Weeks passed, and during that time, Tony had officially moved into the David residence. Ziva and Tony grew closer as a couple, and Sam began to consider Tony the father figure that she had never had. Jenny had even started sending Tony's checks to Ziva's apartment, and in Ziva's mind, that made it official that they were a couple.
Tony was awoken from his sleep by a sudden need of water. He got out of bed, crept down the hall to the kitchen and filled a glass with the liquid. He leant against the counter and as he sipped his drink he thought about how his life had changed over the past few weeks. He and Ziva were together. He had a kid. Gibbs still had no clue. He grinned as he finished up his drink and then put the empty glass in the dishwasher. He quietly padded down the hallway and stopped just outside of Sam's room. Slowly, he pushed open the door, and made his way over to her sleeping form in her bed. He smiled slightly at the innocence she showed, and smiled bigger as he remembered some of her past 'not so innocent moments'. He carefully pulled the blanket up over her shoulders, and kissed her head gently. Sam smiled in her sleep, whether it was from Tony's kiss or something else he didn't know, but he smiled. The next stop on his list, was Ziva's room. He quietly crept down to the end of the hall and pushed open her door. What he saw next, was anything but what he had expected. Ziva was curled up in the middle of her bed, shaking and whimpering.
--
Ziva looked to her right and saw the woman she was sent to protect, laying in a heap on the ground. She turned her head back towards the door, just in time to see the handle turning. Hoping that she was seeing things, she squeezed her eyes shut and opened them, only to come face to face with one of her captors. She struggled against the restraints that were binding her to the chair, but only succeeded in giving her wrists and ankles rope burn. She saw him coming toward her, and felt his hands on her shoulders. She fought harder and let out a scream.
--
Tony quickly made his way over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, but this seemed to agitate her even more. She started to struggle beneath his grasp and screamed.
"Ziva!" Tony shook her harder, and her eyes opened wide.
"Tony!" She gasped before starting to cry. He pulled her into his arms and whispered calming words while rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"It's ok. Shh. I'm here. It's ok. You're ok."
Ziva looked up into his eyes. "I saw him Tony. I saw him." She moaned before putting her head back on his chest.
Tony needed no explanation as to who he was. Tomorrow was Sam's birthday, and he had no doubt in his mind that the memories that Ziva would have the night before wouldn't be good ones. He carefully scooted them both up to the top of the bed and lay down, Ziva still in his arms. That was how they fell asleep that night, and that was how Sam found them the next morning.
--
"Wake up! Wake up! It's my birthday! Wake up!" Tony and Ziva were awoken the next morning by a four-year-old bouncing on the bed.
"We're up, we're up." Tony groaned half awake.
"Can you make me pancakes for breakfast Mommy?" Sam asked sweetly.
"Sure, Sweetheart." Ziva groaned as she swung her legs out of bed.
"Ya know what?" Tony said suddenly, and Ziva and Sam looked a him. "Let me make breakfast. You two can stay here and," He looked around to see if there was anything for them to do, "watch TV." He picked the remote off of the nightstand and tossed it at Ziva, who caught it and smiled.
"That is very kind of you Tony. Are you sure?"
He smiled. "Yeah. The birthday girl should get to spend time with her mother."
--
"Auntie Jenny!" Sam shrieked as she unwrapped her gift. Jenny had gotten Sam a doll that came with a little plastic telescope. The doll was also wearing little footie pajamas with moons and stars on them. "I love it!" She ran to her aunt and wrapped her arms around her waist.
"What do you say?" Ziva reminded.
"Thank you!" She grinned, showing her small front teeth.
"You are quite welcome Sam." Jenny laughed.
"Ok! Time for my gift!" Tony said excitedly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. Grinning, he handed it to Sam.
A puzzled expression on her face, Sam opened the envelope up and pulled out 4 pieces of paper. "What are these?"
"Tickets!" Tony answered still grinning.
"To what?" Sam asked again, turning the tickets over and examining their backs.
"To the astronomy show that's at the museum this afternoon."
Sam's face fell for a moment while she processed what Tony had said, then turned into the biggest grin that Tony had ever seen her make. "Really?!"
He nodded, grinning even bigger.
Sam ran full force at him, her arms opened wide. Tony, quick thinking, bent down and caught her before she reached him. Sam wrapped her arms around his neck and squealed in delight.
"Thank you Tony! Thank you!" She cried, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.
--
"That was so cool!" Sam yelled as they walked out of the IMAX theater.
Tony chuckled. "I'm really glad that you enjoyed it." He grinned when Sam ran over and hugged his legs. "I loved it!" She turned to Jenny. "Did you like it Auntie Jenny?"
"I did! I will never look at the stars the same way again." She sent a smile at Tony and Ziva.
"Oh! Ice cream! Mommy! Please!" Sam pouted.
Ziva smiled. "Ok. How about you come with me and tell me what flavor you want." She put her hand out for Sam, who took it, and together, mother and daughter, made their way over to the ice cream stand.
Jenny chuckled as they walked away. "She's such a little ball of energy, isn't she?"
Tony nodded, and hesitated before speaking again. "Ziva had a nightmare last night. About…" He hesitated again. "Cairo."
Jen sighed. "It's normal. I try to convince her to get help, but she always refuses."
"I hated seeing her like that." Tony said, watching as the ice cream vendor gave Sam a cone with chocolate and strawberry ice cream on it.
Jen was quiet for a minute. "Are you falling for her?" Tony whipped his head around and opened his mouth to speak, but Jen put a hand up. "It's completely understandable if you are Tony, it was bound to happen sooner of later, with you being partners and all." She was quiet for a minute. "If you break Ziva's heart, she'll heal, but if you break Sam's heart…" She let that thought hang.
"I am not going to hurt them, Jenny." Tony stated firmly. And Jen nodded.
"Good."
--
A/N: Ok. I cannot express how sorry I am for the looooong 'hiatus'. I've been really busy. Really. I have. I swear. The action should be coming up soon. I hope that I can update sooner and faster. So…what'd you think? I think this is (one, if not the) favorite chapter of mine. Tiva, Sam and Tony. All I like. If you haven't already, you should check out vamp926 (there's a link to her profile in my profile)'s stories. She is truly amazing. We complete each other. Seriously! We do! She inspires me, I inspire her. We're genius's because of each other. So drop by, and tell her Piggie says hello. … (Don't ask.) Hehe! See ya soon!