Okay so I know what you're thinking: another 'Tony gets Ziva pregnant' story. Well you're right…kind of. Same story but I'm going to try to introduce some new twists into it. I'm introducing this universe to see the reaction to it. If you guys like it I'll add some more. If you hate it, this story will fade into the deep recesses of , never to be heard from again. Either way let me know!
He was almost done securing the final plank in place when he heard the cries begin. He paused for a moment, gauging the intensity of the wails before gently placing the tools back in their respective places. He figured he had at least twenty more seconds before the cries for attention turned into those of desperation. Climbing the stairs quickly, he entered his living room to find the little girl, the closest thing he's ever get to a grandchild, standing in her playpen. Her chubby cheeks were red from the exertion of crying and her curly, dark hair stood out in every which direction.
"Good morning sleepy head," Gibbs smiled at her. Immediately the little girl's arms shot toward him, begging to be removed from her padded prison. Gibbs happily obliged, hoisting her up and balancing her against his hip. She dropped her head to his shoulder, as was customary when she first woke up, her thumb instinctively finding her mouth.
"Mommy will be here soon," he informed her, sinking backward onto the couch bringing the infant to sit on his lap. She leaned back against his chest, the sound of his heartbeat acting as a makeshift lullaby. He used to do this with Kelly when she was younger; they would sit for hours in this same position.
"Mum," she gurgled bringing a smile to Jethro's face.
"That's right," he laughed. "You're getting too smart for your own good." Now fully awake, she began to squirm in his lap so Gibbs placed her on the floor. "All right wiggle worm, down you go." She pulled herself to a standing position with the help of the coffee table and looked back at him with a questioning gaze. "You know where the toys are," he said pointing to the corner of the room where a brand new wooden toy box—an early birthday gift—sat nearly overflowing with toys. She took off on wobbly legs, each step more confident than the last, until she reached her destination.
'I can't believe she's walking already,' he thought. 'They grow up way too fast.' It was cliché to think it, but it felt like just last week that he'd learned about the unexpected addition to their team.
Gibbs stepped into the elevator where his two best field agents waited for him, wearing matching expressions of fear and worry. As the metal box descended, he reached over and flipped the emergency stop switch. The elevator halted to a stop, its gears and cables protesting the overuse of that particular function.
"Something you two want to tell me?" he asked. Tony and Ziva glanced at one another, a silent conversation occurring between them until Tony finally spoke up.
"We uh…we broke a rule, boss," he said scratching the back of his head nervously. Gibbs noticed with some amusement that it was the same spot where his hand usually landed when it struck his senior field's agent's head.
"Rule 12." It was a statement, not a question. Both agents' eyes dropped to the floor. "I know. Known for some time." Their eyes snapped back up at this, mirrored looks of surprise on their faces. Gibbs had to smirk, "Why does everyone think I'm so clueless?"
"We don't," Ziva protested immediately.
"Out of the loop—maybe, but not clueless," Tony added. This earned him a sharp glare from Gibbs and an elbow to the stomach from Ziva.
"Look, I saw this coming. It was inevitable." He reached over and flipped the switch again bringing the machine back to life and essentially ending the awkward conversation. "Keep it out of work and there won't be a problem."
Ziva reached over and flipped the switch again. Another chorus of protests was heard from above.
"You know someday this elevator is going to break and then we're going to have to take the stairs," Tony joked. No one laughed.
Gibbs focused his attention on the woman in front of him. "Something you wanna add Office Dav-eed?" he asked drawing out her last name.
She usually met his stares head on, refusing to let anyone intimidate her, but today the Mossad trained assassin diverted her eyes. That was not a good sign. "There's a problem," she said, her voice no longer held its assured tone.
"I really wish you would stop referring to this as a problem," Tony said. For a moment his and Ziva's eyes locked in a silent battle of wills; one that could go on for days.
"What's the problem?" Gibbs asked. "You two didn't get married did you? Thought I gave you enough examples of why that WASN'T a good idea."
"That's not it," Tony started. "Well, you see…we uh…the thing is boss…"
"I'm pregnant."
To say that Gibbs had been pissed that day would have been an understatement. Once he had comprehended what he was being told, he's schooled both of them on the importance of protection—though both swore that such precautions had been taken. Then he'd marched them straight upstairs, passed a bewildered McGee, to the Director's office. Jenny had been far more understanding, even going as far as to congratulate the couple, though judging by their faces she wasn't sure if that was what they wanted to hear. Changes had occurred, announcements were made and 8 months and 23 days later Natalie Rebecca DiNozzo-David was born. The name was a mouthful, but thankfully it was rarely used. The young girl—and newest member of the NCIS family—was referred to simply as Tali.
Gibbs was pulled from his reverie when a small ball bounced off his shin. He laughed, picking up the object and squeezing it in his palm.
"Ba! Ba!" Tali said. Her chubby fingers reached toward Gibbs, begging for her toy back. Jethro smiled and rolled the ball back to her. She promptly picked it up and tossed it back in his general direction, the ball flying wildly off target. Both were enjoying their impromptu game of catch before a knock at the door interrupted them.
"I think I know who that is," he said picking up Tali and heading for the front door. Checking the peep hole, Gibbs opened the door and allowed Ziva and Abby to enter. The pair immediately dropped their bags to the floor, the former turning to her boss.
"There is my malekh," she said reaching for the girl in Gibbs's arms. Tali nearly threw herself into her mother's waiting arms. "Were you a good girl today?"
"A little angel," he answered smoothing a hand over her unruly hair.
"As always," Abby added with a laugh. She came up behind Ziva and began playing peek-a-boo with her favorite niece. Tali smiled in response, throwing herself from side to side in order to catch a glimpse of Abby's face.
"Think you bought enough stuff?" Gibbs asked. He rifled through the bags on the floor, taking inventory of the balloons, streamers, and such. He pulled out a pack of plates and looked at them. "Never pegged you for the princess type, Ziver."
The Israeli rolled her eyes at the comment. "It was not my first choice," she admitted. "Not that I had much of a choice in the matter." This comment was directed at the woman next to her.
Abby balked, "Hey I'm not saying that the stuff you picked out wasn't good, but these are much better. Sponge Bob has got to be the most annoying cartoon on the planet. These are much girlier...more girly."
Ziva laughed. "Annoying or not, she loves that show. It comes on and neither she nor Tony moves for a half hour. But I do worry that it is rotting their brains."
Gibbs gave the women a confused look. "I'm assuming this Bob person is a cartoon of some kind?"
"Yeah, it's a show on Nickelodeon about a talking sponge," Abby explained.
"Talking sponge?"
"It is filled with bright colors and crude humor," Ziva explained. "No wonder Tony loves it so much."
Gibbs laughed, replacing the plates in their bag. "That really doesn't surprise me. DiNozzo always did have the mind of a child."
Abby smiled wickedly as she leaned over to whisper in Ziva's ear. "A very weird and perverted child from what I hear."
Ziva smiled, diverting her attention from the images Abby's comment brought to mind she bounced Tali on her hip. "Why don't you go with Aunt Abby while I gather your things?"
Abby reached her arms out toward the girl, wiggling her fingers. Tali looked at Abby for a moment before launching herself into the Goth's arms. Momentarily relieved of the added weight, Ziva set to gathering her child's belongings and stuffing them into the diaper bag. "Is everything set for tomorrow?" she asked swinging the bag over her shoulder.
Gibbs nodded. "Food's in the refrigerator. I'll start grilling around noon. Jenny's stopping for the cake on her way over."
"And Tim and I will be here early to help decorate," Abby added. She squealed slightly when Tali grabbed onto her pigtails and pulled them down.
"And you are sure you do not mind us using your home for the party?" Ziva asked batting Tali's hands away from her friend's hair.
"If I did I wouldn't have let Abby talk me into it," Gibbs said. He ushered the party toward the door. "Now get moving. I'm sure DiNozzo is going crazy wondering where you are."
On cue Ziva's cell began ringing. She didn't need to see the caller id to know that it was Tony as the chorus of Saving Abel's "Addicted" reached her ears. A slight blush appeared on her cheeks, which she attempted to cover as she fumbled for her phone. "Goodbye Gibbs. We will see you tomorrow," she called over her shoulder. Finally finding the device, she cast a glance at Abby who was laughing as she strapped Tali into her car seat.
"Shalom," Ziva greeted.
"Where are you guys? Please tell me you aren't still shopping."
"Hello to you too, Tony."
"Hi Tony!" Abby called from the back seat. She finished strapping Tali into her car seat and climbed into the passenger's seat next to Ziva.
"We just picked up Tali from Gibbs's," Ziva explained. "I will drop Abby off and then come home. Abby says hello."
"Hey Abs," Tony said. "Do you want me to meet you at the car? I'm sure you bought the store out."
"I am not a buy-a-holic Tony," Ziva growled.
"Shop-a-holic," Tony corrected. "I'm just offering to help."
"We left everything at Gibbs's anyhow," Ziva told him.
"Okay," he responded. Ziva could almost hear the smirk as the next words tumbled out of his mouth. "Perhaps we can put Tali down for her nap when you get home. Then you and I can…get reacquainted?"
Ziva considered this for a second; it sounded like an excellent idea. Sparing a quick glance in her rearview mirror she noticed Tali's rapidly drooping eyelids. Without a doubt she would be fast asleep in a matter of minutes; car rides always seemed to knock her out. She would be at Abby's in a few moments and then it was only a twenty minute drive back home, thirty if traffic was bad. It was not unusual for Tali to take hour long naps. This was definitely doable.
"I should be home in about twenty minutes. Meet me at the car."
Tony laughed, "I thought you didn't need help."
"Not with bags, but your daughter is very heavy," Ziva said pulling up in front of Abby's building. "Especially when she is sleeping."
"Ah gotcha," Tony said. "Arrive'derci bella."
Ziva smiled. "Ciao amante," she responded before snapping her phone closed.
"Amante?" Abby looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Since when do you speak Italian? Oh wait, never mind. I forgot who I was speaking to."
Ziva laughed, "Only with Tony."
Again I'm not sure where this chapter was meant to go. I wrote it as an introduction to the universe in hopes that it would gain mass popularity and make me a best selling author. Anywho, review it and let me know what you think. If you guys like it there will be more to come!
Translations:
Malekh—Hebrew, "angel"
Arrive'derci bella—Italian, "goodbye beautiful"
Ciao amante—Italian, "bye lover"