"She is not a bomb McGee. Stop holding the poor child like she is about to explode."

Ziva almost had to smile at just how uncomfortable Timothy McGee looked holding the tiny baby girl they had just stumbled upon at their latest crime scene. Whilst clearing the rear of the house McGee had entered the back bedroom which he found to be painted a soft shade of pink and adorned with teddy bears and lace. It was then that he noticed the baby.

When Ziva joined him McGee was holding the infant at arms length with a terrified expression plastered on to his face. It took every inch of her immense willpower to contain the urge she had to burst out laughing at that moment.

She decided she would take pity on both McGee and the infant stepping forward and relieving McGee from the screaming, wailing infant which was trying to escape his grasp. Gibbs and Tony entered the room just in time to watch Ziva cradle the screaming child to her chest, bouncing the child in her arms. Within seconds the wailing ceased and was replaced with contented gurgles from the infant.

Tony and McGee stood stunned, neither could quite believe that their co-worker stood before them cooing to the infant and managed to look so natural doing it. Gibbs just smiled, underneath that strong façade he always knew there was a maternal side to Ziva and was not surprised to watch her expertise with the infant.

"She seems alright but I think it might be best if Ducky had a look at her just to make sure."

Ziva's comment sharply drew her three co-workers from their reverie. Gibbs nodded in agreement and Ziva left the room still cradling the tiny child in her arms.

"Wow" Tony whispered.

Outside Ziva was sitting on the back of the autopsy van, holding the infant still for Ducky to examine. She really was very good, barely objecting to Ducky's examination. Ducky quickly completed his initial examination and proclaimed the child to be completely healthy. It was then that Gibbs arrived.

"How is she Duck?"

"She appears to be fine; she is a lucky little thing."

"Ziva, we haven't been able to locate a next of kin and since we still don't have a motive for the parents' murder would you mind taking her tonight?"

"Of course I will take her Gibbs. Do we have any leads?"

"None that you need to worry about. You'll have enough on your plate tonight with this little one. It's nearly 17:00 any way, I want you to head home; she looks like she could use the sleep."

Ziva gazed down upon the tiny child cradled in her arms, its eyes kept flickering close on the edge of slumber. Gibbs was right, she needed sleep.

"I'll send DiNozzo over later with some stuff for her. Let us know if you need anything."

"Thanks Gibbs, I will."

And with that she left.

It was nearly eight o'clock by the time Tony reached Ziva's apartment. Processing the scene had taken longer than expected, especially with only three pairs of hands. Tony wasn't complaining, personally he thought that Ziva had the harder assignment caring for the infant. He tried knocking on the front door of Ziva's apartment but no response came. He assumed that Ziva was most likely busy tending to the infant and decided that rather than disturb her further he would just let himself in. He retrieved the key from his pocket which she had given him shortly after her return from that fateful summer and opened the door.

The sight that met him was perhaps one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. Ziva lay curled into the arm of her sofa cradling the infant in her arms. Ziva's long dark curls cascaded over her face, hiding half of it from Tony's view. However from his partner's even breathing he could tell that both girls were fast asleep.

Tony quietly placed his shopping bag of supplies on the kitchen counter and went to relieve Ziva of the sleeping child. He obviously lacked Ziva's maternal touch for as soon as he lifted the baby she began to wail which in turn woke Ziva.

"Sorry" he whispered, still clutching the screaming infant to his chest. "I thought that you would both be more comfortable in bed rather than on the couch but you looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you."

"It's alright; she will need feeding and changing before I put her down anyway."

Ziva took the screaming child from Tony's arms and held her close. Within moments the screaming has once more subsided.

"You are amazing, you know that."

"I used to help my mother look after my little sister when I was younger. I guess that explains part of it but I am surprised at how natural this feels."

"You are going to make an amazing mother one day Ziva."

"I think I would like that."

But any further conversation was cut short by the infant making a frantic grab for Ziva's chest.

"I think our little one is hungry."

"Yeah." Tony replied, secretly wishing that he could get away with that gesture.

I did not take long for the infant to be fed and changed and for Ziva to have put her down in her own bed surrounded by barricades of pillows lest she role too far in the night. Ziva slumped down on the couch looking exhausted.

"Sure you haven't bitten off more than you can chew, Ziva?"

"Why would I want to chew on a baby Tony?"

Tony just laughed.

"It's an expression Ziva. It means to take on a task which is too big."

"Oh, well that makes much more sense. And no, I am perfectly capable of handling this; I am just a little tired."

And with that a stray yawn escaped her.

"Would you mind if I stayed? Just in case you need any help with her during the night."

"Tony, you do not have to do that."

"But I want to."

She conceded.

"Why don't you head off to bed, I'll clean things up in here."

Ziva was about to argue when she realised that was exactly what she felt like doing, she was exhausted. She reached up and tenderly kissed him on the cheek before heading into her room.

Tony did not remember falling asleep on Ziva's couch but could only have been asleep a few hours when he woke as it was still pitch black. It took a moment for it to register what had woken him until he heard the infant wail again. He got up and made his way to Ziva's bedroom. He cautiously opened the door and the sight that met him was simply breathtaking.

Ziva stood bathed in moonlight clutching the wailing infant to her chest. She was clothed only in one of his old OSU t-shirts, which was far too big for her, and her curls lay matted around her face. As much as she rocked and cooed to the screaming child it would not quieten. Tony was about to offer his assistance when Ziva did the most unexpected thing; she began to sing.

The beautiful melody was barely audible but Tony was able to recognise that the words were not in English. As Ziva continued to rock the child back and forth a Hebrew lullaby filled the night air. He was mesmerised, he had not once heard his partner sing before and found himself enchanted by the beauty of her voice. As the moonlight continued to bath the two Tony had the strange realisation that he wanted that child to be their's, that he wanted nothing more than to see Ziva gently coaxing their child back to sleep. He had been right earlier, one day she was most definitely going to be an amazing mother and he hoped that day would be soon.