Sorry this one took awhile. I was only able to work on it a little bit at a time at certain times today. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 7

Kelly fell asleep, and Tony put her in her bed for Ziva. "So what do you need?" Tony asks. "What do you mean?" "What I mean is, do you need a car seat?" Ziva points to the car seat. "Ok, crib?" "Got it." "changing station, toy box" "I got them both, Tony." Ziva smirked. "But how? How could you afford to get that all of that, being off the whole time?" Tony asked. "I pulled money out of my savings, I'll be alright though. I just may come up short in rent here and there." Ziva states. "No." Tony says, sharply. "No? What do you mean no?" "No as in, you're not going to come up short here and there. I'm going to help you in any way I can. You already did so much, it's my turn to help." Tony insisted. "What are you going to do to help?"

"I'll move in. I mean, we don't have to sleep together. I can sleep on the couch if you want." Tony suggested. "Tony…" "I need to help. I helped create her; I've got to take a part in this. I want her to have a MUCH better childhood than you and I. Neither of our mothers was there, and our fathers were barely there. This is our time to show that, even though we didn't really have parents, we can do great." Tony smiles and kisses her on the head, smelling the delighted shampoo again.

"I…uh, I guess we can see how it goes. We can try. But the thing is, if it doesn't work out, how are you to get back into your apartment?" Ziva asks. "Ziva, it will work, trust me." "Last time I trusted you I was here in this hospital being told that I'm pregnant. Tell me how trusting you works."

"Ziva, I don't want you to tell anybody else, but when you were gone, I… uh." Tony paused. "I realized how much I needed you in my life. When Gibbs ordered me to get the car ready, and we had to come here and visit you in the hospital, my heart sank. I thought I might lose you. I can't lose you. I need you in my life, Zee. I need to help you through this. Through the rest of her life, I am here." Tony starts to tear. He looks up at Ziva, who is crying. "Tony… I" "It's ok if you don't feel the same. I completely understand. I'm not the best guy in the world. I made you feel horrible leaving you that morning, I should've left you a text message or something. And then not speaking to you, that was a huge mistake, and I'm sorry. I just wish you would have told me. You wouldn't of needed to empty your savings." Tony pauses for a brief second. "You know, when we get out of here, we're going to the store, and I'm going to buy a bunch of clothes for her. Then after a few weeks when she's good to be with a babysitter, I'll take you out to a nice dinner. You deserve it."

Tony smiles, but Ziva shakes her head, and his smile turns into a frown. "No, you don't have to." "Yes, I do. And that's that." Tony was getting serious, but Ziva started to smile. She loved when he got serious; it made him seem more 'grown up' than usual. It made her feel like he was a different person. "Ugh, you win this time." They both smile at each other.

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*Knock, knock* The door slowly opens. "Hey, sorry it took so long, Vance wanted to talk to me, why we all left all of sudden, but he was already in a meeting, so I had to wait." "That's ok boss. So what did you tell him?" Tony asked. "I escaped before he was done. I was waiting for an hour and a half; I wasn't going to wait any longer. If he wants to know, he can wait. I'll just have you two explain for yourselves actually." Tony and Ziva look at each other, and both gulped. "I'll tell him shortly after I'm released. He doesn't need to know that Tony is the father." "Yeah, but what about leaving early to get home to her, you can't leave all the time, I'm her father I've got to take responsibilities." "Well one of us may lose our jobs." Ziva says.

"Ah, not necessarily." Gibbs added. "What do you mean?" Ziva asks. "Well we can work things out. Have Tony take paternity leave and take care of Kelly since you've missed six months already. After his leave is off, get a babysitter. If it's needed that one of you needs to come in late, or leave early because of her, switch off your weeks or something. Know what I'm saying?" "Yeah, I understand boss." "Alright."

"Ziva, where is your car then, if you've been hiding? I passed your apartment, and it isn't anywhere to be found" Gibbs asks. "Oh that's because I drove it to the airport, and then got a taxi back to my place." Ziva replied. "May I ask why?" Gibbs asks. "Well, you see, I thought maybe someone would sneak a peek and see if I've arrived home early. And if they saw my vehicle, they would be sure to try and visit me, and figure out my secret. So, I left it there like it would be if I had to departure." "Well what did you do for food?" Tony asks. "I stocked up on food beforehand. And the days I didn't feel like making something, I order pizza. I ate healthy most of the time after six months.

After the three of them talked about her long, lonely stay, Kelly woke up again. "I got this one." Gibbs said. He grabbed her, and had a twisted facial expression. He knew she needed a diaper change. "Seems like you took her at the perfect time." Tony chuckles. Gibbs gives him a death stare. "Sorry boss." Gibbs smirks. Gibbs takes care of her, then they all just talk about how it's going to be explained to Vance. But that chat was short, Ziva was so tired, she dozed off 10 minutes into the conversation. "Eh, she deserves to sleep." Tony says. "Yeah, that she does." Gibbs and Tony start talking about the case, Ziva then shifts around having her back face the guys. Tony watches her until she settles down.

Tony then turns back to Gibbs and sighs. "What?" Gibbs asked. "Well, I'm disappointed she didn't tell me. I really wish she would have." "It's her decision, DiNozzo." Gibbs adds. "I know, but with finding out now, it kind of stinks. I did love the surprise and how she let me know first. But she already had everything picked out. Her name, godparents, she's probably already decided if Kelly is going to celebrate Christmas or Hanukah. I do love the name though. Kelly Abigail. Abby will probably come up with some nickname like, Little Abs, or Abby Jr., or Ab…" "I get it." Gibbs chuckles. "But I wanted a part of it. I really would have liked Caitlin in there somewhere, but I wasn't there. The name is still so beautiful, and it does seem to fit her well. I like Kelly, after your daughter. Gibbs, I suspect you to treat her like a grandfather, alright?" Gibbs chuckles and nods. "And her godparents? Ok, I can see Abby, she's a good fit, Abby and Kelly going to have fun together when Kelly grows up. But McGee? Well, he is smart, so when and if she needs help on her homework, he'll be there to help her. I kind of wish you were chosen. I mean, I can see with the converse to that because we messed up, but you're a marine. You can guide her in life. I will eventually grow on McGee, but like I said I wasn't there. Gibbs, I already told Ziva this, I need you to know also. When she was gone, I realized that I need her more than I knew. It was a tough six months without her. I can't stand to be away from her again. But now with this baby, I don't want her to think that it's all because of the baby. I don't love her," Gibbs grew a smirk. "Ok, maybe just a little, but Gibbs, rule 12. We weren't dating; we just got into a passionate, heartwarming conversation. Gibbs, it's going to be a long road."

"DiNozzo, I've watched you guys for years. She knows how you feel about her, without the baby. I can tell she feels the same way. But I don't want you guys screwing up rule 12. Rule 12 is there for a reason. If you date a coworker, your love life will start to ruin your career, and one of you will be fired." Tony gulped. "Well boss, I'm sure neither of us want that. I sure love my job at NCIS after being there for a long time, and Ziva, even though she's been at NCIS for seven years now, I can tell she loves it." "Well, stick to rule #12. Don't date a coworker."

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