Title: Dismantle/Repair
Author: WtUnite [Chedders/Jess]
Rating: T
Pairing: Gibbs/Ziva
Status: 11/13
Category/Warnings: Established Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Spoilers: General Spoilers for all 7 seasons, roughly.
Summary: Ziva and Gibbs deal with a traumatic incident, only to rebuild a life together.
"It is not that strange, I have done it." Even though she was curled up on the couch, with very little enjoyment of her time off, Ziva was involved in the case through Abby. The gothic lab tech's music was lower than normal as they talked about the case. They talked through webcams because time off was something that you wanted when you didn't have it but with unlimited free time and no distractions it was not fun.
"It's not the same without you, Z. Timmy and Tony squabble all the time and the silver fox obviously wants to be home with you and the Gibblet. And you know Vance wants to replace you, because he thinks you shouldn't even be on Gibbs' team anymore." The goth turned away to check the results that came up from a test on another screen. "The results are in and it wasn't the guy, you were right. But Gibbs'll be here in a minute, he's just that good. It's like he knows."
"Knows what, Abs?" Gibbs asked as he entered the lab with her favorite drink in one of his hands. He didn't notice Ziva at first, even though his mind was constantly on her and the baby and how much he wanted to be home. He was also focused on the results in the goth's hand. Placing the drink on the table, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"I told you he knows," Abby addressed Ziva but turned to Gibbs. "You always know when I have evidence for you. And it usually comes with a Caf-Pow," she crowed, sipping the caffeinated red drink.
Ziva didn't say anything when Gibbs entered the lab, content to watch him and his reactions with Abby.
"Who're you talkin to?" he asked, watching her sip on the drink as he worked on his coffee. He had spent the morning fighting Vance. He was pretty sure the entire bullpen had heard their conversation. Or at least his side of it.
Abby laughed and pointed to the screen as Ziva said, "Hello, Jethro." It was good to see him, even if had only been a few hours since he left for work. Worse than being away from work was being away from Gibbs while he was at work and she was not.
Gibbs turned the look at the screen, the look on his face immediately softening as he took in the tired, but still beautiful, face of his wife. The results could wait. Stepping closer to the screen, his blue eyes feasted on every inch of skin he could see. "You okay?" he asked after a moment, sitting his coffee down.
"I am fine. But there are only so many times that I can refold baby clothes or stack diapers. And American daytime television is worse than the Israeli equivalent." She didn't say that she was helping to solve the case, sitting idly was not within her nature.
"I'll pick up some movies on the way home," he offered, feeling his body relax. He missed knowing that Ziva had his six no matter what. He wanted to tell her that he missed her, but he kept his month shut for the moment. Instead, his lips quirked into a smile. "Find any leads on the case yet?" he asked, smirking at her. He knew his other half well.
"I do not look forward to three more weeks of sitting around here." They had scheduled the c-section for the twenty second of October, despite Abby's pleading for them to wait until Halloween for Jacob's birthday. Smiling because her husband, something that Ziva liked saying, knew her so well she just shrugged. "I merely theorized that his alibi was a good one, as I have done so myself."
He only smiled, nodding his head. Gibbs also missed having her sharp mind around. "You think so?" he asked, even though he believed her. He almost always did. Nights where his favorite time of day, only because he got to hold her in his arms and talk to the baby. Not that he would admit that to anyone. He glanced over at the scientist, but his eyes quickly strayed back to his wife. "Got anything for me Abs?"
Smiling Abby pointed towards a different screen. "Ziva's theory was right. The prints don't match and I got the video of him to corroborate the alibi."
"Good job." he said, directing it at both women. Giving his full attention back to Ziva, he let his eyes convey his silent message. "I'll be home when I can." He gave her one last look before he said a goodbye over his shoulder to Abby and left the lab.
Abby called a farewell to Gibbs' back and turned back to Ziva with an evil smile. "Ziva and Gibbs sitting in a tree…"
"Abby!"
Smirking at her friend Abby shrugged. "How 'bout I come by and bring lunch? 'cause I have to get back to work for real." Ziva agreed and the two friends cut off the video connection.