When it came time to talk to her friends, Abby took the cowards way out and sent Tony a text on Thursday afternoon. McGee and I need to talk to you and Ziva - free this weekend?

Tony frowned and immediately showed his fiancee. She felt his concern and scribbled something on a scrap piece of paper, as if she forgot no one was on the phone listening. He nodded and relayed the message. Dinner Sunday at my place?

Though she dreaded the meeting, Abby's response was a quick, Okay, before she changed her mind.

Tony flipped his phone shut and sat on the edge of Ziva's desk. "What do you think that's about?"

Ziva's gaze strayed to McGee's desk. "Maybe he finally asked her." She looked down at her ring and ran her thumb over it slowly. "Is it really so hard to ask the question?"

He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger. "When you're not sure what the answer will be, yeah, it's a big risk. But for them..." Tony shrugged. "McGee is guaranteed that Abby will say yes, but it's also Tim and I can see him freaking out about it just because he can."

Ziva smiled softly and met his eyes. "I am glad that you asked."

Tony took a quick look around for witnesses and leaned in to steal a kiss. He grinned. "Me too Zi. I still can hardly believe it's real, even after a week."

She moved his hand to her bump and pressed on the spot she could feel the baby moving. "It is real."

"I know." His eyes were so full of love that Ziva wanted to hug him. "I can't wait until April twenty-first."

Gibbs walked in just then and ended the private moment, but the conversation wasn't far from either agent's mind for the rest of the day.

NCIS

The first time Tony's touch scared Ziva was that night and it took her only seconds to realize he hadn't noticed what he was doing, but significantly longer to push away the memories the situation brought up. They were sitting on the couch in Tony's livingroom, his right arm just above her shoulders on the back of the couch, his left hand laying in his lap and occasionally picking pieces of popcorn out of the bowl beside him.

Then it happened, Tony's hand moved to rest on Ziva's thigh and she froze. "Tony." She hadn't meant the word to come out like a whimper, but a flashback threatened at the edge of her consciousness and some things she could not control.

Tonight's fare was Transporter 2, and Tony was so involved in it he hadn't heard her quiet voice. It took Ziva minutes to relax. As much as he had touched her over the last several months, his hands had rarely been somewhere that made her uncomfortable.

But halfway through the movie Tony began sliding his hand slowly up and down her leg. Panic coursed through Ziva's veins and this time her tone was sharp and forceful. "Tony stop!"

Her fiance's focus on the movie vanished and he turned quickly towards her, noting the way she was trembling and how hard she was fighting for control. He moved before he even realized he'd touched her and when Tony tried to put his arms around her, Ziva slid to the other end of the couch, curling up as much as she could around her baby bump.

Not good. This kind of reaction was not good. Shutting off the TV, Tony was kneeling on the floor in front of her seconds later. He reached out a hand to smooth back her wavy hair. "Zi? Ziva? What's wrong? What did I do?" She was almost crying and it was scaring him.

Ziva was too wrapped up in her own memories to even register his words. Naked in a cell with unwanted hands on her body. Thick darkness that hid dangers but did not mask the pain and shame. Shackles and ropes and handcuffs and so many, many things done against her will.

He was losing her to Somalia, he could see it in her face. Risking making it worse because he so desperately wanted to make it better, Tony leaned close to put his lips by Ziva's ear, whispering 'I love you' over and over again while his hand moved in gentle circles on her stomach.

She didn't want him there, breathing on her and wreaking havoc on her emotions, but Tony's nearness was the very thing that brought her back. His calming touch on her...on their baby, his heartfelt expressions of love, his oh-so-familiar scent - in the same moment Tony was everything she needed and everything she wanted to stay away.

Ziva opened her eyes to see only compassion and concern on Tony's face. "Whatever it is Zi, I'm sorry. But at least tell me so I don't do it again."

She kissed him, surprising Tony and shocking the heck out of herself. It was the first time she'd initiated that kind of touch. But his lips moved with hers, following her lead and giving only what she was taking, no more, no less. When Ziva pulled away, she rested her head back on the throw pillow she'd picked out to match the colour in his livingroom. "I am sorry for freaking out."

He eyed her a little warily, trying to find some sort of balance over the strangeness of the last few minutes. "I'm sure you had a good reason."

"Your hand was on my leg." She blurted it out and even to her own ears the fear sounded foolish, but she didn't have to explain it. Tony's eyes widened and he looked at his hand, then back at where they'd been sitting on the couch, trying to remember.

"I...I wasn't even thinking Zi, it just happened. If you hadn't said anything, I might not've noticed."

She nodded slowly. "I know you would not test me on purpose."

He threaded his fingers lightly into her loose curls. "Never honey, I won't do anything you don't want."

The endearment sounded sweet and Ziva closed her eyes. "I want this." His innocent touch did more to heal her hurts than any words that could've been said. Tony smiled briefly before changing positions so he could sit on the floor. He slid his fingers in-between hers and kissed the back of her hand.

"You are my light Ziva, mia luce."

She squeezed her fingers tighter around his, enjoying the sound of another language on his tongue and how much meaning lay behind his words. "And you are everything that I have needed." It was getting easier to admit the truth, the deep emotional thoughts that had been swirling around inside her head for months. "I love you Tony."

His eyes closed and he leaned his head carefully against her belly. "I love you both."

It was a strange night, in the end. They almost fell asleep in those positions, but good sense prevailed and they said goodnight at his front door. She took his heart with her when she left and when Tony couldn't sleep that night, it wasn't because they weren't together. It was remembering the look in Ziva's eyes the moment it had changed from fear to trust. That's what he wanted to see every time he looked at her. He would not be one more man in a long list of all those who had ever made her afraid.

NCIS

Friday morning dawned sunny, bright and warm. Anxious as she was about her citizenship ceremony, Ziva called Tony at 0800, asking if he could pick her up right away. Luckily he had prepared for that contingency and showed up at her door fifteen minutes later.

Ziva was pacing around her small apartment, dressed in her nicest maternity outfit - a long sleeved, dark purple shirt with a wide drooping neckline that gave the appearance of a looped scarf but barely revealed the scar that snaked up onto her collarbone, and a pair of fitted tan pants. Her hair was half up and pulled back with a clip and because of the way her outfit worked, at first glance it wasn't immediately obvious that she was pregnant. She looked amazing.

Tony leaned against the door frame and watched her for a moment, she hadn't noticed his arrival nor his frank appreciation of what she was wearing. "Zi," he said softly and she tensed, then looked over at him with a faint smile. "Ready?"

She nodded slowly and let him hook his arm around her waist to guide her out of the apartment. Ziva settled into the passenger seat of Tony's car and tucked her hand inside his. He grinned and squeezed her fingers reassuringly. They rode in silence to the building where the ceremony was being held and arrived by 0830. People were just starting to filter in and Ziva wasted no time joining their numbers.

Outside the door to the room she stopped, took a deep breath and shook out her hands, trying to still the trembling. Ziva frowned and looked up at her fiancé. "I have gone up against men with guns and not even blinked an eye. My life has been in danger more often than not. Why do I have nerves about standing up and saying those words?"

Tony reached out to touch her hair but then thought better of messing with her appearance right before one of the most important moments of her life. He settled for taking her hands in his. "It's a big step Zi, it's permanent, and a lot changes today. It's okay to be a little uncertain."

Ziva's smile reached her eyes. "Are you going to tell me that on our wedding day as well Tony?"

"If you need me to," was his quick reply.

Before she had time to focus on what was about to happen, an arm slid around her waist and Abby leaned in to give her a side hug. "Well hello lovebirds," she grinned. "Everyone ready?"

Looking around, Ziva counted the members of her family that were still missing. "Is Gibbs-"

She didn't even get a chance to finish her thought before the man himself strode in, trailed closely by Ducky and Jimmy. Gibbs went right to Ziva and kissed her temple. "Wouldn't miss this for the world Ziver."

Smiling briefly, she couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. "It is alright for everyone to be here?"

"Carter's team is on call, we're clear until lunch," Gibbs replied, leading the way into the room.

They all fell into step behind him, like a grown up version of follow the leader, with Tony and Ziva last. Letting out her breath slowly, Ziva moved forward into the moment that would cement her future in this place and with these people. There was no turning back.

NCIS

Tony knew what it was like to be proud of his partner, to brag about her skills and to revel in her accomplishments, but watching her stand straight and confidently beside him, her right hand raised as she repeated the words, her left hand resting on her belly as if she were promising for both her and the baby, he had never known a brighter moment.

Ziva's slightly accented voice clearly annunciated each word of her oath, while the others looked on with shining eyes and hopeful hearts. "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen."

Just like that her ties to Israel were gone. While her heart might always be Israeli, she was now pledging to be loyal forever to America. Blinking back tears as she said goodbye to a part of who she had been her entire life, Ziva focused again on the task at hand.

"That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law."

Smiling a little at the thought of the badge and gun tucked safely away in her desk drawer at the office, it filled Ziva with a sense of accomplishment to know that she had already sworn a different oath to protect and serve and to bear arms as part of her job at NCIS. Only two lines remained and she said the words after the presenter with as much dignity and certainty as she could muster.

"That I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

And with those words Ziva David, former Mossad operative and daughter of Israel, became in one moment a citizen of the United States of America. She was home, she was safe, she was loved, and the darkness could never touch her again. Maybe it still resided in her mind until she could one day purge the memories, but today she was a free woman and nothing could ever take that away.

Tony let Ziva have her moment to absorb the depth of the commitment she'd just made. When she turned to him with eyes bright and cheeks flushed with joy, he gladly pulled her into his arms to offer a congratulations without words. Before anyone else got to her, Tony kissed her cheek and gave the woman he loved his best smile. "I am so proud of you," he whispered.

Her smile couldn't get much bigger, but it softened as she leaned into the embrace her father offered next. He hugged her briefly and spoke familiar words right by her ear. "No regrets Ziva, you're home."

Ducky came after, with Jimmy hovering nearby as always, his faithful shadow. The older man kissed her cheeks and held her momentarily. "We are lucky to have you my dear. Congratulations." Jimmy just nodded and patted her shoulder, grinning for all her was worth.

Then came Abby's exuberant welcome, even though she had been back in the country for many months. McGee was last to flash a smile at her and draw her close for a hug. When he pulled away, his eyes probed hers deeply. "Now you can decide what you want Ziva."

His words drew her back to their conversation months ago, the day he'd helped her pick out a computer. Ziva was happy to have an answer for him this time. Taking Tony's hand, she offered her choice for his approval. "I already have."

Tim squeezed her arm lightly. "I knew you'd be brave enough someday." He locked eyes with Tony for a moment before starting to follow the group out. "It really is good to have you back."

Leaning into her fiancé, Ziva smiled genuinely, with no masks, for one of the first times. "It is good to be here."

NCIS

It was the end of the day and Ziva had yet to stop staring at her Certificate of Naturalization that she received after the ceremony. It listed her date of birth, sex and height. Tony wasn't a huge fan of her marital status being listed as single, but that would change in less than a month anyways.

Then her former country and a recent photograph. On the other side was her signature, the city and state where the certificate was authorized, her name and the city and state where she lived, and lastly the city, state, and date in and on which the ceremony was held.

But her favourite part was the words right at the bottom, '...admitted as a citizen of the United States of America.' Ziva could not get over how validated that sentence made her feel. She finally belonged somewhere. She had a home and a family, and she would soon have so much more to call her own - a husband and child.

These were dreams that never should have come true, but yet they had and she had never been more thankful for the circumstances that brought her to NCIS. In a strange way, Ari had been her redemption, even if he went about it the wrong way. But despite the hurt of everything he had done and the pain he caused, Ari also lead her to this place and these people. For that Ziva would always be grateful.

Just before the team expected to be dismissed, Director Vance called Ziva up to his office to offer his personal congratulations and get her paperwork in order. Knowing Leon could stall for the time she needed, Abby hurried around the corner with her arms full of streamers and balloons.

Ducky and Jimmy followed in her wake with the food, and wrapped presents began appearing from behind desks and inside file cabinet drawers. Tim and Tony worked together to put up Abby's rather creatively worded banner and the whole group pitched in for the rest of the set up.

When Ziva returned downstairs, she couldn't believe her eyes. "What is this?" she asked incredulously, taking in the streamers hung around her corner, the small folding table laden with cake, punch and other goodies, the balloon bedecked office chair in the middle of the room and the pile of gifts surrounding her desk.

Abby bounced up and down and grinned, gesturing at the banner. "It's a Congratulations slash Going Away slash Baby Shower...party."

Ziva didn't know what to say so Gibbs jerked his head at her. "Sit. May as well enjoy it."

Cautiously she moved forward to sit in the highly decorated chair. Abby was so excited she couldn't hold still, hurrying forward holding three separate shiny gift bags stuffed with black tissue paper. "Okay, so the silver one is yours, so is the green one, but the purple bag is for the baby."

"Alright." The rules seemed simple enough and Ziva reached for the first bag, but bending over didn't work so well anymore and Abby was quick to hand it to her, watching and taking notes for what she would need in five and a half months, give or take. The girl was careful not to touch her stomach or glance back at her husband. Sunday was soon enough to be giving away their secrets.

Pulling the tissue paper out, Ziva found a long sleeved black shirt with the American flag flying proudly across the chest. Ziva raised an eyebrow at her friend and Abby hastened to reassure her. "Don't worry, it's a maternity shirt, I wanted you to be able to wear it right away. The lady at the store said it stretches and is super comfy, perfect for later in pregnancy. You can wear it for good or as pjs, whatever." She shrugged. "But you're one of us now and you may as well flaunt it."

"Thank you Abby," Ziva told her, genuinely appreciating the gesture. Then she moved onto the purple bag.

"So that was your congratulations gift and this is your going away present," the Goth explained. Inside was a collection of various things. "Your very own copy of The Princess Bride because no collection should be without it, America's Sweethearts mostly because of the colours on the cover, Legally Blonde - it's funny but Tony might have to explain most of it. Also an American Trivia Puzzle book. Now you can put all that studying to good use," Abby teased. "You probably know more about the country now than we do."

"That is very sweet Abby." Before opening the last one, Ziva turned to her fiancé and held out a hand. "Tony? This one is for you too."

Their eyes locked and the group was aware that a conversation was going on which in no way included them. Tony wheeled his chair beside hers and Abby jumped over to attach a blue balloon to the back. "It can be the dad seat," she said with a wink.

Tony watched Ziva slowly lift a collection of sleepers, onesies and rompers ranging from newborn to six months. A tiny yellow sleeper sported a smiling sun and the words 'Happy to see me?'. Next was a black onesie with a white bat outline, then a tan romper showing a karate kid shadow and the phrase 'Ninja in Training' that made Tony laugh.

"Genius Abs," he commented, and she looked very pleased with herself.

A pink skull and crossbone onesie made Ziva glance uncertainly at her friend, but the hearts that stood in for eyes made it a little less scary, as did the pink bow stuck to one side of the head. Then a purple footed sleeper with crowns and scepters and jewels sprinkled all over it. After that a white one with an angel holding a wrapped present above the clouds and the caption 'Precious Gift'. Last was a navy blue romper that read 'NCIS Special Angel in Charge'. That one brought Ziva's eyes up to Gibbs as a smile lit her face.

In the very bottom of the bag was something thick and folded. Curious, Ziva reached for it and the material fell open, revealing a vibrantly coloured quilt sporting a handstitched Noah's Ark scene, complete with the rainbow promise overhead. Ziva's expression was incredulous.

"Abby, this is beautiful. Did you...?"

Abby held out her hands and her eyes widened. "Oh no, not me, it was the nuns. I told Sister Rosita and the girls that a friend of mine was having a baby and they all wanted to give you something. Pretty sweet, huh?"

Ziva ran her fingers slowly over the details. "It is wonderful."

Tony, thrilled with how happy this was making her, just sat back and smiled.

Gibbs' gift came next in a wooden box with a lid. Inside was a hand carved mobile and he knelt down to explain it to her, acting as if they were the only two in the room. "A Star of David for your heritage and an eagle to represent your new citizenship. Ballet slippers because you used to dance and your heart never stopped. A horse because I know you love them and this," he tapped the last one, "is your new identity as a mother - your hand holding your child's."

"Gibbs." Ziva had to blink back tears as he stood and kissed her forehead, unable to say any more.

The group let the moment rest briefly and Tony squeezed her hand. Then Ducky approached. "We will miss having you here Ziva," he told her, his grandfatherly smile warming her heart.

She smiled softly and slowly peeled back the paper from the package he'd set on her lap. "Oh Ducky." Ziva flipped through the book of classic lullabies around the world that came complete with sheet music. "Thank you. I will enjoy learning these." Underneath lay a plaque that said 'Welcome to Our Home.'

Ducky patted her shoulder. "I have heard that you have a lovely voice my dear, now you can sing to your child before and after he or she is born. And the sign gives you something to look forward to, your home together."

She cut her eyes to Tony and his gaze was just as eager to have their home together become a reality.

Jimmy stepped forward next and held out three items. "Sorry Ziva, I didn't have time to wrap them."

"It is the thought that adds Jimmy," Ziva told him, perplexed when Tony laughed. She made a face at him. "What?"

"Counts babe. Thoughts count, they don't add."

"But sometimes they add up," McGee pointed out and Tony scowled.

"Stop confusing my fiancee McNutterButter. Our kid is going to have enough issues with English as it is."

The words just slipped out but he could've heard a pin drop in the squadroom as they all absorbed the revelation. Ziva noted the reaction and realized that the family they were creating together would still take some time to get used to. She touched Tony's arm. "Let us look at Jimmy's gifts."

From the Autopsy assistant came a pink teddy bear, a pair of tiny pink socks with lace around the top, and a book titled 'Greatest American Legends'. Ziva stroked the soft inside of the teddy's ear. "Thank you Jimmy, they are very thoughtful."

The younger man blushed and returned to his place beside Dr. Mallard. "Breena helped me pick out the baby stuff," he admitted.

Breena, his girlfriend of just over a month whom he'd met at a Valentine's Day party one of his dormmates had thrown. She was petite, blonde and beautiful. And for reasons he hadn't figured out yet, she genuinely liked him. Abby sent him a significant look, pleased that all her New Year's Eve resolutions for the group were slowly coming true.

After Jimmy moved, McGee took his place in front of the couple, but his gaze was solely on Ziva. "Abby kinda did the shopping for both of us, but I thought you might like this as well."

Intrigued, Ziva tore the paper off the flat item to reveal a framed picture. It was a collage of DC landmarks and monuments with a blue sky overhead and a watermark of the American flag flying proudly across them all.

"It's for your house," he smiled shyly. "A constant reminder of what you've achieved."

Because she was sitting, Ziva tugged Tim down to her level and kissed his cheek quickly. "Thank you Tim, I love it."

Thinking everyone had gone, Tony pulled a white t-shirt out of the bag at his side. A picture of a fresh, steaming pie graced the front and underneath were the words 'American as Apple Pie'. The others laughed when Ziva's face screwed up into a confused expression.

Tony chuckled. "I know I'll have to explain it later but trust me, it's an American saying. And also," he bent over to retrieve something at the bottom of the bag, emerging triumphantly with a small Statue of Liberty figurine in one hand, "this. See," Tony grinned and pushed a small button on the back, "the flame lights up into a flashlight. Pretty cool huh?"

Ziva bit her lip as if she wasn't quite sure what to do with a gift like that, but then she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you Tony."

Before he could make some random comment about his creative giving skills, Matt moved to the front of the group and held out a large bag to Tony and Ziva. "We all chipped in for these," he told the couple as Ziva examined the many small articles of baby clothing in neutral whites, greens, yellows, cherry reds and printed patterns. "I know Tony thinks the baby is a girl but my sister suggested a few other colours might be good to have, just in case."

Ziva was surprised at the amount of clothing in the bag. "I do not think we are going to have to buy anything at all for the baby to wear."

Abby grinned. "I don't know about that, most of this stuff is like pjs or hanging out at the house type of clothes. Wait until your kid is born and we can buy gender specific outfits." She danced around in a circle. "Baby clothes are so much fun to pick out!"

Tim had to work really hard not to lose himself in pictures of he and Abby shopping for clothes for their baby, so he was grateful for the interruption of Director Vance striding into the bullpen. Gibbs' drew his eyebrows together and Vance just smiled.

"At ease Agent Gibbs, I come bearing gifts." He set a large round hatbox on Ziva's lap. "This is from Jackie. She insisted, so don't even try to get out of accepting it."

Neither Tony nor Ziva really knew what to say. Such a gesture was completely unexpected. "Umm, thank you Director," Tony managed, as Ziva still looked a little unsure.

"Well go on, open it," Leon encouraged her. "Jackie will want to know what you thought."

Ziva carefully lifted off the lid revealing an entire collection of things for the baby that they hadn't even begun to think of yet. She looked at their boss and he smiled knowingly. "She figured there was a lot you wouldn't even know you needed. Jackie's done this twice and she's very organized. I'll be surprised if there's anything she forgot."

Tony was already sifting through the multitude of gifts. Two pairs of teeny-tiny baby shoes, several pairs of socks, lotions, baby soap, talcum powder, nail clippers, diaper rash ointment, baby tylenol, an ear thermometer, bibs, burp cloths, bottles, gripe water, soothers, wash clothes, receiving blankets, and long letter full of advice and tips and examples of situations they might encounter. Sharing a glance, it was obvious that the two were overwhelmed.

"It'll be different around here without you Agent David," the Director told her, "but at least this time we know you're coming back. Congratulations again and good luck." With that he left to return to his office and they all watched him go, wondering just when it was that Leon Vance had turned into a respectable human being.