So... obviously when I posted this it was before the Shabbat Shalom and Shiva arc. As you can imagine, my inspiration for this took a pretty big hit. I opened my unfinished document up on a whim today, and started to play with it. No promises, but we'll see where it goes. I would never want to abandon a story if people enjoy it.

jae

Abby Sciuto would consider herself talented in a foray of fields.

She was, first and foremost, a world class forensics expert; her dance skills, in her opinion, were a very close second to her forensic skills, and with the help of The Sisters', a five time national championship bowler. However, one talent she would never be able to master was the art of espionage.

Abby was a terrible liar.

But when Gibbs called down to Labby twenty minutes ago and asked her to stall the dynamic duo, she resolved herself to do her best; Because after all, this was Gibbs. And Abby would do anything for their fearless leader. Luckily, she needed their help anyway to wrap up her end of their most recent investigation, and really, it isn't technically considered lying if it's half truth, right?

Unfortunately, trying to outplay a ninja at her own game wasn't the easiest thing to do. Especially when said ninja was agitated. Not to mention, trying to fool an investigator as perceptive as Tony was. The moment he stepped into room he'd know instantly something was up. He was more attuned to her tells than Ziva was.

"Abby, we have been down here for twenty minutes. We really must get back upstairs, I thought we would only be leaving Piper for five!" Ziva exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air with frustration, as she continued to pace around the lab table in circles.

At the computer, Abby glanced behind her and shot a look at Ziva, then back to Tony, biting her lip and tapping her fingers nervously on her table's surface. Tony stared back at her, eyes narrowing perceptively, and she quickly rearranged her face to gave him her best impression of Gibbs' WTF? glance to quell his investigator gut. It wasn't her fault she needed their information to close this case officially. She couldn't make the database search faster than it already was to confirm the cross-calls of the two Navy Lieutenants, who were, in fact, guilty of drug trafficking. And she couldn't help that Gibbs had ordered her to keep them busy for at least a half hour.

Tony, knowing that Ziva became easily distressed when it came to their daughter and her safety, breathed deeply as he resigned to appeasing a very agitated ninja. Pushing off the wall he had been leaning on, he stepped over until he was in front of Ziva to cut off her constant pacing, held her by the shoulders, and looked her in the eyes.

Relax, he communicated.

Ziva held her glare for several seconds, but Tony returned his steady gaze until finally, she gave. Message conveyed, she slumped her shoulders and took a deep breath. Tony gave her a slight nod and smirk.

Better, he communicated again.

Ziva narrowed her eyes at him, but then wrapped her arms around his torso and buried her head under his chin. She must really be exhausted, Tony thought.

Ziva's warm breath fanned across his neck as her muffled voice spoke against his skin.

"I am tired. I want to go home. We have to work as well as attend that ridiculous celebration tomorrow," she lifted her head to look at Tony as her agitation sparked again, "And I do not want Piper to get into trouble, or get hurt, or get into the elevator, or go down the stairs, or g-" that was far as Ziva's rambling got before Tony brought a finger to her mouth, effectively cutting her off.

"Ziva, she's fine." He dropped his hand when her eyes began staring daggers. He smiled sheepishly in apology, then continued, "She is surrounded by a building full of agents. And luckily, she's inherited your midget like stature, and can't even reach the elevator buttons or the stairwell doors. And regardless of whatever ninja strength or spidey senses you've passed on to her, I don't think they'll be enough to get her very far."

A loud laugh from Abby resonated throughout the lab, and even Ziva let a smile slip across her face.

"Now," Tony began, "Let's address the bigger problem."

Both Ziva and Abby exchanged glances, then looked at him with confusion.

He let out an exasperated sigh at their failure to determine his current source of agitation. Throwing his hands up in the air dramatically, he elaborated.

"Your dress for tomorrow is entirely too conservative. It needs to lose about - and I'm just giving a quick estimate here - but around twelve inches?"

Ziva gave a derisive snort. "Honestly, Tony, I hardly think that is imp-"

Tony cut her off quickly, "And what can I do to convince you to wear those new stilettos you haven't even taken out of the box yet?"

Abby's responding laugh was cut off when suddenly, the computer let out a shrill beep, signifying search results.

Ziva groaned, "Finally," the prior conversation all but forgotten.

Tony looked at her with mock seriousness, "We'll discuss this later."

Groaning in exaggerated pain from the elbow she landed in his stomach, he shuffled over to stand behind Abby with Ziva in front of the computer.

"All right," Abby stated seriously while cracking her knuckles, "A half hour's long enough for you guys to be down here. Let's wrap this up."

Gibbs gut churned uneasily as he snapped his phone shut, ending his conversation to Abby. He'd just paid for his third cup of coffee that day at the barista cart on the yard when he had spotted none other than Officers Malachi and Liat leave the building he'd been headed toward. Fighting the urge to give himself a slap to the back of the head for not realizing sooner, he clutched his cup tighter and made his way over to the building. Gibbs was doubtful Abby could fool his Senior Agent, much less his Ex-Mossad Officer, for long. But he wanted answers and an idea of just how south things could go before he gave his two agents a heads up. He knew Ziva occasionally communicated with Eli David, but something told him she may not yet know her semi-estranged father was state side. How any of them missed the fact that Eli David was bound to be in town for tomorrow's ceremony was beyond him.

Approaching the double doors that led to the lobby and security check point, he pulled out his phone and punched in a quick text to Vance.

Where is he?

The scold Gibbs shot the security guard was unwarranted, but he couldn't be bothered to make an effort to be pleasant at the moment. He'd barely made it past the check-point, jamming the elevator button with more force than necessary, before his phone vibrated. He read the short message quickly and stepped inside, punching the button for the top floor.

With Me.

He hits the back button forcefully, and opens up a new screen to send one more text to his Senior Field Agent.

We need to talk.

He snaps his phone shut, pockets it, and takes a long sip from his drug of choice.

Something told him that after all this was over he'd need a trip down to Mexico.

Or a bigger boat to build.

Some time after her new friends' dismissal, Piper heard footsteps coming toward the break room, along with familiar voices.

"I'm just saying, Zee-vah, you should reconsider your aversion to stilettos, they would be much more appropriate for tomorrow."

"And I think you should reconsider your fascination with my wardrobe, it is becoming a bit disturbing ."

"I am only expressing my appreciation for how stunning you look in them."

They appeared at the entrance of the break room now, and the little girl looked up hopefully.

"S'hlom!" She exclaimed, and pushed herself from the table to drop out of her chair and run towards the two. They both smiled as the little girl rushed into the woman's legs and hugged them tightly. The man chuckled lightly, grinning at his companion.

"Think she missed ya, sweetcheeks?"

The woman rolled her eyes at him and lowered herself to pick up the young girl.

"Shalom, yafa sheli, we are sorry we took so long. Aunt Abby needed our help." She explained, as she hugged the young child to her tightly, rocking her back and forth. "You were a good girl, ken?"

Piper placed both of her small hands on the woman's cheeks and grinned, kissing her on the cheek.

"S'okay, momma," her face became disgruntled, and Ziva let out a laugh at how very Tony the expression was. "I'm ahways a good girl!" Noticing that they had their NCIS backpacks with them, her face lit up and she looked between the two.

"We go home now, ken?!" She exclaimed. The two adults shared a smile at her enthusiasm.

Ziva spoke, "Ken, we may go home now. We must clean up your coloring things first." She set her daughter down, then turned to her partner, who was looking down at his phone with a concerned expression.

"Tony, can you go let Gibbs know that we will be leaving?"

Frowning, he finished typing a quick message, before closing his phone and giving his attention back to her.

"Sorry, what was that?"

She narrows her eyes in annoyance.

"Gibbs. We are leaving. Tell him."

Tony nods sheepishly.

"Ah. right, sorry." He says, before murmuring, "Speak of the Devil," under his breath.

His partner rolls her eyes so hard he thinks for a second she might fall over.

"Please." She tells him, pointedly.

Bending down to kiss Piper on the head swiftly, he offers her a sly, "Yes, dear."

In response, Ziva's hand shot out to slap him on the back of the head, but Tony dodged the offending appendage. Grinning at her over his shoulder, he sauntered out of the room.

Ziva muttered something in Hebrew as Piper giggled, and the two started toward the table to clean up and get home. As they were finishing picking up their things, Piper recalled to her mother her earlier acquaintance.

"Momma, I made a new fwend today!"

Ziva, busy cramming all of her toys into her pack, nodded absentmindedly and responded.

"Oh really, tatehleh?"

Piper nodded enthusiastically, unperturbed by her mother's lack of attention.

"Ken! He colwered wif me, his name wa-"

Ziva's phone began ringing shrilly, and she brought it up to her ear to answer it as she zipped Piper's pack closed.

"David."

"You know, technically you are a 'DiNozzo', but if you'd prefer to be called 'DiNozzo: 2.0', I would consider it. Actually, 2.0 sounds more advanced, so maybe I should be -"

"Tony," Ziva cut him off in exasperation, bending down to pick up Piper as she shifted her backpack to the arm holding her phone. "Get to the tip."

"Point. And I'm pulling the car up out front. Gibbs gave us the O.K."

"A point for what?"

"My point. And we have a situation."

"Your point? Are we keeping score of something? I do not understand the situation."

"No, not that kind of point - Nevermind. I gave up years ago, you will never assimilate. We've gotta talk."

Ziva muttered an expletive too quickly for him to catch what language, then added a quick, "We'll be right there, we can talk then." She moved her phone away from her ear, pressing the End button.

Sometimes she wondered how exactly she had fallen in love with this man.

Upstairs, Eli readjusted his glasses once the sensor had scanned his eye and awaited the door to release and allow him entrance. He made his way into the dimly lit room, coming to a halt next to Vance, who cut his hand across his throat to signify the end of the transmission.

Vance turned to his new companion with an apologetic expression.

"My apologies, Eli."

Eli shook his head as he responded.

"It is not necessary, I was not waiting long. I trust all is well?"

Sighing, Vance examined him wearily.

"For the moment. Wrapping up a particular case that is proving to be more difficult than necessary. And now that I mention it, the team on this case is your daughter's," he chuckled lightly. "Have you had a chance to speak with her since you've arrived?" He questioned, almost succeeding at sounding nonchalant.

Eli's expression remained neutral, though his eyebrows rose infinitesimally. He cleared his throat.

"Unfortunately, I have not," his tone reflecting regret, "As it were, I have not been in touch with Ziva in quite some time; but such is life, my friend. Children grow and take their own paths. I trust that she is well if I have heard no news?"

Vance appraised him with an understanding smile.

"As far as I know, Eli. Give or take a few driving incidents in the past few years."

Eli chortled as his eyes went heavenward.

"Some things do not change."

Vance chuckled deeply, but his response was interrupted by a gruff voice.

"Right you are, Directors."

The two men looked up at the sound of the doors closing behind Gibbs, with his signature steely gaze in place, and gripping a coffee cup larger than a standard venti. Coming to a stop besides the men, he offered them a smirk that was more malice than it was pleasant, before he raised the coffee to take a healthy slug.

Vance chuckled lightly, appraising him.

"Agent Gibbs, I hope you're here to tell me this case can finally be settled,'' his tone promising any answer other than yes would not bode well.

Gibbs swept his gaze across the room thoughtfully in the way that often irritated the Director.

"Case closed, team's finishing up now." He answered, raising the coffee to his lips. His phone rings then, and Eli and Vance exchange a glance at the interruption.

Gibbs shoots them a smirk, holding up his phone.

"Finishing up," he emphasizes, before holding up a finger and answering.

"Ya, Gibbs."

He walks out of ear shot as his Senior Field Agent's voice filters over the line.

"Boss, what do you mean he's back in town?"

He glances up to where Eli and Vance stand watching him.

"Exactly what I said, DiNozzo."

Dinozzo picks up on his pause.

"Ah, you're with them."

He can hear Gibbs roll his eyes.

"Kinda, Ya."

"Should I tell Ziva?" Tony hesitates, his tone clearly indicating he'd very much not like to tell Ziva.

"Ya think?" Gibbs replies exasperatedly, then shuts his phone without waiting for an answer. He pockets the device, then turns back to where Vance and Eli stand conversing.

Vance clasps Gibbs on the shoulder once he rejoins them.

"I was just telling Eli here that your team did good work on our last case."

Gibbs eyes narrowed as he sipped the last dregs of his coffee, considering his answer.

"Ya," he replies gruffly, crunching his now empty cup in his hand. "Your daughter was the one to find the break in the case." He watches Eli's face for his reaction, trying to gauge what Eli's intentions about his daughter were during this visit. His face remained impassive, but his eyes gave him away as they lit up with interest. Gibbs pressed on.

"Speaking of Ziva, you plan on letting your daughter know you're in town?"

Vance shot him a warning glance, but Eli took the jab easily. Shifting his feet and pushing his hands into his jacket pocket, he regarded Gibbs.

"I have to be honest with you Agent Gibbs, I was not sure how my presence would be received. I do not intend to hide my attendance from her tomorrow evening." Eli pauses, examining Gibbs suspicious expression. "And I am not here to cause her any more grief or trouble, if that is what you are concerned about." He looks to Vance to share a self aware smirk. "I am merely here to support your Director. Ziva will not need your fierce protection that you so often express for her." He sighs heavily, maintaining eye contact with Gibbs.

He considers him for several seconds, but his gut didn't churn as it did when he was being lied to. He nods, and Eli, sensing that he'd passed the older Agent's test, nodded in kind, looking relieved.

Gibbs, though doubtful that Eli's presence wasn't going to disrupt Ziva's life and potentially cause one of several different reactions from her, none of which very pretty, was at least relieved to know that nothing other than politics seemed to have brought Eli so unexpectedly back into their lives. He wasn't certain how Ziva would feel about his return, but with her daughter to think about now, he knew that letting her in the know now would bode better for all of them rather than waiting until tomorrow evening.

So he smiled back at Eli, and listened as Vance directed the conversation into safer territory, sending a silent prayer heavenward that Tony could diffuse the situation in time for tomorrow.