Author's Notes: Did Tony really have a change of heart? Will Ziva get to spend more time with her son? Find out soon. The next installment is coming up.


My author's note would be incomplete if I did not take the time to thank those who followed, reviewed, or favorited this story. It is your feedback that keeps this story going. And I appreciate every bit of it!


TotalCowGirl: Let's hope so. And thank you. Gingerstorm101: I've never seen that episode. I used to watch that with my grandmother. It was one of her favorite shows. CelestrialMoon: It will be. Tony has a lot of making up to do, and I doubt Ziva will forgive him very easily. Countrynciscatlover: Yes, it is. Little boys need their mothers as much as they need their fathers. And thanks. =) Guest: I think that he is beginning to see the error of his ways. I think we will see a new Tony. =) Bdn2372: You will soon find out! ;)


Chapter Forty-Four: On Bended Knee


Tony wasted no time at all. He realized that he had royally screwed up this time. This was far worse than any other thing that he had ever done. Tony was going to have to do some serious overhaul in order to correct his mistake. Even then, Tony was not convinced that Ziva would forgive him. He could only try to pacify her at this point. It was going to take a miracle for him to be forgiven.

First stop was the flower shop. Tony knew that it was a cliché, but buying flowers for Ziva could not make matters worse. He paid the shop clerk and walked out with his bouquet of tiger lilies, Ziva's favorite. Tony's next stop took him to the grocery store. Pushing a shopping cart, Tony grabbed ingredients for a supper fit for a queen. Once he had paid for the food, Tony traveled to the liquor store. He went to the relaxation place on F street that sold spa treatment items to pick some stuff up. Finally, Tony made his way home.

It brought a smile to Tony's face when he saw Ziva sitting on the couch with Hiram in her arms. She was singing sweetly to him in Hebrew. Tony did not understand the words, but he knew that it sounded pleasant. It was not until Tony had finished bringing stuff in from the car that Ziva noticed his presence. The singing died and Ziva glared at Tony.

"I guess time with my son is over, yes?" questioned Ziva in an icy tone.

Tony was not the least bit shocked by Ziva's attitude. He had expected it. There was no way that she would allow his behavior without some sort of consequence. It was going to be tough to gain Ziva's forgiveness, but Tony was confident that he could do it. He was going to start by ignoring her question.

"Are you hungry?" Tony asked her. "I stopped at the store and picked up some things for supper."

"I have not eaten in a few hours," admitted Ziva. "I just fed Hiram though. Do you want me to prepare supper?"

"No," replied Tony. "I am going to make food for us."

"Really?" asked Ziva, her eyes wide. Tony could have chuckled at the surprise in her voice.

"Yes, Missus DiNozzo," answered Tony. "I will be making supper tonight. All you have to do is sit and relax with our son."

"Tony, this does not mean that I have forgotten about your actions from before. You do know that, right?"

"Of course, I do," said Tony, smiling despite himself. "But it doesn't hurt, does it?"

"No," said Ziva, a shadow of a grin playing on her lips. "It does not."


Tony vanished into the kitchen. Ziva thought that he was going to go prepare supper. But she was wrong. Tony brought out the flowers to Ziva. As Tony put the flowers down in front of her, Ziva's eyes brightened.

"They are lovely," Ziva exclaimed.

"I knew that they were your favorites," said Tony, grinning.

"Still does not change anything," Ziva reminded him.

Tony deflated a bit. His shoulders slumped. He pouted his lips and stared at the floor.

"I know," he whispered. Tony raised his head up and held a straight face. "Supper will be ready in a half an hour."

Before Ziva could answer him, Tony was already busying himself in the kitchen. Ziva continued singing the lullaby to Hiram. Hiram's eyes were beginning to droop. Once his eyes were closed, Ziva carried him to his crib. Ziva tucked Hiram in. After saying good night, Ziva turned on his night light and left the room. As Ziva descended the stairs, the aroma of cooking chicken filled her nostrils. She stood in the doorway to the kitchen and watched her husband.

She was still quite angry with Tony. The way that he had acted really ticked her off. Ziva was not ready to forgive him just yet. Tony had a lot of penance to go through before that happened. But the flowers and the dinner had certainly made Tony more favorable in her eyes.

"So, who was it?" Ziva inquired, folding her arms over her chest.

Tony put the sauce spoon down. He looked over at his wife.

"What do you mean?"

"Who made you see the light?" asked Ziva. "Was it Abby, Gibbs, or McGee?"

"None of them, actually," replied Tony, turning back to the simmering pot of sauce. "I figured it out all on my own."

"Uh huh. Sure you did," said Ziva in disbelief. "Do not try to lie to me. The fact that you would not look at me when you said that, tells me that you are lying. I am a human lie detector. It was Abby, was it not?"

"She may have helped to steer me in the right direction," Tony conceded, glancing at Ziva.

"I had a feeling," declared Ziva, smirking in triumph.

Tony did not respond. He was busy getting out plates and setting the table. He placed two wine glasses onto the table. Tony unscrewed the top of the wine bottle. He poured the wine into both glasses before placing the wine bottle back into the refrigerator. He pulled out a chair for Ziva. Surprised, Ziva sat down in the chair.

Tony put a bit of pasta onto Ziva's plate. He put some chicken on top and poured some sauce over it. Setting the plate down in front of Ziva, Tony walked away to create his own plate. Ziva stared down at the plate. She realized the significance of the dish right away. It was chicken alfredo. That was what Ziva had eaten the night of their first date. Ziva chuckled.

"You made this on purpose, did you not?" asked Ziva, looking at her husband. Tony, who was seated across from her, put his fork down. An innocent look crept onto his face.

"Oh, did I? I had no idea."

Ziva decided to ignore this comment. They both knew what he was doing, and Ziva appreciated it. He truly was making an effort to fix things. Not once had Tony asked her to do anything. Nor had Tony spent any time with his son today. That made Ziva a little sad thinking about it. Did Tony think that he was banned from bonding with his son? Just because he had already spent a lot of time with him? Ziva hoped not. Hiram needed to bond with both of his parents. Ziva knew that and she prayed that Tony realized that as well. If he did not, Ziva was determined to make him see it.

"I put Hiram down for his nap," stated Ziva. "You should spend some time with him after we eat."

"Are you sure?" inquired Tony, wondering why Ziva was doing this.

"I am positive. He is your son too. We need to share time with him. I had all day. Now, it is your turn," said Ziva, taking a sip of her wine.

"Okay, but first, I have one more surprise for you," said Tony, wolfing down his food even faster.

"Tony," chided Ziva, appalled at his pace of eating.

"Sorry," replied Tony, slowing his pace.

"Please, no more surprises," pleaded Ziva.

"Oh, but you'll really enjoy this one," remarked Tony. "And I promise it is the last one for today."

"For today?"

"Yes, for today," repeated Tony, his eyes twinkling.

Ziva huffed a sigh.

"There is no getting out of this, is there?" asked Ziva, hopeful.

"Nope."

"Okay, then," replied Ziva, resolutely.


By now, Tony and Ziva had finished their dinner. Tony scooped up the dirty plates. He tossed them into the sink. Ziva winced. She really hoped that Tony would not wake up Hiram. He would be cranky if he was woken up too soon. Fortunately, the noise did not wake the baby. Ziva issued a relieved sound.

"Follow me into the living room," Tony said, holding out his hand for her to take.

Warily, Ziva took her husband's hand. He led her out to the couch. She sat down onto the couch. Tony disappeared. When he reappeared, Tony was carrying a bag. Ziva looked curiously at the bag.

"What is in there?" demanded Ziva, pointing.

"You'll find out soon enough," responded Tony, mysteriously.

She watched as Tony pulled out a tub of scrubbing salt. A bucket full of water that Ziva had not noticed before was in front of her feet. Tony lifted both of her feet and placed them in the water. Ziva wriggled her toes in the bucket of water. The water was warm but not too hot. Once Ziva's feet were wet, Tony propped her left foot on the side of the bucket. He opened the tub of scrubbing salt. Tony smeared the scrubbing salt into his palms. He worked the salt all over Ziva's feet.

Ziva tilted her head back. Her eyes were closed and she was smiling. The scrub felt so good on her feet. It was so nice to be pampered like this. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. She normally had to go to a salon to get this done. It was a different, yet pleasurable, experience receiving this in the comfort of her own home.

"Just sit back and enjoy," Tony told her.

"Oh, believe me, I am," said Ziva, opening her eyes halfway to look at Tony.

Tony continued his ministrations on Ziva's feet. Ziva felt herself relaxing even more. Sure, Tony was still in the dog house, but Ziva was not as mad any longer. Tony still had a while to go before she would forgive him. However, if he kept this up, Tony's penance might not last for too much longer.


I'd say that this is a great start towards Tony being forgiven. What do you think, readers? Let me know!