Author's Note: I'm switching back to D.C. for reactions to the TIVA baby after a brief interlude with Phil.
Jenny seems subdued and when Gibbs confronts her about it, all hell breaks loose. The hell that leads to arguing and JIBBS love.
You know, I don't think I can hook people up in my writing without an argument.
I'm going to have to work on that.
As always, there will a McAbby moment.
I love those. My favourites are the one when she demands him to hit her and the "Give me a dollar" one.
Also, I know canon made Tony's mom a bitch but for the sake of this story, she's not. She is dead, though.
Enough with the rambling.
It's chapter time!
Disclaimer: NOT MINE. THE MOST MONEY I'VE HAD IN 2 MONTHS IS $12.
As Tony caught up with his siblings, Ziva found herself wanting some apple juice.
Seeking to find it, she entered the kitchen.
A man looked up from dicing herbs and gave her a brilliant smile.
"You must be Tony's girlfriend. I'm Phil."
"Hi. You guys have any apple juice?"
"Yes. Sit down. I'll get it for you."
"No. I can get it. You look busy."
"Very well. It's on the 2nd shelf."
As Ziva got her juice, she noticed the wonderful aromas coming from closed dishes on the far counter. Phil must be the cook of the family.
"It smells wonderful in here."
" Thank you. I love to cook and since the family's back together again, I pulled out all the stops. Ziva, could you hand me the onion in there?"
She found it and walked over, taking in his appearance.
He was short in stature, coming up to about 5'8 but he moved with the fluid grace of a fighter. He had on a deep blue button down with the sleeves rolled up and beige khaki pants. Like everyone else, he was barefoot.
His hair was shoulder length and pure silver, hanging in his kind navy eyes.
His skin was a deep olive but he had the narrow nose and almond shaped eyes typical of the Asian race.
He gave off a peaceful aura, reminding her of her father.
Even as the head of MOSSAD, he was always gentle with her, especially after the loss of Tali.
She needed to contact him to tell him of his grandchild.
Her Aunt Nettie needed to know too, as did the team.
"How far along are you?"
"I don't know yet. I do know I'm in the 1st trimester, though."
"If you have morning sickness, you should try saltines and ginger ale. It worked for Alexandria. Even though she smashed the crackers to sprinkle into the ginger ale."
"Ew."
"No, no. That's one of the fun parts of pregnancy. You can eat whatever you want and disgust your loved ones." he replied brightly.
Ziva laughed and smiled as Tony came in.
"Hey. You two getting along?"
"Yes. You've found yourself a good woman, my friend. I can't imagine what in God's name she wants with you."
"It's his body."
"Damn right. Come on, it's time to tell the team."
Standing in MTAC, he saw Jenny sitting in a corner seat, looking lost in thought.
Before he could go to her, the plasma came on, showing DiNozzo and David.
"Hey, boss? You there?"
"Hey, Tony. What's going on?" Jen asked him.
"Just a second."
The door opened and McGee and Abby came in with Ducky.
"Hey, Tony. How's it going up there?" Abby asked.
"Great. Ziva and I have something to tell you guys."
"I'm pregnant." she said with a huge smile.
Abby squealed and McGee grinned like a nut, holding her as she jumped up and down.
"Congratulations, you two!"
"Thanks, Probie."
Gibbs grinned and Ducky hit them with questions of Ziva's condition.
Jenny smiled and quickly left with an excuse of paperwork.
That smile was not real. And Jen doesn't blow off paperwork, even when she's sick.
His gut reacting, he went after her, climbing the stairs rapidly, drawing everyone's attention as the door slammed.
"What was that all about?"
"That, Anthony, was a fuse lighting."
As he moved, he saw her quickly heading for her office.
He broke into a jog and called her name.
With a burst of speed, she entered the bullpen and ran up the stairs.
"Jenny!"
"Leave me alone, Jethro!"
He followed her to her office and caught the door before it slammed.
She turned away from him but he could tell she was crying.
"What's wrong?"
"Why do you care?"
That question was like a slap to the face. He cared about her. She should damn well know that. Biting back an angry retort, he sighed deeply.
"You didn't seem to be happy for DiNozzo and David."
"I am. It just brought back some memories I'd rather not think about, is all."
"What memories?"
"I don't want to talk about it, especially with you."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
"Just drop it, Gibbs!"
"No, Jennifer! Tell me what it means!"
She was shaking now and he moved to her, seeing that she was staring into the past, her hand on her abdomen.
Realization hit him, along with a sense of dread.
"You had a miscarriage, didn't you?"
Sobbing, she nodded.
"Was the baby mine? Is that why you left?"
She nodded and sobbed harder, her knees giving out.
He caught her and buried his face in her flame red waves shamefully, self condemnation filling him as tears spilled out of his eyes.
All these years. All these years I thought I was the victim.
She went through that all alone?
"Jenny, why didn't you tell me? Why?"
She turned around and looked at him with big grey eyes.
"I-I thought you would blame me. I thought you wouldn't want me, anymore."
"So you left."
"I didn't want to but... I thought that was my only option. I'm sorry."
"So am I."
She moved to get away from him but he kissed her hard.
With a low whimper, she surrendered to him.
Cupping her face, he looked at her.
"I love you. I never stopped."
She looked at him disbelievingly but then she smiled.
"I love you, too."
He kissed her again, finally feeling at peace with himself.
"Tell me about your mother."
Tony sighed but began to speak
"She...she was a good woman. Too good for my father, if you ask me. She was black, which explains Alex's looks. She loved photography and was a sketch artist for the police. She used to take us to work with her all the time. She supported my decision to be a cop. By then, my parents had been divorced for a while. He... he hit her. She refused to stop working and he hit her. "
"Bastard."
"Yeah. Mom fucked him up. She was a 3rd degree black belt and deadly with a knife. Not only did the scouts teach me, she did. It took all three of us and five officers to get her off of him. They never charged her. Anyway, she served him with divorce papers right after he got out of surgery. She always did have a flare for drama."
"Like you."
Tony nodded in agreement and scooted closer to her on the stairs, letting her lean on him.
"She died from ovarian cancer about 10 years ago. She fought it hard. She refused to let cancer take her out without a fight. The stubborn gene's from her."
"I'm sorry, Tony."
"It's cool. She's at peace, now. She's not hurting anymore."
"Still. I'm sorry."
He kissed her forehead and she leaned up to kiss his lips.
A knock at the door sounded and he sighed.
"Who could that be?" Ziva asked.
He had an idea of who it was.
He hoped he was wrong.
"Let's find out. I got it, Alex!" he called.
Walking to the door, he paused.
Knowing that a dirt bag normally didn't knock on doors but could, he unholstered his sig.
Ziva unsheathed her knife and gave him a nod.
If it was some psycho, she'd run them through.
He opened the door and to his horror and annoyance, he was looking at his father.
Fatter, greyer, and older but still, it was his father.
"Hi, dad."
