Chapter Twenty-Eight

"What is your news?" Ziva asked feeling her heartbeat quicker.

"Well I got an interesting call today." Eli started. He wouldn't get to the point yet. "It was from a Petty Officer Andrea."

Ziva's heart dropped. She closed her eyes, knowing where this was going. "R-really?" She hoped Eli didn't hear her stutter.

"Yes. She told me that she didn't know how to get a hold of you. So she called me to ask of me to tell you she wants to thank you. And that she wishes to see you and your son soon." Eli explained, his voice was melancholy.

Ziva held the phone away for a moment to recompose herself. She took a deep breath and swore quickly in French. Eli knew about Conner. "That is very nice of her."

"It is. So why did I not hear of your son?" Eli's smirk was audible.

"Because I um, haven't gotten a chance to tell you father." Ziva prayed this excuse worked.

"Interesting. Well Ziva she also told me your son's grandparents-"

Ziva almost dropped the phone. "They found out?"

"Well of course. With their son Petty Officer Jackson being in the explosion. They live in D.C and they want custody of your son." This time Ziva could hear the victorious note in his tone.

"But they cannot do that," Ziva argued.

"Yes they can Ziva. They're his grandparents. And I fully agree with them." Eli responded. He was enjoying this way too much.

Ziva sighed, "of course you agree. You never liked anything I did unless it was killing someone!" She hung up and looked at her room where Tony was playing with Conner on her bed. She sighed and left the apartment building but didn't leave. She just stayed outside.

Leaning against the wall Ziva tried to get it off her mind. She wanted to be happy. Every time she started getting happy again-something had to come up so she couldn't. It was un-fair each time.

Tony and Conner were suddenly by her side when she realized she was zoned out. "Ziva?"

Ziva looked at him, "I will tell you later. For now lets go get Conner some lunch." She lead the way back inside and up to their apartment, suddenly feeling cold from the bitter late December-early January air. It didn't feel cold outside but now it did.

She heard Conner's teeth chattering from the cold. He had felt it even with his jacket. He curled into Tony more hoping for some more body heat.

Tony kissed Conner's head as they walked into the apartment. He turned the heater up and un-zipped Conner's jacket. "Tell me when he's taking a nap."

Ziva nodded and began to make alphabet soup. It was soft and warm. Exactly what her son was needing. She kept thinking of what Eli had said as she turned the stove on so she could cook.

Tony set Conner in his high chair then went over to Ziva. He turned her gently after she got the soup inside the pot. "Ziva please, tell me now. It's eating you up."

Ziva closed her eyes and shook her head, "not now. Conner does not need to see me cry." She turned and cooked the soup.

Tony sighed and sat by Conner's highchair and played with him, worried for Ziva the whole time.

After they ate and put Conner down for a nap, Tony and Ziva sat on the couch.

Ziva sighed, "my father called. He knows about Conner."

Tony nodded watching her worried, "how?"

"One of the marines that was there, she called him not knowing how to get a hold of me." Ziva looked at the floor, the tears about to fall, "Conner's grandparents want custody of him." Now the tears began streaming down her cheeks. "My father's going to help them get it to."

Tony wrapped his arms around her and held her. "Ziva." He kissed her head softly and held her against his chest gently. "I'll make sure they don't get him. Gibbs will to. You know that."

Ziva cried, "if they get him I don't know what I will do. Conner is my whole life. Without him I would not be here today."

Tony held her letting her cry. "I know Ziva. But its going to be okay. I promise. Gibbs and I will make sure Conner stays with us. I promise you that."

Ziva's cries continued for a while. She was scared. She didn't want to lose Conner.