Rifiuto: Non Miriena
Thanks to Crawcolady for reviewing 4; and Sazzita for reviewing 15, 16, 17 and 18.
"Just keep breathing, Ziver, okay? We'll be there soon." Ziva nodded, laying her head back against the headrest in Tim's car. "We have everything right? Your bag, the... the contacts, let Gibbs and Tony know... we've locked the apartment..."
"Tim, just drive!" She let out a groan, reminding herself to take deep breaths, even as her labor continued to progress. Halfway to the hospital, she let out a scream, and Tim slammed on the brakes, throwing them both forward slightly. "Oh God!" She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore Tim's questions, and finally, she reached out, grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him close. "If you slam on those brakes the next time I scream, Timothy, the doctors will be questioning your manhood because it will be gone, are we clear?"
He nodded, swallowing nervously. "Got it, Ziver."
"Good." She took a deep breath. "Now drive!" He hesitated, and Ziva turned to meet his gaze. "I said drive, Timothy! Are you completely incompetent right now? Drive!"
The smell of burning rubber trailed them all the way through downtown Georgetown.
"Tim." He wrapped his arm around Ziva's waist; she grabbed his shirt. "I think I have been in labor all day, and not realized..."
"Let's get you settled in your room, Ziva? Once you get settled, Eleanor will be in, okay? I'll let you get changed first, and be back to check on you soon." The laboring woman nodded, glancing up at Tim as he helped her into her birthing room. They had chosen a midwife, preferring a quiet, natural birth plan instead of the hospital, for however long Ziva was in labor. Although, with the way things were progressing, it looked like Ziva's labor wouldn't be as long as they'd planned for. Once she was gone, Ziva turned to Tim, holding her arms out for him. He helped her out of her blouse, leaving her in only the tank top she wore over her bra, and then helped get her out of her pants.
"That's a good girl, Ziver. Just keep breathing." Tim whispered, rubbing her back as she shifted; Daisy poked her head in.
"You settled?" Ziva lay her head back against Tim's shoulder.
"As settled as I will ever be." She muttered, instinctively pulling her legs up so Daisy could check her. "I have never experienced pain like this before." She whispered, squeezing Tim's hand.
"This is nothing compared to the pain you'll be in, Agent David," Daisy muttered as she pulled on a pair of gloves to check the laboring young woman. She glanced up, catching Tim watching her. "As your labor progresses, the pain will get worse, but don't worry, it's all worth it in the end. You're about four centimeters." Ziva nodded, laying her head back against Tim's arm. "I'll give you two some time alone." And with a quick glance backward, she left, shutting the door behind her. Tim shook his head.
"Something isn't right." He whispered. Ziva struggled to sit up, and he quickly helped her.
"What do you mean?" She leaned forward, arms going around her belly. Tim shook his head, finally taking his gaze away from the door.
"I can't explain it, but it doesn't feel right. Eleanor should have been the first one in here, checking us, not Daisy. She's just a receptionist; she has no medical skills that would warrant her being in here with you other than to file paperwork. Especially without Eleanor present." He turned back to her. She sat with her arms around her belly, her dark curls down around her shoulders, breathing heavily to get through the contractions. "Do you need anything? Ice, water? Something to eat?" She chuckled softly, reaching for him.
"No, just you here, with me." She said, as he joined her on the bed, shifting until she sat between his legs, his hands slowly working on her back. "With us." She sighed, laying her head back on his shoulder, her hands gently cradling her belly. He smiled softly, pressing a kiss to her head. She whimpered as another contraction took hold, leaning forward in an attempt to escape the pain. "Oh God, Tim, it hurts."
"I know it does, Ziver. But remember your classes? Breathe through the pain." She did as told, laying her head back against his shoulder. He held her close, only pulling away when his phone rang. He glanced at Ziva. "It's Gibbs." She nodded.
"Answer it. Let him know what is going on." He quickly answered, rubbing Ziva's back. "Gibbs?"
"Finally! What the hell is going on, McGee? I've been trying to reach you and Ziver for over an hour-"
"We've been preoccupied, Boss."
"What do you mean?" Gibbs demanded, but Tim cut him off.
"Ziva's gone into labor. We got to the birth center little under an hour ago. Daisy checked us in, but we haven't seen Eleanor yet. Something doesn't feel right. Eleanor should be in here, but we haven't seen her-"
"Something is wrong, McGee!" Gibbs snapped, gesturing at Tony to look up the address. The senior agent did as told, quickly pulling it up and getting the coordinates.
"What is he talking about?" Ziva asked, groaning as another contraction hit.
"He hasn't said." Tim replied.
"Listen to me, McGee! Tim! The receptionist is the killer! Daisy is the one that killed those women! She can't have children of her own, so she started killing to catch our attention. She's focused on Ziva! Tony and I searched her apartment, she has hundreds of photographs of the two of you- that's why she left those bodies- it was a diversion! She wants your baby girl-" As Gibbs had talked, Tim had slipped out of the room so as not to put more stress on Ziva, leaving her alone; he didn't notice Daisy following him.
"Sorry, I didn't want to worry Ziver, she's got enough on her plate as is, with labor having started. Now, what did you say?"
"You left her alone?" Gibbs snapped. "No, Tim, I'm ordering you- you do not let Ziva out of your sight, you hear me? You do not leave Ziva alone! That's what Daisy wants! She's planning on-" But the line had cut off. "Damn it!" Gibbs turned to Tony.
"Get the car, DiNozzo." He said, heading for th elevator, Tony following.
