50 Sentences Expanded

4. Last – Tony glanced around at the faces surrounding him, choking in disbelief: how could he be the last to know?

It took a lot for a man with the caliber of Anthony DiNozzo to admit he felt betrayed and left out. But come on, give him some credit. Everyone but him had been invited into Ziva's home, and everyone but him had been allowed into the circle that was Ziva's friends.

She had cooked for them all. Perhaps on different occasions, but the fact remained: never once had Tony been thought of or invited. It hurt.

Many truths had emerged during their time spent trapped together in box. Certain truths were ones Tony hadn't minded sharing, while others he was probably going to regret telling her. Tony had known that Ziva's childhood had not been one of the greatest support and love, so that wasn't news to him.

What bothered him was that she did not include Tony as a confidant. They were partners and, he had thought, friends. But when Gibbs himself had admitted to eating one of Ziva's dinners Tony knew he had been placed in an inaccessible category all his own. His admission into this category denied him certain rights as Ziva's friend.

He wanted her to understand how disappointed and hurt he was, without him having to tell her.

Sitting at his desk with his arm in a sling he tried to convey the hurt. Tony glanced around at the faces surrounding him, choking in disbelief: how could he be the last to know?

Had they spent the dinners laughing at him and making jokes at his expense because he had no idea what was going on? They didn't seem the kind of people to do such a thing, but Tony knew he deserved it as punishment for his continual abuse and practical jokes.

Perhaps Ziva had felt bad when she had offered to cook for him. That must have been the only reason she invited him in the first place; because she felt sorry for him.

Sitting in the car on the way to Tony's apartment, Ziva didn't speak. They made a quick stop at a market where she had run in and purchased what she needed for the dinner.

Tony sat alone in the car and fumed. Upon her return, he was ready to tear into her, but her words stopped him.

"I'm sorry, Tony." Her words had escaped as mere whispers, and Tony wasn't entirely sure he had heard them at all until she turned to him.

"I'm sorry for not inviting you sooner. I did not think you would come." She put her hands on the steering wheel but did not start the ignition.

Tony stared at her. "You didn't think I would come?"

"No. It seemed to me that you were always going out with some woman and that having dinner with your coworkers was not something you would be interested in."

"How could have known that? You never asked."

Ziva turned her head a gazed at him, her face impressively impassive. "You are right. I assumed. I was incorrect. I'm sorry."

Tony continued glaring, but after she had started the car and they were back on the road, he realized that her apology was sincere.

"I don't mind hanging out with my coworkers. I used to have dinner with Kate all the time."

She remained silent and a thought occurred to Tony. She knew. She knew that he had been attached to Kate, that they had been close friends. It made Tony accept a new respect for Ziva, realizing that she hadn't wanted to replace Kate.

She helped him up the stairs into his building, and once he was settled on the couch she entered the kitchen to begin preparing dinner.

"Ziva?" Her head appeared around the kitchen doorway.

"Yes? Do you need something, Tony?"

He shook his head. "You could never replace her."

She didn't reply, and Tony couldn't read her expression.

"You're different and that's a good thing. I wouldn't want you to replace her."

"I…"

"But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to be friends."

Her mouth snapped shut, and she smiled. She approached the couch but did not sit.

"I would like to be your friend."

Tony smiled back, and settled himself back into the couch more comfortably. "Well, dinner's always a good start."

Her smile stretched into a smirk, and gave him a playful smack on the leg. Tony pretended to gasp in pain, but she didn't acknowledge it, just returned to the kitchen.

He hated to be so predictable, but as always, there was a movie quote for the situation.

The start of a beautiful friendship indeed.

A/N: This expansion was requested by TechnoMistress. I hope you all liked! Review and let me know!

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Disclaimer: NCIS is the property of Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill.