Disclaimer: I Do Not Own NCIS Or Any Of Its Characters!

Plot To This Story Is ALL Mine Though!

A|N: This story is the 'prequel' to my other story "Not Easily Broken". If you haven't read it, you should! I thought it was pretty good! LoL! Anyhoo, here we are on the journey to reconnecting TIVA post 13x24. This is my shot at adding to the many theories of what Tony did once he left NCIS to raise Tali. Eventually, they get reunited with Ziva as we are all still secretly waiting for. Please, be patient though. I haven't written this the way most do by having Tony find Ziva in the first few chapters. There is some buildup that needs to happen ... a slow burn, if you will. Soooo, yeah, think I've talked enough. Enjoy!

"EVERYTHING"

Chapter I - Thoughts & Decisions

What am I even doing?

He looked over at his sleeping daughter and let out a sad sigh. They had only been in Israel for one day and he couldn't help but wonder if leaving Washington, DC to raise her on his own was the right decision. Was it smart to take on the responsibility of being a single father so far away from everyone who would have undoubtedly been there to help him?

Maybe we should go back ...

Sure his NCIS family would welcome him home with open arms and they were already in love with his child. Afterall, he hadn't rented a place in Tel Aviv yet and he still had his place back in DC. They could stay in this hotel for a week as a little vacation then go back to his home.

Or we could just stay ...

Truth was, nothing felt right anymore. For the first time in a long time he was lost, and that scared him immensely. His other option was Paris but, after he packed up his things back home, he couldn't bring himself to even consider going there again. Yeah, he told Gibbs they'd go there after visiting Israel for a while but Paris was their place ... his and the love of his life ... there was no point in going if it was only going to serve as a reminder of what never was and what never could be now that she was dead. That's where they first truly gave into their feelings, had their first date, made love for the first time but then they had to go back home and never really had that chance to continue on with the bliss that Paris had brought them. It became bittersweet so, no, Paris was no longer an option. At least in Israel something good came from their encounter and that good thing was the two year old laying just a few feet away from him.

I'm her everything now ...

A buzzing from his pocket drew him from his thoughts. He pulled out his cell and looked at the caller ID: 'Orli Elbaz'. He pondered whether to answer or not, but ultimately decided to see what the Mossad Director could possibly want. He hit 'accept' to answer the call but didn't say hello.

"Agent DiNozzo, are you there?"

"It's just Tony now Orli. I'm not an agent anymore", he corrected.

"Right, I knew that. It is just old habits, you know? I assume you and Tali have had enough time to settle in and rest here in Tel Aviv so ..."

"We've only been here for 24 hours", he interrupted in disbelief. "How did you know we were here?"

Orli let out a small chuckle, "You said yourself a few days ago that Mossad knows everything, did you not? You and Tali are both on a list for Mossad to be alerted if you travel to Israel. I assumed it would take you a little longer to step foot on Israeli soil, to be honest. But, I am glad that you have come."

"Why are we on a list? And what made you assume we'd be coming here anyway for you to even put us on said alert list?"

"It is merely for your protection. Ziva asked me to do it after Tali was born just in case something ever happened to her so you and your daughter would always be safe and protected here."

Tony was confused and a little flustered by the mention of Ziva. "Protected? By Mossad? Tali, yeah sure, I understand. But why me?"

"I understand your reservations, but I am being honest with you. Ziva put a plan in place to make sure you'd always be protected and have the support you needed for Tali. Her love for both you and your daughter has always made her to think ahead about your future needs. And, with that in mind, I needed you to come to Israel eventually for a matter of personal business so your arrival is perfect."

"What kind of personal business that you couldn't just tell me when we were in DC?"

"Please, just come to Mossad headquarters. We will discuss it when you get here. There will be a car waiting for you directly outside your hotel in an hour to escort you. I will see you soon, Tony."

Before Tony could utter another word, the call was ended. He raked his hand through his hair and sighed, wondering what Orli could possibly want. He couldn't help but feel a heaviness in his heart at the thought of what Ziva must have felt seemingly making plans for her death. It struck a nerve in him that led him to believe that maybe she felt the end was near. But then, why wouldn't she have reached out to him? It just hurt him all the more. Eventually, he shook his current thoughts and took a few deep breaths to ease his anxiety. This 'matter of personal business' at Mossad headquarters wasn't something he was looking forward to, but still he got up to get himself and Tali ready to make the visit.

Lifting his daughter, he spoke gently, "Come on Talikins, we have to get dressed."

Tali slowly began to wake as he pulled her off the bed and into his arms. "Nooooo", the two year old whined. Tony couldn't help but to chuckle at her defiance. It reminded him of Ziva on more than one occasion when he had to wake her from a peaceful nap.

"Yes, Tali. We have to go to Mossad and see Orli." He didn't really know why he was talking to her as if she would understand.

Of course she doesn't understand. She's only two! Come on DiNozzo, you can't expect her to really know ...

Surprisingly, his thoughts were wrong. Apparently, Tali did understand and she knew exactly what going to Mossad meant.

"Ima!" She shouted in excitement and suddenly was wide awake. "Mossad help Ima!"

Tony looked at her in awe. All he could do was nod his head and sigh, "Yes babygirl, Mossad has helped Ima and they want to talk to us about her. Let's get dressed now, okay?"

"Okay Abba! Ima's at Mossad?"

Then again, maybe Tali didn't understand. Tony's heart sank as he decided to not answer the toddler's question. He didn't have it in him to tell her that Ima wasn't actually at Mossad. He couldn't bring himself to say that her mother was dead, burned in the fire that she herself had somehow managed to escaped. It was too much for him to take.

Can I really do this?

He doubted that he could. What was the protocol on how father's told their daughter's that their mother would never return? There was no handbook for this sort of situation. No amount of training as a detective in Baltimore or an agent at NCIS could have ever prepared him for this moment. The moment where he felt completely lost and unable to solve the problem. There was no solution.

Death is permanent, right?

That's when he decided that he would never be able to tell Tali about her mother outright. At least not now. Not when she was still so small and so unbelievably fragile. It was just too cruel and harsh. Orli had said that she knows that her mother is away, so he'll keep reminding her that Ziva is just away. Like on a mission. Yeah, that was his decision.

Just keep telling her that Ima is on a mission. She doesn't need to know the truth. Not yet.

So, how do y'all feel about this start? Let me know in a review!

Next chapter coming in a bit, predicated on if y'all want me to continue.

Soooo yeah, let me know! Later peeps!

- Chide