A/N - I apologize sincerely for the long wait on this chapter. I was struggling, as we all were, with the changes this season. But, I have been re-inspired by reading some of other people's fine stories and reruns of the previous seasons of NCIS. So, here's to keeping TIVA alive!

Chapter 10 - Gone

A conversation after MTAC

"Excuse me just a moment, Lydia," Ziva said to the girl, seeing Tony walking toward the break room to get a clearer head.

Ziva nearly ran after Tony and caught him by the arm as he made his way for coffee. He turned immediately.

"I will be unavailable the next couple of nights, I think. I have offered to take care of Lydia until her mother can come home," Ziva said. "I thought I should tell you."

Tony nodded. "That's fine," he said in understanding. "You have a big heart."

He smiled at her and Ziva smiled in return. "I have to return to her. I left her alone," Ziva said quietly.

"You'll make a good mother someday, Ziva," Tony said quietly and they both shared a quiet smile before returning to what they were doing.

While Lydia is in the shower

Ziva's phone dinged for the millionth time that evening and she smiled as she read the message and responded to it.

"Who is making you smile like that Ziva?" Abby asked.

Ziva shook her head. "It is just Tony making fun of my friend's name again," Ziva said chuckling.

It was half the truth. Ziva had laughed at the last message of understanding when she had finally explained who Shmeil was and how she knew him. They were now engaging in some soft flirting over text messages. It had been a while since they had spent a night apart and they were having a hard time getting away from the phone.

"You've been texting Tony all this time?" Abby asked.

"We text all the time," Ziva responded casually with a shrug, showing Abby that it was nothing.

Abby nodded thoughtfully. "You two really have gotten closer since the elevator," she commented.

"Yea, I guess we have," Ziva agreeed and then they ate in silence.

One message after dinner

We were attacked at Gibbs' house. We are fine. I wish you would have had my back. We'll be at NCIS soon. Zi.

After the interrogation of Fred

"I don't know how much more of this I can take," Ziva said to Tony in the squad room.

Tony reached out and pulled Ziva to him in a tight hug. "I saw Gibbs stop you from snapping in the interrogation room. Did he kick you out?"

"No," Ziva said, shaking her head into Tony's chest. "I kicked myself out. I know my limits."

Tony squeezed her a little tighter. The case was hard on him too.

Meeting Shmeil

"You look nice," Tony said.

"Thank you, we're going out," Ziva said, looking down at herself briefly.

"We?"

"Shmeil and I," Ziva said, giving Tony a significant look, since they had already discussed Shmeil. "He landed an hour ago."

"The mighty Shmeil has landed. He's got a lot to live up to," Tony said with a smile. "Can I ask, do his feet touch the ground?"

Ziva laughed. "He's just a man, Tony. Currently, he's actually using the restroom," Ziva said.

"It was out of towels. Luckily, a nice man in the hall had the janitor bring me some. You know him actually, he said his name was Leon. Very fond of you."

"Yes," Tony said in a dramatic voice. "That's our director."

"Tony DiNozzo, I want you to meet my very good friend, Shmeil Pinkas, poet, philosopher and Middle East historian," Ziva said excitedly and Tony's eyes widened.

"Listen to her, but who can argue with a smile like that?" Shmeil said.

"Oh... I can't," Tony muttered.

"DiNozzo!" Shmeil said. "I think I met someone of that name at a hotel bar in Geneva. An older version of you, outgoing, quite dashing."

Ziva's eyes were trained on Tony and she was seeing how Tony was reacting to hearing that her friend had met his father.

"Let me get this straight, you've met my father?" Tony asked and Ziva laughed, since he was using a funny voice.

"Nice kid and such stories!" Shmeil said. "Many I cannot repeat in mixed company. But, he had me laughing!"

"Well if he stuck you with the check, then that's our guy," Tony said resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"And you must join us," Shmeil said.

"Oh, gosh, I couldn't. Ah, you know you want to be alone and I have all this."

"No, we have plenty of time," Ziva said, rushing to get Tony's coat. "And Shmeil is actually spending the night, so..."

"I've known my Ziva since she was three years old, trust me, we'll be talking until dawn!" Shmeil said.

They walked out and once they were in the elevator Ziva looked at Tony. "I planned on you coming all the time, you know," she said with a laugh.

"And I know what you two are hiding," Shmeil said, also laughing.

"You're a good actor!" Tony complimented.

"Well, I have had to get through some things in my day, son," Shmeil said. "Let's party!"