A Bit Stranger Than Usual

Chapter 2

"I am leaving, Gibbs," Ziva said over Tony and Tim's bickering.

"See you tomorrow," Gibbs replied.

Ziva walked to the elevator and went down to the Lab. "Are you ready to go Abs?" She asked.

Abby called back, "not quite, will be in just a sec though. I have to power down Major Mass Spec."

Ziva waited in the door way while Abby powered down her equipment. Ziva found the names Abby had given all of her Lab machines rather endearing, she wished Abby would give her pet names too.

"All done!"

"Let's go then," Ziva said. She was very excited for their dinner tonight. The two had made plans to go out ever week for the last month, but tonight was the only time they didn't get interrupted by urgent case work.

Ziva had driven Abby to work today so the two were able to leave together. Abby insisted she not do it, but Ziva wouldn't hear otherwise. "Thank you for driving me," Abby had said, an air of sarcasm in her tone, as if maybe she was not as excited for this dinner as Ziva was.

The spot they had chosen for dinner was one of Abby's favorites, as close to a mom and pop diner as one could get in D.C. It was just a little ways from the NCIS building. Ziva drove absent-mindly, enjoying Abby singing along to whatever obscure radio station Abby managed to pick up. Ziva enjoyed whenever Abby was able to let lose a little and sing along, not so concerned with the way she sounded.

"I have something important to ask you at dinner tonight," Ziva said as she put the car in park. Abby nodded and opened the car door.

Once both were out of the car and headed towards the entrance, Abby looked over to Ziva. "You aren't going to ask me to marry you, right?" Abby was half joking, but a small part of her was worried that was the question Ziva had on her mind.

"We do not even live together Abby," Ziva replied matter of factly.

"So is that a no?" Abby pushed.

"Yes, that is a no."

A couple in front of them held the door open.

"Thank you," Ziva said nodding at the man.

"Welcome, darlin'," he replied, winking at her.

Ziva turned to Abby and made a face. Abby laughed in response. The two waited to be seated on a small leather booth, while it was only a few minutes it felt like hours for Abby and Ziva both.

"Right this way ladies," the waitress said, showing the two to a booth towards the back. They held hands as they walked, gaining a glance from the waitress as well as a few patrons they passed. It may have been 2011, but not everyone is quite so excited about gay couples as the beginning appearances of progressive laws might suggest.

As soon as they sat Ziva got started, "I know you are not so interested in my money, and I understand why. Asking for financial help is hard and guilt inducing."

"Amongst other things," Abby mumbled.

"Well, I would like to start a conversation about you moving in with me?" Ziva asked, hopeful.

"Oh, I don't know..." Abby replied.

"I understand what a big deal that is for you. I want you to be comfortable, and I hope living with me would be. I know we will have to set boundaries, but I just want you to understand how much I love you Abby-"

Abby cut Ziva off. "I love you too but-"

It was then Ziva's turn to cut her off. "I think it would be a good solution for your current problem, and would be a good next step for us. It's been almost two years Abs."

"I know," Abby said, hesitant and unsure of what to say next, "I see how important this is. I'm just, so uncomfortable, I don't always love myself as much as you love me, it's not that keeping me from saying yes though. I've just never been intimate with anyone, since, you know?"

"I know, I'm not expecting any of that." Ziva replied.

"Really?" Abby asked.

"Yes, really, Abby. I love you for who you are. I just want to spend more time with you and help you feel supported and affirmed and loved."

"That means a lot." It was just then that the couple noticed their waiter.

"Sorry to interrupt you two lovers," the waiter said making an awkward gesture, "but I'd like to take your drink orders, if you don't mind?"

"Of course, sorry," Ziva said.

"Water," Abby said.

"Same for me," Ziva then added.

"I'll be right back with those," the waiter replied, "and can I get you two any starters?"

Abby and Ziva looked at one another and mutually agreed, turning back to look at the waiter and shaking their heads no.

The waiter left and Ziva looked back to Abby. She reached across the table for your hand. "I'm so grateful for you, Abby."

Abby smiled and gave Ziva's hand a little squeeze. They sat contently, chatting about their current case and the music Abby had been listening to lately and how Ziva drove the NCIS van and lots of other little things, that wouldn't matter in the long run but were the only things that mattered right here, right now.

It didn't seem like long before the waiter was back asking about their orders. They both ordered veggie burgers, but Ziva got onion rings while Abby got fries. The two chatted some more and then ate like they had never eaten before. Then again it wasn't like Gibbs gave to much time for a lunch break, and Abby often would much rather waste calories on a CAF POW than on eating something a little more substantial.

After they finished up, Ziva paid. Abby insisted on splitting the ticket but Ziva wasn't having it, she did, however, give in and let Abby leave the tip. Abby was a firm believer in the cash tip, Taxation is Theft, she always told Ziva, despite the federal jobs both of them held.

As they walked out of the diner hand in hand, Abby leaned down and gave Ziva a quiet, "yes."

"Yes, what?" She asked back confused.

"Yes, I'll move in with you," Abby further explained.

"Yes?" Ziva repeated excited.

"Yes." Abby confirmed.