Sorry for the delay, work shifts have been annoying, and I have not had enough time. Hope you like this chapter, a roller-coaster of emotions going on here.

Just remember, love doesn't come without some drama.

Chapter Seventeen

"She's not crying!" Tony sobbed as he held his baby girl.

Ziva was in shock, tears pooling in her eyes and rolling down her face, but no sound of sobs escaped her lips.

"Boss"

Tony's voice was cracking beyond words, but he tried to keep up an appearance of calm, steadying his breathing and pushing down on his baby girl's chest. Gibbs moved, crouching next to Tony, his hand resting on his shoulder briefly in a sign of support before calmly supporting the baby's head and body while Tony performed compressions. McGee moved to Ziva, holding her hand even though she didn't seem to register, her eyes focused on the baby in front of her. The team of four, sat with baited breaths, barely a sound being made, while minutes felt like hours.

"arghhhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh"

"Oh my god" Ziva sobbed, her body collapsing in on itself as she cried tears of relief.

Tony cried too, holding the screaming baby in his arms as he moved to hand over the tiny bundle to Ziva, sitting and supporting both his girls in a sweet embrace as the three cried in unison. McGee and Gibbs both blinked back dust that had been trapped in their eyes, as their shoulder sagged also in relief.

"She's crying, she…she is crying" Ziva repeated.

Tony just nodded, unable to find words, as he carefully re draped Zivas dress, maintaining her modesty.

"She's beautiful" McGee choked.

His eyes flickered over Tony's, an unspoken look of apology and forgiveness washing over the two of them, their brotherhood stronger than any small argument.

"Ziver, I'm going to get help" Gibbs said softly, his eyes conveying love but also concern for everyone's wellbeing.

It was only a couple hours if that, and Ziva was lying comfortably in a hospital bed, Tony by her side and their baby girl lying peacefully in her arms. It was a family affair, the whole team including Abby, Ducky and Jimmy were eagerly hovering around the bedside, the nurse on shift ultimately giving up on trying to keep them in the waiting room. Ziva was still a little dazed and very sleepy, her eyes drooping every so often before Abby's piercing screeches of excitement brought her back to reality. Contradicted by Tony's hand stroking softly down her arm and soothing her into sleep.

"I can't believe you guys have a baby" Jimmy sighed happily.

Tony smiled; his eyes unable to leave his little girl while his touch couldn't leave Ziva.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this" Tony laughed.

Gibbs smiled, remaining tight lipped as he happily watched on. His smile becoming a knowing smirk as he eyed Tony, knowing his life was about to change.

"This beautiful girl will bring so much joy to both your lives" Ducky said warmly.

"She's got her Abba's eyes" Ziva mumbled sleepily, looking up at Tony, her head rested on his shoulder.

Tony grinned and tilted his head down, his lips moving to meet hers in a sweet kiss that lasted a little long considering present company.

"Alright I think It's time we head out, we still have a case" Gibbs said.

The case was ever present, more so for the hurt caused to the team but Fornell was taking lead for now, Gibbs having insisted his team be checked out and everyone get to see the new member before they headed back to the field.

"Anyone heard about Georgie?" Tony asked.

He knew she was a touchy subject, but he had seen her state and left her with help while he ran to his family. He still wanted to ensure she was alright.

"She's been in surgery, internal bleeding" Gibbs supplied stiffly.

The room fell silent for a moment, a show of respect for the colleague caught in the wrong place.

"Do we know how serious?" McGee asked.

Gibbs looked to the younger agent, no emotion on his face as he considered the question for a brief moment.

"Case McGee"

"Yes boss"

While the team headed back to work, Tony and Ziva remained in the hospital. The doctors insisting Ziva be monitored overnight, same with their little girl. Ziva slept peacefully for a few hours before waking suddenly, her body jolting in Tony's arms.

"Hey baby, shhhhh what's wrong?"

"Huh…sorry"

"What is it?"

"I erm…"

"Zee?"

"I just…I had a bad dream I guess"

Tony didn't need to ask what it was about; he could tell by the fear in Ziva's eyes. The panic, the sweat on her neck that made her hair curl.

"She's okay, she's perfect"

"But she…"

"Hey, the doctors said she's perfect, we don't need to worry"

"I know"

"You know, we need to find a name"

"We do…I guess we haven't really discussed names"

"No, I have one though that I think would be particularly fitting"

Ziva smiled softly, she had always had a name even when she didn't think kids would be a part of her future. A name that meant the world to her a name she loved and held close. But she also knew Tony had to have a say and her girl would be perfect no matter the name.

"I guess I had one in mind too"

"Can I say my name first?" Tony asked eagerly, a glint in his eye that Ziva didn't see.

Ziva squirmed a little, she hadn't prepared herself for losing the name she had always imagined.

"Yeah, of course"

Tony could see the worry etched across her face, the concern over a name that would stick forever. He knew Ziva so well he could read her mind, in this case he certainly could. He smiled, letting her squirm a little longer while he tucked stray curls behind her ears.

"It's a special name" Tony whispered, dragging it out.

"Hmmm"

"It's erm, beautiful, meaningful"

"Tony come on just say it"

He grinned happily, stroking her cheek and tracing her lips with his finger before kissing her softly.

"Tali"

The name echoed in the air, dripping in beauty, an angelic ring to four little letters that spelled out a name with such importance and love. Tears pooling in both their eyes, the glint in Tony's brightening as Ziva smiled a watery smile full of adoration for the man next to her.

"Really?"

"There isn't another name" Tony assured.

"What about your mums?" Ziva asked, having expected him to suggest that.

Tony laughed lightly, a flicker of memories flashing through his mind as he thought of his beloved mum.

"My mother would have been so proud of both us and our little girl, she would have loved her unconditionally, but I can promise you, she would turn in her grave if we named our little girl Elizabeth"

Ziva giggled as she wiped away tears, still holding tightly to their baby girl.

"But Elizabeth is a pretty name"

"My mother hated it. She was always called Liz, or lizzie…anything that wasn't Elizabeth"

"Tony, you've no idea how much it would mean to me if we call her Tali"

"Sweet cheeks, she is our Tali, our baby girl, our Tali"

Ziva sobbed as she cradled Tali just that little bit closer, rocking the sleeping baby in her arms as she took a moment to think of her sister, her baby girl's namesake.

"Next question, last name?" Tony asked almost shyly.

He had been nervous, wanting to continue his name but also knowing if Ziva didn't use her name it would end with her.

"I'd like to carry on both our family names, I was thinking David DiNozzo"

Tony grinned, more than happy with the suggestion.

"Tali David DiNozzo, she's perfect and her name is beautiful" Tony said sweetly.

"Tony?"

"Yeah babe"

"Promise me we will protect her from the bad in the world"

"I promise to always protect both of you, till my dying breath"

McGee returned to the hospital later that evening, seeking an update on Georgie but also wanting to speak with Tony. He had questions and worries, things that needed to be asked while Ziva was not around. He waited in the corridor, having text Tony. His paced nervously, his eyes darting from one nurse to another.

"What's up?" Tony asked, appearing from the room.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, are you Tim?

Tim looked to his shoes, biting his lip nervously.

"I got an update on Georgie"

"Oh…okay, tell me"

"She is in recovery, expected to be okay but unlikely to return to working anytime soon. She broke her right arm and had a dislocated shoulder, the doctor said she will need physio"

"That's rough…she didn't deserve that" Tony said sadly.

Tim eyes Tony, trying to gage his reaction. Tony frowned, noting Tim staring. He sensed the younger agent wanted to say something else.

"What is it Tim?"

Tim sighed, taking in a deep breath.

"When she came out looking for Ziva, you said Georgie was in the men's room…where you had been. Why was she in their Tony, why was she in there with you?"

Tony froze, his shoulders tensing. He had just had a baby, his girlfriend trapped and left to give birth in a dirty collapsed room, he was emotional and a wreck. He didn't not have time for Tim's wondering mind.

"What exactly are you trying to suggest Tim?" Tony asked sharply.

"I'm not…"

"You are…so say it"

"Tony, don't get angry I just…"

Tim panicked, not intending to cause hurt but his concern for his friend's relationship forcing him to ask the question. It was not that he suspected Tony of doing wrong, but more what Georgie had done and if Tony would be implemented in her mind games when she woke.

"Say it…or ask me Tim"

"What was going on between you and Georgie in the men's room?"

The question hung in the air, a deathly silence falling between the two men as they eyed each other angrily, their focus only wavering at the sound of Ziva in the doorway behind them, heartbreak and a broken voice travelling between the three.

"Tony?"