A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
By
Ashleigh Anpilova
Tim's agent gives him two complimentary tickets to attend an opera. Who can he ask to go with him?
A pre-slash story.
Written: January 2012. Word count: 500.
Tim waited until Tony and Ziva left before taking the tickets from his desk drawer. His agent had given them to him. At the time she'd handed them over he hadn't looked at them; now as he did, he groaned softly.
The opera? Why would she think he'd want to go to the opera? He vaguely remembered her asking if he liked classic music and he'd muttered something about 'some of it'; how had that translated into tickets for The Marriage of Figaro?
The second question was: who could he get to go with him? He never for a moment considered not going or giving them both away; that wouldn't be right. "Ducky!" He hurried from the squad room.
"Hey, Ducky. I wondered if you -"
"Dr. Mallard has gone for the evening. He won't be back until Friday." Palmer appeared and smiled. "Can I help you?"
"Only if you like the opera," Tim quipped and looked at Palmer. "You don't, do you?"
Palmer shrugged. "I like some. Mom had a few records and Dr. Mallard occasionally sings snatches. Why?"
"I've got two tickets to The Marriage of Figaro for tomorrow night and -"
"You thought Dr. Mallard would like to go? I'm sure he would have done." Tim wasn't certain, but he thought Palmer sounded a little subdued.
Tim ignored the tone. "So?"
Palmer stared at him. "So?"
"Do you want to come with me, Jimmy?"
Palmer's eyes lit up and he beamed. "I'd like that, Tim."
"Good. I'll pick you up at seven." It never occurred to Tim to suggest meeting at the theater; he'd asked Palmer to go with him, therefore he'd pick him up.
THE FOLLOWING EVENING
"That was wonderful. Thanks again for inviting me, Tim."
"My pleasure, Jimmy." Tim smiled at his companion. Despite his reservations he'd really enjoyed himself. The opera had been excellent and the company even better. He suddenly found he didn't want the evening to end. "Do you want to get a drink or a late dinner?"
Jimmy blushed slightly. "Well," he said his tone hesitant. "I put a lasagna in the oven before we left and set the timer. It'll be nice and hot by now. It's homemade," he added. "And I have a bottle of wine. So if you wanted to . . ."
"That'd be great, Jimmy."
A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER
Tim and Jimmy sat on the couch finishing the wine. Tim felt more contented than he'd felt for some time. He was enjoying Jimmy's company very much; he felt he'd like to get to know him better and he got the impression the feeling was mutual. "Tony told me you and Breena broke up."
Jimmy nodded. "Yes. When something's not right, you have to end it."
"Mmm, and when something is right?" Tim moved a little nearer to Jimmy and stared into his eyes. For a second Jimmy looked like a spooked deer. Then the look changed and Tim saw he had been correct. He held up his glass. "To rightness."
Jimmy clinked his glass against Tim's. "To rightness."
Abby's Blessing is the sequel to this story
Feedback is always appreciated
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