My hope for a scene in season 17
The bullpen was quiet and dim in the evening hours. A nice change from the buzz and excitement of his arrival hours earlier. The only light coming from the desk lamps and the strips of lights on the stairs. An occasional phone would ring and the sound of the vacuum could be heard as the janitor made his way along the corridor near the bathrooms. He was thankful for the quiet and even more thankful that his daughter was currently in the watchful care of his old boss. Hell, they have been gone quite a while Tony was convinced Gibbs had probably already taught her how to interrogate a suspect and head slap her father by now. She is a quick learner, he thought/. Sitting here at his old desk, Tony couldn’t help but reflect on the difference of his daughters first visit to NCIS and the events of this afternoon.
She certainly had grown since her last visit. Then she was barely walking, confused and timid in a new land without her mother. This afternoon she squeezed his hand tightly in the elevator. Her golden hair brushing his arm, reminding him of her mother. Her mother. He smiled. “You ready?” He questioned her, with eyebrows raised. She nodded firmly. Eyes staring straight ahead. She is already so brave, he thought.
As expected, the team had greeted him with cheery grins and open arms. They greeted his daughter with kisses, tickles and cooing. Tali was polite, even though she hardly knew these people. She answered their questions about Paris and smiled when they made comments about looking just like her mother. Even though he was thrilled at this reunion and his daughters ease with the people he considered family, he couldn’t help but feel impatient. Where is she anyway?
Just when he was about to excuse himself to find some snacks in the break room, he glanced over to see Tali’s eyes light up and a smile spread across her face. She jumped up from Gibbs desk and bounded up next to where he was standing. He followed her hopeful eyes to the object of her fascination. Ziva.
“Sorry to keep you so long, Miss David. I believe your ride is here.” Vance announced with a smirk as he gestured towards them.
It had only been a couple weeks since she had reluctantly left them in Paris. They acknowledged it was risky then but they agreed there was no sitting on the sidelines when it comes to their family. When it comes to Gibbs. So she had left, the brave soldier. The loyal agent. The dutiful daughter. And now, achieving what she’s set out to do - eliminating the threat, tying up loose ends - Now there was no need for fear, no need for secrets. Now they can just be. And even though it had only been 12 days since her dropped her off at the airport, he was so relieved to see her safe.
Ziva wasted no time scooping Tali into her arms and kissing her cheek. She and Tony shared a knowing smile. Not unlike the smiles shared when they knew they’d had a close call while in the field all those years ago.
Tony let out a heavy breath as he walked towards her. “Sorry it took so long, we were delayed at the airport. Almost missed our flight actually because someone insisted on getting more gummy bears” he lilted, just as the accused hurried over to fetch the overpriced bag of sweets she’d hauled all the way across the Atlantic in her purple backpack.
Ziva chuckled “I am just glad you’re here”. She snaked one arm around his side and angled her head up to receive a delicate kiss from Tony. He pulled her to his side and gave her another kiss to her temple.
His thoughts were interrupted with the sound of a chair squeaking as Ziva leaned back.
“She probably knows all of Gibbs rules by now”. Tony grinned. They always did think alike. “As long as she doesn’t headslap me, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.” He replied, rubbing the back of his head in response to a phantom slap.
The two of them sitting here at their old desks was surreal. It felt as if no time had passed at all. Gibbs would come around the corner any second now barking orders about a Petty Office in Peril and telling them to grab their gear.
He recalled all the years that they had spent sitting there. Sharing looks. Worrying. Wondering. Tony stood and slowly walked over to Ziva. “We spent a lot of time here” sighed Tony.
He sat on her desk, techinically Bishops desk now. He is comfortable in her space. Ziva trailed her finger along his hand.
“Told me what?” She jutted her chin out and looked up at him in that playful way she does.
She smiled at him. With a soft voice she assured him.
“But I have never said that to you, here.”
“I should have. I regret that I didn’t”
His eyes were searching hers. For what? For understanding? Confirmation? Forgiveness?
Ziva stood. His hand cold now that her warm touch had relinquished. She sensed his angst and couldn’t help but feel regret herself. And guilt.
“Me too”. She breathed in.
Tony placed his hands on her waist, and pulled her closer to him.
They shared a smile and he closed the space between them. The kiss was warm and soft and gentle. She wrapped her hands around his neck and pressed her body into his. The kiss deepened briefly before the sound of a folder on a desk rudely interrupted them.
“ s’about time you two got it right”
“Sorry Boss!” Tony’s apology was out of his mouth before he could remember that this was no longer his boss and he had nothing to apologise for. Ziva bit her lip and pulled one hand from Tony’s neck to rest it on his chest. Other than that, she made no effort to move from Tony’s embrace. She did look a little embarrassed from being caught kissing, though and that only made Tony wish he had been caught kissing her sooner, because an embarrassed Ziva is rare and simply ... cute.
“You know that’s how she got pregnant the last time, Dinozzo?” With this comment, Tony rubbed the back of his neck nervously and glanced towards Ziva.
She raised her eyebrows and grinned. The two of them shared a look. Tony’s mouth opened slightly as if to ask a question and he took a short breath. Ziva’s smile only grew wider. Without looking away from her, Tony announces
Ziva steps back slightly to face Gibbs. One hand still resting on Tony’s shoulder. The other hand comes to a stop at her stomach.
She looks to Tony and inhales a sharp breath.
“Again.” She breathes out with a smile.
Tony’s hand on her back steadies her as Gibbs wordlessly makes his way to them. Kissing Ziva on the cheek and patting Tony on the back.
“Congratulations you two.”
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