"I am upset that I was shot and I do not know if I will ever forgive for the loss of our child; but I do not wish her to be taken away from her children; from the man she loves; from her life; because she was placed in a situation for which she had no idea of how to handle."
Tony rubbed Ziva's forehead, frowning. "What are you saying, Ziva?"
She looked at Tony. "I know you are so angry, Tony. I am not even sure how I will feel working with Director Vance again. But I believe Mrs. Vance has been punished enough."
She looked at Gibbs. "I do not wish to press any charges, Gibbs."
Vignette Nine- "Hello, Goodbye"- Part Eleven
Tony opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind. It was Ziva's call, not his.
And of'course the SecNav could render her decision pointless if he decided she should be held accountable to the full extent of the law.
Gibbs kept his expression neutral. He had an idea Ziva might come to this decision, because of the very incident she reminded them of.
But he knew Tony probably did not agree with this decision and could be strongly opposed to it. He hoped it would not cause a rift between the two.
"You may be called and read into the meeting with the SecNav, Fornell and myself, so you can voice your sentiments. You may also be asked to put it in writing. Depends on Jarvis I suspect."
"You can tell them my decision, Gibbs. If they wish to hear me say it, or have me put it in writing; it will not change." Ziva looked at Gibbs sadly, tears in her eyes.
Gibbs stood up. "I'll leave you now. I have to get this disk back to NCIS. Try to get some sleep tonight, both of you. DiNozzo?" Gibbs indicated Tony was to come with him.
Tony frowned as he followed Gibbs out in the hall. "Tony, I know you want to stay with Ziva. We haven't really been allowed to do much of anything while this case was ongoing."
"I'm not going to order you back to work, at least while Ziva is still in Intensive Care. But keep in mind that if things get bad at work, I may need to call you in."
"Got it, Boss."
"Oh, and Tony?"
"Boss?"
"I know you don't agree with Ziva that Mrs. Vance should not be charged. Don't let that come between you."
Tony looked silently at Gibbs, realizing that Gibbs appeared to accept them as a couple since he just told him to not screw it up.
"Ziva has my complete support, Boss." Gibbs looked into Tony's eyes and nodded.
Gibbs slapped Tony's arm. "Ok, DiNozzo, see that she does."
Tony watched Gibbs leave, worried that he thought he wouldn't be on Ziva's side. But Gibbs was partially right.
The law enforcement side of him said Mrs. Vance should be charged. Of'course he was angry Ziva had been shot, but that had been a variable. It could have been him or any other Agent if they had been assigned as the lead escort.
Would he be as insistent about Mrs. Vance being charged if it had been someone else? Tony hoped so, but he knew he was extremely biased in this case, and because of that, should have no say in its outcome.
He thought about the little life that never had a chance. If that hadn't been part of the equation, would he be as emotional about this?
Inside, he knew that family didn't always have to agree with each other, but they had to stick together.
He didn't consider Director Vance a part of "their family;" but he was the "Big Man Upstairs" and by extension the Patriarch.
He knew Vance didn't have any control over what happened in their house that day. But he wondered seriously if he could keep his anger out of the office, especially if he had to deal with Vance.
If Vance was smart, he would keep his head down and keep his contact with Gibbs only, which in reality is what he usually did for the most part.
Tony considered the other Agents under Vance. Certainly someone must have let it out that Mrs. Vance shot Ziva. He would then have no validity as their Director.
Tony shook his head. None of this was his problem. Being with and supporting Ziva was his role right now, until Gibbs called him back into work.
He walked back into Ziva's room, seeing her eyes were glued to the door. She smiled, but looked worried. "That was more than a minute."
Tony pulled up "his" chair. "He wanted to remind me what my responsibility was. By the way, he didn't actually say it, but I think Gibbs' is giving us a ride regarding our relationship."
"A ride?" Ziva looked confused.
"He is either accepting it or ignoring it. Which means we are good."
That was totally unexpected, and Ziva didn't realize how much she had been worried about that. She leaned back into her pillow and started to hyperventilate a little bit.
"Whoa, Ziva! Calm down, this is good news, right?" Tony massaged her temples, knowing that always calmed her down. He was right; she started to slow down her breathing and was soon calm.
"I just…I did not expect you to say that." Ziva's eyes were huge.
Tony continued to stroke her temple. "He also reminded me that although they were good at the moment, I might be called back to work, so to expect it."
"And not fight it, I would guess?" Ziva smiled softly at Tony. She grabbed his hand.
"Tony, I know you do not agree with my decision, but I think it is the right thing to do. I do not want this to…come between us."
Tony felt tears come to his eyes. He bent and kissed Ziva on the lips, then touched his forehead with hers. "Part of me doesn't, but I respect your feelings on this, Ziva."
He sat back down, holding her hand and sighed. "But this is seriously going to affect my working relationship with Vance, at least for a while."
Tony thought for a while. "I guess I'm just going to have to steer clear of him." He brought Ziva's hand to his lips and kissed it.
Just then his phone rang. He did not recognize the number, but knew it was overseas. He showed his phone to Ziva, whose eyebrows shot up.
"That is my father's number."
"Shit!" Tony thought. "Perfect timing." Tony said to Ziva. "If he asks, do you want to speak to him?" Ziva shrugged.
"Great, thanks!" Tony replied. "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo." He answered his phone.
"Ah, Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. I was not sure you would take my call." Eli David noted.
"I don't know your phone number, Director David." Tony answered, not saying if that meant he would have answered it or not. He remembered what Gibbs had warned him about, so he tried to keep cool-headed.
"I see. How is my Ziva, is she improving?" Tony winced at the words "my Ziva", thinking she was his nothing, but bit back the remark.
"Yes, sir; she is. She is still in Intensive Care, but she is breathing on her own, with oxygen. She has been up in the chair today, but that was the first time and it really tired her out."
"The doctors seem pleased with her progress." Tony finished.
"Has she identified her shooter?" Tony's eyes bugged out at that. He knew by that question that Eli David had no idea who shot Ziva, and Tony certainly was not going to be the one to tell him that the wife of his "friend Leon" was the culprit.
"Ah, no." He looked at Ziva with alarm on his face. He mimicked pointing a gun at her. He thought she understood what he was trying to say.
"She remembers us being on the detail, but that is all. They call it retrograde amnesia." Tony held his breath, hoping against hope that Eli David would accept his explanation.
"I see." Eli responded. "Would it be possible for me to speak with my daughter? I would like to hear her voice."
"I'll ask her sir, if she is not too tired." He held his phone close to Ziva.
"Ziva, your father would like to speak to you. How are you feeling, do you feel up to it?" Ziva looked at Tony. He was giving her no sign, meaning he was leaving it up to her.
"I think I can speak for a very short while." She answered.
"Ok, I'll put you on. Director David, Ziva says she can speak for a little bit, I'm handing her my phone now." Tony spoke as if he didn't know Eli heard their conversation.
As Tony handed her the phone, he mouthed to her: "English only." Ziva nodded. She knew he didn't like it when she spoke in Hebrew in front of him. He felt he was purposely being left out.
It wasn't that big of a deal when they weren't seeing each other, but things were different now.
"Shalom, Abba." Ziva said softly.
"Ziva, you sound so weak. Is Agent DiNozzo lying to me about your condition?"
"No, I am much better. Everything Tony said was true. I only got out of bed today."
"Is it true that you do not remember the person who shot you?" He asked his question in Hebrew, expecting Ziva to respond in kind, knowing Agent DiNozzo would not know what she was saying.
But Ziva denied him his subterfuge. "Yes, Abba, it is true." She hoped he believed her and did not hear in her voice that she was lying to him.
"Very well. Do they have a suspect?" Ziva tried to chuckle.
"I am not part of the investigation, remember? You will have to get that information from Gibbs, or Agent Fornell, since I believe the FBI is handling this."
"Well, then, do you know…"
"Abba! I am in the hospital. Tony has been at my side since I have been brought here. Neither of us knows what is going on."
"I am tired. I cannot talk anymore. Shalom, Abba." She handed the phone back to Tony.
"Director David?" Tony said hesitantly.
He was surprised to hear a sigh on the other end. "I should not have pushed her; she is still too soon from her injury. Do you not know anything about this case?"
"I have been here with Ziva, since she was shot. The FBI apparently doesn't need my help." Tony replied, his frustration evident in his tone.
Eli David actually chuckled at that. "My daughter refused to speak in Hebrew to me. Is that because of you?"
"I would imagine she thought it would be rude to speak in another language in front of me that I couldn't understand. We don't keep secrets from each other. Sir."
Again, Eli David chuckled. "I hope that is the truth. I do not want my daughter to have her heart broken."
Tony bit back an angry response, and then remembered Gibbs' words. "He will bait you, Tony."
Instead, Tony decided to bait him. "I would never do that, Director. I love Ziva, and she loves me. We plan to be together for a long time."
Eli David had once again underestimated Agent Anthony DiNozzo. He was surprised that he would say this to him, admit that he loved the daughter of the Director of Mossad and make the claim that she loved him.
He wished now that he had asked her about their relationship while he had her on the phone. "Is it your intention, then to marry my daughter, Agent DiNozzo?"
Tony wanted to snap back "yes", but the truth was they hadn't discussed it yet. "We haven't talked about that yet. But I am not ruling it out."
"I see. Well, I expect to be informed if such a decision is reached."
"Of'course, Director." Tony acknowledged the request.
"Thank you for letting me hear my daughter's voice. Shalom, Agent DiNozzo." He hung up before Tony could respond.
He looked at Ziva. "Are you ok? You really don't look good." Tony was concerned and stroked her cheek.
She tried to smile. "It is always tiring after speaking to my father." She winced a little bit. Tony kissed her. "I'll let the nurse know you need something for pain."
When Ziva didn't argue with him, he knew she was really hurting. He pressed the nurse's call button, and asked if Ziva could have something for pain when the disembodied voice responded.
Ten minutes later, a nurse showed up and gave Ziva some medication into her IV. "The surgeon will be by later to see how you are doing."
Ziva was nodding sleepily, the medication already taking its effect. Tony thanked the nurse. He waited until Ziva was asleep, and then got up to take a walk and stretch his legs, and to clear his head.
Now that the case wrapping up, Tim and Abby were free to visit Ziva. Tim hadn't seen her since she'd been shot; and Abby before that; although she had been monitoring the transmissions and heard Mrs. Vance shoot her.
They arrived at the hospital after work. Since only two visitors were allowed to visit at the same time in the ICU, Tony stepped out so they could have their time with Ziva.
Abby had to hold back her gasp when she saw Ziva. She knew how serious her injuries were, but she also knew what a fighter Ziva was.
The Ziva she saw was small; swallowed up by the apparatus that was attached to her. Her face was very pale, with dark smudges under her eyes.
She looked like a puff of air could blow her over. Abby couldn't put her finger on it, but there seemed to be more going on than just the physical injuries.
Maybe it was just the shock that it was Mrs. Vance and one of their own Agents that did this to her.
Tim also thought Ziva looked a lot weaker than he expected, but having never been shot, he had no idea what that was like.
They both smiled brightly and held her hands, Abby reaching down to try to hug her and kissed her cheek. "I was so worried about you." She whispered.
"We will be fine." Ziva said patting Abby's back. She leaned back into her pillow. "It will take a while, but I will get better and be back to work before you know it." She smiled.
"You better." Tim chimed in. "Tony's a pain is the ass when you're not there!" Ziva chuckled, but stopped when it caused pulling on her chest tube.
"Sorry, guess I shouldn't make you try to laugh." Tim looked apologetic.
Ziva squeezed his hand. "It is fine, McGee. It is this chest tube. It pulls when I move certain ways. It is not exactly painful, but it is an odd sensation."
Tim nodded, having no idea how to equate any feeling to that.
"I was up in the chair today for a short period. I could not believe how tiring it was. I do not like feeling this way." Ziva looked frustrated.
"Take it a day at a time, Ziva. You'll be home before you know it." Abby looked at Tim. "They only gave us ten minutes so I guess we better get going before Tony comes and yanks us out of the room."
Tim and Ziva both smiled at that. They both started to leave, but then Abby turned. "Tim, you go on ahead, I'll be right there." Tim looked surprised but nodded.
Ziva also looked surprised and watched Abby pull up a chair and take Ziva's hand. She looked down, and then looked into Ziva's face.
"Ziva, I know you. I know this is absolutely horrible and I am so sorry you had to go through this." Ziva nodded, not sure what Abby was trying to say.
Abby cleared her throat. "Ziva, is there something else going on? I mean this is bad enough, but I just get this feeling that…" She stopped when she saw the tears flows down Ziva's cheeks.
"Oh, my. Ziva, if this is none of my business, you just say so. I just wanted you to know that I was concerned, and that I am praying for you."
Ziva squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Abby. And you are right…there is something else. Please promise me you will not say anything, especially to Tony."
"Of'course I promise. Ziva, you're scaring me." Abby brought her friend's hand up to her cheek.
"After the surgery was over, Tony and I found out that I was pregnant. We did not know before."
Abby's eyes filled, afraid to respond when Ziva said was.
Ziva nodded her head. "Because of the shooting, I suffered a miscarriage. Tony and I found out we were going to have a baby and then when weren't in one sentence."
"I think if I had to lose a baby, I would want it to be like this, before I knew about it; before I learned to love it. But it is still painful, not knowing…"
"Oh, Ziva." Abby hugged her friend, crying for their loss. Ziva had already spent herself, but still found the tears coming. "It was such a shock, I can forgive for myself, but I am not sure I can for our child."
Abby looked at her, sadly, stroking her hair. "How is Tony taking it?"
Ziva shook his head. "He was the one who had to tell me. He is holding up, but devastated. He will not forgive Mrs. Vance or the Director." Ziva hesitated.
"Gibbs was with Tony when he was told, so Gibbs knows as well."
Abby's eyes got huge. "Gibbs knows? Oh…" Ziva squeezed her hand and smiled sadly.
"He did not kill Tony, though he did yell at him for a bit. He is better now. He is more concerned about how we are doing than what we did."
Abby didn't realize she was holding her breath. She let it out in a big sigh. "Well, I am here for you. And for Tony. Are you sure you don't want him to know you told me?"
"He needs comfort too." Ziva looked concerned. "I will ask him."
Abby nodded, gave Ziva another kiss and left the room. She found Tim and Tony talking in the hallway. As soon as Tony looked up and saw Abby's face, he knew.
"She told you, didn't she?" Abby chewed on her lip a little bit, and then threw her arms around him. "I am so sorry, Tony."
Tony could feel her tears on his neck, and he couldn't help it. He broke down and started to cry as well. Tim was confused and alarmed and didn't know what to do.
"I had to tell her…" Tony mumbled.
"I know, Tony. I'm here for you. For both of you."
Tim cleared his throat. "Well, I'd like to be here for both of you, too." Tony and Abby looked up at him. They had momentarily forgotten he was there.
"Sorry, Tim." Tony turned to Abby. "Abbs?"
"I'll tell him." She could tell he couldn't go through it again. "You call us if you need anything. We can manage fine without you, for a while." She smiled sadly.
"Just don't get used to being away." She added. Tony smiled glumly. "I don't think that should be a problem. Gibbs has already put me on alert that I could be called back anytime."
"Ok, well, get back to Ziva. We'll see you later." Abby took Tim's arm and led him away, their heads together.
Thanks you the reviews; Things aren't over yet for Mrs. Vance. Everyone have a great holiday!