Rifiuto: Non Miriena

The familiar ding! of the elevator reaching the floor caused Tony to look up from his work. Seconds passed before the doors opened and his partners stepped out; he watched in silence as they walked in perfect sync, a choreographed dance neither meant to take part in- something that just happened. Ziva laughed about something Tim said.

It was the first time Tony had heard her laugh since the debacle at her apartment. His blood began to boil at the realization that it was McGee making her laugh and not him.

He watched in silence as Ziva put her things behind her desk and then joined McGee at his, perching on the edge, coffee in hand. They didn't lose a single beat in their conversation, even as Tim logged into his computer and Ziva sipped her coffee. "I was not aware that Sarah had made that playlist-"

"Neither was I, when I first found it. She'd slipped it into my record collection when my back was turned."

Ziva's laughter rang out through the bullpen, and Tim leaned back in his chair, grinning as he realized that he was the cause of that beautiful laugh.

"So, what shall we order for dinner tonight, Tim?"

"Who said anything about ordering?" She raised an eyebrow as he sipped his coffee. "I can cook."

"Really?" He nodded. "I never knew-"

"You never asked, Zi."

"What are you two doing here?" The pair looked up as Gibbs strode into the bullpen. Ziva hopped off Tim's desk. "Both Vance and I gave you time off, you should not be here."

"But Gibbs, we figured-" But the team leader glanced around them; the sight of Tony's fists clenching was all the indication he needed.

"Doesn't matter. Go home, both of you."

"But Gibbs-"

"You are not to be back in this bullpen until the four weeks are up, and if I catch you in here again, I'll ask Director Vance to extend it, is that clear?" The pair nodded and quickly grabbed their things, heading for the elevator. Once they were gone, Tony turned to his boss.

"Can you believe them, Boss? Acting as though they're a couple, even though McGee has no right to-" The younger agent jumped as Gibbs's hand connected with the back of his head.

"It's none of your business, DiNozzo. Tim and Ziva are grown adults."

"But they shouldn't-"

"They are not your concern, DiNozzo."

"But Boss-"

But Gibbs was gone before Tony could even get the words out. "What's not your concern, Tony?" The senior agent looked up as the forensic scientist entered the bullpen from the back elevator; her black pigtails bounced as she moved.

"McGee and Ziva came in a few minutes ago, acting for all the world as though they were a couple, talking about what they were going to have for dinner and what they were going to do that evening after work. Then Gibbs caught them and told them to go home. That they're not to be in for the next four weeks, and that he'll have Vance extend the sabbatical."

Abby laughed. "A couple? Ziva and McGee? Not possible! Ziva isn't even remotely interested in McGee and he isn't interested in her! She's interested in you, Tony, besides, Timmy belongs to me." Abby said, perching herself on Tony's desk, swinging her legs back and forth like a child.

"Well, from what I could see, they were fairly couple-y."

The Goth snorted, shaking her head. "No chance. Ziva's about as interested in Timmy as a cat is with a dying mouse. Once the four weeks are up, she'll come running back to you. And Timmy will come back to me, apologizing for even thinking Ziva was interested in him. Trust me."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

Abby shrugged. "Nothing. Just trust me on this. Those four weeks Ziva's going to be spending with Timmy will make them both realize how wrong they are for each other and how right we are for them."

The sound of someone clearing their throat caused both to look up; Gibbs stood in the entrance to the bullpen, coffee in hand, having heard-

"Gibbs." Abby hopped off the desk, giving a nervous laugh. "How... how much did you hear?"

"All of it, Abby." The forensic paled. Gibbs sipped his coffee, making his way towards the two. He stopped inches from the woman, studying her briefly before, "Now you both listen to me, and you listen good. You leave McGee and David alone."

"But Gibbs-" He reached up, laying a finger against her mouth.

"Leave them alone. Because if I find out that either of you have messed with them, both of you will be out of work. And I don't just mean for a day or two, I mean permanently." He glanced at Tony, who raised an eyebrow. "And if either of you dare do anything to harm either Ziva or Tim, not only will you lose your jobs, but you will face criminal charges, is that clear?"

"C'mon Gibbs-"

"Do I make myself clear?" Gibbs growled, cutting Tony off. After a moment, the Italian nodded. "Abby." She refused to meet his gaze, instead, crossing her arms and pouting. "Abigail."

Slowly, the woman nodded. Once satisfied, Gibbs headed up to the director's office to let Vance know of the situation unfolding in the bullpen. Once he was gone, Abby turned back to Tony. "I really don't care what Gibbs says. He knows that Timmy belongs to me and that Ziva belongs to you. And the sooner Gibbs sees and accepts that, the better it will be for all of us." Then, without another word, she turned, striding back to the elevator and down to her lab.

Tony watched her go, wanting to agree with her, but the threat of losing his job and criminal charges rang in his head, blocking any sort of mental agreement from taking place.