Hope you are all enjoying!
Warning just in case- Last bit has implications of sex but no actual description of sex.
Chapter Ten- Separation
Tali had been especially restless since Tony and Ziva were both back at work. The young girl would no longer seep through the night and in the day Tali would cling to both her parents. Although she had grown used to Loren, the little girl was clearly still struggling. Ziva was woken to whimpers and cries coming from the nursery. A quick glance at the alarm clock told Ziva it was two in the morning. She groaned inwardly and swung her legs out the bed, Tony conveniently still asleep. She padded down the hall towards Tali's room, peeking in to see Tali stood in her crib, hands grabbing the bars as she bounced and cried.
"Ima Ima"
Sobs were wracking her body as she begged to be lifted out.
"Tali why are you not sleeping baby?" Ziva sighed.
Ziva went over and lifted Tali into her arms, the small girl curling into the crook of her neck, her little hand wrapped around Ziva's necklace.
"I…Ima"
"What's wrong baby girl?"
Tali didn't reply, she was still learning to form words and sentences. Instead she nuzzled her face into Ziva's chest, her whimpers still filling the room.
"Are you hungry?" Ziva asked.
Ziva had thought about stopping breastfeeding since Tali was approaching eighteen months, but the young girl was still content to nurse. Since introducing solids Tali hadn't needed to be nursed as often but she still seemed to seek Ziva in the mornings and evening. Since going back to work it had increased a little more with Tali waking in the night but Ziva put it down to the adjustment. If she was honest, she loved having that moment with Tali, the skin on skin contact was an amazing thing. Carefully Ziva sat in the rocking chair, bring her top down and pulling Tali to her chest. Ziva watched as Tali latched on and suckled contently. A smile crept across Ziva's face seeing Tali still grasping her necklace.
"Is that better Motek"
Tali didn't nurse for long before pulling away, but her sobs had stopped and she felt more relaxed in Ziva's arms.
"Shall we see see if your wet baby then we can go to sleep"
Ziva cooed over Tali for a while before changing her diaper. She then rocked her in her arms for a minute or so, hoping to the gods Tali would go back to sleep. Her eyes were fluttering and Ziva risked lying Tali back in her crib. For a moment it seemed like Tali was peacefully back to sleep, but the minute Ziva turned to leave, Tali was pulling herself back up and calling for Ziva.
"Na na…Ima..No"
Tiredness was overtaking Ziva, she was completely exhausted and Tony had escaped all the early hour wake ups. Deep down she knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, he was a deep sleeper and she really wasn't. Years of Mossad assassin training taught her to only ever sleep lightly.
"Come on then baby, I guess it's another night of sleep with Ima and Abba"
Ziva sighed and picked Tali up, the young girl practically asleep in her arms in seconds. She carried her back to her room, lying her carefully between her and Tony. The movement on the bed roused Tony who almost whacked Tali had it not been for Ziva's ninja instincts.
"She wake up again?" Tony mumbled, his eyes barley open.
"Hmm, she wouldn't sleep in her crib"
"Did you rock her…"
"Of course Tony, I've fed her and changed her, rocked her and sung to her…she doesn't want to sleep on her own and I'm too tired to fight with her" Ziva snapped, her voice low though.
"Alright I was just asking" Tony sighed.
"Your not the one who keeps getting up for her"
Tony wanted to reply something snappy but he knew she was right. He did feel bad but he just didn't hear her unless she cried loudly. Ziva had some kind of high definition hearing. That combined with her motherly instinct she was subject to the Tali alarm clock.
By six am Tali was awake, patting at Ziva's chest, trying to get to her food, one of her little legs lazily across Ziva's stomach.
"Mmmm" she huffed impatiently.
Ziva attempted to ignore her for a few moments more, but a grumpy Tali was no fun for anyone. She pulled herself free and wrapped an arm round Tali, propping her up on her side so she could feed. Ziva brushed her fingers through Tali's curls as she took the moment in. It was only then that she noticed Tony was not in bed. It was very unlike Tony to be awake this early, he was not a morning person one bit. A split second of fear filled Ziva, an instinct she didn't think would ever leave her, before the smell of bacon filled her nose. A smiled adorned her face as she kissed Tali's head and covered up.
"Ima up"
"You want to come find Abba"
Ziva lifted Tali and they headed down to the kitchen, Tony stood in a striped apron as he cooked eggs and bacon.
"Morning" Ziva grinned.
Tony jumped having not heard Ziva approach. He smiled and left the stove to go kiss his girls good morning. He dished up food while Ziva placed Tali in the highchair. She was Tony's kid through and through so she didn't doubt Tali would find room for scrambled eggs.
"What is all this about?" Ziva asked.
"I thought my girls deserved a proper breakfast" Tony winked. "Annndd I felt bad for last night" Tony drawled.
Ziva smirked, she almost loved it when Tony got under her skin just for the make up. He always knew how to win her round.
"I am sorry I snapped" Ziva offered, knowing she had been harsh.
"Babe don't be, you've been up with her every night the past two weeks, your allowed to snap at me"
"Regardless, I don't mean it, I am just very tired"
"I know, I promise I will make it up to you though"
"You going to get up with her tonight?"
"Well I can promise, I am a deep sleeper" Tony laughed, earning himself a weak slap to the wrist. "I can promise you to a date night though"
Ziva crooked a brow with interest, leaning just a little closer.
"And how are we going to get away with that when our baby screams the house down every time we leave her? No one will want to babysit…I think Loren's even pulling her hair out"
Tony and Ziva both glanced towardsTali, the little girl still content in her chair, egg across her face and over her hands. A cheeky smirk crossing her face when her parents looked at her.
"Well, I though maybe Gibbs could babysit"
"Gibbs? Really Tony, I am sure he has better things to do"
"He adores Tali, and I'm sure Abby would want to help him out too…I actually though if all of them babysat then Tali would have enough people to distract her and she will get used to being around other people"
Tony's words actually made sense. Tali loved her extended family anyway, she would probably be most comfortable with them. Loren was another option but Tali was still getting used to her, she had known the team all her life even if she didn't remember.
"Do you think they would go for that?" Ziva questioned, feeling uncertain.
"Let's ask them today"
"Okay it's worth a try"
Once breakfast was cleared and everyone dressed for the day, Loren arrived to look after Tali. As with everyday Tali was initially resistant, calling out for Tony and Ziva through hiccuped sobs, but by the time they got to work Loren had text to say Tali was fine happily playing in her rocking horse. Each day seemed a little easier but it was a slow process.
Eight hours of work later and Tony and Ziva were leaving, not before talking to the team about babysitting though.
"Hey boss me and Ziva were wandering if we could ask you a favour?" Tony began.
Despite the father son relationship that had grown between them, Gibbs was still warmer towards Ziva than Tony. It wasn't personal, everyone knew Abby and Ziva were Gibbs favourites. It was probably Abby's nature and the fact Ziva reminded Gibbs of his own daughter Kelly.
"What's up DiNozzo?"
"Ermm…well we was just wandering…"
"I'm wandering if you're ever going to get to the point DiNozzo?"
Tony fought the urge to chuckle nervously.
"Would you babysit Tali for us?"
"Yeah course I will…what's with the nerves?"
This time Ziva stepped in to speak.
"Well, Tali is not adjusting very well to us both being at work. She doesn't really do well being separate from us"
"She will grow out of it" Gibbs stated matter of factly.
"Is Friday okay?" Ziva asked.
"Yeah just bring her over whenever, am I having her over night?"
Tony and Ziva hadn't really thought about it. It would be nice to spend an evening together, and get a good sleep but they were worried it was too much to ask.
"Look it's fine with me, Im sure Abby will stay if she knows Tali's at mine"
"I mean if you don't mind?"
"I wouldn't have brought it up if it was a problem, enjoy your night"
Friday night came around quickly, If Ziva was honest she actually felt nervous. It had been a little while since she and Tony had actually gone out just the two of them, in fact since having Tali they had never been out just the two of them. The nerves quickly faded and excitement replaced it. The only doubt was leaving Tali one night with Gibbs. Sure Gibbs knew what he was doing, he loves Tali and Tali loved him but the young girl was particularly struggling with separation right now.
"Hey Zi you ready?" Tony called from downstairs.
They had got ready separately, Ziva wanting to surprise Tony with her outfit. She hadn't got dress up in a while and wanted to make a good impression.
"Coming" Ziva called as she walked down the stairs.
Tony stood in aww…he couldn't quite believe how incredible Ziva looked. Sure he knew she was gorgeous, even in her work attire she had him hot under the collar, but looking at her now as she padded downstairs she looked….unbelievably stunningly….goddess like. She wore a floaty green dress that caressed her boobs leaving a decent amount of cleavage before floating down past the waist into a flowing skirt. It was slightly longer at the back but stoped around her knees. She worked gold scrappy heels on her feet, a glittery gold clutch and her hair was in loose curls that tumbles past her shoulders.
"Ziva…you look…god you look incredible" Tony bumbled, his mouth hanging open.
Ziva chuckled and tapped his jaw shut, leaving a tantalising kiss to his lips.
"Ima!" Tali gurgled from her place on the floor.
Tony and Ziva looked over and cooed, remembering that they did indeed have a baby around.
"We should get going"
"Indeed"
The two dropped Tali off at Gibbs house about half and hour later. Tali was a little tentative about saying goodbye, her eyes teary and her lip quivering but after a short burst of sobs she calmed and accepted her fate. The distraction of Abby dancing around wit her stuffed farting hippo being a huge contribution to Tali's sudden disinterest.
"Go" Gibbs mouthed and with that Tony and Ziva left for their date night.
Tony held Ziva's hand as he walked her down the river, the night sky going with thousands of stars and a half moon. Their surrounding were peaceful, very few people around. The silence was calming and romantic and Ziva leaned closer to Tony, moving from his hand to wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Thank you for tonight Tony"
Tony just placed a perfect kiss to her lips.
The two had spent a lovely evening having an expensive meal in a restaurant they both loved. They then headed for drinks at a fancy cocktail bar before walking down the river. It was romantic and intimate, just what the two needed. They stopped over looking the river, taking a moment to kiss and cuddle, the cooling breeze leaving Ziva shivering.
"Lets get you home sweetcheeks" Tony chuckled, wrapping an arm around Ziva.
Ziva had to laugh at the nickname, it had stuck since their first undercover op. That had been so long ago. Even back then there was something between them, they just didn't know what yet.
They returned home a half hour later, mouths attached and tongues battling for dominance. Tony had his hands all over Ziva, fingers tracing up her leg to touch as much as possible. Soft moans escaping her lips. They stumbled towards the stairs just has a loud squeak echoed through the hall.
"What the hell" Tony muttered in annoyance, flicking on the light.
A soft toy that belonged to Tali lay on the ground, slightly indented from Tony's weight. Ziva laughed and pulled away, a low groan forming from Tony's lips.
"Let's juts check on her" Ziva suggested.
As turned on as Tony was he too missed his baby and wanted to know she was alright. Ziva sent a quick text to Gibbs, praying he would respond, he wasn't great with technology. A minute past before Zivas phone dinged. It was Abby.
Hey guys
hope you had a great night! Tali is great, she went down with little fuss, Gibbs sorted her right out with a story. Enjoy your night…be safe
Abs x
Ziva had to laugh at Abbys implication. She turned to Tony to confirm Tali was all good and settled for the night.
"Can I continue where I was?" Tony asked huskily.
"Hmmmm"
Was all Ziva managed as Tony sucked a no doubt noticeably hickey into her neck, and hoisted her around his waist, carrying her upstairs to love her over and over until dawn.