AN: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed this story. It's really nice to see when people like something I've written. I'm going to go a head an say I'll mostly likely update once a week on Tuesday. Since this is a new story and I get really excited when working on something new I'm giving y'all an extra update.

For those who are wondering this will be a rizzles story. They won't get together right away, but they do meet in the next chapter.

As always feedback is greatly appreciated.

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Maura took a step back and smiled. "I think we did an excellent job."

Tali's room now had purple walls minus the one wall with the door. The wall where Maura planned to put the bed against was a light blue with clouds painted on it.

Tali wrapped her paint covered arms around Maura. "I love it mommy."

Maura laughed as she looked down at her now paint covered jeans. "Let's get cleaned up and then we can go eat lunch."

"Can we get burgers?" Tali asked as they walked to the bathroom.

"Okay, but you're eating something healthier for dinner," Maura told her.

Tali grinned. "Kay."

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Maura held on to Tali's hand as they walked down the street to a dinner around the block.

"Mommy what about school?" Tali asked as they walked.

Tali had always loved school, even if her social schools were lacking. No matter how hard Maura and Ziva had tried getting Tali to make friends her own age they just couldn't succeed. Ziva had picked Tali up many of afternoons finding her talking to the pick-up monitor while everyone else played around her.

"You'll start Monday just like I start work on Monday. If you would like we can go Thursday to meet your teacher and do a tour?" Maura offered.

She knew Tali would want to and had already set it up with the principal.

"I would like that," Tali replied.

They continued walking in silence until they reached the dinner. Maura allowed Tali to choose a booth seat near the door with a large window to look out of. Instead of sitting across from Maura Tali slid into the seat with her.

"Do you just want a burger?" Maura asked.

"And fries please," Tali replied more asking than stating.

The waitress, who's name tag read Sandra, brought their drinks and took their order. "What can I get you today?"

"We'll have a kids cheeseburger, small frie, and a grilled chicken salad," Maura answered.

Sandra wrote Maura's order down and left with a smile.

"Mommy who gonna watch me while you work?" Tali asked.

Before everything had happened Jenny and Abby had watched Tali after school and during breaks when Maura had been working.

"During the week you'll have school and they have an after school program that you'll attend. When you're on breaks we'll have to find a sitter, but I'm going to try and be home on the weekends," Maura answered.

Tali frowned. She'd never had a sitter before. When Maura was working for the secret service Ziva had always been home in time to pick Tali up from daycare. Then when they worked at NCIS there had been the team.

She didn't get a chance to protest as Sandra returned with their food. It was a relatively slow day so the service was quicker than usual.

"Thank you," Maura said.

"Toda," Tali spoke after her.

Sandra didn't seemed phased by the different language and gave Tali a smile as she left.

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It was Thursday and Maura was happy to see most of the moving boxes were gone and furniture was in its final place. Her and Tali had spent the last three days unpacking and organizing everything. Tali enjoyed the big open house to run around in. In D.C. they had lived in a small two bedroom apartment and frequent trips to the park had been a necessity.

"Are you excited to tour your new school?" Maura asked as they ate breakfast that morning.

"Nervous," Tali whispered looking down at her plate.

Maura lifted Tali's chin so she could see her face. "It's okay to be nervous, but I think you'll like it."

"I know mommy," Tali spoke, "But what if no one wants to be my friend?"

Maura sighed. "Sweetie there is no reason anyone wouldn't want to be your friend."

"Promise?" Tali asked.

"Promise," Maura stated.

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Tali held on to Maura tighter as they walked up to the school. The duo was greeted by a short stout women with her greying hair pulled into a bun. Maura was quick to notice her kind eyes and trustworthy smile.

"I'm Ms. Combs the principal here at Whitestead Primary," She greeted shaking Maura's hand.

"I'm Maura Isles we spoke on the phone," Maura spoke.

Ms. Combs smiled and turned her attention to Tali. "And you are?"

"Tali Loraine David-Isles," She whispered.

"That's a very unique name," Ms. Combs commented. "Are you ready to meet your teacher Tali?" She asked.

Tali nodded slowly. Maura put her down and took her hand as they walked into the school behind Ms. Combs.

"Ms. Fairbanks is a very sweet teacher. You'll like her alot," Ms. Combs spoke as they walked down the cliche colorful school hallways.

Tali's eyes lit up as they walked into the classroom. She instantly got out of Maura's grip and walked over to the map that covered the entire back wall. Above the map flags from all different countries hung around the classroom.

"I see you like my map," A voice spoke from behind Maura.

Maura smiled at the tall sandy blonde that walked into the classroom. She instantly identified as the teacher's accent as an Australian one.

"You must be Ms. Fairbanks I'm Maura Isles," Maura introduced herself.

Ms. Grace smiled and shook her hand. "Everyone calls me Grace."

"Nice to meet you Ms. Grace," Maura greeted. "Tali," She called.

Tali was to entranced by the map to hear her. Ms. Grace walked over to stand next to Tali.

"That's where I'm from," Ms. Grace spoke pointing to Australia.

Tali grinned and tried her best to reach the states. "Mommy and I are from here."

Ms. Grace smiled. "I'm Ms. Grace your teacher."

"Nice to meet you. My name's Tali Loraine David-Isles," She spoke.

"David is Hebrew right?" Ms. Grace asked more to Maura than Tali.

Maura nodded.

"Ima is from Israel," Tali spoke.

"I like to teach my students about different countries and Israel is one of the countries coming up," Ms. Grace told her.

Tali smiled. "Ima said when I was older she was going to take me to visit," Tali told Ms. Grace. "Paris too," She added as an afterthought.

"I bet that will be fun," Ms. Grace told her.

Tali suddenly frowned and Ms. Grace looked up to Maura concerned.

"Bad man took Ima," Tali whispered walking back to Maura.

"I'm sorry," Ms. Grace said.

"It fine. Mommy got bad man," Tali spoke.

Maura gave the teacher an apologetic look. "Before we moved I... umm... worked in law enforcement." Maura was unsure how much she wanted to share.

"How about we do that tour now?" Ms. Comb suggested. "Will you be joining us Grace?"

Ms. Grace smiled. "If you don't mind."

Tali held out a hand for Ms. Grace to take. "Please."

Ms. Grace took her hand. "Lets start with the garden."

Maura and Ms. Combs followed the two as Ms. Grace showed Tali around. They ended the tour back at the entrance.

"Thank you for the tour Ms. Combs, Ms. Grace," Maura spoke.

"It was our pleasure," Ms. Combs replied.

Ms. Grace turned her attention to Tali. "I'll be looking forward to having you in my class this year. Maybe when we talk about Israel you can teach the class a few words in Hebrew?"

During the tour Tali had shared the fact she was pretty fluent in Hebrew, but mostly used English.

"I would like that," Tali answered.

"So what did you think?" Maura asked Tali as they walked back to the car.

"I like Ms. Grace," Tali replied.

Maura smiled. "Are you excited for Monday?"

"Yeah," Tali admitted.