Don't look now, but we've gone into the future, about a month...pretty sweet, huh?
Ziva grabbed a handful of coats from the closet next to the front door, "Sarah, make sure you have everything."
A knock on the door made her turn her head, "One second." Ziva called out as she grabbed the remainder of the coats, putting them in a large cardboard box that was sitting next to her. She walked over to the door, opening it.
Savannah stood in the doorway, looking deflated, defeated.
"Just another of his lies." Savannah sighed, speaking in a very soft voice.
"Mommy!" Sarah yelled out, running over to her mother and jumping into her arms.
Ziva took a step back, allowing them to have space, but deep down, it was killing her.
"Where's Papa D?" Sarah asked.
Savannah tried to smile, but couldn't even manage that, she let out another sigh, louder and deeper than the first. She looked around, "Are you moving? Were you even going to tell me? Or just keep my daughter?" She asked, starting to get upset.
"Whoa, calm down." Ziva putting her hands out in a defensive manner, "We are moving 15 minutes from here and do not get me started, you have called just once in nearly a month, how could you do that."
"Hey." Tony called out in a raised voice, getting Ziva and Savannah to turn their heads towards him, "Not in front of the little one."
Ziva stepped back, lowering her head.
"Hey, Sar, wanna go with Ziva while I talk to your mommy?" Tony asked with a smile.
Sarah nodded with a smile. Ziva stepped over taking Sarah from her mother and carried her towards bedroom.
Tony pushed the door closed, "How much did he take?"
Savannah jaw trembled as she began to cry, "9-9-900."
Tony let out a sign of relief, "That's it? Don't worry, I'll pay you back."
"Thousand." Savannah cried out, "900 thousand."
Tony smacked his hand to his face, rubbing his forehead then his eyes.
"I loved him so much." Savannah plunged her face into Tony's chest and started sobbing uncontrollably.
Tony held his arms outward, not knowing what to do. He finally brought his right hand to Savannah's back and patted it several times, "I'm sorry."
Savannah pulled away, looking up at Tony, she smiled for an instant then held her arms out like she wanted a hug. He reluctantly gave him, hugging her, but she pulled his head down, kissing him as she held onto the back of his head, her under hand digging at the front of his pants.
Tony pulled back, pushing her away. He turned his head, wiping his face with the sleeve of his shirt, "What the hell, lady!"
"You look just like him. I just wanted to feel him again. Show him what he'll be missing." Savannah cried out.
Tony shook his head, "You need to leave. Now."
"Sarah!" Savannah yelled. Sarah came walking out from the bedroom. Savannah squatted, holding out her arms, "Time to go home, baby girl."
Ziva placed her hands on Sarah's shoulders, she looked at Tony.
"Give me my daughter!" Savannah yelled through clinched teeth.
Ziva's grip on Sarah's shoulders tightened.
"Ziva." Tony whispered, moving over to them, wrapping his fingers gently around her wrist.
Ziva hands slid from Sarah's shoulders to her ears, covering them, "I cannot give her back to her, Tony, look at her."
"I don't want to either, Ziva, but she's her mom."
Ziva shook her head at Tony, tears started to trickle down her cheeks.
Tony lifted his hand to the nape of Ziva's neck, caressing it as he leaned in, kissing her on cheek, trying to comfort her.
Ziva lowered her head, letting go of Savannah.
"That's my girl." Tony whispered into Ziva's ear.
"Sweetie." Savannah said, giving her a "c'mere" gesture with her hands.
"What's going on?" Sarah asked, looking up at Tony.
"You're going home, Sarah." Tony replied, kneeling down next to her, "Can I have a hug?"
Sarah smiled, giving Tony a hug. She turned, looking up at Ziva, "Why are you crying?"
Ziva closed her eyes, wiping at her eyes. She squatted down, reaching behind her neck, "Here, I want you to have this." She said, taking off her Star of David necklace.
"Really?" Sarah smiled big, "You sure?"
Ziva nodded, putting the necklace around Sarah's neck, "Do not worry, there is another." She smiled, patting the Star of David on Sarah's chest, "Take good care of it, okay?"
"I will!" Sarah smiling, giving Ziva a huge hug.
Ziva eased away, sliding the back of her fingers against Sarah's cheek, "If you need us for anything, call." She smiled, placing a business card in Sarah's hand.
Sarah looked at Ziva, then at Tony and back to Ziva, "I will see you again, right?"
Tony pressed his lips to Sarah's forehead, "We'll see, kiddo." He said, but knew this was probably the last time they'd ever see each other again.
"Come on, Sarah." Savannah said, "They said goodbye, now lets go."
Sarah walked over to her mother, but stopped looking back at Tony and Ziva, she waved, "I love you."
Tony gulped hard, raising his hand into the air, waving, his voice cracking, "We love you, too."
And just like that, the door closed and they were gone.
"There you are." Tony said, looking through a doorway into what would've been Sarah's bedroom in their new house. Ziva was laying in the bed, on her side. He stepped into the room, setting down a box next to the bed and climbed into it, cuddling up next to her, "Are you okay?"
She slowly turned onto her back, then rolled over, laying her head on his chest, "No." She whispered.
He tilted his head up, pressing his lips to the top of her head, "Yeah, me either."
"I knew it would not be forever, but it hurts so much." She raised her head from his chest, looking at him, "I want a baby."
He sat up, "What?"
"I want a baby."
"Ziva, you're missing Sarah, you're trying to replace her, give it some time."
"No, I have been thinking about this for awhile now, I want to have your baby."
He reached out for her, caressing her cheek with the palm of his hand, bringing her in for a kiss, "That's the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me." He stated with a smile.
She placed her hand on his chest, pushing him down to the bed and began kissing him.
"Wait, wait. I need to give you something." He said, climbing over her and off the bed. He reached into the cardboard box next to the bed, pulling out a small silver box, setting it on her stomach, "I hope you like it." He said with a smile.
"I already know what it is." She admitted.
"You do?"
She nodded her head, "I have been waiting for you to give it to me."
"Okay."
She squinted at him, "You seem rather..."
"I just thought you'd be more excited, that's all."
"Awww." She smiled, "I am sure once I see it again, the excitement will come back." She said, taking the lid off of the silver box. She took out the tiny black jewelry box and cracked it open, her eyes widened, "What is that?" She exclaimed.
He was silent.
She was staring at the box, "Is that what I think it is?"
"Heh. You're a good actress."
Her eyes swung to him, she slid off the bed into his arms, "Yes." She whispered through more tears.
"I didn't ask yet." He said with a smile.
"Yes." She repeated.
"What is...the correct answer to the question, 'will you marry me?'" He joked.
She let out a laugh, but started to snort, which made her laugh harder.
He leaned back, pushing her hair out of her face, "I know you're Jewish and all, but how 'bout we christen this place proper?" He grinned.
Tony stood across from Director Vance sitting at his desk. He rose from his chair, "Agent Gibbs is back today."
"Yes, sir."
"You did a quality job while he was on vacation."
"Thank you."
"While evaluating you, I read a report Director Sherpard wrote."
"In regards to what, Director?"
"She offer you your own team in Rota, Spain, correct?"
"She did."
"Why didn't you take it?"
"I felt like I wasn't ready, sir."
Vance lifted a file from his desk, "Are you now?"
"Director?"
"I still haven't found a replacement for Special Agent Macy in Marseilles. It's yours if you want."
"No, thank you." Tony answered, "Will that be all?"
"At least think about it, DiNozzo."
"I just did. Thank you, but no thank you, Director, I'm home. May I leave?"
Vance nodded, "Yes, but if you change your mind, you've got until the end of the week."
"I won't." Tony said, moving through and closing the door behind him.
Tony stepped onto the balcony and was immediately tackle-hugged by Abby, "TONY!" She squealed knocking them both to the ground. He lifted his head seeing the grinning Goth laying on top of him. He started to laugh, "Saw the ring, huh?"
Author Note #1 - Is it me or has True Blood kinda sucked this season?
Author Note #2 - I'm hungry like a hippo.