Ziva was nudged back into consciousness when Tony's lips brushed her forehead. She struggled to open her eyes and looked up at him. Dressed in his normal suit and tie, he was showered and ready to face the day. She sighed. "It is Monday."

He smiled. "I'm afraid so. But on the bright side, you're not stuck with me 24/7 now."

She played with his fingers. "That was not a problem."

"Glad to hear," Tony grinned, kissing her lips this time. "I gotta go but I had to follow Rule #1. Go back to sleep."

Ziva nodded and started to close her eyes, feeling him move away. Then she remembered. "Tony." He stopped and looked back. "I have an appointment with Mandy at four pm."

Tony rubbed his face. "Right, I forgot. I'll try to be there honey, but you know Gibbs..."

She shrugged, unconcerned. "If you cannot, I will see you at home." Though it would be nice to have him there for her first appointment after their wedding, Ziva understood that he needed to be at work. "I love you."

He returned to kiss her one more time, knowing he'd miss everything about not being around her today. "Always babe, I love you."

She waved her hand. "Shoo. I do not want a dead husband because you are late and Gibbs has no patience."

"Okay, bye."

It was harder than Tony had expected, tearing himself away after four full days of being by her side, laughing and talking with her, cuddling on the couch, making meals, and sleeping with her in his arms. He checked his watch and hurried the pace. He had fifteen minutes to get his butt to work. It was going to be a long day. He almost hoped for a case so he wouldn't have time to think about missing her.

He made it out of the elevator and to his desk with only seconds to spare, forgetting until he glanced to his right that Tim and Abby were now away on their honeymoon. A sigh escaped when Tony realized that he really had no one to talk to. Matt was still the new guy and too easy-going to be able to relate with what they'd been through. And Gibbs...it seemed that just thinking about the man conjured up his presence, because at that moment he came striding in and set a cup of coffee on Tony's desk. He raised his eyebrows in amazement.

"Boss?"

"It's for you to drink, not stare at DiNozzo," Gibbs growled and Tony realized he knew better than to ask.

Silence fell between them while both men got to work, but after several moments Gibbs looked up at his Senior Field Agent. "Well?" Tony cocked his head, not sure what question he was expected to answer. The older man glared. "Sorry you said 'I do' yet?"

Tony stared at him. "No way Boss, never gonna happen."

"You say that after four days. Tell me again after four years."

"I will," he replied sincerely. "But nothing could make me regret Ziva."

Gibbs' expression softened. "So?"

Tony sighed. "I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't expect hard to show up so soon."

Gibbs stared at him evenly. "Gonna be a long road DiNozzo."

"I know. But to have Ziva in my life..." Tony shook his head. "I don't ever want to be without her Boss."

He nodded. "Don't lose that," he warned. "If you're thankful for her every single day no matter the challenges, then you two are gonna make it. Never take her for granted."

Tony swallowed. "I won't. I know what it's like to lose her, I won't make that mistake again."

Their eyes met and then Gibbs took a drink of his coffee, ending the conversation. But it took a headslap several minutes later to get Tony's thoughts off his wife and back to work. He couldn't wait until it was time to go home.

NCIS

Ziva sat waiting in the doctor's office for her name to be called. Ducky, who was her Gibbs or Tony appointed chauffeur for the appointment, had gone to get a cup of tea and said he'd be back to get her in half an hour. A nurse came out and glanced at the chart in her hand.

"Ziva David?"

She stood slowly, feeling big and ungainly, and made her way over. "It is Ziva DiNozzo now," she clarified, showing off her wedding ring. It was the first time she'd said it out loud and Ziva found she liked the way it sounded.

"Congratulations," the nurse smiled and made a note. "Dr. Meyers will see you in Room #1."

Ziva was only alone for a couple minutes before Mandy came in with a smirk on her face. "Ziva DiNozzo? Wow, I never thought you'd follow my advice so quickly. When did this happen?"

She smiled. "Wednesday."

Mandy's eyebrows rose. "Okay. You guys sure move fast."

Ziva shrugged. "There did not seem to be any reason to put it off."

The doctor held the clipboard against her chest and surveyed her patient carefully. "So, how're you handling the intimacy?"

The Israeli woman was shocked and blinked once, trying to make sense of the words. "We are not...I cannot... No."

Dr. Meyer's bit her lip. "Hmm, interesting. But no, I wasn't talking about sex Ziva. Simply sleeping in the same bed and sharing your space is a huge jump in the level of intimacy you've been used to so far."

Understanding crept into her eyes. "Yes. Well...most of the time it is nice. Very little has made me nervous yet."

"Good," Mandy nodded. "Now tell me about this week. How's your energy?"

Ziva shrugged. "On and off. I am taking a lot of naps." She shook her head. "Tony has been watching me carefully."

"That's what husbands are for," Mandy confirmed. "He's allowed to worry now."

Ziva snorted. "He is getting a lot of practice."

Dr. Meyers chuckled but said made no comment. "Okay, why don't you just lay down and I'll go through my checklist." She looked at Ziva's chart. "You're almost thirty-five weeks and I'm impressed we've made it this far. Every day gives the baby more time to grow and develop. But it also drains you a little more." Her face reflected concern. "I'd really like for you to consider the c-section Ziva, it would just-"

But Ziva shook her head, resolve in her hard gaze. "That is not an option Mandy."

The doctor rolled her eyes. "I didn't think so. But that doesn't mean I'll stop asking."

Ziva pressed her lips into a thin line, a sign of her annoyance. "My answer will not change."

"Said like a stubborn woman and a good mom," Mandy pointed out and began the exam. This baby was already a miracle and it was clear that Ziva was taking no chances, except with herself.

NCIS

Tony stared longingly at the clock but freedom was hours away. Turning back to his report, his gaze fell on the sign he'd taped to Ziva's chair the day she unwillingly took maternity leave. As soon as he'd come back from his newlywed week off, Tony had amended it - Reserved for Special Agent Ziva DiNozzo.

Every time he saw it, his chest swelled with pride knowing she now had his name. He never thought he'd be one of those guys, but suddenly Ziva taking his name was a huge thing, just one more way to tie them together, one more piece of the puzzle that made them one.

He sighed for the umpteenth time that afternoon. He missed Ziva, he didn't even try to deny it. Every spare second his mind drifted to her, wondering how she was spending the day. Did she miss him? Was she lonely without him? Tony dropped his pen on his desk, unable to answer those questions but hoping it would be yes.

Gazing around the bullpen, he tried to find a distraction but had absolutely no willpower to keep his mind on work. He missed spending all day with Ziva, their constant time together had been too short. He missed having her there every time he turned around. And he worried, because he wasn't there to keep an eye on her and who knew what she was up to without supervision.

He was just reaching for his cellphone to text or call her when suddenly Gibbs got up, strapped on his gun and jerked his head at Tony. "DiNozzo, with me."

Confused, Tony grabbed his stuff and hurried after the boss. "Did you get a call, a case? Where are we going?"

Gibbs frowned at his senior field agent and slapped the back of his head. "Got furniture to deliver."

Tony's eyebrows jumped up. "Oh, right. Thanks."

The ride to Gibbs' house was short considering the older man's creative driving skills. Tony followed him down tot he basement and watched at he tore an old sheet off a pile of stuff in the corner. There it was, beautifully handcrafted and lightly stained nursery furniture that might make Ziva cry when she saw it.

Tony tilted his head. "Why'd you cover them up?"

Gibbs snorted. "You're not the only one who hangs out in my basement DiNozzo." So Ziva had been by, probably more often than Tony had realized.

"Wow Boss." Tony reverently ran his hand over the smooth wood. "Ziva's going to love this."

It was all there, just as he'd asked, everything off the list Tony had given his boss more than a month ago. Together the two men carried up the crib, changetable, rocking chair and dresser. A wooden shelf with six square cubbyholes, each filled with a different coloured box for storing toys, two small bookshelves, and a toy chest that already held a set of wooden blocks with letters and numbers on them. Tony could also see on the workbench the beginnings of more toys to come. Gibbs had done so much more than he had asked for.

When everything was loaded, Tony turned to his boss. "You really love her, don't you?"

Gibbs leaned against the bed of the truck. "I used to think Kelly was my only hope of being a father, then Abby came into the picture. I never expected Ziva. And now they're both going to give me grandchildren. Yeah I love her." He stared heavily at Tony. "A second chance at a family is a precious thing DiNozzo, I don't plan on wasting it."

Tony fought hard to keep his mouth from falling open. That kind of disclosure from Gibbs was rare. "Gee Boss, when did you start sharing?"

Gibbs stared and his hand twitched with the desire to slap that look of his senior field agent's face. "Don't get used to it." He waved at the younger man. "Come on, let's get this stuff set up before your wife gets back."

Tony grinned and hopped in the truck. He couldn't wait to see Ziva's reaction.

NCIS

Her car pulled into the driveway moments after Gibbs left and Tony hurried out to give her a hand. He didn't like that she was still driving but he hadn't touched that subject yet. "Hey babe, sorry I missed the appointment. Gibbs was keeping me busy." He kissed her cheek. "Mandy say anything interesting?"

Ziva shrugged. "The usual. Rest, take care of myself, no unnecessary exertion." She sighed. "I am bored of doing nothing all day."

Tony already had a back-up plan for that one. "I'm working on it Ziva. I'm sure we can come up with something to keep you occupied." Once inside he looked at her closely. "You up for climbing the stairs? I thought maybe we could go through all the baby stuff from the shower." He chuckled. "I don't even remember half of what we got. I was watching you more than the gifts."

Ziva looked at him curiously. "Tony, we do not have anywhere to keep it yet."

He shrugged. "I know, but maybe we could just sort through it, see if there's anything we still need. We can go shopping this weekend."

She rubbed her belly slowly and smiled. "I think Daddy is getting very exited for your arrival ktantonet," she told the baby.

Tony put his hand over hers and waited to feel a kick. "I can't wait."

Ziva headed for the staircase, feeling like an old woman when she had to lean on Tony for support. They walked around the rail that bordered the stairs and he opened the door to the room he'd insisted on painting yellow. She finally understood that it was because Tony had wanted it for the nursery.

She hadn't been in the room for a couple days and gasped at the transformation. "Tony! How did you...?"

"It was mostly Gibbs," Tony explained modestly. "I asked and he made it happen."

Ziva walked around slowly, touching everything as if to make sure it was real. The crib sat between the two windows they'd stood in front of the day they looked at the house, a mobile hanging above it. On the far right wall were the bookcases and between them, the storage shelves. To the left of the door was the changetable, with the dresser in the corner. And in the corner beside the crib was the rocking chair with the word love etched in Hebrew characters on the headrest.

Blinking back tears, Ziva turned to hug Tony. She'd straightened her hair this morning for something different and it swung out behind her as she moved. He caught her with a grin and eagerly accepted her kiss. Ziva pulled back, her eyes shining. "It is wonderful."

"Glad you think so Zi, I've been planning this for months." He twirled a lock of hair around his fingers and Ziva cocked an eyebrow at him.

"When did you ask Gibbs?"

Tony kissed her again. "The day after we found the house."

She looked confused. "The nursery?"

He chuckled. "It's the reason why I wanted a three bedroom house."

Bewilderment filled Ziva's gaze. "Tony, how long were you thinking about all this?"

Tony cupped her face with his hands, glad he could no longer scare her away with his intensity. "Since Somalia. Since I stayed with you that first night. Since the next day when I was sure you were alive and knew I loved you and realized I didn't want to waste another minute." He brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. "I started saving and planning right then Zi. I had some money from my mom that I'd almost forgotten about - I wasn't allowed to touch it until I was thirty-five." He chuckled, "I guess she knew I'd need some extra time to grow up."

Ziva couldn't hold back the tears and Tony wrapped her in his arms while she cried. He rubbed her back gently and crooned soft words in her ear. "Don't cry Zi, I did it because I love you."

She wiped the wetness away. "It is the hormones."

He tipped her chin up. "Come on, let's go through this baby stuff."

Tony brought it all over to the rocking chair and began putting things away wherever Ziva wanted them. She folded each sleeper, softly running her hands over the pastel colours and adorable animal prints. He held a yellow one in his hand and looked at it in awe.

"Wow Zi, look how tiny these are. Do you think our baby will really be that small?"

"Our baby," she repeated with a smile, wanting to get used to those words. "It is so different to hear you say it."

He kissed the back of her hand. "I've been waiting a long time for the freedom to say what I was thinking."

Ziva's eyes were washed with love. "You are an amazing man Anthony DiNozzo."

"Oh, I don't know about that," he hedged, "but as long as you think so, I'm okay with it."

Their conversation turned silent as they held each other's gaze, but finally they got back to work. The baby could come any day now and they still had a lot to do to get ready.