Hi everyone! I guess y'all are wondering where I've been for the past 2…err… 3 months. For those readers that are still reading this who I haven't scared away, thank you: ) I'm sorry it's been so long….to be honest I just haven't really had time or been in the mood to write. But I'm kind of getting back into it now, so you should hopefully see more of me around after AP exams and finals and intense studying ends. Anyway, I'm feeling this story is coming to an end…this will probably be the last chapter. When I started it last year it was my first time writing a multi-chapter fic, so it has kind of been a learning process for me. I've improved tremendously on my writing since then, so I'd like to just start over with a clean slate with a new story. Who knows? At some point I might return to this and write a sequel, but for now I think I've been with this story long enough. So thank you to all of you for reading and reviewing this, and I hope you'll return and read (and enjoy!) my next story.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or its characters…
A week passed, then two. Tony and Ziva learned fairly quickly how to manage bringing Jason and Carolina to work with them. Discovering how to care for them at the apartment took a little longer, but the two agents managed, as they always did.
As they made sure Jason and Carolina were as comfortable as they could be, the team made great progress with the case. Abby had found fingerprints linking the killer to the mother – it was actually a simple investigation. The murderer was indeed a Russian man who was an enemy of their father, just like the team had initially thought.
Today, unbeknownst to the children, was going to be an amazing day. Their father had finished his mission a few days ago and had arrived back to the United States at dawn. Tony and Ziva prepared the kids like normal and drove them to the NCIS headquarters though; the plan was for them to meet their Dad in the squad room.
As the two prepared the kids in the morning, they both felt a sense of disappointment that neither wanted to confront or talk about. The truth is, they had enjoyed spending time and taking care of them. They, much to their surprise, loved the idea of being somebody's protector and teacher, keeping them physically and emotionally safe. Perhaps it came hand in hand with their jobs; they were each other's backup, partner, protector. This experience had planted a small seed of want to be parents in the (near) future.
They made their way to the elevators at the headquarters and proceeded up to the squad room floor. Tony and Ziva tried to maintain stoic looks on their faces, but they could not help but steal glances at each other and smile as the kids went out of the elevator and headed to what would be the first happy day they've had in a long time.
Tony and Ziva trailed behind them as the four went to the team's bullpen. Gibbs, McGee, and Abby were standing next to the kids' father, who was standing facing away from the entrance to the squad room.
Jason, being older, was the first to recognize his Dad with his back turned away from them. His jaw dropped open and a huge smile graced his young face.
"DAD?!" He yelled, not yet old enough to have inhibitions about screaming in public areas. At the sound of her father's name, Carolina grinned and started squealing. Jason grabbed his sister's arm and ran over to where his Dad was. His father turned around and the kids jumped on top of him. He hugged them tight to his chest, one in each arm and kissed them over and over again.
"I'm here guys, I'm here. I've missed you so much."
"We've missed you too Daddy." Jason replied, digging his head into his father's shoulder.
"I know. I'm not leaving again, I promise. I love you two so much; we're going to get through this together."
The three stayed there, in the middle of the bullpen, hugging as the Gibbs team looked on. After a minute or two the father stood up and released his two kids. He walked up to Tony and Ziva and shook their hands. "Thank you, both of you, for protecting my children and taking care of them these past two weeks. I can tell you've been great with them. You'll make wonderful parents together someday."
Tony and Ziva thanked him politely, but when Gibbs and McGee escorted them to the elevator they smiled at each other and communicated in that way only they could. If this had occurred a year ago, they both would have laughed it off. Something was different this time though. This time they did not shy away from the topic of children or brush over it with a joke. This time, they were ready to discuss it. This time, they were open to the possibility. And more importantly, this time, they might even be willing to try.