Tony and Ziva banter

Prompt: cozy inside day with the windows cracked open

It wasn't often that the team not only had the whole weekend off, but weren't even on call. Ziva stretched her arms above her head walking into her living room, feeling no guilt for sleeping in and not going for a run. Spotting the novel she had started reading two weeks ago, she smiled to herself, thankful she would finally have the time to finish it this weekend, perhaps even today.

She grabbed the book, and after cracking open the windows to let in some crisp morning air, she curled up in her cozy chair, the light breeze on her face waking her up more fully.

Not even two pages later, there was a familiar knock at the door. She dropped the book, and practically stomped towards the door on socked feet. As soon as she swung open the door, she whined, "Why are you here?"

The trademark DiNozzo smile slid off his face and made place for confusion.

"We are not even on call," she continued with exasperation. And then it hit her. "Did something happen to the other team?"

Tony frowned. "No."

"Then why are you here?"

"Wow, so nice to know you're not wanted," he said and made to turn around.

Ziva grabbed his arm and pulled him inside the apartment, staring him down while closing the door.

He looked around the living room, craned his neck to peek through the open bedroom door. "No plans, or…guests?"

"Only uninvited ones," she said.

Tony huffed, glancing at the billowing curtains at the windows. "Yeah, tell me about it."

Ziva tilted her head, her mood softened at the mixed emotions on his face.

He looked at her, realized she had meant him, and gave her a tight smile. "I'll get out of your hair."

Ziva pulled him towards the couch and made him sit down next to her. "Tony, what happened?"

"Can't a guy visit his best friend?" At her raised eyebrow, he reluctantly opened up. "Senior showed up, he's staying the whole weekend."

He dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling. "I can't spend 48 hours with him, Ziva," he said with exasperation.

She placed a hand on his forearm and squeezed gently, urging him to look at her.

"I told him I had a work thing," he explained, meeting her eyes.

"Well, in that case, you can help me clean my kitchen."

He raised his eyebrows. "That's your plan for the weekend? Clean the kitchen?"

She poked him in the ribs. "And read." She gave him a pointed look." And enjoy the quiet."

"Hmm, I would help you clean up a murder scene with my mouth taped shut to get away from Senior."

Ziva chuckled then became serious. "You can't avoid him for two days straight."

"Don't worry, I'm planning to crash McGee's weekend tomorrow."

"That is not what I meant." She tilted her head. "Do you want to try to get closer to him?"

He shrugged. "I guess, it's just...always so strained."

The corners of her mouth quirked up. "Then you should both come over for dinner tonight, I can be Switzerland."

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you thinking Swiss neutrality, or Swiss Guard?"

She smiled. "Yes."

Tony chuckled. "Two DiNozzos...I thought you wanted peace and quiet?"

"You can make up for that by letting me read a few chapters in peace now."

He smiled in agreement, then his face fell, and he sighed heavily. "He's going to hit on you all evening, you know that, right?"

"Are you afraid I won't be able to resist your father's charm?" she asked with a bemused smile.

His lip curled in disgust. "Don't put that image in my head."

Ziva snorted, and patted his thigh before getting up and walking over to her cozy chair. "Trust me, the only DiNozzo that is hard to resist is you."