The next few weeks passed by pretty uneventfully. Charity was now six weeks from delivery and her stomach and ankles were swelling. AJ was also becoming more active, kicking and stretching in her womb. On this particular day, Charity sat in a chair in Abby's lab, while Abby gave her the results of some of her recent testing.

"This strain of mold was on the rope around our Petty Officer's wrists and ankles." Abby said. "And it also matches the mold on the rope found in the cabin of the boat."

"So the killer used the tools available on the boat." Charity concluded.

Abby nodded. "I also found some skin cells on the rope that did not belong to our victim."

"Do you have a match?" Charity asked.

"Yes. The victim's sister, Lisa."

"Good work, Abs." Charity said. She then reached under the table and lifted up a CafPow.

"You are amazing." Abby said. "I'm going to have to train Stan when you're on maternity leave."

Charity smiled. Her smile faltered and her hand went to her rib cage.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Abby inquired.

"I'm fine. AJ just decided to put his foot in my rib cage."

Abby bent down and touched her hand to Charity's stomach. "Be nice to your mommy, AJ." She spoke to the unborn baby boy.

Charity couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, listen to your Aunt Abby."

A few minutes later, Charity and Ziva were in the car on the way to pick up their suspect. "How are you feeling, Charity?" Ziva asked, as she slowly drove the car, being careful considering what happened last time.

"I'm alright." Charity answered. "Until AJ decides he needs to move around and either stick his little foot in my ribcage or kick me in the kidneys."

Ziva nodded. "I've been kicked in the kidneys. It is not pleasant."

"Yeah, but at least that was not from the inside of your body."

Ziva chuckled slightly. Then the pair stayed silent for a while.

After about five minutes, Charity felt a pain coming from somewhere inside of her. "Owe."

"Is everything alright?" Ziva asked.

"Yeah." Charity answered. Then a few minutes later, she felt the pain again and sucked in a breath. "Son of a bitch."

"What's wrong?" Ziva asked, concern in her voice.

"Dammit. Get me to the hospital. I think I'm going into labor." She sucked in another breath as the pain hit her again. "And step on it."

Ziva nodded and her old driving habits kicked back in. She was spurred on by Charity fighting with pain. To help distract herself, Charity pulled out her cell phone and dialed Burley's number.

"Hey boss, what's up?"

"Get McGee and pick up our suspect." She ordered.

"Is everything okay, boss?" Burley asked, hearing the strain in her voice.

"Oh, everything is just fine. I'm just having a baby. Now finish up the case." She then hung up the phone. Charity then dialed Tony's cell number. After three rings, it went to voice mail. She decided to try Dan's number.

He answered after three rings. "Hey Charity. What's up?"

"Where's Tony?" She asked, sucking in a deep breath as another contraction hit.

"He's working undercover. Is everything alright?" Dan replied.

"Well, you better get his ass out of wherever it is he's and get him to the hospital because I'm pretty sure AJ is on his way."

Charity heard choking and coughing, followed by Dan clearing his throat. "Okay, I'll do what I can to get him there as quickly as possible."

"Thanks." Charity replied and then hung up the phone.

In another five minutes, Ziva was slamming on the breaks and putting the car into park in the hospital parking lot. She then got out and ran to the other side of the car and helped Charity out. She supported her as they walked into the hospital, as fast as Charity could move.

A nurse at her station near the entrance looked up at them. "Are you having a baby?" She asked, looking at Charity.

"No, I just came in here because I love hospitals and I have a giant tumor in my abdomen...of course I'm having a baby." Charity answered, feeling very cranky because of the pain.

The nurse just shrugged it off. "I just need some information."

"Well, I'm not due for another six weeks." Charity said, as she sucked in another breath.

Soon after that Charity was set up in a room. She was wearing one of those lovely hospital gowns, but she didn't care. She laid in the bed waiting for the doctor to come in. Ziva stood awkwardly to the side of the bed. "Well, I'll go back to work and help with the case." She said.

Charity found herself reaching up her hand and grabbing Ziva's arm. "Stay...at least until Tony gets here?" She asked.

Ziva looked into Charity's blue eyes and saw something there, that she had never seen in before: fear. Ziva nodded. "I'll stay."

"Thank you."

"Is there anything that I can do while I'm here?"

"You could hand me those ice chips." Charity answered.

Ziva grabbed the Styrofoam cup of ice and handed it to Charity. A couple of minutes later, the doctor entered the room. Ziva stepped aside as he pulled the curtain around and examined Charity.

"This baby is definitely coming today." The doctor told Charity.

"But it's six weeks early." Charity said.

"Everything seems to be alright. Delivering this early can be alright. There are risks, but I think everything will be alright in this case."

Charity nodded. "So, when do you think my sin will be making his big debut?"

"In the next few hours most likely. You're almost completely dilated. I'll be back in a little while to check on you."

Charity let out a long breath, praying that Tony would be there in time, as another contraction wracked her body. Ziva came over to her and grabbed Charity's hand, holding it. She looked at Charity, a silent promise being made that she would be there as long as Charity needed her. Charity squeezed Ziva;s hand back, as if to say thank you.