Chapter 1: My father and you

It was an ordinary day at the bullpen of NCIS. Gibbs was out to get some coffee. Tony and Ziva were in the bullpen searching for anything that could possibly link the two victims while their usual flirting ping pong was going on. Agent Timothy McGee entered the bullpen with a magazine in one hand and coffee in the other. He was about to put some milk in his coffee when he heard Ziva say:

''Stop McGee, that milk has gone off.''

At Ziva's good instincts McGee didn't hesitated a moment to put the milk back down. This, of course, triggered a reaction from Tony who noticed the way Ziva warned McGee.

''Look at you, throwing around American idioms like it's nothing.'' Tony said to Ziva.

''Oh you must be so proud of me.'' She replied playfully.

''I sure am, Miss David.'' He said with a smile on his face.

''I won't be Miss David for much longer.'' Ziva said while she looked down at the ring on her finger.

''I know that Mrs. – ''

'' – DAVID, DINOZZO'' Gibbs yelled, interrupting Tony. ''Another lead, here's the address, go check it out.'' Gibbs stated as he gave one of his agents the address.

In the elevator

Tony and Ziva stood there in silence, which was unusual for the last couple of weeks.

''So – '' Tony began. ''My dad is coming in to town this afternoon. Maybe you could pick him up at the airport?'' He asked Ziva with his irresistible Dinozzo smile on his face.

''Why don't we pick him up together? He is your father.''

''Okay, I guess you're right.''

''He is going to be excited.'' Ziva said.

''Or disappointed.'' Tony replied.

´´Why would he be disappointed? He got what he wanted.''

''Well, he's gonna be disappointed that he can't flirt with you anymore now that you're taken.'' Tony said while smiling.

He remembered how his father had made his moves on Ziva and asked if he was dating her otherwise he would give it a go. Of course, Ziva knew better then to fall for that. Especially since her heart already belonged to someone else.

Tony switched the emergency switch which gave him a strange look from Ziva. Then he stole a kiss from her.

''Sorry, had to'' was the only thing he said.

''Never apologize.'' She replied.

Ziva was so thankful for his love. She could not dream in her wildest dreams that a man like Tony would see through all her flaws and except her in his open arms. She went through hell and back, but Tony was always there for her. It didn't matter what she would do, Ziva knew that Tony always loved her.

When they got to the parking lot of the Navy Yard Tony decided that he would let Ziva drive. Not because he wasn't scared that he might die, but because if he let Ziva drive now they could make it in time for the arrival of his father. Soon the address was typed in the navigation system and their drive started.

Meanwhile at the Navy Yard

Gibbs' cell phone rang. Gibbs answered. It was Ducky who found something unusual that could link the two victims.

''I'll be right down Duck.'' Gibbs said before he hung up the phone and headed towards Autopsy.

That left McGee alone in the squad room. Not for long though, 'cause Abby was exiting the elevator while McGee was running some cell phone numbers.

''What's on your mind Timmy?'' She asked.

''I just don't know who to take to the wedding. Do you take anyone?''

''No, I thought I was taking someone but he called off yesterday. So I'm all single now.'' Abby said without taking one breath. She started to walk away.

''Abby, before you go. Can I ask you a question?''

Abby stopped to look McGee in the eyes.

''Sure Timmy, you never have to ask''

''Would you… I mean will you... Can I take you to the wedding?'' He asked nervously.

''You mean like a date?''

''Yes, I mean No. I mean… we're friends but we could make it a date. That is if you want it to.''

''I would come to the wedding with you as your date Timmy.''

''Great, pick you up around 13.30?''

''Sure.'' Abby said and with a huge smile on her face as she returned to her precious lab.

Down at Autopsy

''Oh yes, Jethro. I am so happy that you could come in so soon.'' Ducky said as he saw Gibbs coming in.

''Anything for you Duck.'' Gibbs replied.

''Yes, well I have traces of what seem to be Peking duck in both of their stomachs. It could be nothing but they could have had food at the same restaurant. I send Mr. Palmer with stomach samples to Miss. Sciutos lab to make sure.''

''Thanks Duck.''

And as quickly as Gibbs came in he exited the Autopsy floor heading for the elevator that would take him to Abby's lab.

Abby's lab

''Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs'' Abby said happily while she saw her boss enter her lab.

''I haven't found anyth – '' Abby began before she was interrupted by a loud Ding on her screen.

''Wow, I honestly don't know how you do that Gibbs. Do you use magic, sonar, tell me.''

''Do what Abs?''

''Well every time I have results you seem to know, because without me calling you, you show up at my lab to ask me what I got.''

''What do you got Abs?''

''Right, I analyzed the stomach samples that Jimmy brought over and found that Ducky was right. They both had the Peking duck. And there is only one restaurant in the neighborhood that makes Peking duck. Here's the address.''

''That's why I love you Abs.'' Gibbs said while smiling. Then he handed Abby a Caf Pow and placed a kiss on her cheek.

Abby smiled like a child on Christmas morning who just got her favorite present as Gibbs exited her lab.

In the Bull pen

Gibbs stepped out of the elevator and into the bull pen when he saw Dinozzo sitting behind his desk.

''Oh hey boss, Ziva is coming up with the suspect. We had a little trouble getting him into the car. He put up a fight, that was his first mistake. Trying to mess with Ziva was his second mistake.'' Tony said.

Gibbs laughed to himself 'cause he knew how Ziva could be. ''You forget murder Dinozzo, his third mistake.''

''What is that note on your suit boss?'' McGee asked.

''An address for a restaurant were our victims ate their lunch.'' Gibbs said.

''Maybe they ate lunch together?'' McGee questioned out loud.

''That's what I want you to figure out. Take Dinozzo.'' Gibbs replied before he gave McGee the address.

As if it was a coincidence – which we all know doesn't exist - Ziva and the suspect came out of the elevator just as Tony and Tim were about to step into the elevator.

''I see you got him.'' McGee stated.

''Yes, not because of Tony's help that is.'' Ziva said.

''Hey, you said I could go. Speaking of going, we need to go too. Gibbs' orders.''

Tony and Tim stepped into the elevator to visit the restaurant while Ziva took the suspect in one of the interrogation rooms.

''Well done Ziver.'' Gibbs said while he walked passed her into the interrogation room. Ziva walked to the observation room to start the video recording. She found a chair in the corner of the room which she made herself comfortable in.

At the restaurant

Tony and McGee arrived at the restaurant. They showed the pictures of their dead Petty Officers to everyone in the room. After half an hour of picture showing a waitress finally recognized both of them.

''I saw them together here two days ago. They came here regularly. It seems like it was a date.'' The waitress told them.

''I would never take Ziva here for a date. It has the smell of take-out food too much. Plus she deserves so much better. Not that the place isn't nice.'' Tony said defending the place, because he wouldn't want to insult anyone.

''Have you got any idea what they ate?'' McGee asked the waitress, giving Tony a look to shut up. Because it was becoming too personal.

''Not off hand, I need to check it for you. We save every bill 'till the next month start.'' The waitress told them.

She went to the counter and searched for all the people who came to ate two days ago. She found the list.

''All right. Do you have any idea what their last names were? Then I can check if they made reservations.''

''Petty Officer Harding and Petty Officer Wilder.'' Tony said.

''Oh here it is. Your Petty Officer Wilder made reservation for two. He ordered… Oh I see the Peking Duck.''

Tony and McGee shared a look.

''Anything else that seemed unusual to you?'' McGee asked the waitress.

''No, not at first. I mean when I refilled their cups I saw that the guy had his passport and loads of cash on him. But I never asked him about it. I thought he just came home from service.''

''Okay thank you, if you think of anything else, here's our number.'' Tony said while he handed the waitress his calling card.

They exited the restaurant and called to the bull pen.

''David.'' Tony heard Ziva's voice from the other side.

''Hey Zi, we're wrapped up here. McGee is coming to the Navy Yard with the information and the car. Could you pick me up here before we go to the airport?''

''Sure Tony, that would not be a problem.'' She replied.

''Okay see you in a few, bye Sweet Cheeks.''

Tony hung up the phone and smiled by the thought he called Ziva the very thing he said the first time they ''joined forces''. He was proud that he could call a woman like her his own. All the days of being jealous when she flirted with other guys were over. She was his and he was hers. Tony knew that she felt exactly the same way.

''Earth to Tony.'' McGee said. ''So you don't mind me taking the car?''

''Of course not, Tim. As long as you tell Gibbs that I'm going to pick up my father it'll be alright.''

''You didn't tell me your father was in town.''

''Yeah, well I kinda wanted to talk to him. Since he doesn't know I'm getting married and certainly not to who.''

''Good luck Tony.'' McGee said before he got the car and drove off.

Within 15 minutes Ziva arrived to pick Tony up.

''Wow, that was fast.'' Tony exclaimed over the loud noise of the car.

''You should not be surprised Tony.'' She replied.

Tony stepped into the car on the passenger side.

''You do not want to drive?'' Ziva asked him.

''No, we're already late. If you drive we can make it in time.'' He said and winked at her. He could've sworn she was blushing a little. He soon forgot about it when she started the car.

At the airport

''He's coming in at gate 5 Zi, that's this way.'' Tony said and pointed in the right direction.

''I know where gate 5 is Tony, I just wanted to get something nice for your father.''

''What like a peace offer, for taking his hands of off you?''

The only response he got from her was a wink. Then she walked down to the nearest shop. After 20 minutes of shopping Ziva had found something nice for Tony's father.

''Come on Zi, we gotta get going. Otherwise we're going to be late.''

''I am coming Tony, or would you like it if I stole something from the shop?''

''They wouldn't notice anyway.'' He said with a grin on his face.

Whence Ziva had paid for the gift, they headed to gate 5. Soon they saw Tony's father - Dinozzo Senior - come out of the gate. He walked through the crowd to meet them.

''Hello Ziva.'' Was the first thing he said when he noticed them.

''Well, hello Anthony. It is nice to see you again.'' She replied.

Dinozzo Senior was about to kiss Ziva's hand when he saw her engagement ring.

''So, who's the lucky guy?''

''I am and hello to you too dad.'' Tony said.

''Very funny Junior. I mean, I always hoped you got the nerve to ask her out sometime but I think a woman like her searches for other qualities then yours'' was the reaction Tony got.

''Actually – '' Ziva began. ''He wasn't joking. And I am very lucky to have your son as my husband. I couldn't think of a better partner to share my job and life with.''

''Well then… Uh Congratulations Ziva. And you too Junior. That actually came as a surprise.'' Senior said.

They all headed towards the parking lot were Ziva's car was. Senior walked next to Ziva (Of course), while Tony was left with his fathers' bags once again. There was a silence in the car and Senior wanted to break the ice, but asked the wrong question.

''So when is your father coming in Ziva?'' he asked.

Tony froze up. He didn't know if Ziva could handle the question. Tony knew that his father wasn't so great with the personal thing questions but he didn't know he was that stupid.

''He doesn't come to the wedding. Actually he doesn't know I am getting married. And I would like it to keep it that way.'' Ziva said.

''Then who's going to give you away?''

''Gibbs is. He has always been there for me. Like a father is suppose to be there for his daughter. My father isn't such a great man as you Anthony.'' She continued.

Ziva hoped that if she gave Tony's father enough compliments that he would eventually stop asking such terrible questions. She could handle the questions, but the explanations were harder to deal with. She didn't want to have a break down this close for the wedding.

''Were is the gift you got for my father Sweet Cheeks?'' Tony asked Ziva because he understood were Ziva was going. They always had the strange ability to read each other's minds. Their eyes would speak the words they couldn't find. Or in this case the rearview mirror did.

''It is in the bag next to you, my – '' Ziva began. Tony's eyes widened. ''- dear.'' She finished, laughing to herself. She knew that Tony didn't want to be called 'my little hairy butt' in front of his father. So she quickly had to finish her sentence with something else.

''Got it.'' Tony said while he held the gift up. ''Here you go dad.''

Senior accepted the gift and gave Tony and Ziva both a rewarding smile. When he saw what they got him his smile grew bigger.

''A watch from Cartier? That's way too expensive.''

''Ziva wanted to give you something nice.'' Tony said, he left out the why part.

''Thank you Ziva, you shouldn't have.'' Senior said.

''My pleasure.'' She replied.

With Ziva's driving they arrived soon enough at the Navy Yard. Tony couldn't believe that his father wasn't nauseous after the ride. They saw that the concierge was shaking his head when he saw them arrive. Tony couldn't figure out if it was because the concierge hated his father or that it was because they sneaked out during an investigation and a long time had passed since they got back.

''You are lucky that I am not Gibbs, otherwise you got a head slap for even asking such a question.'' Ziva said.

''I wasn't asking anything.'' Tony said in defense.

''I could hear it in your mind.''

''In that case, Gibbs is gonna kill us.''

''Not if he want to see us get married.''

Tony gave Ziva a look.

''Oh, you are right. We are so dead.''