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"EVERYTHING"

Chapter IV - Ashes & Hope

The ride in the taxi to the David farmhouse was long and quiet. When they arrived, it took all of Tony's strength not to tell the driver to just turn back around and return them to the hotel. His eyes watered when he saw what remained— nothing. Taking a deep breath, after paying the driver and removing Tali's stroller from the trunk, he strapped his daughter back in the stroller and walked slowly towards where the entrance of the farmhouse used to be.

"Srefah", Tali barely spoke above a whisper. The fear in her voice causing Tony's heart to break.

Of the few Hebrew words that he knew, that was one of them and he instantly felt the same pain he'd felt when he was told that Ziva was dead. 'Fire'— that's what his child remembered of the home she had known her entire life. The place were she was conceived in love had now been destroyed in senseless hate.

Tony walked in front of the stroller a knelt down to her, "Yes babygirl, there was a fire but you are safe now. Abba will keep you safe. I promise." He kissed away a silent tear that had escaped from the toddler's eye then stood.

Maybe I shouldn't have brought her here.

Not wanting to upset Tali anymore, he turned the stroller towards the orange grove that was still intact next to the house. After making sure she had settled enough, Tony took a few more steps closer to the rubble. The scene was right out of A Home of Our Own, except there was no charred bottle holding a savings to serve as hope to rebuild. He froze right where he knew the front door used to be, recognizing that he'd find nothing.

Ash and debris surrounded him now. This place that once served as the location of his and Ziva's 'fond farewell' was no more. It's history erased. It's memories lost. Once a stoic haven for a family of power. Now reduced to charred wood and still settling dust. He could still smell the smoke. He could still feel the immense heat from the flames. It was like he had been here right as the attack came. Somewhere deep within, he wished he had been here.

Maybe I could have saved them both.

He shook his head to remove the image of Ziva's body being burned. "No", he spoke to himself, "she's still alive. She has to be!" Breathing seemed impossible, but still he tried. Taking another deep breath, Tony willed himself to end of house where Mossad had found Tali. He remembered Orli saying that her room was in a corridor not touched by the fire, but that corridor no longer existed. How they had managed to get to Tali now baffled him. Even more so, he questioned why Ziva would leave her behind?

Tony looked back across the yard to check on Tali. He saw her legs swinging out of the stroller and Kalev being bounced up and down, that meant she was fine ... but he wasn't. Feeling like making this trip was a waste, he wanted to leave. There weren't going to be any answers here. Just more questions that were already reeling in his mind. He stepped to where the living room once was and took a moment to remember his last time in it. They had made Ziva's new 'I Will' list and spoke about their future— a future that was supposed to happen after Ziva made it through her journey to rediscover self.

It was never supposed to be like this ...

He sighed, then walked back over to Tali. As she played with her stuffed dog, Tony took the classified file from where he had stored it at the bottom of the stroller. Slowing, he sat on the ground in front of Tali, not the least bit concerned about getting the ashes on his clothing. He really didn't care. No more expensive suits. The jeans he wore would survive the soot stains.

Tony broke the seal on the folder and opened it carefully. What immediately caught his attention were the three photos inside— one of Tali's sonogram, one of the day their daughter was born, and one from her 1st birthday. He took his time in looking at all three. Carefully tracing the outline of Tali's features on each. He paid specific attention to the one that showed new born Tali ... it was the only one with Ziva in it. He could tell that it had been a selfie that she printed. Mother and daughter were both smiling with brilliant shining eyes. His heart swelled with even more love for both of them.

The perfect picture of the DiNozzo girls ...

Had he just thought that? Tony nodded to himself with a smile. Yeah, they were both DiNozzo! He was going to make sure of that when he found Ziva. To finally make her his wife ... just like he'd dreamed.

Shaking his thoughts and moving the photos to his pocket, he focused on a note on top of the files that were stored in the folder. It was Ziva's handwriting. He knew it well. Slowly he read her words as hope grew strong within him once more.

'My love,

If you are reading this, then it means that Orli has followed through with my instruction and has given you everything you need to do what you do best. I am sorry that all of this has happened. For the pain I know I have ultimately caused you. I regret not ever finding the courage to tell you about our precious little girl but, I find peace now in knowing that Tali is safe with you.

Please, stay safe and take care of the both of you. As of right now, I do not know what is coming but I feel there is an attack on the way. Since you have received this file, it means I am presumed dead. I know your heart is just as stubborn as mine, so I know it is telling you otherwise. Believe what your heart says, my love. You have rescued me before, I beg you, please do it again. For now, I cannot say where I have gone but this document, and my gifts to you and Tali, should serve as a guide for you to find me. I pray you have not yet lost hope. You said once that you could not live without me, is that still true? If it is, I will be waiting for you and our daughter. I love you Tony.

Forever Yours,

— Zi'

"Abba no cry." Tony looked up to see Tali's outstretched arms begging him to come to her. He hadn't even noticed the tears that had begun falling from his eyes. He glanced down at the file once again and noticed what looked to be account numbers and dealer locations. Wiping his eyes and instantly thinking of Berlin again, he stood back up and pulled Tali out of the stroller to hold her close.

"Sorry little ninja, abba didn't mean to cry." He let out a chuckle when Tali pulled back slightly to wipe one last tear that rolled down his cheek. Tony kissed her forehead softly, "thank you Talikins ... now let's get out of here. It's time for pizza and to figure out where ima is."

"Ima!?" Her excitement brought a smile to his face.

"Yes, Ima, she's waiting for us babygirl. But first we have to read all these papers. She always did leave the most paperwork", he joked as he put Tali back in the stroller and called another taxi.

Only once more did Tony look back at what used to be the farmhouse. He had no reason to look again. It was gone and so was Ziva. He was sure that she'd gotten out now, and a renewed vigor fell upon him. Their future was ahead, somewhere out there beyond the ashes, waiting for them to come save her. And, even if took him the rest of his life, he knew he'd eventually find her.

I made a promise to fight for you Ziva, and I never break my promises ... not to you. I'm still fighting. Hold tight baby, we're coming!

Well, I think it's time for someone to make an appearance in the next chapter ... how 'bout y'all?

That's right peeps! Ziva is coming in chapter five! Y'all ready? I know I am! LoL

- Chide