Rifiuto: Non Miriena
"Hey, you okay?" She looked up; Tim stood in only his pajama bottoms, watching her as he turned down the bed. She nodded as she slowly undressed. The next thing she felt, was the warmth of his strong arms going around her. "He understands. He may not understand it all, but he understands that you did it to protect him. Okay?" She nodded, turning and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Morning, Abba." Tim looked up, to see Asher come in, dressed but not fully awake. He yawned, and Tim held out an arm, allowing the boy to shuffle over and curl into his side. He pressed a kiss to his son's head before scooping him onto his hip. The boy wrapped his arms loosely around his father's neck, and laid his head on his shoulder, being lulled back to sleep by his father's warmth and closeness.
"Tim-" Ziva stopped in the kitchen doorway, to see Asher balanced on his father's hip, practically sound asleep. Tim glanced at her, giving her a soft smile.
"Came in, told me good morning, yawned and-"
"Quickly went back to sleep." She finished, joining him at the sink. He nodded. "So, shall we head to work?" He chuckled gently, as the boy nuzzled his father's shoulder. She went to him, curling into his other side.
"How are you doing?" She looked up at him.
"Okay." She leaned close, pressing a kiss to his lips before grabbing his hand.
"Be good for Jenny, okay, my angel?" Asher nodded. Tim had dropped Ziva and Asher off, saying he would be back soon with coffee, leaving the mother and son to take the uncomfortable elevator ride together. She pressed a kiss to his head, and pushed him gently towards the stairs. About the time Asher disappeared into the director's office, Tony showed up, looking better than he had the day before. By oh-six-thirty, Tim had returned with coffee, handing one to Ziva before tossing something wrapped to Tony. Lost in thought, Ziva pulled up the information they'd gathered the day before on the plasma.
"A Marine, dressed as a Civil War soldier is shot by a musket, and then buried alive in a one-hundred-forty-year-old antique iron casket. And you are telling me this is not your strangest case?" She asked, turning to find both Tony and Tim and the breakfast burritos Tim had picked up for them. Both men nodded. "I do not know what I find more disturbing. Your eating habits or the fact that I believe you."
"Do our strange American foods frighten you?" Tony joked. Tim chuckled. She glanced at Tim, laughing softly.
"Not at all. I was referring to your manners, Tim." She stepped closer. "You should have bought me one." She took the burrito from him, taking a bite with a grin. Tony watched, disgusted, before he realized Ziva was reaching for his. He quickly pulled his back, glaring before moving past the couple.
"I'm gonna go help Abby." He muttered, throwing a disgusted glance their way. Tim chuckled, going to his desk, Ziva following. She perched on the edge of his desk, taking the burrito as he sat down and began working at his computer.
"He is strange." Tim raised an eyebrow.
"This is Tony we're talking about, Ziva, examples are needed." She picked up his cup, taking a sip, watching as he grabbed hers- that she'd left on his desk- and did the same.
"Most men do not have a problem with my germs. Well, you do not, I hope." She grinned. He chuckled, leaning close.
"We share a child together, Zi, I think germs are the least of our worries." He kissed her quickly, before taking a bite of the burrito. She chuckled, glancing towards the catwalk, to find Gibbs, Jenny and Asher watching them.
The sun was warm on her skin. Tim glanced back at her before stopping. "Would you just let me help-" She held the napkin out of his reach, glaring at him.
"I am not a child, Tim. Though we share a child, I am not one." He sighed, green eyes sparking at her.
"I'm just trying to help." She sighed in resignation, and handed the napkin to him.
"You may get what I missed, Tim." He took it, whispering 'thank you' softly to her before working on the smudge of dirt beneath her chin. They were in the small courtyard area near the bank, which sat directly across from a restaurant with outdoor seating and a couple small shops. Families sat outside on the benches, enjoying the sunlight and the warm weather. "Is Tony always so..."
Tim sighed. "Yeah."
"And Gibbs?"
"Oh, yeah."
"And Abby?" He thought a moment.
"Abby's... usually nice."
"So it is me. And... Asher."
"It's not you, Ziva. The last month has been hard on everyone. Although, you and Asher showing up didn't make it any easier, but, still, it's not you." She sighed, as he leaned down and pecked her quickly on the lips. "But I'm glad you're here." She chuckled as they headed towards the bank and started inside. Ziva stopped, glancing around. Something was off, very off. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing. Still getting used to America, I suppose." She turned and followed Tim into the bank.
"Mommy?" She looked up from her menu; her oldest was watching something across the street.
"What are you looking at, sweetheart?" She set the folder down and turned, following her daughter's gaze. The girl pointed to a woman standing directly across from them, in a pair of jeans and a brown shirt with a light little green zip-up sweater. Her dark hair was down around her face in curls, and she seemed to be watching something. She could only partially make out the conversation between the woman and her companion.
"... wrong?"
"... used to America..." Then, she turned and followed the man into the bank, dark curls bouncing as she rushed to catch up. She turned back to her children, confused. From the distance, she couldn't tell if the woman was the one she'd sent the pie to or not.
"She looks like Auntie."