First of all, I am really sorry for not updating. I jut couldn't figure out how to finish this chapter. Tonight I just kinda pulled myself together and finally did it.

PLEASE READ THIS: There will be one more chappy after this one, and with that I need your help. I'm planning on writing a sequel to this story, and I would really appreciate your ideas on what you'd like to see in the sequel. I'd like to put some hints into the last chapter of this story. I currently have one idea, which I've had for quite a time for now, but I'm starting to doubt if it is as good as it seemed at first. So share your ideas, everything will be welcome and appreciated :)

Oh, and by the way, this Saturday, 11th September, was the six month birthday of this story :)

And also sorry for the confusion with the last 22nd chapter. It was actually the 21st that I wanted to update, but instead of replacing it I accidentally added it again. I removed it immediately, but the alerts probably still came to you. Sorry, my mistake.

Okay, on with the story, which comes waayyy too late.

Tony couldn't refrain from running up the steps. He quickened his pace, taking two, sometimes even three steps at the time. His feet pounded against the stone stairs, but he didn't even notice the sound. He made it to the second floor in no time and he continued towards their apartment, placed uncomfortably in the end of the rather long hallway.

He entered the apartment quietly, intent on surprising his girls. He opened the door and slid in, a mischievous grin on his face. He placed his keys and badge on countertop and locked his gun into the safe where Ziva's already laid.

He heard their laughter coming from the living room, so that's where he headed. The sight before him made his heart flutter happily. Everything was how it used to be. Before that horrible day that he would've preferred to erase from his mind for good.

Ziva and Rachel were sitting side to side on the floor, crayons spattered out all around them. Tony sneaked up behind them, surprised that neither of them had yet to notice him.

He squatted down behind them and wrapped his arms around them caringly. If it were possible, they both would've jumped out of their skins that very moment. Tony placed his head in between theirs to look at the picture they had taken turns drawing. He laughed at the sight of it.

There was a rather large blue and red striped… something. It reminded Tony of some insect, but a much simplified one at that. It had a huge grin on its face, making it look friendly. It had five antennas and – Tony had to stop and count – eleven legs. And each of them was different. But that was not what surprised him. Things like various amounts of unmatching legs were usual sights whenever Ziva and Rachel decided to do a codrawing. No, what did surprise him, was that there was "daddy" written in big bold letters on the creature's stomach.

"You should not do so," Ziva noted.

Tony turned his eyes away from the picture and to her face. He feigned innocence. "Why's that?" he demanded, his eyes sparkling. "It's such fun!"

Ziva laughed and placed a quick kiss on his lips. He grinned mischievously and sneaked an arm around her waist. He glanced suggestively into her eyes.

Ziva playfully spatted his arm away and nodded at Rachel who was busy adding another pair of legs to the creature. Her eyes said clearly "later", keeping Tony from launching into a full make-out session. He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Ziva couldn't contain her laughter at the sight of Tony maniacally moving his eyebrows up and down. She punched his arm playfully and was rewarded with a shriek from Tony. He glared at her offendedly and dramatically rubbed his arm. She just gave him a fond look, enhanced by an amused glint in her eyes, and turned her eyes back to her daughter.

Rachel had proceeded to draw another strange creature, this one labeled "mommy". She was currently drawing a smaller one in between them. This one had no writings on it, but it was clear it was supposed to be her.

She finished the drawing and picked it up.

"Look, mommy," she said, holding it out to Ziva. "I finished it," she then announced proudly.

Ziva took it with a broad smile on her face. "It is beautiful, tateleh."

Rachel grinned and took the drawing out of her hands and gave it to Tony instead. He took it, acting excited. "That's one really nice picture, Rach. This is definitely going on the fridge!" he announced, holding it up to look better. "You could be an artist if you wanted!" Their fridge was covered with Rachel's best drawings. They had to take some off constantly, to make room for the new ones.

Rachel's grin got even wider, if it was even possible. She stood up and hugged Tony. "I love you, daddy," she said lovingly. She then moved over to Ziva. "I love you, mommy."

They both hugged her back. "We love you too, honey," Tony replied.

"Bedtime, Rach," Ziva suddenly announced. She picked Rachel up and carried her to her bedroom, where she helped her change into her pajamas. She tried to not grind her teeth angrily at the sight of the ugly bruise on Rachel's arm. In her opinion, it would've been fair to break Sean's arm for hurting her little girl. But she couldn't do that. It would've raised questions on how on Earth could a man get his arm broken while locked in a room all by himself.

Ziva suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her waist. She could feel his soft breath on her cheek as she reached over her shoulder to make a silly face to Rachel, who giggled in return. He placed a soft kiss on Ziva's cheekbone.

They both kissed Rachel good night and entered the room, leaving a small light on on Rachel's request. The dark room would've probably been scary for her after spending the night alone in a dark and unknown house.

Later, when Tony and Ziva were curled against each other in the bed, they both had time to truly feel the rush of happiness that came with getting their daughter back.

"See, I told you we would find her," Tony told her after they had parted their lips to get some air.

She smiled happily. "I guess I am going to have to trust you now."

Tony made a face of being offended. "Don't you already?" he asked sadly, pouting.

Ziva chuckled and placed a loving kiss on his forehead. "I have always trusted you, and I will always trust you."

Tateleh - little darling (in Hebrew)

Please review and tell me your ideas on the sequel. I'd really appreciate them.