Tony woke to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. "Spring must really be coming." he thought to himself, as he climbed out of bed. He looked at the movie quote of the day calendar that sat on the dresser beside his bed. He realized that it had been over a week since he had bothered to change it. The last time he had changed it was on a Friday. Right before the team had caught a major and stressful case. That had kept them working twenty hours a day for the past nine days. The hardest part about the case. Was that it kept him away from his babies. Which never got any easier. In fact now that the twins were old enough to stay on their own if need be. He was even more concerned for them the nights he was unable to get home. The case not only kept him from attending church but also had kept him away from the past two of Miss. David's breakfasts. It was now the middle of March and until the recent case. He had attended everyone of her breakfasts. He always made a point to show up early. So that he could talk with her, one on one. He found himself falling deeper and deeper in love with her, with every meeting. He knew that Gibbs felt bad that the case had kept Tony away from his children and the meetings with Miss. David. He also knew that if Gibbs had been able to help it. They all would have been able to go home. At least the case had finally been wrapped the night before and the Major Case Response Team. Had been rewarded with a glorious two days off. He knew that McGee would be with Delilah, preparing for the new McBaby, Bishop would be cooking, and Gibbs would be down in his basement with his latest project and a bottle or two of bourbon. As for him, he didn't really know what he was going to do. The twins were pretty busy with the final months of eighth grade and spring sports. Holly had started running track to stay in shape for soccer and Noah played baseball. He wanted to just lie around in his pajamas all day but the last time he tried that. Noah had a major asthma attack at summer camp and had to be flown by helicopter back to Bethesda. Five years had passed since that day but Tony still refused to take any chances. So he tossed on a pair of jeans and t-shirt and then walked downstairs.
"Morning dad" Holly greeted.
"Morning Holly, Noah up yet?" Tony asked.
"Yes" Noah yawned as he came down the stairs.
"Dad I can get Noah and myself off to school in the morning. You should get some rest. You didn't get home until after midnight." Holly replied.
"It's OK, Holly I need to be up and around." Tony replied.
"What are you going to do today?" Noah asked.
"Rest and see if anything needs my attention around the house. Maybe meet up with Abby and Jimmy for lunch." Tony explained.
"Can't I stay home?" Noah pleaded.
"Sorry dude but as I recall you have a history test today." Tony reminded.
"I know" Noah sighed.
"You also have an English quiz." Holly added.
"Are you sure it's not your genius, AP class?" Noah asked hopefully.
"No I saw it on the regular side of the board." Holly explained.
"Great" Noah sighed.
"It won't be so bad. You have been working hard and doing great this year." Tony assured.
"I guess your right." Noah agreed.
Ziva walked into her seventh period class. She prayed that the students had remembered to study for the quiz she had announced on Friday. She loved all her students but God help anybody who announced a test, quiz, or assignment to their seventh period class on a Friday. Even the teachers who taught honors and AP classes had that issue. So she couldn't feel too bad for herself or cast any aspersions on her average level students. She sat down at her desk and waited for the bell to ring. Once the bell rang she took roll.
"OK class I hope that your remembered our quiz today." Ziva stated after finishing roll.
"Awww" The class groaned.
"The good news is just a review of stuff you should the short stories you have read this quarter in your literature book. We will have a quarterly test at the end of the week but after this quiz it should be a snap." Ziva explained.
"Darcy! Stop!" Noah DiNozzo yelled from the back of the classroom.
"In case you already forgot from history class. It is a free country you retard." Darcy taunted.
"Darcy and Noah! Stop fighting right now! Whatever this is stop!" Ziva warned before the smell of perfume wafted to the front of the room. Instantly Ziva remembered Tony telling her that Noah had severe asthma. "Darcy! You know that you are only allowed to apply perfumes, spray on deodorants, and make-up in the girls locker room after gym class." Ziva reminded.
"But I am going to cheer-leading practice at Sampson Middle! That's where my boyfriend goes! I need to smell good!" Darcy snapped.
"Bbbut I...I hhavee asssthmaa." Noah wheezed.
"Noah go to the nurse, now! Jamie please make sure he gets there OK!" Ziva ordered.
"Yes of course, Miss. David." Jamie replied rapidly filling out the destination in the back of his planner.
"Just go, if anybody asks. Have them call me." Ziva ordered.
Noah blinked his eyes open. The last thing he remembered was Darcy spraying perfume all over him in the back of Miss. David's class. Now he was lying on the bed in the nurses office. He had his asthma inhaler resting on his chest.
"Good Noah you are awake." Tony greeted.
"Dad?" Noah asked.
"You had an asthma attack in class. You are OK now but they wanted you to rest." Tony explained.
"Can we please go home?" Noah asked.
"Just as soon as Holly gets here." Tony replied.
"I passed her in the locker hallway. She should be here, soon." Ziva replied entering the nurses office through the hallway.
"Oh hi, Miss. David." Tony replied.
"How is, he?" Ziva asked.
"He seems OK but I may still keep him home tomorrow." Tony replied.
"I am so sorry the school has rules about stays for this very reason." Ziva apologized.
"Has the girl been punished?" Tony asked.
"The discipline office gave her three days In School Suspension." Ziva replied.
"OK" Tony replied fairly annoyed that the girl who had made his son sick. Was only getting a slap on the wrist.
"I know it doesn't mean anything but I am also separating her and Noah." Ziva replied.
"I know it's not you. It's the school but thanks for caring." Tony replied.
"What happened?!" Holly demanded bursting through the door.
"Some cheerleader gave me an asthma attack." Noah explained.
"What do you mean?" Holly asked suspiciously.
"She sprayed her perfume all over me." Noah replied.
"Who is she? Can I kick her ass?" Holly asked.
"Not on school grounds." Ziva replied.
"Holly please don't use your fists." Tony reminded.
"Oh I mean listen to your father." Ziva corrected.
"Whatever" Holly replied.
"Can we just get out of here?" Noah asked.
"Yes, just let Holly get your books." Tony replied.
"I can walk besides she doesn't know my combination." Noah argued.
"I am still going to help you." Holly replied.
"Fine" Noah sighed.
"Tony? Can I ask you something?" Ziva asked after the twins left.
"Sure, what's up?" Tony asked.
"I have two tickets to the Opera on Saturday night. My friend was supposed to go with me but her son is having his tonsils out that day." Ziva explained.
"Oh well I am sorry about your friend's son's tonsils but my friend from work Ducky loves the opera. I think he has season tickets but he may know somebody who would want a ticket." Tony offered.
"Well while I am sure this Ducky is a lovely person. He would have to be to be friends with you. I was thinking maybe we could go together." Ziva explained nervously.
"Well the last time I went to the opera they had these weird masks on the bathroom doors and I ended up wetting my pants. I should add that I was five but I think I am smarter now." Tony explained equally as nervous as Ziva.
"Well they have the regular signs on the bathroom doors." Ziva assured.
"Well I guess I can't say no." Tony replied.
A/N: Did Ziva's friend really have to cancel or did she just use that as her excuse to ask Tony. As for Tony. Poor guy he is painfully rusty. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.