Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS


Tony stood by the door waiting for Ziva. Senior was also standing nearby. Tony and Ziva were about to go out on a date, Senior babysitting for the night.

'Zi, what exactly is taking so long?' asked Tony as he walked over to their bedroom. He opened the door and found Ziva sitting on the bed with Tali in her arms. 'Hey, what's up?'

'Do you have to go?' asked Tali, sniffing. Tony smiled kindly and went over to the bed. He sat down next to Ziva.

'Technically no, we don't have to go, but Ima and I are still going out, OK?' Tony rubbed Tali's leg for support and encouragement.

'But why?'

Tony and Ziva looked at each other.

'So that Daddy and I can have some grown-up time.'

'What that supposed to mean?' Tali didn't sound impressed. Tony and Ziva chuckled, Ziva kissing the top of Tali's head.

'Do you remember what we talked about?' she asked. Tali nodded her head.

'About growing confidence and trust' she recited from memory. Tony and Ziva nodded again.

'We won't be long, T' said Tony. 'But this is good for all of us. We'll be back soon and we'll have breakfast like normal, OK?'

'OK' said Tali. She got off Ziva's lap and the three went into the hallway. Tali went over to Senior.

'What are we going to do, Papa?'

'I brought my Checkers board with me. Want to learn?' Tali looked excited and she nodded. 'OK, then. Let's go set it up.' Tali and Senior went into the lounge to play Checkers. Ziva and Tony chuckled at hearing Senior beginning to teach the game to Tali.

'Who do you think will win?' asked Ziva as they walked down the corridor.

'Tali, without a doubt. One whiff of the puppy dog eyes and Senior won't be able to do anything but give in.'


Tali indeed did beat Senior. Twice. She seemed to master it in no time at all. Senior was now wondering if his little granddaughter was some sort of genius and maybe he should try Chess next time. Tali was trying to convince Senior for a third game when he spotted the time.

'Come on Tali' said Senior. 'Time for bed.' They went into Tali's bedroom. 'Do you want a story?' asked Senior. Tali didn't reply. Senior looked over at his granddaughter. She had a funny look on her face. 'What's the matter?'

'I don't want to make you sad.'

'Why would you make me sad?'

'I want a story about Nana Joy? Daddy has and Ima tells me stories about Auntie Tali and Safta.'

Senior smiled and crouched down to Tali's height.

'That doesn't make sad, Tali. That will make me happy.'

'Really?' She sounded relieved. Senior nodded. Tali climbed into bed and Senior leaned over and started telling her a story about Nana Joy.

When the story finished, Senior got up and went to switch the light off.

'Sweet dreams, Tali' he said quietly.

'Papa?'

'Yes, Tali?'

'Do you think Nana Joy would like me?'

Senior smiled in the dark.

'She would have adored you, sweetie.'

'Really?'

'Without a doubt, Tali.' Tali giggled in the dark. 'Night, night Tali' said Senior.

'Good night Papa' replied Tali.

Senior went back into the lounge. He put the Checkers board away and picked up his book. Abby had gone back to the UK on the 5th of July. Senior was staying on a couple more weeks. He always came for July and November, and he missed his family very much when he was in the US. When Ziva came back, a part of Senior had hoped that the family of three would move back to the US. However, Tony had explained that they were happy in Paris and why ruin a good thing? Senior couldn't help but agree.

He had enjoyed talking about Joy. Since making the poster about her family, plus seeing old photos, Tali had become more interested in learning more about her family. Senior remembered reading Tali's birth certificate for the first time and realised that Ziva had named her Tali Joy. He had been so confused and angry about what Ziva had done, yet also incredibly moved that she had included Joy somehow.

An hour after Tali had gone to bed, Ziva and Tony came home.

'How was dinner?' asked Senior.

'Dinner was lovely' answered Ziva.

'How's Tali?' asked Tony.

'Fast asleep last time I checked' replied Senior. Tony went to check on Tali, leaving Senior and Ziva alone. It was still a little awkward between them.

'I, um, think I will-' began Ziva

'Ziva' called Senior. Ziva turned to look at him.

'Yes?' Senior composed himself for a moment.

'I wanted to say thank you, for naming Tali after Joy.'

'I, um…' started Ziva, but Senior cut her off.

'I don't understand why you did what you did. I don't think I ever will. But my son adores you, and you love him, and that little girl is one of the best things to happen to me.'

Ziva nodded and smiled.

'I am really glad that you, Tony and Tali spend time together.'

'Me too' agreed Senior and he pulled Ziva into a hug.

Tony came out of Tali's room.

'What's going on?' he asked, curious.

'Nothing, Tony' said Ziva. 'How is Tali?'

'Still fast asleep' he reported. Ziva and Senior chuckled.

'I better go back to the hotel' said Senior. 'See you tomorrow?'

'Definitely' said Ziva. 'Come for lunch?'

'I'll be here.' Senior smiled at the sight of Tony having his arm around Ziva. 'See you tomorrow.'

'So' began Tony as soon as the front door was closed. 'Fancy taking this to the bedroom, Ms. David?'

Ziva laughed as Tony pulled her close enough to kiss and began to lead them to their bedroom. Closing the door, both couldn't help but think how normal tonight had been.


Tali and Kelev stared out of the window of the plane, watching what was happening on the runway. Ima was sitting next to her and Daddy was behind them. The men outside the plane were putting suitcases into a hole at the back of the plane. Tali, Ima and Daddy had put their suitcases into the overhead compartment.

'You excited T?' asked Daddy. Tali looked up and nodded. She looked outside again. The men had finished loading the suitcases and closed the door.

'Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Remy speaking. This is Flight 567 Paris to Corsica. Please sit down and fasten your seatbelts. We are about to take off.'


Hope you enjoyed it.

Fun fact: in the UK Checkers are called Draughts.

Thanks for reading. See you soon :)