Title: Puppy Love
Author: rekkidbraka
Rating: T
Pairings: Tony D. and Ziva D.
Category: Romance
Disclaimer: No infringement intended.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Tony takes McFlea to the vet. Ziva and Baby Sarah play Zoo with a special visitor.
-------------------- Puppy Love ---------------------
"Mr. DiNozzo? Dr. Wolf will see you and... McFlea... now." The veterinarian's assistant smiled at Tony, who wrangled his black lab puppy into his arms. McFlea tried escaping to no avail. Dr. WOLF? Tony thought. Seriously?
"McFlea! Quit it!" Tony barked as the puppy squirmed and yapped. "Chillax, you little McMutt!" Tony growled under his breath as McFlea whimpered. They entered an exam room and the assistant had Tony put McFlea on a metal table. McFlea shivered and cried.
"Poor guy," the assistant said, setting out a chart for the vet.
"Yeah," Tony replied. "Thanks. I really have had a hard day."
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Baby Sarah and Tony The Tiger reviewed the Zoo's newest members. Silly Monkey and Jenny Giraffe sat before them on the floor, awaiting inspection.
"Raf," Sarah said, reaching to pat Jenny Giraffe on the head. She gently pulled Jenny over to sit by Tony The Tiger.
"Good choice," a soft voice said from over Sarah's shoulder. "I think Jenny's gonna be a great member of Team Sarah. Let's see what Mama says."
"I agree," Ziva replied. "Jenny will keep Tony in line, I believe. And he needs that. Sometimes our tiger can get into trouble -- especially when he does not want to take a bath. When that happens, a certain little girl decides that she also will not get into the tub." Sarah hid her face, giggling. "And then Mama is not happy." Sarah looked sheepishly up at Ziva, who patted her on the head.
"Da-Da!" Sarah said, taking Silly Monkey by the arm. He, too, joined the little group.
The voice over her shoulder now chuckled.
"Yep, you got that right, Sarah. Your daddy is one Silly Monkey, alright." Sarah turned and gave Gibbs a kiss on the cheek. "He's a real GOOD Silly Monkey, though. Loves you more than anything, you and your Mama. Better keep him around." Sarah nodded "yes."
"I assure you, Gibbs," Ziva laughed, "that our Silly Monkey isn't going anywhere."
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Dr. Wolf put on his vinyl gloves with a loud "SNAP!" McFlea whined. Tony's eyes widened.
"Well, then, let's see what we've got here," the doctor, who sported a thick red beard, said -- a little too happily to suit Tony. McFlea quaked on the table, a tiny muzzle covering his nose and mouth.
"Uh, Dr. Wolf?" Tony asked, "How's this exam go, anyway? What's McFlea got to, uh, look forward to?"
"Oh, nothing out of the ordinary. I'll check him for worms, listen to his heart, set you up with some daily medicine for him..." Dr. Wolf moved to McFlea's rear.
"Check him for worms?" Tony croaked, his green eyes following the doctor. "Um, is that anything like when... uh... a guy goes in for a physical and... heh... y'know..."
"Yes," Dr. Wolf replied, "About the same." McFlea jumped suddenly, howled and then snapped and cried behind his muzzle as he was checked for worms. Tony watched in shock, feeling pity for his little puppy. And then the worm check was over. "All clear!" Dr. Wolf announced. "He's in good shape, feels like, but we'll get x-rays to be sure." McFlea trembled and whimpered. Tony patted his small black head, whispering what a good boy he'd been.
"Couch time for you with Daddy tonight, buddy," Tony whispered, petting McFlea softly. McFlea lay down on the table and whined.
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When Tony got home, carrying a sleeping McFlea in his arms, Baby Sarah screamed "DA-DA!" and toddled to meet him as fast as her little legs would carry her. She grabbed onto his leg and "rode" along as Tony made his way to the couch, where he set McFlea down on a blanket.
"Doggy?" Sarah said, concerned, as she peeked at McFlea. Tony put his index finger to his lips and made a little "Shhh" sound.
"Doggy's tired," he whispered to Sarah. "Doggy feels bad. Let Doggy sleep, Snugglepumpkin." Sarah nodded, looking sadly at McFlea.
From the kitchen area, Ziva and Gibbs waved "hello" to Tony. Tony hoisted Sarah into his arms and they sat down at the dining room table.
"How did it go with the doctor?" Ziva asked. "Is McFlea alright?" She, too, looked worried.
"He's fine," Tony said. "Got a full checkup. Poor little guy had to get examined for worms."
"Ouch," Gibbs said, chopping up garlic.
"No kidding," Tony answered. "They had to sedate him after that. He was howlin' like a little banshee whenever the doctor got near him. So he'll be out for a while. But he's healthy. And, Ziva, you're right. He's a lab mix. Lab and ... something. The doctor couldn't figure it out, either, but he's mostly lab. Strong like a little ox so I guess he and Sarah here should get along fine, isn't that right, Baby Atlas?" Sarah blushed, snuggling against Tony's chest. "Stayin' for dinner, Boss?"
"Yep," Gibbs said, adding the garlic to the spaghetti sauce on the stove. He adjusted his apron and checked on the garlic bread in the oven.
"Good," Tony said. "It's been a long time since we had a family dinner." Ziva kissed him on the cheek, heading across the room to check on McFlea. Gibbs joined Tony at the table, offering him a beer, as Baby Sarah patted her daddy's chest softly.