It wasn't easy for Tony and Ziva to live under the same roof, but they were learning to make it work. Because at the end of the day, Gibbs was right. They had to learn to co-exist. Even if Tali's memory was not at play. They still had friends and common and friends who just wanted them to get a long. Lucky for both Tony and Ziva. These friends, especially Gibbs were more than willing to guide them through this challenging time. The support group was a great help as well. While there were a few parents in attendance who had separated from their spouse and refused to even acknowledge them. Most were either working on their marriage or had separated but were working to remain close. Tony and Ziva were never married and weren't sure where they fell on that spectrum. Were they over and done with, but trying to work it out, or were they slowly working back towards being a couple. The question lingered ahead of them like a dark cloud, but Gibbs insisted they not worry about it. At least not right now. Right now they needed to focus on their grief. The pain would never go away but right now it was at it's worst. Tali had only been gone a couple of months and Ziva had been back even less time than that.
"Don't forget you have support group tonight." Gibbs reminded taking a seat at the table.
"We know" Ziva replied.
"Actually the church call us. They had a bust pipe last night and are holding all activities in the old building and they don't have a nursery. Would you mind keeping Jonah?" Tony asked.
"Aw that is no trouble at all." Gibbs replied.
"Thanks" Tony replied.
Tony and Ziva took seats side by side in the crowded meeting room. It was a tight fit but everybody in the room was relieved the meeting was still taking place. These parents were all deep in mourning and weeks without the support group were trying. The door opened and Jamie and Diane entered. Jamie was waddling and had a pained look on her face. Of course a woman who was two weeks late on a twin pregnancy was bound to be uncomfortable. Jamie and Diane had been in the support group for two years now. Diane had carried the couple's first three children. Their youngest was ten when Julie decided that she wanted to carry one. They had gotten pregnant on the second try but something went wrong and their son was stillborn. The couple had decided against carrying more children. Recently they had this strong urge to give it one more try but they did not have the funds. The group had raised money for one IVF treatment and well it was meant to be. Jamie ended pregnant with a set of twins.
"How are you guys?" Jeff asked.
"We are good but we cannot stay long." Diane replied.
"We are heading to the hospital. I am in labor. We still have a while but I wanted to pop in and share the good news." Julie explained.
"Congratulations" Jeff replied.
The first ten minutes of the meeting, were filled with the group offering Jamie and Diane well wishes and congratulations. Tony noticed that Ziva kept studying Julie's swollen stomach. Jamie let out a loud cry and then rushed out the door with Diane. Even after the two woman left, the room was abuzz with excited chatter and estimates on sizes and names. Everybody was in on the conversation, everybody except Ziva that is. After Jamie had left, she had turned her focus to her own flat stomach.
"Ziva? Are you OK?" Tony asked.
"I am getting a headache. Stay if you like but I am going to go lie down in the car." Ziva replied.
"No I can go." Tony replied.
"Are you OK to drive?" Jeff asked Ziva.
"I think so." Ziva replied.
"In that case how about you head home and I take Tony back at the end?" Jeff offered.
"Oh I can call an uber or catch a cab. No need to go out of your way." Tony replied.
"It's no trouble. You are staying on Laurel, correct?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah" Tony replied.
"My brother lives out there and I need to return a few things to him. So I can do that after I drop you off and get myself home earlier tomorrow." Jeff explained.
"That sounds good." Ziva replied.
"Are you sure you can drive?" Tony asked.
"Yes! Tony! I am fine!" Ziva snapped.
"Just asking" Tony sighed.
She knew that it was wrong but Ziva was overcome by a strong feeling of jealousy. She had only known Jamie and Diane for a few weeks and had never known not pregnant Jamie, but she did know there story. Jamie still struggled to describe the feeling of hearing only silence and the the panicked whispers of her doctors. Followed by being told that the baby had died during or delivery. She heard Diane tell how they had vowed to never even consider another pregnancy. She heard them speak of the morning they both dreamed about Jamie pregnant again and decided to try again. Still she could not hide her jealousy. She wanted to be happy for her friends but she also wanted what they had. She wanted to be pregnant again and have Tony dote on her and brag about how perfect their child was going to be. All she wanted was a baby but she knew that it wasn't going to happen. At least not anytime soon. Even if Tony were open to more children. He would probably find a better woman to have more children with.
It was hard for Tony to focus on the meeting knowing that Ziva was not feeling well. What if she had been poisoned again. Due to the crowded conditions and everybody being distracted by Jame and Diane. The support group was released ten minutes early. Jeff was talking to a Tammy and Ronald about a few private concerns. When Tony exited the church. He spotted a woman leaning against Jeff's car. He recognized her from the group but could not place her name. She was tall and slender with curly brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Howdy" The woman greeted.
"May I help you?" Tony asked.
"Oh I just wanted to meet up with you." The woman replied.
"Oh really?" Tony asked.
"Yes" The woman replied.
"I am sorry. I am blanking on your name." Tony apologized.
"Kim Bennett" Kim introduced.
"Ah Kim! How are you?" Tony asked.
"I am alright. You?" Kim asked.
"Good just worried about Ziva." Tony replied.
"She is fine." Kim assured.
"I hope so." Tony replied.
"Just trust me on it." Kim assured.
"Yeah uh so are you looking for Jeff?" Tony asked.
"Nah I am waiting for you handsome." Kim replied.
"Uh OK" Tony whined.
"I was thinking. How would you like to go out for coffee some time?" Kim asked.
"Oh that would be nice. How's Saturday at eleven?" Tony asked.
"Anytime is perfect for you." Kim replied.
"Oh OK great." Tony stammered.
It took all Tobias Fornell had not to jump out of the car, rush to Tony's side, and demanded that he not go out with that woman. She was nothing but trouble and she was bound to cause a great deal of hurt to the unsuspecting, grieving father. She was just another of Ron Sacks' minions. Though she had done plenty of damage on her own. They called her the "Support Group Killer". She would infiltrate a support group. Find an unsuspecting man or woman and act like she wanted a relationship. They called her a killer but she had been known to rape her victims as well. Tony may as well of had a giant target on his still vulnerable back.
"Watch your six, Tony." Fornell whispered.
A/N: Now would be a good time for Gibbs to get a gut feeling. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.