A/N: This is just a short teaser. The next installment is on the way. It's all written so the whole thing will be posted in the next couple of days. Hope you like it.

I Need You

"Daddy."

"Tali."

"When mommy home?"

Jethro sighed quietly and tried as hard as he could to keep the frustration out of his voice.

"I don't know baby."

"Where she?"

Even though he had answered these very same questions almost every day for the past three weeks, Jethro patiently answered again.

"She went to help your grandfather with something. Remember, I told you about it last night."

"Pappa Jack in the store?"

"Not Pappa Jack, your other grandfather, Eli."

"Oh."

Tali began wiggling and stuck her bottom lip out in a pout that was exactly what her mother did when she was dissatisfied with him. Something that seemed to be pretty common the last few months.

"You need to sit still if you want this braid finished. I can't fix your hair if you're moving all over the place."

"Mommy can."

"Do I look like your mommy?"

Tali looked at him and frowned. "No. You look like daddy."

"Good because that's who I am. Now sit still so I can finish. Miss Helen is going to be here in a few minutes and I have to go to work."

"I miss mommy."

"I know you do sweet girl. I miss her too. Maybe we can call her in the morning. Would you like that?"

"Okay."

Jethro finished braiding his daughter's hair, gave her a hug and a kiss and sent her off to find her shoes. He sat on the side of the bed and tried not to be angry with his wife. That was getting harder and harder the longer Ziva was in Israel. It was also getting harder to keep it from Tali along with his frustration and fear and despair over their relationship. On the other hand, Tali was the only reason he was sober these days and able to go to work every day. Without her to take care of, Ziva's leaving without any warning or explanation would have destroyed him. But, someone had to take care of their daughter and since he loved her more than his own life it wasn't hard for him to do. Still, he wondered when her mother was coming home. Or if she was coming home at all.

TBC