Hi everyone I am so sorry about how long this chapter took. I am in my final year at university and basically have a deadline every week for the foreseeable future. I promise I will try and get the net chapter up sooner though.

Chapter 52

Previously: after the break in to their apartment, Tony and Ziva took Thomas and Tali to NCIS where they were going to stay until the 'bad men' were caught. Whilst there they discovered that Thomas was the son of a senator who later revealed himself to be Senator Powell. He admitted that Thomas is his illegitimate son. He had an affair with an intern named Ava Morrison.

Powell was very keen to get Thomas but Ziva and Gibbs didn't trust him and with Vance's help they arranged it so that Thomas would have to stay with them. Powell was not happy about the situation. Tony and McGee set out to go find Ava's parents and see if they know where Ava is. Both Gibbs and Ziva are concerned about letting Thomas go to Powell.

Tony grinned at Tali from where he was crouching beside her in their makeshift fort. He had clocked out early after getting back from interviewing Ava Morrison's parents. When he had returned Ziva had sent him down to entertain Tali in Abby's lab.

They hadn't managed to get much from Ava's parents. They hadn't seen her in over a year. In fact they had admitted that they hadn't seen her since the day she had told them that she was pregnant. They had kicked her out when she had refused to give the baby up for adoption. Tony didn't understand how someone could do that. To turn their back on their daughter because of a mistake. He would never do that to Tali. She was his angel and no matter what happened he would always stand by her.

He was glad that Ziva had sent him to spend time with Tali. He wanted to reassure himself that he was a better parent to her than Ava's were to her. Since looking into her life he found himself feeling sorry for Ava. It was clear that her parents had pushed her to succeed her whole life. Nothing she had ever managed to do was good enough for her, even apparently interning under a Senator. They hadn't even managed to look concerned when he and McGee had told them that Ava was missing. Tony would have freaked if two federal agents had turned up telling him that Tali was missing. He had quickly ruled them out as potential guardians for Thomas.

"How is that princess" he asked looking at the fort they had made. He had gone down and collected all the clean morgue sheets he could find from Ducky and he and Tali had spent the rest of the afternoon rearranging Abby's back room to make a fun fort for her to play in.

"Awesome daddy" Tali said grinning delightedly as she crawled into the fort where the futon was lining the floor "am I sleeping in here tonight."

"Yeah if you want to" Tony said with a smile still trying to act positive in front of Tali. He didn't like how her life was being disrupted so he was determined to make this as fun and interesting as possible for her.

Tali grinned as she reached into the little case they had packed for her and began to take out all the toys she had brought with her arranging them in her new fort. "Here" Tony said holding out some paint and paintbrushes. "Why don't you make a sign to hang over the entrance?"

"Yeah" Tali said reaching for the paints as Tony handed her some paper before he straightened up looking over as McGee came in with a whinging Thomas.

"Look at you Nanny McPhee" he said "you alright there with the little man."

"Well Ziva said he was getting bored up in the bullpen and since Gibbs was sending me down here to check in with Abby she said I could bring Tommy down for you to entertain."

"Lucky me" Tony said reaching out to take the baby grinning at him "hey little guy" he said sitting him on his knee "are you not getting 100% of the attention upstairs?"

Thomas just giggled loudly grabbing hold of a handful of his hair making him wince but then smile as he remembered how Tali had used to do the exact same thing.

"Do we have anything yet" he asked and McGee shook his head "Vance has the rest of our floor looking for Ava though" he said "though most of them have already gone home… it is getting late."

"Uncle Timmy do you like our fort" Tali asked spreading her arms out.

"Well I think it is the finest fort I have ever seen" McGee said grinning at Tali who beamed back "I get to sleep in here tonight" she said.

"Lucky" McGee told her before he looked at Tony "I have to get back… Ziva said she would be down in an hour or so with food… what do you fancy Tali."

"Pizza" Tali said instantly.

"Pizza it is" McGee said "see you later short stuff."

"Bye Timmy" Tali said with a grin on her face before she turned back to her sign for her fort.

McGee headed back out to Abby's lab where the forensic scientist was bent over the evidence trying to find out who had been in their apartment trying to take Thomas.

After McGee had left Tony headed back out to watch Abby at work with Thomas squirming in his arms. "You find anything" he asked.

"Not since McGee asked two minutes ago" she said. "Whoever was in your apartment was a professional and left next to no evidence. I have a couple of partial fingerprints and I am trying to use them to make a whole one but so far no luck."

Tony groaned running his hand through his hair wondering what to do next. He looked back to where Tali was lying on the floor painting happily before he looked down at Thomas. "I guess I had better get you some food" he said "need anything Abby"

"Another Caff Pow please" the forensic scientist said with a grin and Tony rolled his eyes before he headed up to the breakroom with the baby nodding to all his co-workers before he prepared a bottle for the little baby who sat singing away happily on the floor by Tony's feet until the food was ready and Tony scooped him back up smiling as he grabbed at the bottle. "You'll be big enough to feed yourself won't you" he said softly "your mommy won't recognise you when she sees you again"

The little boy stared up at him as he drank very content in his arms and Tony found himself relaxing as he looked into the warm chocolate eyes staring up at him before he sighed "don't worry we will find your mommy" he promised "I don't care how long it takes but we will find her."

Thomas just gurgled round the bottle finishing his meal and Tony burped him before holding him close feeling his breath on his neck as the baby settled his head on his shoulder and it wasn't long before he fell asleep.

Slowly Tony headed back to the bullpen where the rest of the team was working. He frowned when he saw the apprehensive looks on their faces.

"What happened" he asked "did you find Ava"

"No" Ziva said quietly before she looked at McGee who sighed.

"A friend of mine works for the DA's office" he said "he called to inform me that Mr Beck, Senator Powell's lawyer has filed to terminate Ava's parental rights and is getting a subpoena for Thomas' custody overriding our witness protection order."

Tony swore under his breath "how long do you think we have" he asked

"48 hours if we are lucky" McGee said "but more like 24"

"We are running out of time… I don't want Thomas going to Powell unless there is no other option" Gibbs said and his whole team nodded and Tony found himself holding the little boy tighter panicking about keeping the promises he had just made to him.

"I'd better get the little guy down to bed" he said and Ziva nodded "I'll be down soon" she said "with pizza"

"That sounds great" Tony said.

"Oh and DiNozzo" Gibbs called and Tony looked over at him. "Tell Tali to pick a movie" he said "make sure it is a special one."

Tony gave him a questioning look and Gibbs smiled "if Tali is going to be stuck in here… we are going to make it fun for her."

Tony looked at McGee who nodded "we are all staying for movie night tonight" he said and Tony smiled looking at Ziva who was smiling as she met his gaze and he realised that they were incredibly lucky to have such an amazing extended family.

"I'll get her to pick out a good one" he said with a grin before he headed back to Abby's lab via the overused Caff Pow machine hugging the sleeping baby close.

When he got down there he handed Abby the caffeine drink before he placed Thomas back in the travel crib for a nap and headed back over to Tali's fort.

"Hello" he called "can I come in?"

"What's the password" Tali called with a giggle

"You never told me the password" Tony complained hearing Tali giggle again "guess" she chimed from inside the fort.

Tony tried to scowl but found himself smiling at his adorable daughter.

"Umm… frozen" he tried

"No"

"Let it go"

"No"

"I don't know then princess" Tony said with a smile.

"It's Olaf daddy" Tali said with a giggle poking her head out of the fort and Tony grinned "Olaf then" he said.

"Enter" Tali chimed pulling back and Tony crawled into the fort after her.

"Mommy, grandpa and Uncle McGee are just finishing up and then we are all going to watch a movie" he said.

"Together" Tali asked and Tony nodded.

"Wow" she breathed "that sounds fun"

"I know right" Tony said "so what movie do you want to watch."

"Lion King" she said instantly and Tony chuckled "I think everyone will enjoy that" he said and Tali grinned.

"What do you think of my fort" she asked and Tony smiled looking round thinking that it should keep Tali entertained for at least a couple of days "I think it looks great princess" he said.

"Where are you and mommy going to sleep" she asked and Tony smiled "we are going to get some air mattresses bought down and sleep here with you and Tommy" he said. He and Ziva didn't want to be far from Tali and Tommy and here tucked away at the back of the forensic lab seemed to be the safest place to hide them all.

"Ok" Tali said before she looked up and a huge smile slipped onto her face "Ima" she said and Tony twisted to see Ziva crouching behind him in the entrance to their fort with a smile on her face.

"Hello aheva" she said with a smile "have you had fun with daddy"

"Yeah" Tali said "we had fun building the fort."

"Well it is a beautiful fort my love" she said "we have finished work and Uncle McGee is on his way to get pizza and sweets and Gibbs says we should go upstairs ready for the movie."

"Upstairs" Tony asked questioningly and Ziva shrugged as she moved over to the crib lifting the small baby up. He didn't wake but he stirred before he snuggled into Ziva's arms gripping a handful of her shirt.

Tony grabbed the DVD and quickly changed Tali into her favourite onsie before he, Ziva Abby and the two kids headed up to the bullpen where Gibbs and McGee were waiting with food.

"Hey sweetpea" Gibbs said "what movie we watching."

"Lion King" Tali said with a grin.

"Good choice" Gibbs said "come on then"

"Where are we going" Ziva asked as he headed up the stairs

"MTAC" Gibbs said with a small smile "I cleared it with Vance this morning. He said we could let Tali into MTAC to watch the movie tonight."

"I get to go in the big TV room" Tali said with an eager smile and Gibbs nodded "we are having a fun movie night with the big screen" he said and Tali let out a delighted laugh "yay" she said and everyone grinned heading up the stairs where they all entered MTAC and whilst McGee set the movie up on the big screen everyone filled plates with pizza and bowls with sweets before greeting Ducky and Palmer as they came in greeting Tali as she dashed at them more excited than she had been in a while.

Tali didn't seem to know who to spend time with and she ran from person to person grinning as McGee lifted her onto his lap so she could see all the buttons and then she and Palmer had a race climbing over the seats laughing. Once she had settled down a bit they all took their seats.

"You ready" McGee asked and everyone nodded so he pressed the button and the infamous music filled the room. Ziva passed Thomas to Abby for a cuddle before she leant against Tony contentedly watching as Gibbs swung Tali onto his lap for a hug making Tali giggle "best family movie night ever" she declared and Ziva smiled feeling Tony rub her arm gently and kiss her hair.

Despite the reason for them being here she suddenly felt very content and safe surrounded by her family watching the movie with the baby she was determined to protect safe in her friend's arms and her daughter snuggled up on her grandfather's lap looking very happy.

They all watched the movie together, pausing it halfway through to feed Thomas and fetch more snacks. Then the movie began again and Tali over to sit with her dad. It wasn't long before they were quoting the movie and singing the songs together. Ziva saw Gibbs smiling at the two of them and their father daughter antics.

Thomas sat with Gibbs watching the bright colours with wide eyes as he gummed at his fist happily.

Once the movie was over they began to clear all the mess they had made up whilst Ziva and Abby took Tali and Thomas down to the lab to settle them down.

"Thanks for that boss" Tony said "I think that was exactly what Tali needed."

"No problem" Gibbs said giving him a small smile "anything to keep her happy… she deserves it and it isn't her fault that her life has been put on hold because some sicko is trying to get a baby."

Tony gave him a small smile "you heading home" he asked.

"Nope staying here" Gibbs said.

"Go home" Tony said "you haven't slept in days… go home and sleep… we'll be safe here down in Abby's lab… the night security won't let anyone else into the building and we'll lock the doors… we'll be safe… you have to get some sleep."

Gibbs considered him and he looked like he was going to protest before Tony threatened "don't make me send Ziva up."

Gibbs smirked and nodded "alright" he said "none of you leave the building though, you hear me."

"Got it boss" Tony said as they all headed down to the bullpen and he said goodbye to everyone before he headed down to Abby's office where the forensic scientist was packing up her things.

"Thomas is down and Ziva is just reading Tali a story" she said as she switched off her Mass Spectrometer.

"Thanks Abby" Tony said patting her on the shoulder before he locked the door behind her and headed through to the back room where Tali's fort and an air mattress was set up with piles of blankets.

He slowly crouched down looking into fort smiling at the sight of Ziva sitting with her back to the wall with Tali lying curled up in her arms like a baby with her head buried in her mother's chest sleeping soundly.

Ziva was staring at her daughter with a peaceful expression on her face as she hummed gently reaching up to stroke some of her wild curls out of her face. She looked up and smiled at Tony. "Hi" she whispered.

"Hey" Tony said shifting into the fort "you look comfortable."

"Mmm" Ziva murmured looking back down at her sleeping daughter "I love sitting with her like this. Reminds me of when she was a baby"

Tony smiled as he moved to sit next to her and he looked down at Tali as she stirred in Ziva's arm and he looked over before he grabbed the stuffed hippo and carefully pressed it into Tali's hands making her settle down.

Tony looked down at Tali before he looked back at Ziva "wanna sleep in here with her" he asked.

Ziva looked up at him and nodded. "Hang on then" he said pushing all of Tali's stuff to one side of the fort before he shifted out.

Ziva smiled looking back down at Tali. She loved moments like this when she got to cradle her daughter tight in her arms and was free to gaze at her uninterrupted and admire the beautiful little life she had created. Tali was getting a lot more energetic so to hold her like this when she was still was becoming a bit of a novelty.

She looked up as Tony reappeared dragging the large air mattress into the fort along with the pile of blankets left for them.

Smiling Ziva shifted onto the mattress setting Tali in the middle as Tony checked on Thomas before he crawled back into the fort and sat down kicking off his shoes before he lay down beside Tali and Ziva.

"At least we are safe tonight" Ziva whispered rubbing Tali's arm. "Yeah" Tony murmured as he covered them both with blankets "get some sleep Ziva… we are going to need it"

He gently reached out to gently kiss her forehead before he settled down closing his eyes. It didn't take long for him to drift off to sleep listening to the rhythmic sound of his family's breathing.

XO

Tony was awoken the next morning by the sound of the lab door opening and he jerked awake looking over to see Ziva's eyes already open as she lay there listening for any danger. Tali was still sleeping beside her and Thomas was pressed to her chest. Tony could vaguely remember the baby waking in the night and Ziva bringing him into the fort with them once she had him settled.

Tony heard more footsteps coming close to the fort and he saw Ziva's hand slip towards her jacket where he knew her gun was resting. The door to the back office slid open and Tony tensed putting himself between the kids and the danger.

"DiNozzo it's me" Gibbs called softly "get your wife to put her gun down."

Tony looked over in time to see Ziva lower her gun relaxing as she slowly sat up readjusting her grip on Thomas. The entrance to Tali's fort shifted as Gibbs peered in smiling at the sight of them all.

"How'd your night go" he asked.

"Ow" Tony grunted feeling the strain on his back as he slowly sat up.

Ziva smiled as she pushed her hair out of her face "uneventful" she said quietly handing Thomas out to Gibbs who took the small boy into his arms expectedly as Tony and Ziva eased themselves out of the fort trying not to wake Tali who just rolled onto her front and went back to sleep.

"I bought breakfast" Gibbs said "and more importantly coffee"

"Lifesaver" Tony moaned before he took the coffee sitting on one of the stools in Abby's lab.

"I'm gonna get some milk for Thomas" Ziva said with a smile before she slowly headed up to the breakroom.

"Have you found anything" Tony asked stretching his back.

"Night shift found nothing" Gibbs said "McGee is on his way in right now to keep working on some of the leads"

Tony nodded before he looked over as Tali came stumbling out of the room rubbing her eyes groggily. She looked adorably confused in her little white onesie with pink hearts and green frogs on it, brushing her wild curls out of her face.

"Morning princess" Tony said smiling at his daughter as she grinned up at him. "Hi daddy" she said and holding up her arms and Tony grinned as he scooped her up onto his lap.

"Hi grandpa" Tali said with a huge grin and Gibbs grinned at her "hey sweetpea" he said bouncing Thomas gently as the baby began to slowly awaken.

"Can we go home today" she asked.

Tony looked at Gibbs trying to hide a wince. He had been hoping that Tali might last at least one more day before she asked if they were able to go home.

"Not today sweetheart" he said "we need to stay here for a little bit longer ok."

Tali scowled "I wanna go back home" she said.

"I know sweetheart" Tony murmured rubbing her back "and we'll be home soon but we have to stay here for a little longer ok."

Tali pouted but rested her head back against Tony's chest accepting the chocolate croissant he offered her for her breakfast with a cup of juice.

Ziva came down with Abby right behind her looking especially perky "hey Tali" she exclaimed "ready to have more fun."

Tali just shrugged causing Ziva and Abby to frown "what's wrong with her" Abby asked.

"She wants to go home" Tony said quietly. He knew that as much as Tali loved hanging out at NCIS she enjoyed hanging out at home with her own toy and sleeping in her own bed. Not to mention everyone was so busy trying to find Ava Morrison she was being encouraged to entertain herself which was fine in the evenings after school but for the whole days she would much rather be able to play with one of the members of her family.

"Tali" Ziva said leaning over the table to smile at her daughter "we are going to be going home as soon as possible I promise… but for now we have to stay here ok… we need to stay here and find the bad men and find Thomas' mommy"

"What about his daddy" Tali asked innocently.

Ziva looked at Tony as Vance and McGee entered the room and her husband met her gaze before she looked back at Tali "Tommy's daddy isn't a very nice… which is why we need to find his mommy."

Tali frowned "is tommy's daddy the bad man" she asked

"Damn sign that kid up with the recruitment team" Vance said looking slightly stunned "she's been hanging out here too much."

Despite everything everyone managed to crack a smile.

They all sat and ate breakfast together playing with Tali until she had cheered up a lot and was grinning at everyone before Ziva took her to get dressed.

"Now" she said as she buttoned up the back of her simple dress before she reached for the hairbrush and began to run it thought her daughter's hair "are you going to come hang out with mommy and daddy in the bullpen or are you going to stay down here with Abby."

"I come up with you for a bit" Tali said smiling at her and Ziva smiled "Ok then" she said "go brush your teeth in sink" she added handing her daughter her pink toothbrush and toothpaste rising to her feet and grabbing some clothes before she headed into the nearest bathroom to change. As she headed back she saw Tony coming out of the men's and he grinned at her looping one arm around her as they headed back into Abby's lab to find the scientist bending over Thomas who was lying on a blanket on the table giggling at her trying to grab her pigtails. Tali was standing on her stool leaning over the table grinning at them.

"Hey can you leave Tommy with me" she asked "I totally want to play with him"

"Alright" Ziva said smiling "come on up to the bullpen then Tali" she said reaching for her daughter's hand before headed up to the bullpen where they quickly settled down to do their work whilst Tali went over to her toy box behind Ziva's desk digging through until she found her some toys that she wanted to play with and sprawled herself across the floor rolling around chatting to herself.

Ziva found herself watching her daughter as she sat on the phone smiling at her daughter's innocent play. She loved watching Tali play because it reminded her that there was innocence and naivety in the world.

She looked up as Vance appeared in their bullpen quickly stepping round Tali.

"Gibbs" he said "one of our CIs spotted someone matching Ava Morrison's description in an abandoned building downtown."

"Are we sure it is her" Gibbs asked.

"No but send some of your agents to check it out" Vance said "we need to find her"

"McGee, DiNozzo go check it out" Gibbs said and they both leapt up grabbing their badges and guns.

"Later princess" Tony said bending to tickle Tali's stomach making her giggle "bye daddy" she called rolling over to watching as her father and uncle move to the elevator.

Ziva watched before she sighed hoping that they would find Ava and they would be sending Thomas home with her.

She looked up at Vance who was still standing there. "Something else Leon" Gibbs asked.

"Powell's lawyer called saying he and Powell are coming to collect Thomas this afternoon … I already have lawyers arguing out case but I am afraid we are running out of time" Vance said

Gibbs didn't say anything but his eyes narrowed. "Figure something out Gibbs" Vance said "Otherwise I am afraid Thomas will be going to Senator Powell"

"We'll find something" Gibbs said quietly and Vance nodded before he turned and headed back to his office.

Ziva looked at Gibbs and he met her gaze "Find something" he said quietly

Ziva nodded and turned back to her computer searching frantically. Tali was fairly quiet for the morning but by lunchtime she was clearly getting restless and bored. Ziva didn't blame her. Tali loved running around and there just wasn't enough for her to do here day after day.

When Abby came up with Thomas the baby was gurning clearly not happy.

"Mommy I'm bored" Tali whispered leaning over Ziva's desk.

"I know aheva" Ziva whispered reaching over to stroke her hair.

"Ziva" Gibbs said "it's lunchtime… why don't we take Tali and Thomas down to the park for an hour or so"

"Yeah" Tali exclaimed leaping up and down. Ziva on the other hand looked uncertain. "Is that safe" she asked.

"Ziva we will both be there and Abby can come too" Gibbs said "I think we can protect them for an hour or so."

Ziva hesitated torn between her desire to keep the two children safe and the need to entertain them.

"Please ima" Tali whispered staring at her in a way that she knew would make her parents give her anything she wanted and slowly Ziva sighed "alright" she said and Tali beamed "yay" she exclaimed grabbing her trainers and she began to quickly lace them up as though worried her mother might change her mind.

Heading down to the park across the street Ziva was on edge and she looked around for anything out of the ordinary. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. She clung to Tali's hand tightly as she tried to skip ahead straining to get to the park.

When they arrived Tali ran straight to the swings, undoubtedly her favourite thing at the park. Abby followed her with Thomas setting him in the baby swing and soon they were both swinging squealing in delight.

"Ziva relax" Gibbs said.

"I can't" Ziva said "what if they are still out here"

"Ziva go play with your daughter" Gibbs said firmly "I'll keep look out… just go play."

Ziva made to protest before she relented and slowly made her way over to the swings much to Tali's delight.

Gibbs watched her pushing her daughter as she visibly relaxed. He looked round watching for any danger. Alert for anything that might hurt either Tali or Thomas.

XO

Across the street in a car a man was watching the two children playing with the women on the swing before the little girl grabbed her mother's hand dragging her over to the climbing frame, lifted his phone when it rang.

"Yes" he said simply

"Do you have eyes on the child" came a curt voice

"Affirmative" he said.

"The lawyers are fighting… they are winning… I want that child."

"Yes Sir" he said

"Get the boy no matter what… I don't care what you have to do… or who you have to hurt… get the child."

He smiled "yes sir… the baby will be with you this afternoon without fail."

With that he hung up watching as the silver haired man pick up his phone before he hung up shouting out to the two women before he took off.

Slowly he got out of the car as the two women gathered up the children and began to head back towards the NCIS building. His eyes landed on the little girl skipping along between the two agents and he felt a smirk slip onto his face. He knew the perfect way to get the child. He didn't care about who might get hurt. Not even if it was a little girl.

Thanks for reading.

Again sorry for the delay in updates. I'll try to update soon though I promise.

I will also admit it is hard to find inspiration now Tony and Ziva are gone from the show. But I have a few ideas that I think will lead to some fun chapters ;)

Anyway please review. They really encourage me to write.

Thanks

Mysticgirl