Sorry it's been a while, I haven't really known what to write. Hopefully this isn't too bad. I have had a few ideas for new stories.
First idea- Ziva is on the run from Sahar but this time Tony and Tali are with her, Tony never left her in Israel.
Second Idea- Ziva is with Ray but it's a combination of all the bad things Ray does/doesn't treat Ziva right act and she realises she loves Tony but he is with EJ still.
Third Idea- One shots of all the times Tony and Ziva could have kissed.
Let me know if any of these sound a good idea and I will start working on them.
Chapter Twelve- Potty Training
Ziva and Tali sat on the floor, surrounded by an array of tiny sized underwear. Ziva had spent the morning at the shops, picking out pants for Tali to choose from as she started her journey in potty training.
"What ones are your favourite Tali?"
"Hmmmm…These" Tali said excitedly as she held up a pair of pink princess panties.
"Do you want to put them on Tali?"
The little girl looked at them with curiosity. She had been shown the potty a few times, and Ziva would tell Tali when she had to use the bathroom to encourage her to do the same, but Tali was still a little cautious.
"Big girl?"
"Yeah baby, big girls wear panties"
That seemed to be enough for her, she loved being told she was a big girl. It scared Tony and Ziva how fast their little girl was growing. Tali stood as Ziva helped her change into the new underwear.
"Wow Tali you're such a big girl! Tony exclaimed from the doorway.
"Yeah Abba, big!"
"Now remember Tali, when you have to go potty you tell me or Abba and we will help you yes?" Ziva explained softly.
"Ahuh"
Tali didn't seem interested much longer so Ziva and Tony let her play in her room for a while. Tony guided Ziva out to the lounge and pulled her into his arms, giving her a kiss on her lips.
"Mmmm what was that for?"
"I just miss you, we haven't made much time for each other lately" Tony said softly.
Ziva smiled, she loved how honest Tony was and that he could show his softer side to her.
"I'm sorry, I know I have been spending a lot of extra time at work, I just really wanted to wrap the case up quicker" Ziva explained
"Hey I know, and it's not your fault you got placed on a separate undercover op"
It had been a month of extremely hard work for Ziva. She had been asked by Vance to work on a separate op without the team. She hadn't been happy about it at first but quickly got into the thrill. The downside being less time at home with her family.
"Let's put Tali down early tonight, we can get a takeaway and a movie?" Ziva suggested as she ran her nails over Tony's stubble.
"Sounds perfect"
"We can sort a proper date night for next week maybe?"
"I'll get McGee to babysit, bought time Tali had a night at his" Tony laughed.
McGee loved Tali but he always seemed to avoid the babysitting duty. His new relationship with Delilah was bringing out the fun uncle side to him though so maybe it wouldn't be so scary now.
"You're so mean, you know Tim is nervous with Tali"
"I don't know why, he has been there since the beginning, he has seen her grow…"
"Yes Tony but he doesn't have kids yet, he just worries…plus Gibbs and Abby have got such a great little bond with Tali, I think Tim's just worried Tali won't want him"
It was something Ziva had noticed more and more. As a baby Tali would often cry when Tim held her. Ziva knew it was just her sensing his nerves but it obviously worried Tim. Now that Tali was bigger and speaking she would make it clear when she wasn't happy with her words. She often got a telling off for her tantrums and Ziva was sure Tim didn't want to deal with one of those.
"All the more reason to babysit" Tony chuckled.
The padding of tiny feet came running out to the lounge, causing Tony and Ziva to look over.
"Ima Ima I gotta go potty" Tali exclaimed as she bounced about.
Ziva new to move fast so she led Tali by the hand swiftly to the bathroom. The potty was ready and waiting next to the toilet.
"Quick Ima"
Ziva pulled down Tali's pants and sat her on the potty just in time.
"Yay baby you did it" Ziva cried happily.
She had read a lot about potty training and plenty of encouragement.
"Yay!" Tali giggled, clearly pleased with herself.
"Tony came round to congratulate Tali also, scooping her up into a snuggle while Ziva cleaned up. Ziva re joined the two on the couch as they giggled happily, making sure Tali knew how good she had been.
The following day didn't go quite as smooth. Tali had got a little excited when she was playing with Tony and ended up peeing on his lap by accident. He had groaned a little when Tali wasn't around while Ziva had just laughed hysterically, pleased that it wasn't her. Tali had found it funny too which probably didn't help. Later in the afternoon Tali had been playing in her room when she ran out shouting that she had to go potty. Ziva had hurried her along but she didn't make it and pee'd on Ziva's feet. This time Tony had fallen about laughing. Tali had cried and apologised, thinking she was in trouble. After a second change of clothes and calming her down, Ziva had put Tali down for a nap, pull up diaper firmly in place.
"Do you think she's not ready?" Tony asked softly.
"She will have accidents Tony, she will get there. Maybe we should be reminding her more often, get to her earlier"
"Yeah I guess so, she's so independent though she's not always a fan of being told what to do" Tony laughed.
"Maybe not but she will need to learn"
A few months later, after many accidents, a few near misses and plenty of victories Tali was finally potty trained. She was so proud of herself that she went around telling anyone that would listen. Tony and Ziva had brought Tali into work, the babysitter had canceled and no one could cover. Tali was currently sat on Abby's lap, the two chatting happily as Tali explained to her auntie that she was now potty trained.
"I big girl…I do it now"
"Yeah…your so clever Tali"
"I trained and and my potty is…ahmm pink!"
"Wow that's supper cool Tali"
"And I got..erm big girl pants!" Tali exclaimed as she lifted her dress up. "Pwincess!"
Everyone laughed as Tali pointed out the princess of her panties for everyone to see. Ziva face palmed and tried to stifle her own laugh.
"Tali pull you dress down please" She warned, trying to sound stern.
Tali couldn't quite fathom what she had done wrong but Ziva's tone told her not to argue. Instead she snuggled into Abby and played with the goth girls choker.
"Hey I love them" Abby whispered, hoping to cheer Tali up again.
She also made a mental note to buy the girl some cool skull panties.
"Do you have to go potty Tali?" Tony asked as he watched her fidget in Abby's lap.
"No" The stubborn girl replied, shaking her head forcefully.
"Tali" Ziva warned.
It was moments like this when Tali let stubbornness take over that she had the odd accident. Ziva decided a tantrum was better than cleaning up an accident so she moved towards Tali.
"No Ima!"
Tali cried out and flailed her legs about in annoyance, while Abby tried to keep her still.
"Hey you should listen to Ima" Abby tried.
"No, I no go"
Ziva was loosing patience, she didn't need the whole office to see a Tali tantrum. It was hardly ideal bringing her to work.
"Tali, come with me now"
"Ahu huh no"
"Tali…this is your last warning, come with me now please"
"Listen to your Ima" Tony tried
Again Tali refused. She shook her head stubbornly and crossed her arms, trying to avoid Ziva's gaze.
Ziva had lost all patience now, even a warning from Tony hadn't helped. She grabbed Tali's hand and marched her towards the bathroom, the young girl crying and trudging along behind. Ziva pulled Tali into a stall, ignoring the tears streaming down Tali's face. She pulled down the underwear and sat Tali on the toilet, hands firmly holding her in place. It didn't take long for Tali to give in and relieve herself, her sobs subsiding being replaced with the odd hiccup.
"That wasn't so hard was it" Ziva said sternly.
Tali mumbled inaudibly and bowed her head. Her eyes drooping as she fought to keep them open. It was no surprise to Ziva to see how tired Tali was, the young girl hadn't napped yet and her day in the office so far was full of excitement. Ziva helped her clean up and took her to the sink to wash her hands. Tali was very quiet, and she clung to Ziva's leg after drying her hands.
"Are you sleeping baby?"
Tali just nodded and reached up to be lifted. Ziva couldn't stay mad for long and she lifted Tali into her arms, holding her close.
"I think it's nap time motek"
The young girl just nodded into the crook of Ziva's neck as she was carried back to the squad room. Ziva gently cradling her head and running her fingers through her curls.
"Nap time" Tony muttered as he looked up from his call.
"Indeed" Ziva said softly as she sat back at her desk, Tali fast asleep in her arms.
"All that potty training is too much for her" Tony chuckled.
"No she's just unbelievably stubborn"
Tony smirked a fought to laugh.
"What?" Ziva bit.
"Just funny how much to moan about her stubbornness"
"I don't moan, it's just frustrating"
"Yeah I know…she get's it from you" Tony laughed.
Ziva just frowned, she was never going to admit he was right.