Ziva returned from her run, her skin flushed from exertion, and barely acknowledged Tony, McGee, or her mother as she made her way to the stairs. "I'm taking a shower," she said over her shoulder, heading to the bathroom without waiting for a response.

Tony watched her go, raising an eyebrow. "Must've been quite the run."

McGee chuckled as he stood up, gathering his things. "Yeah, well, I think it's our cue, Tony. We should get going too."

Gibbs nodded in agreement, grabbing his coat and giving a brief glance at Rivka, who was seated in the corner, reading. "We'll be back later," he said, his usual no-nonsense tone in place.

Rivka gave a polite nod as Gibbs and McGee headed for the door. "Thank you, Jethro."

Tony stood near the door, watching them leave, and then turned to Tali with a smirk. "Guess it's just us now."

Tali, sitting at the kitchen table, smiled mischievously. "So, Tony... what's your favorite James Bond movie?"

Tony's face lit up, and he immediately moved toward the living room, gesturing dramatically as he spoke. "Oh, come on. Sean Connery is the only real James Bond. 'Goldfinger' is a classic. That's what the franchise is all about—charm, action, and a little bit of danger."

Tali laughed, shaking her head. "Connery was great, but I have to go with Daniel Craig. 'Casino Royale'? That was next-level James Bond. Gritty, real, and he had the perfect balance of toughness and heart."

Tony feigned disbelief, clutching his chest as though she'd wounded him. "Craig? Over Connery? Tali, I thought you had better taste than this."

Before Tali could respond, Ziva came downstairs, freshly showered, her hair still damp and wearing casual clothes. She walked into the kitchen, grabbing a snack without a word as Tony and Tali continued their debate.

"You're too nostalgic, Tony," Tali teased, folding her arms. "Connery's movies are classics, sure, but Craig brought something new."

Tony shook his head, his hands on his hips. "Nostalgic? Or just someone who appreciates the finer things? Connery set the standard! The others are just playing catch-up."

As their playful argument continued, Ziva moved over to the table, munching on an apple. Her mother, Rivka, set down her book and gave her daughter a gentle smile, clearly wanting to talk.

"Ziva," Rivka began softly, her voice drawing Ziva's attention. "Are you feeling okay after this morning?."

Ziva glanced at her mother, her expression softening slightly as she nodded. "I'm fine, Ima. Running helps. It clears my mind."

Rivka studied her for a moment, sensing that Ziva was deflecting, as usual. "You're always so strong," she said quietly, her voice filled with a mixture of admiration and concern. "But you don't always have to be."

Ziva looked away, clearly uncomfortable with the emotional direction of the conversation. She quickly finished her snack and stood up, shrugging. "I'm used to it. We should focus on what's next, not what has already happened."

Rivka sighed, not pushing further for the moment, though she knew her daughter well enough to recognize when Ziva was putting up walls.

Meanwhile, Tony and Tali's conversation had grown louder. Tony was now imitating Sean Connery's suave accent, much to Tali's amusement. "You can't argue with this voice, Tali. It's iconic!"

Ziva, listening to their banter, rolled her eyes slightly but couldn't help a faint smile. Even with everything going on, their lightheartedness was refreshing.

Rivka, observing Ziva's small moment of peace, smiled to herself, grateful that despite the chaos, her daughters could find these small, human moments amidst everything.

Ziva watched Tony and Tali continue their playful debate about James Bond, her arms crossed as she leaned against the kitchen counter. She shook her head slightly and, with a faint smirk, addressed her sister. "Tali, take it from me—never get between Tony and his James Bond."

Tali raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, if Tony's Bond... does that make you the Bond girl?"

Tony burst out laughing at the suggestion, holding his stomach dramatically. "A Bond girl? Ziva? Nah, not a chance."

Ziva shot him a warning look, already bracing herself for whatever he was about to say next.

Tony grinned, pointing a thumb in Ziva's direction. "More like Ziva is Bond—with Ninja skills."

Tali's eyes widened in playful disbelief. "Oh, really? Bond and a ninja?"

Tony leaned back into the couch, clearly enjoying himself. "Absolutely. You've seen how she moves. Bond's got nothing on Ziva when it comes to kicking ass."

Ziva raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "Are you finished?"

Tony chuckled but shook his head. "Not yet. Speaking of ninjas, have you ever seen Enter the Ninja? Now that's a classic! It's got all the action—swords, stealth, and a hero who could give even Bond a run for his money."

Tali, intrigued, glanced at Ziva. "What's with you two and these action movies?"

Ziva rolled her eyes, turning back to her sister. "Trust me, Tali. Tony lives in a world where everything is a reference to some movie."

Tony grinned, clearly unfazed. "And it's a pretty great world, if you ask me."

Ziva shook her head with a sigh but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. She knew Tony's quirks all too well, and while they drove her crazy at times, moments like this were what made their dynamic so unique.

Tali, still amused, leaned back in her chair. "Well, if Ziva's Bond with ninja skills, I guess that makes you the sidekick, Tony."

Tony gasped dramatically. "Sidekick? Oh, I don't think so, Tali. If anything, I'm the smooth operator who helps Bond save the day. Think Felix Leiter... with better hair."

Ziva snorted, shaking her head. "Keep telling yourself that, Tony."

Tony leaned back, stretching out on the couch with a smirk. "I'm not telling myself that, Zeeh-vah. McSidekick is the perfect sidekick one could have. A nerd with computer skills? He's our chair man."

Ziva shot him a puzzled look, one eyebrow raised. "Chair man?"

Tony's grin widened, clearly enjoying her confusion. "Yeah, you know—like in Skyfall. Q is the guy behind the scenes, making sure Bond doesn't get himself killed. It's essential work! Every hero needs a 'guy in the chair.'"

Tony's eyes gleamed with excitement. "And I am glad you asked. Actually, I know the perfect other example now that I think of it. Spider-Man the one with Tom Holland. McGee is totally our Ned."

"Let me guess," Tali interrupted, her voice teasing. "You're Spider-Man?"

Tony shook his head, waving a hand dismissively. "No, no, that would be Ziva."

Ziva shot him another look, both eyebrows raised this time. "Me?"

Tali grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. "But Iron Man doesn't suit you, Tony. I mean, I haven't known you that long, but still..." She trailed off, shaking her head.

Tony gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "I am hurt by that, Tali. Really, I am. But if Gibbs is Iron Man, that would make me…"

Ziva, not missing a beat, smirked. "Actually, Tony, you give me more of an Ant-Man vibe."

Tony stared at her, momentarily speechless. Then, slowly, a smile crept onto his face. "Ziva David, it seems like all of our movie nights are finally paying off. You're starting to learn useful things."

"Useful?" Ziva echoed, one eyebrow arching again in disbelief.

"Yes, useful," Tony replied confidently, leaning toward her. "After almost eight years, you're picking up on the more important pop culture references."

Before Ziva could respond, Tali, still grinning, leaned forward in her seat. "So, tell me more about these movie nights," she interrupted, clearly intrigued.

Tony shot Ziva a playful look before turning to Tali with a grin. "Oh, they're legendary, Tali. But don't let Ziva fool you. She might pretend she doesn't enjoy them, but I've seen her get into it. She'll sit there, popcorn in hand, acting all serious, but deep down, she's loving it."

Ziva rolled her eyes. "Tony exaggerates. I tolerate the movies."

"Tolerate?" Tony scoffed, giving her a knowing smile. "Come on, Zee. Admit it you're hooked now. I mean, who was the one who actually liked 'Guardians of the Galaxy'? I seem to remember you saying something about Rocket being 'amusing.'"

Ziva huffed, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I merely said it had its moments."

Tali laughed, glancing between them. "I'm starting to think you two spend more time watching movies than working."

Ziva shook her head, though there was warmth in her tone. "You'd be surprised, Tali. It's more of Tony talking through movies while I try to focus."

Tony grinned. "And look at you now, throwing out Ant-Man references like a pro."

Ziva shot him a look. "If you keep talking, Tony, I might just retract my Ant-Man assessment."

Tony laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I'll take it as a win."

Tali, clearly intrigued, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "So, are you two doing a lot together outside of work?"

Ziva's eyes flicked briefly toward Tony before she straightened up. "Not as much as you think," she replied coolly, deflecting the question.

Tony, ever the joker, couldn't resist. "Oh, you know, Tali. Dinner, movies, the occasional life-threatening situation. Just the usual."

Ziva shot him a sharp look, and he flashed her a grin. "Okay, fine. We've had a couple of movie nights here and there."

Tali wasn't letting it go. "Just movie nights?"

Ziva shrugged, nonchalant. "Tony likes to introduce me to his so-called 'cultural classics.'"

Tali smirked, clearly not convinced. "Sounds like you two spend a lot of time together."

Tony chuckled. "We're partners, Tali. It comes with the territory."

Ziva gave her sister a pointed look, quickly steering the conversation back. "Tali, why don't you tell me more about your life instead of focusing on ours?"

Tali rolled her eyes but played along. "Fine, fine. I'm just curious, that's all."

Tali giggled, clearly entertained by the back-and-forth. "I'm starting to see why you two make such a good team."

Ziva raised an eyebrow. "Because Tony is relentless?"

"Exactly," Tali teased.

Tony chuckled, unbothered. "Relentless is just another word for dedicated."

Tali, leaning forward with a playful glint in her eye, looked between her sister and Tony. "You know, has anyone ever told you two that you argue like an old married couple?"

Ziva raised an eyebrow, and Tony laughed, clearly enjoying the idea. "I mean, we do have a certain chemistry."

Tali smirked. "You remind me of my retired neighbors. They bicker all the time but in that way that's clearly affectionate."

Ziva shot Tony a skeptical look. "I assure you, this is not affection, Tali. It's more like… professional rivalry."

Tony shook his head, still grinning. "Oh come on, Ziva! Just admit it; you enjoy our little spats. It keeps things interesting."

"Interesting, yes. But not necessarily enjoyable," Ziva countered, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Tali laughed, leaning back in her chair. "I'm just saying, it's kind of sweet. You both care about each other a lot, even if it comes out as bickering."

"Sweet?" Ziva echoed, trying to suppress a smile. "I wouldn't say that."

Tony chimed in with mock seriousness. "You're just too proud to admit how much you enjoy my company, Zee."

Ziva crossed her arms defiantly. "I tolerate it."

"Same thing," Tony replied, winking at Tali.

Tali shook her head, laughing. "You two are impossible."

Ziva gave her sister a pointed look, quickly steering the conversation back. "Tali, why don't you tell me more about your life instead of focusing on ours?"

Tali rolled her eyes but played along. "Fine, fine. I'm just curious, that's all."

Just as Tali was about to respond, the unmistakable sound of a car engine echoed outside. The vehicle approached the house, its tires crunching on the gravel driveway.

Tony and Ziva exchanged a quick glance, their expressions shifting from playful to serious in an instant. Without a word, they both moved into action, instinctively reaching for their firearms, fingers poised and ready.

"Who is it?" Tali asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

"If it was someone from NCIS, they would've contacted us first," Ziva said, her voice low and steady as she assessed the situation.

Before she could say more, Rivka entered the living room, worry etched across her face. "What's happening?" she asked, glancing between her daughters and Tony.

"Ima, I need you to listen to me," Ziva said, her tone firm. "I'm going upstairs to take Tali and hide. Only come out when Tony or I say so."

Rivka nodded, her eyes wide with concern, but she didn't argue. "Let's go, Tali."

As they hurried up the stairs, Ziva and Tony exchanged another look, understanding the urgency of the situation. They slipped behind the couch, hearts racing as they peered cautiously over the edge towards the front door.

The car rolled to a stop just outside, its engine idling ominously. Ziva held her breath, her finger lightly resting on the trigger, ready for whatever was about to unfold. Tony shifted slightly, ensuring they remained hidden while keeping his gaze fixed on the entrance.

"Stay alert," he whispered, eyes narrowed in concentration.

Ziva nodded, her grip tightening on her weapon. They both knew that every second counted as the sound of footsteps approached, the tension in the room palpable.