Ohmygod. I am soo sorry for the delay, truly I am. I really wanted to get a new chapter out, I did. But I had about no time to do anything, cept write a oneshot…and put a new chapter of motherhood…ok, so I kinda was putting this one off a little, but I didn't really know how to start it, or end it, or what to put in the middle.

So, again, sorry for the delay, and I'm so sorry that I'm breaking Gibbs' golden rule, so yes, I am sorry *kisses cheek solemnly in the men's bathroom*

But thanks sososo much for all that have reviewed these past chapters, your reviews get me through these hideous school days:D

Disclaimer: If only I was Donald Bellasario…I'd even settle for Shane Brennan.

NCIS:2031:Catwalk

A smile creeped along Abby's face as Gibbs walked up the carpeted stairs to meet her. She opened up her arms and wrapped them around him, squeezing him tighter than she, or her, needed.

"You came." she whispered softly in his ear, excitement filled her tone.

"And miss your birthday?" he said undoubtedly, her arms still around him as he placed his softly around her back.

She let go of him, looking him in the eye with her hands still at his shoulders. "You remembered." she smiled tightly, holding in her inner excitement.

He narrowed his eyes softly on hers and raised an eyebrow, making her smile grow wider. "We going to Alfonso's?" he asked.

"Just like every year." she agreed happily.

McGee Residence:2031:A Few Days Later

Dinner was finished, it had been for a while, and now everyone was gathered in the den by the fire. It was a picture perfect moment, like some cliché picture out of a home and gardens magazine. Everything looked perfect. But looks can definitely be deceiving.

The tension between Tony and Ziva was rising faster than speedometer on a NASCAR racer. Even though they had been acting very comfortable around each other, you could sense something going on. And things had yet to be fully worked out between them.

Although Tony and Anna were getting along better than anyone had expected, things between Tony and Avery had not been touched. Avery still had his unmentioned reasons for not taking to his father right away and no matter how hard Tony had tried, his efforts were unsuccessful.

With Ziva sitting peacefully on the couch, her head on Gibb's shoulder and Katie's puppy, Mercury, on her lap, Tony decided to venture around for Avery, who had not been seen since after dinner.

After a quick search of the house, Tony finally found his son sitting outside on the back deck, looking out into the Anacostia River that settled in between the trees. He looked at the back of Avery, taking in a deep breath before sitting in the empty chair next to him.

Avery turned his head in Tony's direction, mostly just to see who it was. "Hey." Tony greeted, sitting down.

"Shalom." Tony almost chuckled at how official he sounded.

"Your mom told me you're almost ready to become director." he said after a moment.

"Mhm." Avery hummed, taking a sip of bourbon.

With the heavy smell entering his nostrils, Tony let out a light chuckle causing Avery to curiously turn his head with a questioning look. "Nothing. It's just…bourbon." he chuckled again. "Bourbon and I have been through a lot." he joked.

"You are a drinker?" Tony could sense he didn't seemed surprised, as if he wanted him to be, just to have another reason to be angry with him.

"Only when things got rough." he said simply.

A heavy silence lingered around them, neither knowing what to say. Until Tony figured what Avery was thinking, just like he always knew what Ziva was thinking. "Look, Avery…" he trailed off slightly, and Avery could feel the tension rising.

"I know, you're probably mad. But…if I would have known, I promise you, I would have been there." Tony explained wholeheartedly. "My father sucked. But he was there and sucked. I didn't even get the chance to be there for you."

Avery let out a breath he did not realize he was holding. "If Ziva had told me, I would have been there in a second, for everything." he paused, as Avery kept his ears on every word. "But, I'm here now. And, if you'll allow it, I'd liked to be part of your life." he finally breathed.

Avery looked down into his drink, letting his father's words sink deep into his mind. Finally, he looked up at Tony. "I think I would like that."

A smile crossed Tony's face. Avery could have said a hundred other things, but he didn't.

McGee Residence: The Next Night

It had been exactly one week since Ziva had gone to Mexico. One week since she had seen Tony for the first time in six years. One week since she had talked to him. One week since she had this indescribable feeling in the pit of her stomach.

And now, Ziva sat peacefully on the guest bed, a book in her hand and a glass of wine on the nightstand. She heard a soft knock and sighed at the thought of having to get up from her comfortable position. But the intruder opened the door a crack, popping his head in just enough for her to see his emerald green eyes.

"Hey." he greeted somewhat awkwardly.

"Tony…" she trailed off, a smile tugging at her lips and that feeling returning.

She motioned for him to come in and he took a breath as he stood at the side of the bed. "Busy?" he asked with a smile.

"No." she smiled. He nodded; she could see the excitement growing in his eyes.

"Well," he rubbed the back of his neck, the other hand behind his back, hiding something from her. "I don't know if you noticed…but today is the first Tuesday I've seen you in twenty years." he let loose a smile.

"Actually, it is the second." she corrected with smiling eyes.

"First full Tuesday." he corrected himself.

She smiled, her eyes turning curious. "Yes, I remembered." she paused. "I thought you may have forgotten." she teased, knowing it was a lie.

Tony chuckled. "Me, forget Tuesday? Never." he ran over to the TV. "Shall I?"

"What were we up to?" she questioned with a smile, just like she used to.

"Halfway through the G's." he popped the DVD in the player and ran over to the bed, sitting next to her, wrapping his arm around her, letting her sink into him, just like they used to.

"Ghostbusters." he whispered into her curls, just like he used to.

Before the FBI warning had a chance to delay their movie, Ziva turned to Tony, staring at him admiringly as his eyes stayed on the screen, well aware she was watching him, just like she used to.

"Tony, wait." she said quietly, causing him to shoot her a look of concern. He paused the movie at her solemn expression. "We cannot do this." she breathed, not looking at him.

His expression turned questioning as he looked at her eyes drift around the pattern of the blanket. "We cannot just pretend like nothing happened." her eyes soon met his. "Twenty years happened." she finished softly.

He swallowed as she kept her eyes on his; they were full of kindness and concern. "I miss you Tony." she whispered kindly, truthfully. "And this week has been…well, I have had this feeling, one that I have not had in twenty years." the corners of her lips began to lift. "And…I like this feeling." He could hear the chuckle in her words. He cracked a smile.

"The point is." she took in a breath. "What you said in Mexico that night, about us…I would like that, very much so." the smile she had been holding finally slipped.

"You think we can do it?" he asked with a smile after a moment.

She kept her smile. "Our relationship may not have been, perfect…but I do not think there is such a thing as a perfect relationship."

"So we'll have to stick to imperfection." he said nonchalantly. "Never stopped us before."

They're eyes melted into each other's. "I am sorry…for every year that I did not tell you about Anna and Avery." she said solemnly.

His eyes narrowed slightly on hers, "You wanna start over?" he added a charming smile.

"No." she said simply. "I think we can pick up where we left off." she answered slyly.

Soon, the stares became unbearable. Ziva brought her hands to his face, cupping his cheeks as she pressed her lips ever so gently onto his. Unwillingly letting go, she let her nose rest on his for a moment, unsure of what to do next.

But before she could pull away any further, she felt Tony's hand on the back of her neck, bring her lips back to his, just like they used to.

Short, I know. But good right?

I've decided that there will only be like two more chapters, I really wanna get started on my other stories, so I'm hoping for a sooner update but with finals coming up…

Review! Please, I want a review from everyone this chapter! This is the big one, well, the second biggest one. I wanna know what you guys think! What else you want cleared up before it ends!