Disclaimer: don't own anything.
Chapter 13
Few days went by. One morning team was doing paper work. Ziva had just fed and changed Talia and now she was just watching her sleep.
"Grab your things, we have a dead petty officer", Gibbs ordered.
"I'll take Talia to Abby. I will meet you in car", Ziva said.
Gibbs, Tony and McGee nodded. Ziva put Talia to her basket, took her own and Talia's things and left.
"Good morning Abby!" Ziva greeted. "We got a dead petty officer. Can you look after Talia while I am in the crime scene?"
"Good morning Ziva. Of course I will take care of you little one", Abby answered.
Ziva smiled and kissed Talia.
"I will come back soon", Ziva promised.
Abby took Talia and started rubbing her back.
At the crime scene:
"What do we know?" Gibbs asked.
"Matthew Cramer, 30. Has served twice in Iraq. Has been home two months now. He was leaving to Iraq in two weeks", Ziva explained.
"Cause of dead is strangulation", Ducky told.
"And he's been dead about two hours", Palmer added.
DiNozzo and McGee were processing his house. Suddenly McGee came out from the house and said:
"Boss, you should really see this."
Gibbs and Ziva left inside first. Ducky and Palmer realized from McGee's voice that it's not something you want to see so they joined Ziva and Gibbs. DiNozzo gave pictures to Gibbs. He, Ziva, Ducky and Palmer all watched pictures.
"I hate pedophiles", Ziva said.
"So do I", all five men said.
Children had always been Ziva's soft spot. But especially after getting Talia, her mother instincts had really woken up and she had started hating crimes which include children, even more.
Suddenly Ziva's phone started ringing.
"David", she answered.
Her voice was still full of emotions.
"Yes, I am her. Tomorrow at 10. Okay, I will be there. I am fine, I just hate pedophiles", Ziva told.
"The judge?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes, the custody hearing is tomorrow at 10", Ziva told.
"We'll be there", Gibbs promised.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
At Abby's lab:
"Hi! She has been like an angel", Abby commented smiling.
Talia was in Abby's arms watching around with her beautiful, big, brown yeas.
Ziva smiled and told:
"The custody hearing is tomorrow at 10."
"I'll be there" Abby said.
Few hours went quickly. Cramer's background had been checked. Nothing unusual came up and his co-workers or supervisors didn't know anything about his habits.
"Please Abbs, tell me you have something", Gibbs said.
"Yes, the robe was definitely murder weapon. I found victim's skin of it, but also evidence of another man", Abby told.
"Jonathan Bolam", Gibbs read. "Convicted from assault and drunk driving."
DiNozzo and Ziva left to pick up Mister Bolam. They had plenty of time to speak.
"Are you scared?" DiNozzo asked.
"Yes", Ziva admitted. "Even though I know what social worker wrote to that rapport, but I will not rest before the judge has made the adoption final."
"You know we will always be there for you", DiNozzo promised.
"I know. Thank you for that", Ziva said.
"Jonathan Bolam?" DiNozzo asked.
"Who's asking?" he wanted to know.
"NCIS, special agents David and DiNozzo", Ziva answered.
Jonathan Bolam was about to run, but Ziva and DiNozzo were quicker.
Back at the NCIS:
"Mister Bolam, do you know this man?" Gibbs asked and showed victim's picture.
"Son of a bitch", Jonathan Bolam answered. "Also known as Matthew Cramer.
"He was killed this morning. This is the murder weapon and we found evidence of you from it", Gibbs explained.
"He was engaged with my ex-wife", Jonathan Bolam told. "He abused my son Julian. He didn't get any punishment so I decided to give him a lecture. I didn't mean to kill him, but he defended himself. So I didn't have any other choice but kill him."
Gibb left the room. He was happy to find a murderer, but also happy to get one pedophile of the streets.
Next morning at the court house.
"All rise with the honorable Elisa Freeman", the clerk ordered.
Everyone stood up and sat down after they were given a permission.
"Okay, I have read the statements, judge Freeman started. "Social worker Ella Anderson recommends that I give custody of a minor Talia Rivka Leah Shalit to Miss Ziva David. I read the statements of Leon Vance, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DiNozzo, Timothy McGee, Abigail Sciuto, Donald Mallard and James Palmer as well as Miss David's papers. Miss David, what about your family?"
"This is my family", Ziva replied. "I do not have any biological family in here. And my parents and both siblings are dead. I have an aunt, uncle and few cousins left, but they do not live in America."
"Miss Anderson, could you please tell me short version of this child's story. I read it, but I want to hear it too", judge asked.
Ella Anderson stood up and started speaking:
"Yes, she was found near NCIS crime scene. No one knew her identity or nationality. NCIS took her into their custody and Miss David has been taking care of her ever since. She along with her family are willing to put up a fight to get her. Miss David is willing to become a mother and she will be good at it like you have read. She doesn't have any biological family in here, but I think group of federal agents, forensics specialist, doctor and his assistant are enough to fill those shoes. This baby is really lucky."
"Miss David, could you please tell me about yourself and why you want to have a custody of this minor?" judge asked.
"I was born November 12 1982 in Be'er Sheva, Israel. I was raised in Tel Aviv", Ziva begun. "I was in Israeli Army and Mossad. I became to NCIS as a liaison officer almost eight years ago. But after suicide mission in Somalia I resigned from Mossad and became federal agent and US citizen. Like Miss Anderson told, she was found near our crime scene. I was the one who found her. When me and doctor Mallard were examining her, I found Mossad badge and protection jeweler. We contacted to social services and got an order to find out who this baby is. Couple of days later I got two letters and a birth- and death certificates from Israel. Talia's mother was my childhood friend who did not do abortion. She and Talia's father did not find their way out of Israel in time. Talia's mother Leah died during child birth and her father is most likely dead too. Talia's father Aaron refused to touch a gun. They both wanted me to raise their daughter if something happens to them. They really wanted their child to grow up in America, so that she would be able to make her own decisions without fear. And that she would not see war. But they also wanted to make sure that she learns Hebrew and Judaism. I want to respect their wish. Biggest reasons to my wish are that I do not want her to grow up in Israel. I know what life is in that region and I do not want her to grow up in there. I have evidences of my life in Mossad. Talia's mother was Mossad officer so Talia would be most likely be forced to join Mossad too. I know what is does to a…
"I have heard enough and I am ready to make my decision", judge Freeman said. "I do not need any evidence. I grow up in that same region and I know what you mean Miss David. I heard word Mossad seven times and that was seven times more than I would have wanted to. I know what Mossad is capable of. If I can save one child from that, I am more than willing to do it. I am giving custody of minor Talia Rivka Leah Shalit to Miss Ziva David. I am making this adoption legal and final from now on. I want to say to you Miss David that you are really brave woman. You seem happy and stable despite the fact where you grow up. You are a survivor, just like your co-workers stated. You have wonderful family in here and it has nothing to do with DNA. You will be a good mother and your background has taught you a lot. I know little Talia will be safe. I wish you all good luck in your lives."
"Thank you, your honor", Ziva thanked smiling.
"Good luck Miss David", Ella Anderson wished.
"Welcome to a family, Talia", Gibbs said.
"We need to celebrate this", Abby commented.
"How about dinner now?" DiNozzo suggested.
"We can have welcome to family-party later", McGee suggested.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"There is something I want to give you", Gibbs said.
"Are you already starting to spoil her?" Ziva asked.
"I think that is grandfather's right", Gibbs answered and gave a small present to Ziva.
Ziva opened it and started smiling.
"It is beautiful", she commented.
Everyone watched a hearth Gibbs had made. It was pink and there were names Talia and Ziva 25.02.2013 in it. Talia also got an onesie which said Grandpa's little cutie in it.
"Becoming a softie Jethro?" Ducky commented and got everyone laugh.
"Yes", Gibbs simply answered. "And I hope she will change me even more in future."
Ziva took her phone and wrote "I got her" and sent it to a translator that helped them. Just like she had promised. After that everyone left to dinner. In other corned both judge and social worker were smiling.
"You made a right decision", Ella Anderson commented.
"I know", judge answered.
TBC with more drama.