Chapter Ten: Girls Night Out
by Taygeta
Author's Note: Thank you for the great feedback! Hope you all enjoy Ziva and Abby's girls night out!
"Abby, I do not think I have ever felt this pampered...ever," declared Ziva as she sat down on Abby's couch.
They had spent the last two hours after work at a spa that specialized in massages for pregnant women. They were now at Abby's place waiting for a casserole she had made to be warmed up in the oven.
"And I...get to be pampered by proxy. There's so much winning here," said Abby as she placed a glass of juice down on her coffee table for Ziva. "I added in sparkling cider since we can't have mimosas or anything."
Ziva laughed, "Oh Abby, that's sweet. You think of everything."
"A great forensic specialist always does!"
Ziva raised her glass, "To the best one there is."
Abby raised her glass as well, "And to the most gorgeous pregnant NCIS agent there ever was. I swear, Ziva, every time I see a woman walk by you in the office...they stare on in jealousy. You make pregnant look like a fashion spread."
"Oh stop," said Ziva. "I am bloated and I need to pee every thirty minutes...if I am lucky. I am kind of glad I am not on the field, or I would be looking for a bathroom all the time."
"Are you okay with not being out in the field?"
"Oh I miss it, especially when the team comes back in and I have to deal with more paperwork and research more than anything - but I understand," said Ziva who then patted her abdomen absently and affectionately.
"Aww..." said Abby who then added, "Ziva, I can't possibly express how excited I am to meet this baby!"
"If it's only a fraction of how excited Tony and I are - then I understand completely."
With the mention of Tony, Abby gave her trademark toothy red lipstick grin, "You and Tony...I'm so happy for you guys. I always thought that there was something there between you two and now...here you guys are! It is so awesome on so many levels!"
"Well thank you, Abby. I am - I am very happy," said Ziva, realizing as she said this that she really was happy.
"You sound so surprised?"
"There has been much - sadness - in my life that it is quite the change to find myself with so much happiness. I suppose I am a bit overwhelmed?"
"I'm just glad you're happy, Ziva. You deserve it!" She paused, "Speaking of happy things, there has been something I've been meaning to ask you though?"
"Yes?"
"You and Tony? With the baby along the way, I'm not exactly asking if you're gonna get married, but you guys are still living in separate apartments. Is there a...plan?"
"I suppose there should be," said Ziva.
"As in there isn't...?"
"We have talked about the future - we have talked about raising the baby together and staying together, but we have not quite breached the details in that topic."
"Is there a reason?"
"I believe it is the question of what it all might mean - living together, getting married? Are either of us ready for that? Does either of us want that? We can't even figure out what we want in our careers."
"What do you want?"
Ziva had found herself asking this very question the last few months. She hadn't still figured out the answer except for one thing, "I want this baby to happy and healthy."
"Spoken like a true and wonderful mother," said Abby. "But you didn't answer my question. What do you want? Would you want to marry Tony?"
She laughed, "Sometimes, Abby, it feels like we've been married for years."
Abby laughed, "Well...I wasn't going to point that out..."
"Truthfully, I can't imagine anyone else I would want to marry," said Ziva. "I just don't know if we are just rushing things because a little certain someone decided to make an appearance."
"You can't plan everything Ziva," said Abby. "Wait...why am I telling you this? I think you very obviously already know this."
"Oh, I do," said Ziva. "But what about you, Abby? Are you seeing anyone?"
"I went out with a couple of guys a few months ago, but it didn't really pan out. One was more in love with my tattoos than me and the other seemed to resent my intelligence."
"Oh, how terrible."
"Luckily I figured them out pretty early."
"Have you ever thought about trying again with McGee?"
Abby smiled and said, "I love McGee, but I think we had our shot."
"Well, he still seems especially jealous when you're seeing someone."
"He does not..."
"...in the same way, you get a bit jealous when you see that he's seeing someone or someone is interested in him."
"That is not true, Ziva."
"Oh is it not now? When that Israeli spy that hates Tony was working with us on a mission, I have never seen you look at another woman with such deadly eyes, Abby. It gave me chills and I am a trained assassin."
"I may not have liked her, but it wasn't about McGee."
"Sure, Abby...whatever you say..."
During their dinner, Abby found herself asking, "What do you think Tony wants?"
"Oh, that answer I know."
"And...?"
"Whatever I want," said Ziva with a grin.
"Oh you guys are *so* already married," said Abby.
Ziva laughed, but as her laughter subsided, she said, "Can I tell you something, Abby? In confidence?"
"Of course."
"I was looking around Tony's apartment for something I couldn't find at my apartment, so I thought I may have left it at his place. And I found..."
Abby's eyes widened.
"...I found a ring."
Abby's jaw dropped.
"It may be his mother's...It may be something he has always had...so I don't know if should expect anything, but..."
"But...?"
"I know what my answer would be."
"I know what your answer would be too," said Abby. "I'm just wondering - if he is going to ask - how is he going to do it? You know, Tony - Mr. Film-Cinema-Memory. Is he going to reference a film? Is he going to compile his favorite moments? Is he..."
"Abby...Abby..." said Ziva stopping her before she went too far with scenarios. "Many unknowns. Perhaps we should not try to guess."
"Can I at least hope he does ask?"
Ziva smiled, "Whatever makes you happy, Abby."
"Oh I think you're just saying that because it would make you happy," grinned Abby.
End Chapter! Is Tony going to ask? If he is, how is he going to do it?! I don't know yet...but you will soon! :)