Disclaimer: I still don't own anything. Sorry it took so long to update, damn fingers. Now I can't feel one of them. I hope it was worth waiting for. Enjoy!
Coming up: some Jibbs and Tiva bonding and a team dinner. And Ziva gets a phone call from Israel.
Chapter 20
Next morning:
Ziva woke up in hospital bed. She opened her eyes and saw Jenny laying right next to her. First Ziva was really confused, but then she remembered everything what happened yesterday. Ziva turned around and saw Gibbs sitting in plastic chair and feeding Talia.
"Good morning Ziver!" he greeted. "How are you?"
"Morning Gibbs!" Ziva replied. "I am still confused about all of this. Jenny is there right next to me sleeping peacefully. I can hear and see her breathing. I am still pretty sure it is going to take some time to realize that Jenny is here again. And about that, I am really, truly grateful. I have lost so much in my life that sometimes it is good to have someone back."
"Yeah, join the club. I almost didn't believe my eyes and ears. When I carried her to ambulance, I waited whole time for someone to wake me up." Gibbs admitted. "Although I'm happy to have her back. And this time I'm not going to let her go."
"And I don't get to say anything to that?" Jenny suddenly asked.
"No", Gibbs answered.
Jenny made a face, but after a while she stated:
"Good, because I'm planning to stay. Although I'm not sure where I'll be living since someone has burned my house."
"Yeah, sorry about that", Gibbs apologized. "It was me and Mike Franks. We covered your death by doing so. We thought it would be better if media thinks that you died accidently in a house fire."
"Yes, I agree", Jenny admitted. "You both are forgiven."
"I hope Mike will not get that message anytime soon", Ziva said.
"He is…dead?" Jenny became sad.
"Yes, he died in a shooting", Gibbs told. "But he was already dying to cancer."
"Anyone else dead or anything else I should be aware of?" Jenny seriously wanted to know.
"Secnav has changed", Gibbs begun.
"And there was a bombing at NCIS about a year ago. Some agents were killed, but no one you were close with", Ziva continued.
"And Duck had a heart attack, but like you probably realized, he survived. Ziver has found new feelings and has changed a lot. She is not the same woman that came to NCIS. Palmer, McGee and Tony have all matured. Palmer is married and Tony is a taken man. And he has promised to be good father for Talia. But otherwise nothing new under the sun", Gibbs explained.
Suddenly Talia started making noises and kicking wildly.
"I didn't forget you, sweetie. You are our newest addition. You have certainly changed everything and everyone to a better direction" Gibbs gently said and placed Talia to Jenny's arms.
"I have a family", Ziva quietly whispered.
"Yeah, you do", Gibbs admitted and gave a kiss to Ziva's forehead.
"And you are not going to call me grandma, little one. You see, that is your grandpa over there, but I'm way too young to be a grandma. Auntie Jenny will do just fine", Jenny said with a gentle tone.
Talia watched Jenny with her big, brown eyes, grabbed her finger, yawned and closed her eyes. Talia was quiet for a while. Everyone thought that she had fallen asleep, but then Talia suddenly opened her eyes and started kicking.
"What was that, sweetie?" Ziva asked from her daughter. "Is Jenny so interesting that you decided not to take a nap?"
Talia just stared at Ziva and everyone started laughing.
"Good morning Miss Shepard!" doctor greeted. "You are feeling better I assume. Have you been up at all?"
"Yes, in bathroom twice", Jenny replied. "And I'm feeling better, because I'm home and I met all the people I love."
"Are you in pain at all?" doctor asked.
Jenny just shook her head.
"Are you cold?" doctor continued his questions.
"No, why?" Jenny was surprised.
"You are holding your hands like you would be cold" doctor stated.
Immediately after doctor's statement, Talia made a noise. Doctor watched Jenny for a while and then he realized that she was holding a baby.
"When can I go home?" Jenny wanted to know. "I have a personal doctor who can help me. I don't want to be in hospital any longer than it's absolutely necessary. I have been in hospital too much lately. I want to stay with my family."
"I'm going to make a few tests and check up on your injuries and we'll talk after that", doctor promised.
Gibbs, Ziva and Talia went to wait outside.
"How is she?" Ducky wanted to know.
"She is arguing with the doctor", Gibbs told.
"Let me guess, she wants to leave the hospital?" Ducky stated.
"Yes", Ziva admitted.
"Well, then I would say that she is better", Ducky smiled.
"Are you doctor Mallard?" nurse asked.
"Yes", Ducky answered.
"Then could you follow me please?" nurse said.
Suddenly a small argument was heard which made Gibbs and Ziva laugh.
"I think it is more scary when it is quiet", Ziva stated.
"I agree", Gibbs admitted.
Suddenly nurse and doctor left the room and both Ziva and Gibbs were pretty sure that they both were mumbling:
"Stubborn."
After a while nurse and doctor were followed by Ducky and Jenny who said.
"Let's get out of here."
Gibbs took their things and all of them left the hospital.
At Gibb's house:
"How is she really doing, Duck?" Gibbs asked.
"Better", Ducky answered. "She is going to need a lot of rest and food. I'm going to clean her wounds once or twice a day. And food…"
"I think we'll leave that to Ziver", Gibbs stated.
"You will leave what to me?" Ziva commented.
"Making proper food for Jen", Gibbs commented.
Ziva didn't say anything, she just nodded.
Later same day:
Gibbs and Jenny were sitting in sofa. It was surprisingly awkward moment between them. They were staring each other's eyes. It looked like that they both wanted to say and do something, but they didn't know what and how. Suddenly Jenny opened her mouth.
"Can I lean on you Jethro? It would make me feel better."
Gibbs just opened his arms and let Jenny cuddle. Suddenly it felt like that all the awkwardness disappeared.
"Jen", Gibbs whispered. "I want us to work this time. I have missed you so much. I haven't been able to commit to anyone since you. I tried twice after Hollis Mann, but they didn't work out. It felt like that there was something holding me back. I went out with a shrink couple of times and she always said that I'm not able to commit to anyone, because I have someone in my heart that I'm not willing to let go. I said that yes, my first wife, but she said that it's not just her. That there is someone else too, someone I loved and never got over with. And now when I'm holding you, I realized that she was right. I used my ex-wives to replace Shannon, but you, you are the one I loved from all my heart just the way you are. I've had strong feelings toward you since I started working with you. And I couldn't let go of my feelings. I accepted long time ago that I'm never gonna find a woman who I would want to spend rest of my life with. But now everything has changed. I love you Jen."
"I love you too Jethro", Jenny admitted. "And I'm willing to make this work, if you agree to take things slow and if you promise to talk about everything with me openly. And if I can decorate this place at least a little bit."
"Agreed", Gibbs promised and kissed Jenny gently.
They deepened the kiss. Neither of them had forgotten what the other one's lips felt like. Years of denying turned into something else: admitting. Dozens of birds were flying above Gibbs and Jenny when they were re-building their relationship.
In the kitchen:
Ziva was making dinner. Gibbs and Jenny had invited everyone to dinner.
"Hi honey!" Tony greeted his girlfriend. "I see that boss got Jenny back."
"Hi!" Ziva replied and kissed Tony.
"Can I help you?" Tony asked.
"Yeah, you can make salad if you like. I'll make pizza", Ziva answered.
After pizza and salad were made, Ziva and Tony sat down to talk.
"Listen honey, I know your home is destroyed. And I've been thinking about the future. Will you and Talia move in with me?" Tony suggested.
"Yes", Ziva promised without hesitation.
Ziva and Tony just sat together kissing and holding hands until it was time for their family dinner.
Dinner went well. Talia was laying down in her basket. She had been fed, burped and changed so she was happy. Sleeping was still out of the question, she enjoyed everyone giving her attention. The two couples: Gibbs and Jenny and Tony and Ziva looked happy.
"I and Tony have an announcement to make", Ziva begun. "Like you all know, my home was destroyed by Mossad. So right know we are staying with Gibbs until Tony can arrange his home a little bit."
"However, my place is too small for us to live in so we are looking for a new home", Tony continued.
"As in together?" Abby wanted to know for sure.
"Yes", Tony and Ziva answered at the same time.
Tony and Ziva received hugs.
"Good luck with Tony", McGee whispered to Ziva. "You're going to need that."
"Hey, I heard that McGee", Tony said and pretended to be angry.
Ziva just laughed and reminded McGee:
"I have Gibbs."
"True", McGee admitted.
"And I and Jenny are back together", Gibbs told.
Next ten minutes was full of hugging and congratulations. Right now in that moment everyone was happy. Abby took McGee's hand into his own and squeezed it gently. Maybe one day they would have enough courage to admit their feelings. Gideon was in jail and Ziva could finally start enjoying motherhood and her relationship with Tony without any fear. No one knew what future would bring. Right now the newest problem with Mossad was left behind although everyone knew that it might not be permanent. But they decided to take one day at the time. If there is be problems, they will deal with them. But right now it was time to celebrate: two relationships had begun, Jenny was back and team had a new family member: Talia. No work or other nasty things were brought up. Now it was time to be happy, not sad. Even Vance was enjoying this little family dinner. He had started to realize that maybe someday he could be happy again. Gibb's living room was full of laugh. Everyone was grateful about the solution this case had finally gotten. Until Ziva's phone started to ring…
"David", she answered. "Phone call from Israel."
Everyone stopped talking and eating. Jenny was about to crab her class but after hearing a word Israel, her movements stopped. Gibbs stood up and was ready to catch if someone faints, falls off from chair, has a panic attack or something else. Palmer's class was halfway between table and his mouth. McGee's mouth was open, but he didn't eat. He had food in his fork and it was right in front of his mouth. But he didn't seem to notice it. Ducky stopped cutting his pizza. Abby was in panic. No one said a word. Tony was holding Ziva.
"Yes, I accept the call", Ziva said.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, Ziva's face turner from anger, to relief, then back to anger and finally worriedness. She seemed to think something and finally she ended the call by saying:
"I will do my best".
Everyone stared at Ziva and waited her to speak. Finally after wiping away few tears, she confessed:
"I am going to need help."
Hahaha… Next up: mystery phone call, girls and boys night…
TBC