Chapter Fifty: Living On a Prayer

Once upon a time

Not so long ago…

Tony used to work on the docks

Union's been on strike

He's down on his luck… it's tough, so tough

Tony sighed as he parked his car in his driveway. Working on the docks wasn't like it used to be. He used to get such a great income from it, enough to support his family and get a little bit of extra. Not to mention the… bad thing that happened today.

The Union's been on strike. Now Tony doesn't get as much as he'd like to. Life was tough now.

He needed a bit of luck if he was going to get past this. But there wasn't much of that left.

He knew this day would come someday. Lots of the employees had been laid off lately, and Tony was one of those people today.

Ziva works the diner all day

Working for her man, she brings home her pay

For love— for love

Ziva hung up her apron. Her shift was finally done.

"Ziva," her boss called. She turned and he handed her an envelope. "Here you go. Good job."

She smiled, knowing that her pay was in it. "Thank you. See you tomorrow."

"Likewise, Ziva," he replied, smiling and heading back to his small office in the back of the diner.

Ziva grabbed her jacket and purse, heading out the door to the parking lot and getting into her car. She set her stuff in before seeing how much she got. It was the usual amount. It was enough to support her and her husband, since people at his work were getting laid off and his pay had lessened. She hoped that he wasn't one of those people, but they knew that one of these days, he probably would be.

She says we've got to hold on to what we've got

It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

We've got each other and that's a lot for love…

We'll give it a shot!

Whoa! We're halfway there.

Oh, living on a prayer

Take my hand and we'll make it— I swear

Oh, living on a prayer!

"Tony, you're home already," Ziva commented, surprised. Usually she was home before him. She noticed his upset face. "What's wrong?"

"I got laid off today," Tony said, resting his chin on his arms, leaning up against the island in their kitchen.

"Oh, no," Ziva said. "We'll get through it, Tony. Don't worry."

"How, Ziva?" Tony asked, sitting up and raising his voice. "We can't live on your income! How are we supposed to—"

"Tony!" Ziva yelled, interrupted him. "We've got to hold on to what we've got now. It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not, Tony. We can be on the streets or in a nice house, but not matter what, we've got each other and that's a lot for love. We'll give it a shot."

"Okay," he replied.

"We're halfway through this," she added.

"What?" Tony asked, confused by what she was saying.

"We're already halfway through our lives," she said. "We can make it, as long as we pray and we work hard enough." She smirked. "You need me to hold your hand?"

Tony got his six string in hock

Now he's holding on what he used

To make it talk— so tough, it's tough

Tony didn't know what he was going to do. It had been two weeks since he got laid off… and still, he didn't have a job.

Ziva was working longer hours, but she was getting stressed by it. He could see it in the way she was, both physically and emotionally. He needed to get a job, and soon… before the pressure got to Ziva.

Ziva dreams of running away

When she cries in the night

Tommy whispers Baby it's okay, someday

Ziva woke up, panting a bit. It was all just a dream. A good dream, at that. She and Tony were living in a large house with three children, a dog, and two horses. They were living life the way they wanted to. It was such a good dream… but now reality came back to Ziva, and she couldn't help but crying.

Tony stirred beside her and looked at his wife's face to see her crying. "Ziva, what's wrong?" he asked softly, rubbing her back soothingly.

"We're not going to make it, Tony," Ziva cried. "We… we…"

"Ziva, it's okay," Tony soothed. "It'll be perfectly fine someday."

We've got to hold on to what we've got

It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

We've got each other and that's a lot for love…

We'll give it a shot!

Oh, We're halfway there.

Whoa! Living on a prayer.

Take my hand and we'll make it I swear

Whoa! Living on a prayer!

"How do you know it'll all be over someday?" Ziva asked.

"I don't," he said. "But we've gotta hold on to what we've got. It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not. We've got each other and that's a lot for love. We'll give it a shot," he said, repeating the words that she had said to him not too long ago. "Like you said, we're halfway there." He smiled. "Now who needs the hand holding?"

She lightly punched his shoulder, laughing. "Okay, I get it."

"We'll get through this," Tony said. "One way or another."

We've got to hold on, ready or not,

You live for the fight and it's all that you've got

"Ziva!" Tony called, running through the front door. He slammed it behind him. "Ziva!"

She came out of the kitchen, drying off her hands with a cloth. "Tony, what is it?"

He smiled. "I've got the best news ever!"

"Oh, well, I have some good news, too," Ziva said, smiling. "You go first."

Tony paused, smiling an ear to ear grin, before he finally burst. "I GOT A JOB!"

Ziva smiled, running up and hugging him. "That's great, Tony!" She pulled away. "And you got it just in time, too."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

She grinned at him, mirroring his grin earlier. "I'm pregnant."

Tony gave a small, nervous laugh before his eyes closed and he fell to the ground.

We're halfway there

Whoa! Living on a prayer.

Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear.

Whoa! Living on a prayer!

A/N: We are halfway there! Halfway to the end, that is! This song was suggested by NCIS7BEXX. Thanks for all the reviews! Please review now! ^_^

Song - Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi