I doing so far?
-Kiera. x