"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

William Shakespeare

We Are What We Are

Chapter 2

Genetics has its way of making its presence known to people. When Ziva was near her father, one can see the resemblance between father and daughter, right from the smirk and smile that can be just painfully arrogant at times... or most of the times to their body movements, strong and confident yet so very fluid. However similar these two are, nothing compares to Ziva David and this woman who just called her. Aside from the age difference and slight facial similarities, they could easily pass of as twins. Her mother too had a deep brown almost almond eye that connects with the curling of her thin yet defined lips and prominent cheekbones. She had a perfectly styled deep brown wavy hair with no hints of grey streaks along with a very elegant royal blue floor length dress. Now it was clear that ZIva David's stand was not inherited from her father but from her mother. They both share this air of confidence that gives off a statement that they both are smart, capable and strong women, who are definitely not intimidated by anyone, except maybe with each other. ZIva had always perfected composure and self restraint but her mother did not.

"Mama" It took her one deep breath and Ninety Five heartbeats just to say one simple but meaningful word, a word that she had thought of more and more every day and spoken of less. But right at this moment as much as she wanted to call out to her and say her name again and again, her body does not permit her, restricting her to the confines of her partner's proximity because maybe the inner child in her was still scared of her mama. Maybe that is why the woman took it upon herself to make the first contact. She reached for Ziva's hands and touched it as if to see if she was not imagining this. When she found that this is not an image at all, she held onto her hands as it they might just slip away from her. She took a deep breath to suppress a stubborn tear and smiled at her daughter.

"You should know that I missed you, and that I will hold your hand until I can feel that it wouldn't be like the last time." The woman was squeezing Ziva's hands to show her that she meant everything she just said.

"And how do you suggest I eat?" By now Ziva have regained her old self and found familiarity with her mother's hand that was warm and comforting, something that she always missed and lacked. She was her father's daughter and Tali was her mother's.

"Do you have any suggestions handsome?" She looked at Tony with admiring eyes roaming from head to toe, then looking at Ziva then raising an eyebrow and a playful smile. This gave Tony, who was now on the edge with this new discovery, a faint memory on the first time he met his partner. That was just so familiar! He could only give a wide smile at Ziva then her mother. But before Tony offer his idea, Ziva already spoke.

"Right, Mama, This is Tony DiNozzo." Tony shook her mother's other hand as the other was still holding her.

"And this is my mother Adira Ofer – David."

"Boyfriend?" Adira was raising an eyebrow at Ziva. And Tony's mouth was slightly open then he looked at Ziva waiting for her answer, which was immediately supplied in a slightly defensive manner that earned a smirk from both her mother and uncle.

"Partner"

"The same thing she told me. The same thing I told my father – in – law." A fact stated by the man as if to make a point. "I suggest that we get to our seats. When you get to my age, you will understand, eh?"

"ohh Tony understands. Don't you Tony?" She knows how her partner is easily affected when it comes to his age and everything that goes with it. Ziva watched him squirm and make a sarcastic smile when Adira glanced at him. They were all walking towards their table and Adira was still clutching her daughter's hand. As much as his childish annoyance at Ziva's attack on his age, he can't help but smile and be more than curious at the two women in front of him. He has always been curious when it comes to his partner, but even more now. Ziva was a fascinating subject for him, always entertaining and unpredictable. She can be a scary, intimidating and strong but there is also this sincere, caring and loyal side to her, something that she might have gotten from her mother, because Tony never felt it from Eli.

They were seated now in the luxuriously decorated table. Aside from the four of them, there three people sharing the same table. Ibrahim was on Adira's left side, Ziva was on her mother's right and Tony was on her's.

"I am not going anywhere Mama." Ziva whispered to her mother's ear.

"Alright, but it is a must that we talk. I cannot risk it this time Ziva. Not after the last time."

"I can sense that there is more to what you are saying to me. Is there something wrong?" asked Ziva

"So Adira, I heard that Israel Conglomerate has a new base and it's here in D.C., is that true?" one of the dinner guest in the table asked.

"As a matter of fact, it is. For almost seven months now." She was now getting a questioning look from Ziva.

"Why pick D.C. in particular?"

"It is home for someone who is special to me. Plus I have a bigger competitive advantage here in D.C. being a direct shipper from Israel to the U.S." A fact stated by Adira that earned her mixed looks from both Ziva and Tony. Deep inside they knew who Adira meant by that statement but the meaning behind it only Ziva knew the truth and only left Tony with an idea.

"Ziva, I take it that you're as surprised as I am?" Tony told Ziva as he quietly leaned in his partner.

"Yes Tony, but now I have this thing in my gut that says there is no such thing as coincidences."

"I know what you mean, but right now, my gut is telling me that it will work better with dinner. And by the way, your gut looks good in that dress." A fact that he said, before leaning away from his partner. Ziva could only smile at his honest comment, only Tony could give a creative description of his hunger while at the same time giving a compliment.

The rest of the evening is doing well, nothing suspicious is happening under their watch. Maybe it was just one of those leads that did not lead to anything. But the dinner did lead to a good result, especially for Tony's gut. They took turns in trying to survey the room, after all they were there to observe for anything that may direct them to the murder of a dead Petty Officer.

"Can I get you anything from the bar sweetcheeks?"

"A sober partner if you don't mind." Ziva glared at Tony "shaken, not stirred." Tony could only smirk at her favourite movie reference tonight. Was it really obvious? Maybe he was really trying too hard. Nah...

Ziva was studying her mother intently as Adira chats animatedly with from the woman across the table. Underneath that confident businesswoman persona of Adira Ofer – David, she notices that she was fidgeting with her fingers underneath the table. Her mother did not have a fidgeting habit or maybe that she did not remember it her having or maybe it was acquired due to the stress and demand of her work, or maybe just maybe something else that may have been bothering her. Ziva is really not happy with her gut now.

From across the room Tony is standing by the bar looking around doing what he does best, people watching. Then a waiter came to Ziva's table holding out a white envelope. He politely tapped into Adira's shoulder and smiled.

"Excuse me Madame, but this letter came for you from the front desk."

"Thank you." Adira took the envelope and stared at her daughter's eyes deciding whether or not to open and risk the contents of the letter, but then seeing her here, beside her made her really grasp the idea that Ziva is indeed alive. The daughter who she taught to be dead for almost a year is beside her watching her next move. It only took her a breath to decide that she was doing this for her, because she almost lost the chance with her and she is not risking that again. She knew about Somalia and what they might have done. She will end up dead, whoever is doing this, which she is sure of.

The suspense is just killing Ziva. If it weren't for the virtue of patience that she acquired from working in NCIS and Gibbs' team, she could have snatched the mysterious letter away from her mother's hand or maybe she would have fought her for it. But being the agent that she came to be, she is going to be patient, just a little patient. Maybe her mother is sensing the force of her thoughts because she drew her phone out an called someone on a hushed tone, it was so quiet that not even her trained Mossad ears can hear. During the entire phone conversation Adira was just looking at the envelope and then to her daughter's confused and agitated face. She hung up the phone and looked at Ziva.

"Where is Tony, Ziva? I was thinking of getting coffee somewhere else, yes?" asked Adira, while giving her daughter a suggestive look.

"I will get Tony." And with that, she stood up and went to her partner's direction by the bar.

"Did I tell you that you really look like Salma Hayek, especially in that dress?" asked Tony.

"I do not know who..." before she could finish her sentence Tony interrupted her.

"She is only super hot! She is Frida and Desperado, which is super kick ass by the way, just." This time it was Ziva who interrupted.

"We have to leave. My mother got an envelope and judging from her reaction, I can say that she was expecting this." She looked at her partner who is now sporting the worried look that she has. "And what did I tell you about too much drinking Tony? Come on." Ziva turned her heal to walk, and Tony followed after.

"I'm only playing the part Zee Vah." He was now walking beside her now. "If you must know, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary back there. How about your end?" asked Tony.

"Oh, Only my mother and that letter!" Ziva cursed in Hebrew but with the way she said it, it pretty much said everything. They walked towards Adira, who was now with Ibrahim standing by the room's exit.

"Ah, mothers." Said Tony

When they reached Adira and Ibrahim, the two were already bidding each other goodbye.

"We shall talk soon Ibrahim. Thank you very much again, I owe you." Said Adira.

"You will talk of no such thing Adira, you are my god sister and family helps out family members in need." He gave Adira a reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning to Ziva. He held her on both shoulders and looked at her.

"It was nice seeing you again Ziva. I expect you as soon as this thing is over. Yes?" Ziva kissed Ibrahim on both cheeks and smiled.

"I will." Ibrahim turned his attention to Tony who shook his right hand.

"It was a pleasure meeting you sir." Tony DiNozzo said while smiling.

"I'll see you around, Partner." He gave so much emphasis on the last part that gave Tony his best do you believe this guy look, with that they walked towards the lobby. Ziva couldn't hold her curiosity anymore and asked her mother.

"What did the letter say? And where are we going exactly?"

"I think that my house is the best option. They have not tried to contact me there so I assume they don't know where I live. We will be safe there. I can't let them take you again." A clear statement made by Adira without even looking at the two confused agents.

"Who is after me? And you did not answer my other question. What did the envelope contain?" A clear demand made by Ziva. This time Adira has stopped walking only to face their confused faces.

"The envelope contains bad intentions Ziva, intentions that might not end well for anyone. They know about you Ziva and now even you Tony. And that is not good." She raised the already opened envelope for them to see the proof of her words. Tony could not stop himself from asking Adira.

"Why am I included? What is this all about? Not that I didn't want to belong or anything but we work for a federal agency and if we are at risk, NCIS can definitely protect us."

"Listen the both of you, right now I am telling you, your life is being threatened. And I can't risk that. And it's final. Any discussion will be done in my car, unless you insist on being blown up. Understood?" Adira meant the last parts for Tony. She turned and started walking towards the entrance of the hotel. Tony looked at Ziva with a worried expression and asked.

"Did she say blown up? Surely she didn't mean the car. Right?" asked Tony while walking beside a distraught Ziva.

"Maybe, I do not know. I am as confused as you. And I am also angry, but I advice that you do not argue with her. You will not win." Ziva would like to think that her partner did not hear her last statement.

"Mrs. David, with all due respect..." Ziva shot him a glare of disbelief. Her mother did not use her father's last name except for legal and formal purposes, hence her use of her hyphenated middle and last name. Adira lost all of her soft motherly feature and sternly looked at him. There was no turning back now, so he gathered his strength and went for it. Strike one DiNozzo. "How sure are you about our cars and that it's going to blow up? You did mean our cars right? My mustang and Ziva's mini?"

"Because Anthony, based on my experience, when perpetrators send pictures of loved ones in their cars along with a note that saying you're in it for an explosive surprise, it usually means car bombs. But if you insist, feel free to prove me wrong." With that she turned and walked the few inches towards the lobby entrance. "You should listen more to my daughter."

He has forgotten how maternal threats sounded like, and using his first name that was uncalled for. He just shook his head and admitted defeat. Him winning over an argument with Ziva is like a football game it's not over until someone scores. But this thing with Adira was like boxing, Ali vs Liston, first round first minute knockout.

"Tony, it is just a car. Let it go. Better that than two dead federal agents. Gibbs would slap us. And do not sulk." They are not in the lobby of the hotel lobby waiting for Adira's car to arrive. Then her phone rang.

"I don't sulk Ziva." Replied Tony

"Like a child, Tony." Adira looked over to them and smiled. Her daughter was less serious now and she can clearly see the dynamic between the partners. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the limousine. Tony raised his eyebrows at Ziva and his partner just looked at him with nothing but a smirk. His partner never really ceases to surprise him.

"We have to go. Forget about your car Tony." Said Adira, Tony could not hide his dismay about leaving his car. And maybe Ziva was right, he sulks when moments like these happens, after all this wouldn't be the first time. And at that, there was a loud explosion coming from the parking area of the hotel, and a few seconds later another explosion happened. For the few of them who expected this, they only looked at each other and continued with their down the stairs to the car with more persistence. Adira's words proved to be true and harsh. And she could tell that revealing them to the two wouldn't make it any better.

They were inside the car now and for a while nobody spoke and Adira took the opportunity seeing the unreadable expressions on Tony and Ziva. She will attempt to do a little motherly act to lessen the tension, seeing how needed it was.

"Don't sulk Anthony, or I might take your candy away but then I was thinking of a new car. How does Aston Martin sound to you?" asked by Adira with all sincerity. Ziva's eyes grew big with her mouth open. The two women looked at Tony who now has his biggest most famous Tony DiNozzo smile.

Tony DiNozzo is not one to hide his feelings, so when Adira mentioned the words You Aston Matin, his thoughts were, Tony DiNozzo 2 James Bond 0, Take that 007!

Author's note: Thank you so much for all those who made a review for this story. It always intrigued me as to the identity of Ziva's mother. Ziva David is one of the most interesting characters I have seen on TV and it can only be the result of an equally intriguing parent. Eli did have some influences on Ziva, but bits of her character did not seem to fit with him, so I assume it's something that she got from her mother. Like her comment on Tali about her having compassion.

This is a long chapter I hope you guys like it.

And I'm sorry for any mistakes and other things that didn't seem to place. This is my first attempt at writing a fictional story and being in , because mostly I write case studies and research papers. Ha!

God Bless!