The tell-tale ding of the elevator echoed onto the floor as the doors slid open. Inside were two people. The first was a beautiful, confident, Israeli woman with a smile on her face. The second a handsome man whose expression betrayed the fact that he had not had a good morning. Tony made a beeline for his desk and dropped into his chair, nursing his wounded pride.

He should know better by now than to challenge Ziva to something. But he never learned. At first it was the only thing that came to mind that they could do with their free hours that morning. So they'd started a knife throwing contest in her livingroom, aiming for the thick block of wood marked with a red bull's-eye. But his years at camp, though adequate, could not compare with a woman who had been groomed and trained by Mossad since she was a young girl.

After a loss of 60 to Ziva's 100 points, Tony still thought he could salvage some of his confidence and suggested the shooting range at work. He was a decent shot and thought he would do alright. Sure, it had been three years since Gibbs tested him and Kate and he shot the suspect's ear off, but Ziva was like a machine. Six targets later Tony gave up and refused to speak to her all the way upstairs. It didn't help that she was sitting across from him now, making no attempt to hide the grin of triumph on her face.

Ziva watched the turmoil and regret on Tony's face and chuckled to herself. This she could use against him for weeks whenever he tormented her. Revenge was sweet. But he was starting to look depressed and while she had wanted to deplete - no deflate? she wasn't sure - him a little, she didn't want him getting into a funk over his loss. So she decided to boost him up a bit.

"Don't worry Tony," Ziva smiled at him over her monitor, "I will give you a re-match someday."

Tony met her eyes and it took a minute, but a smile slowly spread over his face and the determination in his eyes came back. "You're on Ziva. I'll be practicing."

At that moment Gibbs walked by with a cup of coffee. "Haven't you learned yet Tony?"

Tony sat up straighter. "What do you mean Boss?"

Gibbs headslapped him with less force than normal. "Mossad will always trump cop. Try to remember that."

Ziva grinned and Tony shook his head, rubbing the back of it. "I'm not buying it. I still think I can take her."

Gibbs sighed. "And that's why you keep losing."

McGee came in and settled at his desk, looking in confusion at the other agents and checking his watch. No, he was definitely on time. Since when did Tony and Ziva get in before him?

Gibbs barely even looked up, holding a piece of paper. "Ziva, McGee."

The two agents looked up curiously, and Ziva reached for the paper as McGee left his desk to hear the rest.

"Dan Berkley's team needs someone to cover while they take a two hour rotation break from their surveillance. I've volunteered the two of you."

Tony looked up in protest. "Hey, what about me? Ziva's my partner, not McNerd's."

Gibbs stared his senior agent into silence and turned back to the other two. "Go. It's only ten minutes from here. I want you back here by 1630, no exceptions." He shooed them away and McGee and Ziva slowly picked up their packs. Gibbs tossed the keys and Ziva snatched them out of the air in delight.

"I am driving!"

"Oh Boss, not that, please not that!" McGee begged. But he got no sympathy from higher up and reluctantly followed Ziva to the elevator.

"Good luck Probie!" Tony smirked, only to be shut down by Gibbs' look. Tony put on his innocent look. "What?" he asked.

"Paperwork," Gibbs ordered. "Now."

Tony looked back at him computer and pouted. "I always get left behind."

"Trying to save you from premature death DiNozzo," Gibbs said. "If you've already ticked Ziva off this morning, I'm not giving you more of an opportunity to do it this afternoon. I can't afford for her to kill you."

"Would you miss me Boss?" Tony asked gleefully.

"Too much paperwork to get a new agent assigned," was Gibbs only comment. Tony took the hint and got back to work.

NCIS

An hour later Ziva and McGee were sitting in a car down the street from the house being watched, using binoculars to keep an eye on the activity and taking pictures of anyone they hadn't seen before. It was a very simple mission and after yesterday's case, McGee was grateful. Ziva, on the other hand, hated stakeouts and was getting bored.

Tim had been thinking about something important all morning. He'd wanted to ask Ziva a question somewhere Tony couldn't hear and he hadn't been sure how to get her alone. Now that they were stuck as partners for the afternoon, it seemed like the perfect time. It had taken him the last hour to work up the courage to ask her, but he finally made himself say the words.

"Uh, Ziva?" McGee asked nervously.

"Yes McGee?" Ziva answered, not paying much attention as she watched a man from the house packing boxes into the back of an SUV and wishing she knew what was inside.

Tim cleared his throat. "I have something I want to ask you."

Ziva turned to him then, taking in the way he shifted in his seat and the unsure look in his eyes. It seemed this was something serious.

She settled against the door and faced him. McGee had been her first partner, on the Civil War case the day she was assigned to NCIS as a Mossad Liaison. Over the years, she'd grown fond of the overgrown school boy and computer genius that was McGee. He had been the one to welcome her to the team and show her around the city when she was still getting acquainted with America and her new home in DC.

If she were ever to classify their relationship, she would call them friends, but really, Tim was the kind of person she would like to have for a brother. Yes, she often joined Tony in making fun of him, but she would kill anyone that tried to hurt him and Ziva knew he cared about her as well. So whatever his question was, she was prepared to take it seriously.

"What is it?" she asked, curious now.

McGee fiddled with the camera and avoided looking at her eyes. "Ziva, I was wondering...will you come with me, maybe on our lunch sometime soon, and help me look at rings for Abby?"

Ziva's eyes widened. "Are you going to ask her to marry you McGee?"

Tim's face heated and he risked glancing up at her, nodding slowly. "Yes."

She grinned. "That is so exciting!" The she frowned. "Do you not think it is a little soon? You have only been dating for two weeks."

McGee shrugged and finally met Ziva's eyes. "I know. But we've been waiting four years for this Ziva, two weeks seems like forever." He paused. "But I mean, I have to find the right ring first, and I have to plan it. I want my proposal to be something special, something Abby will remember forever. It's Abby, I can't do anything ordinary."

Ziva agreed. "That is wise. Abby deserves something special. Do you know when?"

McGee looked out the window, snapping a few more photos while he thought about the question. "Not right away. Maybe in a month. It's going to feel like years though, if I have it all planned and have to wait. Abby already knows it's going to happen sometime, but I want to make sure she's really ready for the next step before I actually ask her to make it with me."

Ziva put her hand over Tim's. "You are a good man McGee. I think Abby is very lucky to have someone like you, who loves her so much."

McGee gave her a look, like he knew something she did not. "Someday Ziva, that'll be you. You deserve someone to love you, someone who won't ever break your heart or go away. Trust me," he grinned, "it'll happen when you least expect it."

Ziva brushed off the comment, though it touched her, what McGee had said. She couldn't ever remember someone telling her she deserved to be loved. It made her wonder what it would be like. But as she looked at the love in McGee's eyes, Ziva thought how nice it would be, to be loved like that. It wasn't likely to ever happen to her, but it was a nice dream.

She smiled at her friend. "I will come with you McGee, just let me know when."

McGee's eyes lit up. "Thanks Ziva. I owe you one. Sarah would just be a little bit too high strung if I took her ring shopping with me. She screamed when I told her I was dating Abby again, I've had about as much college-girl enthusiasm as I can take. I'll let her see them when I've narrowed down the selection. I can't wait though, to see the look on Abby's face when I ask her." Tim was rambling now, he knew that, but he wasn't sure how to turn off the thoughts in his head.

"It will be worth the wait McGee, of that I am sure," Ziva finally said, then picked up the binoculars again to observe the objects of their surveillance.

NCIS

"Director Shepard," the security guard on the phone said, "there's a woman at the front doors who insists that she be allowed to come up and see you."

Jenny's forehead wrinkled. She wasn't expecting any visitors. "What's her name Mason?"

Mason looked back at the ID the woman had given him. "Rachel Wayne Ma'am."

Jenny had to stifle her laughter. "Thank you Mason, send her up."

"With an escort Director?" Mason asked

Jenny nodded. "Just so she doesn't get lost."

When the elevator doors opened minutes later, Jenny was waiting. "Rachel!" she scolded lightly, embracing her friend. "Why didn't you warn me you were coming?"

"What?" Rachel laughed. "So you could hide?"

Jenny nodded at Rachel's escort. Apparently Mason felt it necessary to send a member of her security detail up with her friend. "Thank you Aaron."

He nodded and returned the way he had come.

She turned her attention back to Rachel. "No silly, not so I could hide. But it would've been easier for you to get in if I'd left a guest pass for you at the front."

"Oh." Rachel shrugged. "Well, you know me, always a surprise."

"Yes you are," Jenny smiled. "It's great to see you. Gosh, it feels like forever."

"Four days and counting," Rachel replied cheerily as they entered Jenny's office. They sat down together on the couch.

"So, what are you doing here?" Jenny asked, curious. "I mean, I know I said you should come see the place but..."

Rachel leaned back into the cushions. "I only worked a partial day today. I'm still training and they have a big afternoon coming up with all the registrations for next semester." She chuckled. "I think they wanted the newbie out of the way for the rush and then they can show me what to do when it's slower tomorrow."

Jenny had already kicked off her heels and tucked her feet up under her, supporting her head on her hand. "How's the job so far Rach?"

Her friend brightened. "It's been great. Everyone there is so nice. Well," she rolled her eyes, "they're just a tiny bit uptight and focused, but I'm working on them."

Jenny laughed. "Oh dear. Heaven help them. They're about to be Rach-ified."

"Hey!" Rachel shoved Jenny's shoulder. "You survived it."

"Barely," Jenny grinned, revealing her teasing.

Rachel looked at her watch. "It's past lunch. Did you eat yet? I'm starved. I keep forgetting to eat meals on time."

"Shocking," Jenny said dryly. "This from the girl who would have breakfast for supper and make sandwiches in the middle of the night after she got back from dancing. Never mind that her roommate was desperately studying for exams."

"I make good sandwiches and you loved them!" Rachel retorted.

"Well, it's still no wonder your body is confused about meals."

"Anyhow," Rachel continued, ignoring Jenny, "can you take a lunch break or something? I saw this great café down the street that I'm dying to try - Cleo's?"

Jenny nodded. "I've been there several times. It's very nice."

"Great, so can you come?"

Jenny was trying to decide if this was actually for fun or so Rachel could check up on her eating habits. At last she nodded. "I guess. I just don't normally don't leave for lunch."

Rachel's eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. "Does that mean you don't eat lunch or," she grinned mischievously, "does that handsome husband of yours bring you lunch here?"

Jenny pretended to be looking around the room for something. "A little bit of both," she muttered quietly, then instantly tried to change the subject. "Can I tell you a secret?"

Prepared to start in on Jenny for not eating, Rachel fell for the bait and leaned forward. "Definitely. I love secrets."

"Yes, I know," Jenny said patiently, "but you have to keep this one."

Rachel wrinkled her nose. "I keep secrets very well thank you very much."

"Until someone pries it out of you," Jenny noted, having practiced her skill at this several times over the course of their years together in college. "But even if you are threatened with The Stare or heaven forbid, A Headslap, you may not under any circumstance spill this secret to my husband. Do you understand?"

Rachel held up three fingers. "Scout's honour."

"Which I'd believe if you had ever been a scout Rachel Ann."

Her friend frowned. "Don't you middle name me Jennifer Marie. Are you going to tell me or just keep me in suspense all day?"

Jenny briefly explained to Rachel about how she and Jethro had kept their marriage a secret for seven months, only revealing it to his agents, the team "family", a couple of weeks ago.

"So we had this little bet going on," Jenny smiled, "and I won. But I told him I'd save my reward for later. To be honest, I'd almost forgotten about the whole thing until this morning. Now I know exactly what I want as my prize."

"Yeah?" Rachel asked eagerly.

Jenny leaned closer and whispered the secret into Rachel's ear. Her friend's eyes widened. "Jennifer! Ooh...I think Jethro is going to like that."

Jenny shrugged. "I guess we'll see. I want to talk to him about it tonight." Suddenly Rachel's face lit up and Jenny looked at her suspiciously. "What? What is that look?"

Rachel grinned. "Forget lunch Jen. You and I are going to the mall for some 'girl therapy'."