Chapter Nine

Tony finished getting the popcorn ready just as McGee had finished getting the movie ready.

Jackie, Leon's wife sat in the second row of the theater like seats. "This is really nice." She commented. She was glad team Gibbs had invited her and the kids along. It was a nice gesture.

"Glad it is." Tony grinned over his shoulder to Jackie. He put the popcorn in buckets, enough for everyone to have one bucket to themselves. "I can make more popcorn later. As we need it." Tony said as he passed out the popcorn.

Ziva got up from where she sat in the last row of seats. She quickly made her way to Tony and began to help him, "go relax Tony. You've made tonight good already."

"Yeah DiNozzo just sit already." Gibbs agreed. He gave Tony a warning glare when Tony was about to object.

Tony nodded, "got it boss. Uh Mrs. Vance is it okay if your kids have soda? Or I have Hawaiian Punch if they can't have it."

Vance chuckled watching the agent who was trying hard. "Well DiNozzo considering tonight is a celebration we have David back with us, the kids can have one." He glanced at his two children who were by Abby playing with something.

Abby looked over at the others, "I love these kids!" It made everyone laugh in amusement. Abby was a kid herself.

"Abby, you are a child." Ziva chuckled handing her a bucket of popcorn. "Kayla, Jared would you two like some?" Ziva asked smiling at the younger two. They were ten and nine, almost teenagers, but still younger then the team.

"Sure!" Kayla the younger of the two smiled. She reached up and took the bucket from Ziva, "thank you Ziva."

"You are welcome." Ziva smield and handed Jared a bucket to, "maybe we should go sit?" She suggested.

"Yeah, as soon as everyone's ready I'll start the movie." Tim called from where he sat.

"What are we watching Timothy?" Ducky asked from where he sat, next to his old friend Gibbs.

"Well Tony chose. I'll let him say." McGee glanced at the door, "speaking of."

Tony came back carrying a cooler full of ice and sodas, along with a few Capris Suns. He set the cooler down. "There's the soda and juice." He looked at everyone who was staring at him. "What I miss?"

Ziva chuckled, "what movie are we watching Tony?"

"Oh." A grin filled his face. "X-Men."

"Good choice." Vance nodded.

Jackie nodded, "I like it. The kids do to."

Kayla and Jared nodded as they got out a soda for themselves. Then they split up to different people. Jared went by Abby and McGee, and Kayla followed Ziva up to the back row.

After finally settling in they started the movie.

Tony quickly made his way next to Ziva and Kayla who were munching on popcorn and sipping their soda. He watched Ziva for a moment, after sitting. He watched how intent she was on the movie. She's probably never seen it before. Tony reminded himself. He leaned back and began to enjoy the movie too.

Half an hour into the movie Kayla crawled into Ziva's lap, already getting tired. She curled up in her new friend's lap and fell asleep.

Ziva smiled and gently stroked the young girl's hair as her attention fell away from the movie to her. Kayla looked precious laying there. She looked like Jackie and Vance combined.

Tony glanced over at everyone else, Jared was now on the floor by McGee and Abby's feet, Abby's head was on McGee's and his arm was around her. Jackie was leaning on Vance, probably asleep but Tony couldn't tell. He glanced at Gibbs and Ducky, the old friends were talking quietly, preferring to talk rather than watch a movie about mutants.

Tony glanced back at Ziva who was now gently stroking the nine year old's back to keep her sleeping peacefully. She was great with kids, she always had been. With past Agent Lee's little daughter she was great with her. Any child that had come through NCIS when Ziva was there had been well taken care of either because of Ducky or Ziva.

Gently he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. When she looked up at him in surprise, he gave her a smile and kissed her forehead softly.

Ziva blinked a few times as she stared at Tony. "Why?" She whispered.

"Because, I missed you. I'm so glad you're back." He whispered back. Carefully he leaned over and held her, careful for Kayla

"I missed you Tony." Ziva whispered. She used her free arm to hug him back. Her fingertips reached the end of his shaggy hair. She smiled softly. "You need a trim. You are getting quite furry."

Tony chuckled softly. He looked in Ziva's eyes. "Sounds like a plan Zee-vah." He stared into her brown eyes a little bit longer. Before he knew it she was standing slowly, gently handing him Kayla.

"I have to use the restroom." She admitted quietly at his curious glance.

He nodded and watched as she quietly made her way down and out of MTAC. Then he glanced down at the sleeping child in his arms. She was resting just as peacefully as she had in Ziva's arms. Gently he did exactly what he had seen Ziva do, rub Kayla's back gently and soothingly. It kept Kayla calm and content. She was fully relaxed in the very special agent's arms.

Ziva walked into the restroom and stopped at the sink. She stared at her reflection. She was tired, which was understandable and she was also confused and unsure. Which was part of the reason she left MTAC so quickly. She didn't know what to do about Tony. She wanted to tell him everything. About how she loved him, but she wanted to keep everything professional. She was an adult and knew exactly how these kinds of relationships always ended up. There was a reason she left Mossad. That reason was to get away from one of those relationships. Tony was her partner on the team, not a partner in anything else.

What should I do? a frustrated thought ran through her mind. All Ziva wanted to do was rip her hair out and scream. Instead she washed her face off and took a few deep breaths. She'd act mature about this. Professional. She didn't want to get hurt, and she wasn't so sure of men after what had happened with Lev. She knew it was critical though that she'd trust the team that they would never do that or let anything happen to her. It was going to take sometime, but the broken Ziva would soon be the Ziva she was before.

A/N:Okay so I don't know their ages so for this story Jared's 10 and Kayla is 9. Please don't be too critical. It was hard writing this because of that. I was worrying and still am worrying. So be easy. Thanks