Here's chapter 3 already. I know that this story is kind of slow and very detailed, that's because I really wanted to focus on Zivas feelings since I think that the show never focused enough on that. I hope it does not bother you too much. Enjoy ;)

Chapter 3

Tony woke up as he felt something move next to him. Without opening his eyes he knew that something was different from the last time he woke up in this bed, but it took him a few seconds to realize what changed. Ziva David was laying in his arms, one hand on the back of their daughter, the other hand interlocked with his. Her back and head was pressed again his chest and their feet were tangled together under the blanket. Tony couldn't recall that they went to bed laying as close together as they were now, but he wasn't complaining. Ziva still seemed asleep and Tony took the opportunity to inspect her more carefully, since he hadn't seen her for almost three years. She didn't change much, she looked exhausted but besides that she was still the Ziva he knew and loved so much. Her long, hazel brown curls were shining in the morning sun that softly shone through the curtains and her olive, tanned skin reflected in the sun like pure gold.

" Are you done staring or should I keep my eyes closed for a little longer?"

Tony startled, he didn't realize that Ziva was already awake. Zivas voice was still sleepy but there was definitely a sarcastic undertone in her voice. He should've known, there wasn't a single time Tony could remember when Ziva woke up after him. Suddenly he found himself on a roller coaster, reliving all of his favorite moments with her. It was almost unbelievable that the Ziva, a rough Mossad officer who caught him imagining Kate in a school uniform was the same person laying between him and their daughter now.

" Ziva?"

"Hmmh?"

" Can I kiss you?"

Tony asked. He suddenly felt the urge to make Ziva feel loved. She'd been through too much the past few years and Tony couldn't deny that part of it was his fault. Ziva chuckled.

" Are you asking me for permission to kiss me, Tony?"

" What's so funny about that?"

" Well you never asked to kiss me before, you always just did it."

" Is that a yes?"

Ziva laughed, turned around and kissed him softly.

" I really wish this could last forever"

Ziva said. She was laying closely next to Tony, her head resting on his chest.

"Why can't it?"

Tony asked. Tali was still fast asleep on the other side of the bed, which gave them a little time to talk about things and Ziva still had some explaining to do. Ziva sighed, and he thought he could literally feel her heart sinking.

" There are people trying to kill me. I don't really know who they are nor what I did to them, all I know is that they're after me, and they're damn good at it. I thought I could handle it on my own, but I couldn't risk Tali getting hurt. Look Tony. I am so sorry for not telling you about her, I wanted to and I tried but after I rejected you in Israel there was too much uncertainty. I had no right to keep her from you."

Ziva started talking, her voice was strong but full of regret and guilt. She slowly sat up and looked Tony in the eyes.

" Letting you go without me was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life and I need you to know that it was not because of you. I - uhh started developing feelings for you when I was still liaison and I never felt anything like that for anyone before. I didn't know how to handle such strong feelings, with me being Mossad a relationship was never an option and I always thought that you would never feel the same anyway. So I did the only thing that I knew how to do well: reject and suppress all my feelings until I don't have them anymore. I thought it would work after some time, I tried Michael and Ray, but they just made my feelings for you more intense. It started to affect me at work and as our relationship started to get more intimate I started hating myself so much for not having my feelings under control but also not being able to tell you how I truly felt. So when I finally figured that you felt a similar way I thought I was too broken to and damaged, and I was convinced that I didn't deserve you. So letting you go was basically a punishment for hurting you so many times. Anyway I understand if you don't forgive me, I just want you to know that I am sorry. For everything."

Zivas voice had become weaker with every sentence she said and a tear was rolling down her cheek again. This was probably the first time she spoke about her feelings uninterrupted for longer than thirty seconds. Opening up was something she had always struggled with and admitting the mistakes she did in front of Tony was even harder. He just looked at her for a while and then started talking as well.

" Ziva, this is not your fault. It's mine too. Do you really think I didn't feel the same way since you walked into that squad room? Instead of admitting my feelings I dated all these blonde, superficial chicks, when the only person I was truly interested in was in front of me the entire time. Do you think I didn't see you suffer when I was with Jeanne? I just wouldn't let myself believe that you would ever have interest in someone like me. I should've been more persistent. And just for your information, I will always forgive you, no matter what you do."

He wiped away a tear from Zivas cheek and smiled. She sniffled weakly and crashed into his arms.

After Ziva told him only the most necessary about whom she was running from, they decided that it would be safe enough to go out for one day, since Zivas contact located her attackers in southern Syria. They would disguise as tourists and go around the city for a little.
Ziva was just putting on some new clothes that Tony quickly bought in a small store across the street, when Tali woke up. As soon as she sighted her mother she started jumping up and down on her bed.

" Ima! Ima! Ima!"

The girl yelled. Ziva smiled and ran over to the bed to hug her very excited little daughter.

" Hello my little darling. Ima missed you so so so much."

She kissed her hair and looked at her daughter. Even though it had only been a few weeks since she last saw her, Tali already looked so different. Tony was watching the reunion from a little distance, even though he was glad he saw his daughter and his great love happy together, it broke his heart knowing that they had to say goodbye soon again.

"Ohh Ima!"

Tali babbled and pointed on the blue necklace hanging from Zivas neck. Ziva smiled, nodded and ducked down a little so the toddler could touch it. Instead, Tali tried to unbutton her pyjama shirt. Ziva helped her and when she realized what Tali was trying to show her she almost broke out in tears again. Her Magen David was hanging from Tali's neck, almost reaching down to her belly button. Ziva glanced over to Tony, who just stood there and smiled.

Tony and Ziva were sitting on a bench, Ziva insisted on sitting on the one closest to the playground, and watched Tali play with two other kids who suspiciously looked like European tourists.

" So tell me about her."

Tony said. He had one arm wrapped around Zivas waist, keeping her as close to him as possible.

" huh?"

"About Tali. Tell me about her, what was she like when she was just born, what was her first word, what's her favorite food. You know these kinds of things."

Tony said and looked towards their daughter, who was just going down the slide.

" Well it's funny. Guess what the only thing was that used to calm her down when she was just a few months old?"

" Playing with a knife?"

Tony joked. As a response Ziva rammed her elbow into his side.

"Play her a movie. No matter how upset she is, if you turn on the TV and play any kind of a movie, she will calm down immediately. I wonder who she got that from."

Ziva teased back and kissed his cheek.

"Abbaaaa!"

The scream of the little girl made them both jump. Tali was sitting on the concrete next to the climbing fort and cried. Ziva quickly got up and ran over to her daughter, who was holding her little leg. She knelt down next to the toddler and checked out her injury, she had a small scratch i on her knee and some blood was running down her leg. Ziva picked her up and carried her over to the bench Tony was sitting on. While Ziva tried to calm their daughter down by carrying her back and forth and letting her play with her necklace, Tony searched Tali's backpack for band aids.

" Oh you won't get her to wear one of those, she hates them!"

Ziva said as she saw Tony unwrapping a band aid.

" Just hold on a minute."

He smirked and for Zivas surprise he grabbed some scissors out of Tali's first-aid bag. He started cutting the band aid until it roughly had the shape of a heart.

" Come here Tali, look Abba's got a heart for you."

He said.

" hee-a-rr?"

Ziva placed the toddler on Tony's knees and watched amazed as he stuck the small, heart shaped band aid to her knee.

" he-a-rr!"

Tali yelled out excited and pointed on her knee. Ziva laughed and tried to hide how much this meant to her. Tony was an amazing father.

" That was amazing! I've been trying to get her to wear one for ages!"

Ziva said, still astonished as they watched tali run towards the playground again.

" Oh come on, just a little creativity."

Tony smiled, he had to admit he was proud of his idea, now that he know that Ziva couldn't find a solution to that problem. Ziva leaned against his shoulder and sighed at the thought that she would be apart from both of them soon.

" you keep her safe when I'm gone and keep yourself safe too please. You two are all I've got."

She whispered and played with her necklace. Tony Pulled her a little closer again and wrapped his arms around her, holding her as tight as he could.

" I will. We'll go to Paris and wait for you until you got everything figured out. I promise."

" Paris. Do you still remember the hotel room we shared with this tiny little bed?"

" I don't think I could ever forget that night. I'm glad that Tim believes that I took the couch, otherwise there would be a 'deep six part 3' out soon."

Tony said and they both burst out laughing.

" I have a surprise for you by the way, if I were you I'd go and buy a pretty dress on our way back to the hotel."

Tony suddenly said, his voice now more serious and mysterious.

"what is it?"

" it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you wouldn't it sweet cheeks? "

Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it, let me know :)