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“Easy there, where’s the fire, Zina?”
“Grandpa, I got in! Can you believe it? I got in!” He slowly puts down the rasp he’s using and wipes his hands before pulling Ziva Caitlin DiNozzo-McGee into a hug.
“I knew you could do it, beautiful girl! Have you told your dads?” she offers him a sheepish smile.
“I thought of you first.”
“Zina, Rule five.”
“I remember, Grandpa: You don’t waste good. I’m going now.”
“Good girl.” And with another hug, she turns on her heal and races back up the stairs and out the unlocked front door. Darting across the street, she spots someone sitting on her stoop. She pauses and slows her approach. The figure springs to their feet as she gets closer and then she’s being grabbed in a hug and swung around. Only when she is back on her feet does she get a good look at her assailant.
“You got in, too?”
“You got in?” he replies. Her wide smile is answer enough as they head into her house.
“Baby gremlin, what brings you by?” And her dads are standing curiously in the doorway to the kitchen. In reply, they both hold out official-looking letters.
“We got in!” they chorus. Then they’re being crushed into a group hug.
“I knew you could do it!”
“What’s all this?” and Elly slides in through the open back door.
“Mom, mom. I got in!”
“I got in, too!”
“I knew you’d do it! Celebratory pizza for everyone!”
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“I can’t look, will you do it?”
“Kasandra Zoe Lynch, don’t be a baby!”
“But Ella, I can’t!”
“You were named for a girl who had the gift, now open it!” The envelope is quickly torn open and its contents perused.
“Oh my Goddess, I got in! I have to tell the boys and my parents and your parents!”
“I got in, too!” The next few minutes are given over to excited bouncing and squealing.
“I’m guessing you both got in?” And Henry and Jack stand chuckling in the doorway.
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“Can you believe we’re actually here?”
“No way!”
“Hey, I’m Ziva DiNozzo-McGee; I guess I’ll be in here with you.”
“I’m Kasandra Lynch. This is my best friend, Elenore Reid-Morgan.”
“Hey, nice to meet you both. My friends call me Zina.” And there’s a knock at the door. Ella is closest, so she pulls it open.
“Yes?”
“I’m looking for Zina?”
“Baby duck! Come meet my roommates. Girls, this is my best friend, Donald Leon Palmer. Everyone calls him D or baby duck. D, my roommates, Ella Reid-Morgan and Kasandra lynch.” And she ushers him inside. Before the door can be closed, two more guys are walking in and more introductions are performed. It is quickly decided they should go for lunch and continue to get acquainted.
“So, where are you from?” Kasandra asks the first question.
“D.C. You?” D finishes chewing first to answer.
“Quantico.” Ella replies.
“Based on the fact that you both clocked all entrances and exits to this place before sitting down, I’d wager your parents are in law enforcement?” Jack’s gaze is steady as he asks.
“Considering the only way you would know that is if you were also doing it, I’d say the same question could apply.” Zina’s gaze is equally unwavering.
“My dad’s F.B.I, so is Henry’s mom and both of Cassandra’s parentals.” Jack is clearly the spokesperson for the trio.
“All our folks are NCIS, in varying capacities.” Zina offers.
“What are the odds that the lot of us would wind up not only at the same school, but in such close proximity?” Henry’s question is clearly meant to be rhetorical, but D seriously begins to calculate.
“Baby duck, he was kidding.”
“I know, but I could always do the math.”
“Rule 64.” And she gives him a mild glare.
“Fine.” And he pouts.
“What’s rule 64?” Jack asks.
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” They recite it in unison.
“Whose rule is that?” Cassandra inquires.
“Our grandfather of sorts.” Zina manages to reply just as a shadow falls over the table.
“What’s this? Do my eyes deceive me? Is this my favorite niece and nephew with company who didn’t even look in my direction when they walked in?” The woman has a frown marring what is an obviously pretty face as she speaks.
“Aunt Sara! Sorry, I totally spaced!”
“I was just distracted, sorry.” And both of them stand and hug her.
“I’ll let it go, this time. If it happens again, I’m telling all your folks.”
“It won’t happen again, we promise!” they chorus.
“Who are your friends?” Zina quickly introduces their new roommates, and D tosses in a final:
“They’re all F.B.I. kids.”
“None related to Toby, I hope.”
“We hadn’t gotten that far, but I doubt it.” D is quick to assure her.
“Toby?” Ella asks.
“Tobias Fornell. He and our folks have a complicated love/hate relationship. Personally, I’m pretty sure it’s more love than hate, but that depends on witch parent you ask, and when.” Zina explains.
“Oh, I think we’ve heard of him, but all we know is reputation.”
“Good.” And Sara is smiling.
“While I’m here, can I get anyone a refill?”
“I think we’re alright. Thanks, though.” D takes a quick glance around the table to confirm.
“Well, you know where I am if you need me.” And she’s off.
“Whose aunt is she?” Henry is curious.
“Technically she’s mine, but you know how team living can be. We’re all family.” Zina grins.
“I hear that.” Ella nods her agreement.
“So, have we past the tentative feeling each other out stage yet? Because I’d really like to know why you call him baby duck.” Cassandra bursts out after a few more minutes of awkward small-talk. The resultant laughter her comment generates seems to break the unacknowledged tension.
“I was named after my dad’s boss whose nickname was ducky because his last name was Mallard.”
“I was named for teammates who left before I ever even came along; I know what that’s like. I never knew them, but I’ve heard stories.” Ella nods.
“Hey, me too!” Zina grins.
“Why did your aunt refer to all your folks?” Jack asks.
“Well, I have a mom and two dads, hence the double last name thing.” Zina explains.
“Hey, me too! Well, sort of. I never knew my mom, but I was adopted by my dads when I was only a few months old.”
“This world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.” Jack chuckles.
“Doesn’t it, though?” D agrees.
“What’s everyone majoring in?” Kasandra wants to know.
“You first.” Ella nudges her friend.
“Computer science with a minor in graphic design.” Kasandra rolls her eyes.
“I’m double majoring in Creative writing and film production, embracing both my dads’ artistic sides.” Zina smiles.
“I’m majoring in political science. I’m thinking about going into law like my dad before he became a fed, though I’m not entirely sure about that yet.” Jack explains.
“It’s all about the biology with a minor in computer science for me.” D offers.
“Right now, I’m majoring in communications, but I think I might grab journalism major in a little while.” Henry says it ponderously.
“I’m honestly not sure what to major in at the moment. I’m caught between philosophy and psychology and sociology and anthropology. I’m taking intros to all of them in the hopes it’ll help me decide.” Ella’s smile is sheepish.
“Well, the good news is you don’t have to decide right away.” D offers the smile supportively.
“Very true.” She nods in agreement.
“So, Ella, how long have you and Jack been you and jack?” Zina asks when they’re on their way back to their dorms.
“Has Uncle Tim taught you nothing? Subtlety, girl!” D is aghast. Ella only chuckles.
“It’ll be three years next month.” Jack replies.
“Very nice. I don’t think I’ve ever managed to keep a fish alive that long, let alone a relationship.” It’s said breezily, but D pulls her into a side hug anyway.
“You will.”
“I know.” She sighs.
There then follows several days of becoming accustomed to their new learning environment.
“Can you believe its winter break already?” Ella asks the question several months later, from where her face is pressed into her pillow.
“I know I can’t.” Kasandra agrees.
“Frankly, I’m more impressed Henry and I haven’t killed each other yet.” Zina’s comment is replied to by a pair of rolled eyes from both her roommates.
“I keep telling you he likes you!” Ella is clearly exasperated.
“And I keep telling you, if he did, he would just come right out and say so!” Zina is equally exasperated.
“He doesn’t think you like him, so he doesn’t want to make the first move.” D says it, standing in the doorway. All three girls whip their gazes to him.
“I thought you heard my knock, sorry.” And he offers them a sheepish smile. Kasandra is the first to react, leaping off her bed and flying across the small space to pull him down into a passionate kiss.
“I missed you too, seer girl.” He chuckles once he’s pulled away from her.
“Sorry, it’s been one hell of a midterm week.” Although she doesn’t sound particularly apologetic as she continues to cling to him.
“Hey, you guys ready yet?” Jack’s head suddenly appears over D’s left shoulder.
“Almost, sweetie.” And Ella pushes herself into a sitting position, and begins gathering the clothes that have somehow escaped her suitcase.
“Let’s go, ladies!” Henry’s voice is a sharp crack. Zina can only sigh sadly.
“Make a move, then!” D whisper-yells before disentangling himself from his girlfriend and moving back across the hall.
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“So, how’s the first semester going?” Zina can only blush at Tim’s innocent question.
“Care to share, sweet pea?” Tony’s eyes narrow with his curiosity.
“Well, you see, there’s kind of a boy.” She begins haltingly.
“Did he put hands on you?” Tony’s look has turned decidedly more dangerous in an instant.
“God, papa! No! I like him, and Baby duck claims he likes me, but he won’t make a move, and I don’t know what to do. Help?” There is total silence for a full minute once her rambling has come to an end. Tim recovers his voice first.
“Is he cute?”
“God, dad! What kind of question is that?”
“Well? Is he?”
“Papa, not you too?” they stare at her until she cracks.
“Fine! You’re both lucky I love you. He’s more than cute, he’s hansom and sweet and he keeps me on my toes and he isn’t afraid to call me out if I’m being a right cow and I really want to date him! Are you happy now?”
“Not particularly, no.”
“Tony!”
“What, elflord? You want your daughter lusting after some boy we know nothing about?”
“No, but you could at least act like you trust her. Although, Sweetheart, to be faire, you haven’t even told us his name.”
“Henry LaMontagne. His mom is a profiler with the BAU and his dad is a homicide detective with metro Pd. He’s from Quantico.” Her fathers ponder this for a moment.
“He seems acceptable.” Tony finally admits.
“If he won’t make the first move, what’s stopping you?” Tim offers.
“Do you really think I could, dad?”
“Frankly, I’m surprised you haven’t already. I mean look who your father is.” He chuckles at their identical pouts.
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“Son, how’s school been going?” Henry jerks up at his father’s question, a blush flaming on his cheeks.
“What’s her name?” JJ asks.
“Mom!”
“Answer the question, son.”
“Ziva DiNozzo-McGee. She’s from D.C. Her dads are NCIS.”
“Well, that’s concise. What’s your relationship status?” Will keeps eye contact with his son as he asks.
“Sadly just friends.”
“So what’s stopping you from making a move?”
“What if she doesn’t feel the same way? If I make a move and she’s not into me, I’ll look like an idiot! I’m roommates with her best friend, it’s terrifying! What if he told her I snore, or how I leave my third of the room a mess or how I always forget to change the toilet paper! I can’t handle this!” Once he’s wound down, Henry can only blink at his outburst. He did not expect to react that way. If his parents’ expressions are anything to go by, they didn’t expect it either.
“If you don’t do something, you’ll never know.” JJ’s voice is soft as she pats his hand.
“I’ll think about it, mom.”
“Who knows? By the time second semester starts, you might not even have to worry. She might just meet someone over break and problem solved.” Will’s face gives nothing away as he states his theory. Henry’s rapidly paling face informs him he’s just given his son the kick he needs.
“May I be excused?” it’s practically a jumble as Henry jumps up.
“Sure.” JJ’s smile is bland. Their son is practically a blur as he puts his empty plate in the sink and races up the stairs, tripping more than once as he tries to pull his phone out as he goes.
“Father of the year.” JJ smirks.
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“Zina, do you know what time it is?” Baby Duck’s voice is groggy as he answers his ringing phone.
“He asked me out! Henry LaMontagne called me, and he asked me out!”
“I’m happy for you, but can I go back to sleep?” his only answer is the dead air of a cut connection. With a role of his eyes, he tries to get comfortable again. Not thirty minutes later, his phone is ringing again, jerking him forcefully from a deep sleep.
“Henry, its three A.M. whatever it is, can’t it wait?”
“I called her, I asked her out, and she said yes! I’m going out with Zina DiNozzo-McGee!”
“How glorious. I’m going back to bed.” All he gets is a click for his troubles. He is seriously tempted to turn his phone off, but his parents taught him better than that. 45 minutes later, he is woken up again and he takes a long moment to contemplate just hurling his phone across the room before answering.
“Kasandra, I love you, but it is far beyond stupid O’clock, can we talk later?” He’s too tired to think about what he’s saying until after he’s said it. Before he can take it back, his girlfriend speaks up.
“They’re going out! Can you believe it? They’re going out!”
“I know, seer girl, I’m truly happy for them, but if I don’t get some sleep, I’m liable to hurt someone.”
“I love you too. Sorry. Sleep well, duckling.” And there’s a quiet click. With a soft smile, He hits speed-dial.
“Someone better be dead.” Is the growl that greets him after two rings.
“Kasandra said she loves me!” and he hangs up before Zina can say anything.
“I don’t care if this is Jesus himself, I’ll kill you if you don’t have a good reason for waking me up.”
“Henry, my boyfriend just told me he loves me!” and there’s a click before Henry’s sleep-addled mind even has a chance to work out who’s on his phone, let alone what they’re talking about.