Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS


Tony glanced at his phone. 6.13 am. He groaned quietly, putting his phone back on the nightstand. Why? Why did he wake up two minutes before the alarm was about to go off? Tony rolled onto his back and a couple of minutes later began to get out of bed. A sliver of street lamp light came through a small gap in the bedroom curtains. Tony went into the kitchen to make a start on breakfast only to find Ziva sitting at the tiny kitchen table.

'What are you doing up?' he asked.

'Good morning to you to' replied Ziva.

'You need to go back to bed' he said, taking her hands and leading Ziva back towards the bedroom. Ziva raised an eyebrow.

'Why?' Tony sighed.

'Because, Zi, it's your birthday and I was going to make you a birthday breakfast in bed. You have to be in bed to have it.'

'Why can I not eat it in the kitchen?' asked Ziva, smiling. She did love to tease him.

'Because it's a birthday breakfast in bed not a birthday breakfast in the kitchen. I've never heard of one of those before.' Ziva laughed as they stepped into their bedroom. Tony pushed her gently onto the bed. 'Now stay here until you've finished your breakfast.'

'Tony, I have to take Tali to school' protested Ziva.

'And you will, after breakfast in bed.' He went over and kissed her. 'Happy birthday Ninja.'


Ziva walked into the café and spotted her friends immediately. They were sitting towards the back of the café and had decorated the table with balloons and a 'Happy Birthday' sign (Joyeux Anniversaire).

'Happy birthday Ziva' said Annalise, hugging Ziva tightly. Ziva laughed and hugged all her friends. There was Annalise, of course, but also Anton, Jacques, and Yara. All five had met at the PTSD support group. Anton was a former soldier. Jacques was a journalist who had been held captive. Annalise had experienced sexual violence and Yara had fled war-torn Syria.

Over the past eleven months, Ziva had cultivated a support network. It was something that Leroux had encouraged in the early days. Ziva had Tony and Tali, Abby, Senior and everyone at NCIS. She had Clara and friends from temple. Ziva also had her friends from the support group.

Yara gave Ziva a pink gift bag. Ziva happily took out the bag and laughed. Yara had created a reading kit; mug, tea, bookmark, some fluffy socks and a large scarf that you could wrap around you like a shawl. Jacques and Annalise gave Ziva a beautiful leather-bound notebook and pen. Anton gave Ziva a very fancy box of chocolates.

'Thank you so much' said Ziva. 'I love them. I love you.'

After dropping Tali off at school, Ziva had gone on a run. She was seriously contemplating running the Paris marathon in April 2021. The 2020 marathon had been moved from April to October due to the outbreak. She hadn't competed in it, but Ziva liked the idea of the challenge.

The waitress came out with everyone's orders (it was lunchtime). Ziva handed her phone to the waitress who took a photo of the five friends celebrating a birthday.


Tony and Senior were standing in the hallway, coats on and ready to go out for dinner. They were waiting for Tali and Ziva.

'Why is it like this every time we go out?' asked Tony.

'Patience Junior. Ziva just likes to make a grand entrance.' Tony snorted with laughter. He thought back to his very first conversation with Ziva.

Having phone sex?

Tony smiled thinking about it when the bedroom door opened and Tali came out, wearing a pretty Navy blue velvet dress. Ziva was wearing her new black dress. Tony smiled at how beautiful they both were.

Ziva stood in the doorway, looking at her phone. Tali now had her coat on.

'Zi?' Tony held her coat out. 'Zi, what is it?'

She looked up at him, a look of complete and utter astonishment on her face.

'I got it.'

'Got what?'

'The library' said Ziva.

'As a volunteer?' asked Tony. Ziva nodded, a smile starting to form on her face. Tony pulled Ziva into a hug, both of them laughing. He placed a kissed on her temple. 'I am so proud of you, Zi.'

Ziva laughed and sniffed slightly. Tears had begun to form. She took her coat and the four of the left for dinner.

For dinner, Tony, Ziva, Tali and Senior went out to Calliope's, a restaurant that Tony and Ziva tried on one of their date nights. Ziva loved the food there. Tali skipped along in front of everyone towards the metro station, taking control of the conversation. She always did, not that Tony, Ziva or Senior minded. They loved to hear her talk and laugh.

Ziva's phone buzzed.

'Do you have another job offer?' suggested Tony, jokingly.

'The library is not a job. I will be a volunteer four hours a week.' She checked her phone. A birthday message from Clara, making Ziva smile.

Throughout the whole of dinner and the journey back to the apartment (Senior going back to his hotel), Ziva's phone kept buzzing.

'You're very popular tonight' said Tony. Ziva laughed again and showed Tony her phone. Messages from friends from the support group and temple, wishing Ziva a happy birthday. Messages from Abby, Tim, Ellie, and Jimmy. An email from Ducky wishing her many happy returns. Tony smiled and handed it back to Ziva.

'Are you OK, Tony?' He nodded.

'Yes, I'm OK.'

'Tell me.' Tony paused.

'For so long, you were alone, either because you were on the run, or you felt that way. For the past few years, I kinda celebrated your birthday for you. I would buy a cake, light a candle, blow it out, all before Tali got up for school or after she went to bed. I did not want her to ask questions. Now, you have over ten messages from people wishing you a happy birthday and a pile of presents next to your armchair. It's just the difference a year can make.'

Ziva sniffed and chuckled. Tony was right. 38 was the best birthday Ziva ever had.


Ziva stood in the Gare du Nord. It was the day after her birthday and she had seen Tali off to school. The little girl was desperate to come with Ziva and was not impressed when Ziva insisted that Tali had to go.

The Eurostar from London St Pancras opened its doors and passengers started piling their way out. Ziva scanned the crowd, looking for pigtails or a parasol sticking out somewhere.

'Ziva!' came Abby's voice.

'Abby!' replied Ziva and the two women hugged tightly.

'Happy birthday, Ziva' said Abby, handing over a gift bag to Ziva.

'Thank you, Abby.' They hugged again.

'Come on' said Abby, linking arms with Ziva. 'I want crepes.'


Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. Stay safe and see you soon :)