Chapter Two: Heartbeat

Author's Note: At first, I was going to write about telling different characters, but before I get to this point, I thought I'd create a tender Tiva moment around the baby's first heartbeat.

Before they told the team, Ziva and Tony discussed having one last moment to themselves before everyone else knew. It was pretty easy to determine what that might be: Ziva was far enough along that it was time for a routine ultrasound, but wasn't showing quite yet that the news of her condition would be too apparent.

It was difficult to get the right appointment time to make it happen, for both of them to be there without making anyone suspicious. They somehow managed a Saturday appointment and destiny was on their side that there was no major case or duties they had to handle that weekend.

Tony and Ziva sat in the OB/GYN office waiting for their appointment time. Somewhere in the middle of the wait time, Tony's legs began to shift nervously back and forth. Ziva put her hand on his knee.

"You okay?" she asked softly.

His hand reached out for hers. He nodded, "I am..but I'm also very nervous. I mean what if he or she doesn't like me."

She laughed, "Tony, we can hopefully see the baby, but the baby can't see us."

"Shh...I'm sure he or she can hear us right now."

Ziva smiled and then leaned in to give him a reassuring kiss. Her eyes looking closely into his, she said, "If he or she can hear us, then I think he or she would feel quite loved in how worried you are about making a good impression." At his smile, she continued, "At least I feel that way, and perhaps if I do then, that might influence the baby's opinion."

"Ziva David?" asked the nurse, pronouncing it as 'Day-vid."

"It's pronounced 'Dah-veed'," Ziva corrected as she stood up, still holding onto Tony's hand.

After Ziva got settled into the medical room with the ultrasound machine, she laid on the bed with Tony holding her hand waiting for the technician to arrive.

He had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"What's going on in your mind, Tony?" she asked.

"Honestly?"

She nodded, "Of course."

"Well...that the nurse acknowledged you and not me...not us?"

"Should I change all the paperwork to David-Dinozzo? Would that make you feel better?" asked Ziva whose facial expression wrinkled, realizing the implications of what she had said. She closed her eyes and said, "Pretend I didn't say that."

He laughed, "Well, I can't now." With her sigh he added, "It does have a nice ring to it...and it is something that has been on my mind."

"Tony," she said. "I don't - I don't want you to feel obligated to do something or be someone if you don't want to be."

"Who says that's how I feel?" he asked.

"Or..." she added, "That this baby leads us to some other place we're not ready to be at."

Tony looked at her thoughtfully and said, "Having not asked you a question, but considering the possibility of asking you a question, does what you're saying mean that I should expect a negative answer?"

Ziva looked at Tony, knowing full well that given everything the last two years and the baby along the way, she knew her answer. She just wasn't sure she was ready to hear the question yet.

"How about that we have a lot to already announce and perhaps should just take things one day at the time...for the time being?" she suggested.

He nodded, "Okay..."

A few minutes later, the Ultrasound Technician Wendy walked in.

"Oh, it's good to see you, Ms. David," said Wendy, correctly pronouncing her name. "And you are?"

"Tony Dinozzo," said Tony.

"Are you the father...a friend?"

Tony swallowed sharply, "The father."

The word was foreign in his mouth, but he felt a strange feeling in his chest - a mixture of pride, fear, relief, and excitement.

"Well, let's get started," said Wendy placing a clear gel over Tiva's abdomen.

Ziva and Tony peered at the ultrasound machine screen with Wendy.

They could see the shape of their baby on the screen. It was one of the most beautiful things either had ever ever seen.

Both lost their breath for a second at the sound of the rapid heartbeat of their baby. It was one of the most beautiful things either had ever heard.

Ziva and Tony's hands tightened their grip, both found themselves speechless. They were further relieved when Wendy told them there didn't seem to be any issues or concerns to worry about at the moment.

When they arrived at Tony's apartment, they spent time looking at the photo from the ultrasound, cradling it in their hands as if it was the baby.

"He or she is going to be perfect," said Tony.

"A lot can happen Tony, let's not jinx ourselves," said Ziva, always the realist.

Tony shook his head, "Whatever happens...he or she is going to be perfect."

His arm was wrapped around her shoulders and he kissed the top of her head. He leaned his cheek against her head, taking in the smell of her shampoo.

"Whatever happens on Monday when we tell everyone, remind me about this moment," he said to her.

"What about this moment?" she asked.

"Remind me that I am the happiest man that could ever be right now," he said with a smile. After a moment he added, "I love you, Ziva."

She leaned into him closely and rested her hand on her abdomen, "I love you too, Tony."

End of Chapter Two! Okay - next chapters will now be breaking the news to the team! I welcome your feedback!