Chapter 28

Hope you have enjoyed the last few chapters. I have really enjoyed writing them. Thank you for any reviews you choose to give me. They make my day. Sorry it has taken so long to update. School got started and I found out I am going to be a grandmother again.

After the girls got to Samantha's apartment Abby and Ziva went to the kitchen to get some snacks ready and chill the bottle of wine that Abby had brought for their little party. Samantha took Kelly into her spare bedroom. She helped her into her pajamas and lovingly tucked her into bed. She handed her the small version of Bert that Abby had given her the one time Gibbs and Samantha had brought her to the lab. Kelly looked into Samantha's eyes and smiled. "Good night sweet girl. If you need anything Abby, Ziva and I will be in the living room."

"Ok Samantha," she sleepily said snuggling in with her hippo. "Good night. Kelly was asleep in seconds. It had been a long day.

Samantha turned off the light but left the door open just a crack

Walking into the living room Samantha found her coffee table covered with snacks and wine glasses. Abby was going through Samantha's movies looking for a "chick flick" as Tony would say. "How about Steel Magnolias?"

"Sounds good Abby. After all laughter through tears is my favorite emotion" Samantha quoted the movie smiling.

Ziva looked at both of them. "I have never seen that movie. Is it good?"

"Absolutely. Tony would not even have it in his collection. Too much of a chick flick for his taste." Ziva agreed on the movie choice and Abby put it into the DVD player. Abby poured each of them a glass of wine and they set back to enjoy the movie.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tony dropped Tim off at his apartment. Both men were a little sad that the girls chose to go to Sam's instead of home with them. Tony knew that Tim would either spend the evening writing or playing online with his "Elf Lord" friends. That did not sound at all attractive to him so he headed back to his apartment for a movie and maybe a drink to drown his sorrows.

Gibbs was in his basement working on his boat. He was not really enjoying sanding his boat but planning the romantic evening for Valentines' day with Samantha was keeping his mind occupied.

NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS

The movie ended and the girls were all wiping away tears as Sammy raced away on that motorcycle to the hospital so Annelle could have her baby. "Always wished they would have told us if the baby was a boy or a girl." Samantha joked wiping her eyes. "I cry every time."

"Me too" Abby replied

"I really enjoyed that. I can see why Tony would not watch that movie. Too much emotional baggage, yes" Ziva interjected.

"Thought you would." Samantha added taking a sip of her wine. "Tony is not into such emotional stuff. I wonder if secretly he wishes he wore his emotions on his sleeve." Abby nodded knowing that Samantha had Tony's personality down pretty well.

"What is it you are saying?" Ziva inquired. "I don't understand."

"Ziva, in just my short time with him I see a man who wishes he could tell you how he feels."

"We are friends Samantha. That is all" Both Abby and Samantha smiled.

"Me thinks she does protest too much" Abby replied. Samantha agreed.

"Come on Ziva be honest. You love Tony and he loves you. I saw it the first moment I saw you two together. He looks at you with longing when he thinks you are not looking. "Samantha told her as she poured Ziva another glass of wine.

"He does not." Ziva denied. Abby and Samantha just shook their heads. "I would bet he is at his apartment downing a bottle of scotch and watching a sappy movie. He is also wishing you were there with him." Abby added.

"I don't think so. He may have gone to a bar for a pick-up."

"That is hook –up Ziva and I would bet he is not. I saw the way he looked when we left. He was like Gibbs really hoping we would cancel the party and go home with them."

Ziva continued to argue but the two others ladies could see she was considering what they said. Ziva did not dare hope that Tony really loved her and did not just consider her a partner and just a good friend. She had loved him almost since the day they met. The time had just never been right for the two of them.

Abby and Samantha both looked at each other. They knew he loved Ziva and they also knew that Ziva loved him. "Abbs can you help me a minute?"

"Sure Samantha." The two women went into the kitchen leaving Ziva alone with her thoughts. "Abby I have an idea. I know we were planning a girls' party but I really think Ziva is in a mood to talk to Tony after the movie."

"Me too. What's your plan?" Abby and Samantha whispered together while they scooped out some ice cream. Once they had their plan established the two went back into the living area.

When they walked in Ziva was deep in thought. "Ziva you ok." Samantha asked shyly.

Still deep in thought Ziva slowly answered. "I am fine"

"Abby and I have a wager for you. You say Tony went out looking for a hook-up tonight and Abby and I say he is at his apartment drinking and watching a movie. How about we call him and find out?" Samantha suggested.

"If he is there you ask him to pick you up to talk. If he is not Abby and I will prank call Gibbs and McGee." Samantha added.

"Prank call?" Ziva questioned.

"We will call Tim and Gibbs and do something silly on the phone. Something really embarrassing." Abby chimed in.

"That sounds like fun. I know he is out at a bar looking for girl."

"Call him" Abby and Samantha said together.

Ziva dialed her phone. Tony answered on the second ring. "Hello Zi—va." He said drawing her name out. "Tired of the "girls" all ready"

Ziva heard the James Bond movie theme in the back ground. "I just called to see what you were doing Tony." She said tentatively.

"Oh really. Checking up on me now Ziva. Well I am sitting here watching a movie. Wishing you were here to watch it with me." He had decided to be honest with her.

"Really," she said looking surprised at Samantha and Abby.

"Honest Zi. I was kind of hoping that you would have ditched the girls and come over here. The Boss was hoping that too. I think deep down McProbie was secretly wishing for the same thing."

"So you say Tony. Well we had a wager over here that you would be home watching a movie and I lost."

"You did. Where did you say I was?"

"Out" she smirked. "I did not imagine that you would be home on a Saturday night."

"Really Zi. Where else would I be? Not really been dating much lately. "Tony stammered slightly. He was nervous but since Gibbs had managed to find happiness with Samantha he was determined to have that with Ziva.

"I was not aware you were not dating. " Ziva stopped. "Tony, could I come join you?"

"I would love it Ziva. I will be right over to pick you up." Tony jumped up and grabbed his keys and slipped on his shoes.

Abby and Samantha looked at Ziva. "I take it that we won the wager." Abby joked.

"He was home watching a movie. He is on his way over right now." Both Abby and Samantha smiled at each other. " I am not saying I will speak with him about what we talked about but …." Ziva was stopped short with a knocking at the door. "It could not be him yet."

When she opened the door Tony was there smiling. "Your carriage awaits my lady."

"Hey Tony did you drive like Gibbs to get here?" Abby asked

"No not necessarily. I drove more like my Ninja warrior here." He joked helping Ziva on with her coat.

"Samantha, are you sure you do not mind me leaving?"

"Have fun." Samantha winked. Samantha and Abby watch Ziva go with a smile. "I mean it have fun."

After Ziva left Abby and Samantha started another movie but Abby was not really into it. Her mind was elsewhere. She was wondering where Tim might be tonight. "Penny for your thoughts Abby"

"Steal Magnolias always gets me thinking. Ziva is off with Tony and I really hope she will tell him the truth or maybe he will tell her. "

"I really am sure if it is meant to be they will get together. "

"Oh! I just thought about something. We just encouraged them to break Rule 12." Abby replied.

"I truly think that Rule 12 is nothing to worry about anymore. Jethro is not such a hard ass about that rule anymore. He wants his family to be happy." Samantha assured her. "But you are not thinking about Tony and Ziva anyway. Are you?"

Abby looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I have this sixth sense about things. Jethro told me you dated McGee when he first came to DC. I always wondered why you two stopped. I mean he looks at you the same way Tony looks at Ziva. I have noticed." Samantha smiled and poured her another glass of wine.

"You trying to get the house to yourself Sam. "

"Maybe. I like to see happy humans and you are not happy when you are away from him. I can tell that."

"I was just wondering what he was doing. He looked like a lost puppy when we mentioned the sleep over. I know Gibbs did not want you to go. "Abby took a sip of her wine.

"Abby do I need to come up with a wager for you too. "

"No Sam. Just don't want to leave you alone if I call and he asks me to come over."

"I bet I could find a handsome man to come over and keep my company." Samantha smiled looking at Gibbs' picture on the mantle.

"You know Gibbs to well. Don't you." Abby grabbed her computer. "I will check and see if he is online first. I don't want to disturb his writing."

"Bet he is not getting anything accomplished anyway. Call him Abbs."

"He is playing his online game. So I can call him. You sure you don't mind." Sam did not answer she just handed Abby the phone. Abby dialed Tim's number and he answered on the second ring. "Hey Timmy. I just noticed you were online. We sort of got on a tangent over here. Just wondering what you were up too."

"You girls watched Steel Magnolias. I can hear it in your voice. Shelby's death always gets you moody Abby. Are you coming over or do I need to pick you up?" he asked.

"I have only had a couple of drinks. I think I can drive. "

There was concern in Tim's voice. "Just a couple Abby. I am on my way."

"No Timmy I can drive. I have had less than two glasses of wine. I will see you soon." Abby grabbed her keys, purse and headed for the door. "Call Gibbs Samantha. You can make him happy too."

"I will Abby. You and Tim enjoy yourselves. Maybe you and he should have the same talk as Tony and Ziva."

Abby just smiled and waved as she closed the door behind her. Samantha got up from the sofa and sighed. She cleaned off the coffee table, set up a John Wayne movie and got out the chips and dip along with a beer. Next she picked up the phone, she dialed Gibbs' number. He answered on the first ring. "You get ditched Sam." She could hear the joy in his voice.

"Sort of. I will explain later. Was wondering if you would join me in babysitting? Got a movie set up."

"I would love too. Be there shortly." Samantha hung up the phone and sat it down on the end table just as she heard a knock on the door. Smiling to herself she walked over to the door and opened it without looking through the peep hole. "How many times have I told you not to open this door without checking?" Gibbs smirked.

"Why, I knew it was you. What took you so long? Weren't you in the parking lot?"

"Well did not want to seem too eager." He smiled, kissed her and taking her hand they walked toward the couch. Gibbs sat down pulling Samantha down next to him. She snuggled in close to him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Glad the girls ditched you. Was not looking forward to staying at my place alone." He whispered as she started the movie.

"I love you too." Samantha put her hand on his chest letting it rest over his heart. Gibbs looked down at her as she just snuggled in as started to breath slow and long. He knew she was asleep. Smiling to himself thinking and planning for the next Saturday where he was going to ask her to be his wife. Then she would always be in his arms.