Chapter Text
Tony was confused. As usual... It was because of Ziva. He adored their friendship. Truly. And he knew her well now. Or... At least Tony thought so. What was wrong? He just couldn't figure it out. At all.
Ziva had been acting... off. And for awhile. She was more distant than usual, often tired, begging off about hanging out. Even for casual events. Tony had also noticed that his friend's wardrobe had changed. Her clothes were looser. Was she the type to sport loose clothing? Not at all. But... What made Tony feel very sympathetic? Ziva seemed sad. All the time.
Why did Tony notice any of these changes? In any way? Ziva did show up in his daydreams. A lot. But even though they drove each other insane on a daily basis, they were best friends. No matter what. For life.
So... This was how Tony found himself in the grocery store. At seven o'clock on a Saturday night. What was in his basket? A bounty of items that would cheer his best friend up. Did he make haste for the check-out when she called him, asking for him to come over? Yes. Did it escape Tony that Ziva was in tears? No.
Fifteen minutes later...
"Ziva?" Tony called as he knocked on her door. "It's me!"
The woman called out, "Do come in! The door is unlocked!"
Tony had imagined the ride over trying to imagine what Ziva was upset over. But words failed him. Across the board.
Ziva was dressed more casually than he'd ever seen her before. And that said a lot. Now? Ziva wore a tank-top and sweatpants. She also wore an open button-down shirt over her top. Ziva's long thick hair also hung free of any confinement like a braid. Strange. And... She wasn't wearing makeup. In any form.
Then Tony's feelings completely skyrocketed. Ziva was not alone. In her arms was a baby girl, dressed for bed. The little one could not have been more than six months old. But... Tony was also sure that he had seen a second child run behind the couch to hide when he had entered the apartment. Because why not? Ziva did have a history of keeping him on his toes.
But she spoke after a few beats of silence. "I suppose you think a little differently of me now, yes?"
"No." Tony quickly put his shoes and coat away "No. I actually don't. But this does answer some things I've been wondering lately. And by a landslide."
"Good. I will explain myself. You have my word." Ziva pointed the grocery bag. "What is in there?"
"Oh." Tony held up the bag. "I was at the grocery store when you called. Got a bunch of your favorite things. And I was going to call you after to see about at least dropping the stuff off."
Ziva only just kept from bursting into tears. How long it had been since anyone had gone to such lengths for her. And she did value Tony's friendship. Telling him the entire story was the right thing to do. She felt tired about her secrets now.
"Thank you, Tony." said Ziva. "Your kindness means the world to me. Go put everything in the kitchen. Please. I shall explain myself when you come back. And make introductions."
"Deal." Tony agreed. "But... You've got someone behind your couch."
Ziva waited until Tony had left the room before heading to the aforementioned furniture piece. Time for a quick chat.
"Sweetheart," Ziva called out gently. "What have I said about going behind there?"
Puase. "To not to?"
"Correct." Ziva confirmed. "Please come out."
Pause. "But... Who is here?"
"That is my friend Tony." Ziva continued to be gentle. "I called for him because I wished to see him. Now he is here. Please come out, Alexandra. Come on."
Exhausted, Alexandra emerged from her hiding spot. Clambered on to the couch. She was even rubbing her eyes. At nearly three years old, Alexandra had a naturally tan complexion, big brown eyes, and long silky brown hair. For now? She was dressed in pink unicorn-decorated footie pajamas. And a very noticeable feature? The little girl had a nasal feeding tube. It was held in place by an adhesive patch bedecked in a crayon pattern. But overall? She looked for all the world like Ziva's biological daughter.
Now Tony's voice called out, "Any room for me?"
The man had been watching. Best word to describe his feelings? 'Awed.' It sure beat feeling confused. He was ready to help Ziva. Should she ask.
Ziva responded as she sat beside Alexandra, "Yes. Come sit."
Tony did. Sat beside Ziva. On Ziva's other side, Alexandra leaned against her caretaker. But was asleep in moments.
Tony said to Ziva, "Never thought I'd see the day when you were this maternal. I am amazed. But... Whatever it is you have to say... I'm all ears. Just go from the top. Okay?"
"What is the word," Ziva exhaled shakily. "When you are dating someone, but they decide to end things? In a not so nice way?"
"Dumped." Tony supplied. "Is that what happened?"
Ziva nodded. "I was dating a Marine lieutenant for the past few months. And... He dumped me. I had to tell him something important. But he did not like what it was."
"Ouch." Tony sympathized. "That sucks. Majorly. Is there anything I can do?"
Ziva shook her head. "No. The fact that you are here is enough. I mean it. Thank you."
Before Ziva could say anything, the baby in her arms gave an impatient wiggle. And a very loud sigh. So Ziva gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"I did not forget about you." Ziva propped the baby up in the crook of her arm so the little one would be comfortable. "Worry not. All is well."
But the baby only responded by grizzling Ziva's chest. It was clear what her instincts were telling her to look for. But Ziva reacted by wrinkling the bridge of her nose in discomfort. She was not comfortable. However... This was her life now.
So she said to Tony, "Will you please give me that bottle on the end table beside you?"
Tony spotted the item in question. Followed though on Ziva's request. When Ziva offered the bottle to her tiniest charge now, the baby latched on at once. Began to suckle contently. Relaxed, even. All was right in her world. For now.
Ziva turned back to Tony. "My ex is called Lieutenant Miles Shockley. With me? His daughters."
Tony said, "Wow."
"Alexandra Jennifer Shockley is on my other side." Ziva said. "She got sick after she was born. Periodically, she needs help to eat. I know how to care for her. And I keep supplies here."
"That's good." Tony told her. "What is the sentence now?"
"Six weeks. They will be very long." now Ziva had a sigh. "But anyway... Alexandra will be three on Christmas Day."
"Hm. I'll have to remember that." Tony said seriously. "December twenty-fifth is just over a month out. But I take it that you're holding Alexandra's baby sister?"
"Correct." Ziva nodded. "She is called Katherine Rebecca Shockley. Her birthday will not be until the spring. Such an event will be fun to contemplate."
"I will help. Just say the word." Tony found himself telling Ziva. "What's up about the girls' parents?"
"Miles' wife was called Claire. She was a housewife." Ziva began to recall what she knew of the tale. "From what I know, her marriage to Miles was on the verge of ending in divorce. It was that bad. However... Katherine happened. She was born very healthy."
"Good." Tony said sincerely. "But... What became of Claire? Did she die in childbirth?"
"Yes. Unfortunately." Ziva went on. "Then I met Miles a bit over four months ago. At a bar. Have you ever had a stranger just open up to you?"
Tony bobbed his head. "Uh-huh. Did that happen?"
"Yes. We got along. And quite well. It was fun while it lasted." something of a smile settled on Ziva's face when she thought of the next part. "I met Alexandra and Katherine perhaps a week after that first night. It was a fun day. Alexandra was enamored from the start. Katherine fell asleep in my arms. Very fast. I love the children dearly. I did not think that I would. But I do."
Any reply that could have had was cut off when Katherine chose that moment to let Ziva know she was done with her bottle. So... Ziva went through the process of helping the little one to burp. Once that had been achieved and cleaned up from, Ziva rocked Katherine to fall sleep. All was right in her world.
"Tony," Ziva said to him when she felt confident that Katherine was content. "I... I am having Miles' baby."
Tony felt his heart skip a beat. Ziva was a private person. He'd come to learn this about her through trial and error. Keeping quiet about unconventionally becoming a mother was one thing. But... Keeping quiet about a pregnancy? It was a horse of a different color. And Tony felt impressed that Ziva had pulled it off. Mostly because his friend had had never struck him as the type to want children. Had being in America changed her that much? Or... Was there something else?
Tony said finally, "Mazel tov. How are you?"
"Surprised. Exhausted. I have been hiding it for awhile because life has just been crazy. And work has been... work. As you know. I came in late today because I had an appointment." Ziva leaned back on the couch. "All is well. But I finally agreed to hear the heartbeat today."
"Oh." Tony felt surprised. "Listen... I am humbled you are sharing this with me. Thank you. And I will help you with anything. But are you saying that you were unsure...?"
Ziva nodded. "Yes. Do you judge me yet?"
"No." Tony gently caressed Ziva's face with his knuckles. "Just what went through your mind to make you want to hear the heartbeat?"
Ziva shrugged. "I have no idea. But I am pleased. Have I any idea of how to handle this now that Miles and I are not together? No. But I will figure it out. What do you think?"
Tony wiped the tears falling down Ziva's face now. "Call me for anything. Even weird food at midnight. Seriously. But I am also proud because you have grown so much since you first showed up here."
Emboldened by the kindness now, Ziva decided to share another secret. "Thank you. I imagined being a mother. Back when I was a child. Then... My life unfolded as it has. One deceased parent, two deceased siblings. A father who loves me but sees me as a knight on his chessboard of life. I never let my dream die. But I put it away. Did I expect to become a mother like this? No. But here we are."
"Mhm. Here we are, indeed." said Tony. "Where did Miles go?"
Ziva shrugged once more. "I have no idea. Nor do I wish to. He was here on a visit with Alexandra and Katherine. I told him of the newest little one. And... He got so upset that he just left. It is a case of child abandonment. But I relieved that the children are here. I refuse to give them up. Especially after what I found in Alexandra's backpack. It changes everything. Completely."
Tony pressed, "How so?"
"I stumbled upon documents that state Miles does not want the girls anymore. Either one." Ziva controlled her breathing so she didn't let her feelings cave in on themselves. "And Miles has relinquished custody. One hundred percent. I will take them and figure that out. But... I feel confused."
"Your feelings are valid." Tony reassured her. "May I ask... Have you ever been hurt by Miles before?"
"No." Ziva shook her head. "But we have seen him tipsy and angry. Miles has a bad temper. I am pleased that Alexandra and Katherine can have peace. Maybe they will even forget all of this one day. But I should like to see Miles a final time, even if only to try to understand why. Oh…"
"What?" Tony sat up straighter. "What is it?"
Ziva was now cradling Katherine in one arm so she could use her free hand to touch a hand to her middle. She also spoke to the baby in Hebrew. From her soothing voice, Tony could only guess that she was telling her offspring something kind. It felt nice to see. And it was even more humbling. Tony had long ago realized that Ziva only allowed him to see her soft nature anymore. At least... This version of it.
Ziva spoke to Tony. "I really have been hiding things for awhile. Now I am quite some weeks along. She started moving this afternoon. And... It is taking some getting used to."
But her companion heard but one part of that. "You're having a daughter?"
"I am." Ziva smiled. "But I will make sure she and the others have the best lives possible."
"Alright." Tony approved. "I support you. And the children."
Ziva felt yet another surge of gratitude towards Tony. She loved him. Always had, always would. Miles had just been a distraction. She would circle back to him... after things cooled off. But only if he wanted it. But otherwise? She would leave him be.
Now Tony had his own spot of thinking. Ziva had fallen out of the sky last year, chasing Ari, in the wake of Kate's murder. All had unfolded as it had. Everyone had assumed Ziva would return to Tel Aviv. But she had become their friend, just as they had become hers. Then she chose to stay. Join the NCIS team. Now? She was family. And they were hers. No matter what. Tony's favorite part? Finding out that under the Mossad-colored mask that Ziva was just a regular person.
But Tony spoke so his attention didn't completely drift. "Hey... Why call me?"
"Gibbs and the director are too much like parents. Even Ducky is busy looking after his mother. I could not imagine." Ziva sighed. "But Abby would just buckle. McGee? He would mean well. Same for Palmer. But I have a feeling they would not have any idea where to begin. That just leaves you. And thanks for arriving so quickly. I remain grateful."
Tony moved closer to Ziva. "Anything for you. I mean it. And for once, I actually wasn't busy on a Saturday night. I'm happy I wasn't. But... Is there anything you need now? Are you hungry?"
Right on cue, Ziva felt her stomach emit an audible rumble. "I think we both are."
"Okay." Tony stood. "Just chill with Alexandra and Katherine. Do whatever it is that Israeli assassin princess ninjas do for entertainment. I will be back. Just hang tight."
Meanwhile...
In Rock Creek Park, Lieutenant Miles Shockley was running. Fast. Right down a hiking trail. Very much in the dark. He also had a large amount of cash in his backpack. And someone was his trail. One very familiar someone. He needed the cash to start over. But... He also needed to stay alive. For a number of reasons. What good was any money if he was in the Great Beyond? Literally none.
He was almost in the clear when...
BANG! BANG!
The sound of gunshots rent the air. Two bullets ripped through Miles' body. And he fell to the ground in an abrupt unceremonious manner, dead.