Ziva could remember when she'd first learned how to ride a bike. She, like most kids, had found the experience mesmerising. There was nothing quite like the feeling of being free from the training wheels and gliding along the ground on only two wheels. There was a sense of freedom about it, a magic that could never quite be replicated from that moment onwards. It truly was a pivotal part of any child's development and growth. A moment to fondly remember for children and parents alike.
She could recall being instructed by a combination of her father and Ari—both of whom were far more patient and gentle back in those days—as she made several attempts to stay upright on her little blue bicycle, slowly making her way across the olive growth back in Israel. As with a lot of things she'd learned in her early life, she picked it up pretty quickly. It wasn't too long before she was circling the house every minute of every day, with no more training wheels and, when she could get away with it, no protective head gear. Something about the wind slicing through her curls had felt surreal at the time.
It wasn't her father's words that had stuck with her, though. And even Ari, who was far more empathetic and understanding than Eli, couldn't be heard in Ziva's memories whenever she thought back to that day. Instead, it was her baby sister whose little shrieks echoed on eternally, bringing a simultaneous mixture of joy and grief to Ziva's heart as she stood in her own back yard decades afterwards.
Fly, Ziva! Fly!
The toddler would jump up and down excitedly as she watched from their porch. It was forever etched in Ziva's memory, along with most of Tali's cruelly short life.
In the present, she watches her sister's namesake prepare to go through the same process. She was fully kitted out, with a helmet and all the padding—something her daddy had insisted upon. There was that mixed expression of concentration and excitement spread across her little face that always made Ziva smile. It sparked a brightness that would never fade, much like the distinctively yellow bike the young DiNozzo had picked out for herself.
With help from her ever-present father, a steady rock who provides safety and assistance at all times— (for both mother and daughter, really)—Tali mounts her birthday present and holds onto the handles with a wickedly familiar grin. Camera at the ready, Ziva takes a quick snap of what would become a treasured childhood memory.
''You ready, cutie-pie?'' Tony asks, crouched down and mirroring the smile on his daughter's face. His right hand is the only thing keeping the bike upright, and his enthusiasm and excitement is almost a match for Tali's.
Almost.
''Yeah!'' she nods, looking up to Ziva in anticipation. ''You watching, Ima?''
Always. ''You are going to do great, tatelah.''
The parents share a brief, loaded look before Tony turns back to the object of their affection. ''Okay, Tali-bear. I'm going to start pushing you forwards in a second and all you've got to do is peddle. Nice and fast, just like always. Got it?''
Another nod. ''Are you gonna let go?''
The look of worry on Tali's face causes Tony to look knowingly in Ziva's direction. They both know that this was one occasion where most fathers had to break their child's trust for the greater good. It was hard, though, for him to lie to her. He wanted nothing less than her full trust. Ziva was sure he'd still have it after this, no matter what the outcome was.
Reluctantly, he ploughs on. ''I won't let go.''
The offspring of two observant investigators doesn't seem convinced. ''Promise?''
''I promise.''
And so, with one final check-up, Tony starts to push the bike along. The way Tali's face lights up makes Ziva's chest hurt. It was only after wheels reach full speed, and when Tony decides to let go, that the memory of the young girl's deceased aunt enters Ziva's brain again.
Fly, Ziva! Fly!
With a reversed role in the present, Ziva finds her eyes burning as she watches her daughter glide along the grass, giggling and squeaking as her legs propel her onwards. It really was as if she was flying, and now she fully understands what it was like to watch this moment through the eyes of an adoring family member. Through the eyes of a toddler, like her sister had been., She feels as though her heart may not be big enough for this.
Fly!
After a moment of misbalance, Tali glances behind her to discover that her dad had, in fact, broken his promise. With another small shriek, she somehow manages to bring the bike to halt without falling down, chucking it to the ground as she does so. The scowl she gives Tony when she turns around could crush metal, be he seems unperturbed.
''Wow! Tali, you went so far!'' he claps encouragingly as both parents approached her.
Ziva shares his feelings. ''See? I said you would do great. I'm so proud of you, baby.''
Even after Ziva presses a soft kiss to her cheek, the glare doesn't shift from Tali's face.
''You promised, daddy!''
Ziva feels his internal wince, but he plays innocent. ''Huh?''
Tali folds her arms in a huff. ''You letted go!''
''No, I didn't.''
''Yes, you did. Ima, he did.''
She takes her partner's side on this one. ''I don't think he did. You were just too fast for him, neshema.''
Tony jumps at the chance to offer up a convincing excuse. ''Yeah, exactly. Too fast.''
''He just wasn't expecting you to be so good on the bike already.''
The scowl slowly fades as that's processed. Eventually, Tali's original excitement returns. She goes to pick the bike back up. ''I wanna go again.''
Tony gives Ziva a quick kiss in thanks, and then crouches down to help again. ''Sure thing. This time I want you to keep peddling, even if I have to let go again, ok?''
''You're too slow.'' Tali grins up at him.
He can only chuckle in return. ''That's right. I can't keep up with my little racer.''
They spend the rest of the afternoon watching as their child becomes more and more confident on her bright yellow bike. She goes further, peddles faster, always looking over her shoulder to make sure one or both of them are watching. Ziva thinks it is perhaps one of the best days of her life. Then again, both members of her little family have made her feel like that on numerous occasions in the past, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.
Curls continue to blow in the breeze, and the giddy smile of a free child never looks like fading.
Fly, my Tali. Fly.
God, I'm a real softy, aren't I? This isn't necessarily set after the events of Family First, but it can be if you want it to, I guess. I prefer a world where the family isn't estranged. Hope you liked