"Hey Boss." Tony greeted the moment Gibbs picked up the line.

"Hey DiNozzo." Gibbs replied. "How'd it go?" Tony sighed, running his hand down his face as he leaned against the elevator. He figured seeing as he had nothing else to do, he'd go and collect Ethan while Ziva was negotiating with Jenny.

"Not great boss. LJ's pretty shaken up. She hasn't told us what happened but she's beat Gibbs." It was Gibbs' turn to sigh.

"Where's Ziva?" Tony smiled softly.

"In with the director. That's why I'm calling actually. Zi wanted you to know that she was going to take the kids home. LJ's not really in a place to spend the rest of the day here and if she's going home, they might as well take Ethan." Gibbs nodded.

"Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Tell Ziva I'll call her as soon as I can." Tony smiled, so glad his friends were happy together.

"Will do boss. How's the case going?"

"Seems to be open and shut but I'll keep ya updated." Gibbs told him, watching as McGee spoke to the first officer on the seen.

"Appreciate that boss. You need me to come back or shall I just work from here?" Tony asked, exiting the elevator as it reached the day-care's floor.

"Nah, no point. Just stay there. Ethan's seat's in my car, can you help Ziva transfer it?" Tony smiled.

"Course. I'll leave you to it." Tony smiled to the receptionist of the day care as Gibbs hung up. "Hi, I'm here to collect Ethan Harrod? I called down."


Ziva knocked deftly on the wood of the door once Cynthia had assured her that the director was in fact in her office and wasn't otherwise engaged. She waited until Jenny called for her to come in before turning to LJ.

"Would you rather stay with me or would you be alright out here while I speak to her?" LJ shrugged. "I do not mind either way." Ziva smiled warmly. LJ nodded.

"I'll be okay out here." Ziva squeezed her hand before opening the door, flashing LJ a soft smile as she sat on the waiting chairs before entering the office.

"Ziva. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Jenny asked warmly, smiling as her old friend came to stand in front of her desk.

"Hi Jenny." Ziva started softly. "Listen, I know how much you have already done for our team recently, myself and Gibbs especially and I'm really sorry to do this, but I need to take Lauren home." Jenny leaned back in her chair.

"Is she sick?" Ziva shook her head.

"No, she had her meeting with Children's Services. It was tough." Jenny nodded slowly.

"Is this going to become a regular thing? I can't have my MCRT one short all the time because of those kids Ziva." The younger woman shook her head quickly.

"No. I agree and we will make sure it does not become a regular occurrence. It is just for this afternoon." Ziva sighed. "You should see her, Jen. She's trembling. I do not know how to help her but being here for the rest of the day will not help." Jenny nodded. Ziva shifted her weight from one foot to the other, uncharacteristically nervous as she watched her boss deliberate her options.

"Okay. Take her home and I'll see you back here tomorrow." Ziva smiled.

"Thank you Jenny." Jenny nodded and waved her off with a smile. Ziva nodded to her as she opened the door before shutting it behind her and taking LJ's hand.


Tony met them at the bottom of the stairs; a peacefully sleeping Ethan curled into his chest.

"Hey, how'd it go?" He asked quietly, eyes flitting from his partner to LJ as she clung to Ziva's hand. Ziva smiled.

"She was okay with it, once I had assured her it wasn't an everyday occurrence." She whispered, gently stroking a lock of hair from Ethan's forehead. "I thought you were going to phone down?" Tony shrugged.

"Gibbs says it's pointless heading back out so I thought I'd help you out and go collect him, save you a journey." Ziva smiled. "He also told me to tell you that he'd call you as soon as he could and asked me if I'd help you transfer Ethan's seat." Ziva chuckled.

"It does not like me." Tony huffed out a laugh.

"Best get that sorted then huh?" Ziva nodded before squeezing LJ's hand and following her partner to the elevator.


After a couple of failed attempts, Tony managed to get Ethan's car seat secure in the back of Ziva's car, while LJ was curled up in the front seat and Ethan was snuggled into Ziva's chest, both of them fast asleep.

"You want me to put him in?" Tony asked mutedly, indicating to the sleeping toddler, as he stretched his back upright. Ziva shook her head.

"I have it." They exchanged smiles before Ziva bent to gently transfer Ethan into the seat and strap him in carefully. Once she had shut the door as quietly as she could, she turned to her partner. "Thank you." Tony shrugged.

"No big deal. Text me when you get home, yeah?" Ziva smiled.

"I shall." Tony sighed as he watched Lauren sleep through the passenger window.

"What do you think they talked about that made her so upset?" Ziva shrugged.

"I have no idea. I want to know, so I can help her, but I do not want to pry." Tony chuckled, making Ziva's brow furrow in confusion.

"You're officially a parent." When Ziva looked only more confused Tony continued. "The dilemma every parent faces, is how to not pry, and thus push their child away, but at the same time, know enough, so as to help them deal with whatever it is that's bothering them." Ziva looked from one sleeping child to the other; unable to help the soft smile that curved her lips. "You're gonna be an amazing parent Zi, to them or to your own." Ziva looked up at him.

"You really think so?" Tony chuckled, drawing her into a hug.

"I know it."