A/N: Negative Angel - thank you for that lovely, heartfelt review. I was hoping to respond to it, but was sad to discover you do not have PMs enabled. Would you consider enabling them?
Aspenxo - how did you get the site to let you sign in under your own name? Everyone else reviewing anonymously is getting tagged as 'Guest'. Aww...I'm always so honoured when people re-read the stories, I would think once might be enough! I always had an idea where the story was going, but definitely it would've been hard to imaging T&Z making it here when you start back at the beginning. Glad you liked the sparklers, they're always my favourite part. Thanks for reviewing! I don't suppose you want to sign in so I can reply to your reviews?
Tiva lovah - your reviews are always so enthusiastic, they just make me smile :) Thank you so much for your diligence in following and responding to this story, I appreciate it. Yeah, I always wanted to go a little deeper into what things looks like for Ziva between After Somalia and TWL. Your comments are always so encouraging, thank you :)
It took a week and a half for Ziva to realize she liked hearing 'David' again. The name reminded her of the woman she used to be, a woman she wanted to be again. Tony though, we less happy about it. He only used Ziva's maiden name to introduce her, otherwise she was always 'Ziva' to him. And in case he felt as though she liked her old name better than her new one, Ziva would flick her ring finger at him occasionally, letting her husband know she was glad for the change.
Friday night while his wife was at Ops, Tony put on Beauty and the Beast and snuggled with Chaya on the couch before the guys arrived, making the most of their daddy-daughter time together. Tony held a toy for her that was a square piece of flexible yellow plastic with a different textured item hanging from a loop of material on each side. The baby was fascinated, touching them all, her eyes wide like saucers when one of the objects squeaked. He chuckled and kissed her.
"If you think that's exciting, wait until you can crawl. Even Sammy won't be safe."
They had just started Gnomeo and Juliet with Tony throwing in more involved stories from his boarding school pranking days when Gibbs and McGee walked in. Chaya was asleep but Tony kept talking, wanting her to hear his voice and equate it with feeling safe and happy. When the rest of the construction crew showed up, Tony reluctantly returned his daughter to the bassinet and followed them downstairs.
McGee brought a set of speakers he'd found and left Tony to find a place for them while he went straight for the treadmill, his mission to get it up and running by the time they left. Gibbs retrieved painting supplies from the garage and moved to the last section of drywall where they'd left off last time. The plastic sheet still covered the mats so he got to work. Tony set up the speakers in both corners of the workout area on small wooden stands that were once used for plants. Then he got out tools and started putting the weight rack together. They'd only gotten up to forty pound dumbbells, figuring an entire set wasn't necessary. They were gently used, but Tony knew Ziva wouldn't care as long as they worked.
At the end of two hours the treadmill was in perfect condition, the speakers wired and operational and all three guys bore evidence of having painted. But after two months of hard work, they were done. Gibbs, McGee and Tony stood back to admire what they'd accomplished and Tony grinned. "Thanks. I couldn't've done this without you both."
"Keep the fans on it overnight," Gibbs ordered, heading upstairs.
"Let us know what she says, okay?" McGee asked, following their boss. "I'll be calling in that favour later."
"Yeah," Tony nodded, "I guess that's three I owe you now. You deserve them."
"Have a good weekend," were the probie's parting words.
Tony looked down at himself and hurried to the garage to find something to take the paint flecks off. He was still scrubbing at spots when he heard Ziva's car, so he ran upstairs to hop in the shower, hoping to take care of any remaining specks so as not to give anything away. Tony was surprised to find Ziva sitting on their bed when he got out, a strange look on her face.
"When did Chaya eat?"
Tony dropped down beside her, propped up on one elbow. "Eight."
It was almost ten. Her brow furrowed. "Nothing since then?"
He shook his head. "No, but she had her cluster feeds really early tonight."
Ziva sighed. "It was the same last night. And while I am glad for the extra sleep and time, I feel like I never see her." She ran tired fingers through her hair. "I may have to change my schedule at Ops somehow so I can do her last feeding."
"We'll figure it out. She's worth whatever adjustments need to be made."
Ziva met his eyes. "Are you okay always having her by yourself when I am at the gym? I do not want it to feel like an imposition. You are always doing things for me, I am not sure how to give so much back."
He shook his head. "She's my daughter Ziva, not an imposition. I love spending time with her, even if she is fussy sometimes and asleep the rest. And I'm glad you're finally okay to go back to the gym. This is normal honey, this is what life is supposed to look like. I don't want that to change."
She kissed him. "You are too good to me."
Tony rubbed her back. "No one mentioned how hard it would be to be working parents. I've never been more grateful for weekends."
She raised an eyebrow. "We do not have anything planned?"
"Nope," Tony confirmed. Which just goes to show how much anyone knows what will happen to them next.
NCIS
At three am on Saturday morning a phone call jerked Tony and Ziva out of a deep, peaceful sleep. Only semi-coherent, the partners groped for their cell phones and it was Tony who flipped his open first and pressed it to his ear, trying to force his eyes open. "H'lo?"
"Dead body on the USS GW DiNozzo, up and at 'em."
He groaned and dropped his head back onto the pillow, his arm returning to its place around Ziva's waist. "Please tell me this is a bad dream."
Ziva was already pushing herself up and squirming out from under the blankets. She patted his cheek and chuckled. "Come on Tony, we are needed."
"So much for a quiet weekend," Tony muttered into the blanket as she reached for her phone to call Celeste.
It seemed Gibbs had gotten to her first because she answered on the first ring. "Celeste Casey."
Ziva shook her head. "You can assume it is only family that calls so late, or early. Did you talk to Gibbs?"
"You got a case. Do you want me to come?"
"If you do not mind. Chaya will sleep three more hours and you are welcome to our spare bed."
"I'll be there by the time you're ready to leave," she promised.
Tony had just hung up with McGee. He sighed. "That Abby can still be bubbly at this inhuman hour is very unfair." Dropping his cell phone, Tony rubbed his face. "Gosh, I'd really hoped full night sleeps were going to be the usual when Chaya started going seven hours without nursing." He started looking for his clothes, pulling on the shirt he'd taken off earlier. "Tim's going to drop Abby at NCIS and meet us at the scene."
Ziva buttoned her pants and smoothed her shirt before looking at him. "Are you alright Tony?"
Tony was still searching the floor for the belt that had mysteriously slithered out of his pants in the hours since he'd undressed for bed. "Hmm? Oh, yeah. This is just harder than it used to be when I was twenty-five."
Ziva wrapped an elastic over the knot of her hair and looped a tie around his neck, pulling him close for a kiss. Tony dropped his pants and gave himself up to her comfort, his hands joining behind her back. She broke the caress and buried her face in his neck as she hugged him tightly. Pulling away, she flickered her gaze over him, smirked and slapped his cheek lightly. "Hurry up. I think Gibbs would prefer you to be clothed."
Celeste showed up just as tea and coffee were being poured into travel mugs. She looked remarkably alert for 0330, or maybe she was just faking well. "Good morning," she smiled.
Tony groaned and Ziva patted his arm, sipping her tea. "He is not quite awake yet."
Celeste chuckled. "Jethro is a bear before that first cup of coffee. Trust me, I understand." She checked her watch. "You better go, he's rather impatient when a case interrupts his night."
Tony gave a harsh laugh. "He's always impatient."
Ziva rolled her eyes. "Come on Tony. Thank you Celeste."
"Anytime Ziva, I mean that. Good luck."
Thinking they were going to need it, Tony and Ziva nodded and went out to the car. Saturday morning passed in a blur as they processed the scene, got background on the players and tried to piece the story together. At first they thought it was a revenge killing related to a recent promotion. They kicked in a few doors tracking down the truth, with Tony always taking the lead and clearing the area before his partner came in.
The discovery of a second body that washed up in the afternoon blew all their theories out of the water and complicated the heck out of the investigation. Two sailors, unknown to each other as far as they could tell, suddenly showing up dead with a cause of death that had Ducky stumped and Abby convinced that something hinky was going on did not make for a happy team. Gibbs was growling and going through coffee like it was the elixir of youth, McGee's eyes were bloodshot from scouring computer records, Tony was practically falling asleep sitting up after interviewing hundreds of the victim's shipmates, and Ziva was still pouring over the email and phone histories belonging to the dead men.
Shortly after lunch Celeste packed up Chaya, found the keys to Ziva's car with the base for the carseat in it, and took the baby to see her parents. Having forgot to pump earlier because they were so busy, Ziva was just starting to notice how full her breasts were and she barely took time to say thank you before whisking Chaya away to an empty conference room to nurse.
Tony looked up at her with tired eyes. "Thanks. That's the first reason I've had to smile all day."
Gibbs didn't say a word, he just reached for Celeste's hand and took her to the alcove. She responded to the need in his expression and leaned into his kiss. Gibbs wrapped her in his arms and sighed. "Too old for middle of the night calls. I should just give DiNozzo the team, retire and spend the next thirty years watching you edit stories and following you wherever you go."
She laughed. "That's the caffeine and lack of sleep talking. It wouldn't be so hard if we hadn't been up past midnight counting stars and talking."
Gibbs took her face in his hands, joining their lips again. "Did more than just talk."
Celeste swatted him. "I remember. It's been a long time since we made out like teenagers. Now, what's this nonsense about retiring? You'd last a week before you were bored of me and my coloured pens, maybe a month until building boats wouldn't compete with pulling your gun on bad guys." She caressed his face. "I'll give you thirty years Jethro, but don't quit just because of a long night."
He kissed the back of her hand. "When did you get to know me so well?"
Celeste hugged him. "Somewhere between being married and being friends. Sometime after leaving and realizing I never stopped loving you. Somewhere after showing up on your doorstep and waiting for there to be room in your life for me again. I got to know you because I suddenly saw how much I missed the first time."
Gibbs had no words and let his actions speak what he wished he could say. Celeste only allowed him access to her mouth for a few more minutes before pushing him away. "Not here. We could have an audience any moment and you haven't told them yet." She slid her fingers around his. "Come on, back to your case."
He frowned. "You take all the fun out of visiting me at work." But he followed her to his desk anyways.
Ziva came back shortly after, relinquishing the baby to her husband, and Gibbs resigned himself to the fact that productivity would cease until his granddaughter left. Leaning back in his chair, the older man watched Tony with Chaya - kissing her head and holding her hand, talking all kinds of gibberish while looking into her bright eyes and trying to make her smile.
Celeste, who was perched on the edge of his desk, leaned down. "What are you waiting for? You need a dose of that baby's comfort just as much as Tony."
Squeezing her knee gently, Gibbs walked over and stood in front of Tony with an expression more demand than request on his face. Tony sighed and handed over the little girl. Gibbs took her for a walk along the window, well aware that the whole team was probably watching and trying to listen in.
"You light up the room angel, did you know that? Mommy and Daddy were so glad to see you tonight. Daddy just about fell over himself waiting for his turn, not to mention Grampa and Aunt Abby. You have quite the fan club honey."
Moving to McGee's desk while she kept an eye on her ex-husband and the baby, Celeste dug in her pocket for the ziploc bag of dog treats she'd packed earlier and handed them to Tim. "Can you make sure Abby gets these?"
He studied the bag for a moment and gave it back. "Why don't you take it to her?" Celeste's brow furrowed and Tim grinned. "Puppy treats and her niece? That's got to be good for something."
Celeste smiled and slowly nodded. "Thanks Tim, maybe I will."
Soon after she retrieved her charge and promised to bring Chaya back in the evening so Ziva could feed her again if they were staying late. Feeling a little apprehensive, Celeste left the bullpen and pushed the button on the elevator for Abby's lab. Tami, taking her lunch later now to coincide with Matt's new schedule, was just leaving and Sammy stood at the lab entrance watching her go.
Celeste smiled at the puppy and bent down to pet him. "I brought your friend."
Sammy's tail went wild and he eagerly shoved his nose against Chaya's cheek. The baby looked startled but smiled at the puppy, shrieking in excitement when his rough pink tongue darted out to lick her neck and fingers. She squirmed but didn't cry and Celeste stood up. Sammy barked, putting his paws on her leg and looking up at his baby.
"Sammy, down!" Abby commanded, and the puppy dropped to the floor, looking suitably chastened. She crossed her arms. "What are you doing here?"
"Hold your fire Abby," Celeste said lightly, "I come in peace for a tour. And since I'm babysitting today, I thought I'd share."
Abby's expression instantly brightened and she reached for Chaya. "Hi there princess, did you come to visit Aunt Abby? Nah, I bet you're only here for Sammy and Bert." She glanced over her shoulder. "Follow us. We'll start in the Ballistics Lab."
It wasn't exactly progress, but Celeste would take what she could get. For more time than she bothered to count, Celeste trailed Abby around the rooms that belonged to her little kingdom and learned more than she ever wanted to know about the art of forensic science. Abby happily held the baby and chatted a mile a minute about her machines, her team, and her assistant - who returned silent as a shadow and continued whatever she'd been working on without a word. Abby only stopped talking and surrendered her niece when Gibbs came down in time to hear Major Mass Spec beep, indicating that results were in.
She grinned at Celeste. "I told you, the man has ESP."
Celeste chuckled and held Gibbs' gaze for just a moment. "I don't doubt it." She handed Abby the dog treats, said goodbye to Sammy who gave her the saddest face ever for taking his baby away, and decided to continue making the rounds since she'd already stayed for half of Chaya's nap.
Ducky and Jimmy were in the middle of autopsies, but covered up the bodies and gladly took a break to spend with Celeste and Chaya. Ducky delighted in showing his domain to the ladies and shared several of his numerous stories. Jimmy didn't have as much to say, but every time he held Chaya, he got more comfortable with her and Celeste had no doubts that someday he'd make a wonderful father.
NCIS
Hours later it was Ziva who finally discovered the link between the two men. Their case ended on a sad note when a suicide pact between the victims was found, driven by the hurt of learning their wives were cheating. Saying 'case closed' didn't change the fact that one selfish act had ended two lives, and once reports were completed, it was after midnight and they were more than ready to leave the heaviness behind.
Tony and Ziva said goodbye and headed home, trying to be quiet and not wake Celeste. She heard them anyways and after getting a recap on the case, declined their offer to stay the night. Knowing that one of Gibbs' ex-wives had cheated on him made her anxious to check on him and promise her loyalty again, if that's what he needed. Exhausted, Tony and Ziva dropped into bed, barely taking time to undress. And for the first time ever, Ziva didn't even notice she'd forgotten pyjamas. She just curled up next to her husband and fell fast asleep.
When Tony woke with Chaya at six am, Ziva didn't even stir. Not minding, he forced his eyes opened and dragged himself into the nursery to warm her bottle. Refraining from talking too much because he wanted - needed - her to bo right back to sleep, Tony was content to hold and rock and burp and change his little girl, before laying her back down and turning on the mobile from Gibbs, which went around and around but made no noise, and pressing play on the lullaby CD from McGee.
"Go back to sleep princess. Daddy will see you in a few hours, okay?" Chaya was already flaked out, arms up beside her head and lips still occasionally moving as if she were eating. Tony chuckled and closed the door.
He was all the way back in bed before it registered that Ziva had fallen asleep in only her underwear. Willing away his reaction to her near naked state, Tony ran his fingers softly down Ziva's back, stopping often to map her scars. He closed his eyes and found them by touch, trying hard not to remember the pain they caused when they were brand new. Tony's hand strayed to her hip, locating the numbers tattooed there to help identify her body if anything had ever happened on one of her missions for Mossad.
His fingers stroked lower, down the outside of her leg and Ziva's hand came to rest over his. "Tony."
He kissed her shoulder. "Sorry Zi, didn't meant to wake you."
She didn't move his hand, instead flattening it against her skin and skimming her fingers over the back. "I am awake as soon as you touch me. Old habits."
Tony sighed. "I guess I was just glad for the excuse."
Ziva leaned back into him. "What time is it?"
"Still early. Go back to sleep."
Obeying orders without question, Ziva did, not waking until three hours later when Chaya's cries reached her ears. She shuffled into the nursery still feeling like she was in a fog and lifted her daughter out of the crib. Holding Chaya to her shoulder, Ziva brushed her lips over the baby's forehead.
"Boker tov tatelah, you are hungry, yes?" settling into the rocking chair, she breathed in Chaya's sweet scent and positioned the baby to nurse. "Ima missed you yesterday. Did you have fun with Celeste?" Ziva lowered her voice. "Do not tell anyone, especially Aunt Abby, but I think she may be your grandma someday."
Tony leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "Know something I don't?"
A smile tugged at her lips. "Eavesdropping is considered rude in some places."
He shrugged. "It's the best way to learn important information." Sitting on the stool, he rubbed her knee. "So, Gibbs and Celeste?"
Ziva shrugged. "I think they both know what they want. She is good for him. I like her."
Tony leaned back. "I like her too." He made a face. "I'm not sure about Abby."
"Abby will get used to Celeste just like she got used to me. It will take time and Celeste will have to be patient." She switched Chaya to the other side and the little family sat there quite absorbed in each other until the baby finished eating and Tony took over Daddy duties.
Ziva kissed his cheek. "I am going swimming...or for a run. Maybe both. Will you be okay without me?"
"Never," Tony said firmly, pressing his lips to hers and lifting Chaya up. "But we can probably let you go for a couple hours."
She shook her head slightly. "You are very sweet." Dropping a kiss on Chaya's head, Ziva returned to their room to change.
Tony wandered around until she left, then strapped Chaya into her carseat and clipped it onto the stroller. "Let's go for a walk princess." They meandered leisurely down the street until they came to the park. Chaya was still awake, squinting at the bright sunshine and generally about as content as could be. Gently Tony got her out and carried her around, dodging small children playing tag as he took his daughter on a tour.
"That'll be you someday C, running around and giggling, chasing brothers and sisters and cousins." He sat on a swing and moved gently back and forth, keeping a firm grip on the baby. "We'll have races to see who can swing faster when you're older, but I can almost hear you asking already for me to push you higher when you can't do it yourself."
Tony brushed his lips over her forehead and got up. "This is a teeter-totter. You need two people, so if you can't find anyone your size, I'll go on with you." They continued to the jungle gym. "I bet you'll be a little monkey, scrambling up furniture and climbing trees at home, giving Mommy and me fits. But this," he touched the bars, "this you'll have fun with and I'll be right here in case you fall."
Ignoring the looks he was getting from the kids milling around, Tony climbed the play structure and sat down on the slide. "One of the best parts of the park. Hold on princess. Whee!" He slid down the long red half-tube and stood up, feeling the static in his pants. He grinned at the baby. "Don't tell Mommy. You're probably still too little for that."
After doing a thorough round of the park equipment and testing out some of it, Tony returned his sleeping daughter to her stroller and headed home. Breakfast suddenly seemed like a good idea even if it was after eleven, so he whipped up some scrambled eggs and toast and put together a batch of M&M pancakes for Ziva, figuring he could share a couple of those with her as well.
Getting comfortable on the couch, Tony flipped through channels until he came across a Hitchcock marathon, which kept him happy until Ziva returned, her short ponytail heavy and damp from a recent swim. Sniffing the air, she looked around hopefully. "Breakfast?"
Tony chuckled. "Sit m'lady, and allow me."
A few minutes later she eagerly dug into the round patty, grinning in delight as the melted chocolate coated her tongue. "You are still spoiling me," she murmured, savouring each bite. He winked at her over his shoulder but said nothing, sliding another steaming pancake onto her plate just as she finished the first one.
After three Ziva was slowing down and Tony finished up the batter, eating two himself and sharing the last with her slowly. He speared a triangle and held it out for her. Ziva shook her head and Tony smiled. "Come on, you know you want it."
Opening her mouth, she allowed him to feed her, smirking at the twinkle in his eyes. Ziva pointed. "I want to know what that is all about."
Tony glanced over at their still sleeping baby and kissed her knuckles, feeling butterflies all of a sudden. He swallowed. "I have a surprise for you."
Excitement lit her face and Ziva's smile was so beautiful he couldn't resist leaning over to taste her lips, still sweet with syrup. She caressed his face. "I like your surprises."
The nerves were getting to him. "I really hope you like this one, I had to get a lot of help on it."
Curiosity was written all over her features as he took her hand and led her to the basement door. Ziva tilted her head to the side. "Sometimes I forget we have a basement. I have never had a reason to go down there."
"Yeah," Tony acknowledged, "that's what I was counting on. But you'll have one now."
He flicked the lights on and walked down the stairs ahead of her. Ziva looked around the room with wide eyes. "Tony, what have you done?"
Wrapping his hands around hers, he walked backwards into the center and swept his hand out. "Gibbs, McGee and I built you a place to escape. Somewhere to work out, and your own ballet studio so you don't have to break in any more." His eyes flickered from her to the finished space. "Do you like it?"
Ziva stepped onto the mats and took everything in, then crossed to the smooth wooden flooring and ran her hand over the bar. She returned to him, not even trying to hide the tears in her eyes. "Why?"
Tony folded her in his arms. "Oh Zi, don't cry. I did it because I love you."
She cried anyway, not having the words to say what this felt like, to have another person care so much. Tony held her, one hand rubbing her back, the other arm tight around her waist. Finally Ziva composed herself and kissed his jaw. "This is wonderful, thank you," she whispered, but it was not enough and her soft lips found his, yielding immediately when he cradled her face and deepened the kiss. It lasted several moments and then Tony pulled back and grinned.
"You can thank me like that any time you want."
Ziva's lips curved up. "Maybe I will, but I do not think I can handle any more of this, of you doing everything I could have ever dreamed and more. Ahuvi sheli, I hope you know how much I love you."
He lowered his mouth to hers again, the tender kiss speaking a hundred words. "If it's even half as much as I love you, I'll be a happy man for the rest of my life."
Ziva hugged him again and then pushed him to the edge, against the half wall that separated playroom area from dance floor. "Stay there," she said, moving back to the bar and beginning a series of long graceful stretches. Tony leaned back and just watched as she went through the basic poses and began. Though there was less room here than at a professional studio, it was still enough for her to dance the way she loved.
Tony stood there, never taking his eyes off his wife, loving the energy and happiness he could feel in the way she moved. This was so different form the last time he'd seen her dance, broken and grief stricken and weighed down by burdens too heavy to carry alone. Now she shared those burdens, she was healing, and her grief was slowly turning into a joy for life.
Switching from ballet through several other forms of dance, Ziva finally slowed and beckoned to him, breathing hard from the exertion. Tony drew close and kissed the back of her hand. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? How amazing you look doing that?" He nuzzled her cheek. "Some of those moves are pretty hot too."
Ziva wavered between embarrassment and pride. "Take me to a club sometimes and you can see them up close and personal."
Though the tone was teasing, her offer was serious, but Tony knew enough to realize going out like that wouldn't be an option until they were able to have sex. Because there was no way he could dance with her to the rhythm of club music, pressed up against her with their bodies moving in sync, without taking her home to continue what they'd started.
He brushed a piece of hair out of her face. "I will, you can count on it."
Her face flushed and Tony wondered what she was thinking. "I need to shower," Ziva whispered, wanting an escape from the way he was looking at her. "Thank you for this Tony, it is the best surprise ever."
One more quick kiss to his cheek and she was gone, while Tony stayed in the basement for a minute just gazing around. The look in her eyes had been priceless, worth every drop of sweat, every dollar, every hour he'd put into making this happen for her. And now he had another idea, the only thing he wasn't sure about was her answer to the question he was going to ask next.