A/N: We have reached the end, my friends! One last confrontation and an epilogue. Thank you to those of you who hung in there through long delays in updating. Life got really crazy this spring and summer and there was very little time for writing. This got a bit rushed, and I do not like writing endings, so please forgive me. I have other stories in the works, so stay tuned!
Awww … my "Guest" reviewer is back! "I read enough to know I had enough. Wish there was a way to block writers on here." They seem nice! (Only cowards stay anonymous). Heck, I thought they quit reading several chapters ago. Hmmm…. Anyway, where were we?
"Anthony, my dear boy. Please come and sit before you wear a hole through the floor. You have earned the right to finally relax," Ducky requested, patting the arm of the Adirondack chair next to him.
Tony let out a sigh and took the offered seat from Ducky and the frosty bottle of beer from McGee to his right.
"Thanks," Tony sighed. "But I don't think I remember how. Everything has been so crazy."
McGee nodded.
"Yeah, but you won, Tony. The judge was right; Tali belongs here with you. And with Gibbs. Forget Ziva and all of her drama. Tali is here, safe and sound with a whole big family looking after her. A family full of armed federal agents, I might add," McGee said.
Ducky chuckled and Tony sighed again. He was grateful for the support. It hadn't been an easy road repairing the damage done when he packed up and left. Friendships had been put to the test, but they survived. His relationship with McGee seemed even stronger than before. Tony didn't know if that was McGee still having a healthy fear of making Gibbs mad, or if maybe they had both grown up.
"Yes Anthony. And look how she is with her Aunt Abigail! I dare anyone try to get to her with such a protector around, or her sisters," Ducky commented.
The three of them watched as Abby, Amira, and Emily Fornell chased a squealing Tali around the back yard.
Tony felt a pair of strong hands land on his shoulders followed by whispered hot breath in his ear. It made him shiver.
"See that, Tony? That is family - our family. That is what you have been fighting for all this time," Gibbs crooned.
Tony craned his head back to accept a peck on the lips from Gibbs. They had long since stopped shocking anyone with their affectionate displays. No one reacted other than to smile seeing them finally together and happy. They would never be caught making out in public, but in their own home they were free to just be themselves.
There had been no official announcement of their relationship or party to celebrate them coming out as a couple. It was just understood and happily accepted by everyone who mattered. Senior had come around and even teased Tony about maybe becoming the fifth Mrs. Gibbs someday.
Tali had requested this little get together. She loved having her big family around her. Amira and Emily were regulars at the house, happy to babysit or just hang out with their little sister. She was unfazed about not having a 'mommy' at home. No matter what anyone said, Tony was and always had been her daddy. She didn't care that Gibbs was a man. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have two abas.
It wasn't easy to define the almost familial relationship Gibbs had with Amira. At any time she could be like a daughter, niece, or even a grand-daughter to him. Gibbs doted on her and she adored him in return. There had always been an unspoken understanding that Gibbs would step in when Mike Franks couldn't be there for her. She was welcome to visit "Gibbsy" and her "Uncle Tony" any time she wanted. Amira and Tali weren't related by blood, but they were closer than most sisters. Maybe it was the untold horrors and violence that was part of their earliest years that forged such a bond? Only the two of them could truly understand.
Tony sighed and took in the familiar scene around him. Gibbs and his best buddy Fornell manned the grill - burgers, brats and hot dogs were on the menu - while Delilah, Palmer and Breena busied themselves in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on salads and side dishes. McGee and Nick were in charge of drinks, while Ellie set the long dining room table for the feast. Best of all was watching Tali running, playing, laughing, and just being a care-free kid after everything she had been through.
Dinner was a lively affair. Stories were shared, laughter filled the room, and few leftovers remained. Like a family after a holiday feast, everyone helped clear the table and load the dishwasher. Suddenly, there was a pounding on the front door. Someone dropped a glass on the floor and the room went quiet. Gibbs and Tony traded a look and excused themselves.
Reaching the front entrance, Tony wished he had his sidearm on him. Standing just inside the doorway was Ziva … and an unknown man. The door stood open behind them.
"Ziver, what are you doing here?" Gibbs asked in a dangerous register.
"Forget that! Who the hell is this?" Tony barked.
"May we come in? I can explain," Ziva said. She stopped her advance into the living room when she saw all of the invited guests appear beneath the dining room archway, led by Ducky. They presented a formidable show of strength.
Gibbs stepped in front of Ziva and shook his head.
"Not until you tell us who you brought with you," Gibbs demanded.
"I'll tell you who he is, Gibbs. Gibbs, DiNozzo, meet Caleb Rivkin," Vance's voice boomed as he approached from the front porch. He wiped his feet on the welcome mat and shouldered his way past the strange man standing with Ziva. "I believe you've met this older brother … Mikel Rivkin."
Tony gasped.
"Half. Mikel was my half-brother," Caleb replied with a thick Israeli accent.
"I know you. I've seen you before," Tony muttered.
"Where, Tony?" Gibbs asked.
Ziva stomped her foot.
"If you let us in, I will tell you," she demanded.
Gibbs noticed the larger gathering, with Tali hiding between Palmer and McGee. She had a stranglehold on McGee's right leg.
"Everything is fine here. Go, take Tali outside and we'll join you out back in a few minutes," he instructed. He did not want Tali to hear any confrontation with her mother and Caleb or have her become part of a tug of war.
"Come, my friends. Let us adjourn. How about we build a fire in the pit and toast marshmallows? Would you like that, my dear?" Ducky asked Tali.
"Yay! I'll get the marshmallows," Tali squealed before running to the pantry in the kitchen. Tony mouthed a thank you to Ducky.
Gibbs waved the new arrivals into the living room. Vance declined Gibbs' drink offer and took up a guard position against the wall. Ziva and Caleb sat at separate ends of the couch. Tony stood and eyed them both warily, still wishing he had his trusty Sig on his hip.
"Okay, talk. What is so important that you had to show up here tonight, Ziva?" Gibbs asked.
"Do I need to get my lawyer, or better yet call the judge and get him on the phone?" Tony asked.
When Ziva did not speak, Vance stepped forward.
"Okay. If you won't talk, I'll tell them what I know. Yes, half-brother of Mikel Rivkin. Same father; different mother. Tried to make up for his big brother's screw ups in Mossad, but Caleb here couldn't cut it and never made it to the Kidon Unit. But, I guess he's valuable enough to be in the lower ranks of the intel office. Until very recently, he was part of a rogue group stirring up trouble in the West Bank. I don't know how he was allowed entry into the US, but I can guarantee that I will find out", Vance reported. He pulled out his cell phone, punched in a number, and excused himself to the front porch.
Tony huffed out a nervous laugh.
"So, Ziva, thought you'd send your dead murdering terrorist lover's kid brother to kick my ass or take me out?"
Ziva jumped to her feet.
"I thought you and Caleb should meet. After all, he is Tali's father. Her real father," she spat.
"What?" Gibbs barked.
Tony nodded before wildly gesticulating in disbelief.
"And we're just supposed to take your word for it? Where's his DNA test? Or, isn't there one for him either, Ziva? Hell, I was actually expecting you to get around to naming your old boyfriend, what was his name, Adam this time, but yeah, okay, I remember this guy. He was there that night, my last night I was in Tel Aviv."
Tony turned his attention to Caleb and locked accusing eyes on him.
"Brought some weird chick with him to keep me drugged and out of it. I remember you yelling at Ziva in Arabic or Hebrew or something then you took her into another room. I could hardly move or stay awake. That whole night is still pretty blurry, but I know it was you there," Tony said.
Gibbs was by his side in a flash.
"Tony, are you sure?"
"I'm positive. I told you all about that night, what I remembered anyway. So Ziva, were you part of some plan to set me up?"
"Tony, please. Let me explain," Ziva pleaded.
"Explain? You're telling me you have an explanation for all of this? Something you couldn't tell me months, hell … years ago?" Tony barked.
"It was the Rivkin family. After losing Mikel, they wanted an insurance policy, and yes, Caleb is Tali's father. We have a DNA test," Ziva stated.
Tony gaped at her. He was incredulous.
"An insurance policy? Christ Ziva, is that all she is to you? And what do you get out of this? Land? Money? A seat at the Rivkin family dinner table? Oil futures? What?"
Gibbs put a protective arm around a very distraught Tony.
"Tony, have a seat and let me handle this," Gibbs offered in his most soothing voice.
Saddened and disgusted by Ziva's blasé attitude toward her own daughter, Tony could only nod. He dropped down into Gibbs' recliner and put his head in his hands.
"Okay, Ziver. Explain it to us then. How after everything we've been through together as a team and as a family you could betray Tony, and me, like this," Gibbs demanded.
While Ziva searched carefully for words, Vance walked back in and flipped his phone shut.
"I can explain it to you, Gibbs. Just got an earful straight from Mossad. Seems like our friend Caleb is heir to all things Rivkin. Daddy Rivkin is on his deathbed. They say he had a stroke last year and has all kinds of medical problems his money can't fix. The Rivkin family is damn near royalty, and Caleb stands to inherit a lot of wealth and power. They need another heir, a spare if you will, just in case. They would have preferred a male heir, but Tali provided enough of a pedigree, seeing as how grandpa Eli was Mossad Director for all those years. The David name still wields plenty of power over there, and old Eli put away enough wealth when he was alive to compete with the Rivkins," Vance reported.
"So I took out your boy Mikel who was trying to kill me, by the way. Daddy Eli couldn't punish me after you turned me over to him, so was this some sick Plan B? Anything to keep a Rivkin-David alliance in the works, or are you just pissed that Gibbs chose me over you and left you standing on the tarmac?" Tony asked.
Vance and Gibbs refereed a back and forth between Tony and Ziva. Ziva fought from a position of pride and entitlement while Tony countered from protector mode and his deep sense of wanting to do what was right. Caleb just sat and watched. He looked bored and detached from the fray.
"Mr. Rivkin - anything you care to add? I don't personally care about your little family drama, but if you think you are walking out of here with Tali as a prize to make your dying daddy happy you've got another thing coming. I make one phone call, and the full weight of the US Navy and Marine Corps come crashing down on you, and that is a fight you cannot and will not win. So, what's it going to be?" Vance demanded.
Gibbs smirked. Leon Vance did not make idle threats.
Caleb stood and looked every bit like a punk bully shrinking when confronted by someone with real power.
"None of this was my idea. I do not know why I am here; this has nothing to do with me. I do not want this kid. I was just following orders. Our fathers struck an accord many years ago. Ziva and Mikel together," Caleb stated.
Tony laughed.
"You have got to be kidding me. This sounds like the plot to a badly written movie."
"Actually, the way I understand it, Ms. David was promised to Mikel Rivkin back when they were kids. With Ari long out of the picture and with Eli's death, it has all fallen on Ziva to take over as head of the David clan. Without Mikel around to run things it is his only living brother Caleb's responsibility to fulfill his duty as Rivkin patriarch. No matter what, it's become imperative to some high in the Israeli government that the Rivkins and Davids form an alliance," Vance reported.
Gibbs shifted his stance and scowled at Vance.
"Promised? Like an arranged marriage?" he asked.
"Exactly. So, where does that leave us?" Vance queried.
Gibbs walked over to the still open front door.
"That leaves us with anyone not invited here leaving...now! Except for you, Director Vance. I think we still have a few things to talk about with Mr. Rivkin."
Ziva jerked her chin, yanked Caleb to his feet and pushed him toward the door. Before she was out of reach, Tony grabbed her arm and asked quietly, "Why, Ziva? Just tell me why."
"Director Vance, Gibbs, may I have a few minutes to speak with Tony alone?" Ziva requested.
Gibbs held up his index finger.
"You got one minute."
Tony snorted out a laugh and rolled his eyes.
Gibbs then followed Caleb and Vance out onto the front yard, where Caleb was debriefed about how he even got into the county.
"Okay, Z, the clock is ticking. Talk," Tony said.
He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. Ziva responded by facing him and pulling herself up to her full height in a defiant stance.
"It was never my intention to hurt you, Tony. Yes, I should have told you about Tali a long time ago, and for that I am sorry. I admit that for a time I wondered if Adam was her father. After my father was killed, it was a very difficult time for me. So many things happened and I did not know who I could trust. But you were always there for me. I did not know what else to do.
"So once again you used me."
"That was not what I intended. Tony, you came to Israel for me. I did not know why. I still do not understand. You are with Gibbs now. You are right, we were never together in that way. But I thought if you believed that we had been, and that Tali was your child that you would keep her safe, no matter what. And you have, Tony. That is all I wanted," Ziva confessed.
"So you didn't expect you and me to ride off into the sunset together like some cheesy movie couple? I went to Israel to bring you back, because we are, were, friends. We were a team and a family, and we all needed you to help us get that back. That's it; that's the only reason. If you thought there was more to it, or hoped there was, well … I'm sorry."
Tony shifted his stance and eyed Ziva curiously.
"So, why this custody fight now? Tali is safe, just like you wanted. Are you fighting to take her away now because of me and Gibbs being together? Does it bother you so much that you would destroy her life? She loves Gibbs and she loves it here. Whether we are at my apartment or here, she is happy because she is surrounded by all of these people who love her and would do anything for her. My dad dotes on her like crazy. He is the only grandpa she knows - if you don't count Ducky. Abby, McGee, heck, even Torres and Bishop are willing to go to the mat for her. They will all do everything they can to keep her safe and happy. We have a life here, Z - a good life; one that's worth fighting for."
Ziva stepped closer. Her desperate dark eyes held questions.
"Tony, was there ever a time when you cared for me - as more than just a friend or your partner? I mean, there was Jeanne Benoit, then later A.J., and I am sure there are others that I do not know about."
"Ziva, I always cared. Even when you made it damn near impossible! You were my friend and my partner - for a long time. I trusted you. Yeah, maybe there was a time when I thought we could get close but I was getting over A.J. and you had CI Ray on the hook. And I can't get past you wanting me dead for killing Rivkin."
"That was a long time ago, Tony. I thought we had moved past that. I never …," Ziva began to protest. Tony interrupted.
"No! You don't get to deny it. Christ, you pulled your gun on me. You threatened to shoot me. First in the knee, then you jammed your Sig into my chest. Gibbs saw it all go down. How was I supposed to trust you after that? You accused me of being jealous and killing Rivkin. That's called murder, Ziva. You really think I'm capable of cold-blooded murder?"
"No, of course not. Tony, I was confused and mad, at both of you. I was scared and I did not know where to turn. My father lied to me. I had no one."
"You had me and you had us - your whole damn NCIS family, Ziva!" Tony shouted. "Who put their ass on the line to come looking for you in Somalia, of all the God forsaken places? Me. And I dragged McGee into it and almost got him killed. Everyone thought you were dead, except us. And this is how you thank us? More games? You never actually said thank you, not to me, anyway. You played me for years, Ziva, but you know what? I'm not that guy anymore. I have a great life and I have everything I want and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you do anything to ruin it. I didn't think I'd ever want kids, but you know what? Tali has changed me, for the better. I can't imagine a day without her. She loves me unconditionally and she needs me. I hate to tell you but so does Gibbs, and I love and need him, too.
"Time's up," Gibbs announced as he came in through the front door. Behind him Vance chewed a toothpick. Caleb was nowhere to be seen.
Startled, Ziva asked, "What have you done with Caleb?"
Gibbs sighed.
"We didn't do anything with him. He's waiting for you … outside right where we left him. Are we done with this, Ziva?"
Ziva looked to Tony for an answer and got only a shrug and quietly muttered, "Yeah, I'm so done."
"Yes, Gibbs. For now - I will leave. Tali is and will always be my daughter. For three years it was just me and her. No matter what, you cannot change that fact. You, the two of you, cannot keep her from me forever," Ziva stated defiantly.
Tony sighed.
"I don't want to keep her from you. You are her mother. But I can't force her to love you or trust you. Do you even care what she went through thinking you were dead then being handed over to strangers? Then you were hardly ever around - you still aren't. You're gonna have to give us some time - a lot of time - to figure things out. Maybe we can work out a way for you to visit and spend time with her. Maybe she can get to know you again, I don't know. That's all she's ever wanted, Z, but you haven't been there for her when she needed you. I have. My dad has, and all of these people caring for her and about her have. I won't shut you out of her life, but you can't keep demanding to be let in or take over. End of the day, it will be her call," Tony replied.
Ziva softened a bit. She knew everything Tony had said was true. Biology didn't create a family; her own dysfunctional one was proof of that. She turned to leave when a tiny voice called out. Ziva turned back to see Tali walking toward her with a death grip on McGee's hand. Tali let go and stepped closer. Ziva crouched down to her level and tried to smile.
Tali kissed both of Ziva's cheeks and said an angelic, "Goodbye, Mommy."
Ziva replied by kissing Tali's forehead and whispering, "Goodbye for now - my angel."
Tali returned to McGee's side and once again took his hand and led him away. Ziva gave a curt bow then walked out the front door, hoping that no one saw her wipe away tears.
Wrapped up in Gibbs' arms, Tony let out a contented sigh. He was exhausted, but felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from his broad shoulders. The last pieces of his once shattered life were now in place.
Months of arguments and fear of losing Tali were washed away by Gibbs' devotion to stand by him. After the final showdown with Ziva, Tony and Gibbs had rejoined the rest of the team for s'mores and somehow McGee had found a chilled bottle of champagne in the fridge. Gibbs insisted that Vance stay.
"Come on, Leon. One drink won't kill you."
Tony took it a step further and made a toast to his former … he wasn't quite sure what to call Vance. He wasn't exactly a friend and he wasn't his boss anymore. They had butted heads more times than either of them could count, or would probably admit to, but Tony still admired and respected him. Whatever their past issues, Vance had come through and had proven to be an invaluable ally when it counted most; when family was on the line.
Once everyone had left and Tali was tucked in, Gibbs led Tony to their bedroom for some much needed TLC. Gibbs knew that Tony was physically and mentally exhausted and his job was to make it all go away, at least long enough to let Tony forget about it for a few hours.
Tony let Gibbs strip him and lay him down on the bed. Gibbs' soothing words and perfectly calloused hands worked their magic. He trusted Gibbs to give him what he needed. Whether it was hard and fast, almost brutal sex, slow and sweet lovemaking, or just getting under the covers for a little making out and cuddling, Gibbs knew just what to do. Tonight, it was all slow and sweet.
It started with a massage. Sandalwood massage oil under Gibbs' strong hands had Tony melting into the mattress in short order.
"Jesus, you're a bundle of knots. Just relax and breathe and let me take care of you," Gibbs crooned in Tony's ear. It wasn't a command, order, or even a terse request, but Tony obeyed regardless.
Intensity. No matter the task, personal or professional, Gibbs tended to everything with an intensity matched by no other. At work it had always been about seeking justice for the most vulnerable. At home, he turned on the intensity to prove his love and devotion and build a life with Tony. Body and soul, Gibbs possessed him completely.
Their brand of intimacy had come with challenges along the way. Casual random encounters and hookups were a thing of the past. Tony would flirt, shamelessly at times, because it came as natural to him as breathing. Gibbs would glare and growl for effect, but he knew no one, male or female, was competition. They both knew that once they took that final step there would be no turning back. It was all or nothing. The rules were few, but clear: No hiding, no lying, private stuff stays private, Gibbs didn't share or play games, and Tony insisted that he was more than okay with that. His only non-negotiable term? No bargain fabric softener!
"I have very sensitive skin, Gibbs!"
EPILOGUE:
Tony watched from the doorway as Gibbs told stories about Kelly while Tali took over her room. Tali would ask questions about every single one of her big sister's treasures she unpacked from the dusty boxes retrieved from the attic. He could tell it meant the world to Gibbs. It was a huge step finally letting go of the shrine and allowing life and happiness back in.
Senior took over payments on Tony's condo. He was working on some business angles and had a few lady friends to keep him occupied. Tony knew he'd never change; once a con man, always a con man, but at least family finally came first now. Tali still had her little room for any time she wanted to spend time at her Grandpa D's house.
Things were in a constant state of flux. So many changes were taking place personally and professionally that it was hard to keep them all sorted. Ducky retired to his Georgetown condo, Palmer took over as the Medical Examiner full-time, and Abby was filling her non-work time with every worthy cause she could find. McGee and Delilah were finally headed toward a fairy tale ending. Plans for a spring wedding were in the works.
There was buzz in the air about McGee jumping ship and heading to the Pentagon as a civilian analyst in charge of all things cyber. His name was also floated as a potential nominee to join the National Security Council. Where that left Nick, Ellie and the storied MCRT was anyone's guess.
Sated after a night of intense love making, Tony curled into Gibbs' side and sighed.
"I know that sigh. What's on your mind, Tony?" Gibbs asked.
Tony propped himself up with his arm and looked curiously at Gibbs. He grinned seeing the beautiful blue eyes he loved so much looking back at him.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Tony quiried. "It won't be very exciting, even though you will be able to yell at and scare the hell out of probies all day long."
Gibbs chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure. It's time. I've been in the field long enough, probably too long. Mandatory retirement was a few years ago, but Vance never put my papers in. It makes sense, though, don't you think? This way, we can both be home every night. The three of us can have dinner together as a family," Gibbs replied.
"Look, Jethro, just because I did it doesn't mean you have to."
Tony had worked several cases with the U.S. Marshals before again changing career paths. One close call during a hostage situation was enough. A bullet missed him by inches and struck and killed a young rookie police officer who had just rolled up to the scene. Tony had everything he had ever dreamed of, and he was no longer willing to risk it all to be a badass. He didn't need the adrenaline rush anymore. What he needed was to somehow make a difference in the world while being able to go home to his family every night. He turned in his letter of resignation and became director of an organization that advocated for missing and exploited children. It meant everything to him to help put families back together.
Gibbs retired from NCIS, but he didn't go far. Vance instituted an advanced training course with Gibbs in mind to run it. Probies fresh out of FLETC who possessed outstanding aptitude would report to Gibbs for advanced training in weapons, investigation, and interrogation. Special Agent Rick Balboa was his second in command and was in charge of keeping them tip top shape and making sure their hand to hand fighting skills were up to par. Surviving a round or two in the NCIS boxing ring with Gibbs served as graduation from the program.
Ziva settled for a quiet life in Paris. It was still her favorite city and she felt she could thrive there. Her hope was that some day Tali could visit so mother and daughter could explore the city together. That would likely be years away, so for the time being they settled for regular phone calls and video chats to try and reestablish a familial connection.
It meant the world to her that Tony encouraged their communications. Tali would regale Ziva with stories about school, all of the friends she had made, and how she had started taking piano and ballet lessons. She was going to be a fairy in the fall ballet recital, and after getting permission from Tony she invited Ziva to be there. Excited at the prospect, Tali handed the phone to Tony and twirled away.
Tony and Ziva kept in touch through email and occasional phone calls. Their icy relationship had thawed a bit. Tony still didn't think he could truly ever trust Ziva, but he wanted to salvage some level of civility if not friendship. Ziva understood Tony's reluctance and assured him that she was not a threat. Ziva was as involved as she could be and together she and Tony worked to put up a united front where Tali's education, health and happiness were concerned.
Tony was thrilled when Ziva reported that she had finally severed ties with Mossad. She had lost contact with Caleb Rivkin, who disappeared back into covert ops as soon as he returned to Israel - at Vance's insistence. She was finally free and no longer bound by promises her father made without her consent when she was a young girl.
"So he's totally out of the picture. That's good to know. So what are you doing now, Z?" Tony inquired.
He knew that Ziva didn't need to work after inheriting a fortune from Eli, but he also knew she couldn't sit still and do nothing for long.
"Tony, Caleb was never in the picture. I never cared for him and only knew him as Mikel's brother. What happened just happened. He was sent that night to punish me. That is it. With the help of some friends, I am mostly over it. I am keeping my options open. I am hoping to regain my U.S. citizenship and start over. Maybe in DC, maybe elsewhere. I would like to be closer to Tali, if that is possible. I am not currently working, nor am I seeing anyone, if that is what you mean," Ziva replied.
"No it's not, but I do want you to be happy, Ziva. I've had a long time to deal with all of this. I think we all got played. I hate that it had to be this way, but things are working out. I'm glad you have friends you can talk to. I don't want you to be alone. I'm happy. Tali's happy. It took forever but we officially moved in, which made Gibbs happy. Dad's doing great. If everything goes according to plan, I may actually have yet another stepmother in the not too distant future. You know about McGee and Delilah, and everyone else is doing great. So, about Tali's ballet recital? It's still a couple of months away, but she would be thrilled if you could be there and then maybe stay a week or two."
Ziva smiled into the phone. Yeah, she would do anything for Tali.
"I would like that very much Tony."
When the call ended, Tony hung up the phone with a contented sigh. He turned to find the two people who meant the world to him staring at him from the doorway wearing matching half grins. Tony smiled back.
"Don't you two have stuff to do, or are you just waiting for me to start dinner?"