Murder by Numbers

The next day Ziva was released from the hospital with doctor's orders to stay in bed for the next couple days unless it was absolutely necessary. When they pulled up to the house, Tony swept Ziva up into his arms and carried her into the house.

"Tony," Ziva said laughing weakly, "you don't have to carry me."

"Yes, I do, Sweetcheeks," Tony said. "Doctor's orders." Tony carried Ziva upstairs to the bedroom, ignoring the bloodstained carpet. Tony placed her on the bed and then helped her undress and put pajama's on.

"Thank you, my little hairy butt," Ziva said before falling asleep. After Ziva fell asleep Tony got on the phone and called a carpet cleaner to come right away. When Tony got off the phone, she sat down on the steps and put his head in his hands. Why did this have to happen to them? A single tear ran down Tony's cheek. Suddenly, Tony was interrupted by his cell phone. He quickly composed himself and answered the phone.

"DiNozzo," Tony said.

"You need to get in here," McGee's voice sounded on the other line.

"Why, you know I can't leave Ziva," Tony retorted.

"We have two more dead marines," McGee said, "they were murdered by the serial killer."

"Oh, well, I still can't leave Ziva," Tony said.

"The director is on her way there. Gibbs says you need to get down here fast."

"Alright, I'm on my way," Tony said, snapping the phone shut. Tony ran up the stairs to at a time and into their room.

"Ziva," Tony said, shaking her slightly. Ziva mumbled slightly and then opened her eyes a crack.

"What is it?" Ziva asked sleepily.

"I need to go to the office, there are to more dead marines," Tony said. "Jenny's on her way here to take care of you."

"Tony, be careful, please," Ziva said, terror sounding clearly in her voice.

"I will," Tony replied, stroking her hair. "I love you."

"I love you too," Ziva said.


Tony arrived at the scene a few minutes behind Gibbs and McGee. They had Agent Lee with them too, presumably to replace Ziva temporarily.

The bodies of two men were lying on the ground; both of their necks had been snapped. A single red rose lay on top of their bodies, the killer's trademark.

"What happened?" Tony asked as he put the strap of his camera around his neck.

"LEO's found the bodies, recognized the killer's calling card and called us," McGee answered, swabbing the blood around one of the bodies.

"Names?" Gibbs asked stepping under the crime scene tape.

"Lt. Mark Addy and Corporal Ted Reel," Tony answered, pulling their id's out of their wallets.

"Where's Ducky?" Gibbs asked.

"Right here, Jethro," Ducky said, coming up behind Gibbs, Tony, and McGee. "Would you believe that Mr. Palmer got us lost again?"

"Duck, I keep telling you, slaps do wonders, look at DiNozzo," Gibbs said, smiling.

"Hey, I resent that," Tony said. Gibb smiled and faced Tony.

"Yeah, DiNozzo?" Gibbs said, slapping Tony on the head. Tony mumbled to himself, but continued snapping pictures.


Jenny arrived at the house five minutes after Tony left. Jenny let herself into the house and headed up the stairs, grimacing at the blood stains. When she walked into the room, she found Ziva with her gun trained on the door.

"Relax, Ziva," Jenny said, putting her hands up mockingly.

"I'm sorry, Jenny, but you know me," Ziva said, placing the gun back under her pillow. Jenny dragged a chair next to the bed and sat down.

"Ziva," Jenny said. "I saw the blood. I'm no expert, but you don't bleed that much from a cut on the leg." Ziva looked away from Jenny, trying to control the emotions that were running through her. A tear ran don her cheek.

"I lost it," Ziva said, another tear leaking out of her eye.

"Ziva, why didn't you tell anyone?" Jenny asked.

"Because I was scared," Ziva answered, placing her head in her hands, full on crying now. Jenny got up and sat back don on the side of the bed and took Ziva into her arms.

"I know how you feel, Ziva," Jenny said, rubbing circles on Ziva's back. Ziva raised her tear streaked face to look at Jenny.

"Is that why you left?" Ziva asked.

"Yes, Jethro didn't know that I was pregnant, I didn't either. After I left him, I was in a car accident. When I came to in the hospital, the doctor apologized, telling me that there was nothing that he could have done to save the baby," Jenny said. "I cried for days, it was so hard for me to have no one to turn to. Lucky for you, you have Tony."

"Yeah, he's such a sweetheart," Ziva said, smiling to herself.

"It was only a matter of time," Jenny said.


"Boss," Tony called, walking around the corner of the house that they had found the bodies at.

"Yeah, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, following him.

"We've got another body," Tony said, pointing to a leg sticking out from a bush. Gibbs walked over and examined the leg before pulling it out. Tony helped clear the bushes, and what they found made them feel sick to their stomachs. The body of a little girl, not older than five, was lying on the ground, but that wasn't all. She was cradling a baby boy. Tony bent over and checked the pulse of the girl and there was nothing, but when he checked the pulse of the baby, he was surprised to find it faint, but there.

"Boss, call the ambulance, the baby is still alive," Tony said, scooping the baby up in his arms. When he did, he didn't fail to notice how terribly cold the baby's body was. Keeping hold of the baby, Tony managed to shrug his jacket off and wrap the baby in it. Gibbs ran over and looked at the baby over Tony's shoulder.

"Bring him over here to Ducky," Gibbs said, and Tony dutifully followed Gibbs to where Ducky was standing.

"Good lord, Jethro," Ducky said, taking the baby from Tony's arms. "Where did you find him?"

"Wrapped up in the arms of a dead girl," Gibbs said. Ducky started checking the baby.

"He appears to be fine, but he should still be taken to the hospital," Ducky said. Just then, the ambulance pulled up to the curb.

"I'll take him," Tony said, and Gibbs studied him.

"Alright, when you're done at the hospital, take him back to your house. I'll stop by later with a diaper bag," Gibbs said, patting Tony on the shoulder. Tony nodded and then climbed into the ambulance and they were speed off to the hospital.


A/N: So, did you like it? I am full of evil this week I guess…. But review anyway!!