Summer has faded into fall. Fall has begun to vanish. It is nearly winter. It promise to be a long, cold, bitter one, too. It is the week before Thanksgiving. Things have changed, with the seasons. Life for them as they know it, is changing. A new one about to begin. Another will end soon. It is the circle of life, but they aren't prepared for the way things will transpire.

Tony now spends every night, in bed, with his partner. They still argue, regularly, but the tension has disappeared. The change between them, can be sensed by everyone. Not everything is good. Nothing is perfect. Their family, their reality, their very foundation is about to be shaken.

Friday November, 18th,

He looks over at her. He taps his foot. She attempts to collect her things. She moves unusually slow these days. Her reflexes are as quick as ever. She just doesn't motivate as fast as she used to. He cann't fault her. She is, after all, only seven weeks from her due date. It is obvious now. She doesn't try to hide it. Finally she moves towards him, with a grimace on her face.

"Are you ready to go?"

"No," she shakes her head.

"No? What's that look for? We need to get going, if we're going to beat traffic. We have work to do."

"Not tonight."

"Not tonight? Stop playing around. We need to get a move on. We have a three hour drive ahead of us."

"I'm not going."

"Why not? Ziva, why are you making such horrible faces? You really don't want to go? Call Gibbs, tell him to send McGee instead, if you don't want to go."

"I can't go."

"You can't, why not?"

"Because I am going to be spending the night in the hospital."

"What? Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why would you be in the hospital? What is going to happen?"

"I think I'm in labor."

"You can't be in labor. You have another seven weeks to go."

"Can you just take me to the hospital, please?"

"Yes," he nods.

He's leaning against the wall, outside of her room, waiting for someone to come out. A nurse comes out of the room. The doctor comes out behind her, and scurries down the hall. The nurse looks at Tony.

"It's going to be a long night. We're going to admit her."

"She is in labor?"

"Yes. We're going to try and stop the contractions."

"But?"

"Her contractions are already getting closer together. She's already dilated to four."

"You don't think that you can stop it?"

"I didn't say that."

"But?"

"I am doubtful. If there is anyone who wants to be here, you should call them."

"Ok," he nods, "Thanks."

He pulls out his phone, and makes a phone call. He slips the phone back into his pocket, and goes towards her room. He pushes the door open, and steps inside. He smiles upon seeing her.

"Why are you smiling?"

"I like your outfit," he jokes.

"I want to go home," she tells him, "I don't want to be here. Now is not the time."

"You have no control over this situation," he reminds her.

"It's too early. He isn't supposed to be here, for another seven weeks."

"I know that. Maybe you should tell him."

"I have."

"And?"

"He doesn't seem to care."

"I called Abby, and told her to rally the troops."

"I don't understand. Everything was fine. I wasn't even doing anything."

"You don't think that this had anything to do with you chasing down a perp this morning, do you?"

"I hope not."

"Why?"

"Because if it does, then it's my fault."

"It's not your fault."

"Yes, it is. I know better. That was a stupid thing to do. You and McGee, are perfectly capable of chasing after people. I don't have to do it. I am at a disadvantage. I have twenty five pounds of extra weight, slowing me down."

"Are you ok?"

"Do I look ok? I am hooked up to this stupid IV, I am wearing a stupid gown, in the hospital. I am in labor, seven weeks too early, and it's my fault."

"It isn't your fault. Ziva, calm down."

"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? He's not supposed to come this early. What if..."

"Don't play the what if game."

"What if something is wrong with him? What if he can't breathe on his own? What if..."

"Just stop, ok? Can you just believe that the contractions are going to stop, and that you're going to get to go home in the morning, instead of having a baby?"

"Fine."

"Now, try to get some sleep."

"Why?"

"Because if you don't get to go home, you'll be having a baby. You'll need your energy."

She closes her eyes, and drifts off. To, everyone's surprise she sleeps through the night. When she wakes up, the sun is coming in, through the curtains. Tony is sleeping, in a chair, next to her bed. No one else is in the room. She looks up at the clock, and nudges Tony.

"Hm?"

"Is that clock right?" she questions.

He opens his eyes, and looks at the clock on the wall. "Yep."

"I slept all night?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"They stopped the contractions a couple of hours ago. They said that they are going to discharge you, and you should be out of here by noon."

"Good."

"There is some bad news."

"What?"

"You are going to have to be on bed rest, until the baby comes."

"I..."

"No arguments."