Tony met Ziva at a restaurant not too far from the hospital. He helped her out of her car and without warning Ziva took Tony and placed a kiss on his lips.

"What are you doing Ziva?" Tony asked pulling away.

"I just wanted to say thank you for coming to dinner with me." Ziva wrapped her arms around his strong neck and got lost in his eyes.

"For now, let's just have dinner. Other things can wait." Tony smirked trying to unwrap her arms from him.

He was the perfect gentleman opening the door to the restaurant for her and pulling out her seat when they were seated at a table.

"Could I start you off with something to drink, maybe some appetizers?" the young waitress asked.

"Scotch please." Tony answered.

"And for you miss?" the waitress looked at Ziva.

"Oh, I'll have what he's having." Ziva answered.

Tony looked at the new agent over good with her dark brown eyes and brown hair that laid in loose curls just below her shoulders. He could have imagined dating her had he not of married Kate. He looked down at the menu to try to clear his head but when he looked up he didn't see Ziva, he saw Kate.

"So, tell me about the Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. Gibbs talks about you a lot." Ziva said placing her hand on top of his, bringing Tony back to the date.

"Gibbs talks about me?" Tony questioned.

"All the time. Says you were one of the best agents he had ever had. Said your wife was a great agent as well. It's a shame I never got to meet her. From the way Gibbs and Tim talk she was an amazing woman." Ziva said as she leaned forward in her seat. She saw emerald green eyes glisten.

Tony was trying so hard not to let the dam break and cry in front of the agent that has taken his wife's desk, her spot. Now here he was trying to replace Kate in his personal life.

"Thank you for the offer of dinner Miss David but I really need to go. Enjoy your dinner." Tony said as he got up from the table and hurried out the door before the drinks were ever brought to the table.

Ziva was left sitting at the table wondering if she had done or said something wrong.

Tony went out to his car and let the tears fall. He wanted nothing more than to go pick up Kami and go home. His mind was racing as he drove he was ready to end it all. He had way too much loss in his life. Kami was still young. If he did something now she wouldn't be traumatized by losing him. She probably wouldn't remember Kate, he could also erase himself from her memory as well. He thought of the different ways. He could leave Kami over at Gibbs house, call Gibbs right before he shot his gun. He could just swallow pills and let Kami find him in the morning. Or maybe he could drink himself to death. It broke his heart that Kami would find him dead, but he couldn't keep living like this. The pain that he carried with him, always putting a fake smile on at work, and trying to stay happy for his little girl was really becoming too much.

Tony pulled into Gibbs driveway and tried to wipe the tears from his face. He walked up to the door and in typical Gibbs fashion he hadn't locked the door. Tony slipped in just as Gibbs was coming out of the kitchen with a beer.

"Date over so soon?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah…it's just…Ziva isn't really my type I guess." Tony stammered.

"DiNozzo, I have known you for 8 years. Anything with a skirt on was your type." Gibbs corrected.

"Gibbs, I just want to get Kami and go home." Tony tried to choke back a sob.

"She's in the extra bedroom sleeping. She can stay the night. I don't mind." Gibbs said.

"Thank you." Tony choked out. He felt like he was just given the permission to do what he had planned.

Tony turned and started for the door. Gibbs could see the overwhelming pain in Tony's eyes and knew he needed to talk to Tony before he did something stupid. After all, Kami needed her daddy.

"DiNozzo wait." Gibbs demanded causing Tony to turn around. "Why don't you come in and have a seat and have a beer."

Tony rolled his eyes but agreed. Tony sat on Gibbs couch quietly as he drank his beer. Gibbs gave him space and didn't talk either. He felt when Tony was ready, he would open up and talk. It took a bit to get Tony to relax, but when he did tears started to roll down the younger man's cheeks.

"I miss her Gibbs." Tony cried.

"I know you do Tony and its ok to miss her." Gibbs said getting up to sit next to Tony on the couch.

"We always enjoyed you coming to see us in Indiana. When Kami was born and her birthdays. I know you had to work a case and couldn't make it for her 3rd birthday, but thank you for at least sending her a gift." Tony wiped his tears.

Gibbs just nodded and waited to see what else Tony would say.

"We were excited and hoped that you wouldn't have a case the day our son was born." Tony tried to steady his breathing before he went on. "Kate and I wanted to be surprised on the gender of the baby. We were so excited. Already started on the nursery. We had put Kami to bed that night and had just laid down ourselves. Kate woke up in the middle of the night screaming. She was bleeding and was having contractions. We had our sweet little old neighbor lady to watch Kami as I rushed Kate to the hospital. On the way, the contractions had gotten so hard Kate could barely breath. She said it felt like the worst pain in her life. A lot more painful than when she had Kami. She was only 26 weeks. I had a feeling we would lose the baby. The nurses and doctors were quick to jump into action. Kate's vitals had started dropping and they found her placenta had erupted. They had to rush her into emergency surgery. She was very weak and was bleeding out but the last thing she told me was 'I love you and if it comes between my life and the baby's, let the baby live. And if I don't make it keep my memory alive for Kami. Tell her I love her and always will.' Had I known that would have been our last moment together I would have held her a little longer, kissed her until she couldn't breathe. They wouldn't allow me to go to the operating room with her. Said it was too risky of a procedure and they didn't want me back there in case things went south. God I wish I could have been holding her hand as she died. Or at least been able to see our son Aiden even though he did live very briefly. I moved back to D.C. not only to have help raising Kami by myself but to get away from the pain. I thought if I moved away from Indiana, I could run away from my demons, try to block out losing Kate and Aiden."

Tony took a break and broke down. He no longer could keep the tears in. Gibbs just sat there, listening, as he rubbed soothing circles on Tony's back.

"It's so hard being a single dad. Having your daughter ask when her mommy is coming home and not knowing how to explain to her that she never will. Or at Kate's funeral how Kami wanted to climb in the casket with Kate and 'take a nap with mommy.' Kate looked so peaceful. Gibbs I felt like I was cheating on Kate tonight when I went to dinner with Ziva. I know I shouldn't but it kind of makes me mad seeing Tim and Delilah with Baby Riley. Seeing how happy they are makes me jealous. That should have been myself and Kate. That should have been us holding Aiden and being excited and proud to have a new baby to add to our family. That should have been my son I was holding today, not McGee's. And then tonight, that should have been Kate I was taking out to dinner, not Ziva." Tony lost it. He felt like the dam had busted and there was no turning off the water works.

Without warning, Gibbs leaned in and kissed Tony. Tony's eyes widened and he pulled away from the kiss.

"What the hell are you doing Gibbs?" Tony said as he wiped his mouth.

"I guess I ought to come clean to you Tony. I have been attracted to you ever since you tackled me in Baltimore." Gibbs explained.

Tony couldn't believe it. Gibbs, the man that had four wives, had actually been attracted to him all this time. Why was he just now telling him?

"Gibbs why? After everything I just told you why now? I'll admit that I have always been attracted to you. But I figured you wouldn't go for it. Instead I went on a few dates with Kate, trying to push you out of my head because you were my boss! Instead I fell in love with Kate before leaving NCIS for good or so I thought at the time. Now losing Kate forced me back to D.C." Tony explained.

"Fate has a way of doing things Tony." Gibbs answered. "All those head slaps over the years, it was just so I could have some kind of physical contact with you."

"Are you serious?" Tony was stunned.

Gibbs nodded before leaning in and trying again with a kiss. This time Tony didn't refuse. Instead he allowed his and Gibbs tongues to dance within each others mouths. Once the came up for air Gibbs looked at his watch.

"It's getting late, why don't you stay the night?"

Tony agreed and followed Gibbs upstairs to the master bedroom.

"I promise I won't do anything to you. That's your call DiNozzo." Gibbs said as he took his close off.

Tony was still cautious and left his boxers on as he climbed under the covers with Gibbs. Gibbs kept his word. Tony fell asleep in Gibbs warm embrace. Throughout the night Gibbs held Tony and ran his fingers through Tony's soft hair. He was glad he finally had the man of his dreams right where he belonged.