Chapter Two: Bullpen Not Normal

When Tony left Ziva sat at her desk and stared across the bullpen to Tony's desk. She already missed him and didn't know what she'd do if he never came back. In her mind she replayed the scene before Jenny told them of his mission.

She sat at her desk talking to someone who wanted to get a hold of Gibbs. She took the message since Gibbs was up in Jenny's office. Across from her Tony sat tapping his pencil in the most obnoxious way. McGee sat at his desk typing, trying to ignore the senior field agent.

"Alright thank you. I will get Gibbs to call back as soon as possible." Ziva said before placing the phone back to its receiver. As soon as it clicked the glared at Tony, "stop. Now."

McGee's head popped up his eyes wide. He looked at the two older agents surprised.

"Why?" Tony's tapping got even more obnoxious.

"Because Tony. I said to stop." Ziva began to stand. The smirk on Tony's face growing.

"Really? I didn't hear it."

Ziva began walking over to his desk. She put her hands on it and leaned forward, close to his face, "if you do not stop, then I will kill you. Then bring you back and kill you again."

McGee's eyes were possibly the size of saucers at that point. He watched, terrified of what Ziva would do.

"Aww okay fine." Tony's eyes wandered over her torso teasingly.

Ziva glared at him, "watch it Tony," she walked to her desk, fully aware he was staring.

Ziva sighed and put her head in her hands. She wanted to see Tony again. To give him another hug. To know he'd return safe. To know he'd be back again to bug her and McGee. Even though she'd never admit it, she missed the senior field agent. More then words could express.

McGee glanced at Tony's desk from the corner of his eye. He was worried Tony wouldn't come back. What would happen then? What would they all do? What would be different? How would Gibbs react? Abby? Jenny? Ziva?

McGee looked at Ziva. The Israeli ninja was staring at her partner's desk. Tears were in her eyes, but she wouldn't allow them to fall. He knew she'd hate him for this but he got up and went to her desk. He wrapped his arms around her. "He'll come back."

Ziva let McGee hug her and surrendered, giving him a hug in return. "I do hope so McGee."

McGee held his friend. "He has to. He still needs to use a few nicknames one me. Sides who will call me Probie if he doesn't come back? That means he has to."

A small smile appeared. It was faint, but it was there. "Thank you McGee," Ziva pulled away and looked at Tony's desk. "You are right. He has to come back."

McGee nodded, "we're a team. He's going to come back, cause he can't leave his team." His optimism was the only thing they had to hope with.

But it still didn't take away the silence, the quiet, the calm empty feeling they all felt inside the bullpen and themselves. They had to face it, if Tony never came back, this was going to be the new normal.

In Abby's lab the young forensic scientist was having a hard time. She held Bert close to her chest as if hugging the stuffed hippo tight enough it would bring Tony back safe. She hated this. It was quiet. McGee and Ziva were stuck in the quiet bullpen and she was stuck here, in her now cold lab. No music played. She felt it wasn't necessary.

She stared at the picture she had on her computer, it was one of Tony. "Be safe Tony." She whispered. She couldn't stand to think of what would happen if he didn't come home. Everything would be horrible. There would be nothing normal about work. Nothing.

For the sake of the team, Abby prayed he'd come home safe.

Gibbs stood at the top of the stairs watching McGee and Ziva. His eyes wandered to Tony's desk. He glanced at McGee and Ziva as they hugged. He knew they were both struggling to keep it together. Especially Ziva. She may have tried to hide it, but her feelings for Tony were obvious. Especially when Jenny had told them about the mission.

"I can't send Ziva. So I need one of you to step in her place." Jenny had announced inside her office. Ducky, Gibbs, McGee, Abby, Ziva, and Tony all sat around the table.

"I'll go." Tony had said without hesitation.

Gibbs looked over and saw Ziva's hand grab Tony's quickly.

"No." She had whispered in protest.

"I'll do it." Tony had said again, this time firmer, more determined.

"Tony," Ziva's voice was soft, quiet, and though she never admit it, scared.

"No Zee," Tony had looked at her, his voice soft and caring. "If anyone's going in your place, its me." A small smile had shown on his face to his favorite ninja.

Ziva closed her eyes. "No." She shook her head. "You cannot go! Its not fair! No one has to go!" She stood to her feet, "Tony cannot go! No one can!" She quickly left, before anyone could stop her.

Gibbs sighed watching her sit at her desk trying to focus on her work. Every few seconds she'd glance at Tony's desk, as if he'd be there each time.

"Jethro, there's nothing you can do." Jenny came up behind him and leaned on the railing next to him.

"Jen, it's not even a day since he's left and this is how my team is acting." Gibbs sighed, "how are they going to act if he doesn't make it?"

Jenny turned her back to the rail so she was leaning on it, facing towards her office, "they'll be worse. But that doesn't mean they won't be able to handle it."

"Is there anyway we can bring him back? For Ziva and McGee's sake?" Gibbs glanced at her for a moment then back down to the two members of his team.

"I'm sorry. There isn't. We just have to pray and hope for the best. Tony's smart, he'll come back safe." Jenny had the same optimism with Gibbs that McGee had with Ziva. Now they all needed that optimism to come true.

A/N:Thank you all so much for the response I got! It made my week better. I'm sorry I haven't updated until now, but I do have a good reason. On Wednesday my rabbit died in my arms as we were trying to save her and I've been having a hard time even thinking about writing. So while I'm in the mood I will try to update as much as this one, and my other two fics, as I can. Thank you for being so patient for me. You are the best!