Disclaimer: I don't own anything, NCIS' characters are not my property, I only intended to have fun writing about them.
A/N: This story 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).
As Nick and Ziva said, the sergeant answered the interrogation. Although it had not been as easy as they had anticipated.
Ellie and Ziva began in a soft, condescending tone, flirting with him.
Tony and Nick knew it was part of the job.
Tony smiled proudly and bit his lower lip from time to time. Seeing and hearing Ziva like that had him daydreaming. In particular, he dreamed of having a makeout session in the interrogation room. Ziva could cut the camera cables with her knife, and then he could fulfill his fantasies. Actually, they could both fulfill their fantasies…
However, Nick was not comfortable witnessing that. He knew he wasn't being professional, but he couldn't help it. Every time Ellie flirted with the Marine an internal fire burned him. And at this point, he was already boiling.
Everything got complicated for Nick in the middle of the interrogation when Ellie giggled. His jaw and fists clenched.
Tony smiled and shook his head.
- I know you know, but it is my duty as your boss, and as your new friend, to remind you that she is working, none of this is real, and if it bothers you so much, I already told you yesterday, do something about it! - Tony sighed, Nick's gaze was still on the wall and his body was tense-. Maybe you could take advantage that you have new bosses right now, and these new bosses have no rules like the infamous Rule 12 of the immortal Leroy Jethro Gibbs- Tony spoke in a husky voice, trying to imitate Gibbs - Never date a coworker.
The tension was no longer evident in Nick's body, and he looked at Tony as he frowned. Then he fixed his gaze on Ellie's blonde hair. The ghost of uncertainty came over him again, and Nick knew that Tony could understand him. He summoned up his courage and sighed heavily.
- I do not want to lose her.
Of course, he did not want to lose her. From the moment their gazes collided, he knew he would never want to lose her. And as the years passed, he couldn't conceive his life without Ellie.
- You won't. Don't waste time, Nick, because the seconds that pass are never returned. I speak from my own experience - Tony sighed heavily -. Do you think I never imagined how my life would be like if someone had spoken before? Because I did, especially when Ziva left NCIS, and on those "lonely" nights in Paris after a tiring day with Tali. Yes, we are fine now, but we waited too long, and we lost 5 years of living the three of us together as a family. Anyway, that's my advice.
Nick thought about Tony's proposition without paying attention to the interrogation itself, as he only looked at Ellie's hair.
After a few minutes he had already decided: he would stop being a wuss and he would talk to Ellie, and he would do it today. He would no longer waste another day in his life.
A shrill thud made them focus on the interrogation. The sergeant had hit the table in the space between the women.
In the same second, Nick and Tony ran out of the observation room and stormed into the interrogation room. A microsecond of initial shock passed, and the two laughed out loud.
Ellie and Ziva had acted in a hurry. When the guys entered the room, the sergeant was handcuffed to the chair, courtesy of Ziva, while Ellie pressed his face against the table. You could read the confusion on the sergeant's face because he didn't understand how these two beautiful women, who had been flirting with him were so badass.
The sergeant had remained in custody for assaulting two federal agents. However, and despite the incident, the interrogation had been successful.
Burrows had acknowledged that he was in love with Lisa (Petty Officer Lewis's wife) at that time, but had never confessed it to his friend. Besides, he told them that he lied in 2009 when they had asked him about the last time he saw his friend because he had seen Lewis on February 15, in fact, he had accompanied him to the jewelry store.
They left the sergeant under surveillance, and the four went to the bullpen.
- That was so good, you were right Ziva! - she smiled in response -. Now we should get a warrant to search through Burrows stuff. Maybe we should go together, we have made a hell of a team!
Ellie and Ziva's big smiles barely fit on their faces. Tony nodded as Nick sat bolt upright in his chair.
- Well, beautiful ladies, I will ask for that warrant. Why don't you two have a coffee to enjoy your triumph? - both frowned in response and looked at him with challenge - Okay, okay! I know this is no a triumph, and I know you don't need a break after an interrogation because you two are VERY capable agents, but Nick and I will get this under control, and McGee and Kasie are now digging deeper into Burrows' virtual life. So go for a coffee, if that's what you want. At least I know that Bishop needs a coffee refill at noon - Tony said and winked.
Ellie smiled and immediately took her coat.
- Are you coming?
- I want to go see Tali first, if you want I can reach you downstairs in a couple of minutes - the blonde's eyes widened and she shook her head.
- Of course not, I also want to see Tali, I already miss her hugs.
Ziva kissed Tony's cheek and went with Ellie to Jack's office.
- Definitely not your best time, buddy.
Nick snorted in response and dropped his head on the desk with a thud. Tony laughed, walked over to Nick, clapped him on the back, and sat down to work.
Tali couldn't believe her good luck when her mother and Ellie arrived at Jack's office. She put down her crayons, and with a big smile on her face gave Ellie a tight hug, then gladly took her mother's hand.
Jack intended to stay working in her office, but she couldn't resist Tali's pleading eyes. So the four of them went down for a coffee.
The little girl ate her snack, while she kept talking about how exciting it would be to hug Victoria Palmer.
Bishop smiled between each sip of coffee because at that moment she saw that Tali is a complete DiNozzo. She did not stop talking for any second, nor did she let anyone speak.
- Ima?
- Yes, Tali?
- Can I go to the playground? - asked the girl quickly waving her eyelashes, Ziva smiled.
- Sure, be careful and have fun.
The little girl ran off towards the swings and began to play on her own.
Ziva sighed loudly as she held the coffee mug in her hands.
- She is a complete DiNozzo, she doesn't stop talking! - they laughed - But unlike Tony, who is sometimes exhausting, she is adorable.
Ziva nodded in response and stared at Tali. The conversation she had this morning with Tony was still spinning in her head. Of course, she wanted to have another baby, but this time she did not want a pregnancy full of fear and uncertainty, she did not want to be depressed or full of internal doubts. This time she wanted a happy pregnancy, full and surrounded by love. But for that, she has to be healthy, and she hasn't stopped working on it since she reunited with her family in December. She sighed heavily and took a sip of coffee.
- You 'kay? - Ziva stared at Ellie and nodded
- Are you sure?
Jack asked. Ziva cracked a smile and shook her head.
- Do you want to talk about it?
The smile and loving tone in Jack's voice took her by surprise. Her eyes watered.
Ziva turned her gaze to Tali and remain in silence for a few seconds.
Ellie shifted a little anxious in her chair, still looking at the brunette. She admired Ziva, and now she liked her very much, but she wasn't sure if she could keep another secret. Eleanor Bishop was no longer a fan of secrets.
Jack gently squeezed her arm in support.
Ziva took a sip of coffee.
- Tony wants another child.
Bishop's eyes widened in surprise and she spat out some coffee. Ziva and Jack moved back in reflex and the three of them laughed, as Ellie cleared the table and herself.
- So?...
Jack shot Bishop a warning look, and she couldn't finish her question. The psychologist knew that Ziva didn't need any more external pressure.
Ziva bit her lower lip and took another sip of coffee.
- I also want another child.
A big smile formed on Ellie's face, and Jack frowned as Ziva kept staring at her coffee.
But Ellie's smile faded the moment she saw tears contained in the brunette's eyes, and she froze.
Jack felt her heart tighten when she saw her like that. She sighed, and following her mother's instinct she hugged her.
Ziva let the tears fall down her face as she clung to Jack and hid in her neck. There she recalled one of her first sessions with her therapist: "Live your emotions, Ziva, but don't let them rule you". And that's what she was constantly working on. She was working on it now while crying in Jack's arms. She was experiencing the sadness because she did not let Tony live their daughter's pregnancy, the anguish of not knowing if she could be a good mother, the excitement of the wedding, and the happiness of being able to expand her family.
Bishop thawed when she heard Tali's laughter. Just then, Ziva broke away from Jack's embrace, and Bishop offered her a tissue.
Ziva alternated her gaze between the two women. She heard Tali's laughter in the background and took a deep breath.
- I ... I am sad, excited, happy, and anguished. All in all, I'm a little overwhelmed.
Jack smiled at her in support.
- And yes, Ellie, I also want another child - the blonde smiled in response -. I just want to make sure I am okay first.
Ziva swallowed hard and sighed. Ellie opened her mouth intending to say something, but Jack shook her head. There the agent understood, it was time to listen to Ziva.
- I haven't had panic attacks in a few months, and my anxiety has subsided, but there are still things I should and want to keep working on. My family deserves the best version of me, my friends deserve the best version of me, but above all, I deserve the best version of me.
The brunette sighed again and took another sip of coffee.
Ellie chuckled, then started to laugh out loud at the watchful eye of Jack and Ziva. The brunette caught Ellie's laugh, and in a few seconds, the three of them were laughing out loud.
- Okay, for the record, and according to me, today you are a better version of yourself - Ellie sentenced while wiping tears from her eyes and Ziva smiled in response.
- Thanks, Ellie, that means a lot to me.
Bishop winked.
- You have progressed a lot in a very short time. I'm your fan. You are a goddess, Ziva David.
The brunette grinned in response.
- And you, Jack Sloane, you are a queen.
A few minutes passed and they decided to go back to work.
Ziva felt peace and quiet. She had never been the type of person to open up to others. From a young age, she learned to build walls, and they became taller and more armored after the death of her sister. However, Ziva learned that she must tear down those walls. Those walls wouldn't let her love and be loved, so thanks to her family and with the help of her therapist, she was learning to let people in. And yes, maybe she didn't have a friendship for years with either of them, but they had both helped her, and Ellie had blindly trusted her. Eleanor Bishop is one of the reasons that she is with her family, and they are the most valuable thing in her life.
- Ziva - pronounced Jack.
- Yes?
- We are here for you, for whatever you need.
Ziva smiled softly in response.
- I know, thanks. You two are wonderful - Ellie snorted loudly -. I would like to be here with you forever, but we should go back. My fiancé is a very capable agent, but paperwork and technology are not his strengths.
Ellie laughed out loud as she recalled some of the cases she solved with Tony. She missed him, but now he is happy, and that is enough for her. Also, if Tali hadn't come into Tony's life, Nick wouldn't be on the team. What's more, they may never have met.
Ziva called Tali, and the four of them started walking towards the building.
Ellie's mind kept wandering in an alternate universe where she'd never met Nick. And as she got into the elevator, she felt nauseous as she remembered Nick lying in that hospital bed, cased and unconscious. She couldn't lose him. Ellie could no longer conceive her life without Nick.
The girls reached the bullpen, and Bishop was relieved when she saw Nick sitting at her desk. Yes, on her desk. Nick never used his own desk, and Ellie liked having him nearby. A smile formed on her face.
Tali ran into his father's arms, sat on his lap, and filled his face with kisses as he tickled her.
- Take her to my office whenever you want, I'll be there - Jack said to Ziva.
The brunette nodded in response, and Jack went to her office.
Ziva smirked when she saw Nick at Ellie's desk, now he was leaning behind the desk, while she was in her chair.
- And Tim?
- Still digging into the Petty Officer's technological life - replied Tony, while Tali was still on his lap.
Ziva nodded and grinned as she saw her two favorite people in front of her. It was time to make an important call, but first, she had work to do. She began to review the video of the sergeant's interrogation. Ten minutes passed and Tony interrupted her.
- Yes, Tony?
- I have a surprise for my princess and my queen.
Ziva narrowed her eyes and smiled as Tali jumped next to her father.
Tony offered a hand to Ziva, and another to Tali. The small family walked to the elevator under the watchful eye of Nick and Ellie. Within seconds, the elevator dinged.
Tali froze for an instant, and then she screamed with excitement.
Victoria Palmer recognized her friend and stepped out of the elevator while screaming with excitement in response.
The two girls hugged each other tightly.
A big smile formed on Tony's face when he saw the reunion of the little ones. He looked at Jimmy, who was also smiling.
An even bigger smile formed on Ziva's face when Breena stepped out of the elevator. The blonde opened her arms and the two hugged each other.
Jimmy, Tony, Nick, and Ellie watched the scene with emotion, it was like looking at a mirror.
Jimmy and Tony seemed delighted as they witnessed the first meeting of their little ones and the reunion of their lovers.
Tali and Victoria immediately started talking about Frozen. In a few seconds they had reached an agreement, Tali would dress up like Elsa, and Victoria would dress up like Anna, then they would watch the movies with some snacks.
Breena and Ziva separated. The blonde's gaze went immediately to Tali, while the brunette's went to Victoria.
- She is beautiful, like you.
They looked at each other again and guffawed.
- Hi, Breena - Tony approached her and hugged her.
- Hi Tony, it's good to see you again in person.
- Yeah, it's good to see you too.
As they greeted each other, Jimmy hugged Ziva shortly.
- Victoria, baby, can you come, please? I want you to meet someone important to me - Jimmy said.
The little girl stopped talking to her friend and looked at her father. The girls came closer, and Ziva and Jimmy crouched at their height.
The medical examiner opened his mouth to speak, but Tali was faster:
- Victoria, she is my Ima, her name is Ziva. Ima, she is my friend Victoria.
Ziva and Victoria kept staring at each other as Tali introduced them. The brunette smiled softly, and the girl grinned in response.
- Hello Victoria, I am very pleased to meet you.
- Hello, I am also pleased to meet you.
The little girl turned her gaze to the floor. This gesture did not go unnoticed by Ziva.
- What happens, dear?
Victoria looked into her eyes and gave her a shy smile.
- Can I call you Aunt Ziva?
The brunette grinned, she was ecstatic. Her heart clenched with excitement and tears welled up in her eyes. It was the first time anyone had called her "aunt" in person. Ziva never believed that she could live or be loved enough to deserve that title, less if it came from a little human unrelated by blood. She and Victoria were related by something more important than blood, they were related by love. She was so wrong, and she couldn't be more grateful for that.
Ziva took Victoria's hand in hers and nodded.
- Sure, Victoria, that would make me very happy.
The little girl nodded and hugged her aunt.
Adults were astonished at the scene.
A big smile formed on Jimmy's face. He was happy because he was witnessing something he never thought he would see. His daughter was hugging one of his great friends, whom he thought he would never see again. Also, she had given her the title of aunt.
Tony was mesmerized by what he saw. Ziva hugging Victoria, and Tali looking at them with emotion on her face.
Breena was proud of her daughter. Victoria asked in the car if she could call Tali's mom an aunt. She told her that Ziva would be delighted with that title. But Breena knew that she would first ask Ziva if she could call her aunt. Victoria had inherited these characteristics from her father: kindness and consideration for others.
- I can't believe they all already have children. They look so happy - Nick murmured to Ellie in her ear.
They were both still watching the scene from the blonde's desk.
A chill ran down Ellie's spine as she felt Nick's breath close to her skin.
Nick for his part imagined him in that situation, and that made him smile. And that also blushed him because he imagined a little brunette like him with the eyes of his partner.
He didn't know it, but Ellie imagined the same thing. She wanted to be a mom, and from the moment they both cared for Cody two Christmases ago, she knew he would be a good father. Ellie knew that Nick would be a good father to their children.
Outside the elevator, Tali had already recognized Breena and told her about the plane ride to get to DC. After two minutes Tali stopped talking to Breena and started talking animatedly to Victoria.
- Tali is beautiful like her mother, there is no doubt about that - Breena said, and Ziva replied with a gentle smile -. And she is as talkative as her father, there is no doubt about that either.
Jimmy and Ziva immediately laughed out loud. Tony looked at Breena with the face of a few friends, and then they both joined in the laughter.
- I must say that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart that the girls have inherited the beauty of their mothers - Tim alternated his gaze between Tony and Jimmy -, and not the beauty of their fathers.
Everyone was smiling except Tony who frowned, and when McGee was by his side, he slapped him on the head.
- Tony! - Tim yelled while rubbing the back of his neck.
Tony had his classic DiNozzo grin on his face, but it disappeared at the moment he looked at his fiancée. Ziva had a mischievous look, she also smirked. Just the second he opened his mouth to speak, someone slapped him on the head. He groaned and everybody smirked.
- That's not your job, DiNozzo, not anymore - Gibbs said as he kissed Ziva's cheek.
Gibbs greeted Breena, kissed her cheek, and hugged her briefly. He squatted down to the girls' height.
- Grandpa Gibbs! - Tali exclaimed and kissed his cheek.
- Hello, sweet pea - he directed his gaze to Victoria -. Hello Victoria, how about yourself? I'm glad you came to visit us.
The little girl turned her gaze to Tali, her friend was smiling. Victoria looked at Gibbs again and smiled.
- Hi, I'm happy to be here. I wanted to meet Tali and Aunt Ziva, and I did it!
- Yes, you did it, kid - he looked at Tali - Will you two spend the evening together watching Frozen?
- Yes! And we will dress up as Elsa and Anna! We will have a lot of fun, and auntie Bree is going to watch over us- Tali spoke with great speed while her eyes shone with emotion.
Gibbs smirked with pride in his eyes.
Victoria pulled his shirt slightly, he looked at her.
- Yeah?
- Can I call you as Tali calls you? It sounds good, and I like it.
Gibbs's eyes gleamed, he looked at Jimmy and Breena, and they nodded in response. He looked at Victoria.
- That will be an honor, kiddo.
The girls grinned.
- You are our grandpa Gibbs! - Tali exclaimed.
Gibbs received a double hug from the little ones. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and some tears threatened to be present. He kissed each girl's head and stood up.
- Have a good evening you two.
They nodded in response, with a beautiful sparkle in their eyes. They are so sweet and innocent.
At that moment, Gibbs made a promise to himself. One of the biggest he had ever made. He will protect and love those kids, without armor, and he will be the best grandpa ever for them.
Gibbs sat at his desk and watched his team: McGee, Jimmy, Tony, and Ziva on one side, and Bishop and Torres on the other side.
He was so proud of his children, and always would be. And this was his turn to pamper and protect his grandchildren. Life (a drug dealer) had taken away his greatest loves but had rewarded him with a large family. A family formed based on head slaps and few words on his part, but that bore its first fruit with the arrival of Tali, then Victoria, Johnny, and Morgan, and Gibbs knew that more grandchildren would join their family. Perhaps another from Tony and Ziva, and probably two from Bishop and Torres. After Tony and Ziva (and Tali) he was no longer blind, and he knows that Nick and Ellie love each other.
- What do you think of me heading you two and Breena to Ducky's office? You can watch Frozen there.
The girls nodded to Ziva. She kissed Tony's cheek and said goodbye to McGee and Jimmy. Each girl kissed her father and uncles, and all four went to the elevator. The door was about to close and Jimmy yelled that he was going to bring them some drinks, snacks, and popcorn.
In Ducky's office, while the girls chatted animatedly and dressed as Anna and Elsa, Ziva and Breena wasted no time and began to catch up on their lives. The two talked about "light" things because they knew it was not the place to delve into sensitive topics.
Ziva plaited Tali's hair, while Breena plaited Victoria's.
Ziva sighed softly. This was one of the thoughts that helped her get through those years under the radar. She never thought she would be that kind of mom who enjoyed being a "housewife", but after spending so many years without her family, she didn't want to be away from home, at least not yet. And now she was braiding her daughter's hair, while Breena braided her daughter's. Domestic stuff. At Ziva's eyes a very dreamy domestic stuff.
After several minutes, the girls were singing Let it go at the top of their lungs, and their mothers were talking near the historian's desk. There Ziva knew that Tony had gone to the hospital to meet Victoria when she was born. A sad smile formed on her face, and Breena noticed it. The blonde squeezed the brunette's hand affectionately.
- I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you by that - Ziva shook her head in response and squeezed Breena's hand.
- No, Bree, there is nothing to be sorry for. And yes, it isn't easy to hear these kinds of beautiful things, but I love to hear them. And I love to hear that Tony was there because, even with everything that happened between us, he never stopped to care about the people that matter to him. Also, he was unknowingly close to a baby when he already had one, and that baby is also a girl - Breena smiled and Ziva smirked -. And quoting Gibbs here "I do not believe in coincidences".
That sentence was enough to make both of them laugh out loud. Meanwhile, Tali and Victoria were focused on the movie, very focused on the movie.
Breena remembered the birth, Victoria's face, and being surrounded by her family and friends. And at the same time, she couldn't help but think that Ziva lived alone that moment.
- Do you have any pictures? - asked Breena and Ziva frowned - Pictures of Tali as a newborn.
- Oh...
Of course, she has pictures of Tali as a newborn! She has tons of them in a safe place, in a very safe place. She had recorded and immortalized each moment through pictures and video for Tony, for Tali and for her. But mainly for Tony.
- Did I screw up again? - Breena asked with discomfort in her gaze.
Ziva denied and they laughed.
- No, you didn't... I actually have tons of photos and videos of Tali, but I forgot I had them until now.
Ziva saw the confusion on Breena's face. She has the same face too. How the hell did she forget about that?!
- How? - the blonde spat.
- Well, due to my "death" I hid them in a very safe place so that no one could find them.
Bree nodded and frowned again.
- So, Tony hasn't seen those videos and pictures?
Ziva shook her head.
- And I am thinking now that those photos will be a beautiful birthday gift. Even better, they will be an extraordinary "thank you" gift - the brunette sighed -. I wanted to give him something for everything he has done for us, for Tali and for me, but he says that it is not necessary because he loves us, and you do the impossible for the people you love, and I really know that ...
They both nodded. They really knew that you do everything for the people you love. She even faked her death. And Breena admired Ziva for that. She is an amazing mother, and the blonde is happy to consider Ziva as one of her friends.
- Well, Tony loves you, Tali and movies. I'm pretty sure if you mix those ingredients he will love it. The perfect mix.
Ziva's eyes sparkled with excitement and a wide smile appeared on her face. That will be an amazing gift… She could even save some of those photos for a special moment. She could put together Tali's first ultrasound and their future baby's first ultrasound as a pregnancy announcement. Tony will go crazy for sure.
- You are a genius, Breena - the blonde smiled in response and the brunette sighed -. I must go back to the bullpen, there is a lot of work to do.
Breena nodded and took Ziva's hand in hers.
- I know, but I have two ideas for you - Ziva smiled enthusiastically.
- Shoot.
- First, could you show me a picture of Tali as a newborn? Please?
The plea in Breena's voice made her smile.
- Absolutely my friend.
- Second, what do you think about having a big dinner with everybody, the kids included, after the case is wrapped? Victoria, Tali, Johnny, and Morgan could play together. That would be very dreamy.
Ziva smiled and pressed her tongue against her palate for a few seconds to avoid tears. It worked. Then she hugged Breena and squeezed her in her arms.
- That would be a dream. I'm going to talk to the team and we're going to have that big dinner.
Both women hugged each other again. Breena had missed her friend. She had actually cried for her friend, and now she is smelling her scent and seeing her beautiful curly hair. They are very lucky.
Breena moved away from Ziva a little and brought her hands to her friend's cheeks.
- You, Ziva David, are an amazing mother, and I really missed you. Don't go again, please?
At this point, a couple of tears ran down their faces. They can't hold them anymore.
Ziva hugged her again.
- I won't, Bree, I missed you too. I'm sorry
Breena nodded.
- I know ... and now you must go to work before Tony gets jealous of us and comes here.
They giggled a little.
- Okay, see you later, Bree. And for the record, he's already jealous.
- See you later, Zi.
When Ziva arrived at the bullpen, Tony, Tim, and Nick were grabbing their gear. They mouthed goodbye to her, Tony kissed Ziva's lips as a goodbye and ran to the elevator.
- So…? - Ziva asked
- Oh yes, they have a warrant for the Sargeant's place and his stuff at the base. They said they wanted to go together, apparently, they don't want us to beat them again - Ellie sentenced with a shrug
Ziva nodded, sat down in her chair, and looked at the papers there. Tony would always behave like a child, and she loves him for that. Although that was fast, and Tony didn't say I love you, he only kissed her. Maybe she is being silly, but since she came back, they have been saying I love you all the time, especially when they go out alone. Since when was it so cheesy? She sighed and read the new message on her phone: "I love you baby. I can't live without you. PS: sorry for the rush". A very cheesy smile spread across her face. She got up and walk to Ellie's desk.
- What's going on, boss?
- Two things, Eleanor - Ellie looked at her and sighed.
- I told you, don't Eleanor-me, please - Ziva smiled in response and Ellie shook her head, Ziva was playing her.
- First, how about we have dinner when the case is over? - the blonde's eyes widened with emotion.
- Yes! Oh yeah! That is going to be amazing, the old team, the new team, and the additions. We should do it at Gibbs' house, what do you think he will say?
Ziva smirked. The emotion she saw in Ellie was the same one she saw in her daughter every time she had to open a present: enthusiasm and gratitude.
Ellie kept muttering things about dinner, then stopped and looked seriously at Ziva.
- You said 2 things, what is the other?
- How about we take our papers and computers to the lab? A change of scenery is always good, plus Kasie's energy is incomparable. I also like her because she calls me "the myth", "the legend".
- Yes! That's an excellent idea! And Kasie can also help us plan dinner.
Ellie gathered all her things while Ziva left a note on Tony's desk, then she collected hers and they went to the laboratory.
Kasie was speaking with herself when Ellie and Ziva entered the laboratory. Something about the suitcase and the ability of people to mistreat evidence.
The scientist stopped her monologue when she heard the laughs from Ziva and Ellie.
- Troubles in paradise, Kasie?
- One of my philosophies is that I never see problems as such, for me, they are always an opportunity to be creative and bring out the best in me.
She approached the women and greeted them. Ellie grabbed two chairs, and the two agents settled into them under Kasie's watchful eye.
- We needed a change of scenery. You don't mind us working here, do you?
The scientist shook her head.
- Mi casa es Su casa - Kasie said in Spanish.
Bishop and Ziva laughed softly.
- Muchas gracias, Kasie - Ziva replied in the same language, she chuckled -. Ellie said you could help us with something important.
That sentence caught Kasie's attention, she looked at Ellie for a few seconds, then looked back at Ziva.
- I'm all ears
- Well, Breena and I were catching up a little, and she asked me "what do you think about having a big dinner with everybody, the kids included after the case is wrapped?" - Ellie's and Kasie's eyes lit up with excitement - Then I came back to the bullpen and Ellie told me that you would love to help us with that, and judging by that light in your eyes, I think Ellie is right.
- She is absolutely right! I would love to help you women - Kasie looked at Ellie seriously -. We have a lot of work to do and we are smart women, so we can work on the case and dinner.
The two agents and the forensic scientist spent almost an hour working on the case and planning dinner.
Ziva was amazed. Cooking is an act of love for her because she always showed her appreciation for someone when she cooked for that person, and according to her guests, she is a rockstar in the kitchen. Tony said there was no lasagna like the one Ziva made, and Tali constantly said that she only ate vegetables because her mom cooked them like a real chef.
The team also praised her when she invited them to her house 15 years ago, the same day that Jimmy tuned her piano, and the same day that she did not invite Tony. At that time she was single, hurt by the death of her brother and the manipulation of her father, and never thought that she could be thirty years old. Happily, she was wrong. Now after a few years, she was temporarily back at NCIS, with a wonderful daughter, engaged to the love of her life, with an extended family united by love and loyalty, and with plans to have a new baby at 37 years old. She was totally wrong, but she couldn't be happier to have been wrong.
Ellie was thrilled. In the eyes of any outside observer this would be "just a dinner", but for her (and for the team) it would be an opportunity to pause their hectic schedules, and thus thank and appreciate the fact of being alive and together. A year ago Ziva was dead to them (and to the world), and Ellie felt cheated for all she could learn from Ziva, but could never do it. Now she only had words of thanks for her predecessor because she saw her full potential without even knowing her. They both gave each other a blind vote of confidence, and it was worth it. It is still worth it.
- So, what do you think dearest agents? - they looked at Kasie - Gibbs will say yes?
- What should I say yes about?
There was a brief silence in the laboratory. Gibbs smirked and kissed Ziva's crown.
- We want to have a great dinner with the whole team when the case is wrapped, children included, and we think that your house is a good option.
Silence again. Gibbs stared at Ziva.
- You're going to cook?
- Yes, I was planning to make Italian food.
Gibbs nodded.
- I don't know why you are asking me that, that's your house too.
Ziva stood up, and look him in the eye.
- I do know that, but you also know who I am.
Of course, he knows her. Gibbs sighed and nodded.
- Okay, Ziver, there is no problem if you let me help you - he received a questioning look from the brunette -. DiNozzo is not good at cooking, and I don't want him to burn my house.
The women laughed heartily, and Ziva nodded.
- Okay, no problem. Ellie and Kasie will also help us.
Gibbs smirked.
- Yeah, that doesn't calm me down either, you two - Gibbs said, pointing at his agent and the scientist - won't be near the fire.
Ellie snorted offended, then laughed heartily.
- Okay, we'll be in charge of the salads - Kasie said and Ellie nodded.
- Do you know who could help you? - Ellie asked turning to Ziva, she shook her head- Nick, believe it or not, he is a good cooker.
Ziva gave Ellie a playful look, the blonde blushed slightly.
- In that case, I will talk to Nicholas, thanks.
Kasie opened her mouth to start giving her report and the computer beeped. There was a coincidence. The four of them approached the computer.
- And we have a match - reported the scientist, and Ziva looked at her with a "talk to us" expression -. After examining at Kasie Hines level the suitcase we found in the car, I found microscopic traces of blood, and after several hours in the system, we have a match in the blood type.
Kasie clicked, and the information appeared on the screen.
- Now I will cross this information to see if it matches the blood type of the Petty Officer, his wife or the sergeant - Kasie put the three medical records on the screen -. And as we suspect, dear ones, the blood type matches with the petty officer and the sergeant - the three agents snorted -. But if you bring in fresh blood samples from the sergeant, I might be able to determine if he owns it, though I warn you that that may take longer.
- Yeah, Kasie, but with that, we would have evidence against the sergeant - Gibbs sentenced.
The agents' faces lit up, Ziva and Ellie gathered up their things.
- Thanks, Kasie.
- Anytime, my friends, anytime.
The scientist smiled and sent flying kisses as the three left the laboratory.
Ziva, Gibbs, and Ellie returned to the bullpen. They had work to do, they had to get a warrant for that blood sample.
- That will not be easy, but I will start working on it.
- Yes, I will help you with that, do I make the calls and you the emails? - Ellie nodded, and the two began to work.
Gibbs looked at his agents and frowned, this could be done faster as Sergeant Burrows was still in the building. He got up from his desk heading to autopsy.
An hour passed, and Ellie and Ziva still couldn't get the warrant. They were exhausted. The American bureaucracy to get an order from a judge always took a long time. Thatwas the part that Ziva didn't miss from her old job.
Ellie sighed and hit the keyboard with her head. Ziva sighed and got up from her desk.
- I'm going to kiss my daughter, my niece and my friend, then I need a coffee, do you want to come with me?
The blonde nodded, got up from her desk, and the moment she reached for her coat, Gibbs reached her desk and the elevator dinged. She snorted and sat back down, Ziva and Gibbs smirked.
- How did it go?
- All very well, dear, Nick takes the evidence with Kasie as we speak - Tony replied kissing his fiancée's cheek.
- How about yourself? - Tim asked as he sat down at his desk.
- Good and bad news - Tim and Tony's eyes were fixed on Ziva -. Good news because Kasie found blood in the suitcase and bad news because, due to the deterioration of the sample, she could only identify the blood type, and that matches the blood type of the Sergeant and the Petty Officer …
- And now you're living a nightmare trying to get the warrant for a blood sample - Tim finished.
- Exactly, McGee, a true nightmare!
Tony kissed Ziva's crown. Gibbs walked to his desk and started gathering his things.
- Are you going somewhere, boss?
- Yeah, DiNozzo, I promised popcorns and pizza to Tali for tonight, and she got your impatience - Gibbs took his keys and stood in front of Tony and Ziva -. You should get her, and coming home - he kissed Ziva's crown -, and don't worry about that warrant anymore, Kasie already has the sample in the lab.
Gibbs entered the elevator under the watchful eye of his team, he smirked and waved them as a goodbye.
- How? - pronounced Ellie and Tony smirked - Do you wanna share? - Ziva smirked too and shook her head.
- The sergeant is still in the building, Bishop - sentenced McGee while gathering his things -. See you tomorrow, kiss Tali and Victoria for me.
- Goodbye, McGee, say hello to Delilah for me.
Bishop hit her head against the keyboard a second time.
- You okay Bishop?
- Yes, I need a minute, kiss the girls for me, I will see you tomorrow, guys.
Ziva approached Bishop and kissed her hair.
- Goodbye, Ellie.
Tony collected his things and his fiancée's.
- Bye, B. Shall we go to pick up our bundle of joy?
- Yes, I miss her already.
They left the bullpen.
Ellie felt noises nearby and raised her head, Nick was in front of her desk.
- Wha…
- Don't, Ellie. I need to tell you something but I couldn't if you say something now, so please let me do the talking - she nodded and he sighed -. Despite how strong I look on the outside I have been a wuss, B, and the worst thing is that I have behaved like a wuss with you - she frowned and opened her mouth -. I know what you are going to say, but it's true, I have been a coward - Nick took a hand of hers between his -. I love you, Ellie, and not like a sister, I love you like the love of my life.
The blonde opened her mouth, but the words didn't come out. She was in shock. He loves her. He really loves her, and she is not dreaming. She had dreamed of this moment a few times, but never thought it would come in the middle of a case. She was living her dream. She looked at her desk and put her hands on her face, trying to hold back the tears.
- I love you too, Nick.
Ellie said after a few seconds and the elevator dinged.
Nick was no longer in front of her, he was gone.
A/N: First of all, thank you very much for each review, favorite and author alert; You are the best. It's been a while ... Things improve in my country (in relation to the virus), but in my city we are in confinement (and we will continue in confinement for a couple of weeks). I was busy finishing the semester at university, and I have been "on vacation" for a short time. I'm going to update as soon as I can. You are amazing.
I hope everyone is safe. I also hope that this chapter has brought you out of this situation in which we are involved for a few minutes.
Greetings. C.