A/N: Sorry I haven't updated, I know I said I would, but it's just been very busy as I completely forgot I had a music recital yesterday!! I hope to fit some really good Tiva moments in the next few chapters, so I hope you enjoy! Annie

Ziva was sleeping on the sofa when the doorbell rang. She stayed still, hoping they would leave, but they rang again, several times.

"Oh thank God you're in Ziva!" It was Charley from next door, with a young child of about 2 with her.

"Charley. How can I help you?" Ziva just wanted her gone, as soon as possible, so she could go back to sleep before Tony came round and made her watch some pointless movie about spies or something.

"I've had a call from Billy's, my eldest, school. They said he fell of a climbing frame and they think he's broken his arm. I have to go, but there's no one to look after Ginny." She gestured to the small girl by her feet. "Please, I'm desperate, can you look after her?"

Ziva looked at the child. Sure she was sweet enough, but Ziva didn't think she could handle her. It would bring too many memories back.

"I... Charley" Charley looked at her with desperation and it brought something out in Ziva that she thought had died a long time ago. "Ok, I suppose. When will you be back for her?"

"Oh Ziva, thank you! Um, I don't know, it might be quiet late, as I don't know how bad it is. If it's too late, do you mind if she stays here? I'll pick her up first thing."

"Sure" Ziva said through her forced smile. That meant she'll have to sleep on the sofa, to give her bed up for the little girl.

"Umm, hi" Ziva said to the little girl "I'm Ziva. What is your name?"

"I'm Ginny." The little girl giggled. "Ziva's a funny name."

"I suppose it is." Laughed Ziva as she touched the child's nose. "That's because I'm Israeli"

"Wha's a Srali?" Ginny frowned.

"It means I come from a place called Israel. You are from America, so that makes you an American."

Ginny frowned again. "So are you not an 'Erican?"

"Nope." Ziva shook her head very fast and the little girl giggled.

"I like you. You're funny." Ginny pulled Ziva's leg into a hug and Ziva nearly fell over. Ziva froze and waited for the little girl to move. Ginny ran off into the living room to play with her dolly. Ziva went into the kitchen and sat on the floor. She didn't expect her heart to hurt as much as it did in that moment. For 9 years, the pain had been bottled up, and Ziva had been so good at keeping it there. A single tear fell down her cheek and Ziva looked at it in shock. She swallowed, and stood up, brushing her hair from her eyes as she did so.

"Get a grip Ziva." She whispered. She locked down her heart again and went to play with Ginny in the living room.

..................................................................................................................................................................

"Hi Honey I'm hoo-oome!" Tony sang as he kicked the front door shut.

"Hush!" Ziva hissed as she got up to meet him. "Ginny is asleep."

"Who?" Tony crept into the living room and saw the sleeping girl.

"Oh. I leave you for a few days and you multiply!" He laughed when they went into the kitchen. Ziva punched him and he grabbed his arm in pain, his eyes watering. He'd forgotten how strong she was.

"Shut up! She's from next door, and we're looking after her tonight."

"Oh what! I had something else planned." He winked at her and she went to punch him again, but stopped. Tony flinched and stepped away, an action which made Ziva laugh at him.

"That is not funny Ziva! I bruise easily!"

"Oh right and I am the Queen of amoeba!" She laughed.

"Sheba, Ziva. The term is Sheba."

Ziva had planned to answer back, but was interrupted by Ginny crying in the front room.

"Hey, hey. What is wrong?" Ziva soothed.

"I miss my mommy!" Ginny wailed.

"Oh, dear." Ziva picked up the crying child and took her into her room. Tony heard soft singing and crept to stand outside the door.

"A la nanita nana nanita ella, nanita ella
Mi nina tiene sueno bendito sea, bendito sea
A la nanita nana nanita ella, nanita ella
Mi nina tiene sueno bendito sea, bendito sea."

The voice was amazing, and Tony gasped in shock. He'd never heard Ziva singing before, and it was beautiful. He quickly ran and sat on the sofa, when Ziva stopped singing and he presumed that Ginny was asleep.

"Enjoy that DiNozzo?" Ziva said as she walked into the living room.

"That was amazing! How... I mean... wha..what was it?"

"It is called 'A la nanita nana.' It is a Spanish lullaby my mother used to sing to me as a child."

"It was amazing." Tony was still shocked.

"Why thank you DiNozzo. Now, what useless film are we going to watch tonight?"

"Um, you choose. I don't mind." He sat with his head resting in his hand, not really paying attention to the film Ziva had chosen. Something was changing in him, but he didn't know what. For the first time in his life, he wasn't thinking about the next girl he would bring home, or the next time he could get drunk. He was thinking of Ziva, and her way with the child. Something about it made him wish that he had settled down, got married, raised a family. He fell asleep with Ziva's snuffling head in his lap, thinking about the family he could've had.