Apathy Is The Nation's Disease

On My Mind

"The next thing I need to talk about are relationships between co-workers."

I felt myself listening more intently then I had done for the speech about gun management. I glanced sideways and noticed that Tony was also sitting up straighter.

"Now, for the sake of yourselves and everyone else, co-worker relationships should not graduate past friendship despite any desires that may appear."

Palmer's hand shot into the air. "What if the person isn't exactly a co-worker?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, what if they're from a different department of the agency all together?"

I hid my laughter as I realised he was talking about his 'secret' relationship with Agent Lee. "Still shouldn't happen."

He paled and nodded. "Now then--"

"Wait a second!"

"Yes…Agent Connor."

"I know this is a little odd, but what about people from different agencies? Say, an NCIS agent and an FBI agent?"

"No. The two jobs cross and could cause a conflict that could jeopardise the authority that both agencies have. You should avoid dating anyone of a similar position in any career line if there is a chance that situations may cross when you might work together." Wow, she was certainly strict about all of this.

"What about an ex-cop?"

"Excuse me?"

"You know, an ex-detective or something. Would I be able to have an intimate relationship with a man like that without causing too many problems?"

"Yes."

I turned to Abby. “The guy I’ve been on a few dates with? Ex-cop and drop dead gorgeous, not to mention he’s a God in bed-”

“I think that’s enough, Agent Connor.” She cut me off, whilst Abby giggled at my words.

"Can you help me?" Tony was waving his hand in the air and I knew we were pushing our luck doing this, but it was just so much fun when this was so damn boring.

"Yes…Agent DiNozzo."

"I don't want to cause any trouble either. You see, there's a woman who I really like--"

"What job does she do?"

"Naval based."
"Out of the question."

"But wait! She's from a different country. She's from Europe." Tony smirked.

"Then it shouldn't be too big of a deal unless your country and hers goes to war."

Tony nodded and noticed Ziva giving him a bemused look. He shrugged and smiled.

"What? I have an extremely attractive Norwegian pen friend in town." He mumbled.

I sat in the bath and sighed, letting my aching muscles relax as I closed my eyes and leaned back. It had been a long and tiring day at the agency and this was exactly what I needed after working 9-5 on silly team building activities.

"Don't fall asleep on me. I'm not pulling you out if you drown." Tony joked from behind me, his arms snaking around my hips.

"But then you'd have to explain to Gibbs exactly why you were in the bath with me to begin with and I don't think there's an answer he will like."

"Good point. So what did the director want with you yesterday?" He asked.

"Nothing much. Just a review on my work since I'd joined NCIS. It's hard to believe that I've been here for almost a year." I answered with a soft sigh.

"Yeah, I still remember when I nearly shot you in that hotel." Tony laughed.

"That had to have been one of the weirdest days for both of us." I added with a smile.

"But now look at where we are."

"Gibbs would decapitate us if he knew."

"I'm dreading him finding out."

"We might actually have to tell him one day." I said, letting myself sink under the water some more.

"Really? Can we not just run away in the dead of night to Mexico and change our names?"

"I don't think that would be enough to fool Gibbs. He's a closet genius after all."

"Enough talk about Gibbs now."

I felt his lips on my neck and I sighed again, his hot breath tickling my skin. "Tony." I whined, knowing what he wanted.

"I can't help it Tay. You're naked and next to me. Besides, you know I can't resist you."

"I know you can't keep your hands to yourself!" I grumbled, folding my arms in mock annoyance.

"Only when I'm around you." He mumbled against my shoulder before planting kisses along it.

I rolled my eyes and rolled over to face him, kissing him deeply as he pulled me closer.

The next morning I grabbed the post from my mailbox and closed my eyes when I saw one bearing the Union Jack. I opened it and read the letter, feeling my heart sink when it should have been doing back flips of joy.

This was something that I'd started before I'd even met Tony and it was something I couldn't just end so simply.

Before Tony, this was all I wanted.

Before Tony...