Chapter Fourteen

Tony and Ziva were finally back together, the kiss so felt natural and pure. Ziva felt a similar feeling to when you come home after a long trip, kissing Tony was like her lips were coming home. She sank into the feeling with her eyes closed, breathing through her nose and inhaling his warm masculine scent. Tony was the first to pull away, but only to smile and caress her cheek. He stroked her face softly, how was it so smooth and flawless? His thumb brushed over her lips and she smiled. People were staring again, she could feel it, usually she did not care but this was the Navy Yard. Dinozzo's workplace, he couldn't be seen to be unprofessional.
"Tony...we should stop. If Gibbs knew…" She whispered taking a step back, feeling if she were close to him she would not be able to stop herself.
"I'm on a break, and it's not like we work together anymore." He tried to kiss her again but she hesitated and he stopped. "What is it? Ziva?"
"Can we go somewhere private and talk at some point? Also for now at least I do not think we should tell people about us, until we are ready." There was lots to talk about, the nature of their relationship, the miscarriage, and of course her plan to be reinstated as an NCIS Special Agent.
"Of course whatever you want. You can come round tonight if you want? To talk." He emphasized the last point making sure she was aware he wasn't trying to make a move.
"I cannot. Tina is staying with me, I don't want to leave her on her own. She's been having nightmares and I worry."
"I could come round yours? About eight-ish? I can bring food and cook you guys a proper meal." He smiled softly, at the idea of such a domestic event. He'd never really cooked for anyone in a long time.

"Sounds nice Tony. Tina doesn't complain but I'm not entirely sure she likes my meals…" 'Meals' was a loose term, for her lunch at school Ziva had made Israeli couscous, a unique recipe she learned from Aunt Nettie. It was an acquired taste apparently as Tina returned to buying food from the canteen like she had before her stay with Ziva.

"So I'll see you then?" Tony stammered awkwardly, he didn't want to leave her but he had to get back to work soon or he'd face the wrath of Gibbs.
"Actually I will walk with you, I am going to see Director Vance." Tony looked confused and she quickly lied. "I have not yet seen him since my return, and I wanted to check he is okay. After Jackie, it was so hard for him and the kids…"
"Ah, I understand. He has been through alot." Just like you, he thought silently. They walked side by side, their hands occasionally brushing but never interlocking, to the NCIS building. Tony waited whilst Ziva collected her visitors badge, she clipped it on the side of her belt, just where her badge used to sit.
"Well, good luck with your case. I will see you later." Ziva smiled and waved briefly at Gibbs and the others before heading to the stairs. She could hear the voices behind her.
"I'm glad things are better between you guys." Ellie said sincerely she, she had forgiven Tony along with everyone else slowly but now it was as if the elevator incident had never happened.
"Are you and Ziva dating again?" McGee asked smiling. Gibbs looked up at Tony curiously waiting.
"No, no, just friends." Tony found it easy to be convincing, he'd spent so many time telling himself that lie it was second nature. Pretending he had no feelings for years. Ziva left the earshot of the conversation and she continued to Leon's office.

"David." Ziva spun around and saw him emerge from MTAC the door quickly shutting behind him. "With me, now."
"Yes Director." Vance walked quickly and she followed briskly to keep up. They ignored his PA and went straight into his private office.
"Sit." He ordered her, and she perched on the chair opposite his desk. "Gibbs has already spoken to me, but that's not all I need to talk to you about." Ziva's face fell, he was being so serious and she felt like panicking.
"Sir?" She sat on her hands to stop herself fidgeting.
"The girl, Tina? Yes? Social services have found her a placement in a group home, east of the river." Vance said slowly watching her reaction. Ziva couldn't hide her frustration, and upset.
"Director, that's too far from her school she'd have to move. And east of the river?" It was an awful place, and very dangerous. In a kids home she'd probably have all her stuff stolen, and lord knows what else.
"Sorry David, I tried. Her assigned social worker will help her transition from schools and it shouldn't affect her grades. Tina's a bright kid with a good future."
"With all due respect, Director, if you allow her to be placed there she won't have a future! You know what happens to kids in the system. Vance I want to become a foster carer for Tina." Ziva had made up her mind and looked him straight in the eyes with a look filled with determination.
"It's not gonna' be easy. I'll talk to my friend down at Social Services and we can get the temporary custody extended until it can be finalised. However it will take weeks, you will have to go through interviews and home-visits. In addition to that you'll have to prove you have a stable source of significant income from a good job, which brings me onto the next subject…"

The rest of the conversation was easy, it appeared there were less hurdles to jump through than she first anticipated. She could even take the firearms proficiency test that day. As she had already been a 'probie' and completed all training, all that she needed to do was the paperwork, psyche evals, and her firearms test which would be a breeze. All in all it would take her less than a month and Vance said that she could do desk work until it was official if she wanted. Ziva told him she would need to work her notice at the restaurant, a small white lie, but she could start the 'ball rolling' as it were now. She would take the proficiency test, and evals but wouldn't work at NCIS for a couple of weeks which gave her plenty of time to discuss it with Tony and talk more to Gibbs. She also needed time herself to adjust and to work things out with Tina too. Ziva was surprised that Vance had agreed to her being an addition to the MCRT, since they already had Ellie, but he assured her they could make it work. The only thing that remained was a handshake and a thank you before she left. They left the room together smiling having smoothed all the important things over.
"Director Vance?" Ziva asked as she stepped into the elevator. "Only Gibbs knows I am returning to NCIS. I would like to tell them myself please."
"I won't say a word David. Good luck." He smiled and placed a toothpick between his lips chewing the edge as he walked back to his office. The elevator slowly descended and briefly she felt worry after what had happened to her and Ellie, perhaps next time she would take the stairs as it was not so nerve-wrecking ascending in the box but going down reminded her of the plummeting feeling before the crash she'd experienced.

Ziva looked at her watch and knew she didn't have long before Tina would finish classes so she took a taxi to the school in order to be there early just incase. She tapped her foot thinking of what to say to the young girl, she hadn't thought twice about wanting to become her guardian but what did Tina want? What if Tina didn't want Ziva to foster her? What if she was angry? Ziva tried to think positively and ignored the negative thoughts. At least she would see Tony tonight, if it all went badly she would have support. She waved at the teenager jogging towards her, backpack swinging with her body.
"What's the rush?" Ziva joked at Tina.
"No rush, I've just been in tests all day. Needed to stretch my legs, they were one after another, I've spent almost four hours sat down!" She frowned sensing Ziva's mood. "What's up?"
"Nothing I just need to talk to you when we get back." Ziva smiled trying to reassure her, it failed.
"Do you want me to leave? What did I do?" Tina started babbling.
"Tina, stop. Breathe. I'm not asking you to leave, I actually wondered if you would want to stay a bit longer than this week?" Ziva laughed at the young girls panic, as if anyone would want her to leave. Tina was a sweet girl and could never do anything wrong. "Come on, I'll explain when we get back, but I need to tidy up too. I have a friend from NCIS coming over, is that okay?"
"Sure, it's your house dunno why you're asking me!" Tina giggled adjusting her backpack and they both walked side by side to Ziva's apartment smiling. Perhaps there was nothing to worry about after all.

Authors Note: I did promise things would get happier! Well done to Debbie, who already guessed that Ziva was planning to try and become a legal guardian to Tina. I didn't realize I'd made my intention so obvious! I hope you guys understand, I am not a social worker, so there may be a couple of inaccuracies in this story. As always please review, and let me know what you want to see in this story!