Ziva David was a very private person. Although she had hosted a party for her co-workers at her place there were things she was hiding. Things not many in the world knew. She had learned to make a point to keep her work life separate from her home life. She did it quite well too. Although her specialty was interrogation she was a relatively lax person off the job. That was as long as you didn't mess with her. She was a no nonsense, take no prisoners type of person, unti she got home. When she got home she was completely different. And for good reason.

Ziva rolled over and hit the alarm clock off. She rubbed her eyes got out of bed and walked over to the other side as she did every morning. She picked up a little body wearing blue p.j.'s with planets on them. He opened his eyes just as they entered his room.

"Alijah wake up baby." She says softly as she plopped the little boy down in his own bed.
"No."
"You have to get dressed and then you can go back to sleep."
"I don't want to." He protested.
"Don't make mommy dress you."
"Fine."
"I'm going to go get ready for work will you be dressed by the time I get done?"
"Yes." The little boy pouted sluggishly.

15 minutes later Ziva was showered and dressed. She went into the little boy's room. He wasn't in there. She found him in the kitchen. She sat across the table from him. His big brown eyes just stared at her.
"What do you want to eat kiddo?"
"Cheerios."
"I can do that." Ziva pours a bowl of cereal and gives it to the little boy.
"Thank you." He smiles as she hands it to him. She brushes his dark brown hair to the side.
"I thought that we said you were going to sleep in your own bed." Ziva lectures from across the table.
"But I got scared." He replies sadly.
"Did you hear something again?" She wonders.
"Uh huh."
"I thought mommy told you that it's your imagination."
"But..."
"I know I used to let you sleep with me before we moved, but you're safe now. You're a big boy now. No one can get to you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Alijah."
"I'm done."
"Ok let's go."
Ziva drops Alijah off at day care and goes to work.
Later on in the day:
"So Ziva I was wondering if I could take you to a movie tonight." Tony hounds just before she leaves.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I have other things to do."
"Like what?"
"Does it matter? I said no. That's the end of it."
"Fine."
"I've got to go."

8 P.M.:
Ziva is in Alijah's room reading him a book.
"Mommy why can't I have a kitty."
"Because you're three."
"But I like kitties. They're furry."
"I know, but you aren't allowed to have one."
"Why?"
"I just told you why."
"But I'm a big boy."
"A big boy with allergies."
"What are those?"
"Uh, well they make you sneeze when you're around cats."
"Oh."
"Goodnight. And stay in your own bed." Ziva commands as she kisses Alijah on the cheek.
"What if something comes out from under my bed?"
"There's nothing under your bed now go to sleep." Ziva begs as she flips off his light and shuts the door.
Just as she begins to head toward the bathroom to take a shower there's a knock on the door.
"Ugh." She groans as she pretends to ignore it.
"Ziva I know you're in there. I can see the lights." Tony accuses from the other side of the door.
"You've got to be kidding me." She says under her breath.
"Let me in." He demands as he continues to knock.
"I'm coming." She calls as she approaches the door.
"Good."
"What do you want?" She snaps after opening the door.
"I brought you dinner."
"I already ate." Ziva lies.
"But I didn't."
"So then go home and eat."
"But I thought I would share my cooking with you."
"I'm not hungry, and I am tired. Please leave."
"Why are you hiding your boyfriend here."
"Ha ha."
"Can I come in?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"My cat's trying to sleep."
"You don't have a cat."
"Yes I do."
"Even if you did have a cat why would you care if I disturbed it?"
"Because it's a very vicious cat. It might wake up and eat you."
"Eat and I'll leave you alone."
"Go away and I won't break your legs."
"Mommy I'm thirsty." Alijah says as he comes out of his room, and approaches Ziva.
Tony doesn't say anything.
She gets him a glass of water. "Now please go back to bed."
"Mommy who is that?"
"I'll tell you later." She replies.
"Ok." The little boy whispers.
"Go to sleep this time." Ziva calls as the little boy walks back to his room. He goes in and shuts his door.
"Uh." Tony grunts.
"Come in, sit down." Ziva directs as she shuts the door behind Tony.
"Mommy?EitherI'm imagining things oryou have a kid. Was that your kid?" Tony asks as they sit down at the table.
"Uh huh."
"Could you elaborate on that?"
"If you promise not to tell anyone. I mean anyone about this, I will."
"Ok. I swear."
"No one. No one will ever know."
"Are you ashamed of him or something?"
"No not at all, I just want to protect him."
"So how old is he?"
"Three."
"Would you care for a bite?" Tony asks politely.
"Sure."
"So..."
"Four years ago I was undercover, and I let my work life cross over into my home life. It ends up that I was sleeping with the enemy. I didn't mean for it to happen. But I had been undercover for months. I spent every minute with the guy. He got to me I guess. Then I caught him red handed, and threw him in prison."
"How long?"
"It was supposed to be 25 to life, but the prison exploded, so I guess it was life."
"Continue."
"So then I found out that I was pregnant. I think it was the only time in my life that I was unsure of myself. I had been trained to be confident and self reliant. I was never very maternal either. I realized that this was something I actually wanted. Then on Christmas 2003 Alijah was born."
"So why did you keep doing such a dangerous job?"
"I thought that it was the one job that I could do that would protect my kid."
"So why did you keep it a secret?"
"Because I didn't want my work life to affect my personal life. I knew that if everyone at work knew they wouldn't let me do everything that I do."
"What if something happens to you?"
"Alijah goes to my sister."
"You have a sister?"
"Yes. She lives in Florida with her husband. They've lived there for 5 or 6 years."
"Oh."
"Tony please don't tell anyone."
"I won't."
"Thank you."
"It must be tough though."
"What must be tough?"
"Raising a kid by yourself."
"Not really."
"So what do you do with Alijah when you're at work?"
"He goes to daycare."
"You work pretty long hours sometimes."
"Alijah doesn't really mind, he likes when I work late because then he gets to eat out, and stay up late."
Tony was shocked by this revelation. Shocked that Ziva would tell him all of this. He didn't think that she'd open up to him. He was glad that she did though.
"Why don't I take the two of you to a movie next weekend?"
"What kind of movie? Alijah's three."
"We can go see a kiddie movie."
"I don't know."
"Come on how often do you two get out."
"No often."
"Please."
"Fine, but you will tell no one."
"I know."
Ziva was relived that she could tell someone her secret. She was relieved to get such a big thing off of her chest. She was glad that someone knew in case something happened to her. She didn't think anything would happen to her, but her life had flashed before her eyes too many times to be sure.