Just a little Tiva one-shot that my friend Valerie suggested. This is the outcome. I don't own NCIS.
It was that time of year again. Her birthday was approaching and yet again, Ziva David was alone. It had been like that since Tali died. They are drifted apart, went their separate ways after she was killed. Ziva couldn't stand to be a bystander, she had to take action. She joined Mossad after Tali died, and ever since then she had been alone.
Ziva didn't really mind being alone on her birthday. Ever since coming to the United States, she was used to spending her nights alone, ordering take out most of the time. Ziva was used to it now. She never complained, and she even lied about her evening activities when Tony asked.
Nobody even knew when her birthday was. She kept that part, just like most of her past, to herself. She didn't want people to feel bad that she was alone on her birthday. It really wasn't anything to fuss about.
When he asked her out to dinner, she was surprised. He didn't ask her as friends, he had asked her as a date. Ziva worried that Tony knew that it was her birthday, but his face didn't reveal any emotion. She assumed it was safe, and she agreed to go out with him that night.
Since it was her birthday, Ziva decided to indulge and buy a new dress. The dress rested slightly about her knees, and it was strapless. The color, a vibrant green, made her eyes pop and her skin glow. When Tony picked her up, she knew that he was shocked. He was staring at her lovingly the entire time.
She figured that he really didn't know that it was her birthday, and that soothed Ziva. She didn't want this to be a pity date. Sure, they were breaking the rules, but it was for a good reason. It wasn't because he pitied and felt bad for her. It meant that he actually cared.
The date was one of the best nights of her life, she had to admit. It was nice to spend time with Tony outside of work. She had really enjoyed when he came over to her apartment after work. Just sitting there and watching movies made her relax. It was easy to be around Tony, that was for sure.
After they both finished their meals, the server came over and set a piece of red velvet cake in front of Ziva. The Israeli looked at Tony confused, her eyebrows raised. "Tony, what is this?" she asked.
Smiling widely, Tony reached over and took her hand. "Happy birthday, Ziva," he said quietly, looking into her eyes.
Her heart stopped. "How...how did you know?" she asked, avoiding his gaze. She looked down at their hands and realized that she liked it when he held her hand.
"I have my ways, Ziva. You're not the only ninja at NCIS," Tony joked, laughing slightly, flashing her a smile. Then the senior field agent reached over and slipping his hand under her chin. DiNozzo made Ziva look at him. "Birthdays aren't meant to be spent alone, Zi," he added softly.
Then Tony leaned over the table and kissed her lips gently. Ziva just about melted then. She held onto his hand tighter and kissed him back. A moment later she pulled away, smiling ever so slightly. "Thank you, Tony," Ziva said. This had definitely been one of the best birthdays in years.