Author's Note: Okay, last chapter before Ziva returns to NCIS! Hopefully this will upload, though the wifi here is patchy and slow. Really hope you like this one, some good fluffy moments between Tina and Ziva, and of course TIVA! :) Please read, review and as always enjoy!

Chapter Twenty One

Tony and Ziva spent most of Sunday finishing up unpacking the apartment, and organising it. They collected Tina's belongings from the abandoned studio across town, her brother was not there and there was no trace of anyone living there since Tina had left. Ziva felt sick at the state of the place, it was small and dirty in a less than reputable area. Tina's bedroom consisted of a mattress on the floor with sheets and a pile of clothes and books next to it. There was drug paraphernalia littering the place, mixed in with the cigarette butts and half smoked joints. Ziva had no idea Tina had been in such a situation when she worked with her, Tina always showed up to work on time, did her job with a smile dressed smart and cleanly. Not a hair out of place. Nothing to suggest that there was anything wrong, let alone living in such a hole with her criminal brother. She felt pity and admiration for the young girl, it was an incredible feat that a child had managed to take care of herself, maintain a part time job, and achieve high grades despite her circumstances.
"This place is…" Tony began lost for words at the mess before him.
"A dive." Ziva finished for him shuffling school worksheets into a neat file before putting them in a box.
"Yeah. I'm actually surprised you got that one right… I think I just saw a rat. Let's get out of here. Come on, you got everything?" Ziva nodded as she picked up the box and headed for the door. Tony shut it carefully, worried the weak hinged wood would fall off if he didn't.

"At first Ziva, I didn't really understand." Tony confessed quietly.
"Understand what?" She opened the Sedan door and placed the box on the back seat carefully.
"Why you were adopting Tina. I didn't figure you for the sort to adopt kids, you know what I mean? I get it now. It's not about that, not about doing something good for the sake of it, it's about her isn't it?" Ziva listened carefully trying to understand what he was getting at.
"I feel a strong bond with Tina, yes, and I want to help her. I want to give her everything she should have had. Everything she never had. A loving family, a home she feels safe in, support, a friend. I want to be whatever she needs. She reminds me of Tali…" The last part she barely whispered but he heard her.
"She reminds me a lot of you. Strong, determined, not letting anything stop her from succeeding." Broken, abused, messed up, Ziva continued the list in her mind. They did have a lot in common, good and bad, emotionally and physically. They both had wild dark hair, though Tina's skin was darker than Ziva's. If she were to hazard a guess, Ziva would say that at least one of Tina's parents was African-American. She had dark beautiful eyes to match Ziva's chocolate ones. Tina however usually surrounded hers with eyeshadow and eyeliner, wearing more makeup than Ziva.
"I guess she is a lot like me, yes, perhaps that is why I feel a connection with her. I just hope that she is not too much like me." Tony couldn't look over as he was driving but he could sense the way she said it was odd.
"Ziva, why? You are amazing."
"Thank you Tony, but I just meant that I do not want her to experience the things I have. That is why I want to adopt her, to give her a normal life, when I was growing up nothing was normal. It seemed it at the time, but I lacked a real childhood. She had already had to suffer through things no person should, I never want her to again." The rest of the drive was quiet, Tony occasionally commented on things he saw passing, a poodle on the sidewalk, the new Joe's Coffee on the corner. When they got back to the apartment they put the items in Tina's room and then sat down to watch TV.

"So what time does Tina get back?" Tony enquired surfing through the channels.
"Around 9 this evening, I am going to meet her at her school. You can come if you wish?" Ziva nestled her head against his chest whilst he braided her hair.
"Can't. Work tomorrow, need to be up on time. Plus I sort my gear first and polish my shoes. If you want I can come in with you tomorrow though." Tony took three sections of her hair and slowly began to intertwine them to match the braid he'd just finished. "We could get coffee on the way?" He added.
"Tony, we are supposed to be 'friends' to everyone. It might look…"
"I know...I know. God I hate this, I spent so long lying to myself about the feelings I have for you, and now I have to lie to everyone else." Ziva sighed in agreement.
"It will not be for long, just until we can prove to Gibbs, that we can keep it away from work. He will find out sooner or later, you know that."
"Yep. Can't keep anything from the 'G-Man'." They both laughed at the nickname, if he were there he would have slapped Tony on the back of the head.

"I'm still not sure I am ready. It seems so real, going back, same desk, same orange walls. Like before." She confessed quietly.
"Ziva, you will be fine. Trust me, I know you and you'll be back in the hang of it in no time. Plus, added bonus, you won't be a probie. You've still retained your Special Agent status." He finished another braid and started on the next. By the time he had to leave her entire head would be in small braids.
"So you will not pull rank on me?" Ziva turned so she could face him and Tony smirked.
"Well...I am still senior field agent." She prodded him in the chest lightly and he squealed before laughing. "Don't start that again, I already know you can win in any fight, including a tickle fight."
"We still have a few hours, do you want to get some food ordered? Chinese?" She grabbed the pile of menus her new landlord had helpfully left for her.
"Ooh….chow mein. Sounds good!" Tony called the number on his cell and ordered for the both of them, a half hour later and their food arrived. He tipped the delivery boy double feeling generous and left the boy smiling as he shut the door. Since things had been right with Ziva he found himself being kinder, more generous, in better spirits overall, perhaps it was because he was constantly happy. Even when he was not with her he felt the glow of knowing that he had her. That she was his, and he was hers.

After they had eaten Tony cleared the cardboard boxes, and disposable chopsticks, into the trash and grabbed his things. He tried to leave with a simple peck on the lips, though he was unsuccessful. She didn't want to let him go, the warm feeling of his arms pulling her in, his lips against hers in a hot wet mess. Eventually they managed to tear away from each other and he headed down to his car. Ziva still had a while before leaving to collect Tina so she checked everything was perfect at the apartment. She opened the window to let in some air, watered her plants and made the bed in Tina's room. Once she had finished she left to walk to the school, she was slightly early, but luckily so was the bus. It pulled through the gates only five minutes after she arrived, and parked outside the front door. One by one students filed off carrying large backpacks wearing matching camp shirts labelled 'Camp Hope' with a picture of people holding hands in a circle. Ziva waited with the other parents whilst the teachers addressed the pupils before letting them leave.
"Tina!" Ziva waved her over when the teachers finally let them go.
"Hey Ziva, how did the move go?" She asked slinging her backpack over one shoulder wincing at the weight.
"Let me take that, you look exhausted. It went well, Tony helped, and I hope you do not mind but we got your things from your studio." Ziva watched as her face changed suddenly.
"Was my brother there? Did he say anything?" She started walking slower staring at Ziva's face waiting.
"We did not see him, I am sorry Tina but it did look as if anyone had been there in a while." Tina looked at the ground disappointed as they continued walking.

Ten minutes later they reached their new home and Ziva gave Tina a key. She stood back and watched as the young girl opened the door.
"Wow, this place looks amazing!" She exclaimed holding the key out to Ziva.

"No, that is your key. I have one of my own. Do you want to see your room?" Tina followed as she led the way towards Tina's new room.
"Do you like it?" Ziva asked nervously watching the teen closely.
"This is...you did this? It's unbelievable, I'm speechless. Thank you." Tina hugged Ziva unexpectedly and she had to take a step back to maintain her balance.
"I want you to feel at home here. This is your room, not just somewhere you are staying for a brief period. You can add stuff if you want, posters, and things. I was not sure what you would like so…" Ziva rarely babbled but when she did it was noticeable that she feeling awkward.
"I love it, honestly." Tina hugged her again before putting her backpack at the side of the bed.
"How was the camp?"
"It was interesting. S'mores, campfires, tents, usual stuff. Also trust exercises, teamwork building, competitions. I had a lot of fun." They both sat down on the bed and chatted for a while about the sort of activities Tina did with her class.

"So… big day tomorrow huh?" Tina wasn't subtle in her change of subject, though had she been it probably wouldn't have been any less awkward.
"Yes. I am nervous, but it is the good kind of nervous. Speaking of which NCIS work hours usually start at 8, I like to be there by 7. Are you alright to walk to school on your own?" Tina laughed a little.
"I am sixteen, I can walk a few blocks on my own. Don't worry Ziva."
"Do you want anything to eat?" Ziva stood up off the bed and headed to the door.
"No I'm good, we ate a lot of junk food on the trip back." Tina said unpacking her bag and removing her phone and charger.
"Right. Well then, we've both had a long weekend and have to be up early tomorrow. I finish work at 7 tomorrow evening so I won't see you until then."
"Good night."

"Sleep well Tina. If you want I can wake you tomorrow morning before I leave?" Tina shook her head before Ziva closed the door behind her. She quickly got changed into PJs and put her phone to charge with an alarm set for 7:20 the next morning. Ziva set her alarm for 5:30, and prepared her bag before going to sleep soon after. It took a while for her to actually fall asleep, being so anxious about NCIS. Whatever happened tomorrow it would certainly be a day to remember for all involved.