NCIS: Tony and Ziva Uncover Their Lost Years and Relationship Journey

NCIS: Tony & Ziva reintroduces NCIS favorites Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, but what have they been up to since their time in the Washington, D.C., office?

In the premiere episode on Thursday, September 4, fans are brought into the present where Tony (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva (Cote de Pablo) are co-parenting their daughter, Tali (Isla Gie), two decades after their initial meeting on NCIS.

Warning: Spoilers ahead from season 1 of NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

Tony & Ziva begins in September and October 2025, but it also looks back at 2020, a year where fans of NCIS never witnessed Tony and Ziva’s shared life in France.

The intervening five years between Ziva and Tony’s reunion in January 2020 and their cyber-crime case in fall 2025 has been somewhat of an enigma, until now. The Paramount+ series explores the untold years between the former couple while gradually unraveling their dynamic in 2025.

Fortunately for fans, Us Weekly is documenting all the pivotal moments, revealing them weekly.

Scroll down to discover everything Tony & Ziva has uncovered about the couple’s off-the-grid years — and their current status:

NCIS: Tony & Ziva is available on Paramount+ every Thursday.

2005

In the premiere of Tony & Ziva, viewers are taken back to the special agents’ first encounter.

“Hi, I’m Special Agent Tony DiNozzo. Who are you?” Tony playfully asks Ziva in a season 3 scene of NCIS, two years after the audience first met him.

Ziva quickly replies, “Ziva David. Massad. We’re going to be working together.”

2013

Fast forward to 2013, when Ziva and Tony can no longer ignore their chemistry. In this flashback, Tony tells Ziva he is “fighting” for her, but she insists she must “start over alone,” while reminding him he is “so loved.”

2016

Ziva is presumed dead after a terrorist attack in Israel devastates her family’s home. Soon after the bombing, Tony discovers he and Ziva have a daughter, Tali, and subsequently leaves NCIS to care for her and seek “answers” about Ziva’s death.

Viewers learned that Ziva was alive in season 17 of the original series. However, according to Tony & Ziva, it wasn’t until 2020 that she first reunited with Tony and their daughter.

January 2020

In the show’s inaugural episode, a flashback shows Ziva’s arrival in France. “Hi,” Tony says as Ziva hugs Tali at the airport. “Hi. You’re crying,” she responds. “So are you, on the inside,” Tony jestingly replies.

Ziva quickly counters, “Yeah, well we goddamn deserve it.” She then kisses Tony after their long separation.

Despite the sweetness of their reunion, Ziva later discloses that just before leaving the airport, she was triggered by a canister falling on the tarmac and drew her firearm on foreign police. This incident leads Ziva to start therapy, which she has been undergoing for five years as the events of Tony & Ziva unfold.

March 2020

In a second episode flashback, viewers witness Ziva and Tony’s life together as they raise Tali, temporarily living under the same roof. Once Tali falls asleep, Tony takes Ziva into his living room and reveals he’s been sleeping on the couch to give her the bed.

“I’m so sorry,” Tony says, tenderly touching Ziva’s face. “It’s OK,” she replies, acknowledging that going “slow” is “not fun,” but she has a “lot to unpack” in therapy and wants to prioritize that.

Tony shows his support by saying, “I am here for whatever you need.”

April 2020

In a flashback from episode 3, during a wine dinner, Ziva and Tony share a moment of intimacy. “Here we are. Two ordinary people with normal jobs,” Ziva says, after finalizing a location for her language school. Tony interjects, “I don’t think there’s anything ordinary about Ziva David.”

Ziva voices her fears, “What if I just can’t be normal?” to which Tony reassures her, “I think that’s where I come in.” He then playfully feeds her fruit, joking it’s a typical activity for “ordinary people.”

After dinner, they return to their shared living space and start to kiss. “We shouldn’t. … I don’t want to send [Tali] any mixed messages,” Ziva hesitates, but Tony counters, “Maybe us being together is the stability Tali needs.”

Ziva initially fights her feelings for Tony but ultimately gives in, and they spend the night together. “You always get me into trouble,” she quips.

May 2020

In another flashback from episode 3, Ziva informs Tony she’s gotten her own apartment as part of her therapy and healing process, leaving Tony disheartened. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine,” he reassures her after cutting his finger while preparing dinner.

Later, Ziva questions in therapy if moving out was a “mistake.” “I just want to give her as normal a life as possible. There’s never been anything normal about my relationship with Tony,” she admits.

June 2020

During a playdate with Tali in the park featured in episode 4, Ziva panics when a woman gives her a cupcake. She later realizes the woman is a mom from Tali’s school. That night, Tali has a nightmare, and Ziva blames herself for projecting her fears onto her child.

“This is all my fault. The cupcake on the playground and then I leave her here with all my thoughts,” Ziva confides in Tony, who tries to comfort her with, “We are both here for her.”

Ziva retorts, “No, you are. I go home and leave her here with you. Just like when she was 2 and I gave her to you. I don’t want to disappear on my little girl again.”

After a moment, Tony responds, “Then don’t. Don’t leave.” He takes off his ring and explains, “I have this family ring passed down from father to son.” He drops to one knee and asks, “Ziva, will you marry me?”

Ziva kneels and replies, “Yes,” before they share a passionate kiss in the living room.

September 2025

While at a safe house in Italy — as depicted in episode 2 — Tony and Ziva find themselves sharing a bed due to the constraints of their team. They wake up cuddling but don’t discuss the intimate moment. (The pair is on the run while trying to prove they’re being framed for stealing money from Interpol).

October 2025

After pretending to be a bride in episode 4 — aiming to catch Interpol double agent Martine (Nassima Benchicou) — Ziva cozies up with Tony on a boat in Budapest as they escape. Tony helps Ziva out of her wedding dress in an intimate moment but struggles to find his words.

Eventually, he finds the courage to return to the room and shares a passionate kiss with Ziva. Just as they begin to get more intimate, they are interrupted by the actual bride, Fruzsi (Anne-Marie Waldeck).

Back outside, Tony offers Ziva his jacket as they stand close together, taking in the scenery.