A few weeks later, Tony and Ziva approached Gibbs to request a week off for his father's wedding. They stood in front of Gibbs's desk, both wearing expressions of anticipation.
"Boss, we need to talk," Tony began, his tone light but serious.
Gibbs looked up, his brow furrowed. "About?"
"We'd like a week off," Ziva said, her voice steady. "Tony's father is getting married."
Gibbs raised an eyebrow. "You both are invited?"
"Yeah, surprisingly," Tony replied, crossing his arms. "But the catch is, I have no idea who his fiancée is. He hasn't mentioned a word about her."
Gibbs studied them for a moment, contemplating. "Alright. You can take the time off. Just remember rule twelve."
Ziva smirked. "Don't date your partner. We know."
"Good," Gibbs said, his expression turning serious again. "I expect you both to stick to it."
As they turned to leave, Ziva looked over at Tony. "You're sure you're ready for this? Meeting your father's new wife?"
Tony shrugged, a mix of excitement and apprehension flickering across his face. "It's just a wedding. What could possibly go wrong?"
Ziva laughed lightly, shaking her head. "With your family? Anything."
"True," Tony admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But at least I have you by my side."
With that, they returned to their work, the weight of their upcoming adventure looming in the background.
As they boarded the plane and found their seats the lighthearted banter continued, and Tony couldn't resist a jab. "You know, with a family like mine, you might end up with a few little DiNozzos running around you. You better watch out for the DiNozzo charm!"
Ziva chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't worry, Tony. I'm immune to the DiNozzo charm."
He glanced sideways at her, feigning disbelief. "I'm not so sure about that, Ziva."
"Is that so?" she replied, her voice dripping with playful challenge as she shot him a teasing look, the infamous "elevator eyes" making an appearance.
"Well, you can't resist my charm, Zeev-ah," he declared with a grin, leaning slightly closer.
Ziva laughed, looking at him skeptically. "You think so?"
"I know so, Ziva," he said confidently, his smile widening.
"How so?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"Paris," Tony replied, raising an eyebrow, his expression both playful and suggestive.
Ziva's response hung in the air, but before she could muster a comeback, the pilot made the announcement that they would be landing shortly. She felt a surge of relief; it meant she wouldn't have to answer his teasing just yet.
"Guess we'll have to continue this conversation later," she said, suppressing a smile.
"Absolutely," Tony replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm looking forward to it."
As the plane descended, Ziva's mind was filled with anticipation, both for the wedding and for the time she'd get to spend with Tony and his family.
After landing, Tony and Ziva made their way to the car rental area. Tony took charge, confidently striding to the counter and completing the paperwork while Ziva observed him with a smirk. "You look like you've done this a million times," she teased.
"Gotta have my rental car game on point," Tony replied with a wink. "You never know when you'll need to make a quick getaway—especially with my family."
Once they had the keys, they headed to the parking lot. Tony slid into the driver's seat, glancing over at Ziva with an expectant grin. "Ready for the road trip to my childhood home?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Ziva said, fastening her seatbelt.
As they pulled out of the airport, Tony turned on the radio, letting a mix of familiar tunes fill the car. The drive was filled with lighthearted chatter about Tony's childhood memories, his family, and the chaos that was bound to ensue at the wedding.
"Tell me more about your family," Ziva encouraged, leaning back in her seat. "You mentioned a lot of cousins. What are they like?"
Tony chuckled, his eyes on the road. "Oh, they're a wild bunch. My cousin Joey once set the backyard on fire trying to impress a girl. My Aunt Margie likes to bring way too much food to every family gathering. I'm pretty sure the last time we had Thanksgiving, she cooked enough turkey for an army."
Ziva laughed. "Sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait to meet them."
"You might want to prepare yourself. They can be a bit… overwhelming," he warned with a grin. "And then there's my nonna. She's the queen of the family. You'll love her."
"Your nonna? I'm looking forward to it," Ziva replied, imagining the vibrant woman who had raised Tony.
"Feels like it's been ages since I've been back," he mused. "A lot of memories here."
"Good ones, I hope," Ziva said, giving him a sidelong glance.
"Most of them, yeah," he replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "But you know how family is—always some drama."
Ziva smiled knowingly. "I can imagine. Just promise me you won't get into too much trouble."
"No promises," Tony joked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Before long, they approached his childhood home, a big mansion with a front porch and a yard that seemed to hold echoes of laughter and chaos. As Tony parked the car, he glanced at Ziva, his expression shifting from playful to serious.
"You ready for this?" he asked, his tone softer.
Ziva nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. "Yeah, I am."
"Let's do this," Tony said, opening his door with a grin as they stepped out into the warm, familiar air.
As Tony and Ziva approached the front door of his childhood home, the enticing aroma of food wafted through the air, hinting at the chaos that awaited inside. He opened the door, revealing the lively atmosphere within. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and Tony's heart warmed at the sight of family gathered together.
"Hey, look who finally decided to show up!" Tony's Uncle Frank shouted from the dining room, his voice booming over the din. A few heads turned, and several family members waved at Tony and Ziva, welcoming them with open arms.
"Nonna's been waiting for you!" one of his aunts called out, her hands busy setting the table with an array of delicious dishes.
"Just a second!" Tony called back, nudging Ziva with his elbow. "Get ready for some serious Italian hospitality."
As they stepped inside, Ziva took in the lively scene, noticing several of Tony's cousins already seated at the table. They were animatedly discussing everything from sports to relationships, and the energy was contagious.
"Look who it is!" Tony's cousin Marco exclaimed, jumping up to greet them. He was a tall guy with a friendly smile, and he wrapped Tony in a bear hug before extending a hand to Ziva. "Nice to meet you! You must be Ziva. Tony's told us all about you."
"Only the good stuff, I hope," Ziva replied, smirking as she shook his hand.
"Oh, definitely," Marco laughed, glancing at Tony. "I'd love to hear about this legendary partner of his."
"Let's save the stories for later," Tony interrupted, rolling his eyes playfully. "Where's Nonna? I need her to tell me why I'm so handsome."
"She's in the kitchen," Marco said, pointing toward the back of the house. "Probably giving Aunt Lisa a hard time about the sauce again."
"Perfect! Come on, Ziva. Let's go find her," Tony said, leading her toward the kitchen.
As they entered, the warm, bustling kitchen was filled with his aunts preparing dishes, while Nonna stood at the stove, stirring a pot with a wooden spoon. Her hair was tied back in a bun, and she looked up with a twinkle in her eye as Tony approached.
"Tony! My beautiful boy!" she exclaimed, setting down the spoon to envelop him in a warm embrace. "You look so good! And who is this lovely lady?"
"This is Ziva, Nonna," Tony introduced, a proud smile on his face. "The one I told you about."
"Ziva! Welcome in our family! You are very welcome here!" Nonna said in italian as her Englishwas not perfect, pulling Ziva into a hug as well. "Come, eat! We have plenty!"
"Thank you, I'm excited to try your cooking," Ziva replied in perfect italian, feeling the warmth of Nonna's affection.
His nonna was surprised looking at Tony saying "You did not mention that she can speak Italian my boy"
They where talking for a while longer with his nonna. She was talking with Ziva in italian a lot which she enjoyed a lot.
As they made their way back to the dining room, Tony couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. Family was everything to him, and having Ziva by his side made it all the more special. The table was filled with traditional dishes lasagna, meatballs, garlic bread, and a salad that looked as vibrant as the conversations buzzing around them.
"Dig in, everyone!" Tony's father called, and the clamor of plates being filled echoed throughout the room.
"Just wait until you try the lasagna," Tony said to Ziva, grinning as he piled some onto his plate. "Nonna's secret recipe. It's a game-changer."
They settled into their seats, and as laughter filled the air, Ziva leaned over to Tony. "Your family is amazing," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with amusement as one of his cousins started a friendly debate about football.
"Just wait until they start talking politics," Tony smirked. "That's when it really gets entertaining."
Ziva chuckled, feeling at home amidst the chaos. For Tony, this was more than just a family dinner; it was a reminder of where he came from, and he was grateful to share it all with Ziva.
After dinner, Tony's father settled into the cozy living room with two of his brothers, sharing stories and enjoying cold beers. Tony walked in, chuckling at a memory from the dinner table. His father glanced up, a mischievous smile on his face. "You know," he said, leaning back in his chair, "Ziva is Tony's girlfriend."
Tony's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "That's not true, Dad," he protested, a hint of urgency in his voice. "She's just my partner at work and a very good friend." He could feel his face warming slightly, wishing to clarify before the rumor took root.
His uncles exchanged knowing glances, their eyebrows raised in amusement. One of them, Uncle Frank, leaned forward with a grin. "Come on, Tony. Look at the way you two are together. I've seen enough to know what's really going on."
"Yeah, don't try to pull a fast one on us," chimed in Uncle Joe, chuckling. "It's obvious she's got you wrapped around her finger."
Tony opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the sounds of laughter and excitement from the other room. He turned to see Ziva surrounded by a group of Tony's younger cousins. They were completely enamored with her curly hair, tugging at the strands and marveling at how springy it was.
"Can we touch it?" one little girl asked with wide eyes.
Ziva smiled brightly, kneeling down to their level. "Of course! Just be gentle, okay?" As the kids gingerly played with her curls, she laughed and engaged them with playful banter, her warmth drawing them in like moths to a flame.
Tony watched from the doorway, a mix of pride and affection swelling in his chest. His family might not know the full extent of his feelings for Ziva, but it was clear she was a natural with the kids. They were all enchanted by her, and he couldn't help but think how easily she fit into his life.
As the adults continued their conversation, Tony felt a sense of comfort wash over him. No matter how complicated his relationship with Ziva was, moments like these reminded him of how much she truly meant to him and how his family would come to see that in time.
Later that evening, once the dishes had been cleared and the adults began to gather for coffee, Tony found a moment to pull his father aside.
"Dad, about Ziva…" he started, unsure how to approach it.
His father raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on his face. "What about her?"
"Can we not introduce her as my girlfriend? I mean, she's my partner at work and a good friend, but we're not dating," Tony explained, feeling the need to clarify.
His father nodded, understanding. "I get it. I just wanted everyone to know how special she is to you. But I'll make sure to set the record straight."
Later, as the evening wound down, one of his brothers approached Tony. "So, your 'partner' is pretty great with the kids," he said with a teasing smile. "You might want to consider changing that label someday."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Tony replied, half-jokingly, but the thought lingered as he watched Ziva, her laughter echoing in his mind.
Tony changed the topic as he did not want to talk about that... let's call it situation anymore "See?" he said to his father, leaning closer. "She's way better at this than I am."
His father just grinned. "Well, the girls are all over her"
As the kids continued to chat with Ziva, Tony leaned back in his chair, feeling a sense of ease wash over him. Despite the initial awkwardness, he was grateful for this moment of warmth and laughter, knowing that Ziva was quickly becoming a cherished part of his family's fabric whether they were labeled as just partners or something more.
As the evening wore on, more and more guests began to filter out, bidding farewell to Tony and Ziva before heading back to their hotels. The lively chatter that had filled the house gradually faded, leaving just a few family members lingering. Eventually, it was only Tony, Ziva, and his father left in the living room. Tony's father was in high spirits, sharing stories about the bride-to-be's family, who had gone to their side of the house to prepare for the wedding.
When the last of the guests departed, Tony turned to Ziva, who was still smiling from her interactions with the kids. "Looks like it's just us now," he said, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Just the way I like it," Ziva replied, smirking. "Less chaos, more peace."
Tony's father, now settling down with a satisfied sigh, interrupted their moment. "You two can head to bed whenever you're ready. I've prepared a room for you, Tony." He gestured toward the hallway.
Tony raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "And where is Ziva's room?" he asked, half-joking but genuinely wondering about the sleeping arrangements.
His father's expression shifted slightly, a hint of mischief creeping in. "I only prepared one room," he said nonchalantly. "If there's a problem with that…"
Tony's eyes widened, glancing at Ziva. "Wait, what? Dad, you can't be serious!"
Ziva, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, shot him a teasing look. "No problem. You'll be sleeping on the couch," she said, her tone light but resolute.
Tony's incredulous expression deepened. "Are you really going to do this to my back?" he protested.
Ziva laughed, enjoying the moment. "Better than sharing a bed with you, DiNozzo. I might not sleep at all!"
His father chuckled at their playful exchange. "Seems like it's no problem at all," he added, clearly amused.
With a grin, Ziva turned to head toward the room first. Tony stood behind, shaking his head as he prepared to talk to his dad.
Tony stood for a moment, watching Ziva disappear down the hallway, then turned his attention back to his father, who was still lounging comfortably in the living room.
"Dad," Tony began, his voice low and serious, "I know what you're trying to do. This reversed kind of parent trap isn't going to work."
His father looked up, a knowing smile on his face. "I'm just trying to help, Tony. I know how you feel about Ziva."
Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Feelings have to come from both sides, you know? I don't think Ziva is on the same page as I am."
Senior shook his head slightly, trying to reassure him. "You never know, son. Sometimes, all it takes is a little push for people to realize what they want."
Tony crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "Maybe, but it's not just about me wanting something. Ziva has her own life, her own struggles. I don't want to make things awkward between us. I can't just assume she feels the same way."
His father studied him for a moment, the playful tone from earlier replaced by genuine concern. "You've been through a lot together. You're more than just partners, Tony. You share a bond that's deeper than most. Sometimes, people need a little nudge to see what's right in front of them."
"I appreciate your faith in us," Tony replied, his voice softening, "but I need to let her figure things out in her own time. I don't want to risk what we have by pushing her."
Senior nodded slowly, understanding his son's perspective. "Alright, I get it. Just know I'm here for you, no matter what happens."
Tony offered a small smile, grateful for his father's support. "Thanks, Dad. I just wish things were simpler."
With a final nod, Tony turned to head toward the bedroom, leaving his father with his thoughts.
Before Tony turned to leave, his father called after him, a teasing glint in his eye. "You know, I'd be glad to have someone like Ziva as my daughter-in-law. She makes you happy, and she could definitely kick youe ass if you didn't behave."
Tony chuckled, shaking his head. "Dad, let's not get ahead of ourselves here."
His father waved a hand dismissively, a grin still plastered on his face. "I'm just saying, Tony. You've got something special with her. Don't let it slip away because you're afraid of what might happen."
Tony gave a small nod, appreciating his father's words even if they made him feel slightly uneasy. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, then headed down the hallway, his thoughts lingering on Ziva as he prepared to turn in for the night.