Wow love all the reviews, glad you are all happy that Tali is waking up, don't think I will do many chapters after this I am afraid, but on the plus side I will start the sequel,

Hope you like it

Chapter 22 - Opening Her Eyes

'The term is get back on the horse Ima'

I forced my eyes open

Tony was just about to correct Ziva when a small voice from the bed beat him to it, he and Ziva looked down in time to see Tali's eyelids flutter open to reveal her beautiful, spellbindingly powerful gaze, that made them both sob in delight, oh how he had missed that gaze, it was like looking into a mirror, seeing those eyes glinting cheekily.

As Tali forced her eyes open she was delighted to see her parents leaning over her with joy in their eyes. "Tali" Ziva breathed "Boker Tov Ima" (hello mother) Tali whispered, with a sob Ziva leant forward and hugged her daughter gently but firmly, Tali weakly lifted her arms and placed them round her mother's neck, hugging her back, looking over her shoulder she saw her dad and uncle Gibbs watching, both with tears in their eyes.

The doctors carefully pushed Ziva out of the way and encouraged her to leave the room so that they could check Tali over and make sure she was breathing ok. Tony caught hold of Ziva and carefully tugged her out of the room, followed by Gibbs. Once outside Ziva turned and wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed again, but this time they were tear of joy, Tony hugged her back, it was as though a huge weight had been removed from his shoulders, his little ninja was finally awake, now he knew she would be fine. They watched through the window as the doctors carefully examined their daughter, Gibbs called Abby and had to hold the phone away from his ear, she was screaming in delight so loud 'oh my gosh' they heard her shriek 'she is breathing ok, she is awake, oh my gosh it all happened so fast, MCGEE, get the car NOW, we will be right there Gibbs, MCGEE come ON lets go' smiling Gibbs hung up and looked at Tony and Ziva.

The two parents were standing watching their daughter get examined delight in their eyes, they had obviously been listening to Abby because Tony was struggling not to laugh and Ziva had an amused look on her face as he rested her head on Tony's shoulder, Tali was sitting patiently allowing the team of doctors and nurses to examine her, throughout it all unless asked something she gazed at her parents through the glass as though making sure that they were not going anywhere now she was awake.

They heard the elevator ding and looked over to see Abby once again sprinting towards them, McGee trailing behind her looking rather embarrassed, "oh my where is she" Abby squealed causing everyone to look at her, she spotted the girl in the bed and let out a shriek, Tali looked up and grinned at her aunt, before waving, Abby waved back excitedly, just as McGee arrived "nice of you to finally join us McSlow" Tony teased, the younger agent scowled but his face softened at the sight of Tali awake.

The doctors came out and Dr Stevens came to talk to them "she seems ok" he said "but she is going to stay here until tomorrow before being moved to trauma, she will have to stay for at least a week, more likely two, it is probable best that even after that she goes on bed rest and stays off her feet, and no hard exercise for at least two months, she may have problems breathing for a while and her back will pain her too, I am afraid to say she will always have scars now" they all looked at her, she was sitting facing them watching the doctor talk to them whilst the nurse Jackie checked her back. She winced and Ziva wanted to go in and stop the nurse examining her but she knew it was for the best.

The doctor talked to them for a while telling them how to care for her, until finally the nurse left and he allowed them in to see her. Gibbs held Abby back "let her see her mom and dad Abs" he said gently as she looked at him indignantly, she nodded and they watched through the window.

Tony entered the room with Ziva right behind him; Tali looked up as they approached her face brightening, he moved slowly forward hardly daring to believe it, he thought she would have died, it wasn't that he had no faith in her it was just her wounds were so bad and she was so exhausted, "hey" Tali whispered "hey ninja" he whispered back, she cocked her head to one side and then held out her arms as she had as a child "hug" she commanded and with a watery laugh Tony bent forward and pulled her into his arms gripping her sides to avoid her back, she hugged him tightly burying her head into his shoulders, she looked up a moment later with her father and then they both held out one arm and with a smile Ziva leant forward and joined in this family hug, they held each other tightly, finally reunited. Together at last.

The door opened and Abby shot in, Tony and Ziva moved out the way as with a squeal of "TAAAAALLLLIIIIIIII" she hugged the child, calling out her name stretching every syllable of her name, Tali giggled gently hugging her favourite aunt back, "sorry" Gibbs said as he entered with McGee "couldn't hold her back any longer, he waited until Abby finally released the girl before moving forward for his hug, "hey Uncle Gibbs" she said as he wrapped his arms around her "hey shortcake" he whispered he pulled back to look at her, she looked at him oddly at this new nickname, but didn't comment, "I am so proud of you sweetheart" he said gently, she grinned happily at him, he kissed her on the cheek before allowing McGee to hug her.

Once he stepped back they all looked at her, her eyes travelled from one face to another "what" she asked "nothing, we are all just glad that you are awake" Tony said hugging her again

They stayed for as long as they could again, Ziva was grumpy that she could not spend the night in ICU with her, so when the nurse came round to give her the evening painkillers, which would send her into the much needed sleep, they all kissed her and left, "I will be just downstairs if you need me" Ziva promised as she hugged her, Tali nodded and then lay down her eyes drooping, a few seconds later they heard a sigh of "Layla Tov" (goodnight) and then she was asleep "she is out like a candle" Ziva noted "out like a light Zee" Tony corrected "I am not surprised, she has been fighting to breathe whilst unconscious I don't think she has stopped fighting since before she was taken the first time" Ziva nodded Tali had remained on edge after she had returned, this was the first time she looked completely peaceful.

They went back down to Tony's room where they were informed that Tony would be released the next evening, happily Ziva clambered onto his bed with him ignoring the nurses who gave her disapproving looks and closed her eyes, then for the first time in weeks they drifted off into a relaxed and happy sleep, hoping that they would soon be out of the woods.

XOXOXOXOXO

Gibbs arrived at the hospital, he had to go to work afterwards, again Tony's room was empty and much to his surprise when he went to ICU so was Tali's, he asked the Nurse Jackie where she was and she told him that Tali had been moved down to trauma recovery now where she would remain "I still cant believe she made it" she told him "I have seen strong healthy people with similar bullet wounds die, and they hadn't had their back torn open" Gibbs smiled "our Tali is stronger than your average person" he said proudly, she told him her room number and he went down to find her parents sitting there talking happily to her while she ate her breakfast, she grinned when she spotted her godfather "uncle Gibbs" she exclaimed "what are you doing here so early" he laughed and kissed her forehead "I have to go to work" he explained, "I wanted to make sure you were ok before I went as I think everyone is going to want an update" he smiled at her "your going to have to help me finish my boat" he said "it is so close now" she grinned and nodded "yeah I'd like that".

After promising to pop in later he left for work where as expected he was bombarded by requests for news on the DiNozzo family, he smiled, they were a family that you noticed the absence of, Tony with his pranks, Ziva with her ninja reactions to everything and Tali was just such a bundle of joy you couldn't help but love her.

Nothing eventful happened and he went back to the hospital that evening to find Tony dress in his own clothes signing some papers, when he looked up and saw them he grinned and opened his arms and did a cheeky twirl "haha look at me I am back" Abby squealed in delight and launched herself at him hugging him tightly, Gibbs and McGee groaned "no more peace" McGee said looking crestfallen, Tony chuckled "expect my worst when I return McGoogle"

Tali was sleeping when they arrived "they had to give her a scan that required them to put her under" Tony said brushing hair out of her face "where's Ziva" Abby asked looking for her friend "having her leg checked out just down the hall" Tony said, Abby went to see her friend, McGee followed her and Gibbs said that he needed more coffee. So Tony found himself alone in the room with his little girl, he smiled at her peaceful face, feeling relaxed.

"Tony"?

He froze, he knew that voice, slowly he turned and stared at the person standing in the doorway to Tali's hospital bedroom, he sighed "long time no see" he said softly

So who did Tony see, you can choose I was thinking either

Jeanne

His father

If you have any suggestions let me know

Tell me what you think and who he sees, I'm thinking Jeanne, have some jealousy around.

Hope you like it, let me know

Thanks

Mysticgirl101