Tony stared at Ziva stunned; just the mention of Ziva's almost fiancé filled him with rage. He had seen her face pale at his reaction. He pulled her to him arms going round her waist in a now familiar motion. Ziva held on tightly, listening to his racing heartbeat. She knew just the mention of Ray caused Tony a lot of pain. Just like the mention of Jeanne Benoit did for her. They had been disastrous relationships built on lies and false feelings. Born from a desire for a normal life, wanting more from a relationship. Both thinking that neither had a chance with each other. Causing them both anguish, untold hurt and jealousy.

"I need to video call McGee and give him a heads up on this Ziva. I'm sorry to have to drag the past up again honey." Ziva pulled back and stared into his sea green eyes. She could get dizzy looking into them. Mentally she pulled herself together. " Tony it is I who am sorry. I know Ray is.." Tony placed a finger on her lips to silence her. The past was done.

He went to get the laptop and placed it on the dining room table. He had messaged McGee to tell him to be in MTAC. Suddenly the younger Agents face appeared on the screen. "Hey McGee, just a heads up Ziva said Daniela Asher was based in Israel with Ray Cruz. So maybe dig around there." Tony seen Tim's eyes widen at the mention of the former CIA Agent.

"Thanks Tony, it's getting late. Gibbs didn't return from his appointment. I'm going to take this home with me. Dig around there, Daniela Asher was part of an operation that went bad in the Middle East. Round about Mishnev's time she left by mutual agreement. In other words, classified. She was touting around for work but then went off the grid about a year ago."

"Fascinating timing, Timmy. Kind of all ties in. I'll be in the office tomorrow, first thing. If you find anything let me know. Give Delilah our love." Tony was happy his Probie was settled with Delilah she was good for him. Plus he had to admit he had been somewhat jealous. He looked across at his former partner. She really was beautiful and so unaware of it.

Ziva felt Tony staring at her and glanced up from her book. She felt those green eyes burning into her. She winked and smirked. "DiNozzo, you are googling yes? Just like all those years ago. What happened to them bikini photos?" Tony smirked looking very pleased with himself. He still treasured them photographs, along with the one from Paris. The door opened revealing Aunt Nettie laden down with bags.

Ziva rushed to help her Aunt. She looked Tony up and down. "This conversation is not done with." Tony laughed and picked up the last of Nettie's packages. He looked forward to continuing it. He smiled and said "To be continued then Ninja?" Ziva laughed and nodded.

Tim and Delilah had eaten their dinner. Tim sat at his laptop trying to find some information on Daniela Asher. His days of staying at the office all hours were gone. He and Delilah tried hard to maintain a work home life balance. Tim decided to contact Gavriela the Israeli CIA Agent. She had a soft spot for him. As Tony once said she had caught the McFever. She was very helpful and revealed Daniela was from Israeli parents but born in the USA. Her and Ray had been partners in a joint op with Mossad. During 2011 the time frame fit with Ziva and Ray's doomed relationship. Tim decided to leave it until the following day. It was 10 p.m let Tony and Ziva relax. It was news they already knew more or less.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs had received some pretty devastating news. He had gone to see Dr Taft after having an MRI scan. The surgeon had told him he was referring Gibbs to a colleague of his. A neuro surgeon, Dr Sylvia Harvey was renowned in her field. As a favor she had agreed to see Gibbs immediately. She explained bluntly to him he had a tumor on his brain. It was most likely caused by the numerous concussions and comas over the years. Without surgery optimistically,he could lose his sight. Worst case scenario it could kill him. He had 48 hours to decide.

Tony held his daughter and blew a raspberry on her stomach. She giggled and grabbed at his hair. Aviva had been asleep, Tony heard her wake up and start talking to herself. Ziva was asleep, snoring slightly. Tony sat down in the rocking chair with Aviva on his knee. Her fleece blanket wrapped around her. He still was in awe of the fact he was a father. She stared at him big, green eyes unblinking. He gently caressed her cheek, hugging her close. Quietly he began to sing a lullaby.

Ziva woke up with a jump, she got out of bed and went to the nursery. The sight that greeted her made her heart melt. Tony and Aviva were both fast asleep in the rocking chair. She gently shook Tony's shoulder. She then took Aviva and settled her in her bed. Tony looked around groggily, he had been asleep for at least an hour. Ziva grabbed him by the hand and led him to her bedroom. Tony watched in surprise. Ziva got back into the huge King size bed and indicated for him to join her. Settling down beside her his arm around her waist, Tony sighed contentedly. They never had needed words was his last thought before he drifted off back to sleep.

Gibbs had spent a restless night. He knew he had no choice but it still wasn't an easy decision. He decided to go into the Navy Yard to see Vance personally. Now his decision had been made he would be facing surgery immediately. He wanted to do a few things before that happened. He would tell Dr Harvey to schedule it for the following day. He knew Abby would be devastated. The others would be concerned but she was like a helpless child.

Tony was once again up early, showered and smartly dressed. Ziva eyed him hungrily, she respected his decision to want to go slowly but she wanted him badly. She edged closer to him and sniffed him, he smelt gorgeous. He looked at her and wiggled his eyebrows playfully. Seeing the look in those dark orbs made his stomach drop. Oh hell DiNozzo, without thinking he grabbed her head his hands sinking in her hair and hungrily kissed her eager lips. Ziva kissed him back passionately. She suddenly became aware of her daughter happily playing on the floor and pulled back. Tony looked down at her his heart racing, he pecked her lips and moved away. He put on his coat,it was freezing outside. The forecast had said snow.

"Ziva when I get back we need to talk. I know until all this is over with the Bashan's we can't really plan but we need to know if we both want the same thing. One hundred per cent because I can't cope with losing you again. Either of you. Twice is enough, it almost killed me, especially the last time." Tony nodded and headed out the door, leaving Ziva shaken and stunned. Tony obviously meant her summer in Somalia and leaving her in Israel.

Navy Yard, Washington D.C

Leon Vance stared at Gibbs in shock. For once he didn't know what to say to the gruff former marine. Really there were no words. "Obviously, I don't know if I will be coming back if ever. Depending on the surgery and then recovery time." Gibbs spoke matter of fact but his heart was racing. Vance seen his face go white. He moved quickly to help him to sit down in the chair before he collapsed. He poured him a glass of water. Was this really happening? It felt like a living nightmare.

Tony was gathered in front of the plasma with Bishop and Anderson. He was ready to do a full day. Progress needed to be made. Vance had wanted to send a couple of agents for protection Ziva had refused. A picture of a very attractive lady in her late 30s appeared on the screen. She had dark, curly hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes. She reminded Tony of Eva Longoria. Tim cleared his throat. "This is former CIA Agent Daniela Asher. She is 38 both of her parents are Israeli. Her father is a professor at Georgetown University. Miss Asher was born in the USA. Her boyfriend is Isaac Bashan. They met in 2011 on a joint Mossad CIA op. Tony's neighbor identified her. She was asking questions about Tony's whereabouts. Miss Asher left the CIA a year ago. A sleeper cell op in the Middle East went wrong. Civilians were killed, she left by mutual consent. After putting herself up for hire she disappeared a month later until now."

"Good job McGee, so you found out what happened on the op? Where's El Jefe at?" Tony looked round waiting for a head slap although they had died off the last year. The others headed back to their desks. He looked up and caught sight of Gibbs coming down the stairs with Vance. Something was off his gut was screaming.

"Ok team, Gibbs is going on a special mission. Strictly need to know and you don't. McGee you are in charge. DiNozzo you are just here helping you are officially still on protection duty. Ziva is one stubborn woman." Vance looked around seeing confusion in their faces. They had decided a cover story was better than the truth for now. Gibbs wanted the operation in private. Then the team could be informed of the outcome. He decided to say goodbye to Abby but keep up the cover story. This case was too important for distractions.

"Ok Gibbs safe travels." Tony shook his old mentors hand. Something was a miss he knew it. "The BOLO has just come back Sanchez has been picked up by Metro. Bishop, Anderson don't come back without him this time." Tony grinned proudly at his Probie. "Tony maybe it's time for you to pay Ray Cruz a visit in prison. See what he knows. What do you say?" Tony felt the grin slip from his face. What the hell?