Disclaimer: I don't own anything, NCIS' characters are not my property, I only intended to have fun writing about them.
A/N: This One-shot is not edited and corrected by a Beta, so forgive me for my grammar mistakes. English is not my first language. Mi primer idioma es español, en caso que quieran saber (My first language is Spanish, in case you want to know).
Chapter 2: Many agreements and some setbacks
For five seconds a word was not heard in the bullpen. Ziva stared at Gibbs, he could see in her eyes that she was terrified and excited, so he smiled at her again to encourage her. Ziva sighed loudly, and the calm was over.
- This can't be like this, boss. I mean, yes, Ziva and I were in charge of that case, but we don't work here anymore, actually, we are not federal agents anymore… We are Ima and daddy - Tony said.
He couldn't believe what he had heard, however, something in the idea of leading a case still excited him.
- It's not even legal, Gibbs. You kept our ID's and badges when we quit...And when we solve this case the defense can use all this in favor of the guilty, they will discredit the investigation and all the effort will not have the reward that it must have.
Gibbs let Tony and Ziva blabber for a while. Meanwhile, McGee kept typing on his computer and Bishop along with Jack watched the scene amused. It was amazing how the old MCRT knew each other so well, Jack thought because they completely ignored Tony and Ziva's exasperation, even Tali. Everyone already knew the answer.
- I had seen Gibbs with some emotions, but this way between amused and exasperated, never - Ellie whispered to Jack.
- Yes, me neither… it's entertaining.
They both giggled and kept looking at Tony and Ziva, as they kept talking, while Gibbs ignored them and Tali played at his desk with some crayons.
Vance was watching everything from the stairs. He knew that Tony and Ziva were right because they were no longer federal agents; however, he knew that Gibbs' rules were a manual for the MCRT, he also knew that Gibbs had a plan to make the agents' momentary return something legal because he had participated in that plan a few days ago. No, it wasn't that Gibbs and he knew that an unsolved case with Tony and Ziva as agents in charge would appear on the horizon of the current MCRT, however, both had planned to integrate them into a case temporarily, to give them a proper farewell.
While DiNozzo and David continued to discuss the matter, Gibbs made eye contact with Leon and he nodded. The leading MCRT agent opened the first drawer of his desk and took two credentials and badge holders from inside, that movement caught Tali's attention.
- What are those things? - Gibbs looked Tali in the eye.
- Well, little one, these belong to your parents since they started work with me, could you give them these things for me?
Tali smiled and Gibbs left the credentials and badge holders in her hands.
Tony and Ziva kept "arguing" when Tali approached them, they both remained silent watching their smiling daughter.
- Ima, daddy, Gibbs asked me to give you this, he says it yours.
She spread her arms, and it was at that moment that they noticed the credentials and badges on her hands.
Tony was shocked, it was like reliving the same feelings he had when he found out about Tali, that his little girl gave him his ID and badge was something he did not expect … Despite the years his boss still knew him very well, because he knew that he would not reject something of his princess, he would receive his badge and identification from Tali's hands.
Ziva was transported at different times of her life. Her speedy journey in time started with the day she met Tony and the team in this same bullpen, followed with the first kiss they shared while being undercover, then with the moment they created (without intention) their great treasure, and finally when she cradled Tali in her chest and looked at her eyes for the first time, they had been the longest and most painful 16 hours of her life, but the most significant … The image of Tali's eyes in her mind brought her back to the present, where her little girl with a radiant smile handed her identification and badge, her little six-year-old girl.
Tali was still smiling when she saw her parents take their respective identifications and badges.
Tony got out of his roller coaster of emotions and looked for Gibbs' gaze, he put aside some papers on his desk.
- Is this legal, boss?
Gibbs took two papers in his hands, approached them and handed one to each. Ziva started reading immediately, but Tony kept staring at his former boss, Gibbs stared at the stairs and Tony turned to see Vance, who nodded. Anthony DiNozzo felt butterflies in his stomach, adrenaline butterflies, he hadn't felt that kind of butterflies in so long.
Ziva finished reading the document. Somehow (unknown to her) Gibbs and Vance had managed to make their reinstatement legal for a while, specifically, for the duration of a case or ten days. Ziva shook her head, as this was not the reason for her visit to DC. Her eyes fixed on the bright eyes of her smiling daughter and she smiled back, Tali's smile made her days brighter.
- What are those things, Ima?
Ziva crouched at Tali's height, opened her old ID and handed it to her.
- This is an ID, each federal agent has one, and by having one of these you have responsibilities - Ziva smiled, while Tali ran one of her fingers over her mother's picture -, with this, for example, you have the responsibility and duty to serve and protect the United States and our Navy and Marine Corps across global boundaries - Tali fixed her gaze on her mother's and Ziva put a lock of hair behind her ear - and just as you have responsibilities, you also have privileges that must be managed responsibly - Tali frowned.
- So ... Does a federal agent have to be responsible? Just as I clean my room every Saturday morning? - Ziva and Gibbs smiled.
- Exactly like you, my love.
- Is it the same credential of years ago? The same when you used to work here with daddy, Gibbs and Uncle Tim? - Tali returned the ID to her mother.
- Yes, it is, I mean is one of those, but that's another long story… This is a badge - Ziva handed her badge to Tali, who examined it between her fingers -, with it, you reaffirm your identity as a federal agent, so when you introduce yourself to someone as an agent you show them your ID and your badge, consequently, they are sure who you are and what you represent. If you look closely it has a number, that number is part of your identity as a federal agent and is unique and non-transferable, that is, it will always belong to you.
- Does this number only belong to you, Ima? - Tali pointed to the number on Ziva's badge.
- Yes, Tali, here in NCIS and as a federal agent it only belongs to me, even now that I don't work here it is still mine.
Ziva did not doubt that Tali understood everything she said and at that moment she was analyzing each of her words. Ziva stood up and realized that everyone was watching her; Gibbs, McGee, and Ellie from their desks while Jack was leaning on Nick's desk; she smiled, Tony kissed her crown and hugged her from behind. Tali returned at her crayons at Gibbs' desk.
- She is wonderful.
- Mh-hm, and she is ours.
- Yes, she is - Tony kissed her cheek and she turned to look him in the eye.
- No, don't do that to me - Ziva frowned as Tony looked away.
- Do what?
- This, that! Look at me that way, you know I'm not immune - Ziva chuckled.
- It would be a good way to say goodbye together, both working and leading a case that we left open ...You can't deny that the idea excites you, I know you Anthony DiNozzo - Tony stared into her eyes and sighed in surrender.
- I love the idea… Are you sure? - Ziva nodded.
- Are you sure? - Tony nodded - Although, the most important thing is to see how we will make this work with T in the picture.
- Yes, it is, family first.
Jack had watched the whole conversation from Nick's desk, while McGee smiled typing on his computer, Bishop collected information on her computer and Gibbs had Tali sitting on his lap, the little girl drew while Gibbs laughed; each one was in his/her world. Jack saw this topic in the conversation as her triumphal entry.
- I could take care of her today, I have no problem - said Jack as she approached them, Tony and Ziva turned to see her.
- Are you sure? - Jack nodded - well, that will work for today, but how will we do it tomorrow?
- Later we will find a solution to that, my ninja - Tony kissed Ziva's head and she nodded.
- Thank you, Jack Sloane, today you are officially our hero.
- It's a pleasure, Ziva David, and thanks for the compliment - Ziva winked in response and they both laughed.
Ziva approached Nick's desk, took a pencil and signed the paper, then adjusted her badge and identification on her belt. More memories invaded her.
Tony approached Tim's desk while he wrote down in his notebook. Tony took the pencil from McGee's hand before his protest and signed the paper, then arranged his badge and identification in the same place they had for thirteen years. Tim raised his eyebrows.
- How does it feel?
- It feels strange, but strange in a good way, my very dear probie - Tim snorted and looked at Tony with exasperation, while he smiled childishly.
- Point one I am no longer a probie, I am the Senior Field Agent and point two, when you behave that way, I can't believe you have a daughter, thank goodness she also has Ziva's genes! - Tony kept smiling and just after Mcgee kept writing in his notebook he slapped him on the head.
- Tony! DiNozzo! - exclaimed Gibbs and McGee at the same time, Tony's gaze was fixed on his former boss.
- Sorry boss, it was very tempting, I couldn't help it.
Ziva sighed as she sent him a look of exasperation, which only he could understand the meaning. Bishop laughed out loud along with Jack.
- What was tempting, daddy? - Tony approached Tali while the little girl looked at him carefully.
- Well, your uncle Tim was writing something in his notebook and I made some drawings on his sheet, I couldn't help it - Tony explained followed by a smile, Tali giggled.
- Sounds like you had fun daddy, but you shouldn't do the things you don't like being done, Ima taught me that. You don't like it when you're at your desk and I steal all your pencils, it's fun for me, but you don't like it.
Tony's smile faded; his six-year-old daughter had defeated him at his own game.
- Well, my dear Tali, daddy will consider it next time, right daddy? - Ziva said looking seriously at Tony, this was the moment when he had to be a responsible adult again.
- That's right, I'll keep that in mind, Princess Tali - she smiled with satisfaction, while McGee snorted and looked at Gibbs.
- Boss, if I had known that Tali would be the solution, I would have burned rule number twelve many years ago.
All the adults laughed. Although Tim knew that Tony would never stop making jokes, it was part of his DNA.
- Anyway ... Boss, Bishop and I will go down, Kasie and Nick must have something - McGee said, Gibbs nodded and next to Bishop they came out of the bullpen.
- Tali, can you come with us for a moment? - the little girl nodded and sat in Nick's chair, her parents crouched down to her new height.
- Is something wrong, Ima? - Ziva shook her head.
- No, Tali, nothing is wrong. But we have something to tell you - Ziva sighed and looked Tali in the eye - Do you remember that you gave us our IDs and badges? - Tali nodded - Well, that's because daddy and I will help Gibbs and the team on a case - Tali kept looking at her mother without understanding what all this meant -, that means we will be here in the bullpen or outside in the field, but you will be with Jack for today - Tali nodded again and looked down, Ziva looked at her daughter and then Tony with concern, he nodded and lifted Tali's chin, the little girl had some tears contained in her eyes.
- Hey baby, what's up princess?
- Ima and you will leave and won't come back? - Tony smiled and wiped a tear that fell his daughter's face, then hugged her tightly.
Ziva felt a lump in her throat because they had already passed the stage in which Tali was chasing her through every corner of the apartment with fear that she would leave after a blink. So, she did what her heart told her and joined the hug, then reminded the therapist, she had told her that the first thing was to give Tali security so that she felt confident with them.
- Tali - Ziva pronounced, the little girl still sheltered in her father's arms looked at her with sadness in her eyes -, I will never leave you again, I will not leave you and I will not leave your father, do you believe me? - she nodded - so Ima and daddy will work with Gibbs, but we will be back…Do you remember when Pop-pop came to visit us and you stayed with him while we went to dinner? - She nodded again, rubbed her eyes and put her hand on her mother's cheek.
- So... will you come back, Ima? - Ziva put her hand over her daughter's and nodded, Tali looked at her father - Will you come back too, daddy?
- Always, we will always come back... just like Ima came back after so long, we will always come back to you because you are our little princess - Tali giggled.
- Okay, I will be fine with Jack, do you promise to go to see me every time you come back?
- Of course, my love - Ziva said while Tony nodded.
- So… family hug before work? - Tali said with her voice full of enthusiasm and the small family hugged each other tightly.
Jack was smiling with pride, because despite that (highly anticipated) setback with Tali, Ziva had used her new tools and, together with Tony's support, both gave their daughter security, and she was sure that her parents would return.
- Even in this chaotic job of raising their daughter, they are amazing partners, you did a good job - whispered Jack to Gibbs, he smiled.
- I only did the first part; they have all the credit… And for the record, I am very proud of them - Gibbs whispered in response, both smiled.
The David-DiNozzo broke their family hug, then Tali kissed her father's cheek and launched herself into her mother's arms, hiding her head in her neck.
- I love you, Ima - Tali whispered and then took a deep breath - mommy scent, my favorite.
Ziva laughed as her eyes filled with tears, Tony's eyes also filled with tears.
- I love you too, Tali, and I will always come back - Ziva whispered in response, the little girl moved her head to look into her eyes.
- I know, Ima, I know… Now, can we go to play, Jack? please?
- Sure, would you rather stick with your crayons or are we going to see Ducky? - Tali's face lit up at the name of the former ME, her parents had told her that Ducky was an expert in storytelling.
- Ducky! See Ducky, please!
- Excellent, Come on princess Tali!
Tali said goodbye to Gibbs and her parents with a huge smile. The three watched them until the elevator doors closed. Ziva sighed, Tony squeezed Ziva's hand, and Gibbs smiled proudly. A few seconds passed, Gibbs went to his desk and took out two guns from the last drawer, then stood in front of his agents and gave them their official guns, each one received and accommodated.
- Are you ready for an update? - Both agreed - We have a lot of work to do, I hope you have not forgotten how it is done, bosses.