Chapter 10: Epilogue

After Tony was freed from the wall, both he and Tim were taken to the nearest hospital and examined and then admitted. They were stabilized and then released to Ducky for transfer to Bethesda.

Tim had four fractured ribs and his wrist needed surgery to place pins for it to heal. He joked that he was lucky it was his right arm and he could still write and function, being left handed.

Tony had several infected wounds on his back and a dermabrasion was done to slough off some of the dead skin. It was a painful process, but Ziva was by his side the whole time. His back would be scarred for life.

Ziva wore her engagement ring proudly. While Tony was still in the hospital, Leon arranged for a Navy Chaplain to marry them at their request. Tim was Tony's best man; and Abby was Ziva's maid of honor. Gibbs cried when Ziva asked him to be father of the bride. Jimmy, Leon and Ducky were witnesses (and had also brought the cake and other food for after the ceremony.)

Tim and Tony each met with a counselor two days each week for coping with the trauma and Ziva went with Tony. She became his "wellness" coach, having been through similar with Saleem in Somalia. The counseling process benefitted both of them, and Ziva had no more nightmares. She even joked that she and Tony had matching backs now!

Both Tony and Ziva went to her doctor appointments and cherished every moment of their baby's development and growth. They found out the baby was a girl around the fifth month.

Over the time they were healing, Tony and Tim strengthened their bond of brothers. Both of their psychologists agreed that the bond of brothers played an important role in their mental and emotional healing. Four months to the day after the kidnapping, both Tim and Tony were cleared for return to work. Physical and psych evals were all positive. A week after Tony and Tim returned Ziva moved to desk duty only.

Six months to the day after the rescue, Ziva and Tony welcomed Talia Elizabeth DiNozzo into the world. Baby Tali captured her parents' hearts when they first laid eyes on her. She had her Grandpa Gibbs wrapped around her pinky by the time she was a day old. The entire team was smitten with the new life.

A/N Thanks for all the reviews, favs and follows! More TIVA shorts in the works.