A/N- OK, please don't kill me over this one. I swear, I don't thrive on getting everyone all het up. Thanks again for the great reviews, and for the nice message informing me that I could RESPOND to them! Who knew? Not me, obviously! So, now that I know, I will!

Chapter 11

Tony looked around the bullpen, making sure that Ziva was still gone.

"Psst, Probie!" Across the way, McGee looked up.

"Yeah?" Tony stood and walked to McGee's desk, rolling his chair with him. Spinning the chair around and straddling it, he sat.

"I need a favor." McGee's eyes grew wide.

"And you're asking me? Are you feeling all right, Tony?"

"Yes, McGoo, I'm fine. Geesh. You'd think I never asked you for anything before."

"You haven't. At least, not anything nice."

"Well, people change. Now, will you help me or not?"

"Depends. What kind of favor are we talking about?"

"I don't have a ring for Ziva yet, and I'd like you and Abs to help me pick one out, if you think she'd be OK with it, too." Tony watched McGee's face light up.

"OK with it? She'll mow you down to get to the jewelry store. Sure, I'd be honored. When do you want to go?"

"Not sure. It'll have to be a day when Z's busy and we can all get away. Let me make a couple calls. Let you know?"

"Sure."

"Great." Tony stood. "Thanks, McGee." He offered his hand and McGee shook it.

"Don't mention it. If we ever get to that point, maybe you and Ziva could help me with one for Abby?"

"Oh, you know Z would love that. Of course we will, Probie, just name the time."

McGee watched as Tony wheeled the chair back over to his desk, wondering if he had dreamed the preceding conversation. I could really get used to the Tony/Ziva thing. He's acting almost human.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"How long has it been, Abby?"

Abby watched as Ziva paced the length of the lab. " Exactly 20 seconds longer than the last time you asked me, which means we have another minute to go. Will you stop?" Abby gently pushed Ziva into a chair. "You're making me seasick."

"I am sorry, Abby. I am just…nervous, I suppose." Ziva stared at her hands, then looked up as the timer Abby had set dinged.

"Well?" Abby asked. "Aren't you going to look?"

"I…you look. Please, Abby?" Ziva watched as Abby flipped the little plastic stick over and viewed the result. "What does it say?"

"First of all, do you want to be pregnant, Z?" Abby's voice was neutral, and her face gave no indication of what she saw in her hand.

"I do not know. I would love to have a child, yes, but now, the team, it would be better if I could plan….but, if I am pregnant, I would be happy. If not, then that it fine as well. Tony and I have not talked about this, I do not know how he would feel."

"He'd be over the moon, and you know it, silly. Anyway, you two have plenty of time to talk about it. It's negative. No baby, Z. Not now, anyway." Abby offered the test to Ziva so she could see the result herself.

"I did not think I could be, not with the device, but I have felt so sick lately, and been so…I cry at everything." Ziva stared at the stick in her hand, then tossed it into Abby's trash can.

"What device? You mean for birth control?" Ziva nodded. "What kind is it?"

"One that goes under your skin, see?" Ziva pushed up her sleeve, showing Abby the faint bump on her upper arm. "It is supposed to be good for five years."

"How long have you had it?"

"Nearly five years now. I have been meaning to get it replaced, but now, well, now I may not need something that lasts that long." Ziva grinned at Abby suddenly, getting a relieved grin in return.

"I still think you should see a doctor. You haven't really been yourself lately, maybe that's why. Maybe your hormones are outta whack. Go ask Gibbs. He'll give you time to go, you know that."

"I know. I need to do something. I do not feel very much like a ninja right now." Ziva laughed as she walked from the lab.

Tony watched as Ziva returned to her desk, smiling at him before picking up the telephone. She still looked pale, but better than she had in the bathroom earlier. The talk with Abby must have helped.

"Yes, that should be fine. Tomorrow at eleven, then? Thank you." Tony caught the end of Ziva's conversation, just before she hung the phone up.

"You OK?"

"Yes, just….." Ziva trailed off as Gibbs walked into the bullpen. She stood. "Gibbs?"

"Yeah, Ziver?"

"May we speak? Your office?" Gibbs nodded and headed for the elevator, Ziva behind him. Tony watched as the doors closed behind them. Now what?

Inside the elevator, Ziva faced Gibbs, opening her mouth to speak, but silenced by a hug from him. After kissing the top of her head, Gibbs gently held her at arm's length.

"You OK, Ziver?" His blue eyes were concerned.

"I believe so, that is why I asked to speak to you. My doctor has an opening tomorrow, and I wanted to ask if I could have an early lunch."

"Of course you can. Ziver, I have to ask….you're pale, you look thin, Tony says you've been sick, is there any way you could be…?"

"No." Ziva cut Gibbs' question off. "No, of that I am certain, there is no way. But, since I have not been well, I want to get checked out."

"Not a problem. You'll let me know?"

"I will." Gibbs hugged her again, then flipped the emergency switch back to ON, allowing the elevator to return to their floor.

As she walked back to her desk, Ziva glanced at Tony, who returned her look with one of concern. Inclining her head, indicating that he should follow her, Ziva headed for the bathroom. Tony followed her inside, locking the door behind him, then moving to hold her.

"Everything all right?" Ziva giggled against his chest. "What?"

"I have been asked that question more today than in my entire life, that is all. It just strikes me as funny. Yes, everything is fine. I was asking Gibbs for an early lunch tomorrow. I have a doctor's appointment."

"For what? Are you sick?" Tony paused, regarding her for a minute. "Are you…?"

"No, Tony, I am not. I already made sure." she held up a hand to fend off his next question. "I took a test, negative. But I have a device that may be worn out, and if it is, I need to get it removed. That may be why I feel so bad." Ziva watched as Tony visibly relaxed, stepping forward to lean against his chest.

"What kind of device? Why would that make you feel bad?"

"A device to prevent pregnancy, see? Feel here on my arm. You can barely feel it, it is under the skin." Tony's fingers probed, sensing the little bump under her shirt sleeve. "And if it is worn out, the hormones will not work as they should. So, better I should have it removed."

"You think it will help?"

"The doctor seemed to think so. Are you disappointed, Tony?"

"Disappointed?"

"Yes, are you disappointed that I am not pregnant?"

Tony smiled, pulling Ziva to him again, resting his chin on her head. "A little, I guess. I know, it would have been the absolute worst in timing, but it would have been great, too. Are you disappointed?"

"Maybe, a bit, I suppose. I want children someday, yes, but you are right about the timing. Although, Gibbs did not seem to mind the possibility."

" He ask you about it, too?"

"Yes. How would you have felt if I was?"

"You have to ask?"

"We have not talked about it, Tony, I did not know if children were even something that you wanted." Ziva watched as Tony turned away, confused by his action. When he turned back to face her, there were tears in his eyes.

"Know this, Ziva David-soon-to-be-DiNozzo, I would be thrilled beyond belief if you were carrying my child. And I am honored, honored, that you would consider it. You'll be a wonderful mother, whenever the time comes." Tony leaned into Ziva, kissing her softly, then pulling her in for a tight squeeze.

"We better get back." Tony's words were punctuated by a banging on the door. Opening the lock, he swung the door open to find McGee on the other side.

"Oh, for the…can you two not find a better place to talk?" McGee huffed as Tony and Ziva exited, "Every blasted time…" the door closed on his ranting.

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Tony waited anxiously for Ziva to return from her appointment. Taking advantage of her indisposition, the team, including Gibbs, had gone shopping over lunch, Gibbs taking them to a tiny, out-of-the-way shop that carried more non-traditional pieces, and the ring that all had agreed on was in his pocket. Most everyone had cleared out, there were few active cases at the moment. The team, however, was waiting just as anxiously as Tony for Ziva to get back. McGee and Abby were watching from the lab, Gibbs and Vance (who'd have thought?) were in MTAC, also watching. Tony had been given his orders.

"If you think for one minute that we don't get to see how she reacts, you're crazy. You have to give it to her here, here's where everything started!" Abby was practically bouncing with excitement.

So, here he sat, waiting. The elevator dinged, and Ziva stepped out, looking surprised to see only Tony sitting in the bullpen as she came to her desk.

"Where is everyone?"

"Around here somewhere. Gibbs is up in MTAC, Probie's in the lab, probably making time with Abs." Tony grinned at Ziva's reproachful look.

"I told you, no making fun of them. I think they are sweet."

"Yeah, you would. So, how'd it go?"

"Fine. The device came out. The doctor suggested an injection, one I will have to get every three months, to replace the device. He expects I should start to feel much better in a few days, once my hormone levels normalize."

"Good. Z?"

"Yes?"

"I got you a present today."

"You did? What for?"

"Just because. Call it a get-well, I-love-you present." Tony came around to stand beside her, then dropped to one knee, opening the tiny jeweler's box. The ring, a simple pear-shaped canary diamond in a gold band, sparkled as the lights hit it. Ziva stared, not uttering a word. Finally, Tony spoke again. "Ziva? Do…do you like it?"

Ziva raised her eyes, tears shimmering in them, and nodded, "I love it, Tony. It's beautiful."

Tony sighed, relieved. "Marry me, Z? I'd say 'make me the happiest man on earth', but you have that one covered already." Ziva, the tears finally spilling over, nodded again, holding her let hand out.

Tony pulled the ring from the box, reaching for her hand and sliding it on her finger, then leaned to kiss her.

"Tony?" Ziva spoke as the kiss ended. "Do you hear that? Someone is screaming." Tony laughed.

"Yeah, that would be Abs. She probably had us pulled up on the camera feed in the lab. She, McGee, and Gibbs helped me pick out your ring. You don't mind, do you? Please don't be mad. She was so excited."

"No, I am not mad." Ziva laughed. "Abby is my best friend, why would I be mad? If you had given me my ring at home, I am sure she would have devised a way to see it there as well." She stood. "Come, we may as well let her see it in real life." Ziva headed for the lab, holding Tony's hand. Tony, looking up, saw Gibbs come out of MTAC. Grinning up at his boss, and receiving an answering smile, Tony let Ziva lead him. How did I ever come to deserve this?

A/N- I promise, smut, smut, smut next chapter! TY again for the reviews!