Okay, guys, a BIG THANK YOU for the reviews; they really make me happy I know it's been a while since I have updated this story but exams have got in the way and blah blah blah. Anyhoo, I'd love to hear some ideas on where you'd like this story to go! I have a couple of ideas, but that's like for later chapters. I don't know why, but I always seem to plan the ending before the beginning. So, just message me with anything you may have in mind, and as always, enjoy! :D
It felt as if an eternity had passed from the moment the two partners had been stood in the elevator to now, when they were sat at their respective desks. In fact, it had been just over a minute. Instead of focusing on the paperwork on his desk, Tony found his mind was unable to concentrate on anything apart from continuously drawing a figure of eight on a spare piece of paper. He still couldn't believe that that conversation had taken place, and now his thoughts and emotions were sky high. Of course he had meant every word he had told Ziva about him being able to support her and make sure that everything was going to be okay, but inside he was terrified. It was rare if Tony displayed any kind of fear, but this was at a whole new level, one he hadn't even given a thought to. They were going to have a child. No matter how many times he said it sub-vocally, the impact was still as strong as the first time those words had been said by the Israeli. At first it had just been a little bit of fun, with a few emotions mixed in, but now that had been blown out of the water and they couldn't let an innocent life be affected by that.
As his gaze lifted from his papers to look across the bullpen at his partner, Tony couldn't deny the smile which danced across his lips. Although it was going to be a hard few weeks ahead of them, there was something about their situation which made Tony feel like there was a glimmer of hope that this could work. Perhaps it was because he was starting to have feelings for Ziva, or perhaps their complimentary personalities and life styles would allow for things to work fine. Whatever it was, the two of them would have to bring that element to light and milk it of all its worth.
The sound of Gibbs' voice echoing around the room broke Tony's trail of thought, making his thoughts focus on less on his personal life and more on his professional life.
"Gear up. Dead Marine," Gibbs stated, walking briskly through the bullpen, heading towards his desk.
"Where we headed?" DiNozzo questioned, grabbing his black rucksack which sat patiently at the side of his desk, flinging its strap over his shoulder as he stood.
"Franklin Military School." Gibbs informed as he whisked past his employees, heading towards to the elevator.
All three fellow NCIS Agents were now equipped with badges, ID and their respective weapons, rucksacks full of various gear all on their backs. With McGee strolling through the bullpen in pursuit of their boss, the two partners were left slightly behind. The Israeli, with her razor observance skills, could see that their previous conversation had had a major impact on her partner, just as expected.
Throughout her life, Ziva had experienced a lot of major events, ones the everyday person couldn't even imagine, but she had been able to mask the emotions. This, however, was a completely different kettle of fish. There was no need to put up those barriers to stop her emotions from showing, mainly because even she wasn't sure what she was feeling. The image of that little blue line was engraved in her memory, but the feelings which had consequently followed were a blurry mix. There was happiness, worry, apprehension, and care but none of them seemed to be prominent enough for her to calculate the general idea of how she felt about their current predicament.
Stepping around from the corner of her desk, Ziva was only able to take one or two steps before she was cut off by her partner, her big brown eyes darting up to meet with his. She attempted to take this opportunity to try and work out what Tony was thinking, but his words soon distracted her.
"You're alright to go out in the field?"
"Of course." Ziva answered, almost confused by his question.
Tony's brown knitted together as he tilted his head to the side a fraction, "But what about the baby? Won't all this work be stressful, and shouldn't you be resting? I mean, can't exactly be beneficial,"
A small smile crept over the Israeli's lips, "We're going to a school, Tony, not a war zone. I appreciate the concern, but I'll be fine. Both of us will be," The words felt alien to her, that she was now speaking for two, but she could only hope that after the evening she and Tony would spend together, things would be simpler.
Letting a small sigh pass his lips, Tony had to agree and with a nod of his head, he stepped aside, allowing his partner to walk beside him. "But you'll tell me if you need anything, right? I know this isn't ideal, but I want to make sure you're alright."
Franklin Military school was exactly like it sounded; immaculately clean and kempt, students in pristine white uniforms and various members of staff, mostly ex-military, as their professors. A section of the building was taped off, uniformed officers standing on guard. As the NCIS team approached, one of the officers, six foot tall, black hair, stepped forward, assigning himself the authority to be in charge of relaying the information they had already.
"You must be NCIS," he commented, looking at each of the agents in turn before turning his attention to, who he assumed was, the team leader, "Agent Gibbs. The deceased is a professor, one Officer Ryan Carlyle. He was head of the military unit here. One of the students found him, he's in the next room. Pretty shaken up."
Gibbs nodded, beginning to delegate roles out to the various agents behind him, "McGee, get a statement. Ziva, DiNozzo, wait for Ducky and take the scene." After the orders had been given, the group dispersed, each agent going to fulfil the duty they had each been given.
The two partners headed down the hallway, turning at the first right into the scene of the crime, ducking under the yellow tape which had cordoned off the area. Tony quickly surveyed the scene as he held up the tape for Ziva, "They always said school was a dangerous place. It's like "Murder by Numbers", but that was a pretty bad movie. Wouldn't recommend it, but it could definitely happen here. Military style."
Ziva couldn't deny the smile which danced across her lips as Tony spoke, his clear passion for movies present in his tone. It was still beyond her how he could liken nearly every crime scene to some sort of movie, "Do I want to ask for a plot line?"
Tony chuckled lightly, "I'd wouldn't recommend that." He set his backpack down on one of the desks in the classroom, unclipping it at the top as he rummaged around for the equipment the two of them would need. He glanced over to Ziva, a gentle sigh escaping his lips. Her fingers clamped over the bridge of her nose, eyes closed as if waiting for something. "You alright?"
Quickly shaking the moment off, Ziva directed her gaze to Tony, offering a small smile, "Just a headache, it's nothing."
Fishing out a bottle of water out of his backpack, Tony took the couple of paces over so that he stood before the Israeli woman, "Have a drink. It'll help."
"Tony, it is fine," Ziva protested, shaking her head, "Just, sometimes morning sickness doesn't live up to its name. Honestly, don't…" She was soon silenced by Tony's index finger covering her lips.
"Just have some water. Please. Not only am I half the cause of this morning sickness, but I'm also your partner and therefore it's my job to look out for you. Now, as your Senior agent, you'll listen." He gave a gentle smile, once again offering the clear bottle of cold water.
Deciding to surrender, Ziva quickly unscrewed the blue coloured top, taking a swig of the water. When she'd finished, she handed it back to Tony, letting out a slow breath, "Thank you."
Quickly planting a kiss on her forehead, Tony smiled, "No problem. Now, you ready to teach our baby about crime scenes?"