Hi friends! NCIS was my first dive into reading fan fiction YEARS ago and with the new NCIS: Tony & Ziva series coming out, I want to give my take on a TIVA story that has been in my mind for a long time. I will have regular updates after I get going on the writing. I foresee this story going for about 20 chapters and will include the events of Shabbat Shalom, Shiva, and onward. There will be a Tali reveal to the team in future chapters.
Please let me know what you think of this start. I'm fueled by knowing what others want to see in this story!
Go TIVA!
"Go home. Get some rest." Team Gibbs needed no further encouragement to log out of their computers and slowly stand, stretching their muscles as they did. An exaggerated moan came from deep in the throat of the most senior team member, culminating in a high whine.
"What a day, boss," Agent Tony DiNozzo sighed as he grabbed his keys and phone from his desk.
"You tired, Tony?" Agent Timmothy McGee questioned as he rounded his desk, black overcoat already on, and headed for the elevator. "Feeling old?" His lips curved in a playful smirk as he looked at his senior partner.
Tony's eyebrows went together in mock disgust. "Hey! Take that back McBalding. I'm in top physical shape." He proved his words by making a motion of easily lifting his backpack in a sweeping motion before swinging it over his shoulder. Though more clunky than graceful, he posed with a cocky smirk.
McGee looked on with amusement. "Brilliant Tony," he said drolly. "That'll show me." His phone pinged, drawing his eyes to the device in his hand. "Abbs is grabbing drinks with Palmer and Breena. Wanna join?" He directed his comment first to Tony.
Tony's lips curved as a chuckle came through. "Probie, probie. Are you saying that you don't think I already have plans on a Friday night?"
Tim quirked his head, knowing where this was going. "Oh, what's this one's name?"
Tony's smirk went flat as he rounded his own desk, grabbed his own winter coat, and walked backwards towards the exit. "None of your McBeezwax. But tell, Abby I appreciate the offer."
With Tony off to call the elevator, McGee turned to his other partner who was more quietly and systematically packing up her belongings. "How about it Ziva? You up for a bar crawl?"
Agent Ziva David smiled up at him with her bag already settled on her shoulder, her curled hair bouncing from her face. "Thank you, but no McGee."
Agent McGee waited for her to elaborate, his head cocking and eyes narrowing curiously.
Ziva turned and they walked beside each other. "I am seeing a movie tonight with some friends."
Still at the elevator, Tony must have heard their conversation and inserted his two cents. "Ziva has friends? Who knew!"
She sighed as the three of them stepped into the elevator. "Tony, I am on the brink of a relaxing weekend and I do not need you raining…" she thought some before raising her hands in frustration, "…cats and dogs."
They turned towards the front as the doors closed.
"I think you mean, 'don't rain on my parade,'" he clarified.
"That too," Ziva warned with the point of her finger.
McGee was ready to break their banter. "Well I'm going and I plan on having a great time without both of you there."
"I'm sure you will, McGee," she assured him. "And I look forward to hearing about it."
He smiled at her. "Thank you Ziva." He was the first off the elevator as the doors opened. "Have a great weekend."
"Night McProbie," Tony exclaimed after him.
They let Tim get a few strides ahead of them before speaking.
"Dinner?" She asked in a hushed tone.
"Surprise me," he whispered back. "Movie?"
He heard her smirk without looking. "Probably Tangled again."
"Probably," he agreed while crossing in front of her and walking swiftly to his car.
She walked in the opposite direction where her mini sat from early that morning. It was a quick walk, but at this time of year and with the December chill in the air, it felt longer. After living in the DC area for more than 7 years, the weather was still one thing she missed about her homeland. And this December's chill seemed worse than usual.
Tossing her bag across into the passenger seat, she buckled and felt the full blast of the heat turn on. She reversed into the lot and with a quick wave to McGee who was just getting into his own car, she sped off to her next destination.
With her tunes at a moderate level, she let herself decompress from the day. Taking some meditating breaths, closing her mind from the case they wrapped earlier that day, and prepping herself for the night ahead. It took about half an hour in Friday evening DC traffic to finally reach her apartment in North Rosslyn. She was ready.
She turned under the apartment building and pulled straight into the small garage with her apartment number on it. Before turning the car off, she realized she needed to get more gas on the next trip. Making a mental note for Monday, she fished her key out of her backpack and made her way towards the entry way and elevator.
When she reached the third floor, she proceeded down the hall to the first door on her right and quickly opened the lock.
Walking into the foyer, she pulled her glove off with her teeth and dropped her bag onto an entry bench. Her coat quickly found it way into the coat closet before she walked in further. She flicked a switch to softly illuminate the apartment's main room; a good sized living room with an open kitchen. The modern space was cozied up by the light gray couch that had clearly seen some love and the olive, warm curtains framing the two windows. There was a a large rug on the floor and a few lamps around the space. The room featured a 6 foot Christmas tree, lit and decorated between the two windows. The light of the tree was all she needed right now. She felt her lip curl with the familiar and yet unfamiliar sight of a Christmas tree in her own space. Who would have thought?
She didn't take much time to scan the familiar premises, and instead kicked off her shoes, and proceeded straight to the kitchen.
The kitchen was also warm and clean with white cabinets along the floor and up to the ceiling, stainless steel appliances with smudges here and there from obviously frequent use, and a floral teapot on the stove.
With the deftness of her training mixed with a practiced routine, she zagged from cabinet to pantry, stove to oven. At first, she contemplated what to cook. Nothing too fancy, those days were over. Yet something a bit more special, it was Friday night after all and, God willing, they were looking forward to a day off tomorrow. Her eyes eventually stuck on the box of linguini in the front of a robust pasta selection.
Trying not to remember how many times she made pasta that week, she pulled out the familiar ingredient and went to work preparing an Italian meal of pasta, garlic bread, and sautéed vegetables. The neighborhood was dark, quiet, it was rather late. The sound of boiling water and the steady chop of the knife mixed with the lilting hum coming from the chef. A pleasant sound from someone who was obviously content.
When the pasta was cooking, the vegetables on warm, and the bread just placed in the oven, she walked over to the hallway that went deeper into the apartment. She flicked the light switch, illuminating the master bedroom which featured a king sized bed with the dark green quilted comforter pulled hap hazardously over the rumpled sheets and pillows stacked towards the headboard. The matching night tables framed it with lamps and books on either side.
She went straight to the closet and dresser that sat against the right wall. She quickly opened the middle drawer and pulled out some more comfortable stretch pants. It was a Friday night at home, she deserved to be comfortable. After donning her new look she glanced over her shoulder to look out the window at the DC city streets. The clear night sky allowed her to see every star and the warmth of the apartment kept out the chill.
Her reverie was interrupted by the front door handle jiggling. Turning with her adrenaline running, she flicked off the light switch and walked back into the main area.
The living room was now bright and showed the slight mess from the previous night. Across the sofa was what looked like a pile of blankets stretching all the was over to the ottoman. Opposite this mess and under the mounted tv was at least 20 DVD cases strewn all across the carpeted floor in rows and columns.
Her eyes didn't linger on this for long. She was much more occupied with the three year old bundle that came from the front door charging to her with arms spread.
"Ima!" The little voice shouted as she came closer, her little blue canvas shoes shuffling as fast as they could go. The short curls on her head bounced with each step and her smile grew as she came closer.
Ziva bent to her knee, her face absolutely radiating happiness as she scooped her daughter into her arms.
"Shalom ahava!" She said as she exhaled the rest of the day's troubles from her body and nestled her chin under her daughter's, placing a kiss on her cheek. "How was your day, Tali?"
Tali lifted her head and sat back in her mother's arms as Ziva stood up. "Good!" She grunted out.
"Did you play with Paulie?" Ziva asked, referring to one of Tali's best friends at her daycare.
She nodded before her focus turned to her play space they set up the previous night in the living room. She swung her body towards the space.
Ziva got the message and set the little girl back on the floor. She watched her tottel over to the blanket fort they made.
"Not now, Tali," Ziva said as she walked back towards the kitchen. "Dinner is ready."
She heard their firearms lock box close as she rounded the corner.
"Well if it isn't the little woman," Her partner exclaimed as she walked past him. "Hard at work in the kitchen."
Unsurprisingly, she scoffed. "Watch it, Tony," Ziva retorted as she checked on the bread in the oven. "If you want to live to eat this," she turned to stare him down. "I would seriously reconsider that statement."
He smirked, countering his comment by rolling up his sleeves and digging plates and utensils out of the cabinets. "Smells delicious!"
She smiled as she started plating the food. "You are, surprised?"
He caught her smile out of the corner of his eye and turned so he was a hairs length from her body. With a deft, gentle touch he skimmed his knuckles down her arm. "Surprised at your mean cooking skills? No," he spoke under his breath. "Surprised that I am lucky enough to benefit from them…" He paused as she tilted her head, here eyes piercing into his intense gaze. "Always."
She pursed her lips, satisfied. Before she had a chance to respond, another voice caught her attention.
"Daddy, we's can play in my fort!" Tali exclaimed as she ran into the kitchen.
Ziva watched as her dad lifted her high in the air with a whoosh sound effect before settling her on his hip, her giggles floating through the air. "After dinner, miss T. Let's go wash up."
Ziva watched them walk through to the bathroom. She settled on a red wine pairing and poured two glasses, carrying them over to the table between the kitchen and the living space. She placed a full sippy cup of juice at the chair with the booster seat attached to it.
Soon enough, the rest of her family returned with clean hands. They settled into their nightly routine, him setting the plates at the table and her settling Tali in her chair between the two adults.
"Talia, make sure you eat all the green vegetables on your plate as well as your pasta."
Tony nodded before taking another fork full of pasta and continuing the conversation with their daughter. "All the green stuff, T."
Ziva forked another bite while addressing her daughter. "Then we can play in the fort while Daddy goes to pick up Grandpa."
"Gam-pa?" Tali asked with a mouth full of green stuff.
Tony used his pinky finger to brush some hair from his daughter's face. "Grandpa is coming to spend Christmas with us."
Tali recognized the name she associated with the older Dinozzo. She raised her empty fork in her fist, her lips pursing as she spoke with her father. "I'z gets to play with Gam-pa in my fort."
He nodded emphatically. "That's right T." Ziva watched as Tony's eyes met hers. "I can't wait to see that happen." His face shifted as he again addressed Ziva. "But he texted about an hour ago that his flight was delayed. Looks like we'll be seeing Grandpa tomorrow afternoon."
Tali seemed to move on, not asking any more questions and quickly finishing her pasta.
"You done?" Her father asked.
She squirmed in her buckled seat and groaned to show she wanted out.
Tony understood her request perfectly and stood to help. "Say 'out please,'" he instructed her, his eyebrows rising with playfulness.
"Out peas," she mimicked, raising her arms as he lifted her up.
"Ugggg!" Tony dramatically exclaimed as he stretched her in his arms. He straightened her little outfit before she pranced away, a song coming from her mouth as she left that sounded like, "… alast I see a light…"
Tali turned around to face her parents and raised her triumphant arms above her head. "Can we play now and watch the Rapunzel movie?"
Ziva was just starting to pick up their dirty plates, when she felt her load lighten. Tony piled all three plates on top of each other and nodded at his daughter. "How about you play with Ima in your fort while I clean up? Then we can watch Tangled."
Tali thought that sounded like a good idea. "Ima come play with my fort!" She exclaimed.
Ziva hesitated, her eyes meeting her partners as she opened her mouth to respond.
He beat her to it, insisting with a brush of his hand. "Go on. Have fun!" He took her empty wine glass from her hand and made his way to the sink. "I'll just be here…" he sighed dramatically. "Washing all the dishes…by myself…"
She caught on to his dramatic tone. "What a good house husband." She countered, their eyes connecting before she turned to find their daughter.
They didn't lie. They just didn't tell the whole truth. Tony did have a date night, with both his girls. And Ziva did watch a movie, with her two favorite people. As the last of the credits of the cartoon feature rolled, the youngest family member let out a rumbling snore as she rested her limp body against her mother's chest. The fort was a heap of blankets by the time their playing was done and the family now cuddled beneath it.
"She gets it from you," Tony whispered from his recumbent position on the other side of his daughter. His arm dropped over the back of the couch, fingers resting just within reach of his partner's forehead, lightly brushing her hairline with his fingertips.
Ziva let out a huff as she raised her weary eyes. "Then I wonder what that sound was that kept me up half the night coming from the other side of the bed… Dinozzo." She said in a voice that would frighten most women and men. Well, all except one man.
He squinted his face and shrugged his shoulders in mock disbelief.
She didn't pay him any more mind as she gestured for him to take Tali from her arms.
He stood slowly, groaning as his stretching limbs cracked, and carefully wrapped his little girl in his arms bringing her close to his chest in one successful motion that spoke to the years of practice he had put in.
Tali only shifted slightly, her face now positioned towards the ceiling showing her slightly matted damp hair clinging to her puffy cheek.
With this practiced ease, he carried her down the hallway and around the corner into her bedroom.
Ziva, leading the way, walked over to turn on the nightlight beside her bed, giving just enough light for them to see but not overwhelm and wake her up. The room was very small, a typical second bedroom in a city apartment, but it was enough for their little girl. Her white framed twin bed was covered in a pink and blue sheet set with matching pillows and blanket. To the side, her night stand was piled with children books the family would typically read before going to bed. A bureau sat beside the door, filled with her clothes and covered with little trinkets she received from her adventures. She had her own toy box situated in the remaining corner, unfortunately a good percentage of her toys were scattered around the floor. Tony was careful to avoid stepping on them as he made his way to the bed.
"We'll brush teeth tomorrow morning," Tony decided for them.
"She can sleep in her clothes. They are comfortable enough," Ziva whispered. "Just take off her tights."
Her partner nodded and did as he was told, carefully peeling the fabric off each of Tali's tiny legs, limbs going limp once he set them down.
"She's really out," he said. Stepping back from their sleeping rock as he tossed her tights into the laundry basket beside the night stand.
"She had a busy day," Ziva said while coming to sit on the side of the bed, eyes fixed to the rise and fall of her chest and hands lightly brushing the hair from the little face. She took a moment to pause and soak in the beauty of the child she created; her whole world. "Goodnight, Talia." Leaning over the bundle, Ziva placed her cheek against her daughters and gave her a lingering kiss. "Sleep tight. Ima loves you very much."
Ziva then stood up and stepped away as Tony came in for his goodnight kiss. "Night, T. Don't grow up too fast, ok?"
Tony stood there a moment, watching her tiny hand rest by her cheek, her breathing soft and steady as she drifted deeper into sleep. It was one of those rare, quiet moments where the whole world seemed to stand still.
He joined Ziva in the doorway, her eyes soft as she looked down at Tali. "She has your resilience," she whispered, more to herself than to Tony, and she found herself reaching up to brush her hand along his arm.
"Yeah, and your fire," Tony replied, barely a breath above silence, turning his head to look at Ziva. "You know we're going to have a midnight visitor who needs a potty run?"
She felt her face crinkle in a silent laugh. "Yes, we will."
His face lit up in response to hers. "What a life, huh?"
If her smile could get any wider, it did. She let her head fall forward, her forehead resting against his lips. She felt his arms wrap around her back, pulling her into his embrace. Her hands easily found their way to his chest, sliding up and down his body twice before snaking around his waist and coming to rest against the small of his back.
They stood like that a while longer, a small family held together by trust and choice.
"Yes, what a life."