Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Notes: I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Tony stood holding his beautiful daughter in his arms. He whispered promises to her as she slept. Nobody will ever hurt you. You're going to have everything you ever want. I'm going to be there whenever you need me. He knew he should put her back in her cot but he could not bring himself to be apart from her and opted to sit and hold her a little longer. He stared down at her trying to memorise the curves of her face and the small fingers on each hand. He could not believe how happy he was.
"She's beautiful." Came a whisper.
"She is." He agreed, the pride in his voice evident. He smiled as the baby opened her eyes and looked over at Kate who was standing opposite him but very close. "Can she see you?"
"Sure can." She smiled reaching out a hand to stroke the fine hair on the baby's head. "You named her yet?"
"Not yet. I'm gunning for Dorothy." He smiled, "You know, Judy Garland, Wizard of Oz."
"You are not naming her after a film character." Kate scolded.
"Well there goes Ariel, Cinderella and Pocahontas." Tony shrugged, "How about Uma? Or Alfre? Or better yet, Greta. I vont to be alone."
"Don't you dare name her after actresses. Give her a name that means something."
He smiled down at his daughter as she wriggled in his arms, "I think Ziva wants to name her Tali after her sister."
"It suits her."
Tony nodded, "I like it. Is that what you want to be called?" He asked his daughter who stared up at him. "We'll ask mommy in the morning."
"Never thought I'd see the day DiNozzo." Kate smiled. "Congratulations."
"Thanks Kate."
"I have to go." She moved away.
Tony risked a look at her. She looked the same she had when she'd been alive, still beautiful. He felt something very final in this meeting, "Will we see you again?"
Kate looked sad for a moment, "Maybe. Never say never."
"Is that a no?"
"No."
"Sounds like one."
Kate shifted uneasily. "I can't hang around here forever."
"I suppose not." He said sadly.
Kate touched him arm lightly, "DiNozzo, you're going to be fine. You've got so much going for you. Don't muck it up!" She warned.
"I won't." He sighed, "Listen, Kate, thank you for, you know, hanging about."
She smile, "You know she really is beautiful."
Tony looked down at his sleeping daughter, "She really is." He could feel the sting of Kate's absence. He kissed his daughter softly on the head and placed her gently in her cot.
"You really should leave her to sleep." Ziva's groggy voice came from the doorway. Tony turned to her, he could see so much of her in their daughter. She moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him pulling him close. Tony snaked his arms around her.
"How about we name her Tali?"
"Really? You wouldn't mind not naming her after some Disney character?"
"Well a girl can't go to school with a name like Quasimodo or Dopey." Her laughter vibrated through her. "Seriously, what do you think about Tali?"
Ziva pulled back and looked him in the eyes, "Thank you, Tony." He pulled her back towards him and held her, the sting of Kate's absence fading.