Partners

Ziva found her husband, sulking, on the bench by the pool, outside. She joined him silently, placing herself delicately in his lap, somewhat relieved when he took ahold of her and pulled her close. At least he wasn't holing himself up behind emotional brick walls. There was several minutes of silence, the only the sounds the soft hum of the pool filter and lights, before he spoke.

" Is she still crying?'

" No. I spoke to her, calmed her and sent her to bed."

" Good."

Another silence. This one lasted, again, for several minutes, before Tony spoke again.

" I didn't mean to lost my temper."

" I know, Tony."

He sighed agitatedly, shifting in his place.

" It's just...I don't like it, y'know? The thought of her...with him...The boys, it doesn't bother me at all. But...it's Abi."

He gnawed his lip, Ziva watching his with those deep eyes, letting him vent in his own time.

" Besides, the guy's a jackass. I've seen him, read his profile-"

" Got McGee to hack into his cell, read up on his background, I know."

Her husband blushed slightly, ashamed.

" How did you-"

" I'm your wife, Tony. Wife and partner. I know you better than you know yourself."

" It was for good reason!"

" Abigail would be most furious if she knew."

" That's why she'll never find this one out."

Ziva laughed softly, leaning her head against his broad chest, absent-mindedly trailing her fingers across it.

" You have to let her grow up, Tony."

He stiffened at this, as Ziva knew he would. It was several moments before he replied.

" I know, I know. I just...I'm not ready to, not yet. She's only 16. And I know, at 16, you were off killing whoever in the middle of some god-forsaken jungle. And I was sleeping with anyone that would open their legs, and doing some questionable stuff, but...that's not how we brought her up. We gave her a safe, loving, supportive home so that she could enjoy her childhood, y'know? Not need to grow up quickly, be able to be a kid for just that bit longer. Why the rush?"

" You can lead a goat to water, Tony."

" Horse. It's 'lead a horse'."

He received a playful smack in the ribs for the comment, which he took with good grace and a laugh.

" She's not a child anymore, Tony. She's a young woman, wanting to find her feet, to step away from that little girl, branch out, spread her wings. We've done our job, we've brought her to this. Now it's time to perhaps start handing her the reigns a little more, let her carve her own path?"

Tony made a face, but nodded rather reluctantly.

" I guess. But he's a tool! She could do so much better, I'm meant to look after her! He's going to hurt her. Her whole life I've spent looking after her for this jerk to break her heart?"

His wife straightened up, so that she was face to face with him, carefully wrapping her arms around his neck, letting her fingers tangle in his hair softly.

" And your job now is to be there for her, when she needs you. To advise her, and help guide her, and be there to pick up the pieces when things inevitably go wrong. You can't stop it happening, love, but you can be there for her."

Tony smiled, gently squeezing her.

" I do always wonder how you know me just so well."

Ziva laughed again, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his lips.

" I'm your partner, remember? Good partnerships only work when you truly understand your other half. Besides, I've had plenty of practice speaking and reading 'Tony-speak'. I've been married to you now for how long?"

Tony cleared his throat with a grin.

" 19 years, my love."

Ziva laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically.

" 19 years, is that all? It feels like so much longer..."

Tony feigned hurt, resulting in them both laughing before falling silent again, his free hand finding and gently curling her fingers with his. Ziva tucked her head under his chin, closing her eyes with a smile. His voice, however, broke her peace, and there was worry, laced with a guilt, in the usually smooth tones.

" She's going to hate me."

Ziva scoffed lightly, tapping him on the chest with her free hand.

" She couldn't hate you. Girl's loved you since day one. All girls are daddy's girls, regardless of how their father treats them. I can tell you that."

Tony paused, reading between the lines of what exactly his wife had said, before deciding to leave it. It was a can of worms that he would rather not delve into, tonight of all nights. Instead, he sat back, enjoying the peace their small conversation had brought him, feeling his eyelids start to droop. Ziva gave him a gentle nudge, pulling him to his feet with a smile.

" Come on, my little hairy butt. 'I got your six, boss'."

Tired as he was, Tony managed a short laugh, stumbling after her back into the trashed house with a content sigh.

Special mention to The Lady Grace: To answer your questions! 1) Timmy is camping out at Grandpa Gibbs'. I don't think Tiva trusted the elder two just enough to look after the little one. Besides, Timmy loves his grandpa 3 and 2) She's counting Tony (: