A/N: This is my first try at a one-shot-hope you like it! :)
He remembered that moment all too well.
The pulsing veins.
Sweaty palms.
Shaky hands.
It was crystal clear in his mind.
Navy Lieutenant Commander Melanie Burke was by his side, egging him on, daring him to face his greatest fear. He swore that he wasn't afraid of anything-that he was a DiNozzo-and DiNozzo's don't show fear.
I mean come on, he had already faced death's doorstep. He traveled across the globe to get his teammate back, surviving the many torturous nights which that entailed, both in D.C. and Somalia. He had partners, teammates, and friends, all come and go. They were there one day and gone the next. He had seen it all, dealt with it, and did his best to move on.
He wasn't terrified of anything.
Or at least that's what he tried to tell himself.
But then he realized that all that lay between him and his fears was a door. A door that kept his greatest fear at bay, trapping it inside four walls.
Tony cringed when he stared through the little window at the contents of the room. His mind told him to run, to find a way to talk himself out of this horrible experience. But he couldn't. He had to face his fears head on, and get it over with to appease the Lieutenant Commander.
And so he gritted his teeth and braced himself as the barrier between him and his greatest fear was swung open and he was left unprotected.
Shifting the little bundle in his arms, he chuckled to himself as he recalled that day. What he was terrified of then, he embraced with open arms now.
How could he not? The little face, precious eyes, and tiny toes wrapped up in a soft pink blanket which now rested in his arms was too much for even his stoic personality to handle.
A tear ran down his cheek as he embraced his daughter for the first time since they were introduced eight months ago. Though she was only a few minutes old, he instantly couldn't comprehend a life without her. And to think this tiny person would have caused such angst in his life only a few years prior.
Things were different now.
Yes, he still had fears, but now he didn't have to face them alone.
Someone had his back no matter what.
And that made all the difference.
He glanced down at his beautiful Israeli bride, the mother of his child, and caught her beaming up at him, sweaty hair still sticking to her face. She was as gorgeous as the day he met her and he knew they would face all the challenges the world threw at them together.
That's what wiped the fear away. That's what let him look again into his daughter's eyes and feel the pride, protection, and abundant love welling up in him like any father should.
This fear was defeated and his family was a trio now.
He wouldn't have it any other way.
A/N: So what did you think? Please drop me a review and tell me how I can improve! :)