She left the tensed MTAC and went to find her children. She looked around urgently for them and found them with Michelle. She had first met her when Michelle needed two bodyguards for the Director of the Navy. The woman looked like she got on with kids and was sitting with them on the floor cross-legged, her red-backed Louboutins beside her. Ziva laughed as Tom taught her how to play 'Cocoa Charlie'. Michelle hurriedly got to her stockinged feet when she saw Ziva.
"It's alright. Hand games can be very addictive!" The two women laughed together. Michelle looked at Talia and Tom sitting together.
"They're good kids Ziva. I don't know how you managed to raise them without..."She couldn't bring herself to say his name. "It's due to you that he's gone," Ziva thought bitterly for a second but soon banished the thought from her mind.
"Mommy! You have to finish the story!" Talia pulled at Ziva's sleeve, her own mocha curls bouncing on her shoulders. Ziva had to think for a few seconds to understand her daughter.
"Oh! Of course, I'm so sorry." She sat down seriously with her children and told the tale.
Past
"Should we be polite?" asked Ziva. Tony frowned at her.
"Well, we can hardly spit in his face and eat with our hands can we Zee-va?" he replied sarcastically. She slapped him in the arm. Gibbs appeared from a room and smiled a little smile.
"What is it boss?" asked Tony suddenly. He shook his head. Ziva walked up to Gibbs.
"Are you eating with us?" Gibbs' little smile turned into a smirk as he sipped his coffee.
"Sadly I can't share the pleasure of eating with you." He walked past them wordlessly. Tony and Ziva shared a look.
"He's being sarcastic, isn't he?" asked Ziva after a pause. Tony nodded grimly.
"Without a doubt. Did you hear how he said pleasure?" Michelle appeared and Tony grinned.
"Did I hear the word pleasure?" asked Michelle. Tony shrugged.
"Don't be surprised, it's an adjective readily associated with me." Michelle laughed. Ziva sighed. "She's hooked," she muttered. "All that's left is line and blinker." Tony immediately turned.
"It's sinker Zee-va. Anyway Michelle, will you be joining us for dinner with the Director of the Navy?" Tony held out his arm which Michelle took. Ziva retched as Tony started on more of his innuendoes. "Oh God give me strength to get through this dinner...and the whole mission". Ziva would need it.