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).
Tali was still holding Jack's hand when they were inside the elevator.
- I'm very excited! - exclaimed the little girl as she moved her hand and Jack's from front to back.
- I can see that, Tali… - Jack bent down to her height and ran a lock of her hair behind her ear - So, are you okay with what just happened? About your parents going out to work and you being here with me? - she uttered in a sweet and condescending tone, Tali averted her gaze, squeezed Jack's hand and looked her in the eye.
- I was sad because we weren't with Ima for a long time, but she and daddy told me they would come back, and I believe them - the little girl said with a shrug -. Do you know how I call my parents in my stories?
- In your stories? - Tali nodded.
- Yes, Jack, sometimes I cannot fall asleep with a single story, which is the one that ima or daddy tell me - the little girl explained -, then I begin to imagine one - Jack nodded and her heart filled with love for that little girl.
- And how do you call your parents in your stories, Tali?
- Well, ima is a super powerful princess, she is like Elsa from Frozen, have you ever seen Frozen, Jack? - she shook her head, Tali frowned and then gave her a charming smile - That's something we can fix because I'm a DiNozzo, would you like to watch the movie with me? It's my favorite.
Jack chuckled, stood up and they got out of the elevator.
- I would love to.
- Excellent! We just need popcorn. A DiNozzo-style movie day is incomplete without caramel popcorn.
- A DiNozzo-style movie day? - Jack asked as she raised an eyebrow.
- Yes, daddy and I love movies, ima likes many.
- I see… Okay, Tali, this is Ducky's office, would you like to knock on the door?
Tali nodded enthusiastically, Jack released her hand and she knocked twice on the door. The former ME did not notice the presence of the little girl.
- Dear Jack, it is a pleasure to see you, to what do I owe this wonderful visit?
- Well, Ducky, someone was very excited to see you.
Ducky, with confusion on his face, looked down a few inches to meet a smiling girl with bright eyes and soft brown curls. He recognized her immediately, those eyes he had seen on Anthony and those curls belonged to Ziva. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he smiled intending to hold them back.
- Little Talia, I would recognize you anywhere in the world, you are the image of your mother, but with the bright eyes of your father.
Tali giggled in response and lunged to hug the NCIS historian. Ducky hugged her and squeezed her gently. He reached down gently and placed a kiss on the top of her head, she kissed his cheek in response.
- I love to see you again, Ducky! - exclaimed the girl, still hugging the former ME - Ima and daddy told me that I met you when I was little and that you tell wonderful stories - Tali replied with enthusiasm in her voice -. Why are you crying, Ducky? Are you sick? Because I cry when I'm sick or after falling off my bike, did you fall off your bike?
Ducky smiled, wiped the tears from his face, and put his hand on the little girl's cheek.
- No, my dear Talia, these are tears of happiness because I'm happy to see you again. Sometimes grown-ups cry when we are happy - he explained as the girl squeezed him gently with her arms.
- I know, Ducky. Ima explained that to me... she cried a lot of happy tears when she came home, daddy also cried a lot of happy tears.
- Oh, little one, I'm pretty sure that's how it all happened.
Tali and Ducky undid their hug. Jack smiled beaming at the scene and wondered if Tony and Ziva ever lived in DC again, Tali would call Ducky "grand Ducky," just like Victoria Palmer.
- So, Ducky, we are here to listen to your stories - Jack said as she sat down on the couch.
- It will be my pleasure, but ... - he said as he sat down and Tali took her place between the two adults - Where are Ziva and Anthony?
- In the field - Jack replied while Ducky frowned.
- How is that even possible? They both left the badge several years ago and…
- Rule 38 - Jack said cutting off the former medical examiner so that Tali didn't hear more information than necessary, and Ducky seemed to understand Jack's hint.
- I see… So, we must start with a story before your parents arrive, since as I remember Anthony and Ziva are very efficient in their work. Any particular stories you want to hear, dear? - Tali nodded energetically while smiling.
- First, I want to hear the story of "Beauty and the Beast". Then could you tell me a story when ima and daddy worked here with Gibbs, Uncle Tim, Aunt Abby, Uncle Jimmy and you? Please? - asked the little girl with a plea in her voice.
Tali's eyes were brighter. Ducky recognized that sparkle as the same sparkle Ziva had in her eyes when she was with Anthony. The current historian shook his head smiling, and at that moment he knew that Anthony had serious problems denying Tali something when she put that voice and that look in her eyes because he could never deny Ziva something when she looked at him that way. He would never deny Ziva anything when she looked at him like that.
- Very well, dear audience, this time I will delight you with "Beauty and the Beast", a very special request from a very special girl.
Tali and Jack smiled. Jack settled herself better on the couch and Tali rested her head on the blonde. Ducky told the tale of "Beauty and the Beast" with his best British accent. Tali never stopped smiling and also screeched with excitement when the story warranted. Jack stroked the little girl's hair from time to time while paying attention to her friend.
After "Beauty and the Beast," it was time to tell a story about the old MCRT. Ducky related (with censorship in some parts, of course) the case of that Christmas of 2011 when the team, and especially Gibbs, helped bring a baby into the world. Tali was excited the entire time, and was surprised when Ducky said that Gibbs had received the baby; and her face did not change expression when she heard that later with the help of her parents and her uncle Tim, they had taken the Marine and her baby to a hospital. Jack listened carefully to the story because despite having spent some years at NCIS, she still did not know many stories from the team's past, nor from Gibbs' past; she was also pleasantly surprised when she heard that Leroy Jethro Gibbs had attended the delivery.
- That was amazing! - Tali exclaimed.
- Indeed it was, my dear.
- I agree with you, Tali, that was incredible.
- When you have a team where they trust each other, wonderful things happen, unexpectedly wonderful things.
Ducky said that by staring at Tali. She was living proof of those "unexpectedly wonderful" things. Sloane caught Ducky's gaze and smiled.
- Maybe you could tell us more stories after a snack? - Jack asked the historian who nodded, then looked at Tali - Are you hungry? - Tali nodded and the forensic psychologist got up from the couch - Will you come with me or will you stay here?
- Maybe we should stretch our joints a bit, little Tali, do you agree?
- Only if I can drink hot chocolate with a touch of cinnamon! - Tali exclaimed, Jack smiled and Ducky smirked.
- Of course, my dear, you're your mother's daughter. Ziva loves cinnamon, especially with hot chocolate.
The three of them had already stood up from the chair when they heard knocks on the door.
- May I?
- Of course, lady Talia.
Tali went to the door and opened it.
- Uncle Tiiiiiiiiim! - The girl threw herself into the arms of McGee, he raised her a few inches from the ground, kissed her cheek and left her again on the floor.
- Hello little one, do you miss me? - Tali nodded vigorously.
The little girl looked at the woman in the white laboratory apron who was next to her uncle, in front of Tali's eyes she had a kind smile. They entered the office.
- What a pleasure to have you both in my office, Timothy and Kasie. On regular occasions, I would ask in which case you need advice, but I know very well that this time we have someone who stands out above the rest - Ducky explained while looking at Tali and Kasie, who kept looking at each other.
McGee was going to speak, but Jack waved at him, indicating that he shouldn't. Tali had moved a few steps closer to Kasie, who crouched down next to her.
- I like your laboratory apron, although I like your smile more, is very cute.
- Thank you very much, I love your hair - Tali giggled -. My name is Kasie, now I work with the team and I'm a forensic scientist - the little girl opened her eyes completely.
- Like my aunt Abby? - Kasie nodded - That's amazing! - the little girl exclaimed as she raised her arms with enthusiasm - I am Tali DiNozzo, it is a pleasure to meet you, amazing Kasie - the girl replied after a few seconds while stretching her arms towards the scientist.
Kasie held the girl in her arms. At that moment, she felt that every effort invested to ensure a family life for that little girl had been worthwhile. Kasie held her a little more and released her. Tali had a classic DiNozzo grin adorning her face.
- I really wanted to meet you, Tali DiNozzo. You are very similar to your mommy - Tali giggled in response.
- My ima is the best - Tali sentenced - Kasie?
- Yes, Tali?
- Can I go to meet your lab? - Kasie got up and took a quick look at the faces of her coworkers.
- Well ... I think we should ask your parents first, and if they say yes, I have no problem showing you my lab, okay? - Kasie extended her hand towards the little one, she took it and they shook hands.
- 'kay.
- Well, Ducky, Jack, little Tali, it was a pleasure to see you, but Kasie and I have to take a tour of the evidence garage, orders from my boss - McGee said as he went to the door -. See you later.
- See you soon, uncle Tim,
- See you soon, Timothy.
- Yes, you are right McGee ... see you soon, it was nice meeting you Tali DiNozzo.
- See you soon, Kasie.
Tim and Kasie left the office, closing the door behind them.
- Well, where were we going? - Asked the former medical examiner.
- Snack time!
- Yes, that's right, snack time - Ducky replied.
The three of them left the building. Upon arriving at the place, Tali decided that she wanted a hot chocolate with cinnamon and a small blueberry muffin. Jack, for her part, ordered a coffee with a donut and Ducky a berry juice with a cinnamon roll.
They chatted cheerfully as they ate, though Tali led most of the conversation. They started talking about Frozen, then moved on to the history of the muffins, then returned to Frozen at Tali's insistence. The little girl was excited talking about Olaf when someone approached them.
- Isn't she one of my favorite nieces? - Tali fell silent, turned and got up to throw herself into her uncle's arms.
- Uncle Jimmy! - she exclaimed laughing.
- I'm so glad to see you, are you having a good time with Jack and Dr. Mallard?
Tali nodded as her uncle put her down, then frowned and shook her head.
- His name is not Dr. Mallard, Uncle Jimmy, his name is Ducky, that's what ima and daddy told me.
The adults smiled at the girl's explanation.
- My name is Donald Mallard, dear Talia. But for my family and my dear friends, I am Ducky... Except for Dr. Palmer because he insists on calling me "Dr. Mallard".
- Oh, I see… I'm sorry, uncle Jimmy.
Palmer bent down to the girl's level and placed a kiss on her head.
- No problem, Tali, no problem ... Although I would love to be with you all afternoon, I have work to do, and your father is not very charming when I do not give him the answers he needs.
Tali smiled when Jimmy kissed her on the head, then he said goodbye to Ducky and Jack.
- Tali, would you like to go to Ducky's office to put together a puzzle?
- Yes, Jack, I would love to!
- Very well my dears, let's go!
As soon as they got to the office, Tali settled on Ducky's desk. The doctor passed her an age-appropriate puzzle. The girl gave him a sticky kiss of thanks when she saw that her puzzle had the image of Elsa, Olaf, and Anna. Ducky still had a big smile when he sat next to Jack on the couch.
- She is so cute and beautiful - said Jack while looking at Tali.
- Indeed she is, an extraordinary mix between Anthony and Ziva, she is as chatty as her father and kind as her mother, I think I almost lost my voice telling her so many stories! - Jack chuckled.
- Did you ever imagine that the two of them would make a family?
Ducky looked Jack in the eye and smiled wistfully.
- From the moment Ziva arrived, the attraction they felt for each other was obvious - Jack nodded -. However, they did not dare to express in words what they felt until after the bomb here in the Navy Yard - Ducky laid his eyes on the little girl -. Although they were able to move forward in their relationship at that time, it stopped abruptly when Eli David was murdered - Ducky whispered this with regret in his voice and Jack nodded again -. But soulmates always find the way to meet again, my dear Jack, and at this point, we are all clear that Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David are soulmates.
Jack smiled and they fixed their eyes on Tali again.
- Daddy always says that Ducky - added the girl as she continued to put together her puzzle, Ducky raised his eyebrows and Jack opened her eyes in surprise.
- What does your father say, dear Talia?
- He says that ima and he are soul mates, that they are stuck each other, and now the three of us are stuck each other because we are a family, we are the DiNozzo's.
The little girl explained with a giggle as she looked at Ducky and Jack. They smiled at her in response and Tali returned her gaze to the pieces.
- Thank God she didn't listen to what I whispered! because I would have left Ziva and Anthony with big trouble.
The two laughed heartily when they heard another knock on the door. The MCRT leader came in with drinks and Chinese food, which he left on the coffee table in front of the couch.
- Jethro, what a pleasant surprise.
- Hello, you.
- Hi, both of you - he said as he approached the little one, bent down at the height of the chair and handed her a large wrapped package.
- Is it for me? - Tali asked in a surprised tone.
- Aha, do you want to open it? - The girl nodded and unwrapped the package with her small hands, her face reflected surprise.
- I cannot believe it! It's Olaf! He is my favorite, thanks a lot Gibbs! - The girl turned and hugged him tightly.
- You're welcome, Tali, you're welcome... How about we have lunch first and then you play with Olaf? I promise he'll still be here by the time we finish the meal - Tali pulled away from Gibbs slightly and nodded.
- Can Olaf sit with us? - Asked the girl as Gibbs helped her down from the chair.
- Sure kiddo, Olaf can sit with us.
A smiling Tali took her fifty centimeters Olaf in her arms and seated him between her and Jack. The psychologist turned and looked at the new guest.
- Before eating we must wash our hands, come on Tali, we will leave Olaf here taking care of our food.
- 'kay.
After a few minutes, everyone was enjoying the food and the company.
This time it was Gibbs' turn to listen to all of Tali's stories about Frozen, and he smiled delightedly in response. Jack hadn't seen him like this since Phineas.
They were finishing the meal when they heard another knock on the door.
- Come in! - Ducky exclaimed.
The door opened and a beaming Ziva was there.
- Hi everyone, how's ima's girl?
- Ima! - shrieked Tali as she threw herself into her mother's arms - you came back, ima.
- Of course, I came back my little Tali - Ziva replied in her daughter's hair as she held her in her arms.
- And daddy? - she asked as she looked towards the door.
- Daddy will be here in a few minutes, he was driving the other car, and you know he doesn't drive very fast, he drives like an old lady - they giggled at the same time.
- Hey! That offends! And you two are supposed to be the people who love me the most in the entire world.
- Daddy! - shrieked Tali when she saw her father, Ziva released her daughter so that she hugged Tony.
- How are you princess Tali?
- I'm fine, daddy! It has all been a lot of fun.
- Excellent, darling, I'm glad - Tony kissed his daughter's head and took her hand.
Meanwhile, Ziva approached her friend and stared at him. Ducky spread his arms out to her and they hugged.
- It's good to see you, Ducky.
- Indeed it is, my dear - They both parted and the historian stared at her - You look radiant, it's a joy to see you so happy, Ziva David - She chuckled.
- And I'm happy, very happy, Ducky.
Ducky smiled, Ziva stepped aside and Tony extended his hand towards Ducky, he extended his and they shook hands. Tony moved a little closer to the former medical examiner and they gave each other a short hug. Tali was holding her mother's hand and Olaf under her left arm.
- Nice to see you after such a long time, Anthony.
- The same I say, Ducky, the same I say. Even though the autopsy gremlin gives me updates on you, I missed your accent and your stories, no one tells stories like you, Dr. Mallard.
Everyone smiled at this last statement. Tony reached for Tali's other hand, but the little girl didn't want to leave her new snowman.
- And where did this Olaf come from, T?
- Gibbs gave it to me, daddy, it's just the one I wanted! - the little girl said with her voice full of emotion.
Tony sighed and crouched down beside Tali, while Ziva laughed out loud.
- This happens because you are not visionary, Tony - said the brunette between laughs.
- Hahaha, very funny ... Tali, I have two news, the first is you will have two Olaf to play at home because I had one saved for you in Paris - the little girl opened her mouth forming an "o" and then screeched emotion -, and the second is that now you will go with ima to the playground outside the building, so that the two of you have fun, and this time I will not accompany you because daddy was silly enough to bet against mommy.
Tali giggled in response, while Gibbs shook his head and Ziva laughed amused.
- So many years have passed and you still don't learn, DiNozzo.
- Yeah, some things never change, boss.
- Well, in that case, I will be in my office by the time you come back from playing, Tali. Would you like us to watch Frozen? I'll try to get caramel popcorn.
- Yes! I would love to, Jack, thank you, you are the best - said the little one as she approached the blonde and hugged her, Jack bent down, took her a little in his arms and let her go.
- Thanks, Jack, you're our hero today, I'm serious.
- It's a pleasure, Ziva, we had a fun-filled day
- Why don't we make a run to the elevator and I leave you and ima outside the building and you two have a good time?
Tali nodded and before Tony knew it she ran out of the office, her dad followed her a few seconds later.
- Sometimes I wonder who is less than ten years old - Ziva pronounced while the others smiled -. I'll see you later - she went to the door, and before leaving she turned around -, are you coming with me? - Jack nodded.
- Sure, future Mrs. DiNozzo - Gibbs replied, approaching his daughter.
This last statement left the office silent for a few seconds.
- OMG! Congratulations! - Jack said as she approached Ziva and hugged her.
Ducky was still stunned. Ziva approached the old ME when she noticed that he was not moving, but a tear rolled down his cheek. Ziva wiped the tear from Ducky's face and held him tight in her arms. Tears welled up on the bride's face.
- I wish you all the happiness in the world, my dear, you do know how to move an old man's heart - Ziva smiled and moved away a little to look Ducky in the eyes.
- And you do know how to support someone, Ducky, I will never forget everything you did for me when I was rescued from the desert. You're one in a million, Dr. Mallard.
- Ducky gave his friend a big smile as she returned to the door.
See you later, Ducky.
He nodded and Gibbs closed the door behind him.
The historian drank water and sat in his desk chair, quickly searched through the files on his computer, but without destroying Tali's puzzle. After a few minutes, he found what he was looking for. It was time to redo his will, now he had to include a couple of people, he had to include a couple of adults and four children.
N / A: First of all, thank you very much for each review, favorite and author alert; You are the best. These days I had an inspirational attack, and I appreciate it. I hope everyone is safe in their homes, and please stay home. I also hope that this chapter has taken you out of this situation in which we are involved for a few minutes. Greetings.C.