Chapter 4: Be Nice
One week later…
Now that Tony thought about it, he had noticed that Ziva had put on a little bit of weight. Not obviously, but enough that when a suspect they'd been chasing had pushed her backwards into him, she'd been a bit heavier.
Now that everyone knew about the pregnancy, and who the father was, it was a regular conversation topic when nothing else was happening.
Tony pulled up at her house one morning. Grabbing the paper bags that sat on the seat next to him, he approached the front door. "Ziva?"
No reply. "Ziva!"
He heard some footsteps before the door opened. "Tony?" she asked blearily.
"Morning sunshine," he said brightly. "Were you still in bed?"
"No," she muttered, although he could tell straight away that she was lying. She was still wearing her pyjamas and her hair was still completely tousled.
"Okay, I brought you…" he began, opening one of the bags, "…blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs and two bottles of orange juice."
"Ah, thank you," she breathed. "It's all I want to eat!"
"Hey, you're getting better with the contractions," he smiled, passing her the bag. "You been feeling alright?"
"I have been fine," she replied. "Although I have to go to the chemist and get-"
"Prenatal vitamins? One step ahead of you," Tony said, opening the other bag. "Here you go."
"You have thought of everything!" Ziva said, accepting the bottle. "Thank you."
"Alright, present time is over. Gibbs wants us in by 0930. Go get ready."
"I'm eating!"
"Multitask. Go."
Tony drove Ziva into work later. They made it just in time.
"Nearly late, DiNozzo," Gibbs said as they sat at their desks.
"Ziva was too-"
"You drove."
Ziva smirked.
In the corner, McGee hung up his phone. "Boss, Navy Lieutenant found dead in Rock Creek Park. LEOs have already taped off the area."
Tony looked at Gibbs "But what about our serial killer?"
"Lyle Massin is suspected of being involved," McGee added.
Gibbs turned to Ziva, who immediately fired up.
"Oh no, I am not going to become the sad pregnant agent who can never go out into the field. Up until two weeks ago I had no idea that I was pregnant, so let's just-"
"Eight days ago," Tony interrupted. "You found out eight days ago."
Ziva looked curiously at Tony for a moment before turning back to Gibbs. "My point is, when it is necessary for me to stop going out into the field I will, but for now, nothing will be different."
"Ziva-"
"This is one argument that you will not win," Ziva said.
Tony just sat there shaking his head. Never mess with a hormonal woman.
After a moment, Gibbs turned away. "Gear up!"
"Where's Ziva?" McGee asked once they were at the scene. They had just finished unpacking their gear when he had noticed she was missing.
"Behind the van," Tony said simply, continuing the sketch the body.
"Why?"
"She's pregnant, Probie." McGee still looked lost. "Morning sickness."
"Doesn't that stop after the first trimester?"
"Sometimes. Depends on the woman. Ziva? You done back there?" Tony yelled out.
Ziva emerged, looking quite pale. "Done," she confirmed.
"What've we got?" Gibbs asked.
"Lieutenant Lucy McGauran."
"Cause of death?"
"I can answer that," Ducky said as he came up behind them. He peered at the body. "Well, it looks exactly the same as the other victims of Massin. Throat slice right through, completely severing the spinal cords. I'll confirm it when we get back home."
"Yuck," McGee said.
"Yuck?" Gibbs said.
"This is the fourth victim of Massin. I don't think the Probie is quite used to seeing down a human spinal column yet," Tony said.
Ziva punched him in the arm. "Be nice."
Tony stared at her. "Okay, the 'be nice' was alright, but you aren't allowed to punch your kid when they do something so don't like."
Ziva punched him again. "I know that."
"Clearly."
"Get the evidence to Abby. Let's be quick, looks like it's going to rain soon," Gibbs interrupted.
"Lieutenant Lucy McGauran, surgical nurse at Bethesda Naval Hospital, was reported missing two days ago by her fiancé," Ziva recited once they were back at the squadroom. Her stomach was almost big enough to use as a small armrest, but not quite.
"Ducky confirmed that she died due to her spinal cord being cut and blood loss," Tony said.
Gibbs left the squadroom and headed up to Jenny's office.
"Well, I think he's mad," Tony said as he sat back at his desk.
"I do not think he is a fan of serial killers," Ziva said, turning to face him.
"No-one is. But this is definitely the worst we've had," McGee finished.
Tony looked from Ziva to McGee, raising his eyebrows at the latter.
"Ah. You guys are going to have a moment. I'll go see Abby," McGee muttered, walking out.
"Should I be worried?" Ziva asked.
"How are you?"
Ziva smirked. "Tony, we have not done anything that would change how I am."
"I read somewhere that pregnant women sometimes have a weaker stomach than non-pregnant women. So…yeah."
"I'm fine Tony."
"Good."
"Good."
A/N Next chapter: Gibbs has doubts in the case.
I haven't actually finished writing the next chapter, but I'll try and get it done soon. I have written a LOT for the end of the fic (my Not Stalker is reading it now) so at least I know that's done.