Disclaimer: Still don't own anything.
Chapter 14
Later that day:
Dinner at the restaurant was full of joy and happiness. Nightmare was finally over. Little Talia was right where she was supposed to be: home.
"Congratulations, my dear. You will be excellent mother", Ducky said.
"Thank you Ducky", Ziva replied.
"I'm so happy", Abby told and jumped up and down.
"How many Cat-Pows have you had today? DiNozzo asked.
"One, okay maybe three", Abby answered sweetly.
"It's 12.00 and we were in court", McGee was surprised.
"I was scared", Abby defended herself.
"Well, I think that Cat-Pow is better than alcohol", Vance commented.
"I agree", everyone admitted.
"And so is praying", Abby continued.
"And you don't get a hang-over", Palmer said.
Everyone just nodded to those comments.
Talia was in Gibb's arms. She was clearly enjoying being in her grandfather's arms.
"Welcome home, sweetheart", Gibbs said. "We are going to keep you safe, I promise. You are going to be one of the most protected children in Washington, maybe even whole US."
Everyone were smiling, talking and joking. They had been worried and scared since Talia came. Whole team had long and difficult road with ups and downs behind them and now it was time to celebrate.
"I need to go shopping", Ziva said. "I do not have anything for her."
"We will help", Gibbs promised. "Just buy what you definitely need."
"I do think that in our job it's important to celebrate whenever you have a reason", DiNozzo commented.
"And our Abigail will be happy to throw you a party", Ducky commented.
"Yes", Abby confirmed.
"Thank you everybody", Ziva said. "You have helped us so much."
"That's what family is for", McGee replied.
"You deserve to be happy", Vance continued.
"Do we need to earn happiness?" Palmer asked.
"No, but when you have been through as much as Ziver has, I think it's safe to say that she has earned to be happy", Gibbs answered.
"You know what, Talia? You have changed our boss man", DiNozzo said and gently touched Talia's cheek.
"Yeah, I don't think I have ever seen him this happy", McGee continued.
"Child does change your life – in many ways", Vance commented. "I know that from experience.
"When was the last time you have spoken this much?" Ziva asked jokingly.
"I don't know", Gibbs admitted. "But now I have a reason to."
"How much does Talia weight?" Abby suddenly said.
"About seven pounds, why?" Ziva answered.
Everyone was staring at Abby now.
"So it only took seven pounds to change Gibbs", Abby laughed.
Everyone started laughing. Now it was time to be happy and enjoy. And that is exactly what they were doing. Right now they weren't NCIS agents, they were a family enjoying of their newest member. So no one noticed a mystery man wearing black clothes sitting in one corner of a restaurant.
"Abby, how about shopping?" Ziva suggested.
"Sure", Abby replied smiling.
"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs", Abby said.
"Abbs" Gibbs replied.
"You are going to do a crib to Talia?" Abby asked.
"Yes, and other furniture's too", Gibbs answered.
"So just temporary bed then", Abby commented.
"It won't take too long. I have actually started already", Gibbs confessed.
"You have?" Abby was surprised.
"Yes, because deep down I knew that this a fight we are going to win", Gibbs explained.
Abby just nodded and joined Ziva.
At the very same moment that mystery man was having a conversation in the phone:
"Yes, it is confirmed. She has a small girl with her. Yes, I will handle it. Yes, I know I can use every method I can think of as long as the baby stays alive. I will try do it within few days. Shalom!"
At the store:
"So, clothes, stroller, pacifiers, bottles, carrier, car seat, diapers, crib…" Ziva listed.
"No, no crib", Abby said.
Ziva gave Abby a questioning look so she answered:
"Gibbs is going to make her a crib and other furniture's."
Ziva nodded and wiped away a single tear that was escaping from her eyes.
"And I think we can buy you a stroller together", Abby promised.
Ziva was about to protest, but Abby stopped her. So both women went to a store that neither of them had ever been before.
"Did you ever think coming here?" Ziva asked.
"Um, no", Abby confessed. "I mean I like children, but I never pictured having them. And since Luca and Kyle aren't dating so…Did you picture this?"
"No, Ziva answered. "I never thought of living this long, much less becoming a mother. But here I am."
"I'm happy you are here", Abby said and hugged Ziva and Talia gently.
Ziva and Abby walked through the store. Ziva was carrying Talia and Abby was pushing shopping trolley.
"These are so small", Abby commented when Ziva put an onesie into trolley.
Ziva just nodded and said:
"Look at these socks and caps."
After two hours of shopping they finally had everything Talia would be needing every day. Ziva was surprised how many people had commented Talia looking like her. And once again Talia had been like an angel. She had been awake most of the time, but didn't keep any lousy noises.
At the end of a shopping trip Abby, Ziva and Talia went to small café. Ziva changed Talia's diaper.
"Thank you for coming", Ziva said. "I really appreciate your help."
"You're welcome", Abby answered while feeding Talia. "Of course I want to spend time with my niece."
"Only one thing left to do", Ziva stated. "Putting a car seat to my car."
Outside:
Ziva and Abby were putting a car seat into Ziva's car.
"Do you need help?" a man suddenly asked.
"No thank you, I think we can manage", Ziva answered.
"Whatever", the man muttered.
It didn't take too long for these two women to get car seat into its place.
"I'll see you tomorrow", Abby said and hugged Ziva.
Talia was asleep in her new car seat.
"Yes, see you tomorrow. Good night and drive safe!" Ziva answered and hugged Abby back.
"Same words to you!" Abby continued.
At Ziva's apartment:
"Can I help you?" Ziva asked from a man that was sitting in front of her apartment.
"Yes, I believe so", the man answered. "You have something that belongs to me."
"No I do not", Ziva said.
Ziva recognized that accent so she pressed the number two in her mobile phone.
"Yes you do – that baby belongs to Mossad", the man clamed and pointed a gun to Ziva's head.
"No, she is my daughter", Ziva stated. "She is American like me. And this is where she belongs."
The man tried to take Talia from Ziva. Ziva didn't give up so the man came closer and placed a gun to Ziva's temple.
"Give that baby to me and I won't hurt you", the man said.
"Never", Ziva replied. "I am no longer a Mossad and I do not want my daughter to be. Get lost!"
The man was about to take a shot, when…
"NCIS, drop your weapon", Gibbs, DiNozzo and McGee shouted.
Mystery man dropped his weapon and run away.
"THIS IS NOT OVER!" The man shouted.
Gibbs and McGee went after him, but Tony decided otherwise. He pulled Ziva near and whispered comforting words:
"It's okay, honey. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. We won't let anyone hurt you or Talia ever again."
Ziva and Tony watched each other's eyes. They were so close that they could feel each other's breath. Suddenly their lips met. Their kiss was gentle and quick, but still full of love and passion. After that Ziva just let Tony hold her
"We didn't get him – yet", Gibbs said.
"But when we do, he is going to regret that he was ever born", McGee continued.
"Ziver, what happened?" Gibbs asked.
"I came home and he was waiting in here. He said that I have something that belongs to him and then he took his gun. I recognized that accent so I called you. He said that Talia belongs to Mossad and that if I give her voluntarily, he will not hurt me. I refused to do so and I told him to get lost", Ziva answered. "I do not know him, but he is Mossad."
"Boss, I can take Ziva and Talia to my place tonight. It's more difficult to broke in there than your house", DiNozzo promised.
Gibbs just nodded. Ziva took everything they needed and followed Tony.
At Tony's place:
Ziva and Tony were sitting in sofa and drinking tea. Talia was sleeping happily in her new, temporary bed. Ziva was leaning against Tony's body.
"Why did you kiss me?" Ziva suddenly broke the silence.
"Because I love you. I have always loved, I love and I will always love", Tony answered.
"I love you too", Ziva admitted. "I think I have always known it, but being me, it has not been easy to admit. Even though I have dated other men, you have been the one who has always been there for me."
Tony didn't say anything. He kissed Ziva again.
"We should not do this", Ziva said.
"Why not? We are adults in love", Tony commented.
"Rule 12", Ziva pointed out.
"Screw the rules", Tony said.
"Tell that to Gibbs", Ziva continued.
"Could we please forget Gibbs and enjoy each other?" Tony asked.
"Fine, but you are telling him", Ziva told.
"Fine" Tony promised.
So finally they kissed. But what about the mystery man and Mossad? Read and find out… TBC…