Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Tony sat back in his desk chair and smiled.
'Sometimes I used to picture you naked' he said quietly to himself, thinking of Kate. In his mind, he heard Kate scream, then realised that someone was watching him. 'I'll call you back' he said quickly, trying to save face. He pressed buttons on the phone on his desk, pretending to hang up on some imaginary person.
He looked to his left. A young woman with dark curls and olive skin was standing next to the partition next to Kate's desk.
'Hi. I was just, um…' Tony struggled to finish his sentence.
'Having phone sex?' suggested the woman.
Tony burst out laughing.
'No, no' said Tony. 'Charades.' As if that made more sense than phone sex.
He looked at the woman in front of his desk. Her hair was wrapped up in a purple scarf and she was wearing a military green jacket. As far as Tony was concerned, she was hot.
'My partner and I were coming up with quotes for Saturday night' said Tony.
'You play charades on a Saturday night?' This mysterious woman didn't seem to believe him.
'To kill time before I go clubbing. Who are you?'
The woman smiled and pulled out a badge.
'Ziva David. Mossad.'
Suddenly a loud alarm went off, deafening Tony. He looked around to see where it was coming from. The pumpkin-orange walls of the NCIS headquarters were gone. Instead, the walls a white or cream colour. Blue curtains blocked out the majority of the daylight. Opposite Tony were two doors; one to a bathroom, the second to a closet. There was a TV on the wall and a pile of books and DVDs on the floor underneath it.
Tony DiNozzo was not at NCIS headquarters in 2005. He was in his home in 2021. The home he had built with Ziva.
Switching off the alarm, Tony got out of bed and went downstairs. Ziva was sitting at the kitchen table, reading (Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen). Tali and Tilly were playing in the family room.
'Morning' he said, scratching his stomach. Ziva looked up and smiled.
'Good morning. There is some shakshuka leftover if you want some.'
'Mmmm' said Tony. 'Sound delicious.' He loved his wife's shakshuka. Tony grabbed a plate and spooned some out of the pan, and sat down next to Ziva.
'You know I had a dream about you last night' he said. Ziva looked up from her book again.
'Really?' She sounded intrigued. Tony nodded.
'About the day we met' he said, smiling. Ziva chuckled.
'That was a long time ago.'
'Sixteen years' said Tony.
'Has it really been that long?' said Ziva. Tony nodded.
'2005 we met' said Tony. Ziva chuckled and shook her head in disbelief.
Tony lifted Ziva's chin with a finger and kissed Ziva passionately.
'I love you Zi' he whispered when the kiss broke.
'I love you too Tony' replied Ziva.
They stayed there, foreheads resting against each other when they were interrupted by someone coughing. Tony and Ziva saw Nettie standing on the other side of the table.
'Sorry, Nettie' said Tony.
'It is fine Tony' she said. 'I just thought I would announce myself.' Tony and Ziva chuckled.
'There's some shakshuka in the pan' said Tony. 'Ziva made it.'
'My Ima's recipe' said Ziva.
'Oh goody' said Nettie. Following on from Tony, Nettie got a plate and spooned out a portion. She sat down the kitchen table.
'Everything ready for today?' asked Tony. Today was the launch party for the new studio space.
'Almost' said Nettie. 'I need to get over to the studio to set up the buffet and a few other things to take care of as well. I need to get over there ASOP.'
Tony and Ziva laughed.
'ASAP, Nettie' said Ziva. She saw Tony raise an eyebrow. 'What?'
'Nothing' said Tony, admiring the irony of Ziva correcting a 'Ziva-ism'.
'Do you want any help?' asked Ziva.
'No. Anthony and Maggie are picking me up in an hour.'
Tony looked up.
'My dad and Maggie are helping?' he asked.
'Oh yes' said Nettie. 'The three of us get on really well.' Nettie stood up and went to say hello to Tali and Tilly.
'I have so many questions' said Tony. Ziva laughed.
The new studio was full of people. Team Gibbs and their other halves. People Tony and Ziva had worked with including Carlos from Hope Rises Homeless Shelter, Gloria and Sam from Education Restart, Bob the photographer, and Greg Bai from the White October Art Gallery. Other friends came, along with a couple of Tali and Tilly's friends from school and their parents.
Ziva was looking around the studio, taking in everything.
'You have to admit that Nettie has done a pretty good job on the party' said Tony quietly in her ear.
'I did not doubt her party planning skills' said Ziva. 'I just did not want her to feel like she had wasted her vacation.'
Tony looked over at Nettie who was chatting with Maggie.
'We'll miss her when she goes back to Israel' he said. Ziva nodded.
Nettie would never leave Israel permanently. It was her home, with her friends, students and life there. But Ziva missed her aunt desperately sometimes, especially around November and December. In the past, Nettie had come for Hanukkah, but the pandemic had cancelled any plans. As soon as international travel was OK, Nettie book a flight.
Sam wandered over to them.
'Hey, Sam' said Tony, hugging her a little. 'I'm glad you and Jake came today.'
'Me too' said Sam. Jake, the girls and any other children who came were playing in the old bedroom, now the new office. Nettie had found activities for the kids to do and it gave them space for any games they created.
'How are things?' asked Ziva.
'Good' said Sam. 'I've had a few more requests for custom tattoos.'
'That's great' said Tony.
'There's more' said Sam, practically beaming. 'Someone has asked me to design all their wedding stationery. Invites, place cards, order of services. Everything they could possibly need.'
'Sam that is amazing' said Ziva, sounding very proud.
'I'm gonna start offering custom celebration stationery' said Sam. 'Weddings, birthdays, retirement parties. Another waitress at work suggested I start an online shop.'
'I can help with that' said Tony. He had managed the sales of Bean and Bug's online courses. In five months they had made over $5000. Before the end of 2021, two more additional short courses would be added to the online store
'I might take you up on that' said Sam. Tony smiled.
'Look mommy.' Jake had appeared and was showing Sam his drawing.
'I love it Jake' said Sam and they walked off to put it with their belongings.
Ziva had really enjoyed getting to know Sam. Everything she did, she did for Jake; getting sober and healthy, getting consistent work at the restaurant and not giving up on her dream of supporting both of them with her artwork.
The chatter died down and everyone turned to look at Nettie who was tapping a spoon on the side of her glass.
'I am not one for long speeches but I just wanted to thank a few people. Firstly to Anthony and Maggie for helping me organise this launch party.' Everyone clapped. 'To Johnny Emmons for providing such delicious food.' More clapping. 'To all of you for coming and finally to Tony and Ziva for letting me throw this launch party for.' There was a bigger cheer and applause at the mention of their names.
Nettie continued.
'I cannot express just how proud I am of both of you and this business that you have built from the ground together. All of us here wish you all the best for this next stage of Bean and Bug. To Tony and Ziva' she added, raising her glass.
'Tony and Ziva' said everyone else.
Ziva walked into the kitchen to get some food. Nettie had hired one of the other mentees from the Education Restart mentorship program for the catering. Johnny Emmons had got his GED with Education Restart and was now running his own catering company. Ziva was thrilled that Nettie had hired his company. The food was particularly good.
Someone else walked into the kitchen.
'Gibbs' said Ziva. 'How are you?'
'Not bad' replied Gibbs. 'You?'
'I am good Gibbs.'
'Busy summer?'
'Not as busy as past years but better than last year. More weddings and celebrations.' Gibbs smiled. People were making up for lost time.
Ziva and Gibbs spotted Tali, Tilly and the twins running through the apartment. It made Ziva think of something.
'A lot has happened in this apartment, yes' she said. Gibbs smiled and nodded.
It used to be the twins' home for the first two-and-a-half years of their lives. Tim and Delilah got married in this apartment and reunited two months later after Tim and Gibbs' shared ordeal in Paraguay. Tony and Ziva built their friendship in this apartment with countless movie nights. They started their relationship in this apartment, after their trip to Berlin. That relationship was now eight years old, with two beautiful daughters and a business.
Tony came into the kitchen and grabbed a plate. He started filling it up with food.
'What?' he asked Gibbs and Ziva who were staring at him.
'Nothing DiNozzo' said Gibbs, smirking as he walked away. Something things never changed, including Tony DiNozzo's appetite.
Tony stood next to Ziva.
'You OK?' he asked.
'Yes I am good' replied Ziva. 'Just thinking of the million things that we have to do next week.' Tony chuckled.
'I know right.'
Tony put down his plate and leaned forwards to kiss Ziva.
'I love you' he said quietly.
'I love you too' she replied.
'Daddy.'
Tony looked down.
'Yes Bug?'
'Tali took my crayons again' she said, sounding annoyed. Tony and Ziva rolled their eyes ever so slightly.
'Tilly, you have to share the crayons here' said Ziva. 'With Tali, your cousins and friends.'
'But' began Tilly.
'No buts Bug' said Tony.
Not getting quite what she thought, Tilly walked off in a huff. Tony and Ziva chuckled, as Tony returned to kissing Ziva.
'Ima.'
Ziva looked down. It was Tali this time.
'What is it Bean?'
'Can I have some cake?' she asked, trying to sound sweet. Nettie had ordered a large cake, kind of like a birthday or wedding cake.
'We'll cut the cake soon Tali' said Tony.
'Ok' said Tali, and she walked off, also not getting quite what she thought.
'Being a parent is never-ending, isn't' said Tony.
'Yes it is' said Ziva, nodding. Tony smiled.
'Wouldn't have it any other way though.' Ziva smiled this time.
'Neither would I' she said.
Thank you for reading. I hope you liked it.
This is the last chapter of Moments 3. I really enjoyed writing this story and this world. At this moment, I have no current plans for Moments 4 as I have other stories I want to write. That being said, I never thought I would write Moments 2 and Moments 3. Never say never.
Keep an eye out for The Paris Stories.
Big thanks to DS2010, DramaConedySoapRealityFan, Alidiabin and anyone who read and/ or reviewed the story. You guys make me want to be a better writer.
Stay safe, wherever you are, and see you soon :)