Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Their week in Corsica flew by in a blink of an eye. It was a good vacation though, filled with lots of laughter, bonding and creating new family memories. It was soul mending for Tony and Ziva. They spent time at the beach, building sandcastles and playing in the Mediterranean sea. They ate far too much delicious food, either cooked by Ziva or at restaurants and cafes they visited in Bastia and Porto Vecchio. They climbed hills near l'Ospedale and gazed at the Monte Cinto, the highest mountain on Corsica.
As with Montpellier, Tali cried all the way to the airport on their way home. Once they made their way through security and were waiting to board, Tali had calmed down a little and the crying had subsided.
Their Parisian apartment felt odd when Tony unlocked the door. No one had been there for seven, almost eight days. They unpack their suitcases, putting a load of laundry on. Ziva nipped out to get some food as the cupboard was bare.
Later that night, Tony and Ziva were sitting on the sofa when Tali came over to them. They had dinner (take out as no one could be bothered to cook). Tali was in her pyjamas, Kelev tucked under her arm.
'Can we go back?' asked Tali, squishing herself between her parents.
'Back where?' asked Tony.
'Corsica of course.' Tony and Ziva laughed.
'Maybe' said Ziva. Perhaps Corsica could become a tradition. Tali would have memories of family vacations there, like Ziva had memories of family vacations in Haifa.
'Can I stay up again?' asked Tali. 'I'm in first grade now. I'm a big girl.' Tony and Ziva laughed again.
'Ima and I shall think about it' said Tony. 'But you have been yawning your head off since we got home today, so I think bedtime.'
Tali looked visibly disappointed.
'Would you like a story?' asked Ziva. Tali nodded. 'Ok, let's go.'
Tali pulled a book of her shelves; Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Tali and Ziva had started reading chapters books before bedtime. It got Tali interested in reading, something that her parents and teachers were keen to encourage.
Tony stayed in the living room listening to Ziva reading. A part of him wished that he and Ziva had done it the right way, from the beginning and both got to be a part of Tali's life from the moment Ziva found out she was pregnant. Yet, there was also a part of Tony that was glad things happened the way they did.
A couple of weeks later, in the middle of an August heatwave, Tony walked into the apartment. It was full of noise. Female voices chattering in the living room. Children's voice coming from Tali's bedroom.
'No Johnny. You're doing it wrong' came Tali's voice.
'Bossy boots' said Tony under his breath.
'Like father like daughter.'
Tony looked up. Timothy Farragut McGee was standing in the kitchen doorway.
'Probie.'
'DiNozzo.'
They both smiled, chuckled and hugged.
'It's good to see you Tim' said Tony.
'You too' replied Tim. 'Ziva and Delilah are in the living room. Where have you been?'
'Um, I've just come back from my first therapy session' said Tony.
'You, therapy?'
Tony nodded.
'Both me and Zi are having therapy, though different therapists.' Tim nodded, impressed and surprised.
A few days after they returned from Corsica, Dr. Leroux gave Tony some names of colleagues that could work with him. She advised that it would not be good if she started seeing Tony as a patient. Too much conflict of interest there. Tony called the names Leroux suggested and had set up an appointment with Dr. Andrew Vidal. It had been a good session. Tony liked and enjoyed talking to Ziva, but found he really enjoyed talking to another man. Tony had also made contact with some old friends from Tali's toddler days. It was still early, but definite progress had been made.
Ziva was also still going to her therapy as well as the PTSD support group. She had become good friends with Annalise and they had started meeting up for coffee once a week as well as the support group.
Tony and Tim went into the living room and found Ziva and Delilah chatting.
'Hey Wheels' said Tony, going over to Delilah and hugging her. 'How are you?'
'I'm good thanks' replied Delilah. Tony sat down next to Ziva on the sofa, draping an arm around her shoulders. Tim sat in the armchairs nearest Delilah.
'When was the last time you two saw each other?' asked Delilah, indicating to Tim and Tony.
'Um, almost four years, isn't it?' suggested Tim.
'I think so' agreed Tony. 'At least in person.'
Tony had remained in regular contact with old Team Gibbs when he left. Apart from Gibbs who was, well frankly, Gibbs. Tim, Abby, and Tony emailed frequently, with the occasional Skype call, until Abby moved to London. When Gibbs and Tim went missing, Tony became a sounding board for Ellie in her new role as the team leader. The first couple of weeks Tony got daily emails from her.
When Tim and Gibbs were missing, Tony felt enormously guilty. He would catch himself thinking that he should have been there, to help with the original case or for the search for Tim and Gibbs. Then he reminded himself that he had a toddler who depended on him, and Ziva depended on Tony to keep Tali. Supporting Ellie in leading the team was how Tony helped.
Tim, Delilah, and the twins were visiting Paris, just like Tali had suggested in her video eight months ago, renting an Airbnb nearby.
'Any plans whilst you're here?' asked Tony.
'See the sights mainly' said Delilah. 'Nothing set in stone.'
'Well, if you don't have plans tonight, stay for dinner' suggested Ziva.
'Sounds good' said Tim.
It was 6 pm in Washington DC. Special Agent Eleanor Bishop was packing up after a day of paperwork. Her phone dinged. She picked up and found a message from Tony. A video message.
'Hey Bishop' said Tony, in the video. 'Ziva told me that you wanted your own video, so here it is.' Tony moved the phone and showed everyone else; Ziva, Tim, Delilah, Tali and the twins. They all waved to the camera.
'Hi, Ellie' called Tali in the video. The camera turned back to Tony.
'See you soon probie' he said.
Ellie chuckled as she switched her computer off and picked up her rucksack. She pressed the button for the elevator. The doors opened on the ding.
'Oh, hi Gibbs' said Ellie, as she got in. How was that he was always there?
'Bishop. Everything alright?'
'Um, yes it is. I've got something to show you' and Ellie pulled out her phone to show Gibbs Tony's message.
Hope you enjoyed it.
I've never been to Corsica but want to now I've done this research.
Thank you for reading and writing reviews. They really make my day. See you soon :)
