Title: Favourite Friend
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (same as the show, nothing explicitly naughty)
Disclaimer: I am an unmotived beauty consultant and frazzled barista who does not own NCIS, it belong to its creator, network, writers, actors, actresses and other people who bring it to life weekly, I make no money from having fun with these characters, just some much needed sanity. I also do not own the song which helped this fic to grow it belongs to Katie Rox, and likely SOCAN.
Summary: Tony goes to pick up Ziva from the airport after she buries her father, but she doesn't want to go home.
Notes: It's time to tell the rest of the team… but how are they gonna do it? *Yawn* so beat… Reviews are good for your soul.
"…I want you by my side, want you here with me, You're all I need…"
Both Ziva and Tony had been trying to figure out how to tell their friends about their new relationship since Gibbs had seen them together. They didn't want to tell them at work, so finally after a long case they all agreed since they needed to eat they should all go together, even Palmer and Ducky were able to join the group. The couple knew that they would not get a better opportunity to come clean. They went to a small Italian place and were soon seated. Even with everyone there they didn't know how to tell their friends the truth. Part of them wanted to act like nothing had changed but they knew they would not get a chance like this before Tony officially moved.
They had all ordered drinks, which had arrived, but were still trying to decide on their food orders. Without even realising it, Tony reached over to take Ziva's hand. She looked up from the menu, instead of giving him look to warn him, she ended running her fingers along his cheek smiling at him. Tony took his free hand and cupped her cheek, and she relaxed into the embrace, her eyes closing. Abby Scuito was stretching her neck unconsciously when she saw them out of the corner of her eye. She knew the way they were looking at each other was huge.
"OMG!" she exclaimed, causing the couple to freeze as they were, and the rest of the team to look up.
No one knew what they had been expecting, but it certainly hadn't been this. There was no denying that their friends' relationship had, finally, changed. Tony was smiling glad the truth was out, while Ziva had a mysterious, yet content look on her face. She wasn't the kind of person who was into public displays of affection, even if it would prove the truth to their friends. A part of her wanted to pull away, but she squeezed his hand instead.
"How long has this been going on?" Abby asked.
"A little over two months," replied Tony casually.
He still couldn't believe that it was actually that long since their relationship had changed. As much as he enjoyed having this secret for so long, he was relieved they no longer had to hide the truth from their friends. Unlike every other relationship he had been in he didn't want to share all of the details with anyone who would listen, even if they didn't want to hear it. He realised he was happy to know that she wanted to be with him, and that they loved each other, and he didn't feel the need to prove anything to anyone. They knew what they had was real, and the people who they cared for most would see that.
"Two months?" asked McGee. "How did we miss this?"
"We did not want anyone to know, yet," Ziva explained.
Ziva wasn't sure if the excuse would fly with their friends. They were close, almost like family and they had kept this huge secret from them for a long time. She didn't want to tell them about the first month of their relationship and how she had treated him. Although in the past month she knew that what they had was real, and wouldn't disappear if the truth was told they had still agreed to keep it between them. Partly because neither wanted to be reassigned at work, but also because she still did not feel the need to act like a love struck teenager in front of the people who mattered to her. They only person who she thought needed to see that tender side of her was the man who was still holding her hand.
"I get that, but this is for real?" Abby asked.
"It is, Abby."
"That's so awesome! I knew you two were totally meant for each other."
"What is your plan for dealing with your superiors?" asked Ducky.
"We have a meeting with Director Vance tomorrow," Tony explained. "We thought it would be best to talk to him before my change of address papers came across his desk."
"Change of address?" Palmer pondered aloud.
"You're living together?" Abby and McGee asked at the same time.
Everyone at the table was surprised to hear this news. They certainly had not expected them to be living together only a few months after they had started their relationship. They didn't want to pry, knowing how private she was. They were happy to hear that their relationship was so serious, especially considering Tony's past. They all knew that it spoke volumes about how serious their relationship was and they were glad to get to finally be a part of it.
"It's no big deal," Dinozzo tried to assure them.
"Baloney!" spat Abby. "Anthony Dinozzo Junior, only slightly less of a legendary lover than Senior is and you're moving in with a woman and you shrug it off. Oh, no way Mister, this is huge! I better be a bridesmaid."
"Abby we have not talked about marriage. You are getting ahead of yourself," Ziva tried to explain.
"I am not getting ahead of myself? You mark my words, you living with Tony totally means you're gonna be in a white dress and stomping on a glass my Jewish sister."
"Abby it is the groom who breaks the glass." Ziva laughed. "But you can believe what you need to believe."
"I know it." She practically leaped across the table to hug them both. "See I really do need to brush up on my Jewish wedding traditions!"
Both Tony and Ziva laughed as their goth co-workers, once again showed that only her choice of dress seemed somber. She had a huge smile on her face as she hugged them both at the same time, clearly thrilled about their news. The couple was glad their friends were happy for them. When Abby went back to her own seat they were surprised to see that shot glasses had appeared in front of everyone. Gibbs had a knowing look on his face.
"I don't like wine," he explained, with a shrug. "To Ziva and Tony."
Everyone picked up their glasses and drank to the couple. The server came back a few minutes later, and they all ordered. Chatting about some of the situations the couple had been in before, glad to have something happy happening for a change. There had been so much sorrow lately it seemed right to be able to celebrate and look to new beginnings instead of dwelling on the past. By the end of the evening Ziva was leaning into Tony as she spoke, smiling, letting him touch her face, and hands, but still not comfortable going farther than that. Tony knew that this spoke volumes about their relationship and how solid it was.
End Part 11
Notes: So the team knows, next the need to talk to Vance… I had an uber rough one today please send happy reviews my way.