Short intro chapter. Also, I know I've skipped around on the timeline...from now on it should flow better...

"And if anyone gives you trouble just-"

"Kick them."

"No."

"Stab them?"

"No! Tali, who told you it was okay to stab people?"

"Ziva!" Tony called out, "Did you tell Tali to kick and or stab people who give her trouble?"

Ziva kneeled down beside Tali. "Of course not. She must've gotten the idea from you."

"Me?"

"Yes! You were watching that stupid movie… Goodfellas a few nights ago."

Tony held out his finger, "Oh no no, Tali would be saying she would shoot people if she-"

Tali interrupted, "Bam Bam! I-"

"No! Don't even say that!" Ziva told her daughter.

He then remembered, "Oh! I know! Ziva, it was Kill Bill. That must be the reason why she's talking like Black Mamba."

Ziva rolled her eyes and tended to her daughter, "Tali, I'll be only a phone call away. Remember to be nice to your teachers."

"And your classmates." Tony interjected as he handed his daughter her book bag from the back of the car.

The book bag was a deep olive green with black straps and black zippers, on the front pocket laid an Israeli flag pendant, which Ziva put on there the night before. Ziva was very committed to raising her daughter with the same Jewish traditions she had had back in Israel. Tali was six years old.

Five times the school bell dinged, indicating it was time for the students to file in and go to their homerooms.

"Alright" Ziva began as she straightened herself beside Tony, "You ready?"

Tali smiled and held up a paper with her classroom information on it, "Yes!"

Tony's face suddenly showed a look of worry, "Just be good, uh…" He looked to Ziva, "I don't really know what else to say.."

Tali chimed at her father, "Abba, I am a strong and independent girl that rejects anything less than, uh…"

Ziva helped her daughter, "the best?"

Tali nodded with a smile, "I am a strong and independent girl that rejects anything less than the best" She replied triumphantly and her father smiled.

"Wow, okay. I'm glad we got that out of the way. Now go to class and remember to-"

"Be good. I know, I know" She turned towards the school door

"See, Tony, she knows" Ziva chuckled then yelled to her daughter, "Ani ohevet otcha!"

She turned around, "Love you too!" Shen then looked to her father and crossed her arms, "Abba, you will be here, uh, prom-ly at 4:30, yes?" Ziva made sure to sign her up for after school activities before the school year began; the extra time worked well with their work schedules.

Tony laughed at the idea his daughter was trying to be so adult-like, "Yes, Ta-Lee, I will be here promt-ly at 4:30."

Tali then smiled and opened the door to the school, "Good. Toda!"

And Tali was gone to her first day of 1st grade.

Tony sighed then looked to Ziva; a silent acknowledgment. They both got back into the car and Tony headed to Ziva's work to drop her off; carpooling was so much easier this time of day.

"She's growing up…fast" Ziva said looking through the photo album on her phone.

Tony noticed from the corner of his right eye and commented, "Oh remember that one was, uh, the time she got into my shaving cream."

They both laughed.

Ziva smiled and said "she did say she wanted to be like you!"

"Nah, she's too much like you for that to be true."

"Oh, Selicha! Okay she's like both of us."

"She's better than the both of us. You noticed she's trying to use big words now? She's six…"

"Only six. But she is very decisive and stubborn."

"Yeah, well she is your kid."

"Excuse me?" She lightly hits him on his arm.

"Oh you know what I mean!"

The car pulled up to where Ziva usually got out.

"Got everything?" Tony asked.

"Yes, I believe so" She looked in the back seat, "Yep." She leaned in to Tony and gave him a quick peck.

He smiled, "Ah, Zee, remember next month to ask for that Monday and Tuesday off."

She nodded in recollection, "Got it." She was about to close the door and walk off but she needed to add, "You know you never told me where we were going…"

His grin was mischievous, "I gotta get to work".

"Tony!"

"You'll see! Trust me."

She rolled her eyes and closed the door and started to walk away when he rolled the window down to say one last thing before driving away, "Love youuuuu"

This provoked a chuckle, "Byeee Tony" and she stuck out her tongue briefly.

He did the same and drove off.