Rule 12

In the bathroom

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Ziva’s PoV

Walking back to my desk to carry on researching this elusive court case I couldn’t help but wonder what it was that Tony had done to make Gibbs angry with him apart from being as insensitive as he normally is. As far as I was aware he had not done anything out of the ordinary so far today, yes he was acting a little stranger than normal but everyone has bad days.

Sighing I turned all of my efforts to finding out the details of the court case and started ringing up anyone who could help me. As I did so I could hear raised voices coming from the elevator but I did not pay much attention to them as I did not want to make it obvious that I was listening in. It seemed as though everyone else in the squad room had no such worries however, as they had all stopped what they were doing to try and listen in. While they were attempting that I hung up my phone as yet again I had got no answer from who I was phoning and turned my attention to where McGee was supposedly tracking the phone numbers we had found- in reality he was staring at the elevator where Gibbs and DiNozzo had gone with a worried look on his face. That was a little bit confusing as it seemed as if he knew what was going on and why Gibbs was in such a bad mood with Tony. I did not want to ask him however as he may get suspicious as to why I was asking after Tony so I stared at my computer screen while wondering where to go next.

Several minutes later I heard the elevator doors open and Gibbs stormed out. As he walked past me on his way to his desk he gave me an odd look which I wasn’t expecting. Before I could think too much of it Tony also came out of the elevator with the look of someone who has just been asked to do the impossible. Trying not to be noticed he came back to his desk without once looking up from the floor. He gave McGee and Gibbs a quick glance when he sat down but he was completely avoiding all eye contact with me which was unusual.

About 2 minutes after Tony had sat down Gibbs stood up and walked out of the bullpen, still in a bad mood. “I’m going for coffee,” he said while giving Tony a significant look.

This look was not unnoticed by McGee either and as soon as Gibbs had left he started questioning Tony, “what was all that about then Tony?”

“Don’t you worry Tim, just a little misunderstanding that I have to sort out,” Tony answered without moving.

“If you say so.”

“I do say so.”

Leaving them to it I decided that this would be a prime opportunity for me to head to the bathroom while Gibbs was out so it didn’t look like I was skipping out of work. Walking down to it I realised something that I had not done earlier- Tony called McGee Tim. This day was getting weirder and weirder and there was definitely something wrong with Tony if he was using McGee’s first name. Deciding that I would have to ask him later I sent the thought to the back of my mind so that I could focus on the case before the murderer got away or killed again.

As I finished washing my hands I realised that the bathroom suddenly got quieter and checking the reflection in the mirror I noticed Tony clearing all of the cubicles before he turned to lock the main door. Okay so I will not be talking to him later I thought before turning round and starting what must have been at least our 10th bathroom meeting.

“You are aware that this is the women’s room yes Tony?” I asked him, determined to keep things light-hearted.

“Yup, though the amount of times you’ve been in the men’s I could easily think that this is the men’s room.” It appeared that he was not taking the same approach as me.

“I could say the same about the women’s room. This definitely is not your first time in here.”

“True, and I doubt it’ll be my last.”

“So what is the meaning for your visit this time? And I would prefer it if you did not start it with a film quote.” There was no way I was letting him treat the whole thing like one of his movies. He came in here; therefore he obviously wanted a serious conversation.

“Damn, there goes my plan,” he said, smirking at me.

“What do you want Tony? What is the problem?” I asked him. I did not want to spend longer than I needed to with him.

“That is.”

“Sorry?” I had no idea what he meant by that.

“What have I done to you Ziva? I can barely have a conversation with you anymore.”

“We are talking now, are we not?”

“We are, but I can tell that I am making you uncomfortable and all you want to do is leave. Why Ziva? Why can’t I hold a conversation with you anymore?”

“You can have a conversation with me Tony. Nothing has happened,” apart from the fact that I am trying not to throw myself at you in an attempt to get you to notice me I added in my head.

“It doesn’t seem like nothing to me Ziva. Nor does it to Gibbs,” he was getting angry now.

“What do you mean by that? Is that the reason he was angry with you?”

“Apparently so. Do you know he thought we were in a relationship? He was about to have a full on go at me for breaking one of his rules. You’re lucky I managed to change his mind before he could come after you.” Gibbs really thought that I was his girlfriend? That was something that I had not even considered. Maybe something that I had wished now and then but not something that was actually an option or something that could happen.

Still not 100% sure about what Tony was talking about I let the subject drop and tried to leave, telling him that I had to get back to the case. Unsurprisingly I did not get far before Tony grabbed hold of my arm to make me stay.

“This is exactly what I am talking about Ziva! What have I done? I’ve been searching my head for an answer for a couple of days now but I can’t find one.” Maybe turning to leave was not the best idea. Relaxing slightly I turned back to him so that we could finish this conversation.

“You have not done anything Tony,” I told him softly so as to not anger him more.

Looking at me his eyes softened though I was not sure why, “What’s wrong Ziva?”

“What do you mean what is wrong? I am fine.” I said, immediately going on the defensive.

Unfortunately it seemed as though Tony realised this as he lifted his hand to push a strand of hair behind my ear, “You do know you can talk to me right Ziva?” he said, mimicking my soft tone.

“I know Tony,” I gave him a slight smile, “but this is not something you could help me with. It’ll go away soon,” Please do not ask me what is wrong again.

Thankfully Tony did not push it, “Alright then Ziva,” he smiled again, “But if it isn’t sorted in a week there’ll be more of these meetings.”

That made me crack a smile but obviously not as big a smile as Tony had hoped it would because he drew me in to a brief hug before walking out of the room. I stood there for a moment longer to not re-compose myself before I followed him, still with a small smile on my face. I hurried back to the squad-room and told myself to not try to avoid Tony as it did not work anyway.

Now to find that murderer.