Hey everyone! It took me longer than I had hoped to get this up, but I made it extra long for all of you! I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 7
As expected, the door was unlocked. Tony immediately headed for the door leading to the basement. He had spent the last 15 minutes in the car, convincing himself that this needed to be done. Talking to Gibbs was no easy matter. Especially when he was coming to talk about breaking a rule. Hopefully Gibbs would understand. There is an exception to every rule, right?
"Thought you might be coming DiNozzo," Gibbs called out as Tony started walking down the stairs.
"Uh, yeah. Hey boss." Tony picked up some sandpaper and started helping Gibbs sand the current boat he was working on.
"Something bothering you DiNozzo?"
Tony laughed nervously. "Well, uh, I, uh, I was just wondering something." Gibbs stopped what he was doing and gave Tony a pointed stare. "Getting to the point boss. Have you ever made an exception to a rule?" Tony winced slightly as Gibbs' stare seemed to intensify. "Specifically rule 12."
Gibbs walked around the boat next to Tony, and Tony prepared himself for a slap. "I figured we'd have this conversation some day."
Tony stopped wincing and turned to face Gibbs. "You did?"
"You didn't?"
"I don't know. But rule 12..."
Gibbs smiled. "I think in this situation, rule 51 would overrule rule 12."
Tony looked confused. "Rule 51 boss?"
Gibbs put a hand on Tony's shoulder. "Sometimes you're wrong." Tony nodded and started heading back up the stairs. "You break her heart, I'll cut your balls off DiNozzo."
Tony winced and drew in a sharp breath. "Got it boss."
"What about this one?" Abby practically shouted from across the store. Liora gave Ziva an encouraging smile. She could tell her mother's patience for malls was running thin. She couldn't blame her really; they had been dress shopping for nearly three hours now. Ziva's date with Tony was tonight, and Liora had a date with Josh tonight. Abby had suggested the day before that they go out and get new dresses for the occasion, and have some girl bonding time.
Liora's eyes lit up when she saw the dress. "Oh Abby, it's beautiful!" The dress was a deep purple with a sweetheart neckline, falling just above the knees.
"Try it on, try it on!" Abby was jumping up and down with excitement. "Can you think of a better couple?" Abby asked Ziva once Liora had gone back to the fitting room. "Other than you and Tony of course."
Ziva looked through the rack where Abby had found the purple dress. "I think I found the perfect one Abby!" She pulled it off the rack to get a better look. It was a navy halter with an open back, hitting right at the knee. It almost reminded Ziva of the dress she wore when she had been undercover in Morocco with Michael. Although she had technically been with Michael, she had picked her dress that night knowing that Tony would have loved it.
Abby and Ziva got to the fitting room just as Liora was coming out with the purple dress on. It fit her perfectly. It was snug in all the right places, but still flowed out around her legs, fanning out when she twirled. Ziva gave her a hug and told her she looked beautiful. Several minutes later, Ziva emerged wearing the green dress. Abby and Liora were speechless; it was perfect.
"How about we get lunch?" Abby suggested after they had paid for the dresses. Liora and Ziva agreed and followed Abby to a small Thai restaurant that Abby knew about. Abby hadn't lied about how delicious the food was.
"So Liora," Abby started with a grin, "are you excited about your date with Josh tonight?"
Liora smiled and blushed. "I am. He is sweet and kind. And very cute." The three women agreed and giggled. "Ima, are you excited about your date with Tony?" Ziva stared at Liora, a shocked expression on her face. Liora had never called her ima or mother before. "I'm sorry...it's too soon..."
"No sweetheart, it's perfect. And yes, I am very excited for my date with Tony. We have both waited a long time for this."
Abby sniffed and the two David women realized she was crying. "I can't help it you guys," Abby explained. "You're just too damn cute. And Ziva, you and Tony are going to have such a good time and you both deserve this so much. And Liora, you're so beautiful and I'm so thankful that you're part of our family now. Josh is literally the perfect man. I'm so happy for both of you!"
Josh arrived first, offering Liora a bouquet of wild flowers when she answered the door. She blushed and smiled, taking in their fragrance. She invited him inside while she put the flowers in a vase.
"Shalom Ima!" Liora shouted as she and Josh headed out the door. He offered her his arm as they walked to his car, and opened the door for her with a smile.
"How does Italian sound?" Josh asked once they started driving.
"Sounds perfect," Liora answered. She studied him while he drove. He had a strong jawline and a soft, friendly smile. She watched as his pale blue, almost gray eyes stayed on the road, surveying the traffic around them. His hair was dark brown, just like her own.
"You are quite the dance partner," Josh said, glancing her way with a slightly mischievous smile. "I'm glad we're going to get to know each other a little better tonight."
"Me too," Liora replied. The restaurant was small and intimate, perfect for a first date. They were able to talk easily and their conversation did just that. "So Josh, what are you studying at university?"
Josh swallowed and answered. "I'm double majoring in criminal justice and forensic science. I've really been enjoying my time interning at NCIS. I'm actually thinking about applying for a job there."
"They would be lucky to have you."
"What about you? Are you in school?"
Liora smiled. "I graduated last year with a degree in social work."
"Oh wow. So did you move to DC for a job?"
Liora suddenly realized that she hadn't talked to Ziva about talking to people about their relationship. Did Ziva want people outside of the team to know that Liora's her daughter? She knew Ziva wasn't ashamed or embarrassed of her, but she might be of the fact that she got pregnant so young. However, Ziva hadn't told her she couldn't tell Josh, and if she was uncomfortable with it, she would have told her.
"No, not exactly," Liora answered, "although I am going to start looking for one. I came here because of Ziva."
"She's your sister, right? The resemblance is uncanny."
"No," Liora said, somewhat awkwardly. "She's my mother."
"I'm sorry," Josh immediately said, realizing Liora felt a little uncomfortable. "I didn't mean to pry."
Liora smiled and shook her head. "You weren't." Josh smiled back. The waiter came and Josh paid for the bill.
"I have an idea," he said with a grin once the had gotten back into the car. Liora gave him an expectant look, but he simply shook his head. "It's a surprise."
"Hey sweetcheeks," Tony greeted with a grin when Ziva opened the door. He took the time to appreciate her appearance for the night.
Ziva smirked as he checked her out. " Like what you see Tony?"
He leaned in and Ziva felt her heart start to beat a little faster. " Always have Zee-vah." He held up the grocery bag in his hand. "I thought I could make you dinner. That way we can stay here and...not leave."
Ziva gave him a confused look until realization dawned on her. "You want to be here when Liora and Josh get back! Tony! I told you to relax!"
Tony sighed. "I just, I don't know why I feel so protective of her, of both of you."
Ziva smiled at Tony's honesty. Placing a hand on his face, she answered for him. "It is because you are a good man." They shared a tender moment, each looking into the other's eyes. Ziva finally broke it, looking down at the bag Tony was carrying. "What are you making me?"
"Italian."
Ziva smirked. "Of course."
Tony's face suddenly became very serious. "It's my grandmother's eggplant Parmesan lasagna recipe. I think you'll love it."
"It sounds delicious."
"Can I open my eyes now?" Liora asked. Josh was walking behind her with his hands over her eyes.
"Almost," he answered. They took a few more steps and stopped. "Okay, you can open them."
They were standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial. It was lit up, and Liora couldn't help but stand in wonder. "Oh wow..."
"I know you haven't been in town for very long, so I thought I would show you some of the sights. They look the best at night."
Liora looked up at him, a huge smile on her face. The light seemed to dance across Josh's face, and she watched as his features softened slightly. He leaned in and gave her a soft, light kiss. "Josh, this is perfect. Thank you." He took her hand in his and began their tour of the city at night.
They eventually ended up in front of the holocaust museum, and Josh noticed as Liora tensed slightly. Knowing she was Jewish, Josh gave her space. The pair remained silent for several minutes.
"My adoptive mother's parents, my grandparents, were holocaust survivors. The things that they went through and that they had to endure..." she trailed off, shaking her head. She continued to stare at the museum in front of them, letting out a loud sigh. "I long for the day when humans decide to stop hurting each other."
Josh nodded. "Me too Liora. Me too."
As Josh drove up in front of Ziva's house at the end of the date, they could see Tony and Ziva through the window. The older couple was talking and laughing at the table. Josh and Liora stayed in the car for a moment and watched. Tony and Ziva's date seemed to be going very well.
"Actually Josh," Liora said, "would you mind dropping me off somewhere else?"
As her mother had told her it would be, the front door was unlocked. She could smell bourbon and sawdust as she headed down the stairs, and Liora knew for sure that she was in the right place. He was sanding the sides of an almost finished boat.
"Liora," he said as a greeting, without looking up from his work.
"Gibbs," she greeted back. She started walking slowly around the boat, studying the craftsmanship. "Nice boat."
"Nice dress."
Liora smiled. "I had a date with Josh tonight."
Gibbs nodded. "So I heard."
"Abby?" Liora guessed. Gibbs simply nodded. "It was a very good date."
"He's a good man." Liora nodded in agreement.
"I hope you don't mind me dropping in," Liora apologized. "Tony was still at the house and I did not want to interrupt."
"I don't mind," Gibbs told her.
Liora watched him work while still checking out the boat. "Can I ask you a question?" Gibbs nodded. "Who was Shannon?"
Gibbs followed Liora's vision to the name painted on the back of the boat. "She was my first wife."
A smirk spread across Liora's face. "Out of how many?"
Gibbs gave her a playful smile. "Lost count." But Liora noticed how his face softened as he looked at the name beautifully painted on the boat, and decided not to press further. "Wanna help?"
Liora shook her head. "I don't want to ruin it."
"You won't," he told her. "Come here." Gibbs handed Liora the sandpaper and started to guide, his hands over her smaller ones. "Just make sure you go with the grain." He let her continue on her own as he grabbed another sheet of sandpaper and began to sand another part of the boat next to Liora.
"I'm glad I came tonight," Liora said softly, breaking the silence that had descended upon the room.
Gibbs gave her a small smile. "Me too kid."
Liora stopped sanding and put her hand on the wood, feeling how smooth and soft the sandpaper had made it. "Can I ask you one more question?"
"Shoot."
"How are you going to get the boat out?"
The next chapter will finish up Tony and Ziva's date. Please review! Thank you all so, so much for reading!
