[Fanfic] All the Right Moves - Chapter One
Title: All the Right Moves
Show: NCIS
Characters: Tim, Gibbs, Ziva, and Tony
Genre: AU, Drama, Slash
Rating: FR15
Pairings: Gibbs/McGee
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Challenge: The Boys Wrapped in Plot
Spoilers: Spoilers for characters up to season nine.
Summary: The word ‘Gifted’ is defined as ‘having great special talent of ability.’ But during the mid 21st Century the word gained new meaning as children were discovered to be developing psychic abilities. Tim McGee is a 1st degree technopath, he has managed to keep his gift a secret all of his life...Until Ziva David-Hadar found him.
Chapter One
“It is not a negative thing Tim. Just admit it!”
“For the last time Ziva, no! Now please cut it out. We have customers.”
Ziva David-Hadar laughed, leaning far enough over the check-out counter that she could see the three young college students browsing through the accessories at the back of the store. Their heads were stuck close together as they compared two different computer games.
“I am sure that if I explained the situation and gave them all the facts they would agree with me. Admit it Tim, you have a ‘boy crush’ on our handsome Private Eye.”
Timothy McGee’s face reddened. His eyes searched the store, checking whether any of his customers were within earshot. The three college boys were still huddled together, seemingly unable to reach a decision. A middle-aged woman was browsing the desktops with a pre-teen girl that was most likely her daughter. A few others filtered though the isles of computer products and accessories that the store carried. None appeared to have heard Ziva’s comment, but just to be safe...Tim placed a firm hand on the younger woman’s shoulder, herding her out from behind the counter and into his small office.
The door shut behind him with a snap and the owner of the small computer store flopped ungracefully into the chair behind his desk. Bills piled on the desk shook out of their neat stacks, some slipped over the edge and fell to the floor. Tim leaned back with a groan, covering his flushed face with his hands.
“Please don’t say things like that in front of the customers Ziva. Not that I’ve got a problem with stuff like that. It’s just, I’ve never…I don‘t want them to hear and start gossiping before I figure it all out for myself.” He paused, then peeked a weary yet curious eye towards his business partner. “What makes you think I’ve got a bo- a crush on Detective Gibbs?”
Ziva smiled. Hitching a hip onto the desk she tapped the laptop sitting, repaired and ready to be returned to it’s owner, in front of her friend.
“Well for starters, you repaired his laptop for a fraction of the price you would have charged another customer. Also, despite the fact that you know he will not come in to pick it up personally you still insisted that we open the store early this morning, to be easier on his schedule.” Her lips quirked into a wicked smirk and she leaned forward to whisper into his ear. “That does not even begin to cover the attention that you give the man during our other job.”
With another loud groan Tim dropped his head onto his desk, covering his ears with his hands. Ziva laughed as she made her way to the door. It looked like the college kids were ready to check out. A quiet noise made her pause and turn. Tim looked up at her, face still flushed but looking infinitely happier.
“Thank you Ziva. It’s just…I’ve never been attracted to another guy before. I’m allowed to be a little confused and freaked out for awhile.”
She smiled at him and he could not help but smile back.
“You are welcome Tim. Remember, if you ever need to talk about anything I will always be there.” A blink, a momentary pause. “And after you two get together I will be counting on you to share all the messy details.”
“Ziva!”
The Israeli woman slipped out of the office before Tim could decide if he were willing to draft his paperweights as grenades.
Half an hour later the door swung open, sounding the wind chimes that hung above it. Tim glanced up from behind the counter where he sat, fingertips resting on the keyboard of his laptop browsing the Internet, and watched as a familiar face swaggered inside out of the heat.
Tony DiNozzo was a handsome man. He walked with his head held high, practically oozing confidence. Tim tried to study him covertly as he paused in the middle of the store to flirt with a college student looking to replace her laptop. He judged by the suit Tony wore (very nicely tailored but completely impractical for today’s weather) that he and his partner were working a case. Tim frowned, closely scrutinizing the older man’s body.
Ziva slipped up to the counter beside him, setting Gibbs’ laptop down carefully. Leaning on his shoulder she watched DiNozzo from beneath half-lidded lashes. Unlike Tim, she made no attempt to conceal her attentions.
“He is a rather handsome man is he not?” Tim looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She smirked, leaning close to whisper in his ear. "I am merely wondering if you had ever felt a sexual attraction towards Detective DiNozzo. Comparing your feelings towards Gibbs against other men will help solve your sexuality issues will it not?”
Tim flushed, embarrassed that he had been caught so obviously evaluating the other man. He glared hard at his friend as DiNozzo approached the counter, a clear warning that she should keep her mouth shut.
“Hey there McGeek Squad! You got the Bossman’s laptop fixed yet? I swear, for someone who can’t seem to figure out how to navigate the Internet he seems to download a bunch of viruses.”
Tim blanched slightly at the nickname. It wasn’t the most original of nicknames that Tony had ever come up with. Tim had heard it many times growing up, from much less well-meaning men and boys. Frowning he looked down at the laptop on the counter. It wasn’t a newer model and had clearly been designed to withstand some wear and tear.
“Yep, all fixed, all files safe and secure. I went ahead and installed some new anti-virus programs free of charge. Hopefully it will protect this baby from anything your boss can put it through.”
Tony laughed.
“Them’s fightin’ words McGee. I tell Gibbs that you ‘Gibbs proofed’ his laptop and he might just go out of his way to prove you wrong.”
Tim laughed feeling slight warmth in his chest. “If he does manage to get it infected again I’ll fix it for free!” Tony smirked, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes and somewhere in his imagination Tim could hear an official voice booming ‘Challenge Accepted.’ He sighed, mentally shaking his head. He really needed to spend less time on Internet memes. “I’ll go get your case while Ziva rings you up.”
Ziva’s eyes were bright as she stepped up to the register. She ran an appraising eye over Tony as he lent against the counter.
“Are you working a hot case today Detective? You seem a little dressed up for today’s weather.” Tony smiled, smoothing a hand down the lines of his suit and straightening his tie.
“Oh we’ve got a hot case alright. Smokin’ hot woman came in today to see if we’d had any progress finding her missing husband.” He rested his chin on his palm, leaning forwards conspiratorially. “She thinks he’s stepping out on her.”
“And you are making yourself available in the instance that he is and she wants revenge sex?” Ziva laughed and Tim reappeared, eyebrow raised questioningly and laptop case in hand. Tony scoffed, standing stiff his face a mask of mock outrage.
“Ziva David-Hadar! How could you think such a thing of me? To think that I would use my job to take advantage of an emotionally unstable woman to have angry, angry sex.” His eyes took on a dazed quality as he clearly fantasized for a moment before Ziva snapped her fingers in front of his face. He snapped back to reality slowly, clearing his throat loudly before continuing where he had left off. “Such a thought is ridiculous! I’m being a perfect gentlemen, a shoulder to cry on.”
Tim laughed at the image as he loaded the laptop carefully into its carry case. Tony snatched his credit card from Ziva’s proffered hand with another sigh. Sticking it into his wallet he slumped against the counter with dejection.
“No, if anyone is going to get cried on it’s going to be Gibbs. The man refuses to work cheating husband cases. He tosses all of them to me. Which means I’m going to be the nasty man to tell her that her husband has a mistress ten years younger than her and she’ll never want to see me again.” Tony fingered through the pamphlets littered across the counter. They covered everything from basic computer maintenance to an afternoon computer class Tim taught on the weekends.
“I really don’t know what he was expecting when he opened a Private Detective agency. Man probably watched to many Film Noir films as a kid.” Tim shook his head slightly as he offered the older man his laptop bag. He didn’t see Gibbs as a film noir kind of man.
“I think that you’re thinking of yourself again DiNozzo. Weren’t you waxing poetic about film noir detectives the last time you were in here?” Ziva’s eyebrows furrowed as she shot her friend a sharp glance.
“‘Waxing poetic’? How does one wax poetic? Is that another of your ridiculous American idioms?”
Tony laughed at Tim’s exasperated sigh as he took the bag, slinging the strap over his shoulder and waving before heading for the exit.
“Yes Ziva, it’s just an expression.” Tim eyed her, raising an eyebrow at her mischievous smirk. Sometimes he wondered if she said such things on purpose. It seemed like something that would amuse her.
A bell rang somewhere in the back of the store. The two exchanged surprised glances. The bell rang again and Tim took off. He quickly paced down isles, stepping around customers until he reached a door at the back of the store labeled ‘Employees Only.’ Squeezing between shelves of stocked items he reached the back door as the bell rang again. He swung the heavy door open to reveal a scowling man in a FedEx uniform.
“I’m so sorry! I was at the front of the store and didn’t hear the bell at first.”
The man gave a curt nod and glanced down at the clipboard in his hands. Tim glanced at the large package to his side. It was possible that it was another delivery of parts for the store, surely their other delivery couldn’t have arrived already. Malachi had only confirmed that he had sent it last night.
But sure enough the package bore customs stamps from England. It was Malachi’s package. Tim felt his heart rate pick up slightly.
“I need you to sign for this Sir.”
Tim shook himself from his thoughts, nodding to the man and quickly signing the form held out to him. The man tapped his foot with impatience, turning on his heel as soon as his clipboard was returned to him. Tim studied the package on his back step as the delivery truck rumbled away.
Ziva appeared silently at his elbow, her face bright and excited.
“The last of the customers have gone. I locked up and set the sign to closed. It is Malachi’s package is it not?” She stepped outside, crouching down to get a better look at the shipping label. “It is! He sent this one first class. I think that they would like feedback on it quickly this time.”
She grabbed the box eagerly and, shoving past Tim, practically ran up the stairs to the right of the door. Tim heard the door to the upstairs apartment fly open as Ziva’s voice called down.
“Come on McGee! We’ve got work to do!”
With more patience than his partner Tim secured the back door. Making his rounds through the store he checked to make sure that the front door and all the windows were locked down tight. As he passed by the counter he ran a finger along the edge of the sales computer. In an instant all of the computers in the shop began their shut down sequences. With a smile Tim headed for the stairs.
Ziva had left the door to her apartment open but Tim made sure that it was locked behind him. He was always careful about locking the doors when Malachi sent Ziva and him presents. However unlikely it is that someone would walk in on them it was always better to be safe then sorry.
Ziva already had the package opened, packing peanuts scattered over the floor of the corner she had designated their dojo. Tim couldn’t help but smile as he looked over the space. It had been so empty when he first bought the store. The lofty area always seemed cold when he had used it for storage.
But Ziva had turned it into a home. Tim blushed as he averted his eyes from the corner she had turned into her bedroom. A home complete with underwear lying out in the open.
Exclaiming loudly in Hebrew Ziva drew his attention back towards the box. He approached slowly, wondering if he should be worried about how excited Ziva was getting. As he neared she pulled a jacket of what appeared to be body armor from the box to examine it more closely. Tim’s eyes widened as he stepped nearer. The jacket was made of thick kevlar and strategically covered with thick plates to protect the chest and stomach. Rounded shoulder pads and arm guards covered both arms.
“What does Mossad think we’re fighting over here, tanks?”
Ziva glared at him.
“Mossad does not design this body armor just for us Tim. They design it for Israeli soldiers. We are merely the hamsters that test it out.”
Tim blanched. He knelt on the floor beside the box not meeting Ziva’s eyes as he pulled out a second kevlar jacket. It was lighter than he had expected and more flexible.
“I’m sorry Ziva. I didn’t mean it like that.” She nodded, still staring intently at the jacket in her hands. Loudly he cleared his throat and peered back into the box. “So what did they send for us to test this time?” He pulled out a thin cylindrical item and turned it over in his hands. He frowned, it didn’t seem to have any function. He couldn't find any electricity or computer chip inside.
“That is not one of the items they would like us to test.” Ziva smirked and took it from his hands. Stepping away she flicked her wrist and the cylinder stretched to the length of her forearm. Tim’s eyes widened.
“Oh! It’s a nightstick. That could come in useful I suppose.” Ziva nodded, collapsing the nightstick and tossing it back to him.
“That, I requested for you. I have no need for it.” She returned to the box. Tim saw several cans of what he assumed were pepper spray join the jackets on the floor before something smacked him heavily in the face. He caught whatever it was as it fell into his lap. His eyes lit up with excitement.
“Are these the gloves?”
Ziva nodded smiling as Tim eagerly examined them. The material was the same kevlar as the jackets and it was surprisingly comfortable as he pulled the left glove on. It fit snuggly to his hand except the tips of his fingers, which were exposed. Each glove had a thick plate covering the knuckles as well as the heel of his palm.
“Does this mean you’ll start teaching me to fight now? I’ve been looking online, I didn’t find much about open-palmed fighting styles.”
Ziva grinned her dark eyes dancing with mischief.
“The fighting I will be teaching you isn’t actually a style of martial arts. But yes, I will begin teaching you tomorrow.” When Tim gave her a puzzled glance her grin grew fierce. She picked up the final two items lying on the bottom of the box. Tossing one to Tim she secured a rounded, jet black mask to her face.
“Remember the tip you intercepted from the police two nights ago? I think that tonight would be the perfect opportunity to give Mossad’s new prototypes their first test run.” Picking up the jacket in her size and the matching pants Ziva walked towards her bedroom, slipping behind her privacy screen to change.
Tim studied the mask. It was a different shape than Ziva's and not completely black. The areas that surrounded the eye holes were a metallic green. With a grin to match his friends Tim secured the mask into place.
"It's a shame that Officer Fornell never got the tip that Ricky Napolitano and his buddy Sal were going to steal a new prototype from DWB Electronics. I hear that he's really jonesing to catch any of Hasewari's thugs."
Ziva's laugh carried across the room.
"Perhaps we will turn them over to him when we are finished with them."
Show: NCIS
Characters: Tim, Gibbs, Ziva, and Tony
Genre: AU, Drama, Slash
Rating: FR15
Pairings: Gibbs/McGee
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Challenge: The Boys Wrapped in Plot
Spoilers: Spoilers for characters up to season nine.
Summary: The word ‘Gifted’ is defined as ‘having great special talent of ability.’ But during the mid 21st Century the word gained new meaning as children were discovered to be developing psychic abilities. Tim McGee is a 1st degree technopath, he has managed to keep his gift a secret all of his life...Until Ziva David-Hadar found him.
Chapter One
“It is not a negative thing Tim. Just admit it!”
“For the last time Ziva, no! Now please cut it out. We have customers.”
Ziva David-Hadar laughed, leaning far enough over the check-out counter that she could see the three young college students browsing through the accessories at the back of the store. Their heads were stuck close together as they compared two different computer games.
“I am sure that if I explained the situation and gave them all the facts they would agree with me. Admit it Tim, you have a ‘boy crush’ on our handsome Private Eye.”
Timothy McGee’s face reddened. His eyes searched the store, checking whether any of his customers were within earshot. The three college boys were still huddled together, seemingly unable to reach a decision. A middle-aged woman was browsing the desktops with a pre-teen girl that was most likely her daughter. A few others filtered though the isles of computer products and accessories that the store carried. None appeared to have heard Ziva’s comment, but just to be safe...Tim placed a firm hand on the younger woman’s shoulder, herding her out from behind the counter and into his small office.
The door shut behind him with a snap and the owner of the small computer store flopped ungracefully into the chair behind his desk. Bills piled on the desk shook out of their neat stacks, some slipped over the edge and fell to the floor. Tim leaned back with a groan, covering his flushed face with his hands.
“Please don’t say things like that in front of the customers Ziva. Not that I’ve got a problem with stuff like that. It’s just, I’ve never…I don‘t want them to hear and start gossiping before I figure it all out for myself.” He paused, then peeked a weary yet curious eye towards his business partner. “What makes you think I’ve got a bo- a crush on Detective Gibbs?”
Ziva smiled. Hitching a hip onto the desk she tapped the laptop sitting, repaired and ready to be returned to it’s owner, in front of her friend.
“Well for starters, you repaired his laptop for a fraction of the price you would have charged another customer. Also, despite the fact that you know he will not come in to pick it up personally you still insisted that we open the store early this morning, to be easier on his schedule.” Her lips quirked into a wicked smirk and she leaned forward to whisper into his ear. “That does not even begin to cover the attention that you give the man during our other job.”
With another loud groan Tim dropped his head onto his desk, covering his ears with his hands. Ziva laughed as she made her way to the door. It looked like the college kids were ready to check out. A quiet noise made her pause and turn. Tim looked up at her, face still flushed but looking infinitely happier.
“Thank you Ziva. It’s just…I’ve never been attracted to another guy before. I’m allowed to be a little confused and freaked out for awhile.”
She smiled at him and he could not help but smile back.
“You are welcome Tim. Remember, if you ever need to talk about anything I will always be there.” A blink, a momentary pause. “And after you two get together I will be counting on you to share all the messy details.”
“Ziva!”
The Israeli woman slipped out of the office before Tim could decide if he were willing to draft his paperweights as grenades.
Half an hour later the door swung open, sounding the wind chimes that hung above it. Tim glanced up from behind the counter where he sat, fingertips resting on the keyboard of his laptop browsing the Internet, and watched as a familiar face swaggered inside out of the heat.
Tony DiNozzo was a handsome man. He walked with his head held high, practically oozing confidence. Tim tried to study him covertly as he paused in the middle of the store to flirt with a college student looking to replace her laptop. He judged by the suit Tony wore (very nicely tailored but completely impractical for today’s weather) that he and his partner were working a case. Tim frowned, closely scrutinizing the older man’s body.
Ziva slipped up to the counter beside him, setting Gibbs’ laptop down carefully. Leaning on his shoulder she watched DiNozzo from beneath half-lidded lashes. Unlike Tim, she made no attempt to conceal her attentions.
“He is a rather handsome man is he not?” Tim looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She smirked, leaning close to whisper in his ear. "I am merely wondering if you had ever felt a sexual attraction towards Detective DiNozzo. Comparing your feelings towards Gibbs against other men will help solve your sexuality issues will it not?”
Tim flushed, embarrassed that he had been caught so obviously evaluating the other man. He glared hard at his friend as DiNozzo approached the counter, a clear warning that she should keep her mouth shut.
“Hey there McGeek Squad! You got the Bossman’s laptop fixed yet? I swear, for someone who can’t seem to figure out how to navigate the Internet he seems to download a bunch of viruses.”
Tim blanched slightly at the nickname. It wasn’t the most original of nicknames that Tony had ever come up with. Tim had heard it many times growing up, from much less well-meaning men and boys. Frowning he looked down at the laptop on the counter. It wasn’t a newer model and had clearly been designed to withstand some wear and tear.
“Yep, all fixed, all files safe and secure. I went ahead and installed some new anti-virus programs free of charge. Hopefully it will protect this baby from anything your boss can put it through.”
Tony laughed.
“Them’s fightin’ words McGee. I tell Gibbs that you ‘Gibbs proofed’ his laptop and he might just go out of his way to prove you wrong.”
Tim laughed feeling slight warmth in his chest. “If he does manage to get it infected again I’ll fix it for free!” Tony smirked, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes and somewhere in his imagination Tim could hear an official voice booming ‘Challenge Accepted.’ He sighed, mentally shaking his head. He really needed to spend less time on Internet memes. “I’ll go get your case while Ziva rings you up.”
Ziva’s eyes were bright as she stepped up to the register. She ran an appraising eye over Tony as he lent against the counter.
“Are you working a hot case today Detective? You seem a little dressed up for today’s weather.” Tony smiled, smoothing a hand down the lines of his suit and straightening his tie.
“Oh we’ve got a hot case alright. Smokin’ hot woman came in today to see if we’d had any progress finding her missing husband.” He rested his chin on his palm, leaning forwards conspiratorially. “She thinks he’s stepping out on her.”
“And you are making yourself available in the instance that he is and she wants revenge sex?” Ziva laughed and Tim reappeared, eyebrow raised questioningly and laptop case in hand. Tony scoffed, standing stiff his face a mask of mock outrage.
“Ziva David-Hadar! How could you think such a thing of me? To think that I would use my job to take advantage of an emotionally unstable woman to have angry, angry sex.” His eyes took on a dazed quality as he clearly fantasized for a moment before Ziva snapped her fingers in front of his face. He snapped back to reality slowly, clearing his throat loudly before continuing where he had left off. “Such a thought is ridiculous! I’m being a perfect gentlemen, a shoulder to cry on.”
Tim laughed at the image as he loaded the laptop carefully into its carry case. Tony snatched his credit card from Ziva’s proffered hand with another sigh. Sticking it into his wallet he slumped against the counter with dejection.
“No, if anyone is going to get cried on it’s going to be Gibbs. The man refuses to work cheating husband cases. He tosses all of them to me. Which means I’m going to be the nasty man to tell her that her husband has a mistress ten years younger than her and she’ll never want to see me again.” Tony fingered through the pamphlets littered across the counter. They covered everything from basic computer maintenance to an afternoon computer class Tim taught on the weekends.
“I really don’t know what he was expecting when he opened a Private Detective agency. Man probably watched to many Film Noir films as a kid.” Tim shook his head slightly as he offered the older man his laptop bag. He didn’t see Gibbs as a film noir kind of man.
“I think that you’re thinking of yourself again DiNozzo. Weren’t you waxing poetic about film noir detectives the last time you were in here?” Ziva’s eyebrows furrowed as she shot her friend a sharp glance.
“‘Waxing poetic’? How does one wax poetic? Is that another of your ridiculous American idioms?”
Tony laughed at Tim’s exasperated sigh as he took the bag, slinging the strap over his shoulder and waving before heading for the exit.
“Yes Ziva, it’s just an expression.” Tim eyed her, raising an eyebrow at her mischievous smirk. Sometimes he wondered if she said such things on purpose. It seemed like something that would amuse her.
A bell rang somewhere in the back of the store. The two exchanged surprised glances. The bell rang again and Tim took off. He quickly paced down isles, stepping around customers until he reached a door at the back of the store labeled ‘Employees Only.’ Squeezing between shelves of stocked items he reached the back door as the bell rang again. He swung the heavy door open to reveal a scowling man in a FedEx uniform.
“I’m so sorry! I was at the front of the store and didn’t hear the bell at first.”
The man gave a curt nod and glanced down at the clipboard in his hands. Tim glanced at the large package to his side. It was possible that it was another delivery of parts for the store, surely their other delivery couldn’t have arrived already. Malachi had only confirmed that he had sent it last night.
But sure enough the package bore customs stamps from England. It was Malachi’s package. Tim felt his heart rate pick up slightly.
“I need you to sign for this Sir.”
Tim shook himself from his thoughts, nodding to the man and quickly signing the form held out to him. The man tapped his foot with impatience, turning on his heel as soon as his clipboard was returned to him. Tim studied the package on his back step as the delivery truck rumbled away.
Ziva appeared silently at his elbow, her face bright and excited.
“The last of the customers have gone. I locked up and set the sign to closed. It is Malachi’s package is it not?” She stepped outside, crouching down to get a better look at the shipping label. “It is! He sent this one first class. I think that they would like feedback on it quickly this time.”
She grabbed the box eagerly and, shoving past Tim, practically ran up the stairs to the right of the door. Tim heard the door to the upstairs apartment fly open as Ziva’s voice called down.
“Come on McGee! We’ve got work to do!”
With more patience than his partner Tim secured the back door. Making his rounds through the store he checked to make sure that the front door and all the windows were locked down tight. As he passed by the counter he ran a finger along the edge of the sales computer. In an instant all of the computers in the shop began their shut down sequences. With a smile Tim headed for the stairs.
Ziva had left the door to her apartment open but Tim made sure that it was locked behind him. He was always careful about locking the doors when Malachi sent Ziva and him presents. However unlikely it is that someone would walk in on them it was always better to be safe then sorry.
Ziva already had the package opened, packing peanuts scattered over the floor of the corner she had designated their dojo. Tim couldn’t help but smile as he looked over the space. It had been so empty when he first bought the store. The lofty area always seemed cold when he had used it for storage.
But Ziva had turned it into a home. Tim blushed as he averted his eyes from the corner she had turned into her bedroom. A home complete with underwear lying out in the open.
Exclaiming loudly in Hebrew Ziva drew his attention back towards the box. He approached slowly, wondering if he should be worried about how excited Ziva was getting. As he neared she pulled a jacket of what appeared to be body armor from the box to examine it more closely. Tim’s eyes widened as he stepped nearer. The jacket was made of thick kevlar and strategically covered with thick plates to protect the chest and stomach. Rounded shoulder pads and arm guards covered both arms.
“What does Mossad think we’re fighting over here, tanks?”
Ziva glared at him.
“Mossad does not design this body armor just for us Tim. They design it for Israeli soldiers. We are merely the hamsters that test it out.”
Tim blanched. He knelt on the floor beside the box not meeting Ziva’s eyes as he pulled out a second kevlar jacket. It was lighter than he had expected and more flexible.
“I’m sorry Ziva. I didn’t mean it like that.” She nodded, still staring intently at the jacket in her hands. Loudly he cleared his throat and peered back into the box. “So what did they send for us to test this time?” He pulled out a thin cylindrical item and turned it over in his hands. He frowned, it didn’t seem to have any function. He couldn't find any electricity or computer chip inside.
“That is not one of the items they would like us to test.” Ziva smirked and took it from his hands. Stepping away she flicked her wrist and the cylinder stretched to the length of her forearm. Tim’s eyes widened.
“Oh! It’s a nightstick. That could come in useful I suppose.” Ziva nodded, collapsing the nightstick and tossing it back to him.
“That, I requested for you. I have no need for it.” She returned to the box. Tim saw several cans of what he assumed were pepper spray join the jackets on the floor before something smacked him heavily in the face. He caught whatever it was as it fell into his lap. His eyes lit up with excitement.
“Are these the gloves?”
Ziva nodded smiling as Tim eagerly examined them. The material was the same kevlar as the jackets and it was surprisingly comfortable as he pulled the left glove on. It fit snuggly to his hand except the tips of his fingers, which were exposed. Each glove had a thick plate covering the knuckles as well as the heel of his palm.
“Does this mean you’ll start teaching me to fight now? I’ve been looking online, I didn’t find much about open-palmed fighting styles.”
Ziva grinned her dark eyes dancing with mischief.
“The fighting I will be teaching you isn’t actually a style of martial arts. But yes, I will begin teaching you tomorrow.” When Tim gave her a puzzled glance her grin grew fierce. She picked up the final two items lying on the bottom of the box. Tossing one to Tim she secured a rounded, jet black mask to her face.
“Remember the tip you intercepted from the police two nights ago? I think that tonight would be the perfect opportunity to give Mossad’s new prototypes their first test run.” Picking up the jacket in her size and the matching pants Ziva walked towards her bedroom, slipping behind her privacy screen to change.
Tim studied the mask. It was a different shape than Ziva's and not completely black. The areas that surrounded the eye holes were a metallic green. With a grin to match his friends Tim secured the mask into place.
"It's a shame that Officer Fornell never got the tip that Ricky Napolitano and his buddy Sal were going to steal a new prototype from DWB Electronics. I hear that he's really jonesing to catch any of Hasewari's thugs."
Ziva's laugh carried across the room.
"Perhaps we will turn them over to him when we are finished with them."