Chapter 2
The drive back to HQ was quite awkward, not that Tony noticed, he was too busy signing with Gabriel. They talked about anything and everything. Gabriel told Tony a joke and Tony burst out lauging, which caused his Isreali partner to turn around with questioning eyes. Tony looked her in the eyes the smile evident on his face, a child like twinkle in his eyes. It caused Ziva's heart to warm at how well Tony seemed to be with Gabriel.
Ziva's POV
I looked back as Tony started laughing, I assume it was a something Gabriel was telling him. As I looked up I caught Tony eyes, there was such a childlike playfullness in them it was mesmerizing. McGee coughed from his spot on the other side of Gabriel "So Tony where did you learn sign language from" he asked. "Oh well back when I was on the Baltimore PD I was engaged to this girl named Wendy, she was a kinergarden teacher and one of her students was deaf, he taught me. It was really cool actually because we could sign different things back and forth and no one knew what we were saying except Wendy" Tony said. After his little speech everyone was surprised but each for a different reason. McGee was surprised that Tony had learned something willingly and that it was something he himself did not know. Gibbs was surprised by how well Tony and Gabriel got along, and how well Tony was with kids. Ziva was surprised at hearing Tony was engaged before coming to NCIS, and truthfully it hurt her to think that he could've been married with kids of his own now; none of which would've belonged to her as well. The very thought hit her like a train, all that they've been through could've been for nothing.
Back At NCIS
Tony sat ay his desk typing on his computer with Gabriel on his lap coloring away. Ziva looked across the bullpin at them. It's so adorable, the way they get along as if they've known each other their whole lives, she thought. "We find anything on the killer yet?" asked Gibbs. "No, not yet we're working on it boss" McGee said dejectedly. "Tony, Ziva go down and see abby I'm going for a coffee run"Gibbs said. Tony, Gabriel and Ziva made their way towards the elivator that would take them to their lovable gothic friend. "WOW" Ziva thought,"I've never noticed how much Gabriel looks like Tony." Tony was signing at Gabriel, probably telling him about Abby and her questionable antics. "Hey Tony, sometime would you be willing to teach me this sign language, it appears to come in handy yes" Ziva said with a hopeful look. Tony smiled at her which made her heart melt a little, "yeah sure Ziva, give me a time and place, I'll be there" he responded. She felt her heart skip a beat, sure she knew it was a common saying among most americans but to her it was a a promise that no matter what she needed Tony would be there. The elivator doors opened and they walked the short distance to the lab."Hey guys what u- OMG that is the cutest kid I've ever seen" Abby squealed. "Does he not look exactly like Tony, Abby" Ziva questioned. "YES he really does Ziva" Abby said as she ran over to meet Gabriel. "Hi I'm Abby whats your name" she asked. "Sorry Abby, he's deaf but his name is Gabriel" Tony stated.
"So what've you got for us Abbs" Tony asked. "We'll I pulled a partial print off of Fishers jacket and I'm running it through AFIS now. The bullet that entered our Lieutenant was from a glock 17c. They are currently issued to soldiers throughout the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines" Abby said with a smile. "Thanks Abbs put a Caf-Pow on my tab" Tony said. "Will do" she responeded.
In The Bullpin 10 minutes later
"Hey Gibbs Abby just called said she got a hit on the partial print" McGee said. "Tony" he shouted "I want you to look after the kid, you to Ziva." they both nodded but stayed where they were. "Tony, Ziva leave; go take care of the kid" gibbs said. "Yes Boss" they said at the same time.