Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS

June 2016

Ziva made her way over to the kitchen in the Paris apartment. Sleep had been eluding her for hours and instead of waking up Tony, who was sound asleep, Ziva thought she would get up and do something. A drink of water sounded like a good place to start. The kitchen light was on and Ziva found Senior sitting at the counter.

'Oh, hi' said Ziva, tentatively stepping into the kitchen. 'Are you alright?' she asked. Senior smiled and nodded.

'Yes. Jet lag has finally settled in.' Ziva nodded her understanding.

To say it was awkward in the little kitchen was an understatement. About a month after Tony and Tali were reunited with Ziva, Tony invited Senior to come and visit. Senior, of course, was delighted. He loved Paris and was never going to pass up the opportunity to spend time with his granddaughter. What Senior hadn't and could never predict, was the sudden appearance of Ziva.

Senior was thrilled that Ziva was alive. Tony's reaction to the news that a body had been found in the wreckage of the farmhouse, told Senior that Tony was still in love with Ziva. Plus, Tali now had her Ima back. The handful of days and nights before Tony and Tali left for Israel had been tough for all three DiNozzos. There had been a lot of tears.

Senior's reunion with Ziva was a little different than her reunion with Tony. Whilst Senior was glad that Ziva was alive, she still had kept Tali a secret. Senior struggled to understand why, even after Tony and Ziva explained what had happened between the two of them.

Ziva went and got a glass out of the cupboard, filling it wit water.

'Why are you up?' asked Senior.

'Oh, I could not sleep. Instead of tossing and turning, and waking Tony, I thought I would come out here. I've had sleep problems for years.'

They stayed in the kitchen for a few minutes in silences. The problem was that Ziva and Senior did not know each other like Ziva and Tony. Their history was different. Eventually, Ziva sat down opposite Senior at the counter.

'Tali really like her present' she said, kindly. Senior smiled. He had a given Tali a toy vet set and she loved it. Tali's birthday was next week, and Senior would still be in Paris for it. He hadn't gotten a present yet, promising Tony that he, Senior, would confer with Tony before buying.

'I know you do not understand why I did not tell Tony about Tali' said Ziva. Senior took a sharp breath in.

'Clearly there were things going on that I had no idea about, my dear.'

'If I could go back and change anything, I would tell him.' Senior nodded. 'Everything I did, I did to protect Tali. From when I found out I was pregnant, protecting our child was my first and only job.' Senior nodded again.

'It never ends' he said, quietly. Ziva gave him a quizzical look. 'The want and need to protect your child. Even when they are in their forties.' Ziva looked down, understanding what Senior meant. He was going to support Tony in any way he could.

'Please do not doubt Tali's paternity' said Ziva, earnestly. 'She is Tony's daughter. It is impossible for someone else to be her father.'

'Ziva, I never meant to imply…'

'I know you did not' cut in Ziva. 'But I want to make sure that you know. Tali is your granddaughter.' Senior smiled.

'What about you and Tony?' asked Senior.

'I do not know…'

'Like hell you don't. My son has been in love with you for years. He fell apart when he was told of the body in the farmhouse. Refused to believe you were dead.' Ziva was rather taken aback by Senior's brashness. She sniffed, trying to hold back tears.

'Oh, my dear' said Senior, getting up to hug Ziva. 'I didn't mean to make you cry.'

'It is OK. Tony said something similar. We argued quite a bit before he invited you. We still have a lot to work out. One thing is for certain though. I love Tony, with all my heart.' Ziva paused. 'Of all the men I have been with in my life, I am very glad that Tony is Tali's father. He is the kindest man I know.' Tears began to fall. Senior pulled Ziva back into a hug.

'Oh, my dead. What a mess we find ourselves in.' Ziva laughed and wiped away some tears.

'What's going on in here?' Senior and Ziva turned to find Tony standing in the doorway, a small smile on his face.

'We're just chatting' said Senior. Tony went over to Ziva, draping his arm around her shoulders.

'You OK? I woke up and you weren't in bed.'

'I was struggling to sleep.'

'Nightmares?' asked Tony concerned. Ziva shook her head.

'Not this time.' She leaned in closer to Tony, who kissed the top of her head.

Senior watched the two of them together. It was obvious that Tony and Ziva were in love. Senior had always suspected it. When Tony returned from Israel in 2013, he was sad to leave Ziva, yet Senior could also see hope in his son. Hope that he and Ziva would reunite one day and live happily ever after. Tony had lost it when they thought Ziva was dead. All those possible scenarios of happy reunions that Tony had dared himself to imagine, gone in an instant.

'I better get some sleep' said Senior. 'I'll see you both in the morning.' Tony and Ziva nodded good night. Senior quickly glanced back and saw Tony and Ziva embracing.

Whether it was fate, or some high all-knowing power, or just sheer dumb luck, Senior didn't really know. What he did know and believe was that Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David were meant to be together.

Like with the previous story, I had this image of Ziva and Senior having a late night chat.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading, reviewing, favouriting and following :)