A/N: This may be the last update for a couple of days. I'm off to Atlanta with my orchestra for a competition and don't know how well internet access is going to be or if time will even permit updates. However, I do intend to write on the eight+ hour bus ride at least until my laptop battery runs out. This is not my favorite thing I've ever written, so think of it as a bridge between the introduction and the awesomely fun time that will be had with the Yosef children (and yes, Shira will have Tony wrapped around her little finger). Peace and love and all good things until next time, Kit.

DISCLAIMER: I own a calico, a cello, and way too much math homework. If only I could trade the latter out for NCIS. . . .

Chapter II

"Turn left," Ziva dictated as Tony maneuvered around a corner, nodding curtly to the passing car whose driver apparently didn't know how to work a three-way stop.

"It's a nice neighborhood," he commented, watching the world through his windshield, impressed with his surroundings. Houses cropped up on either side of the road, their front yards lush and green and sprawling. The structures themselves were decently sized, some two stories, others with porches. To two people who lived in their respective apartments, the homes seemed rather large.

Ziva pointed to a two story brick home with a large maple standing proudly in the front lawn. A black SUV was parked in the driveway, two bicycles abandoned on the freshly cut grass next to a soccer ball. A white cat was sprawled languidly across the sidewalk, face turned toward the evening sun, soaking in the warm gold rays. Tony let out a low, appreciative whistle.

"Remind me what Mikel does for a living?"

"He is a trauma surgeon at Bethesda."

"Say no more."

Ziva unbuckled her seatbelt, letting the strap retract to its original position as she turned her eyes to her partner. "Are you sure you are comfortable with this, Tony?"

He flashed her his patent smile, and sliding the keys from the ignition, replied evenly, "It'll be fun."

She returned his smile in kind, leaning up and her lips touching his cheek quickly, before ducking out the passenger side door. He sat there, hands still on the steering wheel, the popping of the cooling engine interrupting the quiet as he watched her stride up the driveway. He swore she put an extra swing in her hips as she moved.

"Ziva David!"

"Shalom Mikel," she greeted warmly as he opened the door, kissing her face in welcome. "You are looking quite debonair. You have been well?"

The older man shrugged, "I have been good. And yourself?"

Now she mirrored his previous action, "I am fine-" The slamming of the car trunk punctuated her response. Mikel looked over her shoulder, taking in the Mustang parked at the curb and the tall, sandy-brown haired man walking up the driveway, a small suitcase in tow. "I trust this is your partner?"

Ziva nodded, pursing her lips though the edges still quirked upward in a smile. "That would be him."

"Ziva! Shalom," Sonel cried, descending the stairs with a garment bag draped over her arm. She was dressed in a long navy gown, a beautiful contrast to her olive skin, while her short raven hair was swiped back in a style with a crystal clip. She reached the landing, enveloping Ziva in a hug, greeting her in a similar manner as her husband had previously. And noticing Tony lurking at the threshold, added, "Shalom, Tony."

"Shalom, Sonel," he returned cordially and extending his hand to Mikel, introduced himself. "Tony DiNozzo."

"Mikel Yosef," Mikel replied, grasping the proffered hand in a firm shake. "It is a pleasure."

"Likewise."

Sonel beamed at the exchange, raising her eyebrows at Ziva, as if to say "See?" The latter rolled her eyes, wondering aloud, "Where are the boys?"

"Outback," Sonel confirmed with a nod. "We have said our goodbyes and they have promised to be good for you."

"And not because we threatened them within an inch of their lives-"

"Mikel!" Sonel scolded. "Do not tease like that! We do not threaten the children." But Mikel just grinned as Ziva chuckled and Tony watched on in amusement. She turned back to her previous run down of the parent checklist: "They already ate dinner –and you two are more than welcome to the leftover pizza in the fridge, if you like. And there is a bottle of wine in the cooler for you too, as a thank you –and before you protest, Ziva, I insist. Take it as a gift if you must."

"A thank you gift," Mikel added. "And for the record, anything in the kitchen is fair game."

"The boys can go to bed anytime, no later than eleven, okay? Shira is napping now because she wouldn't nap this afternoon, but she'll be ready to go back to sleep at eight. You and Tony are more than welcome to the master bedroom and the guestroom. . . . Are you sure you are okay with this? With them? They are a handful-"

"Ahavah, we are going to be late," Mikel chided, gently placing his hand at the small of Sonel's back, prodding her toward the door. "They will be fine. Ziva and Tony are perfectly capable."

Sonel nodded, permitting herself to be shepherded out the door by her husband. Then, upon remembering, she paused in her tracks, continuing, "Simcha knows the code for the house alarm-"

Mikel rolled his eyes, shaking his head in fond exasperation. "Lamb, would you stop with the worrying? They'll be fine –we've got to be the only parents in D.C. to get highly trained federal agents for babysitters." Ziva grinned at this and Tony chuckled softly as the Yosefs waved their goodbyes, finally departing as Mikel successfully ushered Sonel into the SUV.

Tony turned to Ziva, ocean eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I'm ready to meet the kids.