Title: Ziva's Ghost – Chapter Seven
Rating: M has adult themes.
Timeline: Post Season 13.
Spoilers: If you've seen it then it does not count as a spoiler.
Language: International English.
A/N: Hang in there.
Word Count: 2,402

Even though the sudden flash of illumination was expected he still winced, needing to blink several times. The figure in the short hallway to the door tried to slip back into the shadows of the short passage, however Tony had already shot out of bed. The moment he'd grabbed hold of the person's shoulder, he knew it was a bad idea. He'd barely had time to register a crucial part of information before he found himself floored.

"Ziva!" he said, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. His intent had been to get to the door before the intruder could flee into the night, he had not considered the possibility that it could be her. He rose to his feet and reached past her to flick the switch, almost reluctant that he had.

She was tired, visibly. The dark marks surrounding her eyes were evident enough of that, as well as the fact that she had not put up more of a fight. She was leaner than she had been the last time they had met and her clothes uncharacteristic for her and she appeared ready to bolt, if needed.

"Where is Tali?" she asked, fearfully.

"She is in the other room with Neta." Tony said, and watched as her body drooped with relief, then started swaying.

"When last did you eat?"

"Yesterday." She flatly replied.

Tony doubted that but indicated for her to go into the room. Her clothes were oversized and somewhat dirty, consisting of several layers.

"New look?' Tony teased her. There was a lot that they needed to discuss but first he had to determine her state of mind.

"It helps me blend in." Ziva flatly said and settled on the bed's edge, her entire body again sagging.

Tony frowned and when she looked at him, he saw it was not just fatigue that haunted her. "Where have you been? How did you get here?" he asked his voice breaking. He wanted to approach her, wanted to touch her again to assure himself that it was not a ghost.

"I have been many places," she said, and he knew her well enough to know that she was not ready or even willing to discuss it. "As to how I got here, it is not important/"

"How long have you been in Germany?"

"Germany, three days." Ziva said. "I was near the Italian border when I received an notification email from the bank that you had been there. I had not thought you would be ahead of me."

"Ziva, it's been more than a month." Tony said, in a way unable to believe it had taken her that long to reach Germany, But also too weary to ask her what had caused the delay. When she did not answer he flatly stated. "You sent the message to change hotels."

Ziva nodded, "I had no idea if you were being followed or not. By changing hotels you would give the impression that you knew, and it would have cautioned them, at least for a short while."

"Were you planning to meet me at the beer hall tonight?"

Ziva shook her head, "I needed you to get in without anyone seeing me."

Tony's heart raced, his entire body turned cold at the thought that she had come for Tali. And even though the reasoning behind her actions made sense, the result angered him. But looking at her, the fact that she was alive opened up countless possibilities. And although he had a million questions that needed answers, he decided to bite his tongue, instead asking. "Where are you staying?"

"Never the same place twice." Ziva said, however Tony heard the actual meaning.

"Stay here." Tony said.

She shook her head.

"I have a hot shower, a clean shirt and a comfortable bed, which is better than wherever you were planning to go."

Ziva looked at him, her eyes had always spoken for her when she couldn't, and he could see she was both wary of his invitation, worried, possibly scared even, but also knackered. He knew she would be less willing to fight him, because all things aside, no matter what happened, she knew she could trust him. He knew he had to keep her there somehow, he needed answers, and even possibly then he would not be willing to let her go – not this time. The last time he had respected her wishes, but things had changed.

He gave her a small flash of a smile and moved to his bag. Pusing the top layer aside he pulled out one of his t-shirts for her and held it out towards her, "Bathroom is there, I think they have a spare toothbrush.

Ziva looked at him hesitantly but then rose and took the t-shirt from him, "Thank you." Before turning for the bathroom.

He held his breath as she moved past him. He watched as she switched on the light and only exhaled when the door clicked shut behind her. And then he became irritable. He moved to check his phone, confirming it was just after midnight, and then started pacing. His mind trying to process the multitude of questions flittering through it, but the most important thing was: he had to make her stay. He became even more restless the longer she remained in the bathroom, however knew there were no windows and she could not have slipped out that way, and he had positioned himself at such an angle that he would see the door open. He heard the shower stop, and then listened. There was silence for several moments and then the hairdryer went on, confirmation enough that she was still there. Another fifteen minutes and she appeared dressed in his shirt, something he relishes, but this time he made a mental list of her condition, more so than allow his imagination or memories reign. She was clean, appeared healthy, although weary. But then with Ziva one never knew.

She turned out the bathroom light and looked about her, finally at him, almost hesitantly. He knew she did not want questions, would not give him answers, but she needed someone she could rely on – and that he could be for her.

He pointed to the other side of the bed, and said, "We've shared before."

Ziva nodded and moved, the fact that she did not goad him was not lost on him. He watched as she hesitantly slipped under the sheets resting her head on the pillow. His heart raced and he felt sick to his stomach as he too got back into bed.

"I used all the shampoo," she whispered.

Of all the things she could have said, that was the last thing he would have expected, but turned to look at her, smiling, "They can replace it in the morning."

His comment caused her to stiffen and he wanted to kick himself, he needed to ease her nerves. Instinctively he reached out to her, placing his hand on her arm. "It's okay." But he had no idea whom he was trying to console. The actual touch doing far more to console him and confirm her presence than it would be comforting for her.

Ziva nodded, but did not move away.

Tony turned back to the lamp and turned it off.

The atmosphere in the room was different, and it was not just her presence there that altered it. He was wide awake, could hear every breath she took, it was strangely comforting, but at the same time terrifying. Even if he weren't wide awake he would find it difficult to sleep, too fearful that she might disappear into the night again… because if anything, that was what she was trained to do.

They needed to talk but he had no desire to talk, just laying there, knowing that she was alive, and in that moment safe, was enough. Anything else they could sort out later.

"Tony," her whisper came from the other side of the bed.

"Sleep, Ziva," He replied instead.

He could feel her body relax at that, and turned on his side to face her. She's also turned on her side but this time with her back to him. Without thought he reached for her and pulled her closer, their bodies automatically positioning themselves.

"Thank you," she whispered.

For what she was thanking him he had no idea, there were so many possibilities.

"Sleep, Ziva, I've got your back."

Time possibly passed too quickly for his liking. For it was not a long while thereafter that her soft snore filled the room. For the first time ever, he would admit he was grateful for it. And yet he knew with every ticking moment morning was approaching, and with it, a need to think of a manner in which to keep her there. He drifted off as well, but the slightest movement, the slightest twitch, pulled him from sleep.

The room grew lighter and he expected her to stir soon, but she didn't. her breathing was silent, her body still in what was possibly the first nigh of decent sleep she had had in some time.

He checked the time then shifted some. He held his breath and then realized that she had not stirred. He slipped from the bed and made his way to the bathroom, he knew it would not be long before Tali came looking for him.

He looked at the pile of dirty clothing in the corner, but decided against searching it. Finishing in the bathroom, he returned to the bedroom only to notice that she had shifted on the bed, enough for him to indicate that she somehow knew he was not there anymore, but not enough to indicate whether she was still asleep.

He moved to his bag and opened the compartment that had the money in it. He unbound one of the bundles and halved it, folding the notes and placing them in his pocket, before returning the others to the bag. Watching her, he picked up the key card and the do not disturb sign and made for the door.

Once in the passageway he hung the sign on the door and then went to the neighbouring room and knocked on the door.

He could hear Tali's excited calls of "Aba" on the other side of the door. Neto spoke to her in Hebrew, he could not make out the words only the sounds before opening the door.

"You are early." She said almost accusingly.

"Neta, I need to ask a favour of you." Tony said as Tali 'caught' his legs and squeezed them.

Neti frowned at Tony's lowered voice, and asked, "Is there trouble?"

Tony thought it over for a moment and then looked towards his room, "Well that depends on your interpretation of trouble."

"Come in." Neta said stepping back, but Tony shook his head. Again glancing to his room.

"I need to keep an eye on my room."

His words caused her to frown. "What is it?" She asked with concern.

Tony reached into his pocket and withdrew the money, I need you to go and get some woman's things," Tony said handing her the money.

"Tony?" she asked as she took the money.

"Anything someone could need. From privates right through to toiletries."

"Tony?" Neta's voice took on an alarmed note.

"Please just trust me," Tony pleaded.

"What have you done?"

Tony took a deep breath but lowered his voice as he spoke. "Ziva is in my room."

Neta's eyes bulged in disbelief, shaking her head, but asking "How?"

"The how is not important, getting her clothes and such is. If I went out it would look suspicious."

Neta nodded, "I understand, me shopping for woman's things would be normal, but what about Tali?"

"Leave her with me."

"Tony, you are not telling me something." Neta said.

"There is a lot I don't even know yet." Tony said.

"And if she takes Tali?"

It was a question Tony had purposely avoided asking himself. He'd reasoned through the night that if she had wanted to then she could have taken Tali with right from the start, but something had made her choose differently. Something he still had to get out of her.

"I cannot stop her if she does, but I don't think she will."

Neta nodded.

Tony then turned to Tali. He reached down and lifted her, "Morning, how would you like to spend breakfast with me."

The little girl eagerly nodded.

"And I have a surprise for you, but you have to be quiet." Tony said in his most conspiring voice, lifting his finger to his lips.

Tali picked up on his mood and also lifted her finger to her lips, nodding.

Tony looked at Neta, "Thank you."

Neta shook her head, "You are the one who should be thanked, her trust in you has wavered."

Tony did not respond to that, considering Tali he knew that somehow it had. He smiled instead and lowered Tali to the ground taking her hand. "Come."

He opened the door to his hotel room and allowed Tali in first but held onto her hand. He knew it was wrong, but he hoped that Tali would provide the leverage he so sorely needed.

They had hardly cleared she short passage when Tali called, "Ima!" worming her hand from his.

Ziva shot out of bed, in a move that told him she'd been startled awake, yet ready to fight. She turned towards them, her eyes shifting to moving bundle of curls racing towards her.

"Tali," Ziva gasped, her eyes lit up as she dropped to her haunches, just in time to mitigate the impact of the girl's embrace. Ziva wrapped her arms around Tali, drew her in closer, held her in a tight embrace, blinking several times. Her eyes shifted to Tony, the unshed tears in them all the confirmation he had needed. He knew without a doubt that if Ziva could have she would have taken Tali with her, leaving him in the dark about his daughter's existence.

In a way he was pleased that it had happened, but knew the dangers of taking pleasure in such occurrences.

"Thank you," Ziva said, hardly above a whisper as she picked up Tali, the little girl babbled something in Hebrew, the only word that made sense to him was aba.

"Yes Tali," Ziva said, her voice heavy with praise as the little girl looked towards Tony, beaming. "You found aba."

More to follow.