Chapter 35
As Gibbs pressed the button for the second floor he heard someone yell, "Hold the elevator."
Gibbs rolled his eyes. As the doors closed a manicured hand stuck between them, opening them again.
A beautiful woman stepped into the elevator, in a white coat, holding a stack of files, "Two, please."
Standing on opposite sides of the elevator, staring straight ahead, she spoke as she caught her breath. "You were gonna let the door close on me, weren't you?" She scoffed.
Gibbs mirrored her scoff, "No! I just…didn't hear ya, is all.".
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, right."
The elevator dinged as the door opened for the second floor. Gibbs gestured for the woman to exit as he followed her. She scoffed again, "Oh, so you're following me now?"
As they walked down the hallway, he rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. "Hey uh, do you know where Dr…." He looks at the sticky note. "Cranston's office is?"
The woman stopped and turned to him. "Seriously?"
He looked at her confused, "Yuh-huh. I'm supposed to see her about my daughter."
She chuckled, holding out her hand. "I'm Dr. Cranston. Rachel Cranston."
He shook the red heads hand, "Jethro Gibbs." He flashed her a smile.
She chuckled a bit as she let go of his hand "Jethro, huh? Your parents must have really loved you."
He laughed. She stared into his ice blue eyes, getting lost in them. He waved a hand in her face, "Doc? About my daughter?"
She snapped out of her daze and looked at the files in her arms. "I don't see a Gibbs in here."
He clears his throat, "Oh it's uh, David, Ziva David. She's adopted, but she's all mine."
"That's sweet. Um, let's step into my office so we can talk." She held the door open for him.
As Gibbs filled Dr. Cranston in about Ziva's past, back on the fifth floor, Tony laid with his young lover in her hospital bed.
Tony stroked Ziva's frizzy hair. He whispered in her ear, "You are so beautiful, you are strong, amazing, you are my ne'shama (darling in Hebrew)."
"Toda, Tony. But this battle is not even half over. I have many more wars to fight." She takes his arm and wraps it around her stomach. He hates how much he can feel her rib cage. He can feel her breath hitch in her chest as she cries.
"I am afraid, Tony. I am afraid that I will lose this fight."
She rolls over to face him. "What if I cannot do this? Will I just become scars and bones? Why couldn't Gibbs just have let me die?"
At this declaration, Tony tears up and holds back an audible sob as a tear rolls down his face. "Ziva, I don't know what I would do without you. I know it's hard, and I know you want to change. I can change with you." He strokes her cheek with his thumb.
"You are not alone in this fight." He cradles her face in his hands; their foreheads rest against each other. He whispers, "I'm fighting for you, Ziva."
She closes the gap between them, kissing him deeply; their tongues duel.
"Ahem!" An angry throat clear comes from behind them.
Tony pulls away from Ziva, "Gibbs is behind me, isn't he?"
Ziva nods. Tony rolls over to a sitting position slowly, facing Gibbs. "Hiya, boss. Look, I uh…I was just…the thing is…" Gibbs smacks the back of his head.
"Out, DiNozzo, I need some alone time with my daughter." He smirks as Tony grabs his bag. He mouths to Ziva, 'See you later'.
She waves at her beau as he exits. "Gibbs, I know you don't approve of Tony and I, but he makes me feel things that I never thought were possible."
Gibbs makes a disgusted face, "Ziva, what did I tell you about sayin' that stuff in front of me?"
Ziva giggles, "No, I mean…he makes me truly happy. He makes me feel invincible. When I'm around him, he makes me feel like I'm the only person in the room. Like I'm all that matters."
Gibbs sits next to her on the bed, "Ziver, I just want you to have someone who deserves you. You are special. You are so brave and kind and beautiful. You make me want to be a better father and a better person. Your strength through all you've been through amazes me. I don't think I could've gone through all that and made it out."
He takes her small hands in his. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. You were meant to be mine. The universe brought us back together for a reason. I love you, Ziva. Always."
Ziva sniffled a bit, "I love you too, Gibbs. Thank you for saving me. Again."
Gibbs kisses her on the head, "You would've done the same thing for me, kiddo."
Marissa knocks on the door, "Sir? Visiting hours are ending in fi—Oh, Gibbs, ha. Oops, sorr—uh, didn't realize it was you." She enters the room. "Hey, Ziva. I don't know if you remember me. I worked on the base where you guys used to live."
Ziva smiled at her, "Oh, wow, yes I do remember. We must stop meeting like this."
Marissa chuckled, "Cute. But seriously, Gibbs, visiting hours are over. Go home."
Gibbs stood up, still holding onto Ziva's hand. "You gonna be okay by yourself Ziver? I can stay if you want."
Ziva looked at him, he had dark circles under his eyes and his eyes were almost red. "No, go home, sleep. I will be fine, Gibbs."
Marissa sees the look of love in his eyes, she knows Ziva is his world and he would do anything for her.
Gibbs kisses Ziva on the head as he pulls her into a hug. "Okay, but you need me, you have them call me and I will get here right away." Ziva nods.
He pats Marissa shoulder, "G'Night." She smiles, "Night Gibbs."
Marissa checks Ziva's I.V. and vitals, "Hey, if you need anything, just press that call button."
Ziva yawned, "Toda, Marissa."
"Bevakasha. (You're welcome in Hebrew)." Marissa smiles before closing turning off the light.
A/N: Okay reviewers, a time jump may or may not be coming. Not sure what to do for this next chapter just yet. I'll figure it out. Thanks for reading. P.s. Did ya catch the real NCIS reference? #VivaLaTiva