The day was spent working on cold cases. Shazia wasn't a fan of paperwork although it didn't bother her too much.
At 10.30 DiNozzo's team received a call out. "Ok, gear up. Dead marine in Rock Creek Park. Ziva call Ducky, Probie, gas the truck." As they left Shazia couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief. He'd been reminiscing about past dates in a voice loud enough for her to hear and she'd just about had enough.
"You do know a call out usually means someone's been murdered don't you?" Gibbs asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I am fully aware of that, I was merely expressing relief at the opportunity for some peace and quiet. I don't know how you cope with him sitting next door, he never shuts up."
"You get used to him after a while."
Shazia snorted. "He's an acquired taste as far as I'm concerned."
He glared at her. Just because Tony and the others were no longer on his team, didn't mean he wasn't still protective of them. "Like McGee said, you've only just met him. Five minutes isn't long enough to get to know someone."
"It's long enough for a first impression, and it doesn't take a profiler to work out that DiNozzo is a womanizer. If he was expecting me to be impressed by those stories he was telling he's in for a severe disappointment. If even half of them were true, he should be ashamed of himself."
"You can tell, can you?"
Shazia gave Gibbs a 'don't be so stupid' look. "When you're the only female in a marine unit you end up hearing a lot of 'talk'."
"You should be used to it then."
"Even I have my limits."
At 1.30 Shazia stood and stretched. "I'm going to get some lunch. Anything you want?"
"Just a black coffee." Gibbs didn't look up from his work."
"Ok."
DiNozzo's team returned just after Shazia had left. With a grin, Tony placed a sandwich and a muffin on her desk before heading towards the back elevator.
She returned ten minutes later with a paper bag and two coffees. One of which she placed on Gibbs desk. "Where did these come from?"
"DiNozzo bought them for you."
She sighed and called out to the others in the squad room. "Does anyone like ham and cheese?"
One she'd given the two items away, she continued with her work.
"Well, hey there."
"What is it Agent DiNozzo?" Shazia sighed.
"Tony, please. Did you find the items I'd left for you?"
"Yes, I did. For future reference, I don't eat meat. I don't like blueberry muffins either."
"You know," He started to say as he sat on the edge of her desk. "I'm surprised a pretty lady like you would want to become a marine and then a federal agent. I would've thought you'd have done something less dangerous. With looks like yours, you could be a model or actress, maybe even a singer."
She slammed her pen down on her desk making him jump. Even Gibbs looked up at the sound. "If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that, or something very similar, I'd be a rich woman. I'm not interested in being an actress, or a model and I can't sing so that's out too. Is there something wrong with me wanting to serve my country?"
"No, not at all. I was just making an observation that's all." DiNozzo backed away, his hands held in a gesture of surrender.
"Well why don't you make better use of your observations by concentrating on the case you're supposed to be working?" Shazia was trying to calm herself down. If she got too angry her eyes would turn red and she didn't want or need any awkward questions.
"Sure, sure I'm going." He returned to his desk only to have an angry Ziva on his hands.
Shazia sighed and shook her head as she turned her attention back to the file she was reading.
"Was that really necessary?" A Scottish voice suddenly asked. She looked up to find an elderly gentleman watching her.
"Was what really necessary?"
"The way you just spoke to Anthony."
"Probably not, no. But he's been giving me grief since I got here this morning."
"Anthony may go over the top sometimes but I assure you he's harmless and he means well."
"I'll take your word for that...." Shazia tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. Doctor Donald Mallard. I'm NCIS Chief Medical Examiner."
"It's nice to meet you, Doctor Mallard. I'm Special Agent Shazia Malik."
"Call me Ducky, please."
"Is there a reason you're up here, Duck?" Gibbs interrupted.
"It's Doctor Mallard to you, Agent Gibbs, and yes there is." He placed a file on the desk. "The autopsy report you wanted." Ducky then turned back to Shazia who was shocked at his attitude. "Anthony can be childish at times but he's actually a charming young man."
She sighed. "Look, I'm sure you mean well, and I've no doubt that Agent DiNozzo is a friend of yours, but nothing in his behaviour so far has indicated that he is anything other than a ladies man. I'm sorry, but it takes more than just good looks and a charming smile to attract my attention."
"My offer for dinner still stands," DiNozzo called over. Shazia simply ignored him.
"At least give him a chance, now I must return to Autopsy."
The rest of the day passed quietly. At 1830, Shazia was getting ready to leave when she was approached by a woman who was dressed all in black. "You must be the new agent I've heard about, I've never seen you before so you must be. I must say I don't approve of your choice of teams, Tony's would be a much better option for you."
Shazia was astounded. "And just who are you to tell me that?"
"I'm Abby Scuito, NCIS forensic science. You got a problem?" She'd noticed Shazia looking her up and down with raised eyebrows.
"No, I just wasn't aware forensic scientists dressed like that."
"They do if they're me. Anyway, some of us are going out for drinks and we were wondering if you wanted to join us."
"Who is 'we'?" Shazia asked.
Abby gestured over to the elevator. "Me, McGee, Tony, Palmer and Ducky will be joining us for a while."
Shazia looked and saw a group of people standing waiting. DiNozzo caught her eye and grinned. She curled her lip, snorted and looked back at Abby. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass."
"You sure? It'll give you the opportunity to get to know us all, especially Tony."
"I think I've gotten to know him pretty-well over the course of the day."
"Oh you haven't even come close, why do you think I offered to tell you all about me over dinner." Tony had walked over to them and had heard the last part of the conversation.
"I get the feeling I'll be spending the whole evening hearing about you, never mind dinner."
"It'll be pretty boring if you don't come," Tony folded his arms. "I mean, what sort of evening will you be having on your own?"
"A peaceful one. I've got a bottle of rose with my name on it chilling in the fridge, I'm going to order some takeout and there's a Bollywood film on at 2030."
"Well, if that's what you want," Tony sighed and shook his head. "I've got to say though, you don't know what you're missing."
"I don't want to either." And with that, taking the stairs, she made her way down to the exit and to her car.
