Sep 28
Friendship begins with liking or gratitude. – George Eliot, Daniel Deronda
Tim wasn't entirely sure when he had become friends with Ziva, but he knew he had warmed to her before the others.
He had always liked to give people a chance, to treat people as he liked to be treated, and so he had helped her out from the start. After all, she was in a strange new country and was bound to experience some problems.
It didn't take him long to decide he liked her. She could stand up to Tony and Gibbs, was a very kind person herself and she was thankful for his assistance. He helped her unpack her belongings into a new apartment and showed her the local area.
As her way of thanking him, she cooked. And she was a good cook. She would make him eat something homemade, a rare luxury for him given his odd working hours. He simply did not have the time to cook with Gibbs as his boss.
But Ziva would let nothing faze her. She adapted rapidly to her new surroundings and always wanted to know more. She looked after him in her own way. When he saw everyone else giving her the cold shoulder, he was even more determined to be there for her.
He thought of her as an older sister. She protected him, yet teased him. She could be as friendly back to him, yet she snapped at times. They cared for each other in a platonic way.
He smiled as he thought of her. He would rather be her friend than her enemy.