Chapter Seven: Nerves

Even though the car was jerking back and forth wildly at Ziva's command, Tony said nothing as they sped down the D.C. streets. He figured that Ziva's driving would kill him eventually, anyway. May as well be today.

As much as he hated to admit it, he hated the tension that was between Ziva and he. She really was the closest thing he'd ever had to a best friend.

But he was also angry at her accusing him of being a terrible father. He hadn't known for more than 24 hours when she'd laid into him, and it infuriated him. Not enough to really yell at or insult her-he knew he never would be able to really lay into Ziva, no matter what. But still, he resented the accusation that he was a bad father.

"I'm gonna be a great dad, you know," he said, checking his notepad for Jackie Worthington's address again.

Ziva at first said nothing, then replied, "I know."

Tony looked at her, not even wavering when she cut off a large SUV. "Then why'd you make that big scene back at the office?"

Ziva shrugged. "I do not know. I guess I was still a bit…shocked…and all my memories of my father came flooding back, and I was having terrible, terrible fly-backs…"

"Fly-backs?"

Ziva sighed, jerking the wheel to the right. "Yes, Tony." He just stared. Sighing exasperatedly, she said, "You know, when you relive in your mind a moment that has already happened? A fly-back?"

Tony smiled a little. Her little errors were cute. "Flashback, Ziva."

"Whatever!" she said, honking the horn as the driver of the SUV made an extremely rude gesture.

"Anyway," she continued, as Tony looked back to make sure that the driver wasn't pulling out a gun or something, "I was still surprised, as I said, and my nerves and feelings got in the way. I am sorry, Tony."

He looked out his window, furrowing his brows. "It's okay, Ziva." Then, a moment later, "Do you really think I'll be a good dad?"

Ziva chuckled. "If you stop bar-hopping and behaving like a man-horse, yes."

"Ziva, it's a man-"

He was cut off by the sound of his cell phone ringing.

"DiNozzo," he said as he put it to his ear.

Ziva glanced at him as he listened to the person on the other end.

"Okay. Thanks." Tony snapped his cell phone shut.

"Who was that?" Ziva asked.

Tony sighed. "That was McGee, Ziva. Police called. They found Jackie Worthington."

"Where is she?" Ziva asked, pulling into another lane.

"The middle of nowhere. She's dead."

Sorry this is short, but it's almost two a.m., and I'm really behind on sleep. But I promised Strawberry Shortcake123 she'd find a chapter when she woke up. Don't worry, I'm going somewhere with the Tiva, and the murders, and everything. Not sure where, but I'm going somewhere!

R and R, please and thank you!