Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Ziva stood in the kitchen doorway, watching Tony play with Tali. The two of them were lying on the play mat. It was something they had started doing when Tali went back to work at the beginning of August. When he came home, Ziva would make dinner and Tony would spend some time with Tali, just father and daughter. Their time to bond. It was very important to Tony and he spoke to their midwife about it before Tali was born. She gave him plenty of useful information and help, and Tony talked to his friends at his mental health support group who had children. Tony even did skin-to-skin contact when Tali was born.
Tonight, though, there was no-skin-to-skin contact. Tali was enjoying being on the floor, kicking her legs energetically, making cooing noise and staring up at Tony. Tony was telling her about his day at work.
'And now Ducky and Ellie are back home from London' he said softly. Tony tickled Tali's tummy and Tali let out a small squeal. Tony tickled her tummy again and Tali let out another small squeal. Tony looked up at Ziva.
'Was that a laugh?' he asked. Ziva shrugged her shoulders and joined them on the floor. Dinner still had another few minutes to cook. Tali smiled when she saw her Ima. Ziva tickled Tali's tummy like Tony had done, and for a third time Tali gave a small squeal. Both her parents grinned at the sound of it. It was by no means a full belly laugh, but it made Tony and Ziva so happy to hear it.
'I miss her' Tony said quietly. 'When I'm at work. I was really glad I didn't go to London. Going to the Kola peninsula for 48 hours was enough for now.'
'You went to rescue Gibbs and Tim. Not for a vacation. And neither did Ducky or Ellie.'
'I know. I just miss you both so much when I'm away. When it's just the three of us, after work and when have dinner, it's the best part of my day.' Ziva leant forward and kissed Tony, and then kissed Tali, who squealed again.
'Come on, dinner is probably ready.'
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Ziva was sitting on a bench in the Navy Yard, near a coffee cart. She was waiting for Tony to join her and Tali for lunch. Tali was in the stroller, being highly entertained by a toy zebra that was strapped on the side. The zebra rattled when it moved and Tali loved the sound. The stuffed dog that Tali had become quite attached to was stuffed the stroller next to her.
They had walked over to the Navy Yard. Or rather Ziva walked, pushing Tali in the stroller, mainly to meet Tony for lunch. However, the walked also gave Ziva the opportunity to practice taking photos outside in daylight, as well as street photography. Ziva had been following Bob the photographer's advice, taking photos daily and building up her portfolio.
'Ziver.' Ziva looked up and saw Gibbs standing in front of her.
'Gibbs.' She got up and hugged him. It had been a couple of weeks since they had seen each other.
'How are you Ziva?' asked Gibbs, sitting down on the bench next to her.
'I am good Gibbs. We are meeting Tony for lunch.'
'You might have to wait a bit. He got held up with a phone call.'
'Well, that is alright, yes?' Ziva cooed to Tali. 'We are quite happy being outside.' Tali started to fuss.
'You want to get out?' asked Ziva. She went to unbuckle Tali, but Gibbs beat her. He reached down and unbuckled Tali, puller her out of the stroller and balanced her on his lap. Tali, happy to be out of the stroller, started to wave her hands and squeal/ laugh more. Ziva picked up the camera and turned it on them.
'Ziver, no.'
'It is not of you, it is of Tali.' Gibbs gave her the look. 'Honestly, look.' Ziva showed Gibbs the photos she had taken of Tali, along with the others she had taken that day. To be honest, her daughter was her favourite thing to photography. Gibbs gave a small smile at the photo of Tali. The real Tali kept waving her hands, giving little squeals that could be laughs. She was such a happy baby. Gibbs hoped that she would remain happy for the rest of her childhood at least.
'DiNozzo was right. You are good.' Ziva smiled and gave a small laugh.
It had not gone unnoticed to Gibbs that Ziva had changed for the better. When she left, just over a year ago, she was so close to the darkness than she wanted to be. She wanted to move away from it. Over the past year Gibbs saw that Ziva smiled so much more, laughed so much more, even those couple of months before they knew she was pregnant. In her job at Education Restart and volunteering at Hope Rises, Ziva had found ways to use the skills she learnt in IDF, Mossad and NCIS. The photography was another branch of using old skills for new things.
Tony came bounding up the path.
'Sorry I'm late.' He kissed Ziva before turning to Gibbs.
'Boss? What are you doing here?' Gibbs pointed to the coffee cup.
'Getting coffee. You finished with Russia consulate?'
'Yep. All done, and with Leia Pendergast.'
'Who is Leia Pendergast?' asked Ziva.
'No one' said Tony, but all three of them knew he had answered far too quickly. Gibbs stood up and handed Tali over to Tony.
'I'll see you later Ziva.' They hugged. 'Don't be too long DiNozzo.'
'Won't be boss' replied Tony, but he was far more interested in Tali.
It also hadn't gone unnoticed that Tony had changed, was happier, especially since Tali had arrived. Gibbs knew what it was like to be a new father, to have found this new purpose that you didn't know could exist. He turned back briefly, to have a look at the DiNozzo's. The almost perfect family they made.
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The elevator dinged and the doors opened.
'Ziva?' Agent Abigail Borin and Tony were standing in front of her, Tali in the stroller.
'Borin. Hi, how are you?' Ziva hugged the woman.
'What are you doing here?' asked Tony, kissing Ziva on the cheek.
'Tali refused to go to sleep, and then Abby texted and said you were back. I thought we would come and see you.' Tony crouched down to the stroller's height. Tali was looking a little tired. She realised her father was in front of her and reached out her hands. She was starting to recognise Tony and Ziva. Tony was only too happy to oblige. He unbuckled and pulled her out. Resting Tali on his chest, Tony started wandering around the bullpen.
'That is adorable' said Borin, commenting on Tony with Tali. Ziva had to agree with her.
'Yes, it is.'
'She's beautiful Ziva.'
'Thanks, Borin. How was the exercise?'
'It was good, apart from the run in with pirates. Everyone's fine though.'
'How was Ellie?'
'Bishop? She was good. Only made a few mistakes, given that she's a probie. She's ambitious, and definitely got potential.'
'She reminds me of a younger me sometimes' said Ziva.
'Eager?' suggested Borin. Ziva nodded.
'And keen to please' she finished. Borin smiled. She too had recognised little bits of her younger self in Ellie. She turned back to Ziva. It had been some time since the two women had seen each other. They liked working together, enjoying working with another woman.
How are you, Ziva?' asked Borin. A lot had changed in two years. Ziva looked at Tony, softly singing to Tali who was now falling asleep, and then back at Borin.
'I am really good, Abbie. Really happy.' Borin smiled.
'You look happy Ziva. Motherhood suits you.'
My friend did skin-to-skin contact with all four of his children when they born. Said it is one of the best decisions he has made so far.
Also, I'm away this next week so I don't know how much I'll be able to update
Hope you enjoyed reading and thank you thank you thank you for the reviews