Per the usual disclaimer, GG and DPB own NCIS...but I'm bringing the characters out to play!

This story picks up a few years after my story M.O.A.S. leaves off. You don't need to read that story to understand this one, but you should a.) check out that story if you haven't already, and b.) know that Tony and Ziva are married and have a 7 year old daughter, Jordan, a 4 year old daughter, Maya, and a 2 year old son, Asher.

Tony leaned closely to his computer screen, squinting his eyes tightly as he attempted to read the words on the itor. A wad of paper sailed across the bullpen and smacked him in the temple, followed by his wife's laughter, "Would you please just make an appointment to see the ophthalmologist!"

He turned to face her, his eyes still squinted as he barked, "My eyes are fine!"

"Oh, are they now? How many fingers am I holding up?"

He squinted his eyes tighter and leaned forward at Ziva's form before relaxing his eyes and sitting back in his chair, "You know, I don't have time for these games being that I'm a very special agent with lots of work to do."

Ziva smirked and sniggered, "Just as I thought! I am making you an appointment whether you like it or not!"

Tony turned back towards his monitor, leaning into it again as he hunted and pecked at keys on the keyboard, "By the way, Zi...that was not a very nice finger gesture you gave me..."

She laughed lightly, "Do not forget, it is your turn to pick up the kids from daycare today."

"Too late...I already had forgotten. What time is it?"

"4:30."

"Shoot! Let me save this report, and I'll go."

Tony quickly stuffed his belongings in his bag before reaching forward to push the power button, turning the monitor black. He walked into the side of his trashcan, stumbling forward towards Ziva's desk. McGee laughed loudly while Ziva bit her lip, literally biting back her laughter. He pulled himself upright, tugging at his suit jacket to straighten it out before throwing the strap of the bag over his shoulder and shouting, "My eyes are fine!"

He sat on the corner of Ziva's desk, fiddling with his sunglasses as he spoke to her, "You picking up the pizza for DiNozzo Family Movie Night?"

Ziva looked up at him smiling, "Of course. A large with the works and a large cheese."

He leaned down, kissing her warmly before whispering in her ear, "I love you."

She cupped his cheek lightly, murmuring, "I love you, too. Now hurry, or we are going to have to pay for an extra hour of daycare..."

He winked as he pulled away from her touch, running for the elevator as he heard the familiar ding, "Hey! Hold the elevator!"

XXX

Gibbs strode into the bullpen, "Ziver, McGee...grab your gear. Got a missing Petty Officer."

Ziva looked at her watch as they filed into the elevator. Dinner was going to be late. It wouldn't be the first time, and definitely would not be the last. She pulled out her phone to text Tony as they elevator descended. Caught a case. Will call when I have a better idea of when I will be home.

Need me? I can drop the kids at the sitter's.

Missing Petty Officer. Probably went AWOL. We have it. See you soon.

As their car pulled in front of the Petty Officer's home, Gibbs, McGee, and Ziva could all sense that something was not right. The windows to the house were all shut and the shades were drawn despite the unseasonably warm early Spring day. There was a car erratically parked in the drive way, with the trunk and driver's side door open. They silently exited their vehicle, pulling their guns from their holsters. Reaching the top of the walkway Gibbs whispered to them, "You two take the back."

McGee spoke, "We're in position boss."

Gibbs knocked on the door, waiting for a response. Not getting one he spoke, "On my count McGee."

McGee turned to Ziva, nodding to let her know they would be entering the house in a mere moment. McGee mimicked the countdown with his hands to Ziva as he heard Gibbs voice in his ear, "One...Two...Three..."

Ziva kicked the door in with the curt nod of McGee's head, sweeping the room with her eyes and gun as he followed her into the house. Gibbs could be heard shouting clear as he swept and searched rooms. Ziva and McGee turned into the kitchen, caught off guard by the large framed man pointing a gun at them. McGee shouted, "Federal Agent! Drop your weapon!"

Gibbs ran for the back of the house as the stagnant air was suddenly filled with the sound of voices and gunfire ringing out.

XXX

Tony unlocked his phone, checking for missed calls and text messages again. It was now 8:30 and he hadn't heard a peep from his wife in almost three hours. Maya and Jordan sat in front of the television watching Cinderella with pizza, and Asher loudly pounded a toy hammer onto the floor while he paced between the kitchen and dining room before deciding to call her, "Daddy'll be right back, okay?"

Jordan and Maya nodded as Tony stepped out of the house and onto the front porch, dialing his wife's number and waiting impatiently as it rang and went to voicemail, "Zi...We, uh...we haven't heard from you in a while. Just checking in. I know you are probably busy, but just shoot me a text or..."

Tony ended the call as a woman in a Navy uniform exited a vehicle in front of their house. He opened the front door, peeking through the crack to make sure the kids were still entertained as he turned his attention to the stranger. His stomach turned to knots and his dinner was perilously sitting at the back of his throat. There had been times he had been the one making these visits to strangers' homes, letting them know their loved ones would not be coming home again. He knew the somber look on the woman's face all too well as she approached, "Agent DiNozzo?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm sorry to call on you at this hour. I'm Chaplain Robinson. Agent DiNozzo, is there somewhere we can speak?"

"What is this about?"

The chaplain removed her cover, fiddling with it in her hands as her eyes met his, "Agent DiNozzo, there has been an accident...involving your wife."