Ziva let Gibbs off the elevator on the squad room floor. Before the door closed, he turned with a slight smile giving her a gentle nod. She pressed the ground floor button, and he disappeared.
She was glad to let him know that her father was in the country. She felt a weight being lifted off of her chest. At least, if Gibbs knew, she could have someone to call for back up if something should happen.
She inhaled deeply as the elevator descended and finally opened. She passed Dornigan and two other agents that were entering the elevator.
She made her way to her car in the parking garage. On her way, she felt her hip vibrate. The screen of her cell phone read "Text: Tony DiNozzo." She slid her finger to reveal the message.
Tony: Hey, where are you? You know we're solving a case, right?
Ziva: Have you talked to Gibbs? I've got some things I need to take care of.
Tony: No, Im down in Abby's lab. Everything ok?
Ziva: Yes. Just going to have lunch with someone.
She unlocked her car, got in, and tucked her phone back into her pocket. As she began to drive off, she could feel Tony texting her. She wasn't one to text and drive. She already knew he was asking who she was going to lunch with. She smiled as her pocket buzzed several more times.
Ziva knew she couldn't tell him it was her father. This was, obviously, a huge security issue. That didn't stop her from thinking about how to tell him. She wanted him to be in the loop. She hated keeping things from him. Especially important things.
When she got to the little restaurant, she pulled out her phone to see she had received one text from McGee about the case, and the rest were from Tony.
Tony: Oh, you hvae a date?
Tony: *have. With who?
Tony: Not that I care or anything, but the last guy you went out with turned out to be a killer so…
Tony: Ziva?
Ziva: Relax, Tony. It's not a date.
Tony: I should still probably run his name through NCIC.
She laughed as she grabbed the photos on her passenger seat and headed into the restaurant where her father waited.
Eli handed the photos back to his daughter. The undercover pregnancy photo was left on top of the stack. She took another look at it, trying to contain a smile. He wanted grandchildren.
Her phone vibrated again. "Sorry, we're working on a murder case."
Eli nodded as he dove into his food.
Tony: When are you coming back? We're going to need your help spoon.
Ziva: You need help with your spoon?
Tony: *Soon! Damn autocorrect. How's your date?
Ziva: Not a date, Tony. Just enjoying a lunch and showing some photos.
Tony: Lol Like the pregnant Ziva one?
Ziva: Yeah, thanks Tony. That one got mixed in with the ones of Schmeil and I.
Tony: LMAO. Who were you showing the photos of Schmeil to?
She knew if she didn't tell him, he'd find out somehow.
Ziva: If I tell you, you have to promise to keep it top secret. It's a matter of life and death.
Tony: You have my word. You sure you're ok?
Ziva: I'm fine. He's here to spend time with me. I'm still having a hard time believing there are not ulterior motives.
Tony: Your father?
Ziva: Tell no one.
Tony: You got it. Lips are sealed.
As they were finishing their meal, another text came through. She suspected Tony would never leave her alone. It wasn't Tony this time. It was Gibbs with instructions on where to meet them.
Another buzz in her pocket came when she was getting out of her mini cooper.
Tony: Wait, he saw the pregnant photo of you? What'd he say?
Ziva: He asked if it was a boy or a girl. He knows it was fake. Just wanted to know.
Tony: Did you tell him what you named her?
Ziva: No. I don't know if he could have handled that. I'm saving that name for when I do have a little girl.
She blushed when her father pointed out she had been on her phone all day perhaps with a mystery boyfriend.