Thanks for all the reviews, I am glad you like it, I think this is my favourite story, as you can probably guess by the fact that I update it the most, is planning a sequel and have written the longest chapters for it, I am very glad that you all like it, I think though I will try proper writing, a real story rather than a fanfic, one of my favourite authors (Christopher Paolini) wrote his first book (Eragon) when he was 15 (my age) so might as well give it a go.

Well anyway, will finish this soon, I will give the sequel a go as promised, I am already drafting it.

Hope you like it.

Chapter 24 – Rest and Recuperation

Gibbs drove the family home watching them in the mirror as he did so, Tali was leaning against her father eyes closed she looked very content, Ziva was stroking her hair gazing at her daughter in delight, and amazement that she was still alive. He stopped outside their apartment and helped them up carrying their bags so Ziva could hold open the door for Tony who had Tali in his arms, she was protesting that she was fine and could walk but her ankle was still tightly strapped up and she had been told to stay off her feet, once in the apartment Tony carefully set her down on the sofa "stay" he said firmly making Gibbs smile when he remembered saying that to his team once.

Tali scowled at him but remained where she was "thanks boss" Tony said turning to look at him as he stood in the doorway "no problem Tony", he bent to say goodbye to Tali, she looked up at him "now you get better sweetheart, stay off that ankle and then you can come see the boat" she nodded "is it nearly done" she asked "so close" he promised, she grinned and then held out her arms "hug" she commanded, it seemed to have become her little catchphrase, chuckling he bent lower and hugged her gently, "see you soon shortcake" he whispered, she smiled at him, nobody questioned him about calling her that, they had accepted it as her new nickname though where it came from they didn't know, nobody knew.

Gibbs straightened up "have the week off DiNozzos I think you all need some time together, to rest and have some quality time together, Tony make sure Tali and Ziva stay off their feet, Ziva no running" "Gibbs" she complained "make sure Tony doesn't do anything stupid Ziver, like he usually does, Tali" she looked at him "don't let them try to come into work or anything" she grinned and gave a little mock salute as Abby did "yes sir" she said, he chuckled before leaving them to rest and recuperate.

XOXOXOXOXO

Tony smiled happily as he settled into the sofa with his family, he had persuaded them to watch the Bond movies after a handful of other movies, Ziva had protested at first "they are not very realistic" she said "aww Zee in what way" he complained, she had pointed a few things out about the opening fight scene of Casino Royale, he glared at her "thanks for ruining James Bond for me Zee" he grumbled and then pulled her close settling in with her.

He was lying on the sofa with Ziva lying next to him her head on his shoulder, Tali was lying on top of him her head on his chest as she gazed at the movie on the screen watching it interested. Tony ended up not watching the movie, he watched his family, he had one arm wrapped around Ziva playing gently with her hair, the other hand was resting on Tali's head his thumb gently rubbing her cheek, softly, Ziva was holding her daughter's hand gripping it as she watched her baby girl, her other hand was playing with his hair, she looked up and smiled at him, he kissed her forehead gently, when the movie ended Tali rolled over to find her parents watching her "what" she said annoyed "nothing" Tony said "just cant believe how lucky we are and that you are still alive after having me as your daddy" Ziva laughed "I think everyone is quite surprised about that Tony" he grumbled at her and then grinned, Tali rolled her eyes at her parents antics but she was well used to that by now.

It was late before Tony finally noticed the time "whoa it's late, time for bed little ninja" he said "but I'm not tired" she whined, "does not matter" he said and Tali smiled as she thought of how her grandfather thought her dad was not the strong strict parent, in fact he was probably the strictest, her mom probably let her get away with more.

She squealed as her dad scooped her up and began to carry her to her room "no, no fair" she giggled "I cant walk no fair" "and that is why it is so easy little ninja" Tony said almost dancing with her over his shoulder to her room "oh cant I sleep with you" she said and repeated her favourite technique of getting what she wanted as he lay her on her bed, pouting her lip and widening her eyes, gazing at him beseechingly "oh don't turn the charm on" Tony whined looking away before glancing down at her "Ziva, YOUR daughter wants to rest her weary head with us tonight" Ziva came in with a glass of water and the medication Tali had to take before she went to bed "oh so she is MY daughter when she wants something" "yep" Tony sad as he still refused to look at her as she was still using the 'charm', she took the medication and then hauled herself up to hug her daddy.

"ok all right I give" he grumbled and Tali giggled in delight as he gave her a piggy back ride to their bedroom and lay her on the middle of the bed, she shifted around making herself comfortable whilst they changed for bed then she lay her head on her daddy's chest as he lay down "well played" he said grudgingly stroking her hair softly as Ziva snuggled in resting her hand on her daughters side.

That was how they fell asleep that night. Together.

XOXOXOXO

Gibbs stopped by their house the next morning on his way to work, he had a key to their apartment so he let himself in and raised his eyebrows at the state of their living room, pizza boxes littered the floor along with bottles of drink and crisp packets and everything, there was a pile of DVD's lying next to the TV and he smiled, they had obviously unable to do anything else watched movies all day. He saw the door to Tony and Ziva's room lying half open and he crept over and poked his head inside, he smiled at the three of them lying there asleep together, Tali cuddled up to her daddy, Ziva protectively resting on hand on her daughters side, Tony embracing them both.

Ziva shifted and then bolted upright "Gibbs" she growled "you are so lucky I don't sleep with a gun anymore" he chuckled and slipped into the room, she raised her eyebrows "just checking you are all ok" he said, he then looked at her "when did you stop sleeping with a gun" he asked, Ziva shifted sheepishly "when Tali started to wonder into our room in the night" he chuckled, while she continued to look sheepish "after the first time, Tony begged me to put the gun in my drawer, Tali wasn't fazed though, she kept coming in" he laughed softly "do you need me to bring you anything" "no we should be fine Gibbs thanks, we have been ordering food" he nodded "I saw by the tip that was once your living room" Ziva smiled "well call me if you need anything Ziver" he said, he looked at Tali, curled up happily against her ' daddy's chest "she looks better" he commented, Ziva smiled "she is, used the 'charm' last night, completely won her daddy over" Gibbs chuckled "I have to go now Ziver, call if you need anything" she nodded and then settled down back into Tony's arms as a happy family once again.

XOXOXO

The week passed quickly and soon they had to go back to work, the doctors had cleared this but told them not to go out in the field which neither of them were happy about, Tali had to remain off school though, her ankle was now only tightly bandaged, it had been a clean break, meaning it would heal faster. Her back was slowly getting better though she was still on very strong painkillers, they could now touch her back without fear of making her leap a mile in pain.

So Monday morning found them all in the elevator Tali on her dad's back, she had begun to enjoy being piggy backed everywhere when they tried to keep her off her feet which with a ninja 12 year old it wasn't an easy job. The elevator doors dinged open and they all walked out, there was a squeal and then Abby came lunging forward and threw her arms around the three of them, Tony and Ziva laughed and hugged her back "Tali" Abby shrieked in delight "hey there" Tali giggled from her daddy's back, Gibbs smiled as he came over to greet the rest of his team, he reached out and took Tali off Tony's back smiling as she hugged him, "Tony Ziva, desk duty starts now" he barked grumbling his two agents headed for their desks, he then turned to his goddaughter in his arms.

"hey shortcake, how's the ankle" she giggled "much better now uncle Gibbs I am allowed to walk now you know" he chuckled but didn't set her down just yet "you staying up here today" he asked and she nodded "stop my parents killing each other when they get ratty" everyone laughed, Gibbs saw Vance watching the family rejoin the team with a small smile on his face. Abby stayed in the bullpen chattering happily to Tali who sat in a chair giggling, Ducky appeared not to much later "ahh my dearest girl" he said holding out his arms as Tali leapt up and hobbled over to him "I am so sorry I couldn't visit you after you woke up in hospital, so many bodies to work on" she giggled "that is ok Ducky I don't mind" Ducky hugged the girl "well anyway I am glad you are ok, this reminds me of a case a few years back…" everyone groaned and was relieved when the phone rang cutting Ducky off.

"Gibbs" the team leader said, listening "ok, thanks will be there soon" he closed his phone and looked at his team "we got a body" he said "Ducky, get Palmer and the van" he handed his a piece of paper with the address "McGee, gear up, DiNozzos" he growled as the two agents half rose out of their chairs "sit" he said watching as they slowly sank into their chairs looking very grumpy, "stay" he ordered making them scowl and Tali laugh, he placed her in his chair and said "your in charge shortcake, make sure they do their work" "yes sir" she said with her mock salute. He smiled gave all three of his girls a kiss on the cheek and Tony a clap on the shoulder before he left with McGee.

XOXOXOXO

When he came back, Tony and Ziva looked extremely pissed at each other, Tali was watching them with a rather amused look on her face "hey shortcake" he said going over to her "how have the wolves been" he asked looking at them "well if mom could walk without a limp and dad's side didn't hurt so much I may have no parents as they would have killed each other by now" she joked, he laughed softly and then went "DiNozzos" loudly to get their attention "have you got anything for us" he asked, they quickly explained what they had, giving evidence to why their suspect currently waiting in interrogation probably killed their marine" "Gibbs" Ziva begged from where she was sitting at her desk, with Tali on her lap "can I interrogate him please" "Ziva what part of desk duty don't you understand"

Ziva looked at him beseechingly "come on, I will be sitting in interrogation, please I have been shackled to this desk all day" "chained to this desk" everyone automatically corrected, and she growled, Gibbs looked at her, she was good at interrogation he had to admit, mainly because she scared the suspect out of their minds "fine" he said "but you stay sitting ok" she nodded gratefully and leapt up, she was healing, Gibbs could see now she only walked with a slight limp, it wouldn't be long before she was ready to go back in the field, Tony seemed ok, but had been put on desk duty for longer, it probably didn't help that he carried Tali everywhere but he seemed to enjoy doing that and being a good daddy to her. "well I now know where Tali gets the 'charm' from" Tony said, everyone looked at him "her mom, that look she gave you Gibbs, Tali gives to me and I cant help but give in" "doesn't help that you are a roll over" Ziva said with a smirk "push over Zee and I am not" Tony said.

Tali's eyes sparkled and she wrapped her arms around his stomach, he looked at her "what do you want" he said, "point proved" Tali said with a grin "you're a push over" everyone laughed

Hey guys hope you liked it, definitely not many more chapters now, but will start the sequel soon I promise.

Also I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a prequel? I was thinking Ziva pregnant, the birth in more detail and a few little snippets of the young Tali's life before this story. Let me know if you might fancy that, little bit of joy and love rather than pain and suffering.

Please let me know what you think

Please review, lots of reviews = happy me = sooner update

Also if anyone wants a specific story, check out my profile and see if I know the show, or whatever and inbox me, I am happy to give it a go.

Thanks

Mysticgirl101