Ziva was now 6 months pregnant, 24 weeks along. She was starting to feel the pregnancy, getting back aches, leg cramps, and also becoming self conscious of her forming stretch marks. Thankfully those were only on her legs and a little on her stomach as the skin continued to extend with her growing baby. Tony was still looking for a house and a few came to mind as he and Ziva had searched the web. Next month is when they will be talking to their real estate agent to take a look at the three houses they selected to view. Tony prayed for good weather, might help lighten the day. And on top of that they have a wedding to plan. Of course it wouldn't be until after the baby was born but the sooner they were prepared the better. As DiNozzo was looking at the houses again on his laptop, he glanced at Ziva, and a smile came to his lips as he spied what was on her laptop. One page had wedding dresses, the other was cribs, baby cribs. He wondered how he would be as a father, but he knew with Ziva by his side they could do anything. How hard could it be? They were terrified to be honest. But they would do it. Not doing so wasn't an option.

And they both loved challenges...right? Becoming a patent is definitely a challenge. They just hoped that they passed. Might not be with flying colors but they were going to work together no matter what. Ziva caught him staring at her and they both smiled to each other, that familiar heat between them, the light back in their eyes, love in their hearts. Tony's cell rang at that moment, turning the couples attention away from each other. "It's Gibbs." Said Tony and Ziva nodded. "You better answer it." Tony smirked at her and proceeded. "Yeah, this is Tony...Uh-huh..okay..yeah I'll be there in 10..yep, bye." He hung up and stretched from the chair he was in. "Mmmh...we got a murder case. Gibbs wants me to meet him at the crime scene." Ziva nodded then stood up, walking over from the kitchen to the couch. Tony furrowed his brow as he also got up, following her. "Uh, what are you doing?" He questioned. Ziva sat down on the couch and was putting on her shoes. "I'm getting ready to go." Tony shook his head and scratched the back of it. "Uh, Gibbs just..he just wants me." At his pausing Ziva stared up at him. "What?" "He said for you to stay home-". At his words Ziva rose to her feet after getting on her shoes and glared daggers at him, then proceeded to head towards the bathroom, not saying a word. Tony let out a breath. 'I'm going to get smacked for sure.'

The crime scene was taped off as DiNozzo and Ziva got out of the car, all dressed in their gear. Gibbs sighed at seeing Ziva but then smirked. He knew she wouldn't stay at home as he watched Tony put on his backpack and while Ziva attempted to do the same, almost loosing her balance, he nodded to himself as he saw Tony take Zivas and carry it for her as they then proceeded to come over. Going under the yellow perimeter line the boss man out on his serious face again. "I thought I told you to tell her to stay home." He informed Tony as the Senior Field Agent approached. Tony swallowed knowing a head slap would soon come to him. "I tried to tell her that but she wouldn't listen." "I am of no use at home Gibbs." Ziva commented as she went passed. She wasn't exactly waddling yet but her legs moved was a tad wider as she went, just the tiniest bit of sway. Tony noticed as she went, wondering what it would look like when she was at a full 9 months pregnant with a big belly and feeling uncomfortable. "We have a long way to go." He murmured to himself. Gibbs looked to him. "Not that long DiNozzo..only three more months." Tony glanced at his boss as they walked towards where the body lay. "Truth be told, I'm terrified about becoming a dad..I don't think I'll be ready when the time comes." Gibbs nodded. "No one's ever really ready to be a parent. You can prepare and do research and talk to others with experience, but most of the time you just take it day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment." Tony stopped and Gibbs did too. "I've never heard you talk like that Boss." Gibbs smirked. "Did it help?" "Yeah." The boss man nodded and Tony set about working and processing the scene.

Afterwards they went back to headquarters. Ziva was sitting at her desk eating some Mack-N-Cheese when Gibbs came in. "DiNozzo, check out one of the suspects. See if he's got an alibi." The agent nodded and proceeded to get ready as he holsters his weapon on the shoulder strap. "On it boss." Ziva looked to Gibbs, quickly swallowing her food. "What about me?" "You're gonna cross reference facial recognition from security cameras and call the spouse, see if she can give any more information that might help." Ziva looked to him. "Desk work? Why can't I go with Tony?" McGee looked between Ziva, Gibbs and Tony as he sat and typed, staying out of it. Gibbs looked to the pregnant woman. "Ziva you're staying here." But said pregnant woman wasn't having it. "I am quite capable of handling a questioning suspect and if he rabbits we shall pursue." "Not I your condition." "Gibbs..I am fine..why don't you worry yourself about more important things..like my father." Gibbs looked to her and sighed. "You don't think I've been doing that?..since this happened that's been my top priority..Ziver...I know you feel I'm restrictive and telling you what you can and can't do. But it's not just you that we have to consider..your abilities are not what's in question here. It's the safety of you and the baby." Ziva had to hold her tongue, so stubborn. But when she spoke it was calm though the disappointment was evident, her hands going to her belly when the boss talked of the unborn child. "I know, Gibbs..I'm sorry..it's just, this is all new to me. I don't know how I'm supposed to react. I will protect my baby at all costs Gibbs..and I will try to heed your words. I know it is because you care even if you are being firm with me." Gibbs smirked. "Oh, you haven't seen how firm I can be yet." Ziva looked to him a moment, her head tilted to the side, a small smile on her lips until Gibbs smirked and kissed her forehead. "Go on." He moved his chin in the signature upwards nod and with a bigger smile Ziva hugged Gibbs then went and followed Tony to the elevator and they boarded the car, the silver doors closing and the bell dinging.

2 and 1/2 hours later Tony and Ziva came back into headquarters. There was struggling and yelling going on. "Come on man get off me! I didn't do it!" His hands were behind his back in handcuffs, and Ziva was the one handling him as he struggled to break free of the pregnant woman's grasp. "We found you in the process trying to get rid of the murder weapon. I don't think it was exactly nothing." Tony said to their prisoner. Ziva smirked as she added. "You can keep kicking and screaming all you want. It is not going to work." The man looked back at Ziva. "Kicking and screaming huh..well how about this?!" Without warning their prisoner kicked at the pregnant woman's legs and spun around, shoving her backwards. "Oof!" Ziva lost her balance, her hands wrapping around her belly to protect her baby and she began to fall, but thankfully Tony was right behind her as he caught her, his hands making it just in time under her arms and he held his partner up best he could with her extra weight. Ziva still ended up near the floor but thankfully she didn't hurt herself. McGee was right there as well as Gibbs and they shoved the murderor against the wall until security came and took the arrested away. Tony was looking Ziva over. "Ziva are you okay? Please tell me you're alright." Ziva swallowed and breathed. "I'm fine Tony. You don't have to worry about me." Tony tightened his jaw. "Not worry about you? Honey all I do is worry about you and the baby. You're my entire world." He spoke so true to her as he helped her up, Gibbs taking one hand and Tony the other arm and his other hand on her back. "Let's take her down to Duck." Ziva looked to the older agent but wasn't allowed to speak. "We're not taking any chances...do you see now why I wanted you to stay home?" When he said this last bit they were in the elevator. It was in this moment that Ziva had realized even more the damage that could have been done. This brought tears to her eyes as she recognized the error of her ways. 'What kind of person am I?' Some would question if she even cared. Why go into work where anything could happen? Shoved like she just was, shot at, explosions, poison, beaten up. But she did care, so much. The thought now of something happening to their baby..she couldn't even finish it as she began letting it out and Gibbs enveloped her into a hug. "Shhh, it's alright." Ziva shook her head. "No..no it's not Gibbs..I should have listened...what kind of future mother am I to do what I did?"

Tony took a breath and rested a hand on her back. "Ziva don't do this to yourself..we all make mistakes. We just need to learn from them." Ziva stared at him and then nodded, turning and going into his arms. "I'm sorry Tony..I'm so sorry." DiNozzo took her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "It's alright Zi...you're alright and the baby is too." The weeping mother to be nodded. As if to reassure her, there was a kick to Zivas stomach. "Oh." Ziva looked down and smiled at her belly. "Hello baby. You had me so worried. I had me so worried." She sniffled. "I promise to do better next time." After a few moments they were in Autopsy and Ducky had Ziva rest on one of his tables. "I'm sorry it's not exactly comfortable my dear." Ziva shook her head. "It's alright Ducky." She said as he examined her belly, gently pressing on it with his gloved hands. Tony stood next to her, his coat as a pillow under her head. "You okay?" He asked in a gentle Tony and Ziva nodded as she looked up to him, her smile bright and warm. She looked to Ducky. "I'm surprised you have experience in this type of thing Dr. Mallard." The older man chuckled. "Well it's not much but by the way you are right now and not feeling anything from your little one other than the normal movement, I suggest that you're both fine. But I would advise you that it is in our best interests that you remain home from now on. And keep your stress levels down, make sure your staying hydrated, etc." Ziva nodded and Tony helped her to sit up and gently used his strong arms to lift her off the table. Ziva looked up at him with a relieved sigh and smiled at him. "Well well, look who's been working out." She commented and DiNozzo smiled back as Gibbs and Ducky looked on. "Well, I had a good motivator." Ziva chuckled then looked down as he baby began kicking again. After a few moments Ziva speaks. "I'm hungry." The group laugh and then leave Autopsy and head back up to the Squad-Room. Gibbs looked to Ziva as she and Tony got ready to go. "Ziver,". She looked to him and he smirked. "Stay home next time?" They both exchanged glanced and the pregnant agent nodded. "Of course. No more Galla...Frolicky..." "Gallivanting." Tony said and Ziva repeated, nodding to herself and Gibbs. "Gallivanting, yes. Toda Tony." She thanked her lover and they entered the elevator as the silver doors closed. Ding

I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I repeat that sentence a lot. Lol! Send me a review if you would be so kind. Thank you bunches. Been up and down some with my Cote withdrawal emotions. I just have to get better. Hope you're enjoying this story. Tell me what you think so far, likes and favorite moments, what you honk will happen.