Ziva's eyes flew open at the sound of a door creak.

Since she returned a week ago, her panic attacks reduced considerably. But, to her surprise, the instincts and reflexes she always relied upon only increased-now that she finally had what she could not bear to lose again.

She lifted her head to listen closer with unparalleled focus, adrenaline rushing through her veins. Taking calming breaths, she laid her hand over Tony's strong one, which was wrapped securely around her waist. He was grounding: Amid all the uncertainty, danger and achingly lonely nights, he was the only one who kept her sane.

Seconds later, when she heard something clatter to the ground, she turned quickly and gently shook him awake.

"Tony," she whispered urgently, bringing her hand to his face. "Wake up."

He groaned, tightening his grip and burying his face in her hair.

"Tony!" she said again, anxiety rising as she broke free of him and rose, pulling on his old t-shirt and grabbing her weapon.

Registering the loss and sharp tone, Tony got up immediately. "What happened?" he asked, copying her movements.

"I heard something."

They fell into their old pattern as naturally as ever, assessing the situation and nudging the door open without making a sound.

Passing Tali's empty room, they saw the door ajar and bed unmade. Fear struck them both as they made their way to the kitchen.

Tony stood directly behind Ziva as they peeked around the corner to see a five-year-old intruder.

Adorned with her mother's old NCIS jacket that reached the back of her knees and her father's old hat, Tali paced around the room in deep concentration. Her fingers swam in a pair of large plastic gloves she dug out of the kitchen drawer.

"Where are you?" she asked aloud, hands on her hips and brow furrowed in striking resemblance to her mother. "I'm an agent, and a ninja, you can't hide. Give up. Now!"

Ziva covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, meeting her partner's eyes with a gleam. Tony grinned and pulled out his phone so he could memorialize the moment.

After looking through all of the cabinets with no success, Tali sighed to herself and pulled off her gloves, throwing them angrily on the ground.

"Like mother, like daughter," Tony whispered.

Ziva turned to face Tony with a smirk on her face. "Me? No, no. Sneaking, looking for presents early? That has DiNozzo written all over it."

"You're telling me that you never snuck around to find where your parents hid your Hanukkah presents?" he accused.

"Oh, I did," she admitted. "But I never got caught."

Tony smiled sheepishly and nodded toward their daughter. Taking his cue, Ziva followed him into the kitchen.

"Hold it right there," Tali demanded. "This is a crime scene."

"Yes ma'am," Tony answered, raising his arms in surrender. Ziva followed suit, watching how naturally he acted with Tali. As if she wasn't in love with him enough.

Tali's eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to her parents. "When did you go to bed yesterday?"

"Why?" Ziva asked, playing along with the interrogation.

"You know why," she answered cheekily.

Ziva laughed. "I have no idea, tateleh."

"Because," she said dramatically, holding up a Ziplock bag with her evidence. "I found a piece of wrapping paper on the floor. I need to find my presents."

"What presents?" Tony asked, faking confusion. "Is it someone's birthday, Ima?"

Tali looked from parent to parent, scrutinizing their facial expressions.

"I do not think so," she said. "I do know that we are going to have a problem making breakfast if there is a crime scene in our kitchen. What were you going to make today, Abba?"

"Hmmmm," Tony exaggerated. "I thought, since it is Christmas Eve, we would make chocolate chip pancakes. I guess we have to skip it and go back to bed, though..."

Tony and Ziva started to turn away when Tali responded. "No! Wait."

"Yes, Agent Tali?" her mother asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"I...I suppose I can let you in. But I'll be watching you," she announced, biting her lip softly.

The two grinned as they lowered their arms.

"Thank you very much," Tony replied with a bow.

Tali smiled and ran to the pantry closet to find the components of her favorite breakfast.

Ziva turned to face Tony and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so glad we decided to store the presents at Gibbs' place," he laughed, returning the embrace.

"You are amazing with her," she said, her voice filled with a mix of amazement and regret.

"You're not so bad yourself, you know."

Ziva smiled softly, still insecure about her sudden return. "She makes it easy. She is perfect, Tony."

"The best of us, for sure. Although, we do have to help her improve on the ninja spy skills. They leave quite a bit to be desired."

"That is a terrible idea," she laughed. "Do you want to raise a teenage girl who's an expert at running behind our backs?"

"Going. And, I think we'll be up to the challenge."

Ziva started to respond, but the words died on her lips as she looked at his eyes, sincere and full of everything she never thought she could have.

"What?"

"I..." she said. "I still cannot believe this is real. That we, after everything, can talk about being parents to Tali years into the future. That we finally have something...permanent. That the running is over."

Tony smiled softly and leaned in closer, giving her a soft kiss. "Me neither, sometimes. But all I have to do is look at you, and I know."

"Know what?" she asked quietly.

"It was inevitable."