Chapter Twenty-Six

Christmas Eve

Ziva came out of hers and Conner's room. "He is quite the tired little boy."

Tony was in the kitchen cleaning up the cookie mess from when they made cookies for Santa, because of Tony's pleading. He was still completely soaked from attempting at giving Conner a bath but instead was given a bath. "Well of course. Even ninjas-in-training need their sleep." Tony grinned teasingly at Ziva.

Ziva smiled as she walked over. "Go get dry clothes on. You are completely wet. I will clean up the rest."

Tony kissed her forehead, "thanks Ziva." He smiled then went to his room.

Ziva felt her cheeks grow warm. She smiled and finished picking up the rest of the mess. In her mind she ran through the day's activities they had done.

When they were all awake Tony and Ziva went to go present shopping for everyone on the team and for Conner. They got McGee a book that he had been wanting for a while, Gibbs a model of a boat and some coffee for him, Abby a bat stuffed animal-courtesy of Conner, and Ducky a herbal tea that Ziva thought he'd like a lot.

Then they had come home and while Conner took a nap Ziva and Tony wrapped the presents and laid them under the small Christmas tree Tony had gotten. After Conner woke up they had lunch and played. Shortly after eating dinner Tony convinced Ziva to make cookies for Santa which was the mess Ziva was cleaning up now. They had given Conner a bath and Conner had pulled Tony into the bathtub.

Ziva chuckled as she replayed it in her mind. Tony was sitting on the edge cleaning Conner's hair and Conner grabbed his leg. For an eleven month old the little one had a lot of strength for he pulled Tony into the tub and splashed water from the bathtub to the door by Ziva's feet.

"What ya laughing about there ninja momma?" Tony teased walking in now dressed in his old PT clothes.

Ziva looked up and just smiled, "when Conner pulled you in."

Tony laughed, "ah that was fun." He looked around at the now spotless kitchen, "sheesh ninja at fighting and ninja at cleaning."

Ziva smacked his butt teasingly with the wet rag she held, "shut up Tony."

Tony grinned and quickly caught her in his arms being careful not to do something that would scare her. He held her in his arms against his chest. It was playful yet secure. Ziva felt safe in his arms for the first time in a long time.

Ziva smiled and rested her head back in mock surrender. "You caught me."

Tony smiled. "Quick surrender." Ziva smiled, "because I know I am beat."

Tony smiled and gave her a quick friendly kiss on the cheek, "you excited for tomorrow?" He let her go and then helped her sweep up the kitchen floor.

Ziva smiled, "only for Conner. His reactions will be adorable."

Tony smiled as he finished dumping what was on the dustpan into the trash can.

Ziva yawned and looked at the clock that was on the microwave. 12:10. "We should get to sleep. Conner will wake up early from the excitement of being able to see Abby."

Tony nodded in agreement. He followed her out of the kitchen and shut the light off as they walked out.

Ziva went to her room but paused before looking at Tony, "Merry Christmas Tony." She smiled.

Tony walked over and kissed her forehead, "Merry Christmas Ninja."

Ziva heard Conner patting the railing of his crib whining. It woke her up. "Good morning tateleh." She picked him up and shivered as she heard the light wind blowing by her window.

Conner shivered and tucked himself into Ziva's body more. "Cold."

Ziva grabbed his blanket and gently wrapped it around her son's small body, "it is okay sweetheart. I am sure its warmer by the tree."

Conner nodded and rested his head on her chest.

Ziva kissed his head and carried him to the living room by the tree where Tony was sitting holding a small toy train.

Tony grinned, "Merry Christmas buddy."

Conner looked at Tony and squirmed, "dad!" He saw the shiny train and squirmed more.

Ziva set him down and smiled, "careful."

Conner crawled to Tony and put his hands on the train, "what dis?"

"It's a train." Tony smiled.

Conner tilted his head confused. He looked at the train. "What?"

Tony chuckled, "watch." He set the train down so all the wheels rested on the soft carpet. Then he moved the train around Conner in a circle. "Chug, chug, chug choo choo." He mimicked the sounds of the trains wheels clanking together and the sound of its horn.

Conner giggled and took the train from Tony and began to play with it.

Tony looked up at Ziva and smiled, "I got you something to."

Ziva walked over, "you did not have to Tony."

Tony shrugged and grabbed the surprise present from under the tree. He looked at her and smiled as she sat cross legged beside him, her torso facing him. "I wanted to." He handed it to her.

Ziva looked at it for a moment trying to decide whether she should open it or make Tony bring it back. She finally decided to open it. As she opened it she could see Conner playing with his train, and Tony watching her from the corner of her eyes.

Ziva finished un-wrapping the paper off the small box. She looked at it confused. It was just a plain white square box. No insignia on it nothing. She looked up at him.

Tony smiled, "open it."

Ziva looked back down at the box and lifted the small lid off it. Her hands that were bruised and calloused from years of weapon using were now gentle and delicate.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as she looked inside. "Tony-" she was speechless as she pulled out the Star of David charm that hung on a golden chain. Just like the one that broke.

Tony smiled, "Merry Christmas."

"How?"

Tony smiled, "when I told Gibbs and Abby what happened they decided we had to find it. We turned the whole bullpen upside down for it. After we got permission from Vance we did it to the squad room to."

"Where was it?" Ziva looked at the charm tears of joy flooding her eyes.

"Under the stairs."

"But, how?"

"Must've gotten kicked around." Tony smiled and shrugged, "want me put it on you?"

"Yes please." Ziva turned her back to him and held her curls up as he took the necklace and put it on her.

Tony's finger's brushed against her neck and they both felt a small shiver run through their body. Ziva smiled and acted like it didn't happen as she hugged Tony, "thank you so much."

Tony smiled, "anything for you."