A Bit Stranger Than Usual

Chapter 5

Abby had been leaving work early to go to play practices, Ziva was eagerly awaiting Halloween's approach so she could finally see her girlfriend in action.

When Abby first told Ziva she was going to be the lead in a play, Ziva was rather confused.

"I just got back from play try outs!" Abby announced, "I'm going to be Frank n Furter!"

"The hotdog?" Ziva asked.

Abby laughed so hard, but then again she left it vague hoping for that response.

Ziva had never heard of Rocky Horror and was very confused by its plot, but Abby wouldn't let Ziva watch the Picture Show, she insisted her first experience be the play. Ziva was excited especially excited as Gibbs had ensured everyone Halloween off this year because he too wanted to see Abby in the show.

Ziva had invited everyone at NCIS to come watch, except Tony of course. She bought all seven tickets, having even included Vance and his wife in the invitation. She also knew Luca and Kyle would be there and was excited to meet them.

Ziva planned for a smaller group, Tim, her, Abby's brother's, and Abby, to go get diner at the 24/7 diner Abby and Gibbs loved so dearly. The crowd arrived at settled in to their seats just before the show started at midnight. An usher handed the crowd goody bags; Ziva was very confused by their content, a rubber glove, a newspaper, rice, as well as many other miscellaneous items.

"What is this for?" She asked Tim.

"Check out the pamphlet!" Tim said excited, "the show is very interactive!"

Ziva pulled out the printout that was in the brown paper bag. It had instructions on when to throw the rice, hold the newspaper, wave the candles, and everything else.

"What does this mean?" Ziva asked, pointing a finger at the instruction that read:

When Frank n Furter cues you, yell "SAY IT"

"Just you wait and see, you'll be filled with antici---," Tim explained.

"Please finish your words Tim," Ziva said.

"---pation," Tim finished.

Palmer leans over, "you see it's supposed to be funny Ziva because he was trying to explain the pamphlet, to get you to say "say it!""

Ziva sighs, she often missed the punch line only to laugh a moment too late once she finally understood.

"It's okay Ziva, now you'll know for the show." Tim smiled.

The lights in the room began to darken.

In the back, a female attendant stood from her seat and began to sing Science Fiction / Double Feature. She walked up and down the isles before finally returning back to her spot in the back row. Once again the lights cut to black and when they faded back on the set for a scene outside a church had been set up, there the play truly began.

Brad and Janet left the wedding and the crowd threw their rice.

Ziva eagerly awaited Abby's appearance on stage. Abby, back stage felt similarly, this was her first performance.

Finally, Brad and Janet's car breaks down and out in the rain they wander to the Frankenstein Place.

Ziva squealed when Abby is finally on stage. She grabbed Tim's arm and pointed at Abby. "That's my girl friend!" She whispered excitedly.

Ziva loved the played and told Abby so multiple times during the cast photo Abby had arranged for her friends.

But that's when they saw him. There was Tony Dinozzo standing among the crowd from the show waiting in line for cast photos. Tony smiled and waved and made his way to the front.

"Well hey you guys," he said, feigning surprise, "sure is funny seeing you here!"

"Didn't realize you were such a good actress," Dinozzo remarked to Abby, "or actor I guess."

Abby gave him an angry look, what was she supposed to say to that? What did he even mean by that?

"Not funny," Ziva replied.

Dinozzo just rolled his eyes, "I guess I never could place a finger in what was truly so odd about you... must have been because you're a tranny supporter."

Abby, despite her anger, sighed in relief. Her friends looked at her with a similarly understood relief.

"Do you all want to get a drink?" Tony asked.

"Can't," was the over all response.  

Tony sighed and left. "I do think that maybe Ziva and my brother's and I might want to get together alone if that is okay with you all?"

"Of course," Ducky insisted, the others nodding in agreement.

Ziva left with the NCIS crowd but circled back to the hearse as they made their ways out of the parking lot. She unlocked the car and slid into the driver's seat to wait for Abby.

A moment or two later a young man knocked on the window. Ziva rolled the window down, "Hello?" she asked confused in the dark, as her eyes adjusted she realized it was Luca and Kyle, "oh, hello! Luca?"

"That's me!" He smiled. "Abby gave us a ride here!"

"Oh, of course, right, let me unlock the door!" Ziva rushed. She clicked the doors unlocked so Luca and Kyle could get in.

Kyle was tall and slender and looked almost just like Abby, his lanky body was too tall for the hearse's back seat, meaning his knees were almost pulled to his chest as he sat down. Luca on the other hand, was very short and had ample leg room. He too looked like Abby, but much less so, the same dark hair and smile,but without the pointy chin or long narrow nose.

Ziva turned around in her seat, "it is so good to meet you both!"

Luca and Kyle smiled; Abby had babbled to the both of them about how incredible Ziva was, how much support and respect and love she offered. "You too!" Luca responded, placing a small hand over Ziva's to hold it.

"It means a lot to Abby and I both how understanding you have been," Luca added.

Ziva nodded. "Understanding is easy as Abby is so good at explaining."

Kyle let out a small laugh, "I'm also really happy to meet you, it's odd to think you have known my sister longer than I have though..."

Ziva forced out a laugh, attempting to make light of the serious undertones that existed in Kyle's remark. 

Just then, Abby clamored into the car, sweaty and clumsy as ever, carrying her costume bag and hitting it against everything before settling it into her lap.

"Ready to go?" She asked everyone.