A/N: Sorry guys - I had to babysit at 0630 this morning so there was no time to post a chapter. Thanks so much for all the reviews for Ch 70 & 71 - y'all are the most amazing readers any author could hope for. Enjoy!
Review Replies:
Zivatjl12 - the new FF reviewing system has made it impossible to sign your name unless you actually sign in. But I appreciate when 'guests' still tell me in the review who they are. I just like to know these things :) Sorry I can't help!
Annie from Trinidad - wow! What a lovely review! Thank you so much! I can't believe you read the whole thing in a week, that's impressive! You comments mean the world to me, thank you! Also, if you want to get an account and sign in the leave reviews, I could reply to you personally - just an idea :)
To my 'guest' who wants dibbs on a signed copy of my first novel - thank you so much! Wow, that's super sweet. It is a dream of mine to publish but unless they un-copyright fanfiction I'm not sure what my chances are...still, I appreciate the compliment. Any chance you could leave your name if you review again? I love to know who people are. Thanks!
Gibbs and Celeste were walking leisurely down the street after going out for ice cream to celebrate three months as a couple. Their fingers were tangled together and every time Gibbs looked at her, Celeste was smiling. Finally they stopped at a bench and he turned towards her.
"Gonna ask you something next month Les." In normal cases, men didn't usually warn woman of impending proposals, but their situation was far from normal. His thumb rubbed over her empty ring finger. "Know if you can handle what it means to say yes." He had no idea how he would handle it if she said no.
Celeste looked into his eyes, curious at the insecurity that lay there, and brought her hand to his cheek. "Silly man," she said with eyes so full of love and a tender smile on her lips, "I said yes once, didn't I? What makes you think the answer will be different this time?"
Gibbs sighed. "Now you know what you're getting into. I'm not an easy man to live with." He'd learned that the hard way and three wives later was still paying for how much of his soul had died with his girls. He would never again be the man Shannon had married and too often he realized he didn't like the change.
She chuckled. "As long as you trade the couch for a bed, neglect your boat just a little bit and tell your kids, I think we'll be just fine."
He cradled her face in his big rough hands and took possession of her lips. "Promise?" Gibbs whispered hoarsely.
Celeste curled her fingers into his hair and kissed him back with surprising force. "I promise. I love you, get that through you head. I'm not going to change my mind."
Gibbs enfolded her in a tight embrace, burying his face in her neck. "Okay." And that was the end of that. Thirty days from now, things would change once more. And this time it might actually be the best thing that had happened to him in years.
NCIS
It was Ziva's night to take Chaya home early and Tony finally came through the door hours later carrying a medium sized, flat cardboard box. "Zi!" he called. "Come see what I have."
She came downstairs carrying Chaya in front of her, who smiled at the sight of Daddy and flailed her arms. "What is so exciting?"
He laid the package on the diningroom table and got out his knife to slice the tape. "Got a call just after you left," Tony explained, lifting the flaps on the box.
Ziva's eyes widened. "Oh Tony, our ketubah." She reached out to caress the frame. "It is beautiful."
He grinned. "Only took three months, not bad." Glancing around the room, Tony shrugged. "Where do you want it?"
Chaya started fussing and Ziva handed the baby to her father. "We will have to decide later, it is time for her to eat." She retrieved a bottle, warmed it, and headed for the nursery.
Tony followed and got settled with Chaya while Ziva found a book to read. During Chaya's next nap, Tony and Ziva finally chose to put the ketubah in their room, along with a framed copy of the vows they'd said to each other, done in their own handwriting. Tony stood behind Ziva and kissed her hair. "So we never forget," he whispered and she leaned back into him, a contented smile on her face.
NCIS
Wednesday was a rare day off in the middle of the week and the team, by order of Abby and including significant others and assistants, gathered at the park for a picnic lunch, prepared to thoroughly enjoy their Independence Day Holiday. Despite being thirty weeks pregnant, Abby was more than happy to play frisbee, though she and Tim stayed together in case any running needed to be done. Matt and Tami were glad to be included, even if not an official part of the team. They spent most of their time with Jimmy and Breena, who also felt a little out of place.
Ziva was content to sit with Gibbs, Celeste, Chaya and Sammy - who was torn between chasing the blue disk and cuddling with his baby - just talking. Though when her husband called for her to join the game, she left her daughter in the care of others and ran out to be with the rest of the group. Abby was still giving Celeste a fairly wide berth - not hating her didn't automatically mean she loved the woman. But at Gibbs' look later the Goth did offer her boss's girlfriend one of the red, white and blue striped cupcakes she was handing out.
For the sake of the team's comfort, Celeste kept her shows of affection towards Gibbs to a minimum. But they did leave to go for a walk at one point and Tim distracted Abby by suggesting they set up the croquet game Tony had brought. Eventually they were all laying out in the sun, Abby and Ziva using their husband's chests as pillows. Matt and Tami were off flying a kite, Jimmy and Breena knelt by the pond looking for minnows and frogs. Ducky and Dr. Jordan wandered along the edge of the park where a border of trees and plants grew, examining the flowers and having a fascinating discussion about the flora and fauna native to DC.
That left Gibbs and Celeste in charge of both baby and puppy, who seemed to be greatly enjoying each other's company. Chaya was on a blanket in the shade, laughing and squealing in delight as Sammy ran around her in circles. She turned her head to follow his progress and practiced her sounds - ah, ah, ah, eh, eh, eh. Finally the puppy lay down and rolled onto his side with his back against Chaya, sighing contentedly. Her arms flailed and she smacked him in the face. Sammy yelped and jumped, but then relaxed, returning to his previous position and licking the baby's arm. It was quite funny to watch.
Celeste reached out towards the baby and Sammy raised his head, giving her a suspicious look. They'd only met for the first time today, not including the hospital, and she wasn't one of the people he was used to seeing around his baby. The redhead let him sniff her hand and rubbed his tummy. Sammy closed his eyes and yawned, enjoying the attention too much to consider her a threat.
Gibbs put his arm around her waist. "You should have brought Lexie."
Celeste shook her head. "I think she would've been overwhelmed by all the people and an energetic puppy. Lex is still getting used to people in general and her world usually just includes you and me." Lexie was only three but she'd been abused in her previous home and was leery of strangers, though she'd bonded with Celeste quite quickly and seemed to like Gibbs, probably because the man was quiet and attentive and rarely raised his voice or made any quick movements when he was around her.
She sighed. "I know Abby isn't quite sure about me yet, but it is nice to be included today. At least I can pretend I belong to this group."
"You do belong Les," Gibbs assured her. "It's just gonna take awhile for them all to realize it."
Not that Celeste wasn't making progress. Besides the letter she'd written Tim after reading Abandoned, she'd also pulled him aside to offer a personal thank you for his present. Bringing treats for Sammy that she gave to Abby earned her a smile, and just now another idea occurred to her. "I'll be right back," she told Gibbs when Abby stood to get another bottle of water from the cooler.
Celeste approached the girl and lowered her voice. "Abby." Her head whipped around and she eyed the older woman warily. "It's Tony and Ziva's three month anniversary today. I have a suggestion." Abby's eyes widened and she leaned forward eagerly to hear the plan.
When Tony and Ziva came over to check on their baby, who was now sleeping peacefully with Sammy sprawled out next to her, the group slowly gathered around them and Abby grinned. "You can't have her back." Ziva's brow furrowed and she explained. "Apparently the tradition is to give you two some alone time on the fourth of every month." The couple exchanged surprised glances and it was obvious that they'd forgotten. Abby waved her hand. "So shoo. We've got this. I think ten adults can handle one two and a half month old baby girl."
Tony opened his mouth to argue at the same time Ziva started to say something about feeding Chaya but Abby crossed her arms. "There's a bottle in her diaper bag, I already checked, and at least half of us are capable of changing a diaper. Goodbye."
Considering they weren't being given a choice, Tony and Ziva gave in and he slipped his sunglasses on, holding out his hand to Ziva. She took it and they headed for their car. He chuckled. "Gotta love being exiled."
Ziva's strides matched his and they turned towards the shops, deciding on a walk instead of a drive since it was such a beautiful day. "I think it is sweet that they remember even when we do not. And I like the chance to be alone with you."
Tony's thumb caressed her hand. "Three months Zi, isn't that crazy? Does it feel that long to you?"
She shrugged. "It feels like forever. When I think back to October and being at my apartment and wondering if I could ever let you be more than my friend, and then looking around now how we are admitting to being in love, we are married with a house and a daughter...I begin to think that time has no meaning at all, it is just about the moments and sharing life with the people who love you."
Her answer was so good that Tony stopped right there and kissed her in the middle of the sidewalk with people flowering around them. That Ziva didn't shy away from such a public display of affection and instead returned the gesture, closing her lips around his bottom one as her mouth formed the shape to kiss him back was a tremendous ego boost and when they finally pulled apart, he was grinning.
"Wow." Ziva blushed and looked away as Tony ran his hands down her bare arms. She was wearing green capris, sandals and a blue smocked shirt that was loose in the middle but tight at her waist. She'd french braided her hair and looked beautiful, but the greatest accomplishment was wearing short sleeves in public, something Ziva had slowly started trying after that first day back to work when she'd been forced to don his t-shirt and expose her scars to the team.
"I'm so proud of you," he whispered, his fingers following the marks on her forearm. "Your courage amazes me."
Ziva swallowed hard and didn't look into his eyes, not when what she wished she had the courage to do was probably written all over her face. She placed her hand over his shirt. "It is because of your love that I am taking any steps forward at all," she told him, quite seriously, then forced her lips into a smile. "It is hot, a good day for ice cream, yes?"
Seeing she needed distance from the subject, Tony linked their fingers and nodded. "I agree. I think Scoops is around here somewhere. Let's check it out."
One the street corner a young girl was selling daisies. Tony traded her money for one of the yellow and white flowers and broke the stem off short so he could tuck it behind his wife's ear. Her smile was real this time and Tony wanted to take advantage of it. "So, your first Independence Day as an American. Is there anything you really want to do?"
"See the fireworks," she responded immediately.
He chuckled. "That's a given. I bet you a kiss that when we get back Abby will already have talked Gibbs into having a barbeque at his place so we can watch the sky light up from his backyard."
Ziva raised one eyebrow. "When did we start betting with physical affection?"
Tony shrugged. "Now. It sounded like fun."
She laughed. "Very well. But it seems to me we both win. If you are right, you get to kiss me. If you are wrong, I have to kiss you. There is no downside."
He rolled his eyes. "Geez, don't make it sound like an obligation or anything." Tony sighed. "I guess you could save your kiss for later and make me wait." He flashed a grin. "But I'm irresistible and I know I'm right."
"I think you need to buy me some twinklers," Ziva decided, returning to his previous question.
Tony made a face. "Twinklers?"
She frowned. "Yes. You know, the little sticks you light and they glow and crackle?"
It took a second but then the light went on. "Ohhh...sparklers."
"Yes, those."
"You might have to share them with Abby," he warned, knowing how his little sister loved playing with sparklers.
"As long as I get half," Ziva agreed.
Tony slung his arm around her and laughed. "You know what babe? I'll get you two packages, then you can have all twelve to yourself."
Ziva leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I will let you have a few."
It sounded like a privilege and Tony refrained from making a 'you want me to light your sparklers?' joke that might come off sounding dirty even if to him it sounded like fun. "Deal."
NCIS
An hour after her parents left, Chaya woke up and her cry was so pathetic it made Abby's heart hurt. "What's wrong with her?"
Gibbs scooped up the baby and nodded towards her diaper bag. "Need a bottle Abs."
She was back in a flash and handing it to him, watching in awe as Chaya instantly settled and started sucking. Her eyebrows drew together. "How did you know she was hungry?"
He chuckled, looking down into the baby's deep blue eyes. "Never forget the way that cry sounds."
With evidence that the youngest and cutest member of the Team Gibbs family was awake, the group slowly drifted back to sit under the tree with Gibbs, Celeste, Abby and Chaya. Sammy curled up beside his mistress with his head on her knee and she absently stroked his ears as she watched her niece eat.
When the bottle was empty, Gibbs looked up. "Someone's got to burp her."
Wanting to show off for Breena, who seemed to be very interested in the baby, Jimmy held out his hands. "Let me." Gibbs eyed him sternly for a minute, remembering how awkward he'd been with Chaya in the hospital, but Celeste touched his arm and he relented, handing his granddaughter over. "Be gentle."
Jimmy set Chaya on his knee and held her face carefully with his thumb and forefinger supporting her jaw, and started patting her back lightly. Breena moved closer to watch and the baby suddenly burped, but with it came a stream of spit-up that dribbled over his fingers. Abby made an 'ew, gross' face and Jimmy reached for the cloth Celeste handed him, wiping Chaya's mouth first and then his fingers. "Well, it's no worse than bl-uh...the stuff we see at work," he amended, remembering the baby he held.
Gibbs leaned back against the tree. "She needs a new diaper."
All eyes slowly turned to Abby and she jumped. "What?"
"You're the one who volunteered," Tim pointed out.
She held up her hands. "I volunteered us, all of us," Abby argued quickly. "I don't know how to change a diaper." She looked at her husband. "You could, you've seen it done."
"Practical experience and one time observation are two very different things," he reminded her.
They all looked at each other, hoping someone would take responsibility for the chore. Finally Matt spoke up. "I'll give it a try." He shrugged. "How bad can it be?"
Famous last words. Chaya had chosen that moment to dirty her diaper so badly it leaked out partway up her back. The guys all groaned and Matt desperately grabbed a handful of wipes, hoping not to get any of it on himself. Between Matt's clumsy attempts, Abby's advice and Celeste's eventual taking charge of the situation, Chaya was changed, cleaned up, dressed in a fresh outfit, and fast asleep by the her parents were due back. Luckily for Matt, Abby had hand sanitizer. That was not an experience he wanted to repeat any time soon.
NCIS
Knowing that Abby would have rules, Tony and Ziva stayed away for two hours before making their way back to the park. Just as Tony predicted, Abby announced a BBQ and fireworks party at Gibbs' house immediately following their exit of the park. With great flourish Tony claimed his prize, kissing Ziva deeply in front of their friends but not going too overboard lest he lose his freedom to do that. Gibbs rolled his eyes but couldn't say anything because they weren't in the office and it was still too rare to see Ziva so happy. Abby and Matt clapped and Ziva retrieved her baby, who was completely undisturbed by the commotion. The others started packing up and putting things in cars. One by one they left and then arrived on Gibbs' street and started taking up one whole side.
When everyone was inside, Gibbs collected the guys to help with barbequing and the rest of supper and Celeste was put in charge of supervising the whole operation. That left Abby, Tami, Ziva and Chaya with Ducky and Dr. Jordan in the livingroom. Breena decided to stick with Jimmy for moral support, knowing how flustered he got around Gibbs. Just because the baby was sleeping didn't mean she wasn't going to get passed around. Despite Abby's pleading, Ducky got Chaya first and started telling her stories about some of the things Tony and Ziva had done as partners. Dr. Jordan smiled and watched, commenting that Donny was such a softy, but didn't ask for a turn.
When Ducky could finally be prevailed upon to give up the little girl, Ziva looked at Tami. "Would you like her?"
Tami's eyes lit up. "Yes please. It's been a long time since I held a small baby." She cradled the infant in her arms. "Hi dolly. Oh you're so little!" Tami worked her finger inside Chaya's fist and smiled. "You've just made my whole day, do you know that? Nothing is better than holding a baby." She lightly touched the baby's hair and her little ears. "My sister used to be the same size as you. Gosh, I barely remember those days. But I remember what it was like when Mom put her in my arms and I realized I was a big sister." Her fingers swept over Chaya's face. "You look like an angel," Tami whispered.
Because the girl's head was down, her focus solely on the baby, she didn't notice her boyfriend catching a glimpse from the kitchen and coming closer to get a better look at the scene. Matt crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, a fond smile on his face as he watched his girlfriend with a baby. Tami looked up and their eyes met, a blush colouring her cheeks before she dropped her gaze back to Chaya. Matt returned to supper duties, but Abby had a feeling the subject would come up later. It was obvious from the way he looked at her that he was thinking long term, wedding rings and babies, while Tami was still just getting used to being in a relationship.
Eventually Ziva got her daughter back and put Chaya in her carseat for the remainder of her nap. About that time Celeste came in to announce that food was ready and McGee borrowed Tony and Ziva's phones and spent a few minutes programming them to become an intercom system, so they could leave Chaya inside but still hear if she cried.
Gibbs' backyard was soon full of talk, laughter and the company of friends as they ate, drank and thoroughly enjoyed their fourth of July holiday. Around eight o'clock Ziva heard Chaya and stepped inside to nurse. She took the baby upstairs to Gibbs' spare room and settled in the rocking chair. While her baby ate, Ziva stared across the room at the bed she'd spent her first three days in after returning from Somalia.
Gibbs had stayed by her side each of those nights, sleeping in the chair when she did and holding her in his strong embrace when the nightmares drove her awake in a terror. She'd cried more in those first days than at any other time, but Gibbs never said a word. He just wiped them away with his big rough hands, smoothing over her fears just as he smoothed the wood on his boat.
When Ziva couldn't go back to sleep, Gibbs would take her down to the basement and put on as many lights as possible to drive the shadows away. Then together they'd work on his boat. At that point she'd been too weak to do more than a few strokes, but she found it comforting to listen to the repetitive scratch of sandpaper on wood. If she fell asleep Gibbs carried her back to bed, hating that she was light enough for him to do so, and tucked her in, staying a watchful guardian during the night hours remaining.
Neither of them had spoken much except when Gibbs would encourage Ziva to leave the room that was her safe haven and shower, or when he made her drink a small amount of broth so she had something in her stomach. He was the one who began her healing, for she trusted him fully, and Tony had carried on where he left off.
Ziva clearly remembered the second day when he'd gone out on errands for a short while, leaving her terrified to be alone with herself. He returned with a small black duffle bag holding a few pairs of yoga pants and several loose, long sleeved shirts in different colours. She was embarrassed to find underthings even when they were desperately needed and extremely self-conscious to realize he'd gotten the sizes very close.
Gibbs tipped her chin up, reading more into her silence than she knew. "I was married Ziver and I can guess pretty good. I knew you needed something to start with, so don't even try to refuse. Just use them."
She'd swallowed and nodded and they'd said no more about the subject. After her shower, Ziva changed into the new clothes and just stood there looking at herself in the mirror. Gibbs had guessed right that she would want to cover up the scars and because her physical healing was only in the beginning stages, loose clothing would be less likely to bother her injuries. She left the bathroom and found Gibbs downstairs where she hugged him, her first voluntary contact since being rescued. His touch was incredibly gentle and didn't make her feel trapped, so she held on longer than she planned.
Finally Ziva moved back. "Thank you," she whispered in a voice hoarse from disuse and he brought his hand up to her face.
From the way she tensed and closed her eyes, Gibbs knew Ziva was expecting to be hurt. Shoving down his anger at the animals, now dead but not punished enough, who had made her afraid, he caressed her cheek tenderly and pressed his lips to the skin briefly. "You're safe here Ziva, no one is going to hurt you." Her eyes opened full of tears and she nodded, in a bit of awe, returning to her room.
A tap on the door startled Ziva out of remembering and she realized Chaya had come off her breast. Covering herself up, she looked to see who their company was. "Hey," Tony said softly, "I thought it might be time for my part." He'd been worried when it was over half an hour and she hadn't returned. "Where were you just now?"
She pointed to the bed. "Do you remember when you woke me?"
He knelt by the chair and touched her cheek, his eyes very serious. "The first time I saw what your nightmares looked like. That was when I knew I'd gotten another chance and I promised I wouldn't screw it up this time."
Ziva leaned forward and kissed him, resting her forehead on his. "Thank you."
Tony lifted the baby to his shoulder and stood. "I'm going to keep that promise Zi." He kissed Chaya's head. "This is too important to screw up."
NCIS
By ten pm Chaya was down for the night and her carseat had been moved to the basement in hopes of muffling the noise of the fireworks which were about to start. Ziva rejoined the group, noticing in amusement that all the couples had gravitated to each other. She found Tony sitting on a blanket on the ground with his back against the porch and she settled between his legs, leaning back on his chest.
Abby and McGee were in much the same position on a lounge chair across the yard, McGee's hands encircling Abby's belly. Jimmy and Breena were sitting on the edge of the porch, leaning their arms on the boards that formed the railing. Gibbs and Celeste sat to the side, holding hands in lawn chairs beside Ducky and Dr. Jordan, who had her hand tucked around his elbow. Matt and Tami, the newest pair, lay side by side on a blanket on the grass, their fingers intertwined and Tami's head resting on Matt's shoulder.
Suddenly a burst of colour lit the dark sky and Ziva instinctively tensed, her hand flying to her hip. Tony's quiet chuckle and his hands on her shoulders reminded her where they were and she pulled his arms around her, relaxing to enjoy the show. The fireworks were amazing and went on and on - little ones exploding inside bigger designs as the sparks showered down. Crackly ones and booming ones, all sounding like thunder in the distance. Green and gold and purple and orange and of course, plenty of red, white and blue, even in the shape of a flag.
They all clapped and cheered when the last one finally faded from view and the silence sounded strange after all the noise. Then Tony pulled a package of sparklers from his pocket and reached for Gibbs' barbeque lighter. "Come and get 'em ladies!"
With a squeal of delight Abby scrambled away from McGee and ran over to Tony with both hands outstretched. Tami joined them with Breena and he let them take what they wanted, then pressed the lighter button. Sparks flew as the thin gray sticks hissed and popped. The younger women laughed, twirling in circles and drawing patterns in the air.
Tony handed Ziva one and kissed her cheek. "Happy fourth of July sweetheart." A smile spread across her face and Ziva slowly moved to join the others, their joy catching as they danced around the yard. To watch his wife truly let go and enjoy herself, a light in her eyes he so rarely saw from a childhood lost, was for Tony the best part of the day.