Jolly Frost

Christmas in DC had been white and cheerful for the past few years. However this year bought a hard frost and low spirits amongst the snowed in residents of the metro area and beyond. Ziva arrived at work. Early as usual. She kicked her car door shut and breathed warm air on to her hands before slinging her bag on and sliding the flat wrapped present from under her arm.

Upon arriving in the squad room, Ziva dropped the present in the basket for the children and then headed to her desk. The squad room was empty. The others were off for Christmas break anyway. She had already turned down Tony's request to spend Christmas together, claiming that she would be more use getting some work done. She took her seat and booted up her computer. After just a few minutes she looked up from her work to the sound of footsteps. Abby was skipping towards her in high spirits.

"Ziva! What are you doing here? It's 3 days till Christmas and Gibbs is making you guys work?"

"Abby I don't celebrate Christmas." she smiled "McGee has been given time off and so has Tony. Why are you here?"

Abby shook her head and sat on Gibbs desk. She looked disconcerted as she clicked her tong.

"Abby?"

"Presents Ziva. What am I going to get you guys for Christmas?"

Ziva sighed in revelation. Of course it was only a few days until this stressful event known as Christmas. Abby always had trouble trying to give out gifts to her co-workers and also her dearest friends.

"McGee and Tony are not hard to buy for. Tim has similar interests to you. Except for the fact that he is an elf lord on an online game."

Abby nodded and pulled on her pigtails. Still in thought.

"Tony likes movies and cheesy merchandise from them. But also under his exterior he has more simple likes. Snow. American traditions." her eyes became misty as Abby stated at her. A little confused.

"Uh, I should get Tony snow?" Abby raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. No. I was just giving you an idea." she was now thinking how important this invitation had been to Tony. But she had just looked over it as a playful gesture.

"Abby I am sorry I have to be somewhere." Ziva stood up and pulled on her jacket. "Good luck with your Christmas shopping."

Abby waved and smiled at Ziva as she continued to ponder on her thoughts. Ziva left the building and then the navy yard in a hurry.

Christmas Eve was a DiNozzo speciality. Tony had pulled out ally he stocks this year when he got wind that Ziva and Taylah would accompany him. Then he was thrown in to a panic when Abby and McGee asked themselves over. He was thrown in to hyperventilation when someone suggested they invite Gibbs. Ziva saved him by reminding them all that Gibbs had shipped himself off to Stillwater to visit his father.

Tony was keen to make Ziva and Taylah's first Christmas as wonderful as he possibly could. He had decorated every inch of his apartment and sent loud Christmas tunes through the house as he plated up the turkey. 5PM on Christmas Eve and Tony was ready to go and feeling relaxed. This was helped by the glass of wine he held.

Ziva and her long service visitor Taylah arrived first as planned. They were amazed by the music and lights and delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. They both had questions about everything however Ziva held hers back. Afraid her lack of education would make her look stupid in this tradition which was obviously important to Tony. She observed everything with a gleam in her eye. She drank up the tree and the twinkling fairy lights. Tony took her jacket from her and hung it by the door alongside his own. Taylah was now flicking and prodding the ornaments in the tree. Tony watched her painfully. Hoping she wouldn't knock and break an heirloom or something priceless.

"Tony this is beautiful!" Ziva sighed still looking around the room "Thank you for inviting us."

"Thank you for coming." he smiled down at her wide eyed fascination. "You're early."

"Yes. I wanted to help you cook." she wandered off to the kitchen as Tony hung back his eyes back on Taylah. He quickly reached forwards to grab a particularly fancy ball-ball to save it from being broken before he followed Ziva.

They finished preparing the meal and Taylah set the table for five as the others were due to arrive soon. Once the doorbell rang and Taylah jumped up to get the door for Abby and McGee, Ziva turned to Tony.

"Christmas is best with you." she smiled at him and kissed him gently. He looked down at her. Surprised. She pointed upwards. "Mistletoe."

"Ah you have done some research haven't you?" he smiled down at her. Then they broke apart once they heard Abby's voice.

Dinner was a joyous event. The food and company were perfect and the mood was pleasantly calm as they enjoyed desert. Taylah had been sent to bed. In Tony's spare room. The others had no remarks at the fact that Ziva and Taylah were staying over. They did exchange knowing glances however.

Tony held up his glass of Tokay and announced "Christmas is best with family." he exchanged a look with Ziva and they all drank up.

"Well we better get going." Abby yawned at around midnight. "We don't want to... Ah. Keep you." she gave Ziva a wink and stood up.

"Tony I have to say everything was great." McGee grinned

"Thanks for inviting us." Abby waved and grabbed her coat. Soon they were gone. Tony and Ziva did some mild clean up control. But Tony stopped after a few minutes.

"We better get to bed. Or else Santa won't come." He pouted and took her hand

"You really believe in all that stuff?" Ziva asked.

"Don't you?" he winked and led her to his room

They stripped down to underwear but had to dive under the covers for warmth.

"Is it tonight?" she asked him.

He sighed and pulled himself closer to her. He rested his head on hers. "Ziva." he muttered.

"Tony it shouldn't be much different. We have done it before." she winked slyly at him.

"I know. But this time it's real. Before it was real. A bit. For me." He struggled to explain why he was refraining from taking their physical relationship further. To the level they had already met but without the emotional strings attached. This time Tony felt it would be considerably different and he wanted to make it special.

"Tony. It's Christmas." Ziva gently smiled at him in the dark and twisted a switch on the bed side. Dozens of fairy lights came to light around the room. Ziva hugged Tony close and pointed out the window. "It's snowing."

Now he realized that his Christmas wishes had come true. A dinner with the woman he loved and snow. Tony pulled Ziva over. He was filled with a calm feeling and as he and Ziva lay in each other's arms once more he felt completely in control as he laid Ziva back and kissed her close around her neck as they came together again.

In the early hours of the morning. When it was still dark. When the snow had frozen hard and new flakes began to fall. Ziva lay awake by Tony's side. And she heard the slight sound of bells on a sleigh.

K

YES THEY HAD SEXYTIME! Merry Christmas all. More sooooon!