MTF 4
There was a flurry of quite a few careful hugs, as soon as Gibbs made sure the front door was locked behind Tony and Tali. All three men careful not to wake the sleeping toddler. "Lay her down, Tony." Gibbs urged him and he watched as Tony laid her carefully down on the sofa. She stirred quietly, but the older men watched on, as Tony comforted his daughter and she immediately went back to sleep.
"We need to talk, Gibbs." Tony told Gibbs seriously. Gibbs was wondering what was up, but Ducky had a fairly good idea. True, they didn't know the Dad, Tony. But he knew that Tony was responsible enough that he wouldn't have bought his daughter out in to the cold, unless there was a serious and important reason for his visit. A reason that just couldn't wait until morning to be discussed.
"I need your help. In addition to treason, Ziva's being tried for crimes against an American agent." Tony said in a desperate tone. "Mossad aren't being forthcoming about the case details. Maybe you know something. Anything we can use to help her."
Gibbs sighed. True, Tony looked desperate. But he couldn't sell Tim out to save Ziva. He had seen the first hand devastation she had done to Tim. "Tony, you need to proceed with caution." Gibbs began with a warning. "You will be met with resistance if you interfere. Especially at this end."
Ducky heard the despair in Tony's voice. He went to retrieve his tablet. It had a copy of the photos on it that they took of Tim, when they catalogued them.
"I don't care." Tony said, becoming agitated. "I've got to get this agent to back off and drop the charges. I'm not an agent any more, I have nothing left to lose."
Gibbs saw Ducky return with his tablet. He knew that Ducky had a copy of the photos of Tim on there. "Do you know what's been going on while you were taking that extra time?" Gibbs asked him, frustrated. "Time I know, you spent visiting with Ziva and betraying your best friend in the process."
"What is this got to do with McGoo?" he asked. Tony was genuinely shocked. Gibbs looked over at Ducky and saw that he had the photos ready.
"This is what Ziva is being tried for." Gibbs announced and Ducky handed over the tablet. The two older men watched as Tony looked at photo after photo of Tim's legs, his torso, his ribs, his chest, his shoulders, his neck and his elbows. Then he came to the photo showing Tim's badly beaten chest, his broken nose and his face beaten, looking swollen to the point that he was barely recognisable. Gibbs saw the shock on Tony's face. That's what he was hoping to achieve. A reality check. Gibbs wasn't sure Tony would believe him if he used his words. "Still think we should help you save Ziva from Mossad? At Tim's expense. Ziva kidnapped him and held him hostage for 46 hours. In that time, they repeatedly beat and tortured him. He spent 3 weeks in and out of consciousness. He couldn't even talk. Poor Steve and Elaine were so traumatised, finding Tim beaten and bloodied like that. Yes, Ziva was allegedly under Hadassar Amir's coercion and Ziva did, eventually help him escape, but the damage was done. We have proof that Ziva inflicted the bulk of the beatings and torture. Are you really going to choose Ziva over Tim?"
"Ziva's like a daughter to you." Tony stated emphatically. "She loves you like a father and you're going to turn your back in her."
"Tim's like a son to me. Ziva betrayed us all. Do you know what they were torturing Tim for?!" Gibbs snapped. "It wasn't his computer skills. They wanted your location from him. So they could track you down and try to take Tali from you. Tim took that beating and torture to keep you both safe. To protect your daughter. He never once blamed you or Tali for what Ziva did to him."
"Is Probie OK?" Tony asked, after a moment of silence. "I mean he must not have been too badly hurt, we spoke briefly on the phone. A few times, exchanged a bunch of texts."
"He was dosed up to the eyeballs with pain medication." Gibbs chuckled. "That first check in, the one with Vance? Tim wasn't in the field with me, he was already missing. We didn't tell you because we thought you would have come out of hiding and it was more important that you stayed gone."
"You guys lied to me?!" Tony accused him, letting his disappointment and grief come through in his voice.
"It was for your own good, Tony." Ducky added gently. "Jethro and Leon were already distraught enough that Timothy was missing. They were exhausting every single avenue they could possibly think of. The only trace they found of him was a significant amount of blood in the alleyway by Elaine's diner. They needed you to keep your young lass safe. It was too dangerous here for you and your young Tali. Tim and Jethro even sent Kelly and Ellie away, just to be safe."
"Do you and Tali have somewhere to stay the night? It is almost below freezing outside." Gibbs added, concerned about Tony taking the toddler out in to the cold night air again. "You really shouldn't take her back out there in that blizzard."
"I was hoping we could crash here." Tony said, slightly hopeful. He knew Gibbs wouldn't turn him away. Even if he and Gibbs weren't at their usual best. "My apartment will be aired and cleaned out in the morning. But first, I need to see Tim."
"You're always welcome here, Tony." Gibbs told him with a smile. "Leave Tali where she is and you can take the other side of the sofa. I'll get you some pillows and blankets."
Gibbs ventured off in search of bedding and pillows, while Ducky filled Tony in on everything else that had been happening.
In the morning, Gibbs cooked pancakes for breakfast with bacon, in honour of his first breakfast with Tali. Tali was laughing at Saba Gibbs as he danced around the kitchen, flipping pancakes and making the little Tali laugh. Hearing her fits of little girl giggles had Ducky and Tony curious. When they ventured into the kitchen, the two men struggled to school their features. "Well, this is a glimpse into Papa Gibbs I never thought I'd live to see." Tony muttered to Ducky.
"If you want to live to eat breakfast, you didn't see anything." Gibbs threatened Tony in a sing-song voice, as he tickled Tali on the back of her neck, making the room fill with the giggles of the little girl in question.
"Of course, Boss." Tony automatically answered, as a reflex and then shook his head no at Ducky. There was no way that Tony would be keeping this to himself, it was way too amusing, not to share.
After breakfast Tony asked Tali if she wanted to stay at Gibbs' house with Saba Duck or go see Dod Tim. "Dod Tim. Dod Tim." She answered her Dad, excitedly.
"In America, what do we call Dod Tim?" he asked her, prompting her to change her language back to English. In the time that they were in hiding, Tony and Senior had been teaching her to speak English and Italian, as well as continuing to develop her language skills in Hebrew, but the latter was only done in private.
"Uncle Tim?" she asked, unsure if that was the right word. "Daddy? What's Uncle Tim's special friend's name, again? I forgetted."
Tony looked at Gibbs for confirmation, asking an unverbalised question. At his former boss' nod, Tony sat down on the sofa and pulled Tali close to him. "Uncle Tim's special friend is named Kelly. She's Grandpa Gibbs' girl, just like you're mine. Do you remember what I said you can call her?"
"Aunty." She grinned at him. The kind of grin that made Tony's heart melt.
"That's right, she's your Aunty Kell. But we have to ask her if that's OK, first. Remember?" Tony reminded his daughter, as he watched her put her shoes and socks on her feet.
Tony was one hundred percent sure that Kelly would be more than OK with that. He'd seen Kelly with Emily Fornell, when Emily was just a little older than what Tali is now. Kelly was good with her. Kelly would also be a good female role model for his daughter. Last night, after Gibbs and Ducky had begged off to bed, Tony had thought long and hard about what he'd learnt. What he'd learnt about Ziva. What he'd learnt about Tim. What he'd learnt about what Hadassar and Ziva had done to Tim. To his probie, his best friend, his brother.
"OK Daddy." Tali replied. Her little voice took Gibbs back to a time when Kelly was that young, that sweet and innocent. Had a little cheeky grin and mischievous eyes that danced like that.
The car ride over in Gibbs' yellow charger was surprisingly quiet. Tony was surprised to see Gibbs pull up and park in the underground carpark. Knocking on Tim's front door was a novelty for Tony. It was the first time he'd seen the newly installed front door and had to stifle a chuckle. Despite Gibbs and Ducky's insistence that they call ahead, Tony had been amused at the look the two older men had shared. Clearly, something had happened to make the older men become that amused at the same time. He knew he and Tim would need to talk alone and he was not going to waste an inch of that spare time.
Kelly opened the door door, greeting them warmly. She was dressed in some workout tights, Tim's NCIS tee and an oversized JH hoodie. Tony had to refrain from making an inappropriate comment in front of his daughter. "Come on in, Tim's just finishing up in the bedroom."
Gibbs was thinking about everything he'd reflected on this morning, watching Tali with Tony. When Tim emerged from the bedroom he and his daughter shared, Gibbs playfully punched Tim in the shoulder. "Ow, what was that for?" he asked, surprised at Gibbs. But he appreciated that it wasn't a head slap.
"Sleeping with my daughter every single night." Gibbs jested at Tim with an unrepentant cheeky grin.
"Uncle Tim?" Tali called out, she had wanted to run to him, but Tony was cautious. He held back the small genetic blend of himself and Ziva.
"Careful Tali." he warned her gently, as he explained. "Uncle Tim has some boo boos. Boo-boos that he and Daddy need to talk about in private, after you go and say hello to him. Then you and Aunty Kell can get to know one another with Saba Ducky."
"Granducky." Ducky corrected Tony, as Gibbs slapped Tony's head.
Tali made her way over to Tim and Tim gingerly picked her up. Although he had been cleared to return to duty. Occasionally, if he suddenly moved the wrong way, his ribs would ache. Tali excitedly chatted to her Uncle Tim about living in Paris and told him a funny story about her father and Gibbs hitting him. "Hello Tali." Tim said, softly, as he scooped the little tot up. "Do you remember me?"
"She remembers you alright, Probie." Tony said gleefully. "I've been telling her all about her Uncle Tim, the great storyteller. About Aunty Kelly, too"
"Aunty Kelly, really?" Kelly asked, looking at DiNozzo carefully. She was trying to decide if this was one of Tony's infamous pranks or not.
"If you want to be." Tony answered her, unsure. He had been fairly certain that Kelly would have jumped at the opportunity to be an Aunt to Tali, now he was second guessing himself. A feeling the great Anthony DiNozzo Junior didn't feel too often.
"Well, I am honored." Kelly said softly, staring at the toddler in her boyfriend's arms. Her tawny coloured hair in those tight, curly tendrils all wild and out of control. She looked up at Tim and the lovers shared a smile. Kelly felt a kaleidoscope of butterflies in the pit of her stomach as she imagined a future with Tim. "As my first act as your Aunty, would you like me to fix your hair, Tali?"
"Yes please, Aunty Kelly." Tali answered her and she squirmed to get out of Tim's arms, wanting to go with Kelly into their bathroom. So Kelly could fix the mess that Tony had made of the little girl's hair that morning. "Daddy doesn't do hair good."
"That's OK, we can teach him." She smiled at the little girl, as she waved goodbye to her Dad and followed Kelly down the hall and into their bedroom.
As soon as Kelly and Tali were clear into the bedroom, Tony grabbed Tim and hastily said. "We need to talk."
The two men headed off down the opposite hallway and into Tim's office. Ducky looked his friend over carefully. "Are you OK, Jethro?"
"Did you see it Duck?" He asked his friend, absentmindedly. "She had this faraway look in her eyes and the way she looked at Tim. The look the two of them shared with each other."
"Leave it be, Jethro." Ducky advised his friend, gently. "Remember what I told you about them getting together. Let them work it out themselves. You're getting more invested in it than they are. Leave it alone."
"I know, Duck." Gibbs sighed at his friend. "It isn't a crime to want your daughter to be happy."
In Tim's study, Tony was pacing back and forth, as Tim recollected everything he could remember from the time that Tony and Tali had said their goodbyes and took off. Tim told him everything. About Tobias Fornell and Sarah Porter being his parents, about Kelly's surgery, the coding that he and Leon wrote to try to save Ziva, only to have Ziva's actions backfire on her. He told Tony the vague details he remembered about when Ziva and Hadassar held him hostage, about trying to find help. About Elaine and Steve finding him, him waking up on the autopsy table and the very select things he remembered about being in hospital. He told Tony about Abby and her gaslighting and manipulations, before telling Tony that he no longer had anything to do with the lab rat, unless it was of a professional nature. Then he told Tony the final piece of the story. "I asked Kelly, before she left to move in with me. She lives here now." Tim knew that Tony wasn't big on commitment. Sure, he might not be big on commitment, but he was on monogamy. "Ellie caught Jake getting a blow job off his P.A the same day that Kelly moved in."
"Rat Bastard!" Tony seethed, furious at Jake. If it wasn't for Tali, he was tempted to go give him a piece of his mind. "How dare he?!"
"He came to NCIS to get Dorney, Gibbs and me to get Ellie to talk to him." Tim confessed and replayed the entire scene that had unfolded in the bullpen for DiNozzo, play by play.
"Look at you go, Senior Field Agent." Tony praised him. "You and Dorney did me proud, there."
"I suppose now you're back in the states, you will want your job back." Tim said, shuffling slightly. He had been a Senior Field agent for a while now and it felt weird to Tim having to hand the reins back to Tony and take his demotion.
"I'm not an agent anymore, Tim." Tony told him. "When I left to take Tali into hiding, I had to resign my position at NCIS. That job is yours, Tim."
Tim felt like DiNozzo was being serious, for a change and privately thought that becoming Tali's father had changed him. "Thanks, Man." Tim said gratefully.
When Tony and Tim joined Gibbs and Ducky back in the living room, Kelly and Tali came out of the bedroom. Both wearing matching twin braids and the sight made everyone smile. "I guess you got the job, Aunty Kell." Tony quipped, as he laughed at his daughter's antics. He knew he had made a good choice when it came to a female role model for Tali. As much as, on occasion, he adored Abby, even he knew that she wasn't a good option as a role model for his daughter.
"Daddy, Aunty Kell said if we're not busy we can visit with everyone again, tomorrow." Tali said excitedly and used her puppy dog eyes on him. If Tony didn't already know that it was biologically impossible, he'd swear that she inherited those things from her Uncle Tim.
"Your mom said that Miss Tali and Tony were welcome." Kelly explained at the wonderous look on Tim's face.
"It's nothing fancy, Tony." Tim turned to his friend. "Just Christmas dinner with Tobias, Sarah, Megan and Emily. Penny, Gibbs, Ducky, Ellie, Dorney and us."
"Well, we have nothing planned. We'd love to come." Tony smiled at his friend. He couldn't believe the change that he saw in Tim. It was remarkable, despite his physical injuries.
Tony had bought a few presents with him from where they had been living in France. But the bulk of them, he left at their apartment, there. He hadn't told anyone yet, but he and Tali weren't going to be staying in the US. As soon as he had met with his lawyer and the INS, he and Tali would be flying back to Paris. Tali had started pre-school in Paris, and he didn't want Tali to miss out on too much class time. When he had gotten custody of Tali, initially, she had been a bit behind her peers. But with a tutor and under her father's guidance, she had caught up and was almost ready to pass them. He didn't want to undo all that effort and hard work.
Whilst Ziva wasn't remiss, as such, she did dump Tali on Adam. Now, he with everything that he had learnt since speaking with Gibbs, Ducky and Tim. In addition to what he knew from speaking with Ziva, Adam and Malachi Ben-Gideon, he was sure that she had stayed with Adam for a considerate amount of time before the two of them bought Tali to him, in the US.
For Gibbs, it had been a long time since Christmas eve was filled with the exciting squeals of a little girl. His daughter, all grown up and out in the big wide world now. Tali had never celebrated a Christmas before. But Tony was determined, Ziva may be Jewish, but he celebrated Christmas. Tony, Ducky and Gibbs watched as her eyes lit up with excitement. "Tony, she can open her presents whenever you want her to. Either now, or at Tobias and Sarah's."
"Tim messaged me last night. Apparently Tobias and Sarah are excited to meet her." Tony grinned. "You can open your presents Tali." He said. The men watched as Tali unwrapped the presents with gusto. Both of the pseudo grandfathers were oohing and awwing over her gifts, encouraging her to love them. Both men opting to wait until Christmas dinner at the Fornell family home to give the young girl their gifts. They weren't quite sure if anyone else had purchased anything for the tot and didn't want her to feel left out if they didn't.
At 1430, Gibbs hustled Tony, Ducky and Tali into his yellow car and they made the trek over to the Fornell Family Home, in Crofton, Maryland. Pulling up out the front, they saw that Tim's black SUV was already there and Penny's red Mazda was pulling in behind them. Ellie's blue truck was blocking Tim's black SUV in and Dorney's hadn't arrived yet.
Gibbs had done a double take at the house, which had been tastefully adorned with perfectly spaced outdoor lights, a tasteful display of comical light up figurines, a small nativity scene in the garden and a wreath on the door. Large gold bells hung from the roof across the front porch in red ribbon and they swung in the gentle breeze. Sarah opened the door and warmly welcomed them into their home. She spent an extra couple of minutes introducing herself to Tali. Tim was dressed in once of his nicest pairs of jeans and warm Christmas sweater. Kelly dressed in her favourite jeans and a sweater of similar Christmas pattern, making it clear that she had gifted Tim his sweater. Ellie dressed too, in warm jeans and a sweater. Tony and Gibbs were surprised to see Dorney sitting on the sofa, before Ellie told the men that she had offered their youngest agent a ride.
Megan and Emily were sitting by Tim, chatting away to him and Tony almost remarked out loud that he could see a family resemblance between the siblings, but thankfully he had kept that thought to himself. When Tobias had moved over to ask Tim something in a low voice Tony couldn't hold back his comment. He slapped himself hard on the back of the head. "Now I see it, I can't unsee it, Probie. Wow, you and Fornell really do look alike."
"Thanks Tony." Tim replied, grinning at his father. "Now Tali, come and tell Uncle Tim all about what Santa bought you for Christmas." Tali running to Uncle Tim, as she told him about the dolls, the nail polish and the Lego that Santa had bought her for Christmas. Kelly was nearby and watched Tim as Tali climbed into Tim's lap. She couldn't get enough of watching her boyfriend with his pseudo niece.
That opened up the conversation for Megan and Emily to get involved, as they were introduced and started asking the little girl questions of their own. By the time that Tobias called out that dinner was ready, they all ventured into the formal dining room. With so many people Fornell had decided to serve Christmas dinner, buffet style. With all of the food laid out on the sideboard and a stack of plates beside it on a small table. The dining table was set with the fancy silver cutlery and name cards, as a fir centre piece adorned with red holly and candles lined the centre of the table.
As soon as everyone was seated, Tobias had everyone hold hands, as he said grace. Conversation surrounded around various topics. Penny shared a story of Tim doing a naked run through her house when he was about Tali's age, before Gibbs chiming in that he remembered Kelly doing something similar when they lived Oceanside, about the same age. Tali laughed at that story and told them the story about the time her Dad fell out of bed when she frightened him, not long after they moved to France. Tobias recalled Emily's first steps and the story ended with how Emily ended up with the scar above her left eye. When the dinner was finished, the adults continued to tell stories, Tim recounting the time Sarah tried to run away from getting her hair brushed and knocked herself out, cold. Sarah laughed at that, recollecting the Megan had also done something similar.
As the adults conversed; Emily and Megan took Tali away from the table, promising the tot that, with Tony's permission, they could paint her nails. Tim sat and laughed appropriately, his arm around Kelly's shoulder's, his hand tangled in her hair and the other one, holding her hand. The older five adults; Tobias, Sarah, Penny, Gibbs and Ducky exchanged wide smiles, watching the loved up couple as Tony animatedly told Tim, Kelly, Ellie and Dorney about the first time Tali had caught a stomach bug whilst in his care and how frantic he had been.
"Present time." Tobias called out and he had to stifle his amusement, as the three youngest girls came into the living room. Their bare feet showing and their fingers wide, trying to get the fluorescent pink nail polish to dry. Tony had been floored to discover that at the last minute; everyone had purchased a small gift for his daughter and he felt truly blessed and loved by them for it.
Tobias handed out his gifts first, which were also from Sarah, Tim and the younger girls. It secretly amused both Gibbs and Tony to see their friend's name written in amongst the newly formed family's name. A bottle of bourbon for Gibbs, a bottle of fine whisky for Ducky, a movie and dinner pass for Ellie, Dorney, Tony and Tali. Plus a small doll for Tali.
Penny had bought some beautiful Italian wine from a vineyard she once visited in the Aeolian Islands, gifting everyone a bottle each, and small Lego set and teddy bear for the young girl.
Gibbs gave his usual bottle of bourbon to everyone and had bought Tali a small scooter bike that folded down, smaller than carry-on luggage size. While Ducky had gifted books to everyone, each book tailored to the receiver's taste. But Tali's book was precious. It was a copy of a book that he had loved as a small boy and Ducky had written a sentimental message to the young girl inside, signing it love Granducky.
Tim and Kelly had bought separate gifts for Sarah, Tobias and Gibbs, unable to agree upon what to get each person. However, they had bought the girls joint presents, gifting each of them with a gold charm bangle and their first charm, the letter of their first names. Kelly had bought Sarah a voucher to a local spa, as well as Ellie (that gift from Tim, too), with a note that both of the women deserved to pampered. Tobias a bottle of expensive scotch and her dad had gotten a highly sought after handheld tool for his woodworking. Together, the loved up couple had bought Dorney a gaming voucher, Tony had gotten a Magnum PI DVD and a handmade voucher for them to babysit Tali so he could have a night out, specifically writing on it that, if he desired, was valid for a sleepover. The couple bought Tali an electronic animated toy dog that she could feed and walk, that looked like their black and white, long haired dog, Sharni. For Ducky they had bought him an anthology from his favourite poet, combining their contacts and skills in tracking down the poet, they organised to have it personally signed for him. One of his favourite treasures that had perished in the explosion of his house. For Penny, they had gifted her a crystal vase and matching photo frame, with a beautifully and digitally restored and remastered photo of her and Nelson in it on their wedding day. Something that she had always wanted to have done and kept putting off.
Tim had bought his parents a gift voucher for a romantic weekend in Chesapeake Bay and a promise that he would watch his siblings and Gibbs a bottle of his favourite bourbon with a note, promising he was about to drive the senior agent to drink and a winking smile face.
"What about Aunty Kell?" Tali asked, noticing that her Uncle Tim didn't give her Aunty Kell a gift. "Did you forgetted her, Uncle Tim?"
"Honey, Uncle Tim and Aunty Kell would have exchanged gifts this morning. Just like we did at Grandpa Gibbs' house." Tony gently explained to his daughter, winking at the lovers.
"Actually ..." Tim grinned at his niece and then winked at Kelly. He handed her the square black velvet box he had hidden in the pocket of his jeans. "Open it."
"Oh Tim." She sighed happily, instantly falling in love with the contents of the box, as soon as she opened it. "It is beautiful."
Tim had surprised her with a beautiful gold Claddagh ring. Placing the ring on her right hand, heart facing inwards, hovered over the first knuckle. He explained the legend of the Claddagh. "There once was a master craftsman named Richard Joyce from Galway, Ireland. With the intention of getting married to his lover when he returned from working in the West Indies, Joyce was captured while he was at sea, forced into slavery in Algeria. He was sold to a Moorish goldsmith. While enslaved, Richard learned the craft of goldsmithing from his new master in Algiers. After William III was crowned King, he issued a decree that implored the moors to release all of their British prisoners and slaves. Because of that decree, Richard Joyce became a free man once again. However, because Joyce was such a well mannered and respectful slave during his imprisonment to the goldsmith, the goldsmith offered Joyce his daughter's hand in marriage and a portion of his wealth to stay. Joyce, still in love with his lover that was awaiting his return in Galway; turned down the goldsmith's offer and returned home. He presented his future wife with the ring that he had made while he was a slave in Algiers. They married and thus the Claddagh legend was born. Many families keep these rings and pass them down through the generations; from mother to daughter, as heirlooms. The hands represent friendship, the crown loyalty and fidelity and the heart is a symbol of love. It is worn on the right hand with the pointed end of the heart pointing towards the knuckles, as a symbol that the person wearing the ring is currently involved with someone. This isn't an heirloom, obviously. But it will be, one day. This is my promise to you, that one day; I am going to ask for your hand in marriage. The ruby represents the fire you light inside my heart. The diamonds represent the light and the sun, they're an emblem of the purity and perfection of a higher spiritual power that bought us together. Diamonds are the stone of faithfulness, commitment and a promise of the shared life we've had, so far and what is yet to come." Tim slid the ring home, over the second knuckle to the hilt.
Kelly was almost sobbing in joy, Sarah, Emily, Megan and Ellie had tears in their eyes. Gibbs was biting his lips to stop himself from getting overly excited and Ducky was on the edge of his seat. Tobias sat stoically, but inside he was hopeful for his son. He was filled with a content that he hadn't felt before. Penny was gripping Gibbs' arm tightly, in excitement, as he tried to settle her with a hand on her leg. "Oh Tim!" She cried, kissing him, as soon as Tim had slid the ring home. "I love you." She declared.
Pulling back from the kiss that the couple had shared, Tim grinned at her, telling her that he loved her, too. Nothing could wipe the smile off Tim's face, his promise ring on Kelly's finger.