A/N: This is a bit shorter than the last few so there will be another short on coming along right behind this one. Thank you to all of you who have left comments and who are following or have favorited this story.
Bad Luck Turns to Good
Chapter 8
By eight forty-five Jethro Gibbs and Ziva David were husband and wife. The ceremony was of course, very simple and took all of about seven minutes. They signed the requisite paperwork, shook hands with the judge and were on their way home by nine o'clock. Ziva did have the presence of mind to have the clerk take their picture so at least they would have a photo of the occasion.
Before they got in the car, Jethro pulled Ziva into a toe-curling, breath-stealing kiss.
"That should hold us until we get home."
"Oh, I doubt that but it will surely get us a few miles down the road."
Jethro drove the first hour then let Ziva take over and he called Director Vance. He put the phone on speaker and held it between them so Ziva could hear the conversation.
"Leon, we're on our way back to DC."
"How are you feeling Jethro?"
"I'm fine. No problems at all. Listen, Leon are you alone?"
"Yes. What's the matter now?"
"Nothing's the matter. I want to tell you something and ask you to keep it to yourself until tomorrow."
"Of course."
Jethro looked at Ziva who was glancing back and forth between him and the highway. He took a deep breath. He decided to just put the news out there and see what happened.
"Gibbs, you there?"
"Yeah. Leon, Ziva and I got married this morning."
There was a prolonged silence during which Jethro was sure he heard Director Vance mutter at least two swear words and cough a couple of times.
"You're kidding me right? This is some kind of joke you and David cooked up to give me an ulcer isn't it?"
"No joke, Leon. Married by a judge this morning. Listen, I know this may cause you some heartburn but we'll talk about it tomorrow. As far as I know there's no rule against it and we'll keep our personal life out of the work. Don't worry, Leon."
"Yeah right. Don't worry. Does Eli know?"
Ziva spoke up, "Not yet. I will call him later. Director Vance I assure you this will not affect our work. This has been a surprise to us and I can only assume it is more than a surprise to you."
"You have a gift for understatement, Mrs. Gibbs. I will keep your news to myself until I see you two in my office at oh seven hundred tomorrow. Congratulations. And good luck Ziva."
The call disconnected before Jethro or Ziva could say anything else. They looked at each other and laughed.
"I think that went pretty well, don't you?"
"Yes, I guess so. Better than my call to my father will go, I can assure you."
As the miles rolled away and they came closer and closer to home Jethro got sleepy and before long Ziva looked over to see him asleep. She knew he was still not a hundred percent from his surgery so she was glad he was resting. It had certainly been an interesting few days. It seemed the bad luck that had been plaguing Jethro before they felt had followed them to North Carolina and then morphed into something very different. Ziva chose to believe they had simply been blessed by good fortune and the happy coincidence of a lot of little things coming together for them at the right time. Jethro might not believe in coincidence but Ziva was beginning to see things differently.
They stopped for lunch shortly after noon and afterward Jethro took over driving so Ziva could call her father. She kept stalling and trying to talk to Jethro about different things but he simply encouraged her to get it over with. Finally she took out her phone and punched in her father's number.
After the initial greeting Ziva put the phone on speaker and held it out so Jethro could hear what her father said.
"Father I have some news for you that I hope will not upset you."
"Ziva are you alright? Has something happened?"
"I am very much alright. Something has happened but it is a good thing. It is rather a long story but the end of it is that Jethro and I were married this morning."
Just as had happened with the call to Director Vance there was an extended silence.
Finally Ziva said, "Father, please say something."
When Eli spoke it was in Hebrew, very fast and just a little bit loud. Of course Jethro had no idea what Ziva's father was saying. He heard his name a couple of times but that was the extent of his understanding. Ziva rolled her eyes and shook her head. Jethro reached out and put his hand on the back of her neck caressing gently.
Eventually Director David seemed to be winding down and Ziva was able to respond. She spoke to him in Hebrew and they went back and forth a while. Finally Eli spoke in English again.
"Agent Gibbs are you there?"
"Yes, Director I'm here."
"My apologies for not speaking in English."
"No problem. Ziva will translate for me if I need to know something."
"I know you had a young daughter and lost her. I know you understand how I feel about my Ziva."
"Yes sir, I do."
"Then you will understand when I say that if you ever hurt my daughter in any way I will make you pay."
"I understand, Director. I can assure you that will not happen. I will never intentionally hurt Ziva and if I do you will be justified in whatever you do."
"I believe you, Agent Gibbs. You and I have not always seen eye to eye but apparently we both love the same woman. I trust you to take good care of my daughter. If Ziva loves you as she says she does then you must be a good man. My Ziva doesn't make mistakes about people."
"Ziva makes very few mistakes about anything. I love her very much and I promise she will be safe and well loved."
"Good. Ziva, I expect to see the two of you here for a visit in the near future. Congratulations to you both. Be good to each other."
"Thank you father. We will talk about a visit. I love you."
The call ended and Ziva breathed a sigh of relief. Jethro reached for her hand and laced their fingers together.
"That wasn't so bad. Anything in the Hebrew that I need to know?"
"Not really. Just as you would expect; he was surprised, why had I not told him about us, that sort of thing. He actually took it better than I expected. I would like to go for a visit when we can."
"Maybe after the first of the year?"
"Yes, that would be nice."
"I guess I better call Ducky and see if he can have everyone at the house by six-thirty."
Ziva punched in Ducky's number and handed Jethro the phone.
"Dr. Mallard here."
Hey, Duck."
"Well Jethro are you two finally on your way home? How are you feeling?"
"We're on our way and I feel great. No problems. Listen Duck, can you get the boys and Abby and meet us at my house at six-thirty or so?"
"Yes, I imagine. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, just some stuff I need to get everyone up to speed on. Nothing to worry about. See later Duck."
"Yes, I will have them there. See you soon."
Ducky hung up wondering what his friend was up to. He had noticed a different tone to Jethro's voice even in that brief conversation. He wondered if what Jethro had to tell them had any relation to the way Director Vance had been smiling and shaking his head as he boarded the elevator earlier. Very curious.
As they came closer to DC the traffic on I-95 was slow, as usual. They actually came to a stop for a short time due to a wreck and the resulting rubbernecking. They had been quiet for a long time and now Ziva reached over and laid her hand on Jethro's thigh.
"How does it feel being married again?"
Jethro started to give her a joking answer but when he looked over at her the seriousness on her face told him not to do that. He thought for a few moments then tried to put his feelings into words; not normally an easy task for him.
"I'll tell you what I told my dad; I feel like I can breathe again. This, with you, feels a lot more like the first time than like any of the other three."
He looked over at her quickly to see how she reacted to that statement. He rarely spoke of Shannon and their life together even to Ziva who had known about her longer than even Ducky. When he saw she was smiling the relief he felt was enormous.
"Ziver for the longest time I have expended so much energy hiding my feelings for you. Now, I feel like a tremendous weight is gone. I feel like life is good again."
"Wow, that makes me feel very good. Thank you."
"How about you Mrs. Gibbs, how do you feel now that you've been a married woman for almost eight hours?"
"I feel like the luckiest woman on earth. I feel alive and happy and excited. I feel like if this traffic doesn't start moving I will lose my mind!"
Finally they were nearing the exit that would take them home.
"Jethro, if you will drop me at my apartment I will pick up some clothes and things and drive over to your house."
"Our house."
"Yes, our house, I like the sound of that. It will take some getting used to but I like it. Just as I like the sound of you calling me Mrs. Gibbs."
"Really? I figured you'd want to keep your name."
"Only for work. I think it would be safer for one thing. For another I do not want both of us turning around every time someone yells, 'Agent Gibbs'."
"That makes sense. Okay, I'll drop you off but only if you promise to hurry."
"I promise. I will order the pizzas for delivery at six-thirty. You have drinks enough for everyone?"
"Yeah."
Jethro dropped Ziva at her apartment and she promised to be at the house by six o'clock. When she walked in her cozy little two bedroom apartment she took a moment to look around and realize what she would soon be leaving behind. She had loved the apartment the first time she saw it because of it's hardwood floors, spacious living area and wonderful kitchen. She would miss having things just the way she wanted them; and all to herself. Jethro's house definitely needed some updating and Ziva was determined that would be a conversation they would have sooner rather than later.
When Jethro got home he also took stock of his living quarters and realized he would soon, very soon, be sharing them with a woman for the first time in many years. He took in the stack of books on the mantle, the worn couch and the ironing board in the dining room. Things would have to change and pretty darn soon he told himself. As if to prove that point, he folded the ironing board and took it upstairs along with his duffle bag.
While Ziva was at home packing a few clothes and other things she wanted to take with her, Jethro was busy putting clean sheets on the bed and cleaning the bathroom. He was a neat person by nature so there wasn't clutter or a mess anywhere. When he was finished upstairs and satisfied Ziva would be okay with the bedroom, he went to the kitchen to make sure he had plenty of beer and soda along with ice and paper plates. Once he was sure he had everything he would need to feed the group he set about straightening up the rest of the house.
He collected his mail and sorted it, throwing out most of it and keeping only a woodworking magazine and a couple of bills. Then he stood in the dining room and took stock of his house. It needed a lot of work and he hoped Ziva was up to living with a mess for a few months. He had been thinking for a year or more about all the things he wanted to do but until now he hadn't had the motivation to do anything. Instead he used all his creative energies in the basement on various projects and his boat. Now though he wanted to give Ziva the house and the home she deserved and as he stood surveying the place he'd called home for over twenty years he knew it wouldn't fill the bill.
Ziva arrived a few minutes before six and found Jethro in the kitchen with a beer in one hand and a pencil and sketchpad in the other.
"Hey, I think I was supposed to carry you over the threshold wasn't I?"
"Maybe we can do that another time. What is all this?"
"Just thinking about making some changes to the house. You up for that?"
"Of course. You do not have to do that for me you know."
"Don't have to but I want to. Been thinking about it for a long time and now I have someone to do it with and for. We'll talk about it soon. Right now how about a kiss for your husband?"
Ziva smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I will never get tired of hearing that. I love you Jethro."
"I love you back."
They kissed and kissed again and just before things got too heated they heard the front door open and DiNozzo's voice in the hallway.
"Hey, Boss you home?"
Jethro and Ziva quickly got themselves calmed down and Jethro stepped out into the dining room.
"Right here, DiNozzo."
Ziva came out of the kitchen with the paper plates and some cups for drinks.
"Ziva, you playing hostess tonight?"
"Just helping out, Tony. You didn't screw up anything while we were gone did you?"
"Course not."
"Beer's in the fridge Tony."
"Got it Boss. You want one Ziva?"
"Sure."
Within a few minutes everyone had arrived. So far no one had noticed the wedding rings but then Abby was still busy telling them about the bowling tournament she and the nuns had won over the weekend.
When everyone had taken some pizza and a drink and found a place to sit, Jethro went to the kitchen to take a moment. He was suddenly, unexpectedly nervous about what he was about to do. Ducky soon joined him.
"Jethro, is everything alright? You seem a bit on edge for some reason."
Jethro turned to his best and oldest friend and grinned at him. Then, instead of speaking, he simply held up his left hand so Ducky could see his newly acquired wedding ring.
Ducky's mouth opened and closed without emitting a sound. Jethro put his finger to his lips asking Ducky to not say anything.
But Ducky could not resist. Very quietly he asked, "You and Ziva?"
"Yep."
The smile on Jethro's face warmed the heart of the medical examiner. He was thrilled to see his friend so happy and also thrilled to know his own intuition was still spot on.
"Wonderful! Let's get out there and you share your news."
"Kinda nervous, Duck."
"Nonsense. They will be thrilled. We have all been waiting for the two of you to come to your senses."
"You what?"
Jethro was incredulous. He had no idea anyone else had ever had any inkling about him and Ziva.
"My friend everyone on your team has known for ages that you and Ziva care for each other. We've just been waiting for it to be clear to you two."
"DiNozzo?"
"Probably the first to know."
Ducky gave him a serious look. "You just remember, we all love Ziva too so don't screw this up my friend. Not that I think you will. This was meant to be Jethro. Enjoy it."
Ziva walked in and Ducky wrapped her in a tight hug.
"Congratulations my dear."
Surprised, Ziva could only say, "Thank you Ducky. Jethro, are you coming back out? We have something we need to say."
"Coming. Just needed to take a minute."
"Are you worried about this?"
"Not now. Apparently, according to Ducky at least, we are the last to know about us."
"Really? Well then let's get on with it."
Ducky went back to join the others and after one more serious kiss, Jethro and Ziva joined him.
After his conversation with Ducky, Jethro found his announcement very easy to make.
"Listen up, you guys. I thought what I am about to say would be a big deal to you but according to Ducky it won't."
Everyone looked at him and then at each other and then at Ducky before focusing back on the Boss and Ziva who they now noticed was standing very close to him.
"Ziva and I got married this morning."
There was a moment of stunned silence and then Abby squealed and ran to the happy couple and that started the round of congratulations that followed. Much to Jethro and Ziva's relief, the team was happy for them and once everyone was assured Ziva was staying on the team they were even more pleased. Several toasts were proposed and drunk to and everyone seemed happy for the newlyweds.
Later, Tony followed Jethro into the kitchen to throw out the pizza boxes.
"I'm happy for you Boss. I just want to say, and I'm serious now, if you hurt Ziva I'm not going to like it. She's important to me. Don't screw this up."
Jethro looked at his senior agent, the one he thought was in love with Ziva, and realized he hadn't been too far off the mark. Tony did love Ziva but not in a romantic way. That actually made Jethro feel good. He knew Ziva would be safe with Tony, maybe even more so now. DiNozzo would never let anything happen to Ziva for fear of what Jethro would do to him.
"I don't intend to screw it up, Tony. I know you care about Ziva. I'll continue to depend on that. Thanks for accepting this so well."
"Oh hell, Boss, I've been waiting for this for a long time. I have some serious money coming. I'm just glad you didn't wait any longer."
"Why is that Tony?"
Jethro had a wary look on his face and DiNozzo wasn't sure he should answer that question. He had already said too much. Luckily for him, his phone rang.
"Gotta get this Boss."
When Tony hung up he said, "We got a case. Dead Marine found in the woods behind the range at Quantico. We gotta go Boss."
Jethro and Tony stepped back into the living room.
"Gear up. We got a body at Quantico."
"Are you sure you're up to working, Jethro?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Duck. You can ride with us. Call Palmer and have him meet us there with the truck. Let's go guys. Abby, we'll see you back at the Navy Yard."
And just like that, things were back to "normal".
TBC