NCIS Squad Room. Late evening. Several weeks later.
Staring at her computer screen Ziva David finds her mind starting to wander again to the question that she has been puzzling over on and off for the past few weeks. What on earth could straws or as Abby would say thin polystyrene tubes have to do with camels? Then raised voices from across the room interrupt her thoughts.
"It was not me Tony. You had it last."
"No.I distinctly remember you had it."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"What are you two arguing about?"
"That file we couldn't find this morning. Probie here is claiming I had it last." Tony glares at McGee.
"But didn't you find that file?"
"Yes we did Ziva but that is not the point."
"Then what is the point Tony?"
"The point is that it was not me who misfiled it. It was not my mistake."
"Well Tony it was not mine either." McGee glares at Tony.
"Would you like my advice?"
"No" they respond simultaneously.
"I think that since the file was found it does not matter who misfiled it and you two should make up; should bury the hatchet as it were." The guys stare at her in amazement that she has used the expressions correctly.
"What?"
"Congratulations Ms Malaprop that was perfect. Come on probie it's time to bite the bullet and get this over with." Tony and McGee begin to gather their gear.
"Where are you going?
"Have to check out some information at the Records Center in Norfolk but it's from so long ago we have to go down in person to manually search through the files. We're heading out tonight so we can get on it first thing in the morning."
"Good luck." As they leave the conversation resumes.
"It's my turn to drive."
"No, it isn't."
"Yes, it is."
Ziva returns to her work.
NCIS Elevator. A sort time later.
Ziva steps into the elevator and smiles upon seeing it's occupant is alone.
"Good evening Director Shepard. Are you heading home?"
"Yes."
Ziva flicks the emergency stop switch.
"I think you've been spending too much time with Gibbs. I do have an office you know."
"I wanted to speak to you in private" responds Ziva looking uncharacteristically nervous.
"I have a small problem and I need your help."
"Ziva what is it you've done?"
"I... that is...it is like this..." she stutters.
"Have you had another accident in an NCIS car?"
"No and that last one was not my fault."
"I know. Have you used up all the stationery torturing suspects or your colleagues?"
Ziva gives a small smile. "I am afraid it is much more serious than that Director."
Jenny thinks a moment then gasps "Have you finally given in to the urge to kill DiNozzo?"
Of course if Ziva had done so she would do all she could to support her after all she had saved her life in Cairo but the paperwork...oh the paperwork would be horrendous.
"No, although I won't deny I have been tempted and the problem is related to him. Today he said congratulations Ms Malaprop and then he said something to McGee about biting bullets. I do not understand Jenny. Was it an insult? That would not surprise me coming from him. And why would anyone want to bite a bullet? Is it a way to tell something about it? Like type or if it's been used or not? Or is it about taking a bullet for someone else? And why would Tony or McGee have to? Is Gibbs in trouble again?"
Smiling at her friend and trying not to laugh Jenny attempts to explain.
"Biting the bullet just means to finally undertake an unpleasant task and far from insulting you Officer David DiNozzo was complimenting you."
"He was?" Ziva asks the doubt in her mind evident in her voice.
"Yes. A malapropism is a comical confusion of words and if he was congratulating you I'm guessing you used an expression correctly."
"Two actually. Making up and burying the hatchet." Ziva smiles proudly.
"Well done Officer David." Jenny flicks the emergency switch and elevator moves. The doors open and she steps out calling back over her shoulder as she does so "Goodnight Ziva."
"Goodnight Jen."
As Ziva steps from the elevator she is smiling. Tony had actually paid her a compliment, she had used two expressions correctly and learnt the meaning of a third. This had been a good day in her attempt to learn American idioms. Now if she could only figure out that whole camels and straws thing...