AN: Death threats do not assist me in writing any faster folks! Kidding. But seriously, I promise that there is more squish and less angst in this chapter. And I think we're getting on toward done. There will be at least one more chapter before we wrap it up. For once, I think I've got in mind what I'm doing for the Epilogue and I hope you guys like it!
MN: We got up a fluffy bit of a oneshot called Sodden if you guys need a McAbby break from all this Tiva. That being said, SHHHHH fluff!
Tony watched as Ziva ran around Gibbs' backyard with Ori and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She was amazing with him. He'd always assumed she would make a wonderful mother but her interaction with the boy confirmed it.
He felt his boss's presence before he saw him. "You know this is a bad idea, right?"
He didn't have to ask what Gibbs was talking about. "Probably the worst I've ever had. But it's what she wants, what she thinks she needs. And for the next two days, I can give it to her; so I will."
"What happens when she leaves?"
Tony shrugged. "I work like hell to find a way to bring her home."
"Come play, Tony!" Ori was beckoning to him from across the yard.
He shot one more look at his boss then trotted across the grass to the boy.
Tony skidded to a stop outside the courtroom door and took a moment to catch his breath. He opened the door as little as he needed in order to slip through, doing his best to remain silent.
He couldn't see Ziva. Ducky and Palmer were standing behind her. Abby was sitting at her side. The sound of his name drew his eyes to the judge.
"And what about Agent DiNozzo? You didn't mention him. He's listed here as your partner."
Ziva's voice was quiet and he could hear that she was holding back tears as she spoke. "Tony is my best friend. He's always been there for me, always done whatever it took to remind me that he cares. He makes me laugh and lets me cry. He's risked his life and his career for me more times than I can count. He pushes me when I need pushed and supports me when I'm ready to crumble. He's exactly the kind of man that I would want Ori to grow up to be."
Tony was most of the way up the aisle now, standing just behind the gate when her next words froze him in his tracks.
"And I know, no matter what, he will be there for Ori, and his daughter."
"Daughter?"
Five sets of eyes turned toward him but Tony only cared about the dark brown pair peeking out between Ducky and Palmer.
The judge sighed at the interruption. Tony ignored him and stepped forward through the gate. Ducky and Palmer moved to the side allowing him to stand next to Ziva's chair. She nodded as she looked up at him.
"Our daughter?" He sank down to his knees beside her, tears stinging at his eyes.
"Yes, Tony." A tear slid down her cheek and he reached up to brush it away. She caught his hand and brought it down to her stomach.
After a long moment the judge cleared his throat loudly and Tony reluctantly looked toward the man.
"Agent DiNozzo, I presume? Sorry to interrupt your reunion, but we are in the middle of a court proceeding here."
Tony nodded and stood. Abby rose from the chair next to Ziva and he took it, immediately grasping her hand in his.
Tony shut the door to Ori's room and returned to the living room, expecting to find Ziva on the couch where he left her. What he found instead was Gibbs sitting there, a familiar backpack at his feet.
"Thought you might need a change of clothes if you're staying, DiNozzo."
Tony stared at him a moment. He knew Gibbs had left for the office after dinner, but the fact that the man retrieved his backup clothes from his desk surprised him. "Uhhh, I didn't know I was staying, Boss."
Gibbs lifted a glass to his lips, sipping the amber liquid it contained. "Like you said, it's what she wants. So you stay."
He drained his glass and stood, moving into the kitchen. Tony heard the cup being set in the sink then the sound of Gibbs trudging down into the basement.
McGee nearly collided with Abby as he and Gibbs rounded the corner. She was standing with Ducky and Palmer. A short way down the hall stood Tony, his arms wrapped around Ziva and her head against his shoulder.
"Abbs?"
The single word from Gibbs spurred Abby into a frenzy. "He's talking to Ori now but he said he isn't going to make his decision until tomorrow because it's a lot of information to think about. Tony got here just in time. We had the judge on the fence but I'm pretty sure Tony showing up tipped things in our favor."
Gibbs nodded curtly and walked back the way he came, hauling his cell phone from his pocket.
McGee glanced back up at his partners. "And how are they?"
Abby shrugged. "I dunno. They haven't really spoken. Like at all. I mean, like five words between them in the courtroom but dead silence since we came out. But he hasn't let go of her since he touched her when he came in."
"It's a lot to take in. For both of them."
He was surprised when it was Palmer who commented. "They're strong. I don't think there's anything they can't get through together."
The rest of the group nodded in agreement then slipped into silence. What felt like an eternity later a door opened and Ori came out with a woman who McGee could only assume was a social worker. The moment the boy saw Tony he broke free from the woman and raced toward him.
As the rest of the group moved toward the couple, Tony turned from Ziva for the first time since McGee had gotten there, crouching down to scoop up the boy and hug him tightly. He was babbling excitedly, McGee noted, in English and Tony smiled down at him. "Slow down buddy. We'll have time to talk later."
The social worker was holding a file and she approached Ziva. "Ms. David, Judge Williams says he will read his decision at 9am tomorrow. I need to know where you and Ori will be staying tonight, for the record."
"With me." McGee was no longer surprised at his boss's ability to approach without making a sound, nor was he shocked at the assumption that Ziva and Ori would be staying with him.
Gibbs issued the woman his address, phone numbers, and business card then summarily dismissed her. The team fell into a heavy silence.
The quiet didn't last long, interrupted by the intrepid preschooler still perched in Tony's arms. "Is it almost lunchtime now? I am hungry!"
Tony chuckled and shifted the boy to his hip, using his newly freed hand to reach for Ziva's. "You betcha, Buddy. What do you want?"
"Pizza!"
Tony laughed again at the emphatic response. "Can Ducky and Abby and Jimmy and McGee and Gibbs come too?"
Ori nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!"
With that declaration the team started down the hall toward the doors.
AN: I know it's a little on the short side, but I wanted to go ahead and get it up before a certain JenJen murders me. But seriously, I don't know if I will get up the next chapter before Monday with my work schedule for the next few days. Also, I only gave this a half assed going over cause it's past my bedtime so pardon any mistakes.
MN: Oh the fluffy, squee, squishy, cuteness of it all! Tonight, I sleep a very happy muse!