"I don't understand," she admits.
"Saleem lied to you," he responds.
She looks into his eyes, realizing he's telling the truth. Her gaze falls, onto the toddler, in his arms. A little girl, with olive-y skin, and wildly, curly hair. The little girl's hazel eyes look at her, expectantly. Her hands reach out to her.
Ziva takes a deep breath, and reaches for the baby. She holds the little girl close, trying not to cry. She pets her head, and kisses her cheek.
"Sleepy," she says.
Tony hands the pacifier to Ziva, who hands it to the baby. The little girl puts it in her mouth, and closes her eyes.
"I'm going to go," Tony tells her.
"Go? Go where?" Ziva asks.
"Home. I am going to go home, and get a shower, and go to bed. I will be back first thing in the morning."
"But I..."
"Do you want me to stay? I just figured you would want to spend some time with her, alone."
"You're going to leave her here? Alone, with me?"
"You are her mother."
"I..."
"Good night," he responds, heading for the door.
She locks the door behind him, and turns out the light. She slowly makes her way into her bedroom, with the little girl in her arms. She puts the little girl into the bed, and climbs in next to her. She stares at the sleepy girl, in the dark.
"Night," Zafirah yawns.
"Good night," Ziva smiles. She continues to look at the little girl, in shock. "I love you," she whispers, before closing her eyes. Tony's words replay in her head, as she drifts to sleep. "You are her mother."
When she wakes up the light is pouring in through her bedroom window. Her chest feels heavy, she feels as if she can't breathe. She looks down, and finds a body laying on her. She stares at a head full of curls. It hadn't been a dream, she was really there.
"Are you awake?" she whispers.
"No," the little girl answers.
Ziva smiles, "No?"
"Sleepy," she answers.
Ziva sits up. She lifts the little girl off her, and places her on the bed. She gets out of bed. She looks at the little girl.
"Do you want to go back to sleep?"
"You stay!" the little one insists.
"I'll just be in the other room," Ziva reassures her.
The little girl furrows her brow. She sits up in bed, and crosses her arms. "No!"
"No?"
The little girl stands up. She holds her hands out, and reaches for Ziva. "I go with you."
"You want to go with me?"
"Yes," she nods.
"Ok," Ziva lifts her off the bed, onto her hip.
"Rose?"
"Rose?"
"Where is Rose?"
"I don't know."
"Rose," the little girl repeats.
Ziva walks out of the bedroom, into the living room. She opens the bag sitting on her couch. She holds it out, for Zafirah to look in.
"No, Rose."
"Who is Rose?"
"Baby," Zafirah answers.
"Baby?"
"My baby," Zafirah reveals.
"Rose is a doll?"
"Where is Rose?"
Ziva studies her face. It is clear that she is about to cry. Ziva grabs her phone off the kitchen counter, to call Tony.
"Daddy?"
"You think he has Rose?" Ziva wonders.
"No," she shrieks, "Where is daddy?"
"He went home."
"Home?" Zafirah begins breathing heavily. Her face turns red, and tears begin to fall.
"Don't cry," Ziva begs.
"Lost."
"Who is lost?"
"Rose."
"We will find her," Ziva promises.
"I want Daddy!" she sniffles.
Ziva sits her on the counter. She looks down at the little girl, with a tear stained face. She kisses her cheek, and wipes away the tears, "Please don't cry."
"Find daddy."
Ziva dials the phone, she hands it to the baby. It rings, and rings, but Tony doesn't answer. Zafirah holds the phone up for Ziva. "No, daddy," she says sadly. Ziva hangs up the phone. There is a knock on the door. She grabs Zafirah off the counter, and pulls the door open. She finds Tony on the other side. She moves aside so he can come in. He brings in shopping bags. He sits them on the counter. He quickly notices the look to Ziva's face.
"What's going on?"
"Daddy..." Zafirah reaches for him.
He takes her from Ziva. "What's wrong?"
"Rose, gone."
He pulls the doll out from under his arm, and hands it to her. She takes it from him. She squeezes it. She turns around and looks at Ziva.
"Mommy."
Tony returns her to Ziva. She presses her head up against Ziva's shoulder.
"I think you're still sleepy. Why don't you go back to sleep?"
"No," she argues.
"We'll be right here," Ziva promises.
"No."
"You can lay right over there, on the couch," Ziva points.
"Ok."
"Ok."
"Mommy?"
"Yes?" she answers.
"Have to pee."