XXIII. One Loyal Friend Is Worth Ten Thousand Relatives.

"Hello." Ziva smiled as she opened the door to Tony's apartment. "Have you been ok?"

"Yeah." Elsie nodded and hugged her.

"I'm sorry about this." The blonde woman holding Mina apologised. "Alison." She held her hand out and Ziva shook it, replying with her own name and smiling at the foster parent.

"It is fine." She moved aside, picking Elsie up as they walked into the lounge area. Ziva had received a phone call the day before from Alison saying that both children were playing up and the eldest wanted to see them.

Everybody was gathered around Tony's Christmas tree, decorating it. "Tony!" Elsie ran over to him as she was placed on the floor.

"Hey, kiddo." Tony picked her up. "We've just started, you want to help?"

"Mmhm." She nodded. He placed her on the floor and pulled out a tangle of lights.

"DiNozzo, what have I told you about keeping the lights untangled?"

"I didn't know you care so much about the correct storage of cables, boss." McGee smiled.

"I don't McGee, it just takes time to unravel them." He looked at the junior agent.

"Yes, boss, what was I thinking?" He muttered sarcastically to Abby who laughed.

"Are you excited for Christmas tomorrow?" Ducky asked the child as Gibbs helped her wrap the lights around the tree.

"Yeah! I hope Santa's going to come, but he might not." She sighed.

"Why won't Santa come?" Jimmy asked, frowning.

"Because he might not be able to find me now I don't live at my old home." Ziva looked at Alison and raised her eyebrows, walking towards the kitchen.

"I do not celebrate Christmas, but I understand the importance of the role of Santa Claus. Have you suggested in any way that she will not be receiving gifts from him?" Ziva hissed quietly as the door to the kitchen shut behind them.

"No, I wouldn't do that. My husband spent the last two days buying gifts for them." She said. "I don't know who you think you are, talking to me like I don't know how to take care of children…"

"I am not saying that you do not know how to take care of children, I just do not want to see them hurt." Ziva sighed. "They have been through a lot."

"I know." Alison nodded.

"Hey, all okay in here?" Tony asked, walking through and pecking Ziva's cheek as he opened his fridge. "Can I get either of you anything?"

"No, thank you." Ziva shook her head as he took out two bottles of beer.

"You sure? I was thinking about making virgin tequila sunrises."

"Tony, virgin tequila sunrises require lemonade or soda water. We have neither. It would just be orange juice and grenadine." She frowned at him and shook her head.

"Oh, yeah…" He nodded. "Maybe not then."

"No, I do not think so." She smiled at him, placing her hand on his cheek and kissing him.

"You gonna re-join us out there?" He asked, nodding towards the door. Alison and Ziva looked at one another and nodded, both walking out. "What was that all about?" He whispered in Ziva's ear as he handed the beers to Abby and Jimmy.

"Nothing." She smiled, and kissed his cheek. "Do not worry about it." He looked at her, narrowing his eyes.

"Antony, are we just keeping the tree red and gold?" Ducky asked.

"Yeah." Tony nodded.

"Well, is crystal included in that?" Abby asked, holding up a small snowflake.

"My mum gave me that, it goes on the tree." He said quietly. Abby hung it on the tree and the noise level began to rise again.

"How's the baby?" Elsie asked, crawling onto the sofa next to where Ziva had sat down with Jenny. She patted Ziva's flat stomach carefully.

"Do you want to hear a secret?" Ziva grinned and whispered loudly.

"Yeah." Her eyes lit up.

"There are two babies in there." She smiled at the child's shock.

"How do they both fit?" Elsie asked, pressing her ear to Ziva's abdomen.

"They are both very, very tiny." Jenny explained.

"Can I see them?" She asked, sitting up on the expectant mother's lap.

"When they are born, I'm sure you can come and see them if it's alright with Alison." Tony sat on the arm of the chair.

"You promise?" She pouted.

"Pinkie-promise." Tony held out his little finger and let the child wrap hers around it. Gibbs walked over, handing Mina to Ziva, and sat down.

"Tree's done. All that's left is to put the star on top." He shrugged.

"Can I do it?" Elsie asked, standing up and wrapping her arms around Tony's neck as he lifted her up.

"Sure you can." McGee handed her the golden star. Tony lifted her up and she placed it on the top of the tree, grinning when Abby took a photo.

"We need a Christmas photo of everybody together." Abby said, making everybody gather around the tree and the piano. Alison volunteered to take the camera and Gibbs picked Elsie up, standing between Abby and McGee. Ducky hit the button that made his bowtie light up and Tony wrapped his arms around Ziva as she held Mina. Just before Alison hit the shutter button Jenny passed Abby a Santa hat which she jammed onto Gibbs' head. A chorus of laughs flooded the room as the flash went off, Gibbs revealing a rare smile.


"Night-night" Tony kissed Elsie's forehead.

"Would you find it intrusive if we arranged a regular visit with them?" Ziva asked Alison as she handed the younger of the two girls over.

"I think they would like that." Alison nodded.

"I am sorry that I implied you did not know how to take care of them."

"I understand. You just want what's best for them." She nodded. "And thanks for letting us stay."

"You are very welcome." Ziva smiled as Gibbs picked the sleeping Elsie up and carried her outside. He carried her to Alison's car, buckling her in and closing the door as Alison did the same on the other side with the younger of the children.

"Ziva seems to be very…hostile." She said, watching the older man over the top of her car.

"She's been through a lot. She doesn't mean to be, but trust is something that she has difficulties with." He shrugged.

"Does it get better?"

He looked at her and tilted his head. "Yeah. So long as you don't do anything to forfeit her trust."

"You have a nice family, full of good, happy people." She nodded. "Thank you." She climbed into the car. He tipped his head and watched as they drove away, walking back to Tony's apartment.