Chapter Eleven

Tony reached Ziva in time to see her being loaded into the ambulance. He pushed his way past people and guards and reached the doors before they closed.

"I'm coming with her," he demanded.

The EMT looked at him with an expression of doubt: "Who are you?"

He flashed his badge: "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. I'm here boyfriends and I believer her life may still be in danger."

He nodded and Tony got into the back of the ambulance and shut the doors. Looking down at Ziva he saw the EMT adjusting an IV, that was in her right arm. She looked at him and smiled.

"I got shot this time," she mumbled.

"How is she?" Tony asked the EMT.

"GSW on her left side, through and through. They have to take her into surgery to check on what kind of damage was done. She stable now," he said.

He moved aside to let Tony get close to her. Taking her right hand his both his hands, he whispered in her ear: "You know I already said say to the marriage, so you didn't have to make such a grand gesture. Very Kevin Costner in My Bodyguard."

"Does that make you the woman?" she smiled.

"Very funny," he said the he leaned in right next to ear. "I love you."

NCIS

Gibbs arrived at the ER waiting room of Georgetown Hospital to see Tony pacing back and forth. He walked up to him and stood in front of him to force him to stop pacing.

"You are going to wear yourself out, DiNozzo. Pace yourself," he said.

"That bullet was meant for me," he stared into his mentor's eyes. "She shouldn't have pushed me aside."

Gibbs slapped the back of his head then said: "She loves you. Why? I'm not sure, but she does."

"You have bastard who shot her?" he asked.

"Stan and McGee aren't leaving his side. The second they can they are taking him to back to NCIS for interrogation," said Gibbs.

"Unless we take him," said Fornell, who entered the waiting room.

"Don't recommend it, Tobias," said Gibbs. "He belongs to us."

Gibbs turned and faced him.

"I'll agree to that if we are there for it," said Fornell.

"Done," agreed Gibbs.

A doctor entered the waiting room and looked around. Besides Tony, Gibbs, and Fornell there were several other people.

"Family of Ziva David?" he inquired.

"I'm here boyfriend," Tony said drawing a raised eyebrow from Fornell.

"And I'm here boss," added Gibbs.

"Either of you her next of kin officially?" he asked.

Before anyone could answer Tony dramatically put his hands on his hips and in doing so pushed back his suit jacket to show the doctor his Sig Sauer.

"Forget I asked that," he said. "She is in post op and recovering fine. She had some tissue and muscle damage but luckily the bullet missed anything too important."

"It didn't miss her," growled Tony.

"Down boy," said Gibbs with a smile.

"She'll be in a private room in two hours. Until then I recommend you get coffee or something," the doctor said then he made an exit.

"I'll take DiNozzo to the cafeteria for a coffee and bagel," said Fornell.

"I'll call Abby and Ducky and meet you there," said Gibbs.

NCIS

He entered her room and she was still groggy from all the drugs she'd been given. Tony stood silently and stared at her peaceful face as she seemingly slept. Slightly paler then her usually coloring, she still looked like the most beautiful creature alive to him.

"Either kiss me or take my hand, but just don't stand there," she said without opening her eyes.

"That's my ninja," he said.

He walked over to the side of the bed, leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You have to stop saving my life," he said.

"I still owe you for saving mine," she smiled.

He grabbed a chair and sat down beside her bed.

"Abby, Ducky, Gibbs and everyone want to see you, are you up or it?" he asked her.

"I'd rather just see you right this moment," she lifted her left hand for him to hold.

He grabbed it like a greed child grabbing a toy and held it.

"I hope they'll understand," she mumbled. "Tired."

"Sleep. They'll understand. You need to sleep, my love," he said.

"Okay," she said then she opened her eyes. "You'll be here when I wake up."

"I'm on protection duty. I'm not going anywhere," he said.

"Good," she smiled and drifted off to sleep.

NCIS

He left Ziva in the competent hands of Ducky, Abby, and Jimmy, who swore they wouldn't leave her until he returned. Gibbs had called to let him know that Kalil was being taking into interrogation today. He had to be there for that.

As he arrived in the observation room, Stan, McGee, Fornell, and Sacks along with Vance were already staring at Kalil through the two way. When he entered they all looked at him.

"Agent DiNozzo, are you back on duty?" Vance asked.

"If that is what it takes for me to be here right now, yes," he answered defensively.

"It was just a question," said Vance, who knew that he had a long way to go to build up any trust with DiNozzo. He was in the room when SecNav ruined his life and he didn't do anything to stop it until the damage was done.

"Where's Gibbs?" he asked.

"Preparing," answered Stan.

"He hasn't said anything during his time in the hospital?" asked Tony.

"He's a tough nut to crack, Tony," said McGee.

"You just need the right tool and it isn't Gibbs; it's me," said Tony.

"Really, DiNutso, why?" asked Fornell.

"Because he came to kill me. I can get under his skin," Tony said.

"I agree," said Gibbs, who was now standing behind Tony.

Tony almost jumped off the ground from surprise, which brought a smile to everyone's face.

"He needs to be on active duty to interrogate a witness," said Vance.

"So, activate him and put him back on my team," said Gibbs.

"I've got a better idea, if you are willing to hear me out, Agent DiNozzo," said Vance.

"Yes, sir."

"I have yet to replace my deputy director. I can activate you and make you the acting deputy director until we figure things out," offered Vance.

"Yes, that's a little above my pay level," he said.

"DiNozzo, you spent almost a year undercover turning yourself into a hot shot arms dealer. I think you can handle this. Do you accept my offer?" Vance asked.

"I accept," he said.

"Here," Gibbs slapped Kalil's file into his stomach, "go get him, Deputy Director."

Tony took the file and exited the room. He reappeared in a matter of moments in the interrogation room. The moment he saw him Kalil got agitated.

"You are here," he spat.

"Hey, Kev, how are you doing? My name is Tony," Tony smiled and sat across from him.

"I've never see DiNozzo interrogate someone," said Stan.

"Get the popcorn. He's put on a show," said Vance drawing a smile from Gibbs.

"Kev, why don't you like me?" he asked Kalil.

"My name is not Kevin," he said.

"It says right here," Tony said showing him his file. "Kevin. It's your Christian name."

"I converted to Islam," said Kalil.

"Not in the file, so I can't believe you. Do you have proof? Maybe a secret decoder ring or maybe the names and location of those you affiliate with so I can ask them if you're Muslim or not," smiled Tony.

"You are trying to make a fool out of me," said Kalil.

"Nay, you'll do that yourself. You already proved you can't shot the right person," chuckled Tony.

"I shot your woman," said Kalil.

"She is fine," said Tony then he smiled a licentious smile. "She's really fine."

"Remind me to slap his head for that," said Gibbs, as he watched his agent.

"So, you waved a lawyer, further proof you're not Einstein," smiled Tony.

"I don't need a lawyer," said Kalil.

"From what I can tell you need small arms practice and a lawyer," laughed Tony, goading him a little more.

He could tell from the color in Kalil's face he was getting closer and closer to losing his temper.

"So, Kev..."

"Kevin is not my name. It is Kalil."

Tony showed him the file again: "Kev, I've got to go with what I have. You're Kevin Greene, traitor to your country and bon vivant."

"I should have killed you," he growled.

"Should have, but you missed. Nay, nay, nay, naaay," he smiled. "I'm hard to kill. I'm sort of like John McClane, except I have more hair than Bruce Willis. And better looking. Oh, and more charming. You find me charming, don't you, Kevin?"

"Smug bastard. No wonder Karim wants you dead," he spat.

Tony smiled and laughed: "This is over Tabil's death. Kev, I didn't kill him. Gibbs did."

Tony got up and walked out of the interrogation leaving a pissed of Kalil.

"Wow, that was entertaining," said Stan.

"That's DiNozzo," chuckled Gibbs.

NCIS

The FBI and NCIS went on a nationwide hunt for Karim. He was discovered hiding in Brooklyn, New York with FBI getting credit for his arrest. Gitmo was still open, so Karim had a cell waiting for him there. Tony didn't care who got the credit just as long as he was caught. Ziva was released from the hospital and was giving desk duty until cleared by Ducky.

It was her first day back when she came into the bullpen to see Stan and McGee joking and Gibbs ignoring them. Tony had left two hours ahead of her for work because Vance had given the duty of making the rounds with field officers in MTAC.

"Hey, Ziva, you looking good," said McGee.

She smiled. Before she left she had a call from her doctor, who had run some blood tests on her because she was feeling a little off. His news made her feel very good.

"Where is Tony?" she asked.

"MTAC," answered Gibbs.

She got up and walked over to Gibbs desk and asked in a low voice: "How is he doing?"

"Fine," he answered looking up at him.

"And Vance?" she asked.

"He told me that DiNozzo has done nothing but surprise for two weeks. He wants to remove the temporary, but he's afraid Tony will say no," Gibbs confided in her.

"He will not refuse. He will want the job," she said.

"How do you know?" asked Gibbs.

"I know," she said then she looked up and saw Tony standing on the mezzanine landing staring down at her. He was in a Brioni charcoal grey three piece suit with a light blue shirt and black silk tie.

"I need to talk to him," she said then she slowly made her way up to the mezzanine.

Walking over to Tony she motioned him to lean down a bit so she could whisper in his ear. Vance exited his office in time to witness his temporary deputy director and Agent David.

"The doctor told me I am pregnant," she whispered in his ear.

If he needed proof that redemption exists he had just being given empirical proof. A big smile lit up his face. Vance looked over at him. And Tony grinned at him.

"Ziva's pregnant," he said.

"Congratulations, DiNozzo. Can I see you in my office right this moment?" Vance asked him.

Tony lifted Ziva in his arms and kissed her.

"I'll be done in the bullpen in a moment," he said.

She walked down the stairs under the watchful eye of Gibbs.

"I am pregnant, Gibbs," she said.

"Congratulations, Ziva," he smiled.

"Oh, no, a little DiNozzo," said McGee.

"Speak well of my child, Tim, or I'll have to hurt you," she warned him.

"You'll make a great mother, Ziva," said Stan.

Tony came bounding down the stairs. The smile that appeared on his face earlier was still there. Gibbs looked at him and shook his head. His agent, his boy, had finally grown up.

"I'm no longer temporary deputy director," Tony said.

"Do you need your desk back?" asked Stan hopefully.

"No, I have an office," laughed Tony. "I am the deputy director, no more temporary."

"Ahuvi, now that you have knocked me up when are we getting married?" Ziva asked.

"Whenever you want, my love," Tony said.

"I'll get back to work. This isn't a playpen, it's a bullpen," Gibbs ordered.

"Be good to her, boss, you have to walk her down the aisle soon," said Tony. "Now, I'm due back in MTAC."

Tony walked back up the stairs and disappeared into MTAC. Ziva watched him as he went. Gibbs looked over at her.

"Walk you down the aisle?" he asked.

"Yes, Gibbs," she smiled.

"When?"

"Soon," she answered.