I hope you guys liked the first chapter. I would really like to hear from you if you already like the story. It can already tell you that this story also will be around 25 chapters long, maybe even longer.
They drove back to the Navy Yard in silence. Tony knew better then to push Ziva. When she wanted to talk she would talk otherwise he would let it be.
But Tony did not like the science so he broke it with another topic "what are you doing on Thanksgiving Zeh-vah" he asked her stretching her name like he often does.
"I have nothing planned. Since Ducky will not hold the dinner this year because of the conference he will attend" said Ziva staring out of the window.
"Dad called last night. That's why I had the bond marathon. Asked me if I wanted to spend Thanksgiving with him in New York".
"That is nice of your father" said Ziva "How is Senior doing?"
"He is fine. Just got divorced or was it married? Well of cause he said that I can bring you along because he wants to see you again. We are not on call this Thanksgiving so I am thinking about accepting his invitation. Do you want to join me? At least I am not alone if he ditches me again. Not that I just want you to join me for the case I am alone. But " he rambled.
"I would love to join you Tony. Then I can finally see where you spent some of your childhood" she said.
"Thanks" said Tony grinning at her. "We just have to talk with Gibbs about it" he added and Ziva nodded.
They arrived at the Navy Yard and Tony parked the car. When they entered the elevator Ziva was glad that they where alone so she pushed the stop button using Gibbs office as her own.
Tony turned towards her and was about to say something when she looked at him with sad eyes.
"I... it's...what if..." Ziva struggled to find the right words.
Tony stood in front of her and his face softened when he looked into her eyes. He grabbed both of her shoulders and sad "Hey it's alright. Just stay calm ok? Abby will check the DNA so we know if it is really her or your doppelganger."
Ziva looked deeply into Tonys eyes feeling drawn towards him. She studies his whole face while he was talking. She could see that his age slowly made it's way to the surface but he was still very handsome. Her eyes watched his lips maybe a bit to long before she finally looked into his eyes again.
"I have the gut feeling that it's really her Tony. But I... I held her when" she stopped to take a deep breath. "How could she pull up something like that? Just vanish from the surface. I mean she was eight years old. Why did she do that? Who helped her? Why did she do that to me?" Ziva asked almost sounding desperately.
"I might not have an answer to your questions but you know that I will always have a shoulder for you to lean on. Just wait with your questions until we know for sure" he said slowly tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Tony could have sworn that she lightly leaned into his touch.
"What will I say to her?" Ziva asked.
"Say hello. Hug her" her said.
Ziva who was now feeling better hugged her partner for a few seconds before turning around again. She took a deep breath in which Tony could have sworn that he felt her putting her mask back on. She pushed the stop button again and the elevator moved again.
In the bullpen McGee was already at his desk and Gibbs was not there. He was about to ask Ziva something when he saw Tony shacking his head.
"What do we have" asked Tony so that they could collect everything before Gibbs came back.
Just a few minutes later Gibbs came back into the bullpen and stood in front of Zivas desk. DNA is already with Abbs. Dorneget brought her the glass. Witness did not suspect anything. You will stay here until Abby tells us. That is an order Ziver." said Gibbs.
Ziva was about to argue but stopped. "Thank you" she just said.
"Let's just see if Abby is faster or the witness leaving. Said her mother will pick her up"
Ziva now looked at Gibbs thinking weather it was really Tali and her mother planned everything and was also alive, that Tali got adopted or that it was just a stranger. It was to much for Ziva so she excused herself for a second to go to the bathroom. Tony was about to follow her when Gibbs shook his head indicating that Ziva needed some time alone.
In the bathroom Ziva made sure that no one else was in it then she went to the sink and studied herself in the mirror. "Get it together Ziva. Probably you are just seeing ghosts. It can't be her."
She closed her eyes for a second and thought about Tali. She smiled when she could hear her little laughter, her singing and dancing around when Eli was not there. Them spending the time between the olive trees. Ziva would always read a book on a branch while Tali collected olives with Ari.
This was one of her fondest memories when she felt free and not like Elis weapon.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes again. She saw a lonely tear making it's way down her right cheek and lifted her right hand to stop it. Then she opened the faucet and splashed the cold water onto her face.
The water made her think clearer again. She caused the faucet and took a tissue to clean her face.
While leaning onto the sink she looked once more into the mirror to reassure herself that she was ready to go back to the bullpen.
Then she threw the tissue away and made her way back to the bullpen while wearing a somewhat fake smile.
Back at her desk she quickly scanned the room. Tony, Tim and Gibbs where all at their desks working. She was glad that they gave her the space she needed and also returned to her computer.
A few minutes later Tony stood up. "I will go to get coffee anyone needs one?" He asked while taking his wallet out of his drawer.
Gibbs nodded and Tim said "yes please."
He then stood in front of Zivas desk asking her "Coffee or Tea for the lady?"
"Tea please. I am not in the mood for coffee"
"As you wish" he said and winked.
"Stop playing grab ass and get the coffee DiNozzo" said Gibbs.
Tony stopped smiling at Ziva and made his way to the elevator while saying "on it boss".
After getting the coffee Tony immediately went back to the office and gave everyone their drink.
Gibbs then went down to autopsy and McGee went to Abby. He was curious if the test was already done.
Now that the two of them where alone Tony went over to Ziva. He leaned behind her desk so that he could look down to her.
"What do you want Tony?" Asked Ziva without looking up.
"Nothing" he said taking a zip of his coffee.
"I was thinking about going to our favorite sushi restaurant after work. Want to join?"
Ziva stopped working and looked up at her partner "Tony" she said. "I know what you are doing but I am fine"
"Great so we can go there later. Can't wait."
"Tony I don't want to talk about it"
"Then sit there and be quiet. I enjoy your company weather you are talking or not. Just don't Gibbs stare me please"
The elevator dinged and people got of. Tony grinned at Ziva waiting for her to smile back at her.
"You are being a good partner and friend" she told him while her face started to get softer.
"So I am your friend?" he asked her raising his eyebrows.
Ziva looked into his eyes while saying "we have talked about that before Tony. I thought that we are already past" Ziva stopped mid sentence when she saw the women that was escorted by a marine to the meeting room. For a second the women also looked at Ziva. She then could see the confusion in her eyes turning into fear? The woman quickly looked away and went around the corner leaving Ziva speechless.
"Earth to Ziva hello? Are you there?" Asked Tony waving his hand in front of Zivas face.
"Could you please stop waving around in front of me or else I will make you" she said finally looking at Tony again.
"Woah there ninja calm down" he said. "You look like you have seen a ghost" he said.
"That's because I have Tony" said Ziva.
Tony looked confused at Ziva and both did not realise that Gibbs and McGee returned. McGee went back to his desk while Gibbs slapped Tony like he always did and said "get back to your desk DiNozzo"
"Yes boss. Thanks boss" he said and stood up. He quickly padded Zivas right shoulder and went back to his desk holding his cup in one hand and rubbing his head with the other hand.
"I don't think we need the test anymore Gibbs" said Ziva.
"Why?" He asked. "Abby just gave me the results.
"That woman getting Tali... that was my mother"
Gibbs stood up and walked towards Ziva while Tony and McGee just looked at her trying to find the right words.
"David. My office. Now" said Gibbs and Ziva followed him into the elevator.
"You alright Ziver?" He asked her after stopping the elevator.
Ziva looked at the floor while she was talking "I am confused, angry, happy, sad, angry. I don't know Gibbs"
"Results came back positive" he said. "It's your sister"
"I.." Ziva struggled to talk and Gibbs said "Don't have to say anything if you don't want to"
Zivas breath was inconsistent so Gibbs lifted her chin. "Ziver should I bench you or can you focus on the case?"
"I can focus " she said and put a mask on.
Gibbs kissed her forehead in a fatherly way and whispered "You are not alone David don't forget that" Ziva nodded and Gibbs pushed the button again sonthe elevator was on it's way back to the bullpen.
When the elevator doors opened Gibbs stepped out before Ziva. She followed him but stood still when she saw the two women waiting to get into the elevator.
The three of them looked at each other. Gibbs who was watching the scenes quickly saw that Ziva was basically an image of her mother and that Tali was too.
"Ziva?" said Rivka shocked.
Ziva could not handle her feelings at the moment so she ignored her mother and sister and just whispered "excuse me" while walking past them. Ziva did not trust hee own voice to speak louder.
Ziva did not return to her desk but went downstairs to go to their shooting area which was located in the basement.
Gibbs went back to the office and Tony asked "Where is Ziva?" Gibbs just looked at him and then looked into the direction she went signalling him to go after her.
Tony nodded and walked away to look for Ziva.
He wanted to take the elevator but stopped on his heels when he saw that the doors closed with a younger and older version of Ziva in it.
"Oh boy" he whispered while taking the stairs.
He straightly went towards the shooting area knowing that he would find Ziva there.
He remembered her mentioning that cleaning her guns calmed her mind. Also shooting them at the shooting ranch. So he knew to find her there when she was upset to calm her mind.