Chapter Thirty

Ziva came out of her room carrying a energetic Conner. In front of her she saw a very pleased Tony smiling at her like the Cheshire Cat.

"Why do you look like the dog who swallowed the fish?"

"Cat that swallowed the canary Ziva." Tony corrected, his smile never leaving his face.

"Yes that." She was annoyed as it was because the bouncing boy had energy she didn't have enough of her own to compete with.

"Well, good news."

"Tell me Tony. I am not up for a game." Ziva sighed.

"Well Gibbs said that he'll talk to a lawyer, and-"

"Gibbs breaking a rule. Wow. That is great news. I do not care for it." Ziva pushed past Tony to set the bouncing boy on the couch.

"Whoa my ninja." Tony gently grabbed her arm spinning along with her walking.

"What Tony!" Ziva turned and snapped at him. "How do you expect me to be happy when my father is trying to take my son away from me? Huh? How do you expect me to be happy when I am about to lose the most precious thing in my life?"

Tony stayed silent for a moment. He didn't know if he should tell Ziva about calling Eli. He decided, even though he probably would die from it, to tell her.

"Ziva, I called your father last night." He started. Probably get that out of the way first.

"You what? Tony you do know that you have possibly made it worse? That I may lose Conner for good now because of you? My father will not stop until he gets what he wants! And that is to ruin my life, to take my son!" Ziva yelled. Her yelling scared Conner as he began to calm down and stare at his mother and Tony with wide blue eyes.

"Ziva please just listen. Hear me out. I talked to him. I told him how you have been taking care of Conner well and how you're doing a great job with him." Tony sighed, "I also told him, I'm helping you. And that Gibbs and Vance are pissed about everything and won't stop until they get what they want. Which is you and Conner both together, both happy."

Ziva stared at Tony trying to decide to kill him, or just seriously injure him. She turned both down and set Conner down. She stepped closer to Tony, "you made everything worse. My father will not stop for anything. He would rather me being miserable my whole life, then having something to be happy about. Never help me again."

She turned and picked up her son and carried him to the kitchen.

Tony closed his eyes. He counted the small blessing he got, not being killed on the spot. He watched Ziva as she put Conner in his high chair and began getting him some cheerios for breakfast. Conner was looking at Tony almost as if asking what was going on.

"Dad?" Conner looked at Tony, he had a scared look still.

Tony went over but Ziva stopped him.

"No Conner, that is not your dad." She kissed his head softly and gave him his cheerios.

Tony watched, his heart torn. "Ziva, I did that for you. I bet you're never going to understand why either." He looked at Conner, "later okay buddy?"

Conner nodded and ate his cheerios watching Ziva.

Ziva kept her eyes on Conner, "what does that mean Tony?"

"Ask your dad. He might know, since you know I called him last night to help you out." Tony replied with a hurt smirk. He was trying to act like hearing Ziva tell Conner he wasn't his dad hurt. He had to be strong right now. So before Tony could let himself do anything else, he went into his room, shutting the door softly.

Ziva glanced over her shoulder as the door clicked. Then she looked at Conner, "I am sorry tateleh." She kissed his head and sat at the table by his high chair.

Conner took a few Cheerios in his small chubby hand and held them out to her, "mom."

Ziva smiled and took a few, feeling how slobbery his hand already was. She acted like she ate them, "thank you Conner. It was good." She tried to be happy for her son. But deep down she was feeling horrible for doing what she did.

A/N: A little harsh on Ziva's part I know. But not all ninja's can deny the stress when they're about to lose something important lol. Trust me, it will get better. This is just something that's going to make it seem all worth while. Do not fear my reviewers :) Btw, what do you guys think of the first episode of season 8? I thought it was pretty intense. So did my heart thanks to all the mini heart attacks it gave me :P Lol. Well I will try to update soon, but until then, semper fi (hehe couldn't help it :P)