After Ziva and Tali where back at Gibbs place they gathered in the living room. McGee hasn't arrived yet so it was indeed Tony who asked for the cupcakes. Zivas mother wanted to gave them some space so she sat further in the back. So did Tali.

Tim McGee parked behind Tony DiNozzo's car and grabbed a plastic bag of snacks and a six-pack of beer from the passenger seat. As he approached the door, it swung open, and Tony stood there, grinning like he'd just won the lottery.

"Ah, McSnackman! Just in time," Tony said, gesturing grandly for him to enter. "Tonight's gonna be special."

McGee gave him a skeptical look. "Special how?"

"I've selected a cinematic gem," Tony replied, his grin widening. "A little something called The Maltese Falcon."

McGee's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that the movie you've tried to make us watch, like, five times?"

Tony waved him off, looking affronted. "Correction: It's the movie you should have watched five times by now. It's a classic of American cinema! Humphrey Bogart, intrigue, double-crosses—it's the perfect film."

Before McGee could respond, Tony ushered him inside. In the living room, Ziva was already seated on the couch, casually flipping through her phone. She glanced up at McGee and smiled warmly.

"Tim," she greeted, then her eyes shifted to Tony, a teasing smile forming. "Do not tell me Tony is trying to make us watch that black-and-white bird movie again."

Tony gasped in mock horror. "Ziva, it's not just a bird movie. It's about betrayal, greed, and—"

"And a bird," Ziva finished, deadpan. She turned to McGee. "Last time, he tried to explain to me why the bird was so important. I still don't get it."

"Because it's a metaphor!" Tony exclaimed, his arms flailing slightly. "The falcon represents... Look, it's not about the actual bird, okay?"

Ziva's amused smile didn't falter. "I see."

McGee chuckled, dropping the snacks on the coffee table. "Good luck convincing Gibbs to sit through it."

Just as the words left his mouth, the front door opened, and Gibbs strode in, carrying a pizza box in one hand and a case of beer in the other. He walked over to the coffee table, set everything down, and surveyed the room with his usual calm demeanor.

"Movie started yet?" Gibbs asked, his tone as gruff as ever.

"Not yet, Boss," Tony said quickly, eager to pitch his idea. "I've got a great one lined up for tonight The Maltese Falcon. It's a noir classic. Perfect blend of mystery and..."

Gibbs cut him off with a look that said more than words ever could. "We're not watching that."

Tony deflated. "But, Boss, it's..."

"We're watching John Wayne," Gibbs said, heading over to the DVD player and pulling a disc from his collection. "The Searchers."

Tony let out a dramatic sigh, flopping onto the couch beside Ziva. "Of course. A cowboy movie."

Ziva leaned over, nudging him playfully. "I thought you liked classics, Tony."

"Yeah, but my classics have trench coats and hard-boiled detectives," Tony muttered.

Gibbs set up the movie without further comment, but there was a small, satisfied smile on his face. As the opening scenes of The Searchers began to play, the room fell into a comfortable silence, the team settling into their usual dynamic.

Halfway through the movie, after a particularly intense standoff between John Wayne's character and a group of Comanches, Tony leaned over to Ziva with a mischievous grin. "You know, if I had picked Die Hard, we'd already be halfway through some top-notch explosions."

Ziva smiled but didn't take her eyes off the screen. "Explosions, Tony? I thought you were more into subtlety and intrigue, like your bird movie."

"Hey, I'm versatile," Tony shot back, his grin widening. "I can appreciate a good explosion, too. Die Hard is the best of both worlds—action and heart. Greatest Christmas movie ever made."

Ziva raised an eyebrow, her lips curling slightly. "Ah, here we go again. Tony, how many times must I tell you? Die Hard is not a Christmas movie."

"Ziva, it has Christmas trees, Christmas music, and family reunions—it's totally a Christmas movie!" Tony's face lit up as he launched into his familiar argument. "It's about saving your loved ones during the holiday season. How much more Christmas can you get?"

"Let me guess," Ziva said, amused, "explosions are part of the Christmas spirit?"

Tony leaned back, shrugging dramatically. "Well, for John McClane, they are."

Before Ziva could respond, Gibbs' voice cut through their conversation. "We're not watching Die Hard, DiNozzo."

Tony held up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine, I was just making a suggestion."

The movie continued, the room falling back into a peaceful silence as they became absorbed in the world of the Old West. Tony, despite his earlier protests, seemed to be enjoying himself, occasionally muttering about John Wayne's "tough guy swagger."

When the film finally ended, the team stayed seated, basking in the post-movie calm. Tony stretched and glanced at Gibbs. "Okay, I admit it. John Wayne's got his moments."

Ziva smirked. "More than your bird movie, perhaps?"

"Hey, let's not get carried away," Tony replied, though there was no real conviction behind his words. He turned to Gibbs. "Next time, though, I'm picking The Maltese Falcon."

Gibbs shook his head, standing up to clear away the empty pizza boxes. "We'll see about that."

Tony grinned but didn't press the issue further. As the team started gathering their things, Ziva leaned over to Tony and said quietly, "You know, Tony, maybe one day I will let you explain that bird to me again."

Tony's eyes brightened. "Oh, you're in for a treat."

"Maybe," she said with a wink while she walked him and McGee to the front door.

Ziva did not leave because it was her turn to stay over night with Gibbs to look after Tali and Rivka who had just watched the scene amused.

The morning sun cast its usual golden glow over the city as Ziva and Tali drove through the streets, heading toward the Navy Yard. The traffic was steady, and for a moment, there was an illusion of normalcy a fleeting sense of calm.

Tali, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced out the window, her thoughts elsewhere. Ziva noticed her sister's quietness and decided to break the silence, steering the conversation to something familiar.

"How are your lectures going?" Ziva asked, her eyes remaining on the road but her tone genuinely curious.

Tali turned her head, looking surprised by the question. "At university?"

"Yes," Ziva nodded. "You've been busy with classes. I haven't had a chance to hear much about them."

Tali smiled softly, appreciating the inquiry. "They're going well. I've missed the routine of it, you know? The studying, the lectures. It helps me stay focused. But it's hard to concentrate sometimes… with everything that's happened."

Ziva gave her a sideways glance, her eyes softening. "It must be difficult, adjusting after so long."

Tali sighed, a far-off look in her eyes. "It is. But being back in class, it feels good to have something that's just… normal."

Ziva smiled faintly, finding comfort in that. "I'm glad you've found something that helps."

For a brief moment, the conversation seemed to ease the tension that had settled between them. But then, without warning, the sound of gunfire shattered the peaceful morning.

The first shot slammed into the back of the car, the sound deafening as it pierced the air. Ziva's instincts flared instantly. She jerked the steering wheel hard to the right, narrowly dodging the next round of bullets.

"Get down!" Ziva shouted, her hand shooting out to push Tali toward the floor of the car.

Tali's face went pale, panic flooding her features as she ducked down. Her breath came in sharp, shallow gasps, the sound of another shot filling the car as the rear window shattered, sending shards of glass spraying through the air.

The car rocked, but Ziva stayed in control, her knuckles white against the steering wheel as she sped forward, trying to put distance between them and the shooter.

"What the hell is happening?" Tali gasped, her voice shaking with fear as she tried to process what had just happened.

"They're shooting at us," Ziva said in a controlled voice, her mind working at lightning speed. She glanced in the rearview mirror and caught sight of the car speeding away on the opposite side of the road.

"They're not just after you I think," Ziva added, her jaw tight. "They're after both of us."

Tali's eyes widened as she processed that. "Both of us?"

Ziva nodded, already reaching for her phone. "They knew you were in the car."

Tali's breathing was ragged, panic creeping in as she looked back at the shattered window. "Oh my God, Ziva… someone just tried to kill us."

Ziva pressed her phone to her ear, already dialing Gibbs, her voice calm as she kept control of the situation. "Stay calm, Tali. I need you to stay with me."

Tali nodded, though her breaths were shallow. "I'm trying…"

Gibbs picked up on the second ring, his voice gruff and alert. "Gibbs."

"Someone just shot at us," Ziva said quickly, her voice steady despite the chaos. "Tali and I are fine, but the shooter got away. Dark sedan, four-door, heading in the opposite direction. I got the license plate."

"Where are you?" Gibbs asked immediately, his tone sharp with concern.

"On the way to the Navy Yard. Rear window is gone. I'm bringing the car in," Ziva replied, her voice clipped as she maintained focus. "McGee needs to run the plate it's M32 R94 something. I'll give him the details as soon as I get there."

"Got it. Get here safely. We'll handle the rest," Gibbs said before hanging up.

Ziva shoved the phone back in her pocket, her focus immediately shifting back to her sister. Tali was still hunched down, her eyes wide with fear, trembling slightly.

"Ziva… I'm not used to" Tali began, her voice shaky. "I've never had someone shoot at me."

Ziva reached over, her hand gently gripping Tali's shoulder, trying to steady her. "Tali, breathe. You're safe now."

Tali's breaths were quick and uneven, panic still flooding her system. "I how do you stay so calm?"

Ziva's voice remained cool and reassuring, the way it always was in high-pressure situations. "Because I've been through this before. You're okay. We're okay. You need to trust me, all right?"

Tali nodded, though her hands were still shaking as she pulled herself upright in the seat. "Okay… okay. But, Ziva, they knew I was with you."

"I know," Ziva replied quietly, her eyes flicking between the road and her sister. "That means this isn't random. Whoever did this was targeting both of us."

Tali swallowed hard, glancing out the shattered rear window. "But why? I'm not"

Ziva cut her off gently. "It doesn't matter why right now. What matters is we're going to find out who did this."

Tali's breathing slowly began to steady, her hands still trembling, but she trusted Ziva's words. Her sister had faced worse, survived worse, and Tali clung to that calm as she tried to settle her own nerves.

Ziva kept her focus on the vicinity. She scanned everything as they where waiting for Tony to get them. A few other agents where also on their way because Zivas car was now a crime scene

"Tony is almost here," Ziva said, glancing at her sister. "You're doing fine, Tali. Just breathe."

Tali exhaled shakily but nodded. "I'm okay. I just… I wasn't ready for that."

"No one ever is," Ziva said softly, her voice still calm and steady. "But you handled it. That's what matters."

Tali gave her a small, shaky smile. "Thanks. For… well, saving us."

Ziva's gaze softened as she gave her sister a brief look. "I'll always protect you, Tali. No matter what."

As Tony arrived Ziva spoke again. "He is here," Ziva said quietly. "Now we figure out who did this."

Tali nodded, her hands finally steadying as she glanced back at the shattered window. "Whoever it was… they messed with the wrong sisters."

Ziva's lips quirked up in a brief smile. "That's true."

Tony DiNozzo hopped out of the silver NCIS sedan moving quickly toward the car, his usual swagger tempered with concern. His eyes immediately went to the shattered rear window before settling on Ziva and Tali.

"Whoa… That's a hell of a morning," Tony said, his tone laced with worry as he took in the damage. "You two okay?"

Ziva stepped out of the car, her expression composed as ever. "We're fine, Tony. A little shaken, but no injuries."

Tali emerged from the car a bit more slowly, still visibly rattled. Tony's gaze softened as he looked at her, sensing how unnerved she was.

"Hey," he said gently, turning to Tali. "Are you okay?"

Tali nodded, but her voice betrayed her anxiety. "I… I'm fine, I guess. Just not used to someone trying to shoot me, you know?"

Tony gave her a sympathetic smile. "Yeah, that's not something you want to get used to. But you're safe now. We're going to take care of this."

Ziva watched Tony with quiet appreciation, noting how he was trying to ease Tali's nerves. Despite their banter, Tony was always dependable in moments like these. He could read a situation and a person with more depth than he let on. Ziva felt a bit of tension ease from her own shoulders just seeing him there.

"Gibbs told me to bring you both in. This car is officially a crime scene," Tony said, motioning toward their bullet-riddled vehicle. "He's got McGee working on the plate. We'll get this guy."

Ziva nodded. "I know."

Tony gestured toward the car he had driven. "Come on, let's get you two out of here. I think we've all had enough excitement for one morning."

As they moved toward Tony's car, Tali hesitated, casting one last glance at the shattered rear window of the vehicle they'd just left. Ziva noticed her pause and stopped, placing a reassuring hand on her arm.

"Come, Tali," Ziva said softly. "It's over now."

Tali took a deep breath and nodded, following Ziva and Tony to the sedan. As they drove toward the Navy Yard, Ziva kept her eyes on the road ahead, her mind racing with questions about who could have been behind the attack.

But one thing was certain whoever it was, they had made a serious mistake by targeting both her and Tali.

And Ziva wouldn't rest until they were caught.