Wow. Okay, here's the next chapter. Thanks to everyone for being so supportive with the story! I'm really pleased with how this is going! I'm hoping I can find a way to incorporate every character into the story. I'm also really liking the way Tony and Tim's relationship is growing in the story. I've never really liked how Tony and McGee treat each other in the show. I think that they really help to support each other.

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.


3AM would always be the shittiest time of night.

Ziva let out a sharp gasp and shot up in bed. She was in so much pain. And why did she feel so damn wet? She grasped at the comforter and found it soaked right through. When she looked down at the sheets, she nearly passed out. There was so much blood. It looked like a crime scene in their bed.

"Tony." She sobbed, shaking him awake.

Since Ziva's pregnancy he had become increasingly used to Ziva's late night awakenings. Usually she just wanted something to eat or drink. But when he woke beside her and felt the sudden sensation that something was wrong. Even in the dark, he could see the red seeping along the bed.

"Oh fuck." He whispered, pulling the blankets back. Quickly, he scooped Ziva into his arms and rushed her into the bathroom. He placed her carefully into the tub. Not knowing what else to do, he began to undress her and turned on the bath. He made sure the temperature was just right and kneeled in front of the tub.

Ziva was silent, tears rolling down her face. Tony couldn't bring himself to look anywhere except at the floor. He knew that the water in the bath was probably a startling red. How could this happen to them? Just last week they had heard a heartbeat! Hell, the doctor was more positive than they were. She was 11 weeks.

Right now, he couldn't bear to be in the bathroom. There was no way Ziva was going to see him cry. He pulled himself to his feet and walked to the kitchen. Fumbling in the dark, he grabbed a glass and some ibuprofen. He filled the glass with water and let out a sob. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He should be running out to 7-11 to buy late night candy to fill her cravings, not getting ibuprofen to numb the pain. Tony covered his mouth and swallowed the lump in his throat. He would cry later, when they were ready to talk about this. Right now, he needed to be strong for Ziva.

When he returned to the bathroom, Ziva looked him in the eyes. She couldn't find words as she accepted the glass of water and dry swallowed the ibuprofen. Tony glanced down into the water. It was bright red, and if wasn't careful, might end up vomiting the dinner he had eaten just hours earlier. Again, Ziva refused to meet his gaze. He got up again and went to their bedroom.

What he didn't expect when he flicked on the light, was how much blood there actually was. Why he thought white bed sheets were a good idea was suddenly beyond him. There was no salvaging them, and they would have to go straight into the garbage. He stuffed them into a garbage bag along with the comforter. They'd be using blankets for the next few weeks – if they could even sleep. Carefully, he lay out several large blankets and a new sheet. He put the garbage bag aside and returned the bathroom. Much to his surprise, Ziva had started to run a shower. He peeked through the curtain to make sure she was okay.

Ziva had huddled herself on the floor of the tub. Tony had never seen her so vulnerable before. He was about to pull away, when she grabbed his shirt. She tugged him into the shower. He put his arms around her, and pulled her close.

"Why does nothing work for us, Tony?" she whispered.

"Who the fuck knows, Ziva."

Then, she began sobbing. Loud, uncontrollable sobbing. She was shaking in his arms, and the only thing he could do was hold her closer. They sat in the shower for what felt like hours. Tony's pajamas were soaked through, and slowly, the water began to run clear again. It was no longer tainted red, a reminder of what they had so suddenly lost.

"I ruined your pajamas."

"Oh well."

"I'll have to go to the doctors on Monday."

"Yeah."

"This really fucking sucks, doesn't it?" Ziva asked, almost sarcastic.

"Shittiest day of my life."

Tony unwrapped himself from Ziva and shut off the water. He discarded his wet clothing and dried himself off and put on a new pair of pajamas. He fetched Ziva's most comfortable silk pajamas and a fluffy towel and handed them to her. She dried off and dressed quickly. Tony swept her off her feet before she could protest and carried her to bed. He crawled in beside her, and held her close to him. She rolled over to face him and traced the wrinkle lines on his forehead. Somehow, she forced a smile and was asleep before she could utter a word. Tony cried himself to sleep that night. He had already loved their baby so much. It didn't seem possible to love something that never had the chance to be.

But tomorrow was a new day – and somehow they'd get through this.


McGee looked up at Tony as he finished the story. Tony just shrugged in response.

"McGee, oh god. It was like a nightmare. There was so much blood, I didn't… I didn't know what the fuck to do." Tony slammed his fist down on the table.

"Tony, you know it's not your fault."

"Whatever, McGee." DiNozzo checked his watch. "Coffee breaks over, we better get back to work before they start looking for us."

"I still think you and Ziva should take…"

"I just want to get back to work, ok?"

Tim rubbed his face. The hard part had only just begun.