On Saturday morning, Feb 1st, Tony was turning over on the bed. As he woke up by the sound, he was facing toward to the master bathroom, realizing the light was on, so he turned around, noticed Ziva was not there, so Tony got out of the bed, walked to the bathroom door, knocked the door gently and Tony was calling for Ziva, if she was alright.
"Oh Tony, yeah...I am sick, it must be the flu. I have the one Tali had last week," Ziva answered softly as she just finished what she had to do.
Tony opened the door, being concerned for Ziva then he sat down on floor to comfort Ziva as much he could. Then Ziva laid on Tony's lap, spoke softly with Tony.
"Tony, I have not had any time of month, I am late, and I have been sick for almost a week. It is just nausea and some food I smelled, it just annoying me so much and it reminds me..."Ziva trailed off.
Tony replied, "Alright, what remind you of what?" Then all sudden Tony heard Ziva snoring, realized she had fallen asleep. He comforted her, then picked her up in his arms, carried her to the bed, and made sure Ziva was under the covers. Then he went to the bathroom, cleaned the mess and made it all smell good. As soon he was done cleaning with bathroom, he went to the living room to rest on couch with his laptop since he can't sleep, by being worried about Ziva and he wanted to let Ziva rest to get well. Tony had wondered so many things like what it was when Ziva was pregnant with Tali, what her pregnancy was like, did she have morning sickness all that in his thoughts that he was wondering. Tony would only guess that Ziva was having the flu even though he had wondered if Ziva being pregnant again was the case. Tony eventually dozed off on the couch, exhausted from taking care of Ziva and Tali.
That morning, Ziva woke up, looking around realizing that she had slept too long on the bed, so she got out of bed, walking to bathroom to freshen up. Then she walked down the hallway, noticed Tony at kitchen table doing his work on his laptop, and Tali watching her cartoons in her playroom, which is only across the room that had big wall that can see through from the kitchen. As Ziva walked closely to Tony from behind, she whispered to Tony as she hugged Tony affectionately.
"Tony, I noticed I slept in for too long, thank you so much for letting me rest as much I could, I think I feel much better," Ziva whispered as she kissed Tony's head.
"My sweetcheeks, yeah you did sleep for a good while, you must have been so tired, from being sick and taking care of Tali. I am just glad Tali is all recovered from her flu she had that she must have caught from the preschool kids and I think she's ready to go school on Monday, don't you think?"
"Oh yeah, I am just glad Tali is much better, poor her; she had rough month. After New Year's Tali started preschool, 2 weeks later, she got sick that sure got us worried about her. I am grateful for good doctors we have for Tali, I think Tali is ready for school on Monday, as long we keep her all healthy with everything, and I think she will be fine," Ziva answered in her confident tone.
"Alright, that sounds good, are you up to something easy to eat, I can make you toast and hot tea?" Tony asked in gentle way.
"Sure, toast sounds nice and some hot tea sounds good. I don't know why I did not want drink coffee, for some reason I thought tea would help sooth my tummy ache. I think I will feel a lot better once I eat something," Ziva answered back as she spoke gently.
Tony got up to go fix Ziva some food, and he would make sure there is enough food for Tali. Ziva grabbed her laptop that was also sitting on the kitchen table, and opened it up to check her emails. Perusing the unread emails, she noticed an odd email, which she realized was encrypted.
"That's strange..." she muttered to herself.
She realized that the only person that could help Ziva was McGee but she did not want to bother him in DC. Ziva had mentioned it to Tony; he thought it was odd but they both assumed it could be just a garbled email so they put it aside for now. Once Ziva, Tony, and Tali were finishing up their lunch, Ziva decided to work on some things on her laptop and Tony would finish up what he was doing on his laptop. They made some plans for their future while Tali took her afternoon nap.
"Again?!" Ziva scoffed. "Tony, I just got those weird emails again, look at this!" she exclaimed indignantly while pointing at her laptop.
"What is it with those weird emails again? Man, I might need to call McGeek about this," Tony answered in a concerned tone.
"Tony, hey look, there is another one coming in, I think we should call McGee about this," Ziva replied in concerned tone.
Tony pulled out his cellphone and dialed McGee's desk to ask him about those weird emails that seem to be suspect.
"McGeek, you still getting headslapped?" Tony asked, Ziva giving Tony an exasperated look at his ribbing.
"Hi, no, just running around on cases like a chicken with his head cut off, I just sat down at my desk from being out on the field with Gibbs, so what's up, is everything ok?" McGee answered on phone to Tony.
"Well, Ziva have been getting those weird emails that are encrypted, and it looks suspect. So, what do you suggest for me to do? I just don't feel right about all this... I wonder if someone is trying to get into Ziva's head. I thought you had her laptop checked before she came home?" Tony asked with a baffled tone to his voice.
Ziva grabbed the phone from Tony's hand.
"McGee, Ziva here, did you make sure the laptop have no viruses or any bugs placed or anything?" Ziva asked McGee
"Well, yes, I had your laptop all cleared with no bugs or anything, we double and triple checked, all of us, Vance and Gibbs included, that your laptop is secured as desired. Why don't you forward those emails to me, I'll check them out and see what's what."
"Ah I see, alright that sounds good, I will have them forwarded to you, and please let me know what is happening and I really hope we are in clear with no problems. I hope I did not let my guards down just because I am back home with my family, please let me know if we are not out of woods yet." Ziva spoke in firm tone as she is really unsure of everything going on.
"Alright, I hear ya, and I will take care of it, I will inform Gibbs and let him know what is happening, you both hang in there. Boss wants me, hang tight and I'll get to the bottom of this." McGee responded.
"Alright, that sounds good, take care bye bye"
Ziva and Tony replied in a calm tone as they looked at each other.
Days later, as Tony and Ziva went on doing errands, Ziva could not shake those feelings of unease, and told Tony as much. This concerned Tony, but he couldn't address that as the doorbell rang. Tali started running to the door to open it, but Tony intercepted Tali before she could get to the door. As Ziva opened the door, she looked around, then noticed the package on the doorsteps, and realized that was something they were not expecting. Ziva looked at Tony, and said, "This package feels suspicious."
Tony thought it is best to call the police and have bomb squad over. Ziva got real bad anxiety attacks as she grabbed Tali, ran to the bedroom. Tony rushed to call the police, and requested them to bring the bomb squad over.
Police came, and investigated the box, the bomb squad investigated it, checked the package, and there was no bomb in it, but a pile of letters addressed to Ziva, all wrapped in a bow saying Ziva, just for you. Tony went to bring Ziva out of the house to see the letters and a note, Ziva rejected them, told them to take it to NCIS ASAP. The police agreed with her, to have them sent to NCIS to have it examined. She knew it was not anyone that she knows wrote that, but the writings she saw on the envelope looked so familiar, but she could not figure out who it was from since no return address.
Ziva and Tony went in the house to comfort Tali, and made sure she feel safe by singing her some Hebrew songs that helped her to relax. Once Tali fell sleep on the couch by Tony as he sat with Ziva to discuss things, to prepare for the worst.
"Tony, I am trying to figure out who is the next person and that person seems to be someone that knows me," Ziva try to calm down as she replied to Tony.
"I understand; I am trying to think who it would be? We might have to call Gibbs and let him know what is happening. Everything will be ok, my sweetcheeks," Tony comforted Ziva, as he replied with gentle tone.
Tony picked up his phone, made a phone call to Gibbs and set it on speakerphone so Ziva and Tony can talk with Gibbs and McGee in the background.
"Hi Gibbs, I think something is not right around here, did you get the chance to see the emails?" Tony asked Gibbs with a concerned tone.
"Hello, yeah McGee and I are working on those emails, and Vance is helping us with some intel to track those emails, also we just heard that we will be expecting the package that arrived at your house, we will inspect it then we will let you know." Gibbs replied with a firm tone.
"Yeah, I kept wracking my brain, and I come up with nothing. Nothing that stands out, at least," Tony answered with a mixture of puzzlement and concern.
"Maybe something to do with one of your old cases? That is something I am trying to go through old cases, yours and Ziver's, and McGee is tracking the emails and Ellie is here, she work for NSA part time so she have some intel for us then we will let you know, but for now you both need to stay put." Gibbs responded with a firm, slightly annoyed tone.
"Gibbs! The old cases I had in files, I thought most of them were already reviewed by you and Vance recently when I was there?" Ziva spoke up on the speakerphone.
"Ziver, we have all of your old files and cases that we worked on before, I also got Tony's files and all cases, and I am trying to see if anything was related to the cases, we will do our best to get to the point when we will know who it is." Gibbs replied as he looked at Tim and Ellie, as if he might know who it would be stalking Ziva and Tony.
"Ah I see, alright, just let us know when you know something, and I sense you needed to go back to work, I shall let you go but I will keep our eyes peeled and if things gets worse, will you help us? Remember what I told you how I feel about being abandoned," Ziva replied as she spoke in a way that she reminded Gibbs what she had told him before, making sure he is not abandoning her and her family.
"Ziver, don't worry, like I told you before you left, you are ready, you know your surroundings, and you know what to do, yes I need to go, I am seeing Vance coming down the stairs, got to go now, you both stay put please." Gibbs hung up.
Tony put down the phone, went to see if Ziva needed some help with Tali since Tali had woke up from her nap crying. Ziva was sitting on her recliner in Tali's room, rocking Tali in her arms as she noticed Tony walking in the room then she reached out for Tony's hand, kissed his hand and looked at Tony.
"Oh my Tony, Tali woke up crying, I thought she was sick again but she just wanted her Ima, I think she is sensing things just like I could. I can sense things, I can hear things like warning signs, I have those gifts that I have had for many years, I am used to have them. I thought they would go away when I left NCIS, but it is still there and I think I know what Gibbs is trying to say. I think he is suspecting something, and I think we need to be prepared" Ziva spoke as she controlled her anxiety, held back her tears as she try not to think about running away or abandoning the family all over again to protect the family.
Tony looked at Ziva, as he sat on Tali's bed, he would start to ponder what if Ziva would run away and abandon him and Tali all over again.
"Ziva, I agree with you, I sensed something at times, I am not surprised if everyone in NCIS seems to know something that they did not want us to worry, but Gibbs's tone and the way he spoke, I wonder if he is trying to tell us something as if we need to stay on our toes. I really can't afford to lose you all over again, Tali does not do well without her Ima." Tony spoke as he struggled not to show his worries and held back his tears.
"Tony, I think there is something going on, I am not considering to run away or abandon you both even though I had those thoughts in my head, I just can't do this to you both, so we might have to run away together, time will tell when we all need to leave." Ziva replied as she looked at Tony in a serious tone where she had made her mind up to take her family with her if she needed to run away again.
"My sweetcheeks, I think that would work, we just stay put and keep our eyes peeled on signs of trouble." Tony replied as he comforted Ziva as he looked at Ziva as she was comforting Tali.
On Feb 10th, Ziva woke up that morning feeling sick, so she had her business in bathroom, trying to not wake Tony up. So hard she could try not to cry realizing that she could be pregnant, but she was unsure of herself if that was the case. Ziva was also wondered what Tony would react about her being pregnant again, even wondered what it would be like to be pregnant while Tony is with her. Ziva decided to put these thoughts aside, and went to make some phone calls to see a doctor about her sickness she had been having at times. Tony was all supportive to allow her go to see the doctor about her sickness, just to make sure she was alright. Ziva, Tony and Tali went to the town, to see the doctor once the appointment was over with, Ziva and Tony decided to go to the mall, Ziva was feeling better and wanted to take Tali to the mall that had a big treehouse for the children to play in a huge room while parents shop.
Ziva and Tony decided to walk around near the playroom then they saw their friends, then Tony needed to go to a jewelry store while Ziva was with Tali at the playroom. Ziva was looking around carefully once she suddenly sensed something was watching her, then all sudden Ziva turned around, gasped realizing it was Tony patting her shoulder.
"Whoa, it is just me Tony, I am sorry I did not mean to startle you," Tony spoke gently as he carefully comforted Ziva.
"Oh Tony, I just about to have those anxiety attacks all sudden when I just sensed something is not right, for a moment I thought I saw someone standing watching us over there, he is not there now." Ziva responded as she felt safe in Tony's arms.
"Ah I see, so I'm not the only one seeing things... had someone following me when I was going to the store over there, I think we should go now, we shall gather Tali, and we just go home, sounds good?" Tony quietly said, scanning the surroundings without being obvious.
"Sounds good, here Tali is, let's go," Ziva answered as she took Tali's hand and Tony's arm as they walked toward the door. Tony was very worried and Ziva was trying to figure things out as they took Tali, left the mall as they zoomed, whoever had lost the track of Tony's car since Ziva had drove real quick enough to disappear into busy traffic. That night, Ziva and Tony tucked Tali in bed, they read book and sang some songs until Tali fell sleep, Tony went to the sunroom, as Ziva went to see him there, as they decided to have some quiet time together. Ziva was sitting on a sofa, beside the recliner that Tony always sat on, they looked at each other and held hands.
"Tony, what a day, I am glad I went to the doctor to make sure I am ok, they say I am ok. I just thought why not enjoy our time at the mall, I just want Tali to have fun as much we can help her feel comfortable, not to worry her or scare her." Ziva responded to Tony, being careful not to bring up the pregnancy topic, as she was unsure how to broach the subject. After all, Tony had never seen her pregnant with Tali before. She had been wanting to tell Tony when the time was right.
"Ziva, I am glad you are doing alright, I agree with you about today, it was not too bad until tonight at the mall. I am just hoping it is nothing, just some people looking at us and I did not see a car following us," Tony replied back as he held Ziva's hand, then kissed her hand, as he smiled being happy to be with Ziva.
"Yeah, all is good for now, and I hope you are right, but we should keep our eyes peeled, we might have to take Tali out of school for her own safety. I am not sure but if things gets bad, we will have to decide what we need to do, and if Gibbs or NCIS can't help us in time, we will run away together," Ziva responded back as she sat close to Tony to rest her head on his shoulder, pondering things in her head as she looked up at the sky as the stars and the full moon slowly wheeled about overhead, enjoying the view through the open window with Tony.
"That sounds good, if things gets worse, we will pull Tali out of school and we will go somewhere, probably back to New York. Maybe my dad would, you know, welcome us all in his arms, he is living in a nice old Victorian house with plenty rooms all that in some private property, he got it through his real-estate dealings which I don't really care for, but that is my dad, but as long as he does his business well I'm fine with it. I know he is a good guy in his own ways, he means well, he would do anything for us if I ask him. I am sure Gibbs and my Dad would make deal on a safe house just like this in the states, what you think?" Tony asked Ziva as he looked at her. She gazed back, weighing whether it was worth having his father provide the family with a safe place.
"It is possible that we may have no choice but to rely on him. Yes, I am the mother of his granddaughter, and you are his son, but I do not want to involve him if we do not have to. But I know he will help us all in a heartbeat, he would do anything for us. So, if we leave here, if things get worse, this house you built for us, we may not see this house again. I am hoping that Gibbs would call us and let us know what we need to do, I think he trusts me, he knows I would do anything for the family," Ziva said at length.
"Yeah, well, I think if we don't hear back within a couple days, we'll just take off, you, me, Tali, and go where it's safe. Under different situations, I would let my Dad and Gibbs know that we will be moving back to New York, but right now I think we might have to be prepared for the worst." Tony responded to Ziva, looking at her, kissed her softly as he comforted Ziva, as he was worried about what will happen but he felt confident in Gibbs as he was hoping that Gibbs would help him and his family. Ziva looked at Tony, kissed him back and hugged him tightly, as she let him know how much she loves him, and their daughter, Tali. Tony told Ziva how much he loved her and their daughter as much as she does then he hugged Ziva, noticed the time on their phone, as they realized it was getting real late so they decided to go bed for the night.
Once Ziva woke up in the morning, she noticed that her morning sickness had been replaced by an irresistible craving for good food, so she decided to cook up some Texas-sized French toast and cut up some fruit for breakfast. As she was preparing to cook, and turned coffee on to be brewed, Tony came to the kitchen all smiles to see Ziva being in great mood, so he hugged Ziva gently as he kissed her softly, Tali had run through the room joyfully to see her Ima in kitchen to cook breakfast.
"Happy Valentine's day my dear sweetcheeks, it is really good to see you back in here this early morning, you do the best cooking, and I am glad you are feeling better," Tony responded as he was walking closer to Ziva to reach the coffee cup.
"Oh my dear Tony, happy Valentine's. I just woke up this morning feeling great, I thought I was in mood to cook French toast, I know it is your favorite breakfast right?" Ziva replied with a sweet smile, winked at Tony as she was preparing the griddle.
"Oh yeah, I love it when you make the best French toast for breakfast, it is good to see you smiling, you look lovely when you smile." Tony replied softly as he kissed Ziva softly knowing it made his day to see Ziva being so happy. Moments later, Ziva and Tony were placing food on the table, Tali was in her cheery mood, saying her happy Valentines to her Abba and Ima. Once everyone was finished with breakfast, Tali went to her Ima's lap, begging her to not take her to school, and Ziva was wondering why as she held Tali, Ziva softly spoke to Tali, "Oh my dear, why is that? I thought you love school and see friends there."
Tali became quiet and whispered to her Ima, "Ima, I like school but I don't want to go today, I wanna stay with you, Ima and I want be with Abba too, it is Valentine's day, I want to spend the day with you both, please?"
Ziva's breath caught slightly as she hugged Tali gently. She looked at Tony, and spoke under her breath, "Tony, something is setting her off. I wonder if..."
Tony must have seen it too, for he decided to follow his gut sense. "Alright, Tali, I think I have a better idea, Tali, you may stay home to be with us today, everything will be alright, my darling," he said.
Tali squealed into joy knowing that she can be with her IMA and ABBA for Valentines day. Ziva was relieved to see Tali being happy to be home, then she spent most of the day cleaning and doing some work on her laptop while Tali had played and enjoyed herself being near her parents.
Tony then retreated to his study. As Tony opened up his laptop, his phone rang as he realized it was McGee.
Tony walked out of his study slowly as he answered his phone, "
"Hello, what's up? McGee"
"Tony, those emails you sent me? We have a situation. I can't say on phone what, but it directly involves you and her. Gibbs is upstairs with Vance and I am on my way there." McGee responded carefully so as not to reveal any sensitive information over a potentially non-secure line.
Tony turned around, looking at Ziva, as he walked closer to Ziva, Tony said "Okay, so what does Gibbs want us to do?"
McGee replied to Tony "Boss said you both stay put, we will call you soon, I got to go my bro", then hung up.
Tony looked puzzled at the messages he just heard from McGee before he hang up the phone in a hurry.
Ziva looked at Tony carefully, trying not to freak out but being cautious and Ziva said "Tony, what is going on here?
Tony comforted Ziva, and spoke gently, "Ziva, not sure what's up, you know McGeek... but McGee sounded off, but he did say he will call us soon."
This did not ease Ziva's unease, so she paced the living room slowly and in deep thought. Tony walked up to her, to try to help her be at ease, but Ziva brushed him off and said, "No, Tony. Everything just feels wrong..."
Tony said "My sweetcheeks Ziva, I think what we need to do is to trust Gibbs and his team to take care of everything. Still, it wouldn't be a bad idea to - "
"Ima!" Tali shouted from her bedroom. Ziva bolted from the room, heading for Tali's room. Upon reaching Tali's room, she noticed that Tali was struggling to put her dress on. As Ziva helped Tali put her dress on, something prompted Ziva to look up, and as she did, she caught a glimpse of a figure dressed in black off in the distance through the bedroom window. Putting her anxiety aside, she finished getting Tali ready.
"Tony, you ready?" she yelled out.
Tony replied in the affirmative and they all piled into the car.
"All good?" Tony asked once she got into the car.
Some time before reaching the restaurant, Ziva thought she had noticed a suspicious car, a few vehicles behind, so she said "Watch that guy, four cars back."
Tony looked at the mirror, and muttered "Yeah, I've been noticing him the last few blocks," Tony kept driving.
"Well, I guess old tricks die hard..." Ziva said.
However, after a few quick turns and double-backs, they managed to lose their tail, and so they continued on to the dining establishment that they were going to, for their Valentine's celebration.
As they settled in at their table after being seated, Tony and Ziva looked at Tali, as Tali was all happy with paper and crayons, as Tali was drawing some hearts.
She would tell her Ima, "Ima, that is heart!"
Ziva giggled as she told Tali, "that is a red heart, and who's heart is that? Ziva pointed it out to Tali. Tali pointed the hearts, that is Abba, Ima, Tali."
"Ah that is good, who is the 4th one?"
Tali was looking up at ceiling, as she laughed pointing finger at ceiling.
Tony and Ziva giggled with her looking around then they looked at each other, Tony reached out got Ziva's hand and say "My sweetcheeks, I just want to say how much I am thankful to have you back in my life, even back in Tali's life, I want you know you will never be alone, I will always be with you, I love you very much, and it is so good have you being in my life, and it is good to see how happy Tali to have her mother back."
Ziva smiled at Tony, staring at his sweet eyes, and knowing how much she loves Tony, she would never want to leave him again, she knew Tony is his soulmate, and she knows that she will have Tony rest of her life because he is the father of her daughter and a baby that she is carrying, his another child. Ziva looked at Tali, and spoke gently to Tali as Tony looked on, as he smiled at his lovely woman and daughter.
"Tali, I like those hearts you drew, I really hope your Abba and I will spend our lives together and we will always be a family, because I have great news to tell you and your Abba..." Ziva was about to say something but Tony's phone rang, as she looked around at Tony to see what is going on.
Before Tony could put his hand in his pocket to get the phone, there was a commotion as military personnel rushed into the restaurant through its multiple points of entry, Tony jumped out of the chair to run to grab Ziva at the same time Ziva was grabbing Tali, as Tali screamed in fright for her Ima. Before Tony and Ziva could realize what was happening, the military quickly escorted them out of the restaurant. Tali was crying and screaming in Ziva's arms as Tony held around Ziva and Tali as they was being whisked away through the back door into a huge black van, then the van had zoomed in a hurry with police cars.