Rule #4

Chapter 1

Tony DiNozzo drove home slowly. He wasn't sure it was on purpose, but he was too lost in thought to pay much attention. A few years ago, he would have been euphoric about ending the life of the man who caused him so many problems. Then, when the adrenaline-fueled exhilaration ended, he and Ziva would have… He breathed deeply and let it out. There was no way he could finish that sentence…not now and possibly not ever.

Part of him sincerely hoped his father was taking a nap when he arrived home. Tony didn't think he was up to Senior's latest attempt at bonding. Tony really, really wanted to be left alone with his thoughts and process the last two days. He collapsed onto the first resting place he found, which happened to be the sofa.

"Is that you, Junior?"

Tony groaned and bit back a curse word. "Yeah, Dad," he finally said.

"I was just checking on Tali while she's napping," Senior said. "She's really something, isn't she?"

"She is," Tony agreed. There was no denying that little girl was going to change everyone's life. He turned to swing his legs onto the sofa in an attempt to stretch out, but his feet connected with something.

"I'll get it," his father said. "It's Tali's go-bag. I'll set it under the…" Something flipped in Tony's head. He sat up abruptly and grabbed for the little girl's duffle. "What's wrong, Junior?"

"Tali has a go-bag."

"I know. I unpacked it."

"No," Tony ground out in frustration. "Tali has a go-bag," he repeated, emphasizing the last part of the sentence.

Senior sat beside his son as the younger DiNozzo peered inside the bag. "I'm not sure I'm following you, Son."

Tony took a deep breath and ran a hand across his face before continuing. "If you found a child in a fire-bombed building, how would you gather their things? You would grab whatever you could lay your hands on and cram them into the bag as fast as you can so you could get the kid out of there." He sat her bag on the table in front of them. "This bag was packed. The clothes were all folded and the contents arranged."

"And what random stranger would think to grab a picture with you in it?" Senior ventured.

"Right." Tony saw that his father may be getting what he was saying. "And Kelev."

"The stuffed dog?"

"Yeah. Tali's favorite toy. He was put inside by someone who knew how important he is to her."

Senior furrowed his brow and looked at Tony. "So, what you're saying is Tali's bag wasn't some haphazard action, but it was packed for her?" Tony nodded. "You think it was Ziva, don't you?"

Tony decided to go all-in. If you want us to be more honest with each other, Dad, better be careful what you wish for. "Yes." When his father didn't immediately respond with a protest, he continued. "My gut tells me she's still alive." He gestured to the bag with his hands. "It also tells me that the clues of where to find her are in here."

"Why would she want the rest of the world to think she is dead?"

"I don't know," Tony admitted, "but, she'll tell me when I find her."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Rule Number 4."

Senior looked puzzled. "Rule Number 4?" He processed it for a moment. "One of the infamous Gibbs Rules?"

"If you have a secret, the best thing is to keep it to yourself. The second-best is to tell one other person if you must. There is no third best," he quoted.

"What's the secret? That she's alive or where she's hiding?"

"Neither," Tony said after a minute. "I mean, that's part of it, but, there's something more. Ziva wouldn't go to all this trouble if it was just about her. She has this misbegotten idea that she's expendable."

"Abba," a small voice called from Tony's bedroom.

A light of understanding came into Tony's eyes. Senior recognized the moment of elucidation. He nodded toward the bedroom. "I think you have your answer."

"The secret she can't keep to herself and has to tell is Tali. I'm the one she has to tell because it's my secret, too." Tony vocalized what they were both thinking.

"What about the people at NCIS? Some of them know she's your daughter."

"It's not who. It's where and they don't have to know that."

"Junior, whatever you need me to do, I'll do it. I want to help."

"Thanks, Dad," Tony said with a genuine smile.

"Abba!" the voice called out more adamantly.

"I'm coming, Baby," he replied. Tony went to see what his daughter wanted. Now that he knew what he needed to do, he needed to figure out how to do it.