Chapter Fourteen

Tony and Ziva returned to work the Monday following the day they worked on moving Ziva's things moved to Tony's apartment. Ziva was slowly beginning to find her trust in Tony again. "Any cases yet boss?" Tony asked as he and Ziva entered the bullpen, Conner in his car seat carried by Tony.

"Not yet DiNozzo. How are you today Zivers?" Gibbs had made a point to check on Ziva each day as she walked in.

"I am doing a little better." Ziva nodded to Gibbs and smiled some.

"She's going to stay with me for a while. I promised I'll help protect her and that way she'll feel safer." Tony said gently setting Conner's car seat by Ziva's desk.

"Good idea DiNozzo. Just-" He gave Tony a strong look.

Tony nodded. "Rules. Got it." He sat at his desk glancing at Ziva.

Ziva was sitting in her chair picking up Conner. He smiled watching her. She looked beautiful and almost like the old Ziva again. She's getting there. Tony reminded himself in his head.

McGee walked over after making sure Ziva could see him walk over. "Could I hold Conner?"

Ziva nodded and gently handed McGee her son. "Please be careful."

"I will." McGee promised looking at the smallest David. "Hi Conner."

Conner looked up at McGee and reached up towards his chin. He started blowing spit bubbles.

Tony and Ziva couldn't help but chuckle.

"He approves of you McGee." Ziva smiled and glanced at Gibbs, he was talking to someone on his cell phone. Gibbs glanced at Ziva and nodded. "Looks like I have to bring him to Abby. Tony can you bring my gear when you leave? I can meet you there." Ziva said taking Conner gently. She set him in his car seat and gently wiped the spit off his chin.

"Yeah. I got it." Tony smiled as Ziva nodded to him as a 'thank you' then went to the elevator.

Gibbs hung up, "grab your gear. Tony make sure Ziva has her gun. This one may get ugly. Dead petty officer."

Tony got up and grabbed his gear, and then Ziva's. "Why will it be bad?" He asked checking for Ziva's gun.

"His killer may be nearby. It's a pretty recent one." Gibbs answered walking to the back elevator to go to the garage.

Tony and McGee both exchanged glances as they followed. This was going to be risky.

Ziva was standing by the cars by the time they got out there. "Where we headed?"

"Dead petty officer." Tony answered. It was all he would say.

"Okay?" Ziva held her hand out for one of the key sets. Tony shook his head, "Gibbs wants you riding with him. I'm riding with McGee."

"Oh." Ziva shrugged and took her gear from Tony before getting into the blue dodge charger Gibbs was already in.

Tony got in the one McGee was waiting for him in. "I hate this."

"What?" McGee asked as they followed Gibbs.

"This. Ziva being exposed to violence again after being in a violent place. And its not very soon after." Tony admitted.

"We just gotta watch her back." McGee shrugged as he drove.

"I know McObvious." Tony snapped and looked out the windshield towards Gibbs and Ziva. He could see the top of Ziva's head over the passenger seat. She looked calm. Which was a good thing.

When they got to the scene Tony hooked his gun into it's holster hidden by his shirt. McGee and Gibbs did the same. Ziva did after Gibbs told her to.

McGee was in charge of taking pictures. Ziva was going to be in charge of helping find evidence and Tony was left to make sure everyone would be okay. He mostly watched Ziva but kept his eyes on the rest of the team.

In his gut Tony felt something bad was going to happen. Especially since whoever murdered the petty officer was possibly nearby. Tony glanced around and saw someone sneaking up behind Ziva. Ziva was alone maybe 20 feet away and the person had something in his hands. Tony walked towards Ziva slowly keeping an eye on the person. When he held up a gun Tony broke out into a sprint. "Ziva!"

Ziva turned just as they all heard the crack of a gun. She saw Tony jump in between her and where the noise came from then Tony was laying on the ground on his stomach.

Gibbs ran over his gun held up. "Federal agents. Drop your weapon." He shouted to the man.

McGee got his gun and pointed it towards the person to.

Ziva kneeled by Tony and gently turned him onto his back. Red blood was making it's way onto Tony's jacket, from the left side of his chest. Ziva quickly un-zipped the jacket and pressed her hands onto where he was shot trying to get the bleeding to stop. "Ducky!"

Ducky ran over and kneeled beside Tony, "Anthony you are a very brave man." He commented as he took over. "Ziva call an ambulance." All the time this was going on, McGee and Gibbs had caught the man and handcuffed him.

Ziva grabbed her phone looking at Tony. "Hang on Tony." She said as she dialed the number.

Tony nodded slowly and kept looking at Ziva trying to ignore the pain in his chest. "I told you I'll always have your six." He smiled lightly trying to help lighten the mood.

Ziva nodded watching him. She just hoped that it wasn't severe.