Author's Note-Some of you keep asking me about Tony. Well here he is :D Little bit of how he's doing, in the midst of angsty stuff for LJ, and maternal stuff for Ziva. Enjoy. NYLF xx
"How are you, doing?" Ziva started slightly awkwardly as Tony drove them back to the Navy Yard. Tony shot her a tiny smile.
"Yeah, not bad. I'm still seeing my therapist." He chuckled slightly. "Nice guy." Ziva smiled. "I uh, I've been to her grave a couple of times, made my peace, said my bit, y'know?" Ziva nodded.
"You seem to be coping pretty well considering…" Ziva trailed off awkwardly.
"There are no hard feelings Zi. Gibbs had to help you and support you. Pennie didn't die because you were knocked unconscious or because he stopped to help you." Tony looked across at her quickly, picking up the guilt in her eyes. "I don't blame you, you know that right? Harrod wouldn't have not killed Pennie if you hadn't have fought him. The only change would have been us losing LJ too. And I couldn't live with that." Ziva nodded.
"And you are okay? With Jethro and I having the children I mean?" Tony smiled at her warmly.
"Ziva, are you planning on never letting me see Lauren and Ethan once they're under your care?" Ziva shook her head vigorously.
"Of course not, why would we? You care about them just as much…" He held up a hand to stop her ramblings.
"Right then. Ziva I'm far better suited to being their crazy Uncle who gets them hyped up on sugar before I send them home, than being a responsible parental figure. You and Gibbs are their best option." Ziva smiled slightly.
"You know you are more than welcome, anytime, to come see them, yes?" Tony smiled.
"I know." He winked at her, a warm smile on his lips. "How are things? Post that weekend?" Ziva shuffled in her seat slightly. "You don't have to answer that." She appreciated the out but she trusted him.
"Things are, better. He told me what you said, in the elevator. How you were looking out for me." Tony smiled.
"You're my partner Ziva. I have your six, in and out of the field." She smiled.
"We have discussed, albeit briefly, about perhaps trying again some day." Tony looked over to her as he stopped at a red light, tender care swimming in his gaze. "Not for a while yet, of course. It has only been a couple of weeks and we have enough to deal with, with Children's Services and the children and making our way back to each other but, it is on the table yes?" Tony smiled.
"That sounds promising." Ziva nodded.
"I believe so." They exchanged smiles and Tony pulled away. It wasn't long until they pulled into the parking lot.
Ziva and Tony quickly made their way through the building before coming to rest, and catch their breath, just down the corridor from the Conference room.
"Do you think she is okay?" Ziva asked softly, barely hearing the low murmur of second hand conversation through the door, indicating they were yet to finish. Seeing as they were only fifteen minutes in, that wasn't surprising. Tony nodded, leaning casually against the wall.
"Of course she will be. You've met our Lauren right? She'll be fine." Ziva smiled fondly. "You've really fallen for her haven't you?" Ziva blushed slightly before taking her partner's gaze.
"I love her Tony. That little girl is so perfect and has been through so much that was so easily preventable. I want to make the rest of her life as perfect as I can." Tony smiled widely.
"I have no doubt that you will Zi." They leaned against the wall, clock watching until LJ was ready.
"Thank you for talking to me today Lauren." A dark haired woman in her early thirties opened the door as she spoke kindly. "We will be in touch with you all once we have finished our inquiries." Lauren stepped out from behind her, looking tired and sad, and both Tony and Ziva were back on their feet, from where they had sunk to sit against the wall, and by her side the moment they saw her. Lauren granted them a tiny smile before practically falling into Ziva, wrapping her arms around her as tightly as she could without hurting her still healing ribs and folded herself into her embrace. Ziva held her just as tightly.
"You would be Agent David, I take it?" The woman asked, extending a hand to Ziva. Ziva smiled and shook her hand quickly before wrapping back around LJ's gently shuddering shoulders. She didn't call attention to the fact the twelve year old was crying.
"Ziva, please." She smiled softly, running her hand up and down LJ's back, caringly but subtly soothing her. "I didn't catch your name." The stranger smiled.
"Mellissa Redgrave." Ziva nodded. "As I told Lauren, we will be in touch as soon as we have spoken to everyone we need to." She smiled once more before nodding to Tony and taking her leave.
"Tateleh?" Ziva asked softly, bending her head to rest her cheek on Lauren's crown. The young girl pulled back out of her embrace and curled her own arms around herself. It broke the two adults' hearts to watch her self-soothe.
"Sorry. I'm okay." LJ spoke quickly and quietly, looking no higher than the agents' shoes. Ziva shook her head.
"No LJ, you are not. I do not mind that you are not okay. That must have been tough." LJ took half a step back, jumping violently when she backed into Tony before pulling away and taking another step away from the two now concerned agents.
"Sweetheart?" Tony asked gently. "You're safe here. I know that you know that Lauren I'm just reminding you." He waited until she nodded marginally before continuing. "What we do now is up to you." He shot Ziva a look, questioning his statement but his partner smiled and he took it for the confirmation it was. "What do you need?" Lauren shrugged. "Okay, do you know what you want?" LJ hesitated for a long moment, neither agent moved, knowing that she had to be their priority.
"I want my mom." She told them so softly they barely heard it. She shook her head. "I know I can't have her, I'm not under any illusions there, but that's what I want." You could almost hear Tony and Ziva's hearts breaking. They both granted her a moment, neither saying a word. "What time is it?" LJ asked, her voice trembling almost as much as her tiny body.
"Twenty to two." Tony answered gently; curious as to why that was the question she was asking. LJ nodded.
"You have to go catch a bad guy?" The question was hesitant, reluctant. Ziva shook her head immediately, shocking both the people beside her.
"Jethro, Tony and Tim can catch the bad guys, Lauren. The only thing I need to do today is try to make this as easy as possible on you." Tony smiled, never prouder of his partner than he was in that moment. LJ nodded.
"You reckon you have another favour in Jenny?" Ziva smiled.
"Would you like to go home little one?" LJ nodded quickly before burying her face in her hands, huge sobs shaking her shoulders. Ziva drew her back into her chest but didn't say a word. "Tony? Could you call Jethro for me, let him know I'll be taking the children home?"
"Course. I'll let Pippa know you're coming for Ethan too." Ziva smiled.
"Thank you." She squeezed Lauren gently to get her attention. "Lauren, you and I are going to go and talk to the director. Then we will go and pick up your brother and go home. Does that sound okay?" Lauren nodded against her. "You ready to go?" Another nod. "Come on then." She took the twelve year old's hand and led her to the elevator while Tony pulled his cell.
