Chapter 8

Tony nearly had to pick up his jaw from the floor. "You . . . Just how long has this been going on?" he asked, then shook his head. "No way. That's what you came to tell McGee tonight?"

"No, Tony," McGee assured him. "Ziva's not pregnant. At least, I don't think she is. And even if she was, it wouldn't be with my baby. Not that I . . ."

"Let me handle this, okay?" Ziva broke into his rambling. She turned back to Tony. "My step-brother had two children. Their mother died two years ago, and they are not old enough to care for themselves, especially not in a place like Israel."

Tony sagged in relief that Ziva wasn't about to have McGee's lovechild, but then thought further on her words. "Wait - so, what? You're going to Israel to just adopt these kids?"

"Possibly adopt," McGee corrected. Tony gave him a questioning look and he said, "Sorry. I'll, uh, I'll let Ziva do the talking."

Tony looked at Ziva, who nodded. "Yes. Right now, this is simply speculation. I have not even heard anything from anyone regarding the children."

Tony blew out a breath. "Then why even bother bringing it up? You're setting yourself up for a big letdown, Ziva. I mean, you're so set on going over there and taking custody of these kids . . . when you don't even know if you're in the picture. I mean, someone has to be taking care of them, yeah?" Ziva simply stared at him, not saying anything, but Tony could see that she knew he was right. He shrugged. "If you're still going . . ."

"Of course I am going, Tony," Ziva said. "I have to at least see what is to become of the children. And," she shrugged, "if I do not like what I see, I will petition for custody, anyway." She gave him a pointed look.

Tony raised his eyebrows as if saying, 'You're making a mistake,' or 'You don't know what you're getting yourself into,' but chose not to argue with her, instead saying, "It's your life. I'm not going to tell you what to do."

Ziva snorted lightly. "That does not sound like the Tony I know."

"Yeah, well, Ziva," he responded, tossing his car keys in the air and catching them before continuing, "can't say I expected this tonight, either. I'd suggest one of you call Gibbs, because somehow I don't think he'll believe me." He turned to the door, putting his hand on the doorknob. "Good luck in Israel."

And with that, he left, McGee and Ziva staring at the empty space he left behind. After a moment, Ziva spoke, her voice steady, but infused with anger. "He really has some nerve, coming in here and telling me how I am going to react. We will just have to go prove him wrong."

McGee let out a breath, his forehead creased in concern. He slowly opened his mouth, knowing he might just make things worse by speaking, but also knowing something needed to be said. "He's right, you know."

Ziva swung her head toward him, her eyes a mixture of the anger from earlier, confusion and surprise. "What?"

He shrugged. "Tony. He had a point. If we go to Israel convinced you're going to be bringing Michael's children to America . . ." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I just don't want to see you disappointed if that doesn't happen."

Ziva stared at the floor for a moment, then looked up at McGee, smiling. She reached up and placed her hands on his cheeks and said, "You are sweet."

He returned the smile, asking, "And . . .?"

Ziva's smile fell, turning into a sober look, and she dropped her hands from McGee's face, relegating them to his palms instead. She stared down at their joined hands as she spoke. "And . . . I am now more determined than ever to get to Israel as soon as possible."

McGee frowned. "Of course, Ziva. I assumed that already."

She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. "I am determined to return to Israel and I will not come back without Sari and Micah."

McGee let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding. "Oh, Ziva . . ."

She gave him a fierce look. "Michael told me himself that he wanted me to have the children should something happen to him, even knowing what I do for a living. They do not have anyone else, only a nanny who is paid to care for them. Tim," her eyes softened and her voice changed to a more pleading tone as she squeezed his hands, "right now, no one can love those children as I can. I have seen far too much death, too much suffering. I will not allow them to be subjected to a life . . ." She suddenly stopped, dropping his hands and backing up. "I am sorry. I do not know what got into me."

McGee stared at her, his eyes glistening with emotion, and said thickly, "Love, Ziva. That's what got into you. You love those children, and I'll be damned if I'm going to deny you and them the chance at happiness you all deserve."

Ziva broke into a smile, tears forming in her eyes, and she returned to him. "And you, Tim. Like it or not, you are a part of my life. And soon to be a part of Sari and Micah's, as well."

McGee smiled, throwing his arms around her. "I definitely like being a part of your life, Ziva, no doubt about that."

Ziva snuggled into him, then asked the inevitable question: "So, which one of us is going to tell Gibbs?"