The next morning, I woke up earlier than I had intended. My shift at the bookstore didn't start until ten and it was only six-thirty, so I had plenty of time to catch up on some things that had been piling up for weeks now.

After a thirty minute run around my neighborhood, I began de-cluttering all the junk that had accumulated around my apartment—drink cans, fast food containers, magazines, books, and sheets of notebook paper that I'd written down my thoughts on. I threw everything into a garbage bag, then got a dust rag out of the closet and went over every flat surface.

As soon as that was done, I took a shower and put on some makeup quickly, then let my hair dry while I ran a vacuum cleaner around the apartment and cleaned up all the dirty dishes in the sink. My place was definitely looking much better already.

The clock said 9AM, so I quickly pulled on my work clothes and grabbed my bag from beside the door. I had regained my energy to life.

When McGee arrived at the office that morning, he beat Tony, but not Ziva or Gibbs.

"How did your date with Elle go?" Ziva asked curiously, looking up from her computer screen.

"It was great," McGee told her, turning to Gibbs. "By the way, Boss, that restaurant you suggested was great. The food was excellent."

Gibbs smirked a little, as if he knew something Timothy didn't. "Glad you enjoyed yourself, McGee."

"Good morning, everyone!" Tony called, entering the bullpen. He saw McGee and immediately zoned in on him. "Tell me everything, Probie. Did she leave in the middle of dinner? Did you actually have the nerve to talk to her?"

"No, Tony, she did not leave in the middle of the meal. Actually, we had a very interesting conversation over dinner. Then, we walked down the street and got ice cream at a candy shop."

"Who recommended the ice cream?" Tony wanted to know, scoffing at the idea.

"I did, DiNozzo," Gibbs spoke up.

"Sorry, Boss," Tony apologized, looking for an escape from what he'd just said. Ziva hid her laughter and McGee smirked triumphantly.

"How do you plan to follow up, McGee?" Ziva asked curiously. "Did you ask her out again?"

"Not yet," McGee replied. "But, now that you mention it, maybe I'll send her some flowers."

"Flowers? After a first date?" DiNozzo exclaimed. "Are you out of your mind?"

"No, Tony," Tim replied. " I think I might be falling in love."

I'd been working at the reference desk for an hour when a young man walked up to me. He was carrying a beautiful orchid in a brightly colored pot.

"I have a delivery for Elle Charlton and the lady up front told me that she worked back here," he announced.

"I'm Elle Charlton," I told him.

"These are for then." He handed me the flower and made me sign his clipboard. Once he was gone, I stared at the beautiful flower in awe. Sweet McGee! I loved orchids more than any other flower. A card was stuck into a plastic stake and I opened it quickly.

Dear Elle, I hope you're having a great day. Should we get together tomorrow night and write some? I can't wait to see you again. McGee.

I sighed and when I looked up, found myself surrounded by several of my female co-workers.

"You got flowers?" one of them exclaimed. "Who from?"

"Have you got a new guy, girl? Good for you!" another congratulated me.

A short time after he'd called the local florist, McGee got a txt message.

Elle: These orchids are incredible! That was so sweet!

McGee: I hoped you would like them. So, will you come over to my place and

write with me tomorrow night?

Elle: Hmm...I guess so...:-) Of course! Anything I can bring?

McGee: Your laptop, so we can both write at the same time.

"How did she like the flowers?" Ziva asked, hearing McGee's phone beep several times as they rode to a crime scene.

"She loved them," McGee replied happily.

"Flowers after a first date." Tony rolled his eyes. Truth be told, he was jealous of McGee's good luck. Why did Probie get the beautiful blonde? Why was McGee the one sending flowers to the damsel in distress? It wasn't fair!

Ziva could see that her partner was upset about something, but she wasn't sure what it was. He had been different ever since his undercover assignment with Jeanne and then, after the director had died and he'd been sent to the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, she was convinced that he'd grown up some. She vaguely wondered if Tony was jealous that he wasn't the one dating Elle Charlton.