Author's Note:
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate them.
And I'm sorry for the long delay in updating this story….
Here's the next chapter. Enjoy and review soon…. Thanks!
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Abby, McGee and Ducky got to spend 5 minutes with Tony when he was wheeled into the ward, before Gibbs shooed them all out of the room.
Tony was tired. Coming out of anesthetic always left him nauseous, groggy and unsure. But today he was nauseous, groggy and … terrified.
Ziva wasn't well and he had to help her!
Husband!
How does one pretend to be a husband?
What if she asks me about our past?
What about where we live and how long we've been married?
Wedding photos – we don't have any!
"DiNozzo, calm down." Gibbs quietly said.
He stood next to Tony's bed watching him and he could see how worried Tony was.
"I'm okay Boss."
"Sure you are."
Tony looked at Gibbs for a moment before sighing.
"What?" Gibbs asked.
"Where do Ziva and I live?" Tony went straight into the most pressing point.
Gibbs thought for a second.
"You're staying with me while looking for a new apartment." Gibbs replied.
"Boss, you don't have…"
"It's done. What else."
"When and where were we married?"
"We'll let Ziva tell us. Now get some rest. She'll be up soon."
Tony sighed again, nodding at Gibbs before closing his eyes. When he heard the door click closed he opened his eyes and looked at Ziva. She was pale and still. A purplish bruise marred her forehead and her arm was in a sling. Her leg was elevated on a pillow and her heart monitor beat a steady tempo. Tony stared at her for long minutes, replaying their drive to the crime scene and watching her fall.
Oh God Ziva.
You could have broken your neck in that fall.
Tony gasped a breath, wrapping his arm around himself. His side and wrist were throbbing gently but his cheek was tight and his eyes watered. Yes, watered. Because DiNozzo's never cry.
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Gibbs paced the waiting room his mind throwing various scenarios at him. Ducky observed him and seconded his concern.
Whatever happened in the next few days could tear this team apart.
Hell they were all going to pretend that Ziva and Tony were married.
When Ziva regained her memory she would pull away from them and never trust them again...
"Jethro sit down."
Gibbs ignored Ducky and continued pacing.
"Prowling isn't going to change this situation any. We are doing what we have to, to help Ziva. Not to hurt her." Ducky stated.
Gibbs stopped and stared out of the window.
But what we are doing to help her, is going to hurt her … eventually…
Dr Bianca Shore entered the waiting room and picked up on the tension emanating from Gibbs.
"Agent Gibbs, Dr Mallard."
"Dr Shore. What should Gibbs be looking for in Ziva's past?" Ducky asked as tuned to face Bianca.
"I suspect a traumatic event involving family or a fiancé." Bianca stated.
"Oh Dear." Ducky stated looking at Gibbs.
"Her sister was killed in Israel and she has an estranged relationship with her father. Her mother is also late."
And she killed her brother to save me. Gibbs remembered but didn't say out loud.
"She's lost her inner circle of support. That explains a lot. How long has she been on your team?" Bianca asked.
"3 years."
"And this is a pretty close knit team."
"Yes. Jethro sees every member of his team as part of his family. They are closer then father and child, brother and sister." Ducky observed.
"What is Ziva's roll in this team?" Bianca asked.
"She is the practical one, a supportive sister to Timothy, a friend to Abigail, a daughter to Jethro and a granddaughter to me."
"What is she to Tony?" Bianca prompted.
"They bicker like siblings or … lovers." Gibbs stated running his hand over his face.
"Have you noticed any sexual tension between them?" Bianca asked.
Ducky and Gibbs remained silent.
"I take that as a yes. Agent Gibbs, have you told Agent DiNozzo…"
"Yes."
"Good. I want to speak to him before Ziva wakes up." Bianca said standing up.
"I'll go with you." Gibbs said following her to the door.
"I'll be here if you need me, Jethro." Ducky said as the waiting room door closed.
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Tony was still awake when the door to his room opened. He turned away, swiping the wetness from his eyes. But Gibbs saw it and it twisted his gut in knots.
"Agent DiNozzo, how are you feeling?" Bianca asked.
She had also seen the tears in his eyes.
"I'm… mmm … fine." Tony replied his voice thick.
"I'm Dr Bianca Shore and I'm going to help you and your team through this situation."
Tony looked from her to Gibbs and then at Ziva.
"Okay. So what do I do or say when she wakes up?" He asked.
"You let her lead. You watch her closely and give her the support she needs..." Bianca said looking from Tony to Gibbs.
Ziva was already waking up.
She saw Tali's car explode.
She watched Ari fly backwards as the bullet hit his forehead.
She saw Gibbs as his memories returned and he held her close.
And she saw Tony's car explode.
"Tony!" She cried out coming fully away.
Gibbs rushed to her side and placed a hand on her forehead.
"Ziva, I'm here. Ziva can you hear me?" Tony said pushing himself into a sitting position with Bianca's help.
"Tony, I'm so sorry!" Ziva cried out as her memories, visions faded and her eyes focused on him.
"Shhh, Ziva I'm fine." Tony replied. He was so glad that she was awake.
"Ziva, what happened?" Gibbs prompted as per Bianca's earlier instructions.
"I don't remember." Ziva gasped grabbing Gibbs' collar. "Daddy, why don't I remember?"
Gibbs kept his face expressionless as Tony's eyes rounded in shock. Bianca nodded imperceptibly indicating that Gibbs not react in surprise.
"Daddy?" Ziva looked at Gibbs pleadingly.
Gibbs pulled her into his embrace and whispered "Its okay Honey. You have a head injury and the doctor said that memory loss is common in such cases."
A myriad of past memories assaulted Gibbs as Ziva buried her face in his shoulder.
Memories of being called, Daddy.
Memories of a young girl laughing and playing.
Memories of a young girl riding a horse across the beach.
Memories of a young girl begging him not to leave…
Memories of a young girl … dying!
"Shhh. It's okay." Gibbs whispered, running a hand down Ziva's back.
Bianca saw the anguish on Gibbs' face, and she realized that another story lay behind it.
First I'll help Ziva and Tony through this and then I'll help Agent Gibbs through his painful past.
Ziva pulled away a moment later and kissed Gibbs on his cheek almost breaking his heart with her tenderness. Then she turned to Tony, her eyes sparkling with tears.
"Ziva?" Tony asked, not sure of what else to say. He could see that Gibbs was shaken and what surprised him was the fact that he could see it, because Gibbs was a man who reveal little or nothing.
"Are you okay?" Ziva asked Tony.
"I'm fine." Tony replied. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit sore. But having you and Dad close to me always makes me feel better." Ziva smiled.
She still lay against Gibbs' shoulder but her eyes sparkled with … love and mischief as she stared at Tony.
Tony smiled back a thrill of awareness racing up his spine.
She can kill without touching and boy is she killing me right now!
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Author's Note :
That's it for this chapter.
The next sees Ziva and Tony alone…
So stay tuned and let me know your thoughts... And I promise to update soon… Thanks!
