"Cooked Up" NCIS Fanfic, Gen
Title: "Cooked Up"
Author: tallisen
Characters: Tony, Ziva, McGee, Gibbs
Genre: Gen
Rating: G
Summary: The team find themselves having Thanksgiving at work.
Word Count: 1,237
Spoilers: None!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, I am not making money from them or the stories that I write.
_____________________
Tony eyed the modest offerings in front of him with some trepidation. There appeared to be a collection of all the Thanksgiving basics: turkey, cranberry sauce, rolls, squash, mashed potatoes, stringed beans and ham. The container below it remained hidden but judging by the amount of steam collecting on its sides it was something freshly made.
“Wow Ziva,” Tony kept himself in check - after all he hadn’t eaten in hours and a home made meal from his fellow agent was too much of a temptation to pass up. “That looks great.”
Ziva held the Tupperware closer and gave him a stern look. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
Tony held his hands up in an offering of peace. “I’m merely stating that your food looks delicious.”
Ziva studied him for another moment before deciding that his comment had been in fact, quite harmless. She offered it once more and Tony hastily snatched it away before she could change her mind.
He carried the meal back to his desk and plopped down in the seat, grinning at the food before him. The delightful aroma was enough to make his mouth water.
Ziva took her own seat and set about opening her own Tupperware. On the other side of the room McGee had already dug into his potatoes. “Thanks Ziva,” he said around a mouthful of them. “This sure makes up for missing my family dinner.”
“Yeah, how about that?” Tony mused, popping the top off his meal. “It’s our own TV family. Mah, pah and little Timmy.”
He dipped his plastic fork into the mix and withdrew a sizeable chunk of ham. He shoved the whole thing in his mouth and groaned with pleasure. “Now that,” he said with an even smugger grin, “beats frozen dinner any day!”
Ziva tried to hide her approving smile behind her computer monitor but Tony could still see it. She hadn’t had much time to cook, which surprised him when faced with the end result at the end of his fork. Gibbs had only told them the day before that they had a top priority case that needed to be wrapped up as per the big boss’s orders before anybody went anywhere. They managed to in record time alright but they’d missed their flights out for the holiday.
Ziva of all people suggested meeting in the office for their own dinner. Abby and Ducky already had plans but the three of them had nowhere else to be. Gibbs was a no-show so far. Tony wondered if he’d come at all. Ziva had left him a share on his desk.
Tony happily devoured his meal in the companionable silence that had fallen over their group. He was sorry to be missing his mother’s cooking but glad to avoid another confrontation with his father. Relatives and booze in large quantities always brought out the worst in his dad. Oh, and Tony in general.
Tony wondered what kind of Geek Fest McGee would be missing. Tony envisioned every relative other than McGee’s cute as a button sister a complete bore; what ever it was that his family did for entertainment it undoubtedly included computers.
Then there was Ziva. As far as Tony knew she didn’t even celebrate the holidays. If McGee and he hadn’t missed their flights what would she be doing? Staying home? Going on a grand dating adventure that she’d withhold information on when Tony asked later? The last sounded the most plausible. He was suddenly glad that she was there with them.
But, he also couldn’t think of a reason for her to want to cook for them in the first place - not that he would ever complain. Sure he had had some reservation about coming into work today knowing that Ziva was bringing the food but he still fasted before hand to avoid any unpleasantness if Ziva thought he didn’t like what she’d given him. His caution was not wasted though he found himself wanting much more once his fork hit the bottom of the travel container.
His gaze immediately sought out the offering left on Gibbs’ desk but Ziva’s caught it first. If looks could kill Tony would be 6 feet under.
“That is not for you.” She told him firmly. “If you are still hungry I suggest you eat your dessert.”
He’d almost forgotten about the second Tupperware.
Tony sat his crumbs aside and lifted the bottom tray for closer examination. He caught sight of Ziva watching him but pretended to not notice. “What do we have here?”
Through the bottled perspiration something dark and block shaped appeared to be staring back. So far Ziva had whipped up a traditional Thanksgiving meal with no mistakes, would this mystery item seal the deal, or would it be what Tony expected from his fellow agent?
McGee was watching him now too, though he appeared less patient and more annoyed by Tony’s performance. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?”
Tony chose to not answer. Instead he held the Tupperware above his head and slowly peeled the airtight top off. Then, ever so slowly he lowered it until he could successfully peer over the clear plastic rim.
His eyes met the sight of a modest slice of cake - dark in color and smooth in texture and his nose inhaled a warm tantalizing aroma of zucchini. He knew it was too late to properly mask his reaction as his mouth had begun to water all over again and his left hand was blindly seeking out his abandoned fork.
“What do you think?” Ziva’s inquiry barely slowed his cakey conquest. He glanced up at her as he loaded his fork for the first bite and gave her what he hoped was a carefully gauged smile - not too smug least she take insult but not too approving least she think he had feelings for her - not that he did.
“Well, most people make pies for Thanksgiving,” Tony explained matter-of-factly, “but Rachel Ray would be proud.”
“Rachel…” Ziva turned her confusion to McGee who cracked his own cake open upon seeing Tony’s approval.
“A famous cook on network television.” McGee elaborated.
Ziva swelled with unmistakable pride.
“Not that famous…” Tony muttered. He was spared further embarrassment when the elevator door opened revealing Gibbs, dressed for work.
Tony shared surprised looks with Ziva and McGee and turned back just as their boss reached the end of their cubicles.
“Hey Gibbs,” Tony greeted, a bit unsure of how he should proceed. His Thanksgiving was as riddled with surprises as a target on a shooting range. He half expected Santa to show up next with a BB gun and a little orphan Annie decoder ring.
“Ziva made you a dinner too, boss.” McGee told Gibbs, pointing at the older man’s desk.
Gibbs took it in first glance and swept in to take his own seat.
“I am Rachel Light.” Ziva stated proudly. Gibbs looked at the food before him and nodded approvingly.
“Ray, not light.” Tony corrected.
“Right.” Ziva nodded decisively, dead set on memorizing every pop culture reference Tony shot her way. He enjoyed the challenge. Some might say too much, but he would never agree.
Still grinning at his minor victory, Tony looked over at Gibbs who had just opened the Tupperware. “Happy Thanksgiving, boss.”
Gibbs’ gaze swept to all three of them and he smiled ever so slightly. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Author: tallisen
Characters: Tony, Ziva, McGee, Gibbs
Genre: Gen
Rating: G
Summary: The team find themselves having Thanksgiving at work.
Word Count: 1,237
Spoilers: None!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, I am not making money from them or the stories that I write.
_____________________
Tony eyed the modest offerings in front of him with some trepidation. There appeared to be a collection of all the Thanksgiving basics: turkey, cranberry sauce, rolls, squash, mashed potatoes, stringed beans and ham. The container below it remained hidden but judging by the amount of steam collecting on its sides it was something freshly made.
“Wow Ziva,” Tony kept himself in check - after all he hadn’t eaten in hours and a home made meal from his fellow agent was too much of a temptation to pass up. “That looks great.”
Ziva held the Tupperware closer and gave him a stern look. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
Tony held his hands up in an offering of peace. “I’m merely stating that your food looks delicious.”
Ziva studied him for another moment before deciding that his comment had been in fact, quite harmless. She offered it once more and Tony hastily snatched it away before she could change her mind.
He carried the meal back to his desk and plopped down in the seat, grinning at the food before him. The delightful aroma was enough to make his mouth water.
Ziva took her own seat and set about opening her own Tupperware. On the other side of the room McGee had already dug into his potatoes. “Thanks Ziva,” he said around a mouthful of them. “This sure makes up for missing my family dinner.”
“Yeah, how about that?” Tony mused, popping the top off his meal. “It’s our own TV family. Mah, pah and little Timmy.”
He dipped his plastic fork into the mix and withdrew a sizeable chunk of ham. He shoved the whole thing in his mouth and groaned with pleasure. “Now that,” he said with an even smugger grin, “beats frozen dinner any day!”
Ziva tried to hide her approving smile behind her computer monitor but Tony could still see it. She hadn’t had much time to cook, which surprised him when faced with the end result at the end of his fork. Gibbs had only told them the day before that they had a top priority case that needed to be wrapped up as per the big boss’s orders before anybody went anywhere. They managed to in record time alright but they’d missed their flights out for the holiday.
Ziva of all people suggested meeting in the office for their own dinner. Abby and Ducky already had plans but the three of them had nowhere else to be. Gibbs was a no-show so far. Tony wondered if he’d come at all. Ziva had left him a share on his desk.
Tony happily devoured his meal in the companionable silence that had fallen over their group. He was sorry to be missing his mother’s cooking but glad to avoid another confrontation with his father. Relatives and booze in large quantities always brought out the worst in his dad. Oh, and Tony in general.
Tony wondered what kind of Geek Fest McGee would be missing. Tony envisioned every relative other than McGee’s cute as a button sister a complete bore; what ever it was that his family did for entertainment it undoubtedly included computers.
Then there was Ziva. As far as Tony knew she didn’t even celebrate the holidays. If McGee and he hadn’t missed their flights what would she be doing? Staying home? Going on a grand dating adventure that she’d withhold information on when Tony asked later? The last sounded the most plausible. He was suddenly glad that she was there with them.
But, he also couldn’t think of a reason for her to want to cook for them in the first place - not that he would ever complain. Sure he had had some reservation about coming into work today knowing that Ziva was bringing the food but he still fasted before hand to avoid any unpleasantness if Ziva thought he didn’t like what she’d given him. His caution was not wasted though he found himself wanting much more once his fork hit the bottom of the travel container.
His gaze immediately sought out the offering left on Gibbs’ desk but Ziva’s caught it first. If looks could kill Tony would be 6 feet under.
“That is not for you.” She told him firmly. “If you are still hungry I suggest you eat your dessert.”
He’d almost forgotten about the second Tupperware.
Tony sat his crumbs aside and lifted the bottom tray for closer examination. He caught sight of Ziva watching him but pretended to not notice. “What do we have here?”
Through the bottled perspiration something dark and block shaped appeared to be staring back. So far Ziva had whipped up a traditional Thanksgiving meal with no mistakes, would this mystery item seal the deal, or would it be what Tony expected from his fellow agent?
McGee was watching him now too, though he appeared less patient and more annoyed by Tony’s performance. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?”
Tony chose to not answer. Instead he held the Tupperware above his head and slowly peeled the airtight top off. Then, ever so slowly he lowered it until he could successfully peer over the clear plastic rim.
His eyes met the sight of a modest slice of cake - dark in color and smooth in texture and his nose inhaled a warm tantalizing aroma of zucchini. He knew it was too late to properly mask his reaction as his mouth had begun to water all over again and his left hand was blindly seeking out his abandoned fork.
“What do you think?” Ziva’s inquiry barely slowed his cakey conquest. He glanced up at her as he loaded his fork for the first bite and gave her what he hoped was a carefully gauged smile - not too smug least she take insult but not too approving least she think he had feelings for her - not that he did.
“Well, most people make pies for Thanksgiving,” Tony explained matter-of-factly, “but Rachel Ray would be proud.”
“Rachel…” Ziva turned her confusion to McGee who cracked his own cake open upon seeing Tony’s approval.
“A famous cook on network television.” McGee elaborated.
Ziva swelled with unmistakable pride.
“Not that famous…” Tony muttered. He was spared further embarrassment when the elevator door opened revealing Gibbs, dressed for work.
Tony shared surprised looks with Ziva and McGee and turned back just as their boss reached the end of their cubicles.
“Hey Gibbs,” Tony greeted, a bit unsure of how he should proceed. His Thanksgiving was as riddled with surprises as a target on a shooting range. He half expected Santa to show up next with a BB gun and a little orphan Annie decoder ring.
“Ziva made you a dinner too, boss.” McGee told Gibbs, pointing at the older man’s desk.
Gibbs took it in first glance and swept in to take his own seat.
“I am Rachel Light.” Ziva stated proudly. Gibbs looked at the food before him and nodded approvingly.
“Ray, not light.” Tony corrected.
“Right.” Ziva nodded decisively, dead set on memorizing every pop culture reference Tony shot her way. He enjoyed the challenge. Some might say too much, but he would never agree.
Still grinning at his minor victory, Tony looked over at Gibbs who had just opened the Tupperware. “Happy Thanksgiving, boss.”
Gibbs’ gaze swept to all three of them and he smiled ever so slightly. “Happy Thanksgiving.”