Tony and Emily had been going out for ten months now. Though they had been friends for over a year. Jimmy and Breena had first introduced the couple. The Palmer's new Emily and her first husband through an adoption support group. Emily and her husband Stan had opted to adopt due to two of Stan's brother dying from Juvenile Huntington's Disease. Stan himself was not affected but carried the gene. Not wanting to risk inflicting such a horrible disease on his children and not wanting to take the risk of IVF the couple chose adoption. Stan had been killed in a car accident about six months before Ziva was killed. At the time the couple was planning their second adoption. Two weeks after Stan's death Emily had learned that they had been selected by a woman who was four months pregnant with the child who would be Emily's second son. Emily informed the mother that her husband had died and thus she would be unable to adopt the baby. There were no official rules about single parents adopting from the agency. So the mother said if she could handle it. Emily could still adopt her son. Emily chose to proceed with the adoption and five months later her son was born. At the time of his death. Emily and Stan had been saving up to move to Paris for a year. Through generous donations Emily was able to make the trip. Emily and Tony ended up moving to Paris within four days of each other. Emily had a degree in French and a teaching degree and was able to land a job at an American School. It was a year long stint and when it was over Emily decided to return to her old life. With her two sons. Emily was back to teaching but she was also writing a book about the past two years the rough title was "Choosing To Live".

Emily was a true inspiration and yet she chose Tony. Days like today Tony both thrived on that and hurt by it. He thrived because it meant that he may not be the monster his so called family claimed him to be. He hurt by it because if the others and Senior were right and he was a monster. Then he in no way deserved a woman like Emily.

"Tony?"

"Yeah"

"Is our connection bad? I asked how your day went almost two minutes ago and you have not said a word."

"Sorry I was just thinking."

"You sound upset. It didn't go well did it?"

"It was pretty rough."

"I am sorry to hear that what happened?"

"Long story short everything changed while I was gone. The guy who replaced me. I don't know he seems like a dick. Oh and get this he is dating Bishop and has been publicly for almost a year."

"I thought your old boss didn't allow that."

"He did away with it when he saw how perfect they were together."

"Why didn't he see that with you and Ziva? You guys seemed very much in love."

"I don't know and I don't dare ask. They all hate me. All of them."

"Why? How? You have been gone over a year."

"Because I didn't come back to save McGee and Gibbs from Paraguay."

"Paraguay?! Jesus Christ! Just because those two men were stupid enough to stay behind in a dangerous situation. I heard that Vance guys interview. It was clear they made the choice to stay. I am not saying the deserved what happened but there is no way you needed to risk your life for them."

"I wish they could see that but they don't even understand that I am am all that Tali has. Without me she is an orphan. I would not do that to her."

"You shouldn't be asked to."

"I can't talk about this anymore. How is the book coming?"

"The publisher wants ten chapters by the first of the year. I am at five."

"Well that's half way there."

"It took me four months to get five. Now I have just over one to squeeze out another five."

"Well if you ever need me to take the boys. Just let me know."

"I am sending them to my parents this weekend. I will join them Thursday for Thanksgiving. They will stay another night and I will pick them up Friday."

"Oh"

"You know you are invited right?"

"I am?"

"Of course I know my dad came on strong but it was just over a year after Stan's death. He was worried I was just latching onto the first man who came along. I'd feel the same way if god forbid one of my boys were in that situation."

"I'd be the same with Tali."

"Does anybody besides Jimmy know about us?"

"No and I don't dare tell them. Not after today."

"Tony listen to me. They may have shoved you out but it was their loss."

"Except I don't have a family."

"Tony. Listen to me. You have a family."

"Yeah I have Tali! I have Tali and I am failing her."

"Tony you are not failing her. For the past year and a half you have ate, slept, and breathed for Tali. You have devoted your life to that girl. When I first met you in Paris she was a scared and vulnerable child. She cried at the drop of a hat and had to sleep practically on top of you. Now she is strong and independent. She laughs easier and more than she cried before. She sleeps on her own and has not had a nightmare in weeks. That is all you."

"Still I wish that she had the family I promised her. I promised her that she would play with McGee's twins and that Grandpa Gibbs would bounce her on his knee. That Bishop would cook for her and Abby would do her makeup. Ducky was going to tell her stories. Instead everybody just seems to hate me and they don't care about her."

"Like I said that is their loss. They are being petty and it is costing them two great people. Truth be told I feel worse for them than you. You got away from clearly toxic people. They cut out a great man and the most wonderful little girl I have ever known."


A/N: What do you think of Emily? Is she good for Tony? New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.