Part 1


(Tony enters the squadroom to find a young teenager standing in front of Gibbs desk)


Tony: Hello, may I help you?


Melinda: Yes, I'm looking for Special Agent Tony DiNozzo?


Tony: Your looking at him. Do I know you from somewhere?


Melinda: No, you left Mum before I was born.


Tony: What are you talking about?


Melinda: Tony..... (quiet for a few seconds looking down at the floor)... I'm your daughter.


(Tony looks shocked and picture goes black and white)





(Camera comes in to Gibbs and Melinda sitting on oppisite sides of his desk. Ziva and McGee haven't arrived yet)


Gibbs: How do you know Special Agent DiNozzo is your father?


Melinda: Well, Tony and my Mum Daniella, met in Panama City for spring break. They had one night together and they never saw each other again. A few months later I was born. My mum died a year ago in a car accident, so I was sent to a foster home and they sent some of my DNA to a lab to see who my father was and it came back as Tony DiNozzo so I did a search and found him.


Gibbs: Tony, do you remember Daniella?


Tony: Of course.


Melinda: The social security people say that you have to choose if you want to take care of me or send me to a permanent foster home because it's the choice of the biological parent.


Gibbs: Melinda, I'm sorry but....


Tony: I'll take you in (Gibbs looks at Tony astonished)


Gibbs (a little uneasily): Give us a minute.


(Tony followed by Gibbs walk over to the elevator and step in as McGee and Ziva walk out)


Ziva: Hello, who are you? (puts out her hand to shake)


Melinda: (shakes Ziva'a hand) Hi, I'm Melinda. I'm Tony's daughter.


(McGee and Ziva look at each other shocked)


(Cuts to Tony and Gibbs talking in the elevator)


Gibbs: Trust me Tony, you don't know what your getting yourself into.


Tony: She is a motherless child that is mine. I have a responsibility to her.


(The elevator reaches their floor and Tony walks out leaving Gibbs standing there)


Tony: Hey Melinda, welcome to the DiNozzo family. I hope that is what you want.


Melinda: Of course it is. I would love to have a father.


Tony: Great, so I better show you around where I work then I'll show you your new home. Just let me call social services.


(Melinda waits near the rear elevator for Tony. Gibbs comes around the corner)


Gibbs: (whispers into Melinda's ear) Don't be to hard on Tony. He's not the best at taking care of children, he's very new to this.


Melinda: I won't. It's going to be new to have a father figure in my life but it's going to be great.


(Cuts to Tony being put on hold to the social services.)


Worker: Please hold.


Tony: O.k (Ziva walks over to his desk and sits on his lap)


Ziva: Will this affect our relationship?


Tony: No, but I'll have to explain to Melinda that we are engaged. You do agree that we should take her in don't you?


Ziva: Of course, but I'm still not sure about this.


Tony: Everything will be fine.


Worker (over the phone): Mr DiNozzo, I will need you to come in and sign some forms for me and discuss the regulations.


Tony: I'll be there after work, about 6pm.


Worker: O.K, see you then. Goodbye


Tony: Thanks. Bye (Ziva stands up.)


Tony: I just have to show Melinda Abby's lab and autopsy. I'll be back. (Tony kisses Ziva and walks to the elevator.) (In distance)


Tony: So first you have to meet Abby. You'll really................ (Ziva stands behind Tony's desk and stares over at the elevator. Picture turns black and white.)



(Camera comes into Tony and Melinda walking out of the elevator and into Abby's lab.)


Tony: I have to warn you, Melinda, she's goth and she might scare you a bit.


Abby: Bite your tonuge. You can't talk coming from your point of view.


Tony: Anyway Abby, this is Melinda, my daughter


Abby: YOUR WHAT!!!!


Tony: My daughter.


Abby: That was a lot to handle in one mouthful.


(Tony's cell phone rings.)


Cynthia: Agent DiNozzo, the director wants to see you.


Tony: O.K, I'll be up in a minute.


Melinda: Up where?


Tony: To the director's office. Melinda, stay with Abby for a sec.


(Tony walks out of Abby's lab. Scene cuts to Tony in the elevator.) (Elevator doors open to the director.)


Tony: You wanted to see me director?


Jenny: Yes, I heard that there is a new DiNozzo family member.


(As they are walking into the office)


Tony: Yes, I am way to shocked to even think straight. One moment I'm in the squadroom, signing off on a case and the next I'm saying yes to take care of a child that is mine!


Jenny: Yes, I would be suprised as well.


(Enter Jenny's office. Tony shuts the door behind him.)


Tony: I don't know if I will be able to manage taking care of a 13 year old and handling a full time job which includes going undercover.


Jenny: I think you should take some time off work and go and live with Melinda for a while, you know, to get to know her better and spend some time together.


Tony: Yer, but how do I explain to Melinda that Ziva lives in my apartment and that we are engaged?


Jenny: That one I can't help you with.


(Director's phone rings and she answers.)


Jenny: Send him in Cynthia. Duty calls. Good luck


(Tony exits jenny's office. Cut's to Abby and Melinda in her lab working a case.)


Tony: Hey sorry Melinda. Did you meet Ziva.


Melinda: Yes. She seems nice.


Tony: We have to talk to you about something.


Melinda: O.k. Bye Abby


Abby: See you later Mel.


(Picture of Melinda and Tony walking out of Abby's lab.)


(Camera comes into Tony and Ziva sitting at his desk, with Melinda oppisite sides.)


Melinda: So what was it you wanted to tell me?


Tony: Um, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but it's not only you and me living in the apartment. Ziva and I are engaged.


Melinda: Oh my god, that's great news congratulations.


Ziva: Thankyou Melinda.


(Tony grabs Ziva and Melinda's hands)


Tony: Now, no matter what, we have to stick together. I know that it is a bit different to have a father figure around but were a family now and we all need to take care of each other.


Melinda: I promise.


Ziva: Me to.


(Tony, Ziva and Melinda all group hug)


Ziva: Now lets go and show your new home.


Melinda: O.k cool.


(Tony, Ziva and Melinda stand at the elevators. Just befor they step in .......)


Gibbs: Hey, where do you think you're going. Dead Marine at Norfolk. Grab your gear.


Tony: So much for that. I'm sorry Melinda but do you mind staying with Abby until we get back.


Melinda: Yer sure.


(Before they parted, Melinda gave Tony a hug and being almost as tall as his shoulder she whispered....)


Melinda: Thankyou so much for accepting me. I love you. Tell Ziva that to and ask her if she wants me to call her Mum or Ziva?


(Melinda and Tony smile and look at each other and picture goes black and white.)


To be continued.......