Abby threw more clothes across her room as she became increasingly frustrated. What on earth did you wear to seduce a vampire? She didn't want to look too easy but then again she didn't want to seem like she wasn't interested. This wasn't like a little coffee date this was…well it was important. It was massive. It was potentially the biggest night of her life.

Where were her chains? Boots. Ok. But which ones? The platforms or the platforms with the flames down the sides? Pants? A skirt? Pants AND a tiny skirt over top? Leather? Tartan? Pleats?

It wasn't like her to be so indecisive but Lyric wasn't like anyone she had ever met before. Those deep dark brown eyes, that lop sided smile and his glorious hair which flopped over his forehead making her fingers itch to push it back. The fact that he was also a powerful immortal only added to his attraction.

Did Lyric have wings in his true shape like Dante did? Should she ask him to show her? Or would that be considered rude on their first 'date'? What was vampire/human dating etiquette anyway? She wished she was able to talk to McGee about some of her concerns. Soon. Soon she would be able to laugh with McGee over the funny ways of vampires. It would be their little secret that they got to share together.

Abby's mind danced around whirling through endless questions as she poured over her wardrobe, discarding item after item rapidly over her shoulder.

She had already checked that McGee and Dante would be occupied for the evening so they should be safe from prying eyes. Although thinking about it she should have stuck a tracking device in McGee's shoe or something. Just to be safe.

Abby paused and looked thoughtful as she considered how she could do it. Ok maybe she should try that Monday if everything went well.

Abby tried to remember what Lyric had been wearing when she had seen him in her dreams but all she could remember were his sweet teasing eyes. She looked up at the clock and muttered a curse. She was running out of TIME!

*****************************************************************

Lyric slowly twisted the thin silver wire between his fingertips. Hopefully he wouldn't have to produce any more of those ridiculous roses anymore. This romance was starting to get on his nerves. All the smiling and trying to pretend he was fond of her was making him want to gag.

Lyric pulled on the wire and felt it bite into his flesh and imagined it working its way into the dream walker's pale and elegant throat while she twisted and screamed in anguish.

Much better.

Oh yes soon his playtime would be over and the real games could begin.

*******************************************************************

What are you doing? Tim hissed at Dante in his mind and Dante flicked his pale hand impatiently at him as he seemed to disappear into the shadows of the dark corridor.

Are you stealing? From the Museum?

Dante turned and frowned at him.

I do not know how it could be considered stealing. It is practically my sword and I'm simply borrowing it back for a while. They can have it back when I'm dead. I'll put it in my will.

But you're not going to die!

Well that is their problem isn't it? Now stop following me. You are going to get caught and how is that going to look to Gibbs?

Tim huffed and stopped in the shadows beside a suit of armor, feeling trapped. He couldn't believe he was doing this. Dante had been so eager to see the new Roman Exhibition at the Museum he had been almost bubbling with excitement. He had eagerly got them tickets to the premiere and had been going on about it for days.

Tim could understand his excitement. To see so many items that reminded him of the last time he had been human and to be able to explain them to his Companion was a dream come true to Dante.

And then he had seen the sword.

"Gladius" Dante had whispered reverently and Tim had turned to look at him, surprised at his change in tone.

It was in a glass case on the third floor. Tim had felt Dante's excitement through their bond. It wasn't just any old roman sword. It was a sword from Dante's own legion. The ornate scrolled brass and timber scabbard showed its owners allegiance from the numbers and dragons head it featured. The hilt was cracked and worn smooth from use. A Centurions sword. It had even been found in an area that Dante himself had once patrolled.

And Dante wanted it.

It's not actually your sword Dante!

Tim called out to Dante silently hoping to somehow convince him not to break the law and who knows how many security procedures. Getting arrested for Art Theft was not how he had planned to spend his Friday night.

It might be! Now go away and meet me down stairs. I can not be seen on security cameras but you can and you look suspicious! Go down and meet back up with the rest of the tour so they don't come looking for us.

Tim sighed and peered down the hallway wondering what he could do to stop Dante. It was too late. The Vampire had already vanished into the dark. Not good. This was NOT good. Tim stuck his hands in his pockets and tried to look nonchalant as he walked back towards the rear stairs and towards the tour group. How did you look like you weren't up to something when you plainly were?

******************************************************************

Tony sighed and flicked another peanut into his… was it third empty glass? Life sucked. It really wasn't fair. Here he was alone again on another Friday night.

Well he didn't have to be alone. Ziva had asked him if he wanted to come over to her place later but THAT just lead him right back to sitting on this stupid bar stool in this stupid bar on this stupid Friday night with the stupid peanuts.

And where was McGee? Was McGee being a buddy and consoling him and making him feel better about his crappy lonely life? No he wasn't. McGee was with his super freaky blood sucking boyfriend having a great time and probably lots of sex.

It really wasn't fair. He had always worried about the whole Rule Twelve thing and about taking risks with relationships and exposing the carefully balanced Jenga blocks that made up the intricacies of Anthony DiNozzo. And where had it got him?

Alone.

And Mister throw caution to the wind, fall in love with anything that moved and yet didn't have a heartbeat McGee had come out as essentially GAY to GIBBS and what had happened?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing. There were no big exploding cars, no bullpen shouting matches, no crazed mob carrying pitchforks and flaming torches. No one had really noticed.

McGee was deliriously happy, Gibbs seemed happy for him and even Abby seemed to have some secret admirer thing going on. And where did this leave him?

Alone.

Tony angrily flicked another peanut and considered that perhaps he had had more then the three drinks. Maybe it was closer to five. And the beers before that.

Ziva.

Tony sighed as he considered the way her hair would curl around his fingers when she leaned into him. She had a beautiful smile and she would watch him like he was her prey hypnotizing him with her big dark eyes. Tony grinned dreamily. He loved it when she pounced on him.

Why couldn't he be the one who was happy for a change? Gibbs thought McGee was gay how bad could it be if he found out about him and Ziva? Maybe Gibbs would be fine with it? Ok so there might be the whole elevator talk and the make sure it doesn't affect work bit. But really compared to getting drunk and talking to peanuts in a bar how bad could it be?

Tony thought carefully as he balanced blearily on his stool. He had a thought…yup just give it a second……..Oh yeah.

Rule Twelve had been created to make sure the team was focused and they didn't have to worry about the distraction of a relationship between team members and the eventual fallout of the relationship breaking down.

BUT if he was already being 'distracted' by his NON relationship with Ziva then he owed it to Gibbs to get together with Ziva and get his mind back in the game and on work.

Tony nodded proud of his logic. Gibbs might even thank him for being so responsible?

His decision made Tony felt immediately happier. He should have done this a long time ago. Right peanut he was going to go to Ziva's and he was going to tell her he loved her and that he didn't mind if anyone knew about it.

Maybe he should stand outside her window like in Streetcar Named Desire and just shout out her name until she came to the window? Maybe tear his shirt off in anguish?

'Ziva!'

"Ziva!'

Excellent movie. Tony smiled. AND that made him Marlon Brando. The young buff version not the old fat one…although he was excellent as the Godfather. Tony grinned again as he said goodbye to his remaining peanut friends and tried to get his jacket on over his arm.

"Hello sailor"

Tony looked up to see the most beautiful red headed woman he had ever seen caressing him with burning eyes. He blinked and swayed for a minute.

"Ah hi "

"I've been watching you and I'm very interested in getting to know you better"

Tony grinned fuzzily. Yup he still had it. He was so hot. Ziva was one lucky girl.

"Look you are an amazing looking woman but…… not tonight. I have just made an important decision. Tonight I have to go and see someone I …"

The red headed woman put a finger against his lips and shushed him leaning in closer and Tony halted mesmerized. He was going to do…something….It was important. It was…..

Tony couldn't remember as the woman stared at him intensely with a smirk. Were her eyes spinning? Or was it the room?

"Hey Baby. How about you come with me? I will keep you warm and stop you from getting lonely"

Tony found himself following after her even though he didn't remember asking his legs to move. She would warm him? That didn't make sense. Her fingers felt as cold as ice. He had been going somewhere warm. Before.

What was he thinking about? Oh yeah The Godfather.

Tony snickered. Perhaps the red head had made him an offer he couldn't refuse?