Gibbs glanced at Ziva as they stared at the screen. The handsome man and beautiful woman staring back at them were nothing like the dried out husks lying in the morgue. The DNA results had come back after an exhaustive search. It had been two days since Gibbs and Ziva had shared that blissful morning together. Despite their forced absences from each other refocusing their energy on the case wasn't taking as much effort as they thought it might have. The man a Marine lieutenant by the name of Simon Phelps had in life been a credit to his country. In his private life he'd been less than so to his wife. The body of the woman found with him had been that of Lara Fields a woman suspected to be his mistress. His grieving wife had looked upon her picture with a mixture of hatred and pity.
The military data base had held his DNA which was why he'd been identified. Lara had only been identified by Simon's wife. Her family would be notified shortly. Whether or not there was a connection to Haven remained to be seen. But with the secrets the man was keeping the possibility seemed to be more than not. Ziva stepped away from the screen and made her way slowly to the room where they could watch interrogations. Through the two way glass she watched the new widow crying softly. The woman beautiful in her own right stared at a picture of her husband. The set of her shoulders gave voice to the anger that mixed with her grief. Ziva wanted to comfort her but found she had no words, she'd never been married and every man before Gibbs had betrayed her in some way. Nothing she could say would offer relief. She saw a flicker of movement in the corner of her eye. Turning she found Tony watching her carefully.
Tony lounged against the doorjamb needing a bit of distance from Ziva. She'd been watching the Marine's wife so many emotions crossing her face he almost reached out to comfort her. It was only the fact that it wasn't his right that held him back. "You ok Ziva?"
"I do not understand Tony how people can cross that kind of line." Ziva bit her lip turning back to the glass. "To lie in such a way."
Tony stepped into the room coming to stand next to her. Mirroring her stance he watched the grieving woman knowing she was waiting for Gibbs to return and tell her she could leave. "It's a sorry excuse Ziva but people are human they make mistakes." he took a deep breath before he continued. "Are you worried? Has something happened..."
Ziva cocked her head at Tony holding silent for a moment wondering how much she could comfortably share knowing his concern was genuine. She was much like Gibbs when it came to sharing her emotions, it was a risk. Risks were what she did for a living but that was work and when it came to the more personal aspects of her life she wasn't so daring. Of course Gibbs was the biggest risk of all. Glancing again at Tony who looked more worried than he had before her long silence she saw worry, and something that looked like a man waiting to come to the rescue. She smiled slightly "No Tony I am not worried." she saw his look of uncertainty, watched him run a hand along the back of his neck and bite back some question he wasn't willing to verbalize. "I may not explain this well and will probably tell you more than you want to know but...I know he would never hurt me this way. If he had a need or desire that was not met he would come to me with it and we would face it, whatever that involved. Because of this there would be no need for a lie. The same is true for me." She couldn't fight the blush the words brought, knew the instant Tony understood and the knowledge in his eyes forced her to turn back to the glass.
Tony didn't know what to say. Ziva had shared more than he might have expected and the flame on her cheeks told him she might be regretting it and still he couldn't find the words.
"I shocked you, I am sorry. It was not appropriate..." Ziva felt the burn of embarrassment run through her. She moved to leave the room pausing only when Tony caught her arm gently.
"Ziva I'm not judging you." His hand clenched at his side "It's not my place to judge in the first place. Your life, how you live it, all that matters to me is that you're happy. That he treats you well."
Ziva met his gaze with reluctance afraid of what she would see. The honesty was there as was something else she didn't want to recognize something that reminded her of something Gibbs had said not too long ago. "I am Tony, more than I would have thought possible especially for someone like me."
Tony bit hard on the inside of his cheek, unable to stop himself he grasped her other arm forcing her to look at him. "What does that mean?"
Ziva looked down at the floor. "The life I have lived Tony, I have many sins to atone for. Before.." Ziva swallowed hard biting back Gibbs' name through sheer force of will. "Until now I thought perhaps I did not deserve more, better."
Tony cursed softly. "I hope to hell this guy has taught you better than that."
Ziva smiled finally able to meet his gaze. "He has and that is how i know he would never betray me."
Tony looked down at her feeling the truth of her words and only then did he release her. "Don't forget it Ziva. Your past whatever happened before don't let it taint what you have now. Never let it make you think you're not worthy of something beautiful now." he couldn't watch her as he spoke had to stare at the glass at anything but her. "It'll cost you more than you know if you do."
Ziva wanted to ask what he meant, sensed he was hurting and yet couldn't reach out to him. He'd thrown up a wall even as he'd offered her comfort. Instead she took a deep breath and stepped out of the room.
Tony stared into the interrogation room watching as Gibbs stepped in. His gaze flicked toward Tony full of questions, and an understanding that told him he'd heard at least part of he and Ziva's conversation.
Shaking his head Tony rubbed the back of his neck and left the room. Before he could reach his desk he gave himself a sharp head-slap for good measure.
Gibbs escorted the grieving woman onto an elevator and took a long look at Tony. As if on cue the younger man caught his gaze and tried to hide a frown. Gibbs had heard the entire conversation Tony and Ziva had shared. The whole damn thing had thrown him off guard, still had him slightly off kilter. He should let it go, but found he couldn't. With a nod Tony was walking toward him.
"Boss?" Tony was no fool he knew what Gibbs wanted but that didn't stop the hairs on the back of his neck from itching.
"Let's grab coffee." Gibbs motioned to McGee they'd be back stepping onto the elevator knowing he would have to tread very carefully.
Ziva stood outside autopsy, watching Ducky work through a stack of papers. Her hands shifted nervously in her pockets and her stomach flip-flopped as she thought about what she was going to do. Palmer wasn't in today for that she was thankful but still she eyed the room carefully looking for anyone she might have missed.
Ducky glanced up as Ziva stepped into autopsy, he watched her gaze size up the room and only when it was to her satisfaction did she turn her attention to him. She shifted into the chair across from him for a long time those dark brown eyes carefully watched him, then she bit her lip and everything that was confident about Ziva slid away. Suddenly he was faced with her looking far more unsure than he had ever seen before.
"How much can I trust you Ducky?" Ziva saw the faintest bit of hurt cross his gaze when she asked but pushed aside the urge to comfort him. Her child's safety came first starting now. Once she explained he would understand.
Ducky took in a breath knowing if she had to ask whatever she'd come to him with was big. "I can't answer that for you dear. I can only tell you that any secrets you share with me will go no further." Somehow that was the right answer, the stiffness in her shoulders eased slightly and she smiled.
Tony felt Gibbs watching him as they walked while they drank their coffee. Gibbs was mulling over his conversation with Ziva that much Tony knew. He just wasn't sure why Gibbs gave a damn. Of course that was a lie; Gibbs was perceptive and had been asking far too many leading questions lately. Staring into his cup he wished for a strong shot of something in it.
"Are you in love with Ziva Tony?" Gibbs watched Tony start so abruptly he nearly spilled coffee on himself.
Tony couldn't have been more shocked if Gibbs had stood on his head. That wasn't the question he'd expected. Gibbs stayed out of people's personal life, usually. He couldn't meet his gaze for longer than he would have liked when he finally did there was no smile in Gibbs' eyes. "Where did that come from?"
Gibbs saw all of Tony's tells, the hand in the hair, the nervous drumming of his fingers against his coffee cup, it almost made him smile, almost. "I'm no fool Tony. I heard you two talking. I've watched you with her lately."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Didn't know I was that interesting. If you're worried about a sexual harassment suit I do know how to behave myself Gibbs."
Gibbs did smile then, Tony was a talker but at the heart of the man he was noble, honest and good. All the reasons Gibbs had chosen him for his team. "Worried about you Tony."
Tony felt the second shock of the day hit him like a brick and again he had to look away. "I'm always good Gibbs. Besides as we can all see she's very taken. I might be seen as a player Gibbs but I don't tread in other men's territory."
"Never thought you would." Gibbs stared off into the distance for a moment.
"Why do you care Gibbs? You don't normally, get personal." Tony felt his skin itch with something his radar was picking up but he couldn't yet recognize.
Ziva stood up pacing a few steps before she started to speak. "You know I am seeing someone, yes?"
Ducky grinned. "The rumors have been quite comprehensive Ziva." He watched her smile so full of emotion he was forced to walk up next to her and stand against the autopsy table with her. "The general consensus is he makes you happy. I can see from your face it's true. So why are you here dear."
Ziva met his face square with her own, "I am pregnant Ducky and the more people who know the more danger I could be in."
Gibbs had more answers than he could share with Tony, "Don't have that many friends Tony don't want to see you hurt." The words were bit out roughly. Gibbs didn't share emotions well.
Tony sighed deeply. "Yeah me neither. Look doesn't matter what I feel or don't feel. If it weren't for ghost man." He watched Gibbs' mouth quirk at the nickname "There's still rule 12. Not to mention Ziva's one of those few friends I have so…"
Ducky heard Ziva's announcement despite the fact she barely whispered it. "I see." He went quiet for a moment before continuing. "Is it simply your job you are worried about Ziva?"
Ziva shook her head "I wish it were that simple Ducky. I cannot share with you all the reasons why I have my concerns only tell you the danger is very real. I cannot tell you who the father is, and no one can know. I have to be able to work for as long as possible, and yet now I have to worry about a baby." She stumbled over the word yet again.
"I don't mean to be dense dear but then why are you telling me?" she smiled only this time it held a hint of pain.
"It has come to my attention that my current doctor is not someone I can trust. I believe he is reporting back to my Father. It is a long story I will explain sometime else. Add to that any doctor I chose to go to would want to file insurance paperwork." Ziva shoved her hands back in her pockets. "Even that is too much of a risk."
Ducky was a smart man, he caught onto what she was hoping for without having to be asked. "You want me to help you with the baby." He smiled wide then "well that's a fine solution my dear. Not perfect mind you as I'm not an OB but for starters yes it's a fine solution indeed." He saw her own smile break free. "You might not know this but in my younger days….."
Gibbs internally flinched at Tony's reminder of rule 12 but managed not to let it show. "So you just pretend it isn't there and keep going. Been there myself it only works for so long Tony."
"You and your mystery lady right?" he watched Gibbs look away step back into emotions he wasn't comfortable sharing.
"Exactly." Gibbs saw Tony smirk. "What's that look for."
"Just you ,thinking about her, if you could see your face. Didn't know sniper's could smile like that." Tony had to admit he was jealous two of his closest friends had found something he might always be searching for.
"Oh shut up." Gibbs tossed his now empty coffee cup into the trash as they approached NCIS.
"Hey you started it." Gibbs head-slapped him and he felt decidedly better.
Ziva felt as though some of the heaviness on her shoulders had lifted after her conversation with Ducky. They had worked out the beginnings of a plan and for now it was enough, she could breathe again. When she approached her desk Tony and Gibbs were laughing about something and for just a moment things seemed almost normal again.
Ziva was happy with the plan she and Ducky had come up with. She was healthy, in good shape and at least for now it was the only safe solution. Gibbs however liked things done a certain way. How he would view the arrangement she couldn't know. Looking down at her plate she realized she'd made quick work of her dinner already. It took only a few minutes to clean up after herself and it hit her then that she was bored. She almost laughed out loud. It had been a long time since she was bored. She pulled out the tablet Gibbs had given her and amused herself by looking at nursery furniture. Staring at her house she wondered where she and Gibbs would be at when the baby came. Would they still be living apart, would anyone know the baby was his? The questions caused an ache in her chest she didn't like. The thought of him not being able to acknowledge his child hurt more than she would have thought. A drop of moisture hit her hand and it hit her she was crying. Shaking her head she pushed the thoughts out of her head and pushed off the couch. She was not going to let the what-ifs torment her. There were far too many of them. She'd known for the most part what she was getting into when Gibbs had come to her that first night. However things turned out she was still a damn lucky woman.
Ziva heard a whisper of sound, acting on instinct she pulled her gun and aimed toward the sound. It took only a heartbeat for it to register that it was Gibb. Hands raised to show her he wasn't a threat Ziva took a breath and holstered her weapon. "I am sorry. I thought you would be going home after your dinner with Fornel and I did not know it was so late already."
Gibbs saw the tense set of her shoulders and the redness in her eyes but gave her a minute before he asked the why. "Fornel had to cancel, work called. I know we said I would stay away again tonight but I changed my mind decided to come by anyways, did some shopping first." Gibbs walked back toward the kitchen and grabbed the bag he'd dropped there. Handing it over he heard her sniffle and had to bite back his concern.
Ziva grinned reaching into the bag, She pulled out a soft stuffed elephant. It had floppy ears and a raised trunk that made it look as though it were smiling. "It is adorable." She smiled up at him and saw him shuffle a bit in place.
Gibbs saw her face morph into one of those smiles that never failed to make his heart skip a beat. "Paid a kid to run to a store and get it for me. Worth it."
Ziva rubbed the soft toy against her cheek and pulled in a long breath. "It does not seem fully real yet. I know I have said that before but this makes it tangible somehow. Thank you."
"My baby too Ziva, you're not in this alone." Gibbs saw her tuck herself into the couch snuggling the stuffed animal and saw just the faintest hint of uncertainty on her face. "Why were you crying Ziva?"
He saw her flush unable to meet his gaze and he sank down next to her. It took her a few moments to answer.
"Well the short answer is hormones, Jethro." Ziva bit her lip and worried the elephant's ear.
"And the long answer." Gibbs took her hand in his stilling the nervous fingers and letting his hand trace her bracelet.
"I was looking at baby furniture, and that led me to thinking about, how much stuff I was going to need, and that led me to wonder where we would be when he or she is born. As in where would we be living, where would be at with our relationship, was I going to need two cribs, etc. It gets a little fuzzy after that. Ha-ha" She grinned over at him.
Gibbs didn't laugh, he wanted to if nothing else to lighten the mood but his frustration was too much. "We can end the case now Ziva, back out. We were never officially assigned it, I'll tell Vance we're done, retire and you can move in."
Ziva knew her mouth dropped open, thought for the briefest second that he might have been teasing her but the look on his face told her he was dead serious. "Jethro I had a moment. My hormones really are a mess. It is okay."
"It's not okay Ziva I pulled you into all this and now…."
"And now we have each other and the baby. On one hand I should probably look for any way out of this case. But we've talked about the risks and as long as it's possible we should do what we can to solve the case. If things get riskier we can change the way we do things. But I was not asking you to fix things Jethro. I just needed to get the thoughts out. I was not asking you to ask me to move in I already know how you feel about me. We will find a way to make this work. One thing I know you are good at is making things work." Ziva took his hand in hers tracing callouses she so loved. "I am sorry I pulled a gun on you."
Gibbs grinned against her ear. "Knew it would happen sooner or later, not worried about it." Gently he nipped at the delicate skin behind her ear. "It's kinda hot." He heard her giggle
"That is…" Ziva felt him pulling her further down into the couch.
"Wrong, yeah I know but with you Zi, I don't have any interest in being right."