I got so many good reviews that i decided to update early!
Chapter 23 – Control Geek
For ten minutes Ziva couldn't hear anything. And when Kate looked up at Tony and whispered fifteen painful words, she couldn't hear,
"Tony I never stopped being in love with you… and I doubt I ever will."
Tony looked her in the eye, "Me too."
Kate stared at him, and he sighed, "Kate, I loved you like nothing before, and there will always be a soft spot for you in my heart, but after four years I've moved on. You're a good person, you'll find someone else, but really, right now Kate, I love you like a friend, a best friend." He pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead as Kate cried into his shoulder.
* * *
When Ziva walked down the stairs the next morning for her run she saw Kate asleep on the couch, her eyes still red and tear stained. She walked over to her and gently shook her awake.
"Ziva?"
"Good morning Kate. I assume after the fight you had with Tony you want to pretend it never happened?"
"You heard?"
"Not everything." Said Ziva, "I'm going for a run; do you want to join me?"
"Ok."
Ziva grinned.
* * *
Tony and Ziva were walking hand in hand down a street, it was their lunch break, they'd just eaten and they were now going to starbucks for a coffee.
"Wait." Said Ziva, stopping suddenly,
"What?" Ziva pulled him over to a display window, "Tiffany's? Really?"
"What? I am allowed to like jewellery, Tony."
Tony rolled his eyes, "And what jewellery, specifically do you like?"
"That ring." She pointed at a white gold ring that swirled around a black sapphire.
Tony laughed, "You've got expensive taste, Sweet Cheeks."
Ziva smiled and kissed Tony lightly before pulling him towards starbucks. As soon as they got in they sat down in a booth in the corner of the room and kissed softly. Ziva stood and ordered then carried a tray on which sat a coffee, a bottle of iced tea, two muffins, and a newspaper. They talked and laughed, eating and drinking when Tony stood.
"Bathroom." He said bending down and kissing Ziva softly. Ziva flipped through the newspaper, reading quietly then turning to the crossword.
"Back." Said Tony and he slid into the booth next to Ziva, "And I have a confession to make."
Ziva looked at Tony, "A confession?" She said with a raised eyebrow before gasping dramatically, "You're not secretly married are you, or," She gasped again, "my brother?"
Tony laughed, "You watch to much TV."
"I blame you."
Tony just smiled, "The confession is, I didn't just go to the bathroom."
Ziva looked at him confused, "Then what did you do?"
"I bought you something." Said Tony, caressing her face softly,
"What?"
Tony lent forward and whispered into her ear, "Close your eyes."
Ziva obeyed, and felt Tony, pick up her hand and placed a small object in it. Then fold her hand closed.
"Open." He whispered,
Ziva opened her eyes then opened her hand to see the ring she'd seen earlier, "Tony." She whispered,
"Marry me, my ninja."
Ziva threw her arms around Tony's neck and kissed him with a passion neither had felt before.
"I take that as a yes." Grinned Tony and Ziva mutely nodded energetically, letting Tony take the ring from her hand and slide it onto left ring finger.
( http:// www. angelwingscents. com /33-1 .jpg )
* * *
Later that day Tony and Ziva sat in the stair weld at NCIS, sitting on one of the steps at the landing between the car park and ground floor. Ziva sat in Tony's lap, her head resting on his shoulder.
"So packing at your place or sleeping at my place?" Asked Tony,
"I drove here too."
"So? We just take your car tomorrow."
"I have plans."
"Plans?"
Ziva chuckled, "Yes Tony, plans." She pecked him lightly.
"What plans? Packing plans?"
Ziva just chuckled again, "Stop being such a sticky bill."
"Sticky beak."
"What ever."
"I love you."
"Never thought I'd hear the words come out of your mouth DiNozzo." Came Kate's voice as she walked down the stairs, (she had taken Ziva's advice and was pretending last night never happened).
"Haha, Kate, very funny not."
"Thought you two were to keep it out of the office." Smiled Kate,
"Well, as you can see, this is the stairs, not the office."
"Very clever, but if Gibbs finds you, you'll be in trouble."
"But that's the genius of the stairs," Stated Tony, "Gibbs doesn't use them." And he gave his classic grin causing Kate to roll her eyes.
"Suit yourselves." And she walked down the stairs and out the door leading to the car park.
"So these plans of your's," Said Tony after a while, "what do they involve?"
Ziva smiled before kissing him and standing up, "I'll see you tomorrow my little hairy butt."
Tony pouted and stood, "Bye Sweet Cheeks." And he kissed her softly
"I love you."
"Love you too." Ziva left and Tony walked slowly to his car.
* * *
The next morning Abby stood at Ziva's desk, a small white box with a red ribbon sat in the middle.
"Ooo, what's that?" Asked Abby,
"The mystery continues; she won't tell." Tony moch glared at Ziva across the room,
"It is for you Abby."
Abby grinned and slowly untied the ribbon then lifted the flaps to reveal a very chocolaty cupcake.
She gasped, "Looks scrumptious."
Ziva chuckled, "They call it 'Chocoholic's Choice', claim it is the ultimate cupcake." Abby marvelled, looking down at her gift.
Tony and McGee looked over her shoulder and sniffed the air,
"Oh that smells great." Said McGee, and Tony moved his hand to pick at it but Abby slapped his hand away.
"Don't. You. Dare." And she picked up the box and walked around to the other side of Ziva's desk.
"Isn't this the week you're going gluten-free?" Asked Tony,
"Thank you Ziva," Ziva stood and embraced Abby tightly, teasing Tony, "You shouldn't have."
Ziva and Abby stopped hugging but still kept a loose grip on each other, "I owe you for letting me sleep at your place." And they hugged again, cheek to cheek.
Tony looked at them, getting the little smile he got when he thought of something dirty,
"Ziva, why'd you have to get her something? Now I feel bad."
Kate had arrived.
"Don't worry Kate; you don't have to get me anything."
Kate smiled then walked next to Abby and the three hugged again.
"Slumber Party." Said Tony, "You three spent the night together?"
Ziva, Abby, and Kate looked at each other in a way that made Tony turn to McGee, "What's going on here McGee?"
"Don't know, don't care." And he started to follow Abby as she walked away, protecting the cupcake, "None of my business DiNosey."
"You are such a control geek." Said Ziva; eyeing her fiancé as she lent over her desk.
"Freak." Corrected Tony,
"Yes. That too. Why do you always need to know evbrybing dab ebrebo-I dubs, Toe-me?" Her question was mumbled as Tony pressed his lips to hers.
"What he needs to know," Called Gibbs, walking (coffee in hand) into the bullpen, "Is that a Lieutenant Commander's body was found at Rock Creek Park." He switched on the TV, and ZNN came on. "Gear up!"
* * *
Tony stood at the back of the truck, getting kits to collect evidence before it rained; he saw Ziva coming and started conversation.
"Stayed at Abby's last night, huh? You guys, uh, sleep in the same room?" He tried and failed to sound like it didn't interest him.
"It is a one bedroom apartment." Ziva said suggestively,
"One bedroom, one bed- one coffin."
"You want the truth?" Whispered Ziva,
"Yeah. I think I can handle the truth!"
"My building was being fumigated and Abby was kind enough to let me stay over, and she decided to make a party of it and invited Kate. Kate and I were on the sofa-bed, in our pyjamas."
"Come one, work with me. Wait, why didn't you just stay at mine? I did offer, and we're moving in together."
"She offered first, and when you asked the plans were made."
"DiNozzo! After you're through here, the victim's apartment." Called Gibbs; hopping in the car before driving away.
"Right."
"We're fighting the weather and he wants us to hurry up and then he leaves. What is this all about?" Asked an annoyed and confused Ziva,
* * *
McGee, Kate, Tony, and Ziva were at the victim's apartment, Ziva picked up a card that read 'Happy Birthday' on the front.
"Oh this is sad, it was her birthday last week; her grandmother sent her this card."
"Am I the only one who's starvin'? Haven't eaten since lunch." Complained McGee; switching on a UV light to look for stains.
"Well there's half a veggie pizza in the fridge." Spoke Tony; walking into the room.
Tony walked to the chest of drawers in the joined bedroom and picked up a pair of black and white underwear.
"Tony," Spoke Ziva staring at the underwear, "What are you doing?"
She didn't like him looking at another woman's underwear, she glared at the fabric.
"I'm building a profile of the victim." Tony defended quickly,
"Pretty sure I'm the profiler here, Tony." Spoke Kate.
"Not exactly Navy issue." Tony held up a green and red striped thong,
"She was not just a Navy officer," Spoke Ziva, still staring at the underwear as though in a trance,
"She was a woman, DiNozzo." Finished Kate,
Ziva turned and picked up another card, "It appears she had a lover, 'to the woman I love, you mean everything to me.' And it is signed, 'you know who'. Why would he not sign his name?"
"Well maybe it's not a he, maybe it's a she. We are dealing with Military here; don't ask, don't tell." Suggested McGee,
"Looks like a man's hand writing."
"Definitely a man." Spoke Tony,
"How do you know?"
"Medicine cabinet, low oestrogen birth control pills, she's on the ninth day of her cycle."
"You just love snooping around into other people's lives, don't you?" Asked Ziva,
"Yeah, that's why I became a cop."
"You do know there are other reasons to take birth control don't you?" Asked Kate,
"Do I want to know what made you discuss reasons of the birth control pill?" Asked Gibbs,
"Oh hey boss." Grinned Tony
* * *
Abby walked into the bullpen, "Hey, guys. I identified the fibres I found on the lieutenant commander's clothing; charcoal grey from the cargo compartment
of a 2003 to 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee."
"Must be hundreds of those in the Metro area." Said McGee,
"Twelve hundred and sixty-seven, open your mouth."
"What? Why?"
"I need a DNA swab."
"What's this about?"
"Someone stole her cupcake." Explained Ziva,
"No, it's an invasion of privacy." Scoffed McGee,
"McGee, I will get your DNA one way or the other." Threatened Abby,
"Do what the woman says; she's pregnant and sleeps in a coffin."
Abby held out a swab stick and McGee obediently opened his mouth letting Abby swab some saliva before placing the sample in an evidence jar. "Thanks," Abby turned to Tony, "You're next."
"Oh, can I do that myself, I don't like other people putting things in my mouth." At this Kate snorted with laughter,
"Abby, you're making too much of this. I'll buy you another cupcake." Said Ziva,
"Feeling guilty Ziva?"
"I got you the cupcake!"
"No one is above suspicion." She handed Ziva a swab stick and jar, then turned to Kate, "Now you."
"Abby!"
"Kate."
Kate sighed and took the swab stick then opened her mouth. McGee cleared his throat and they looked up to see Gibbs, Jenny, and their suspect walking down the stairs.
"Is that…?"
"Yes."
* * *
Ziva pondered over the case then had an idea; she grabbed her back-pack and coat then walked to Tony's space. "I need this." She grabbed a clipboard then, sitting on the corner of Tony's desk, removed her engagement ring and put it in her pocket.
"What for?" Asked Tony, eyeing the ring, Ziva just smiled pecked him lightly then walked away. "Hey!"
* * *
"You looking for me, Tony?" Asked McGee as he walked into Abby's lab.
"No. I am." Stated Abby, "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"No." Said McGee cautious and confused,
"What, you thought I wouldn't figure it out?"
"What is she talking about?" McGee asked Ziva, Kate and Tony
"The cupcake." Replied Ziva,
"You stole it from my refrigerator!" Abby pointed at the refrigerator, cut off by police tape, evidence numbers on the floor. "I have forensic evidence. Your big. Fat. Fingerprint."
"Oh, come on, you think I'm that stupid?" Asked McGee, "Look, if I was going to
steal your precious cupcake, I would not leave a fingerprint on your refrigerator."
"You didn't. You used latex gloves! Brand-new box, McGee. Only prints mine and yours."
"You said you were going gluten-free." Defended McGee,
"Where is it, McGee?"
"I was saving you from yourself, Abby."
"Where did you save it, McGee?"
"Okay, I ate it. Look, it was late. I hadn't eaten since lunch. Th-Th-The machine in the break room was empty, and it looked so good."
Tony gave McGee a sympathy hug, "What were you thinking, McGee? She's a world-class forensic scientist." Tony hit him on the back of the head as Kate said;
"A pregnant world-class forensic scientist."
"Thank you, Tony, Kate."
"I bought the cupcake for Abby." Spoke Ziva before hitting McGee on the back of the head too.
"So... How was it?" Asked Abby,
"It was life-changing." Whispered McGee
Abby glared "Book him, Danno."
"Ah, break it up; we've got work to do." Gibbs walked into the room.
A special thanks to;
xoxEllexox, OutCold, that belle, ZeevahDiNozzo, A Fanfiction Angel, samleigh, LOVErOSESandSMILES, DramaQueen90, TivaFanGirl1, tate-hater and, CrazyNinjaChicks