Chapter 2

The Funeral

Ziva and Tony arrived at the funeral right on time. Tony held Ziva's hand tightly. He was so out of character from his usual self, Ziva had never seen him like this before.

Everyone said nice words at the funeral, and it was there that Ziva noticed Tony eying a man across from them. When everything was over and they stood up, the man came and hugged Tony tightly. "Hey brother." Tony whispered.

"Hey Tony." Booth smiled and the four of them, Booth, Brennan, Tony and Ziva all walked to their cars so that they could go to the memorial service.

"How are you holding up?" Booth asked, knowing his brother was a little softer than he was when it came to family members dying.

"I'm doing okay." Tony replied. "How about you?" He asked.

"Same here." Booth answered.

Tony nodded. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't introduce you. This is Ziva."

"It's nice to meet you." Ziva shook his hand.

"Likewise." Booth shook her hand. "And this is Brennan." He introduced Brennan to them.

"Well, let's get to the service." They all walked to their cars and headed over. Tony mingled and tried to get his mind off of everything. Booth did the same, and Brennan stuck close to him because she didn't know anyone and didn't want to cause any arguments. She had a way of doing that. Ziva felt the same way and the four of them clustered together and made small talk about their work. They all sat in the corner of the restaurant where this was all being held.

"You seriously found a dead Santa in a chimney?" Ziva asked shocked.

"We did!" Brennan replied.

"Wow!" Ziva laughed and looked at Tony who only smiled. She took his hand under the table gently and gave him a pleading look that said she wanted him to be happier.

They got some drinks. "To mom." Booth held up his glass.

"To mom." They all said at once.

"You all would have loved her, and she would have loved you all." Booth told them, a smile on his face.

He stood up and gave a speech. "My mom," he began. "Was a very fun, generous, and wonderful woman. She gave 110 if not more. She gave me a great life growing up and I will never forget her. Mom, I love you and I miss you. Cheers."

Tony followed. "I remember when I was three; that was when mom got married to my step-dad. She couldn't have picked a better guy to help raise me, and thank God she picked him because I got this crazy brother out of the whole deal." The room laughed. "Thanks to her and her wise choices, all my life I have been blessed. I was given a brother, a good education, everything I could have ever wanted. I will miss you mom and you will always be in my heart. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" The room said all at once.

Tony and Ziva got ready to leave. "it was great to meet both of you." Ziva told them. "We should go out again sometime."

"We should." Brennan agreed.

Booth smiled. "I'll call you up sometime and see if you two want to go to this awesome diner we go to that is by the Jeffersonian."

"Yeah, that sounds like fun." Tony agreed.

The brothers smiled at each other and embraced one last time before they had to leave.

When they were on the road, Tony questioned Ziva. "You set up a double date…"

"Yes I did." Ziva smiled. "You have a nice brother and he is your only family left. I want to get to know him and Brennan better too."

"Your stubborn…"

"You don't want to hang out with them again?" She asked.

"I do…"

"Good!" Ziva dropped him off at his apartment.

"That's it?" He asked. "If we're dating don't I get a little more?" He asked. She gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Good night Tony!" She sped off and Tony walked up to his place.