AJ and Palmer

Now we all pretty much envied AJ and Palmer. At least those of who had teenagers. Kate, Ziva and I all wished our kids were babies again, Ziva and I were more wishful in that area since we were mothers of college freshmen. Despite the circumstances behind Hannah, Leah and JD being home from college; it was comforting to have all my girls under one roof. I knew that Ziva felt the same way.
I was still a bit overwhelmed by losing Cassie, I was still not myself. Nick tried to comfort me as much as he could, Ducky and Jen assured me that things would get better in time while Jethro hovered nearby in the protective brother-in-law mode. But as the days progressed I knew that both Jen and Ducky were wrong, by the next time we lost one of our own; it wouldn’t be easy at all. But I had to hold my own; I was the head of an armed federal agency after all. There was one downside though, JD was also hovering.
I had to constantly remind her that I was six months pregnant and that this was my third pregnancy, not my first. I also had to remind her that I hated being treated like a precious china doll. Anyway, besides the insanity outside the office there was bit of insanity at the agency. Jen, Jethro and Ducky had returned to their retirement following the memorial. Which meant we had to readjust.
The first day back after the memorial, I had a major workload, agents and specialists coming to me every ten minutes. First AJ came to me to brief me on a case she had gotten. Tony came up shortly afterwards to tell me the progress they had made trying to find who killed Cassie. Palmer came afterwards feeling overwhelmed. But the one thing that lightened everyone’s mood was seeing little Ryan. AJ and Palmer had brought RJ into the office for the day since they couldn’t find a sitter. So we all took turns watching Ryan. At noon it was my turn to watch little RJ. Abby had brought him to me just as Palmer was leaving my office. Of course they had past each other and Ryan cooed at Palmer when he saw his dad.
“Here ya go Director, he’s all yours.” Abby said as she gave Ryan to me before she set down his diaper bag.
“Thank – you, Abby.”
“I just changed his diaper before we came up and he’s due for a bottle soon.”
“I’m on it.”
Abby returned to her lab as I took a break from everything to play with Ryan. I sat on the floor with Ryan. After a while Ryan turned to me and placed one of his little toddler hands on my baby bump.
“Baby.” Ryan said.
“Yes, there’s a baby in there. Your cousin Jayla is in there.” I said.
With that I decided that I needed to get away from the office for awhile. Just as Jethro had his own nickname for Leah, I had my own nickname for Ryan.
“RJ, do you wanna go shopping with me?” I asked as I stood up and picked him up.
Ryan nodded yes.
“Okay then, let’s tell your mommy and daddy so they don’t freak out.” I said as I called AJ and Palmer while balancing Ryan on my hip.
After I got off the phone with AJ and Palmer, I had to choose who was going to be my protection detail. I learned quickly from Jen and my other predecessors that it was virtually impossible for the Director of NCIS to go anywhere without there be some sort of risk involved, now with the pregnancy and having Ryan with me; I couldn’t take any chances.
“Okay your mommy and daddy are fine with us going shopping. Now Auntie Jay just has to figure out will be our protection detail.”
“Auntie Z and Auntie Kate.” Ryan said in his little toddler voice.
I laughed slightly at Ryan, ever since JD was born all the kids with the exception of Hannah and Leah; called Ziva, Auntie Z. I had always found it entertaining that they had found it harder to say Ziva then they did when it came to saying Kate.
“Auntie Z and Auntie Kate it is.” I said as I picked up the diaper bag and we left my office for the squad room.
“What’s going on Director?” Tony asked.
“Ryan and I are going shopping.”
“Ah, you’re gonna need two agents to go with you.” McGee said.
“No sh…..” I caught myself before I finished.
Ryan was at the age where he soaked everything that was uttered up like a sponge.
“I know that.”
“So who is on the detail?” Tony asked as he grabbed his gun out of his desk draw in anticipation.
“Sit back down, Tony. Ryan wants Ziva and Kate on the detail.”
Tony came over to Ryan and me.
“Hey little man, I thought we were tight?” Tony said to Ryan.
Kate, Ziva and I rolled our eyes at that point.
“Auntie Z and Auntie Kate are cool.” Ryan said.
“And Uncle Tony isn’t?”
“Give it a rest, hun.” Ziva said.
“Yeah, Tony; give it a rest.” Kate seconded.
Within seconds Kate was at my side with her gun, ready to go. Ziva was about to join us but was stopped when she walked by Tony.
“Be safe.” Tony said as he leaned in for a kiss.
“Always am.” Ziva said in response once they parted.
“Love ya my crazy little ninja.”
With that Ziva leaned in for another quick kiss just to shut Tony up.
“Okay pregnant lady with a toddler wants to leave.” I said; clearly my impatient side was starting show.
Once we got to the car I had Ziva start the car while Kate put Ryan in his car seat as I got in the car. Meanwhile as we left the Navy Yard AJ met up with Palmer in Autopsy.
“Jimmy.” AJ said after the doors closed behind her.
“What’s goin on?” Palmer asked.
“Oh nothing, just need a little break. Wanted to see you. And with all the quietness I miss Ryan.”
“He’s in good hands, AJ.”
“If you saw so.”
“I do.”
“Promise me one thing?” AJ asked.
“Sure.”
“Forever and For Always.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Palmer answered as he kissed AJ.