Author's Note: Well, this chapter I'm not too happy with and yes, it is a short chapter. I just thought that this was something that needed to be done. Thank you all so much for the reviews, I am glad you liked the last chapter…fluff was def needed. Let me know what you think about this chapter please, thanks!
DISCLAIMER: We've been through this a lot but to review: I own Tali, not NCIS…I put them back where they belong after I get done playing.
Running to catch up with her Father and Grandfather Tali jumps onto the elevator, the doors almost closing on her. Tony and Gibbs look down at Tali, both surprised to see Tali on the elevator, and even more surprised by her daring dive onto the elevator. Both men shake their heads, Tali's latest stunt proving that she is in fact a lot like Ziva. However, Tony is momentarily angry with McGee, having just seconds earlier asked him to keep an eye on Tali while Gibbs and he go to Abby's lab. Tony then turns to Tali, crouching down in front of her as smiles up at him.
"Tali," Tony begins his voice stern. "I told you to stay with Uncle McGee, didn't I?" Tony's words are not harsh as he speaks but Tali drops her head, pouting out her bottom lip. "Tali, did Daddy tell you to stay with Uncle McGee?" Tony asks again and Tali, still looking down at the floor, slowly nods her head. "Listen to me next time, ok?" Tony lifts Tali's chin so she is looking at him
"Tay Daddy," Tali nods then holds her arms up to him. Tony takes her in his arms then stands back up, the tension in the elevator engulfing all three of them.
"Everything ok Dinozzo?" Gibbs asks, his eyes remaining on the doors of the elevator.
Tony doesn't say anything, instead he shrugs, his hands fiddling with a stray strand of Tali's hair. Gibbs lets out a frustrated sigh, his hand shooting out and flipping the emergency switch. The elevator jerks to a stop, Tali giggling at the all too frequent occurrence.
"You sure about that Dinozzo?" Gibbs asks again, his eyes meeting Tony's. Tony's eyes are glinting with anger as he tries to control his temper.
"You took her out in the field! I know she risks her life daily; we all do, but she's pregnant. She could've lost our baby. She's supposed to be on desk duty. NCIS protocol says that any agent, from the time she informs her supervisor of her pregnancy until she returns from maternity leave is only supposed to be on desk duty. The agent is only supposed to take part in the investigation from the office, and if you need an agent to go with you, you borrow one from another team. Instead you took Ziva to a liquor store where she's shoved into a display case, cuts her arm and thinks she's losing our baby. So no Gibbs, everything isn't ok!" Tony is fuming as he finishes speaking, Tali's eyes wide as she looks back and forth between her father and grandfather. Gibbs' eyes are trained on Tony as he speaks, never once blinking.
"Nice Daddy!" Tali admonishes, her eyes widening in shock at her father's words to her grandfather.
"It's ok Tali," Gibbs reassures the little girl, then turns to Tony. "I've learned not to dwell on the past Tony, but I do regret taking Ziva with me. You're right, I shoulda taken someone from another team or had you and McGee meet me there. I can assure you though that Ziva will not be back in the field until she has given birth to that baby, ok?" Gibbs does not apologize, the words 'I'm sorry' breaking one of his own rules, but as he looks at Tony, Tony knows what his boss is saying and nods.
"Thank you." Tony's reply is simple and Gibbs nods, glad that his Senior Agent is no longer upset with him. Gibbs then flips the switch again and the elevator resumes the descent to Abby's lab, the anger no longer hovering above Tony every time he looks at his boss. Tali looks back and forth between her father and grandfather once more, her eyes searching theirs.
"No mad?" Tali asks, looking at both men. Tony and Gibbs glance at each other, both offering Tali a small smile.
"No, 'no mad' Princess." Tony says to Tali, pressing a kiss against her forehead. The three then step off of the elevator and walk into Abby's lab, the anger gone and Tali glad that her father is no longer mad at her grandfather.