Do you know how much I hate Jeanne Benoit? A lot. A lot a lot a lot. This one was hard to do nicely. On a side note, if you have anything you'd like to see, scenarios etc, please PM me, and I'll see what I can do! :D
Years
" She's pretty hot."
" The brunette? Pretty hot. Nice dress too. I do love a little black number"
" Although, that red head is pretty wow too."
" Red-head? Nah, that's more your Grandpa's area of expertise."
" Change is good though, right?"
Tony grinned over his martini, taking a sip.
" I doubt your mother would see it that way - hey, is that alcoholic?"
His son smirked, brandishing his own 'martini'.
" Don't be silly, the bartenders don't serve 7 year olds. It's lemonade. But I made them put it in the glass with the olive."
At a rather amused look from his father, the boy huffed.
"I'm in a full tux! A soda would look ridiculous."
Tony snorted with laughter.
" Hurry up and get a little older, and we'll delve a little further into the DiNozzo guide to life. Some of my favourite chapters, too..."
" You mean that trick where you take her bra and-"
" Time and a place, kid. We're in tuxedos, holding martinis. We talk about muscle cars, and our expensive suits..."
" Fred Astaire and Italian heritage?"
He clapped a hand to the boy's back, grinning proudly.
" You have learnt well, mio figlio."
" Taught by the best, padre."
Tony laughed again, turning around to the barman.
" Another martini, please, sir."
" You're still drinking those things?"
The new voice made both DiNozzo men turn, the younger's face lighting up in a smirk, the elder's jaw almost hitting the floor as he turned the same colour as his shirt. A tanned woman stood, short red cocktail dress, beautiful figure and a face Tony could never forget.
" Y-You...Wh-what...I mean...I thought you'd moved abroad?"
The woman smiled, flicking back a brown curl, watching the still somewhat gaping man.
" I moved back two years ago. A resident at City. They're supporting this charity, so I got sent along..."
" O-Oh, congratulations."
" Are you still with N...NCI-"
" NCIS. Yeah, I uh, I'm a Special Agent in Charge now. Same sort of premise, here for face."
" Oh, I see... well done, I guess."
There was a heavy silence as the two stopped talking, intermitted by the sound of shuffling and a slight cough. The boy caught between gave his father a sly elbow to the ribs. Tony winced, catching his eye, before turning back to their new 'guest'.
" This is Tony, my son. Tony, this is...this is Jeanne. Jeanne... Benoit?"
Jeanne nodded, taking in the mini-Tony before her.
" Still Benoit. Career first, always. Another DiNozzo, huh?"
The younger DiNozzo nodded with the trademark grin, sticking out a hand.
" Anthony. But you can call me Tony."
Jeanne took it gently, managing a slight chuckle.
" Well, he's definitely yours, if looks didn't give it away. You sure he had a mother?"
Tony laughed, clearly somewhat less uncomfortable than he was minutes ago.
" Ah yes, definitely. My wife, Ziva."
Jeanne blinked, smile clearly somewhat forced.
" Married, huh?"
Tony swallowed, giving a small wave of his left hand.
" Yeah. 8 years, and 3 kids to show for it."
" There's more little clones?"
" Ah, not exactly. There's Tony here, and my little girl, Abigail, she's 5, and our youngest, Timotheos, he's just coming up for 3. They both take a lot after their mother."
There was silence again, both resigned to taking sips of their drink to avoid any deeper conversation than a) work, b) family, or c) (God help him) the weather. This, thankfully, was avoided by the arrival of two small saving graces, one in a small suit and tie, the other in a light blue dress, hair in curled pigtails. Abi paused at the sight of this new woman, eyeing her with some suspicion, whilst Timmy demanded to be picked up, nuzzling into his father's neck and sighing happily, dark eyes closing.
" Tired, little man?"
The little boy nodded, as his sister piped up.
" Daddy! Mama says you have to come over because Uncle Ducky's telling his stories again, and you promised her a...a..."
" Cosmopopilan."
" Costomocalan."
" No, it's cosotopilan."
" Cosmopolitan."
" Thank you Daddy! Silly brothers. You promised her a cosmopolitan nearly half an hour ago!"
Tony placed a hand on his daughter's head, pushing her forward gently..
" And a cosmopolitan she will get. First, do me a favour and say hello to this lovely lady for me. Jeanne, this is Abi and Timmy. Guys, this is Jeanne. She's...an old friend of mine."
Timmy cracked open an eye and waved one chubby hand, whilst Abi put on a large, dazzling grin, watching the woman closely. Jeanne smiled again, eyes softening at the sight of Tony with his youngest. Tony cleared his throat, nodding his head to Tony and Abi.
" Tell your mother, I'll 5 minutes, and I shall have her beloved cocktail."
There was twin nods, Abi grabbing her brother's hand and dragging him off towards the table, where Tony could clearly make out the shapes of his team mates. He turned back to Jeanne, smiling softly.
" Someone once told me kids are all worth it in the end. Most accurate advice I ever got. Took a lot to remember it through all the late nights and the tantrums though."
It elicited a small laugh from the woman, who was still watching Timmy.
" They're beautiful children. He takes after your wife, huh?"
" Huh? Oh, Tim? Yeah. Ziva's hair, skin, eyes... Hey, mesero, a cosmopolitan please."
" That woman from the photo. The one in your apartment. That's who he looks like."
Tony paused, watching her carefully, unsure of how exactly to reply.
" Yeah...that's Zi. She was my partner... Israeli, hence the slightly exotic look the kids have. Well, bar Tony."
Timmy piped up, opening one sleepy eye.
" That's 'cuz he's a clone."
Tony chuckled, shuffling the toddler into his other arm.
" I thought you were sleeping."
" A'most..."
A cocktail was slid across the bar to Tony, who picked it up in his spare hand, pausing before speaking again.
" It's been good speaking to you, Jeanne."
She nodded, somewhat more subdued.
" I'm glad... I'm glad you're happy, Tony."
" You too. Who knows, maybe we'll bump in to each other. Two sons, the ER know me pretty well by now."
She laughed again, only a light one though. Tony gave a slight nod before turning and heading back towards the table, Timmy opening his eyes to peek at the women over his father's shoulder, giving her a small wave. Jeanne caught the lump in her throat, and turned and made a quick dash for the door.