Two weeks had passed since Tony was released from the hospital. In that time they had not heard a word from Ziva. Gibbs had assured them that it was normal and she was simply grieving in her own way. She would come around eventually but what he could not answer was if there was any hope for Tony and Ziva's relationship. As much as he wanted to be in a relationship with Ziva, to make a family with her. He mainly just wanted to have her friendship back. They had been the best of friends for so long and now none of that mattered. Part of him wished that he had never warmed up to her but then Tali would have never existed. Then again maybe that was for the best.
Ziva David was officially out of her hotel room and into a dingy and crammed apartment. It was a tiny two room apartment in a poor neighborhood. Her apartment was at the end of a long hallway with lights that flickered and hummed with every step. The floors in her unit were carpeted and somehow both sticky and squishy at the same time. The walls were white and gray, and it was clear that the roof leaked. Her bed was a lumpy and squeaky pullout couch, her kitchen table was a wobbly card table and a cheap wooden stool. The apartment also always smelled like cabbage and damp. Before she fell into the coma she had a beautiful farmhouse and a sweet baby girl growing in her womb. Now she had a sketchy apartment and a dead daughter in an urn. She felt like the past two years of her life were a movie. She had come to the theater but fell asleep during the previews and did not wake until the theater was dark and everybody had gone home. She was locked inside the darkness and she had no idea when of if she would ever get out.
It had only been a month since the death of his daughter but Tony was already planning on returning to work. He wasn't sure if he could handle it but he was desperate for the normalcy. He would have to pass a psych evaluation before he could return. He knew there was a good chance he would not be cleared to return to the field but maybe he could at least get on desk duty. If not he would have at least tried to take a step in the right direction.
"I called Vance." Tony commented as Gibbs came up out of the basement.
"What did he say?" Gibbs asked.
"My psych eval is at O' Nine Hundred, Monday." Tony explained.
"Don't rush into anything." Gibbs warned.
"I won't" Tony assured.
"Don't forget you will have to find a sitter for Jonah." Gibbs reminded.
"I can put him in NCIS daycare." Tony commented.
"Not until he's six months old." Gibbs reminded.
"I'll start making calls." Tony sighed.
"Uh you're going to need to change Jonah first." Gibbs replied, pinching his nose.
"Hey Boss I bet you regret not changing Kelly's diaper when you had the chance." Tony commented, slyly.
"Nice try" Gibbs laughed.
Tony carried Jonah upstairs and placed the squirming infant on the changing table. Jonah was so different from Tali but even if his personality and appearance were identical to Tali's. He would still never be her. If he were to have more children with Ziva, they would never be Tali. No child would ever be Tali. That was why it hurt so much that she was gone. Tony had Jonah now, he was not a replacement, but he was a tiny baby who depended on Tony for everything. He was healing Tony better than any therapy or medication. He was the bright spot in Tony's life, right now. Tony wanted only for Ziva to let go of her anger and except Jonah. Then maybe one day they could be a happy little family again.
"Gaaahhhhhhhhahhhahuhh" Jonah cooed.
"You are such a happy little fella." Tony said, gently stroking his son's face.
Ron Sacks was in trouble, he could not get around that. The auto body-shop had finally gotten around to his vehicle, but instead of fixing it. They had discovered Tali's bracelet and a few of her hairs. The police had come to take him down for questioning and now he was on the run. As far as his family knew he was undercover, it was a dangerous case and they were not to answer the phone or door for anyone until he returned. He had no idea how he was going to get out of this one but he had to act fast, or else. He had bought a cheap car off of Craigslist under a false name, bought a burn phone from a gas station, and told his boss at the CIA that his wife was in the hospital and he would not be answering the phone. He was sure to warn his boss not to call his family, not now. He swung the car into a Motel 6, not the nicest place in the world but also not the worst. He grabbed his things, making triple sure that he had his gun, and headed inside.
"Checking in?" The manager asked.
"Yes" Sacks replied.
"Name?" The manager asked.
"Cornelius Hill" Sacks lied.
"What kind of room would you like?" The manager asked.
"Regular" Sacks replied.
"One bed?" The manager asked.
"Yes sir" Sacks replied.
"How many nights? The manager asked.
"One" Sacks replied.
"OK that will be seventy nine, twenty. Check out is at noon, cash or credit?" The manager explained.
"Cash" Sacks replied, handing the manger as wad of bills.
"Here's your change, enjoy your stay. Pool closes at ten!" The manger called.
Jimmy Palmer was in a terrible mood. He was still shaken by Tali's death and everything that happened in the hospital. Now Tori was finally back with them but they could not go home. That morning their pipes had ruptured and now they were in the Motel Six at least overnight because Ed had the stomach flu. He was on his way back from the ice machine when he saw a familiar face.
"Ron?" Jimmy called.
"I am not Ron! How dare you assume all black people look alike!" Sacks snapped.
"I am sorry sir, it's just. You look like somebody I used to work with." Jimmy rambled nervously
"Shut up!" Sacks barked.
Sacks was in trouble now. He could not believe that weasel Jimmy Palmer had found him out. This was a sting he just knew it. Jimmy would get close to him and then he would pretend to invite him to his room to hang out. He would arrive and all of Team Gibbs would be waiting to throw his ass in jail. He couldn't risk that. He patted his gun and made his way down the hall casually following after Jimmy.
"Jimmy!" Sacks called.
"Look I am sorry." Jimmy apologized.
"It's alright son. I had a terrible day today uh meet me in the stairwell, we can talk there." Sacks apologized,
"Yes sir" Jimmy replied nervously.
Jimmy followed Sacks down the hall and into the stairwell. Sacks slammed the door behind him and then led him down a level. Jimmy turned around just in time to see Sacks withdrawing his gun from his jacket. Before he could react Sacks had pulled the trigger and a bullet had lodged itself into Jimmy's heart. Sacks took off running and Jimmy lay on the floor slowly bleeding to death. The last thing he heard was Sack's gun crashing to the floor.
A/N: Will somebody find Jimmy in time? Sacks sealed his fate when he dropped his gun. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.