I am sososososososososoooooooooooooo sorry that I have not update in a week! I have been writing this story while I've been at work/school and just never had the time to sit down and type it up. I'm currently at the crunch point of the semester: two full weeks and then finals. I have one major research paper, one office visit paper, and a massive computer project due by the end of next week! Please forgive me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the reviews everyone! I really enjoyed reading them, and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you have the rest of the story!!!

Tony paced back and forth in the waiting room. It had been over two hours since they brought Ziva to the hospital. During the final shootout, Noam had managed to hit Ziva with two bullets: one in the left shoulder and one embedded in her right side. Currently, Ziva was in surgery, the doctors working to stock the bleeding. Her father had to go to his office and ensure everything was back to normal. Nettle left the waiting room thirty minutes ago, not telling Tony where she went.

Tony knew from experience that the wounds were not lethal, but he could not shake the feeling in his stomach. The sight of Ziva on the ground, blood flowing from her, scared Tony. Sure he had shot his share of suspects, but he never got used to the job. His mind flashed back to Kate lying lifeless on the rooftop almost four years ago; to Gibbs lying lifeless in the hospital room after the explosion three years ago; and finally to Jenny lying in a pool of her own blood. Each time he felt hopeless, useless, but a common factor pulled him through: Ziva. She always seemed to know when he was on the verge of losing control. He felt her support when his undercover mission with Jeanne blew up in his face, when he needed held back from attacking Trent Kort, and when he blamed himself for Jenny Shepard's death. It never failed; Ziva could read him like a book. She knew how far to push him and when to pull back.

Tony's ruminations were interrupted when he heard his name spoken. Turning around, Tony saw Nettie standing beside a woman slightly younger than her who was holding a sleeping baby.

"Have you heard anything?" Nettie asked and Tony shook his head. "This is Ziva's mother, Aliyah," she introduced. "Aliyah, this is Anthony DiNozzo, Ziva's partner at NCIS."

"I am glad to finally meet you, but I am sorry it had to be like this," Aliyah smiled gently at the young man. "Ziva has spoken greatly about you," she said just as a doctor walked in from the surgery doors.

The doctor began talking to the three in Hebrew, and Tony stood lost on what was going on. Nettie saw the confusion, and began translating for the American, "He says that Ziva made it through surgery. The wound on her shoulder was a deep flesh wound. The one in her stomach did not damage anything vital. She should be fine in a few weeks. Praise Adonai!" Nettie sighed in relief.

"Can we see her?" Tony asked.

"They will not allow you to see her until she is in a room. Only family members are allowed in recovery," Nettie explained. "I will tell her you are waiting," she told Tony gently laying her hand on his shoulder, comforting him with a smile.

"Will you watch Alia? I do not want to bring her back there and risk her becoming sick," Aliyah asked Tony who nodded gently. How hard could a sleeping baby be?

Tony had to admit that holding the baby girl felt all too natural. His record with children was not all too nice; most children tended to not like him, but Alia seemed to find him comfortable. She snuggled her face into the crook of his neck, her tiny hand holding tightly to his shirt. He could get used to this, Tony thought to himself.

He pictured what it would be like to be a father. Rocking them to sleep every night while they cuddled against his chest. Laughing as he watched them do something cute. Smiling as he watched Ziva tuck them in at night. It all felt perfect.

Breaking from his reverie, Tony realized what he just did. His picture-perfect idea of a family included Ziva. Then it dawned on him, "I'm in love with your aunt," he told the sleeping girl. But, what about Gibbs' rules? He couldn't disobey those- that would risk bodily harm.

"Gibbs!" Tony exclaimed. "He needed to know what's up," he mumbled to himself, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

Dialing the number, Tony heard three rings before, "Yeah, Gibbs."

"Boss, you have no idea how nice it is to hear your voice," Tony told the man.

"DiNozzo? What's your sit. rep?" Gibbs asked, leaning forwards against his desk and sparking the attention of McGee, Abby, Ducky, and Director Vance.

"Well, currently I'm sitting in the most uncomfortable chair in Israel, holding a beautiful, sleeping, baby girl, and waiting for Ziva to be moved to a room so I can see her," Tony explained.

"Ziva's hurt?! Why didn't you call us sooner? Is she okay? Why are you holding a baby?" Abby rambled and Tony realized he was on speaker phone.

"We found Noam Zohavi and the Deputy Director. We ran into a little gun fire, and Ziva got hurt. She's fine, the bullets did not hit anything vital," Tony explained. "She just got out of surgery. Only family is allowed to go back, so her mother and aunt are back there. Aliyah asked me to keep an eye on Alia, and that is what I'm doing."

"What about Zohavi?" Gibbs asked.

"Dead," Vance spoke up. "Deputy Director David called and filled me in. He apologized for falsely accusing Officer David. Expect to have Officer David back as soon as she is healed. As of today, she is permanently assigned to NCIS," Vance explained.

"Yes!" Abby squealed. "I'm hugging you guys in my mind right now," she told Tony who laughed.

"Thanks, Abs. Look, Aunt Nettie just walked in. I need to go. I'll call if I hear more," Tony said, trying to read Nettie's face.

"Tony, take care of her," Gibbs told the young agent.

"I will," Tony replied, hanging up. "How is she?" he asked.

"She has been better, but I have seen her worse," Nettie explained. "They are moving her to a room as we speak." Tony let out a sigh of relief. "Why are you afraid to admit you love her?" Nettie asked, knowingly.

"Our team boss has rules against dating teammates," Tony explained, trying to find a way out of the awkward situation.

"My dear, love follows no rules. It is like a river. It flows along peacefully then the floods come. Nothing can stop the waters. Love is the same way. If you love someone, nothing can stop it," Nettie explained to the young man. "I can see the way you look at each other. It is the same way my late husband looked at me."

"I've done a lot of hurtful things to her throughout the years," Tony sighed. "Not to mention, I don't have a pretty good track record with relationships," Tony pointed out.

"And who has been by your side through it all?" Nettie asked already knowing the answer.

"You are definitely Ziva's aunt," Tony chuckled. "Persistent annoyance must run in the family."

Three hours later, Tony sat sleeping in the chair beside Ziva's bed. She had yet to wake up from the surgery. Nettie and Aliyah left to get lunch, leaving Tony alone with Ziva.

Tony awoke to a stirring in the room. He saw Ziva opened her eyes. "Hi, how you feeling?" Tony asked gently.

"I've been better," Ziva whispered her voice crackly. "Noam?"

"Dead. Your father is working on fixing the mess," Tony explained. "Your aunt and mother left to grab a bit to eat about fifteen minutes ago." Ziva nodded in understanding. "Your father told Vance to expect your permanent transfer papers as soon as you are on your feet. Sounds like you are stuck with me for a long time," he grinned.

"We make a good team," Ziva said. "Thanks for coming with me."

"That is what partners are for," Tony shrugged it off. "Alia and I had some bonding time while your mom and Nettie came back to see you. Well actually, she slept the whole time, but she did help me figure out some stuff," he drifted off, thinking back. "So did you aunt," he added.

"Oh yeah? What could an eleven month old and a 70 year old possibly tell you that you do not already know?" Ziva asked sarcastically.

"They helped me realize that what I've been looking for these past few years has been right in front of me and I've been too blind to see it," Tony admitted. "Zee-vah, I thought I really truly loved Jeanne, but I realize now that I was more in love with the idea of being in love. I've known in the back of my mind what I've wanted all along, but I never let myself admit it. There were too many complications, and I couldn't see through them. Hell, I still don't, but they're starting to fade away," Tony rambled.

"What do you mean, Tony?" Ziva asked confused.

"What I'm trying to say is: I'm in love with my crazy ninja partner and no punishment from Gibbs is going to keep it hidden. I've tried, and it finds its way out," Tony admitted, and held his breath for Ziva's reaction.

"Gibbs will most likely kill us when he finds out," Ziva said still shocked at Tony's announcement.

"Someone once told me, 'The heart wants what it wants,'" Tony recalled their conversation a long time back. "Someone also told me that love is like a river…"

"It flows freely and nothing can stop it," Ziva finished. "Aunt Nettie told me that every time I came over," she explained. "It is true. I was trained to be emotionless, but working at NCIS changed me. I felt like I belonged. You guys see me as a human being and not a killing machine. D.C. is my home," Ziva admitted. "And you are very special in my life. My training taught that partners who feel in love were dangerous. Their feelings overshadowed their duties to the job and affected their usefulness. But, that is different with us. I believe that it makes our effectiveness stronger. We know what the other is thinking, and adjust our path accordingly," Ziva said, her voice growing tired.

"We'll finish this later," Tony promised. "Rest your body right now," he told her as he kissed her forehead. "I'll be right here when you wake up," he whispered against her hair.

"I love you, Tony," Ziva mumbled as she drifted off to sleep. Tony sat back in his chair and watched her sleep. He felt at ease for the first time in quite a while. For now there was nothing to worry about. He knew they would still have to face Vance and Gibbs, but right now he did not care: he loved Ziva, and she loved him.

Sorry if this is a bit shorter than the rest of the story. I hope you enjoyed it thought! Please review and tell me what you think! I promise that I will try to get the next chapter done as quickly as possible for you!