A/N: I will attempt to clear up some apparent confusion about Tony's feelings concerning Tali and MAYBE turning custody of her over to her biological father since Ziva is nowhere to be found. Tony wants to do "the right thing", but he's not sure what that is. He's become attached to her, but would she be better off being raised in the Jewish faith by Israeli relatives? I guess I was not clear pointing out in earlier chapters that Tony was struggling with it? Ziva makes an appearance, so let's see if she can shed some light on things. I'm going to try and wrap this up in fewer chapters than planned. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Just a side note: I work in a law firm and right now we are smack in the middle of tax season, so I am kind of busy with work. I have never and will never abandon a story. This one is taking much longer to update for myriad reasons, but having time to write is the biggest right now. Please be patient! I AM working on it, but I don't want to rush and not give you my best effort.

Warning: No beta so all mistakes are mine.

Disclaimer: Still don't own.

It had been a week since everything changed; since his fate was sealed with a kiss and a promise. Tony's nerves were shot anticipating the arrival of Senior with Tali in tow. He wanted to break the news about Tali, his new job, and fledgling relationship with Gibbs to Senior in person. He had no clue how any of the news would be received, but had no doubt that the news about Tali would break Senior's heart, and likely his own as well.

Tony never intended to get attached to Tali, but damn if she didn't have him tightly wrapped around her finger. He may have worked through his well-documented fear of small children, but he was never given a chance to prepare for raising a child as a single parent. Tali was just dropped into his life, with a "good luck" but without an owner's manual. Tony had to start from scratch with no knowledge base to draw from. Senior wasn't exactly an ideal Father of the Year role model. It had definitely been a steep learning curve.

With Ziva being absent most of the time, all parental decisions had fallen to Tony. Everything from picking out her clothes each morning, taking her to pediatrician visits, and looking into schools were all on him. He knew that raising a child was a great responsibility, but he never saw himself in the role of parent. He never expected to care so much or love her as much as he did. Could he just let her go?

He was a DiNozzo man, and with that came responsibilities. Tony had been expected to go to an Ivy League school and get a degree in business or economics then take the financial world by storm. A certain level of wealth and power was expected for someone of his pedigree.

Senior never quite got over Tony's choice of attending Ohio State, playing football while earning a phys. ed. degree, and choosing a career in law enforcement. Senior grumbled after Tony's graduation that he'd never attract a "suitable wife" working as a lowly civil servant. If Senior knew that Tony was an equal opportunity lover, he never let on. Tony never intended to volunteer such information. Being gay or bisexual would never be allowed in Senior's business or social circles.

Tony's idea of a family never got past trying to fall in love with a woman to live up to Senior's and society's expectations of him. He was expected to have a beautiful doting wife, raise a couple of obedient, dutiful heirs, and own a house that would be the envy of all. The problem was, Tony wanted none of those things. All of his beloved movies and TV shows depicted what an ideal family life should be. Sadly, he had no real life experiences to draw from. He just wanted to be happy, and it didn't matter to him where he lived. He'd be just as happy in a small apartment, a luxury condo, or an older house in the DC suburbs that was in desperate need of a decorator. He didn't care, as long as Gibbs was by his side.

Noting the time, Tony had less than 24 hours to pull himself together. According to the travel itinerary clutched in his shaky hand, Senior and Tali's flight from Paris would be arriving at Reagan National tomorrow at 3:15 P.M, and reservations for a suite at the Adams House had been confirmed.

How was he going to tell his dad, the biggest con-man and social climber on the east coast, that he was romantically involved with a man? More to the point, with Gibbs! Senior and Gibbs could manage to be civil when in Tony's presence, but neither of them even tried to hide their disdain for the other when he wasn't around. If push came to shove, Tony knew he'd choose Gibbs over Senior every time. Senior loved his only child enough to find ways to use him for his own benefit or to make a quick buck, but Gibbs just loved him for him.

Explaining things to Tali was going to be trickier, but both Ducky and Abby had offered their help. They both possessed an almost mystical way of dealing with children in times of severe stress, which Tony had witnessed many times during his years at NCIS when cases involved children. Abby had planned a "girls night" slumber party to give Tony and Senior time and space to talk. Even Gibbs, a natural with kids, offered to step in however he was needed. Tony wondered how much could tell Tali without doing serious damage. Ducky insisted that children of Tali's age were resilient, but this was more than the typical "Hey, we both love you, but mommy and daddy can't live together anymore" divorce kind of announcement. Could Tony basically say, "You're not really mine and I think someone else should raise you"? Was he that heartless? Did Gibbs really mean it when he said they could raise her together?

There were still many unanswered questions. Vance had pressed upon his Israeli contacts the urgency for information on Ziva and any family who may be able to help locate her. McGee had located a distant cousin who so far was their best prospect for placing Tali with a family member, but they would only be contacted as a last resort. Family, in the tribal sense, meant everything in Israeli culture. At least that is the impression that Ziva had foisted upon everyone, but Tony was not about to turn over a little child he had been providing for and protecting, and even loving for the last year, to just anyone.

Tony needed to speak with Ziva. It was bound to be an impossible conversation, but as the only known albeit absent parent Ziva had undisputed rights. Had she known all along that Tony was not Tali's father? If so, why would she cultivate such a lie? Tony has begun to doubt that Ziva was just an innocent victim, but why would she saddle him with her child? Did she know the true identity of Tali's biological father? If Tony's working theory about what happened during his last night in Israel proved to be true, was tying Tali to him or his family even an option? If Tony's fuzzy recollections of that night were real, it meant that Tali was not conceived in love or even during a moment of drunken, lustful weakness, but rather as the result of an act of violence. Jesus, what a mess!

Tony chose to focus instead on something positive - his new job prospects. He weighed all the pros and cons before making a decision. Fornell's offer had been a generous one. Not surprising since he had been trying to poach Tony away from NCIS for years. "Nothing personal, Jethro, but you're a total bastard and DiNutso's been in your grumpy shadow for too long", Fornell declared with a pronounced slur after helping himself to Gibbs' basement bourbon. Tony was offered a better salary than he had gotten at NCIS, but with the same standard federal government employee benefits package.

What the U.S. Marshals lacked in monetary compensation, they more than made up for in opportunities and adventure. It had been a difficult choice, but in the end he just could not bring himself to work under or with Fornell. Over dinner after making a tentative decision, Tony defended his choice.

"Working with Fornell would have been like working with a creepy uncle. I know he's your friend, but I just can't. It would be too weird. Besides, he'd probably keep trying to pin every unsolved murder on me just to clear a case. Nah, I think being a Marshal is the job for me," Tony surmised with a nod and a shrug.

Gibbs nodded in agreement, which told Tony he had probably made the right decision. The one time Tony had asked for help deciding, Gibbs sat him down, poured him two fingers of his special occasion single malt scotch, and said, "Tony, this is all up to you. Whatever makes you happy; that's all that counts. This is a decision you have to make on your own; I can't make it for you. I trust you'll make the right decision."

Fornell may be his best friend, mostly out of necessity, but keeping his best friend and would-be lover from driving each other crazy was for the best. Both of them were stubborn, high strung, snarky, and armed; a dangerous combination. Gibbs' preference would have been Tony coming back to NCIS and the MCRT, but the change in their personal relationship would have complicated things and set too many tongues wagging. It also would have required demoting McGee back to junior agent status and likely sending Torres packing. Vance would have balked at both.

It was quiet, almost too quiet for a Monday afternoon. Gibbs looked around the bullpen to see his team diligently working at their desks. Ellie and Nick had spent the day poring over the cold case files they had chosen and preparing their presentations for Gibbs. The goal was to argue the best case for reopening a full investigation of their chosen case. Gibbs found this method worked well. It forced his young agents to give a cold case a careful and thorough review in order to present a reasoned argument in support of their case.

McGee was typing like a madman, careful not to let anyone see what he was doing. Gibbs nodded at him to acknowledge the focus and determination McGee showed. He felt oddly honored that he had been chosen to lead the cyber-search for Ziva's extended family. He didn't want to let Gibbs down, but he felt even more motivated to help Tony. It meant the world to him that both Gibbs and Tony trusted him with this very sensitive project. Gibbs made him nervous at times, and Tony never failed to be a pain in the ass, but McGee knew it had always been about making him a better agent. Even though he had been hurt by Tony leaving the way he did, without a proper send off or even a bro hug, McGee looked back on their years as teammates fondly.

For all of the years of hazing, insults, and other abuse meted out by Tony, McGee still felt a brotherly kinship with his former teammate. Ellie could fill a little sister role in his life, but Nick would never measure up to Tony in any way. Tony may have picked on him a lot and gone overboard with it quite often, but he knew no matter what that Tony had his six and always would. Except for blood, they were brothers in every way that mattered.

Nick was a capable investigator, but working as part of a team was not his strong suit. Due to years spent undercover, he preferred working solo whenever possible. Any attempt to forge a personal, friendly bond with Nick outside of work had proven futile. He didn't want to fit into the "work family" dynamic any more than he wanted to be on a team. That didn't stop McGee and the others from extending social invitations, even though it meant certain rejection.

At 1530, doubting they would not catch a new case that late in the day, Gibbs decided to take advantage of the peace and quiet to call Vance to see if he had any news to report. A terse, "Gibbs, you might want to come up here," had him taking the stairs two at a time. Vance's office door was already open when Gibbs arrived. He breezed past Cynthia, who simply nodded to acknowledge him. Crossing the threshold, Gibbs stopped dead in his tracks.

"Hello, Gibbs. It is good to see you again," Ziva said. She rose gracefully from her seat at the head of the conference table and approached with her arms extended. Instead of greeting her with a fatherly embrace, Gibbs retreated two steps back to find himself backed up against the now closed door. When had Cynthia stealthily pulled it shut?

Gibbs looked from a smirking Ziva to a perturbed Vance and back.

"Ziver," Gibbs said in his all-business flat tone. "You showing up in DC is becoming quite a habit. What brings you to town this time?"

Unfazed by Gibbs' apprehension, Ziva returned to her seat and leaned back in her chair.

"I have been informed that you have been looking for me, and trying to dig up dirt on my family. Have I been correctly informed?" Her voice dripped with cold venom.

"Gibbs, have a seat," Vance requested. It was a forceful request that was as close to an order as Gibbs would get. "News sure travels fast. Yes, Ms. David you are correct. We have been looking for you. As usual, you have not been easy to find. Just so you know, we're not digging up dirt on anyone, but I have made discreet inquiries. Sit down and listen and you may learn the reason why."

Vance took a seat at the far end of the table and watched as Ziva and Gibbs sat locked in an unwinnable staring contest.

Without taking her eyes off of Gibbs, Ziva said, "Okay. Please tell me why you have been looking for me. Why am I here? I am needed in Lebanon. I've been on a mission. There is an Hamas cell that I have been tracking."

Gibbs shook his head.

"I'm not going to ask about your Lebanon cell because I don't really care. But you are here for a damn good reason," Gibbs shot back.

"Gibbs … steady," Vance warned.

"Then I am all ears," Ziva said.

"Tali."

Ziva's eyes went wide and she shifted in her seat.

"What about Tali?"

Gibbs shrugged.

"Where is she?" he asked.

Ziva narrowed her eyes. She had a feeling that she was being set up for something.

"Where she has been for the last year. At home, in Paris with Tony, her father," Ziva spat. Seeing Gibbs shake his head, she demanded, "What is this all about?"

"This is about Tony, who we know without a doubt is not Tali's father. You care to tell me who is?" Gibbs challenged.

Vance sat forward and spoke with a cool, detached authority.

"It seems that Mr. DiNozzo's memory is starting to come back about a few things. Specifically, about the last night he spent in Israel - with you. Seems he wasn't told the whole story."

"What? Why is Tony claiming that he is not Tali's father?"

"Well, we know for a fact that he isn't. He's here in DC, you know, or maybe you don't. Tony is here, and boy does he have some stories to tell. Mostly about you and a couple of your friends who dropped by that night. His memory is still a little fuzzy, but DNA doesn't lie. He remembers someone keeping him drunk and distracted then waking up in your bed with no memory except for having a raging hangover. Tony swears he never slept with you and I believe him. The man who showed up that night, who was he? One of your Mossad associates? Old boyfriend? Who was he, Ziva? Because unless you can prove otherwise, we're going with the assumption that he is Tali's biological father, not Tony."

At Gibbs' accusing stare, Ziva sat up and leaned across the table.

"What do you mean Tony is here?"

Gibbs cocked his head.

"That's all you heard? Aren't you even going to ask about your daughter, who is not with him, by the way?" Gibbs replied.

Ziva looked from Gibbs to Vance and back again. She was caught off guard. Gibbs took pity on her and extended an invitation.

"Tony's staying at my place for a few days. Tony's dad and Tali will be here tomorrow for a couple of days. There's some things to sort out there, too. How about you, me and Tony have dinner tonight and we can talk about all of this? Director, you are more than welcome to join us, if you think we may need a referee," Gibbs said.

Ziva narrowed her eyes and said, "I get the feeling you are not telling me everything, Gibbs. Why is Tony staying with you?"

"Yeah, Gibbs, I'll be there. I'd kind of like to know that answer to that one myself," Vance stated.

Gibbs smirked.

"Then be at my house around 7:00 and I'll tell you. Until then, I need to get back to my team. Director. Ziver," Gibbs said as he stood and headed for the door. He turned around to address Vance. "McGee thinks he has something, Director."

"Have him send me the details," Vance replied.

Ziva and Vance watched the door close. After a moment of silence, Ziva asked heatedly, "What does he mean 'McGee has something'?"

Vance stood and returned to the big leather chair behind his desk. He took a toothpick from the little holder on his desk and put it in the corner of his mouth. He worried it for a few seconds before responding.

"Ms. David. He may have quit working for us in order to raise your daughter, but DiNozzo still has a lot of friends and support in this agency. He may not be her biological father, but he wants to do what is best. And the fact that you apparently aren't around much got him thinking he should find some blood relatives who are not beholden to the Israeli government or Mossad to raise her in the Jewish faith. We're helping him track down extended family. As you know, we work pretty fast around here, so if you can think of someone who would be willing to raise her now would be a good time to speak up," Vance stated.

Ziva slapped a hand down on the table top.

"She is my daughter! Who are any of you to try and take her from me? If Tony does not want to raise her, then …," Ziva said before stopping to glare at her former Director.

"Then what, Ms. David? As far as anyone knows, you died. Remember? I'm assuming that little ruse has been to protect your cover and whatever mission you are on. Also explains why you keep sneaking back into the US and putting my MCRT in danger. I think we should both go over to Gibbs' place. Hear Gibbs and DiNozzo out. They have questions and you better have some answers, and I have a few questions of my own - for all three of you. This whole situation could very well kick off an international incident and that's the last thing this agency needs right now. I have a feeling we're going to find out all kinds of interesting little tidbits tonight, so you can wait here or I can send a car to pick you up around 6:00. Your choice. That should give us both plenty of time to get there by 7:00. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some calls to make," Vance said as he picked up the phone receiver with one hand and pointed to the door with the other. He knew an armed guard was standing by to escort Ziva out.

"Then I will go see Abby, if that is alright with you … Director," Ziva said.

Vance nodded then buzzed Cynthia.

"Cynthia, ask the guard to escort Ms. David down to Ms. Scuito's lab. Thank you."

Vance pointed to the door, and with a curt nod of her head, Ziva was gone.

"Hello, McGee. It is good to see you," Ziva said. She stood ramrod straight and emotionless in front of McGee's desk.

A shocked McGee closed all of the open windows on his computer out of habit. He stood and came around his desk, unsure of how to greet his former teammate. He didn't move to give her a friendly hug or even shake her hand. He crossed his arms and assessed her. He had learned to rely on his gut, and it was telling him to be cautious. Ziva looked the same as he remembered, but her carriage was more sullen. The woman standing before him was familiar, but she was a complete stranger at the same time.

"Ziva! Oh my God! What are you doing here?" McGee asked. "How long has it been?"

Ziva cracked a hint of a smile and nodded at Ellie and Nick, who were comparing notes on their cold case files. They nodded in return and shot a questioning look at McGee.

"Oh Ziva. Let me introduce you. Eleanor Bishop and Nick Torres, this is the Ziva David you've all heard so much about," McGee stated.

Before Ellie or Nick could respond with more than a polite wave, Ziva said sharply, "I know who they are, McGee. It is still my job to know."

Nick and Ellie resumed their consultation leaving McGee in an awkward position.

"Okay. Um, then why are you here? You know Tony's not here anymore, and just missed Gibbs. He left a few minutes ago," McGee offered.

"I know that too, McGee. I just saw him up in Director Vance's office. I am supposed to meet Gibbs and Tony later at Gibbs' house. Director Vance will be joining us as well, though I am not sure why," Ziva replied. "I was just on my way down to visit with Abby. I will wait there for the Director while he makes some phone calls. It is good to see you again, McGee."

With a neck bow, Ziva followed her security escort to the elevator and vanished behind the heavy doors.

"Okay, spill Tim. That was weird. Something is going on. What is it?" Ellie demanded. She wasn't a very imposing figure with her diminutive stature, and dressed head to toe in baby blue and bright white tennis shoes. Nick standing next to her with his dark brooding look was unnerving, though.

"Yeah McGee," Nick said. "What was that all about?"

McGee returned to his desk chair.

"Let's just say Ziva has never been a real talkative one. Other than flirting with Tony or giving him a hard time about something, she was pretty quiet and focused. Not a real social type, you know? As far as why she's here and what's going on, I'm really not sure. Not my story to tell."

Ellie and Nick both narrowed their eyes, but realizing they weren't going to get any information out of McGee they returned to debating the merits of their cold cases.

Satisfied that he had dodged the proverbial bullet, McGee reopened the search windows on his computer and copied the information he had found into an email to Tony.

Gibbs had gone home after leaving McGee instructions to call immediately if dispatch called with a new case. Otherwise, he had something to tend to at home. He grabbed his gun and credentials out of his desk drawer and barked orders to "finish what you're working on, then call it a day. Back here tomorrow at 0730 if you don't hear from me before that. Don't be late!"