A/N: Hello :) So I'm starting my second NCIS fanfic, and I'd like to thank everyone who read/reviewed my first one. I hope this one goes over even better than my first! Hope you all like the first chapter, please enjoy and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any original characters.
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Ziva rolled over in bed and groggily opened her eyes. She blinked hard until her vision focused on the red numbers of her alarm clock. 4:32am. She sighed and rolled onto her back wondering if it was worth going back to sleep for another hour. Her eyes ached from being tired, and she tried to keep them open anyway. Ziva loved her job, but there hadn't been many cases lately, so work seemed rather slow at the NCIS headquarters. The only enjoyment she had recently came from her coworkers. She was wondering when that too would no longer be enough to suffice and was secretly hoping for a case to develop soon.
Ziva sighed and wiped her eyes with both of her hands, trying to completely awaken herself. She turned her head to look at the man lying next to her. Ziva and Tony DiNozzo had finally gotten married six months previously. Ever since they had met, there had been obvious tension between them, and a year ago, they had finally started dating exclusively. Ziva had never been happier than she was when she was with Tony, and she was ecstatic that they had finally taken their relationship to the next step and vowed to always love each other, through thick and thin, for better or for worse. As Ziva lied in bed, she watched her husband sleep and smiled to herself, thinking of the many happy years to come.
Suddenly, Ziva was startled as she felt her stomach drop. She grabbed her stomach with both hands and her mouth became very dry. She could feel her forehead breaking out in a sudden sweat and knew she was going to be sick. Careful not to wake Tony, Ziva climbed out of bed and hurried out of their bedroom to the bathroom down the hall. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she emptied her insides into the toilet. When she felt as though there was nothing left inside her to come up, she flushed the toilet and reached for a washcloth. Ziva got the cloth wet with cold water, her hands violently shaking as she did so, and wiped her face clean. Her sweating had stopped and she didn't feel nauseous anymore for the time being. Quickly, she brushed her teeth and went back to bed, reasoning with herself that she must have eaten something bad the night before. She looked at the clock which then read 4:56 and closed her eyes, allowing herself another half hour of sleep.
A little after 5:30, Ziva heard Tony climb out of bed and prepare for his shower. Ziva continued to lay in bed with her eyes closed, not wanting to move for the rest of the day. About ten minutes later, Tony reentered the room, freshly showered and cleanly shaven. Ziva could smell his cleanliness as he walked closer to her. Tony bent forward and placed a kiss on Ziva's forehead.
"It's time to get up, babe," he said softly. Ziva smiled and opened her eyes to face her husband.
"What if I do not want to," Ziva responded and grabbed ahold of Tony's arms, pulling him onto the bed on top of her. She kissed him passionately.
"Well," Tony said when they broke away. "I guess we do have a little time." He smiled at Ziva seductively and began kissing her again. Ziva ran her hands over Tony's shoulders and down his back while Tony began to pull Ziva's shirt up. Suddenly, Ziva felt another pang in her stomach and pulled abruptly away from Tony.
"Are you okay, Ziv?" Tony asked her concerned.
"Yeah," she replied, trying not to worry him. She gently pushed him off of her and stood from the bed. "I think we should just get ready for work." Ziva then exited the room and went to the kitchen for some water and saltine crackers, hoping she could avoid getting sick again. Tony came up behind her in the kitchen and put his arms lovingly around her waist.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again. Ziva smiled at his concern and turned in his arms to face him.
"Yes," she replied. "I just think that I may have eaten something bad last night. That's all. Now, let's get ready for work." She kissed Tony on the cheek and walked back to the bedroom to prepare herself for work.
Later that morning, Ziva, Tony, Gibbs, and McGee were sitting at their desks at the NCIS headquarters. They were each hoping for the same thing: a case. It was rare to go so long without one. As the hours passed, however, they came to terms with the fact that they would see no action for yet another day. That evening, they bid their 'good nights' and left for their homes.
"I really hope that we get a new case soon," Ziva said as she and Tony entered their apartment.
"Me too," Tony agreed. "I'm getting tired of the same thing every day." He walked into the kitchen. "What do you want for dinner?"
"Hmm," Ziva sighed, thinking. Truthfully, she didn't feel like eating anything at all. She wasn't hungry, and nothing sounded good to her. "I'm not really in the mood for dinner. I'm really tired, so I'm just going to go to bed early."
"It's only nine o'clock," Tony observed, walking back into the living room.
"I think that bad food is still affecting me," Ziva explained. "I'm just going to try and sleep it off."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Tony asked. "You don't want any medicine or anything? Or to go to a doctor?" Ziva smiled again at his concern and walked over to him, putting her arms around his waist and squeezing him in a very loving hug.
"No, I'm fine," she replied, her head on his chest. "You don't need to worry so much."
"I'll always worry about you," Tony told her. Ziva looked up at him.
"I know," she said. "But really I am fine. I'm just going to go to bed."
"Okay," Tony said. "Tell me if you feel worse or need anything."
"I will," Ziva promised. "Good night. I love you."
"Good night. I love you too," Tony said and gave her a kiss. Ziva walked past him and into their bedroom, leaving Tony still worrying about her health.
The next morning, Ziva woke up at 4:45 and rushed to the bathroom to get sick again. She wiped her face and brushed her teeth before going back to her bedroom and deciding to start getting ready early, despite her strong desire to crawl back into bed and never leave it. When Tony woke up at 5:30 and asked her why she was already awake, she lied and said she woke up wide awake and couldn't fall back asleep. As Tony was getting ready, Ziva was hoping that this would be the last day she woke up to getting sick.
An hour after the team arrived at work, Gibbs received a phone call about a case. Finally, they were on their way to a crime scene. When they arrived at the house where the victim's body was found, the team began their investigation as usual. However, as Ziva squatted down next to the body, she was overwhelmed by the smell of it. She quickly stood back up and turned away, causing looks of concern from Gibbs, Tony, and McGee.
"You okay, Ziva?" Gibbs asked. Ziva nodded.
"Yeah, uh, this just smells worse than usual," she lied lamely and cringed inside at how pathetic that response had sounded. Gibbs looked at her questioningly but didn't push it any father.
"Why don't you go look around in the kitchen," he instructed. Ziva nodded and left the room. Tony followed her into the kitchen.
"What just happened back there?" he asked. Ziva was at a loss for words for a moment.
"I do not know," she replied honestly. "I just could not handle the smell."
"Ziva, you've been around many worse things," Tony pointed out. "It's not like you to be affected by a smell like that."
"Well," Ziva sighed, "I think that food is still affecting me. Maybe it's worse than I thought."
"You think you could have food poisoning or something?" Tony asked, alarmed. "Are you throwing up? Do you have a fever?"
"Tony, stop worrying so much," Ziva said sternly. "It will go away. Now can we please focus on the case?" She turned away from him and hoped inside that she was right and this sickness would go away just as suddenly as it had appeared.
The team spent the rest of the day working on the case, and Tony kept a close eye on Ziva, watching for any signs of her sickness worsening. When they got home that night, Tony asked Ziva if she wanted to go out to dinner so they could talk and spend time together. She turned him down, saying she was just too tired and still didn't feel like eating. Tony was beginning to grow very concerned. At this point, Ziva was refusing dinner, going to bed almost as soon as they returned from work, turning him down for sex, and barely even kissing him. Tony knew something was up and Ziva wasn't telling him, he just didn't know what.
The next morning, Ziva woke up early and threw up again. While getting ready for work, Tony had given up on asking Ziva questions, knowing what he would get in response. When they arrived at work, Tony went down to Abby's lab to see how she was doing on the evidence she had received.
"Hey Abbs," Tony said as he entered the lab and was greeted by rock music.
"Hey Tony!" Abby responded very cheerfully. "I ran the tests on the stuff you gave me..." Abby continued to talk, but Tony had tuned her out. He could hear Abby's voice in the background of his mind, but he was focused on Ziva's recent behavior instead.
"Tony!" Abby hollered, bringing him back to reality.
"What?" he said as he jumped, finally realizing where he was again.
"Is everything okay?" Abby asked, concerned. Tony sighed and shook his head.
"It's Ziva," he replied.
"Oh no," Abby groaned, expecting the worst. "You've just been married for six months! You're great together!"
"Huh, what?" Tony asked. "No, it's how she's been acting lately."
"What do you mean?" Abby asked, very interested.
"She's been really...weird...lately," Tony explained lamely. Abby looked irritated at him.
"If you want my help, you'll have to give me more than that," she said. "What is it? Mood swings? Sex life change?"
"Sex life?" Tony laughed. "Hell I'm lucky to even get a kiss from her anymore."
"Oh, Tony, that's not good," Abby told him, growing very concerned for her friends' marriage.
"I know," he agreed. "She thinks she ate something bad the other day. She said she felt sick to her stomach the past couple days, and she's been really tired lately. But she swears everything is okay and it was just spoiled food or something."
"Hmm. Nausea, exhaustion, and no sex," Abby thought out loud. "Has she been any different at work or just around you?"
"Not really at work," Tony replied. "I mean, there was just yesterday at a crime scene, Ziva couldn't handle the smell of the dead body. It really wasn't all that bad yet, and I know she's been around a lot worse."
"Hmm," Abby pondered for a moment. Then, she came to a realization and smiled happily at Tony.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing," Abby replied. "Just nothing. But I have a feeling you have absolutely nothing to worry about." Abby smiled knowingly and turned away from Tony. "Sorry, but I really have to get back to work now." Confused, Tony left her lab.
That night at home, Ziva simply ate saltine crackers instead of dinner. Tony remained concerned about his wife, but she insisted that nothing was wrong and went to bed early again. Tony did not sleep well that night because he was too concerned about Ziva and her health. At around 4:30, he felt Ziva get out of bed and leave the room. Tony laid in bed and listened for a moment until he heard what sounded like someone vomiting in the distance. He got out of bed and went down the hall to the bathroom to hear Ziva getting sick inside. He opened the door and approached her, gently pulling her hair back. When Ziva had finished and cleaned herself up, she and Tony went back to their room and sat on the bed to talk.
"Are you okay?" Tony asked her seriously. Ziva sighed.
"I do feel better now that I have gotten sick," Ziva responded.
"How long have you been getting sick?" Tony asked. Ziva looked down, knowing that she had to be truthful with her husband, and ashamed that she had been keeping this secret from him.
"Every morning for the past four days," she replied truthfully. Tony's eyes widened at her answer.
"You've been sick like this for four days and didn't tell me?" he asked, a mixture of hurt and concern in his voice and eyes. Ziva hurt for making him feel bad.
"I did not want to worry you," she explained.
"Ziva, I was already worried," Tony replied. "You have to go to a doctor." Ziva shook her head.
"No," she said. "This is the fourth day. It has got to be almost over."
"Ziva, come on. I care about you. I want you to be healthy. If you're sick you need to get it checked out," Tony argued.
"No," Ziva insisted. "Really, I'll be fine. I can still function just fine. I do not need to see a doctor."
"Fine," Tony gave in, knowing he wouldn't win. "But seriously, Ziva, if you keep feeling sick like this, I want you to tell me. No more hiding things."
"Okay," Ziva agreed. "I promise."
"Good," Tony said. "I love you."
"I love you too," Ziva replied. "Now let's get ready for work."
At work, Abby texted Ziva asking her to go down to Abby's lab. When Ziva arrived at the lab, she was greeted by a very smiling Abby.
"Hi Abby," Ziva said, rather confused by Abby's expression.
"Well, hello, Ziva," Abby replied.
"What's going on with you?" Ziva asked.
"What's going on with you?" Abby returned the question, the big smile still on her face. "How are you feeling?"
"Tony talked to you, didn't he?" Ziva asked as she rolled her eyes.
"He's just concerned," Abby replied. "It's normal."
"I'm fine, Abby," Ziva insisted.
"Really?" Abby pressured. "Because Tony told me that you've been feeling nauseous and tired, couldn't handle the smell at a crime scene, and will barely kiss him anymore." Abby smiled again, seeming pleased with herself. Ziva's mouth dropped open and she felt slightly embarrassed that Tony had told Abby such personal things about Ziva.
"Well, no offense, but it really wasn't Tony's place to-"
"Ziva I think you're pregnant!" Abby blurted out excitedly.
"P-pregnant?" Ziva repeated, shocked by the words that the scientist had uttered. Abby nodded.
"Yep," Abby replied. "I believe you are with child."
"That's crazy," Ziva objected.
"Have you and Tony ever had sex?" Abby asked.
"That is a dumb question," Ziva retorted. Abby smiled.
"Was any of it unprotected?" she continued. Ziva's mouth opened and she was lost for words again.
"Well, yeah," she admitted. "But we're married so-"
"I never said it was bad," Abby defended herself to clarify. "But you're definitely pregnant. In fact, I think it's fantastic."
"Abby I, I can't be pregnant," Ziva said, still shocked by the proposition.
"When's the last time you've had your period?" Abby asked.
"Oh that is easy," Ziva said. "Last..." her voice trailed off as she realized that she hadn't had her period the previous month. She had been too busy with work and her new marriage to pay it much attention though.
"Exactly," Abby smiled, looking more and more pleased.
"Oh, Abby," Ziva said. "How can I find out without Tony knowing?"
"Don't worry. I've got you covered," Abby replied as she walked over to a drawer. "You see, after Tony talked to me, I suspected you were pregnant. I also suspected you'd want to know for sure before getting Tony all anxious about it, so I went out and bought you a pregnancy test." Abby pulled out a box and held it out to Ziva.
"I don't know what to say," Ziva said, taking the box from her friend.
"Don't say anything," Abby replied. "You know where the bathroom is." With a smile and a wink, Abby sent Ziva to the bathroom to take the first test. Abby was hoping that she was correct and that they would be expecting a little DiNozzo soon. Shortly afterward, Ziva came out of the bathroom.
"The directions said to wait ten minutes," Ziva said.
"I'll bet these will be the longest ten minutes of your life," Abby smiled. Ziva looked at her confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked. "A minute is a minute. No minute is longer than any other."
"What?" Abby asked then quickly laughed. "No, it's a figure of speech. It means since you're anticipating something, these ten minutes are going to seem like a lot longer. It will seem almost neverending."
"What if I am pregnant?" Ziva wondered out loud, ignoring Abby's explanation.
"Well, then I guess you'll have a baby," Abby replied.
"This soon?" Ziva continued. "I don't even know if Tony and I are ready for a baby." Abby shrugged.
"I'm sure everything will work out just fine," Abby said reassuringly. "You and Tony have an awesome relationship and will be great parents when the time comes; whether that time is now or years from now."
"Thank you, Abby," Ziva smiled. "That means a lot." A few minutes later, it was time for Ziva to read the results of the pregnancy test. She went into the bathroom and compared what she saw on the test to the key on the box.
"Well?" Abby asked excitedly. Ziva's eyes widened as she looked up at Abby.
"Oh...my...goodness," Ziva said in disbelief.
While Ziva was downstairs, Tony had been thinking about her nonstop. He knew something was up, and talking to Abby had not helped him at all. Ziva was his wife and he was determined to uncover the truth of what was wrong with her. That night, he and Ziva walked into their apartment, and to Tony's surprise, Ziva asked him to sit with her on the couch in the living room, saying she wanted to talk.
"Look Tony," Ziva began when they were seated on the couch. "I know that I have been acting strangely lately."
"Strangely?" Tony repeated. "You haven't been yourself nearly at all."
"I know," Ziva agreed. "But there is an explanation for it."
"Ziva don't try the food poisoning excuse with me again," Tony said as he rolled his eyes. "It's got to be something else."
"I completely agree," Ziva said, trying to hold back her smile.
"And I know you're a grown woman, but I still think you should go to the doctor," Tony continued.
"I absolutely intend to," Ziva replied. Tony was slightly taken aback.
"You do?" he asked. Ziva nodded.
"Yes," she replied. "And I would like it if you would come with me."
"Well, yeah, of course I will," Tony answered, extremely confused. "Look, as happy as I am that you're doing this, why the sudden change of heart?" Ziva's mouth stretched into a huge smile that she could no longer hold back. She looked Tony straight in the eyes and took a deep breath before happily answering his question.
"Tony, I'm pregnant."
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A/N: Well, there's chapter one :) I hope everyone liked it. Please remember to review! Also, it will get more mature as it goes on, so the rating may change from T to M in future chapters. Anyway, thanks for reading this chapter. Please review and tell me what you thought of it. I look forward to writing the rest of this story :)