Song: "These are my people" - Rodney Atkins.

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The next day, Ziva realized that Tony hadn't been kidding. It was busy. So busy that Ziva was tired of being dragged- well carried- around to about six different places while Tony and his buddies did whatever it was they were doing. She had tried to get him to let her go back to the hotel and wait, but that hadn't turned out so well.

Well We grew up down by the railroad tracks shootin BB's at old beer cans Choakin' on the smoke from a lucky strike somebody lifted off his old man

\She'd argued that she was a big girl and could take care of herself.

He stated that he didn't trust her, not after last week and that she was not staying in the room alone.

Of course, by that point they were almost yelling at each other, his friends a few feet away. She could just HERE the smirks on their faces. She knew what they all thought, knew Tony did too. But for some reason, that did not matter to them. He wasn't letting her out of her sight and she couldn't stand being carried everywhere. It was rather odd, getting looks from strangers and making her feel rather guilty for pestering him to come.

"Ziva, please. Only one more place, and then we can go back and get dressed for ther rehearsal, promise."

"More sitting? Honestly, Tony. I am not a doll."

Yes you are, he thought. "I know. But I also don't want to leave you alone in the hotel rooom. What if something were to happen to you and I wasn't there?"

Ziva closed her eyes. "Are there not cell phones for such things?"

"And would you have called out to me last week had I not heard you?" He challenged. They both knew the answer to that question.

"Fine. One more stop, but so help me.... I may not be able to kill you with my hands, but I do know how to posion undetected...and kill using paper clips, remember?"

He grinned. He knew she would do no such thing. "Eight-teen different ways if I remember correctly."

"Twenty-two." she corrected and smiled thinly. It wasn't often she got to correct him on something.

He returned the smile and then before he could stop himself reached out to stroke her cheek lightly. "I know you don't like it. I don't like it either at the moment. Never have. Just a little longer. Tomorrow the fun starts," he said softly.

We were football flunkies Southern rock junkies Crankin' up the stereo's Singing Loud and Proud to "Gimmie Three Steps" "Simple Man" and "Curtis Low" We were big you know

She resisted the urge to close her eyes at his touch. "Alright, Tony. But only one more place. I never thought wedding were this much work!"

He chuckled as they walked slowly back to the group. No one had asked him about her or mentioned the obvious slowness or carrying that he did for her. At least not yet. The moment Ziva was out of hearing range he could bet the questions would start. And sure enough as he allowed Ziva to walk to the elevator of the hotel alone, his buddies started in on him.

"Why'd you cart her around all day?"

"What the hell, DiNozzo? What happened to "no women before rehersal" ?"

"You're getting some from her aren't you?" This one from the groom himself, Thomas.

"Who is she?"

Got some discount knowledge at the Jr. Collage Where we majored in beer and girls It was all real funny 'til we ran out of money and they threw us out into the world Yeah the kids that thought they'd run this town ain't a runnin' much of anything just lovin' and laughin' and bustin' our asses and we all call it all livin' the dream

Tony sighed. Great... how to explain without explaining? "She and I work together as partners. She's on bed rest and isn't supposed to do a lot of walking...We've had some issues causing her wounds to open up and she is entrusted in my care until she heals."

"Wounds? What, she get shot or something?" Gerry remarked with a snort.

Tony's eyes darkened. "As a matter of fact, Gerry, yes. Twice within minutes of each other. She's lucky to still be here." He noticed Ziva had already gone up. He should go too, just in case something happened....

"Well, damn, I didn't know.." Gerry said, apologetic.

"You're right. You didn't." Tony sighed. He had to remember that these people didn't work with Gibbs or NCIS everyday.

"So NCIS is really that much more dangerous than the PD?" Thomas asked after a silent break.

Tony shrugged. "I guess. Definately deal with more murders and bad guys than you do. Not to mention terrorists..." he said remembering Rivkin, Ari, and "the frog" arms dealer. "I've gotten blown up, framed for murder, more than once, kidnapped, tortured, stuck at sea for months on end, shot, almost blown up multiple times, gone undercover a few times...." he ticked off on his fingers.

The others just stared at hadn't any idea of half of what their friend went through in the nine years he'd been working in D.C..

"Sounds like hell," Brian remarked.

These are my people This is where I come from Were givin' this life everything we got and then some It ain't always pretty But its real It's the way we were made Wouldn't have it any other way These are my people

Tony snorted and left. They had no idea. And none of them ever would. When he reached the room, he stopped short. Ziva had her back to him, but he could tell she was already dressed for later. The deep purple, mid- thigh, three quarter sleeve dress she had put on hugged her every curve. He swallowed. If that was what she picked for the rehersal, what the hell would he do tomorrow when he saw the fancier, dressier outfit?

Not to mention, how had she gotten dressed that fast?

"Ziva? You know we don't have to go for another almost two hours?" Tony said finally moving around to his bed to get his close out. He chanced a glance at her, then wished he hadn't. That damned dressed showed some cleavage through a nice little V-neck shaped neckline. And it certianly left nothing to the imagination about her small frame and figure.

"I know. I just felt like being prepared," she answered. "I took some medication and I might not be in the mood to dress later,"

To dress? How about undress? Because he would sure like to do that. He sighed, telling himself none of that was a good option or idea to entertain. Not now.

It was going to be a long night for Anthony DiNozzo.

Well We take it all week on the chin with a grin 'til we make it to a friday night And it's church league softball holler about a bad call preacher breaking up the fight Then later on at the Green Light Tavern Well everybody is gathered as friends And the beers a pourin' 'til Monday mornin' and we start it all over again

When it came time to go to the rehersal and then dinner, Tony allowed her to walk into the church, making sure he had stuffed her medication in his jacket pocket just in case it was needed. And though she had taken some earlier, he could tell she was still in pain with every step she took.

"Just take it easy, Ziva. If you don't want to stay we'll leave as soon as I am able to. We'll order room service or something," he added.

"It's alright, Tony. I can make it though. After all, I am doing is sitting in this bench-"

"Pew. It's called a pew," he told her with a shake of his head. "You've been here at least four years and have never set foot in an American church? How is that possible? Haven't we handled cases with those over the years?"

"NCIS, not CSI," Ziva pointed out. Tony was surprised she knew the referance. "We deal with naval and marine officers... not common people."

He snorted. "Common people?"

"The ones not associated with Mossad or NCIS in some way."

"Mossad? You work with them murdering idiots?" Gerry asked coming up behind them.

These are my people This is where I come from Were givin' this life everything we got and then some It ain't always pretty but it's real It's the way we were made Wouldn't have it any other way These are my people We fall down and we get up We walk proud and We talk tough We got heart and We got nerve Even If we are a bit disturbed

Tony saw and felt Ziva tense. "Gerry, meet Mossad Liason Officer Ziva David,"

Gerry raised an eye."Really now?"

"Former," Ziva added, giving Tony a look. She did not need him standing up for her.

Gerry nodded. "Sorry Ms. David....Wait.. David? As in...Mossad Directer David?"

Ziva smiled thinly at this man who Tony considered a friend. Slow on the uptake, he was. "My father," she said coldly.

"Holy shit. No way."

Tony laughed at his friend. Not only for being a bit untactful, but because if Ziva had been full strength, she would have murdered the man where he because she was no longer part of Mossad did not mean she still didn't get defensive about it. Of course, Gerry didn't need to know that. "One and the same, my friend. Now lets get this rehersal over with. I believe I'm planning on getting room service for dinner."

He told himself it was because he knew Ziva probably wouldn't be able to stand being around the others if her reaction to Gerry's blithe comments were any indication.

Woo Come on These are my people This is where I come from Were givin' this life everything we got and then some It ain't always pretty but it's real Its the way we were made Wouldn't have it any other way ah naw These are my people Yeah, woo