Ziva laid in bed. It was now 9 am in the morning. She had heard Dani on the phone last night around 3 o'clock. Ziva was happy that Alex was okay and that everything was going to go back to normal. She reached for her phone and dialed Tony.

"DiNozzo."

"I miss you." Ziva said into the phone.

"Hey babe, I miss you too." Tony said.

Ziva leaned back against the pillows and sighed. "How much longer till you guys get home?"

"Probably another day or two. It all depends on how well Alex is doing in the hospital." Tony said.

"Okay."

"Listen, ZI," Tony said, "Be on the look out, Jeanne was planning on detonating a bomb. She never did and we check and the switch was fake, but I still don't believe that it was true."

Ziva sat up and looked around the room. "I will give the house a sweep."

"Thanks." Tony said, "And check the other place too."

Ziva smiled. "I will."

"You haven't told Danielle yet, right?" Tony asked.

"Of course not." Ziva said. "I was waiting for you, unless you have a better idea."

Tony laughed into the phone. "Ziva, I do."

"What is it...?"

2 days later

"Dani? Are you ready to go?" Ziva yelled up the stairs as she put on her shoes.

"Almost." Dani rushed around her room. Grabbing her phone, keys and her wallet. She grabbed her black Uggs and slipped them on tucking in her jeans. She straightened out her black shirt and her scarf the ran downstairs. "Ready!"

"I like that scarf." Ziva said looking at the bright orange silk scarf.

"Thanks." Dani smiled. "Feel free to borrow it anytime."

Ziva nodded as they headed out. After dropping Kevin off at Abby's they drove towards the "Store".

Ziva had randomly told Danielle to get ready because they were gonna start shopping for the wedding. Dani didn't mind, of course. Ziva really did want to get things for the wedding, but she had a surprise planned.

Once Danielle was registered, they set of to create a list of thing she wanted for gifts. After an hour, the list was giant. They had about 100 things on the list. Ziva and Dani laughed the whole time joking around, having fun.

"Have you talked to your father about the guest list?" Ziva asked Dani was the walked out of the store and towards the car.

"Not really. But i know that there should be definitely 50." Dani said.

"50?" Ziva laughed. "I thought you wanted it to be just the team..."

"Well we did, but then last night, talking to Alex, he was saying we should invite his family from Oklahoma and then he has friends from school he wanted to invite.I want to invite a few people as well." Dani stated. "My old butler and cook, they were practically my parents at one point, then I know that I have a cousin on my mom's side and then whoever my dad invites from his side, which could be a lot from what I hear."

Ziva and Dani got into the car. Ziva began driving to the secret place, letting Dani talk so she wasn't paying attention to the drive.

"I heard that my dad wants to invite like...25 people from New York and Italy. I don't even know them. But, Dad said they would want to be there. Family is family." Dani said.

"You know, this will be the first time I meet your dad's family too." Ziva said.

"That's so funny." Dani laughed."O and, you can invite anyone from your family too. I mean, your like my mom, well, the closest thing I have ever had to a mom."

"You think of me as your mom?" Ziva asked, surprised. She knew that Danielle liked her and that they were close, but, she never really thought about it like that. Of course she thought of Danielle as a daughter but, she never knew the feelings were reciprocal.

Dani smiled and nodded. "Ya," She said. "But if you want me to like stops or something I cou-"

"NO!" Ziva smiled. "I just never knew that. Really, it's okay. I think of you as my daughter."

Dani and Ziva both looked at each other and smiled.

"Shouldn't you keep your eyes on the road, you are driving." Dani smiled as she looked away.

"Shut up Dani." Ziva joked looking back towards the road.


Ziva parked the car in the parking lot.

"Ziva? Why are we here?" Dani asked following Ziva out of the looked at the apartment building. It was the one that she tried to get into , but someone else got the apartment instead of her. She knew it was because she was young and they didn't want young kids living there, causing noise.

"Well, they refused your offer." Ziva said.

"I know that." Dani said.

"I put the apartment in my name. This way, the couldn't say no to me." Ziva said.

"So, we have then apartment." Dani smiled.

"Yes, and the first three months rent is paid. It is my wedding gift for you and Alex." Ziva smiled.

"Are you serious!" Dani laughed smiling uncontrollably.

Ziva nodded. Dani ran round the car and pulled Ziva into a hug that Abby would never live up to.

"Thank you so much." Dani said softly with tears in her eyes.

"No problem." Ziva said hugging Danielle back.

After a few minutes they let go. "How did you know? I didn't tell you." Dani laughed.

"Your father told me." Ziva said.

"Can we go up?" Dani asked getting excited.

"Well, ya!" Ziva laughed. "I didn't bring you here so we could stare at it form the parking lot."

Dani squealed and pulled Ziva towards the front entrance.


Apartment Building D, Floor 3, Room 148

Ziva and Dani stood outside the door.

"Here is the key." Ziva said handing Danielle a key ring.

Dani opened the door and smiled. The apartment came completely furnished expect for a few things like kitchen supplies: forks, knives, spoons, coffee makers, cups plates was a nice apartment with 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The walls were painted white and the living room was designed with light blues greens and yellows. There was no TV but there was Direct TV access. The couch was leather, dark brown and it had a few pillows. The floors were hardwood. The whole apartment was hardwood, it made it easier to clean if any spills occurred or just dirt in general.

There was a step into the kitchen. It had a refrigerator/freezer and a small oven. There was a dish washer that was small also. The kitchen was small in general but it was big enough for just Dani and Alex. A microwave was sitting above the oven, with white cabinets along the wall. The floor was tile, white tile and the counter tops were a beige color.

Dani walked towards the hallway which led to the bedrooms and the bathroom. She opened the door on her right. It was the bathroom. Very plain, white walls, white shower curtain, white sink and toilet. She was thinking of ways to add color, life to the bland bathroom. Shutting the door, she continued down the hall and entered the door on her right. The room was also painted white. It had one dresser and a night stand. There was a small closet and a small desk. When her eyes got to the bed, she couldn't believe her eyes.

There her dad sat, on the white comforter, reading a stupid magazine.

"DAD!" She yelled running into the room and jumping on the bed.

Tony smiled and wrapped his arms around Dani.

"You're home!" She smiled against his chest.

He laughed. "Do you like it?"

"Dad, I love it!" She smiled. "I can't believe you knew and didn't tell me!"

"It was very hard!" Tony smiled.

"Wait, where is Alex?" Dani asked.

Tony smiled. "You haven't found him yet."

"HE IS HERE!" Dani yelled jumping up from the bed.

"Ya. DUH!" Tony smiled as he saw Dani run out of the room.

Dani ran towards the only room that she hadn't entered yet. She opened the master bedroom door and ran in.

Sitting on the bed, was Alex. His arm was wrapped in a gauze and put into a sling. You could see faint bruising on his face and a thin red ling that disappeared under his shirt.

"Honey, I'm Home." Alex smiled from his spot on the bed.

Dani ran over and stopped before jumping on the bed, now at Alex's side.

Tony and Ziva stood in the door way. Tony's arms around Ziva's waist holding her against him.

Dani placed her hand on his cheek as a tear ran down her face. She couldn't take her eyes off of his arm and all the bruises.

"You're hurt." Dani said quietly.

"I'm Home." Alex said lifting his good arm up and touching the hand on his cheek. Alex didn't need to say anymore before Dani broke down and melted against his chest.

Alex wrapped his good arm around her and buried his face in her neck.

"I missed you so much." Dani cried into his shirt.

"I know. I love you." Alex said. Dani lifted up her head and looked him in the eyes. Before another breath, her lips were on his in the most amazing kiss either of them had ever experienced.

Tony and Ziva walked out into the hallway. Ziva wrapped her arms around Tony's neck and pulled herself up so she was eye level. Tony's hand on her waist held her up, helping her stay that way. Ziva leaned her forehead on Tony's.

"I love you." Ziva whispered. "I love you so much."

Tony tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her closer.

"I love you too." Tony said leaning down an kissing smiled into the kiss, pushing Ziva up against the wall and placing one of his hands right beside her head.

"I missed you." Tony said. "I had to share a room with Gibbs."

"What's the matter, he doesn't like to cuddle." Ziva smiled.

Tony laughed. "Not if I wanted to live."

Ziva laughed and gave Tony a peck on the lips. "I promise I will cuddle with you tonight." Ziva smiled.

"That better not be the only thing..." Tony said dropping his sentence.

Ziva raised her eyebrows and smirked.

"Maybe, if you are a good boy." She said pushing him off her and walking towards the living room.

Tony smirked and ran up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and picking her up. He placed kisses down her neck and on her shoulder. "Tony!" She squealed.

Dani and Alex laid on the bed her hand in his. She had her head on his shoulder and his good arm was around her.

"Does it hurt?" She asked looking at his bandaged arm.

"A little here and there, but nothing major." Alex said.

"She really beat you up good." Dani said, placing a hand on his bruises."Did anything else happen that I can't see."

"Just some bruising on my ribs." Alex said. "Really, I am fine. Please stop worrying."

"I'm not worrying." Dani defended.

"Dani, the state of Texas would be able to tell your lying. and they are thousands of miles away." Alex laughed.

"I missed your laugh." Dani said with a sad smile.

"Come here." He said pulling her tighter against him. That was how they stayed for awhile. Just sitting and holding each other. A few tears were shed, but the got down most of the wedding guest list. They were trying to move forward.


R+R