Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS

Tony and Ziva collapsed in their car seats, their work bags in the trunk of the car. It had been the second long day of meetings and filming, with at least two more that week, along with all the editing needed. However, whilst it had been tiring and long, it had also been productive and successful.

Tony and Ziva had been at Education Restart, working on the new online learning platform the organisation was setting up. This has involved research, writing scripts (which Ziva had really enjoyed), coming up with a list of shots, setting up, and of course filming. Education Restart had ten courses, including the brand new How to Start Your Own Business. Some of the courses were long, notably the GED course they ran, and therefore had several hours of footage to go through and edit.

Tony drove himself and Ziva of them over to Senior and Maggie's house. They were on childcare duty all week, collecting the girls from school and looking after them until Tony and Ziva picked them up. Both parents felt incredibly guilty for not being there for the girls, especially when Senior would send them pictures of Tali and Tilly playing together.

'You OK?' asked Tony. 'You've been quiet.'

'Just tired' replied Ziva. 'We are going to have excited daughters who are probably also going to be hungry.'

'We'll get takeout on the way home' said Tony.

'Tony, we need agreed to stop relying on takeout' said Ziva. Over the past couple of months, it had gone from a once a week occurrence to three or more times. If it wasn't affecting their waistlines, it would affect their wallet.

'It'll be fine, Zi.' Tony pulled the car up outside his father's home. They both got out and walked to the door.

'Junior, Ziva!' cried Senior, his face happy and red, most likely with laughter. 'How are you?' Tony and Ziva stepped into the house. It was warm, but then again it was February.

'Tired' said Tony. 'It's been a long day.' They walked into the kitchen and found Tali and Tilly sitting at the breakfast bar, watching Maggie cook. Penny was lying on her bed in the corner.

'Ima. Daddy' said Tilly, waving at them.

'Hi Tilly' said Ziva, placing a kiss on top of her head. 'Have you had fun with Granny and Papa?' Both girls nodded, smiling.

'Ok girls' said Tony, now holding both Tali and Tilly's school bags. 'Let's go home.'

'But' began Tali.

'No Tali' said Ziva. 'Daddy and I are tired and hungry, and we need to get dinner on the way home.'

'Why not stay for dinner?' asked Senior. Maggie nodded.

'Yes, stay for dinner' agreed Maggie. 'It's nearly ready.'

Tony and Ziva looked at each, too tired and hungry to protest and argue.

'Ok' said Tony, and he set Tali and Tilly's school bags down on the side, before sitting down.

'Girls, go wash your hands' said Maggie. Tali and Tilly climbed down and ran out of the kitchen. Ziva sat down at the table, yawning her head off.

'My dear, you really are tired' said Maggie.

'It has been a long day. That is all' said Ziva. 'Good, but long.'

'Tell me about it' said Maggie.

Ziva launched into how they were working with Education Restart to set up an online learning platform.

'That sounds so interesting' said Maggie, the former teacher coming out.

'It really is' said Ziva, a tired smile on her face. 'There is just a lot of work involved. Tony and I are also finishing up our first online course which launches in a couple of months.'

'It's good that you've got so much work' said Senior.

'Totally' agreed Tony. 'We're getting more photoshoot bookings as well plus more editing work. After last year, I don't think we can complain really' he said, slight jollity to his voice. Ziva nodded in agreement.

Tali and Tilly came back into the kitchen, making a beeline for Penny.

'No girls' said Maggie. 'You've just washed your hands. No petting Penny. Sit down. Dinner is ready.'

With glum looks of disappointment, Tali and Tilly sat down at the table. Dinner was Japanese udon noodle stir fry. After living in Japan for forty-odd years, Maggie's cooking was usually Japanese based, though every now and then, she made pot roast or something completely different. Tali and Tilly were big fans of their granny's pot roast. They also liked watching her use chopsticks to eat, though, for some reason, their parents and grandparents wouldn't let them try and use chopsticks.

After dinner, everyone said goodbye, though it took a while to get Tilly away from Penny.

'Tilly, Penny wants to sleep' said Tony. 'And you need to go to bed.'

'But' began Tilly.

'You will see Penny tomorrow' said Ziva. 'Ok?' Tilly shrugged and climbed into the car.

Tony and Ziva did their best to keep bedtime as short as possible, even with reading the girls' two bedtime stories. Tony and Ziva collapsed into bed.

'I'm so tired' said Tony. Ziva glanced at her watch.

'It's only 8.30 pm' she said. Tony replied with a massive yawn. 'One of us should really move the footage to a hard drive'

'On three?' They raised their hands.

One, two, three. Rock crushes scissors and Ziva went to move the footage onto a hard drive. Thirty minutes later she came upstairs to find Tony falling asleep. Ziva got changed into her pyjamas and climbed into bed. She kissed Tony's cheek lightly.

'Goodnight, my wildcard. I love you' she whispered.

The next two days were just as busy as the first two. Tony and Ziva were very grateful for grandparents, and both felt very strong parental guilt as well. Tali and Tilly probably spent more away from home and their parents than in previous weeks. Tony and Ziva agreed that the weekend would be for family things. It was too cold still to go outside, but the Smithsonian had reopened in January and so the four DiNozzo's would go there on Saturday.

Tali and Tilly chose the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History. They ran around pretending to be astronauts or explorers. Ziva would have probably preferred one of the art galleries, but the girls would have found them boring. The day ended with dinner at the family's favourite Italian restaurant.

Not for the first time that week, Tony and Ziva collapsed into bed, again very tired.

'Has our to-do list got any shorter yet?' asked Tony.

'Nope' replied Ziva. 'In fact I think it has gotten longer.'

The office had been decorated and filled with people mingling, eating and drinking. It was the launch of the Education Restart Business Mentoring Program. Twelve people along with twelve business had signed up for the first round of mentoring, which would last for a full year.

Bean and Bug Photography had been paired with a young woman called Samantha. The three of them had met up at the diner a couple of days ago. Samantha struggled with alcohol addiction and was currently working as a waitress, supporting her young son, Jake.

'He is adorable' said Ziva, looking at the photos of the little boy.

'My entire world' said Samantha, smiling.

'We know the feeling' said Tony, showing photos of Tali and Tilly. The three children were similar ages.

'He was almost taken from me. Gave me the kick up the arse I needed to start going to AA meetings. I've been sober eighteen months now.'

'That's incredible' said Tony, taking a sip of coffee. 'Sobriety is not easy.' Samantha raised an eyebrow. 'An old colleague from my cop days' he explained.

'How did you come across Education Restart?' asked Ziva.

'My sponsor found a leaflet and gave it to me. They helped me get my GED. Then I found out about the business course. I always wanted to be an artist as a kid' said Samantha, pulling her long braids over her shoulder. 'As I got older, it got further away. But now, I don't know. Maybe it's still possible.'

'Well, Tony and I will help in any way we can' said Ziva. 'Do you have any ideas what you want to do?'

'Something that means I can draw. I would love to be able to support me and Jake through my drawing, even if it takes ten years to get there.' Samantha reached into her bag and pulled out a sketch notepad. She started showing Tony and Ziva her drawings. 'I designed my friends latest tattoo, and some invites for a kid's birthday party. Paid me and everything.'

Tony heard the pride in Samantha's voice. It reminded him of when Ziva was getting her first few paying photography gigs.

'Have you thought about graphic design?' he asked.

'Kinda' said Samantha. 'But I don't have the expertise really for that. I didn't go to art school.'

'I do not think that matters' said Ziva. 'Tony and I are self-taught about almost everything we do now.'

'So you didn't go to college?' asked Samantha.

'I did' said Tony. 'Ohio State. Majored in Physical Ed. Ziva didn't though.'

Samantha liked that fact that Tony and Ziva were self-taught. She started googling how to become a graphic designer, Tony, and Ziva sending her links to websites that offer lessons in things like software.

Back at Education Restart headquarters, everyone turned to face Gloria, who was about to give a speech.

'Welcome everyone to the launch of the first Education Restart Business Mentorship Program.' Everyone cheered. 'This program will hopefully help twelve of you start your own businesses, which will help you change your lives. Our mentors come from various different industries, from catering to beauty, to photography and animal care. Together, they have almost 200 years of experience.

'Over the next year, we will meet up frequently to see how everyone is doing and encourage each other to keep going. Work with each other. Motivate each other. Use each other's experiences, knowledge, and skills. Let's support one another and at the end of the year, have twelve fantastic new and thriving businesses.'

Everyone cheered and clapped again as Gloria got down from the stool she was standing on. Samantha turned to Ziva.

'I did what you suggested' she said. 'About setting up a portfolio.'

'Oh yes?' Samantha pulled out her phone and showed Ziva. Samantha had an Instagram account, posting her artwork over the past year. Ziva had strongly suggested that Samantha should set up a separate portfolio.

'It's only a free website at the mo, but hopefully one day I'll upgrade.'

'That's great Samantha' said Ziva, scrolling on the phone. 'I will have a proper look on a bigger screen at home.'

'Call me Sam' said Sam. 'All my friends do.' Ziva smiled.

'Ok, Sam.'

Thanks for reading and reviewing. It means a lot.

This is the second of three chapters that focus on Bean and Bug and business stuff. I'm really enjoying writing these chapters and plan to feature the characters at least one more before the end. I hope that I've written the parental guilt Tony and Ziva have well. I don't have kids so don't suffer from it.

The next chapter should be up later this week.

Stay safe and see you soon :)