Hi, everybody. This should be about 8 chapters. Just got a puppy but will still try to post at least every other day. As they say, all reviews welcome.

I really don't own NCIS or anything doing with it.

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"Do you mean Kuzsco? That llama from that Disney movie, "The Emperor's new groove?" Tim asked Cassie, looking at her, skeptically in the rearview mirror seated in the back in her car seat. Ziva sat next to him in the passenger seat, her hand over her mouth as she giggled; tears streaming down her cheeks. The five-year old's meek demeanor was dissapating, revealing her witty humor and carefree spontaneity, so Tim was delicate with his approach. She sheepishly nodded as she nervously pulled on her shoe outstretched in front of her.

"You do realize she thinks I look like the lovely Jasmine from Aladdin and you look like...ts..ts..tee, hee, hee...a pack animal with bad teeth."

"Nah, Tim has nice teeth. But, Tim you have long eyelashes and big, bue-fital eyes like a llama."
Tim's heart melted.

"See? She thinks I have beautiful eyes."
"You do." Ziva confirmed as she leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. She smirked adoringly at his shy response; cheeks bright red. She treasured his exposed moments of innocence.

"Cassie you are a very observant young girl-"
"I know. And I'm smart, too. I think God had to use a hammer when he made my head, to fit my big brain inside."

Tim and Ziva earnestly controlled their internal giggles, not wanting to discourage Cassie's growing confidence. Ziva did not look at Tim knowing she would erupt into laughter. The sweet girl was evidently blessed with a strong will and resilient temperament. After all the trauma she had recently endured; witnessing the murder of her father while hiding under their couch and now waiting to be reconciled with her missing mother was bound to take its toll.

They were now, en route to the agency's assigned safe house. They had been driving for miles, on vast, barren stretches of roads; vacant of cars, businesses or residential homes, for the most part.

"Tim, something's rotten in Delaware." Tim looked in his rear-view mirror spotting a black Ford Taurus with tinted windows.

"Denmark, Zeevs...as Bugs Bunny would say. And, yeah, I noticed."

"What's up doc?" said Cassie with an exaggerated overbite.

"Oh! Is that why Tony is always saying that to Ducky?" asked Ziva.

Cassie giggled uncontrollably. "You know someone named Ducky? Does he quack when he talks?"

"No. But he likes "quackers." Answered Tim, smiling in the mirror, giving her a wink. Cassie went into another fit of giggles.

"How long?" Tim whispered through the side of his mouth.

"I'd say twenty minutes. The car shows all the tell-tale signs of suspicion, what do we do, there is no where to go for cover?"

"Ziva." Tim looked at Ziva's seat belt as she sighed and wrapped it around her waist clicking it into place.

"Happy?"

"No, but I feel better knowing your strapped in."

"Oh. I'm sure you do." Ziva answered sarcastically.

"Ziva!" Tim saw the black Ford loom behind her through the window. They were all jolted sideways as the Ford bumped into the side of them. Cassie screeched.

"Hold on, Cassie! I think someone thinks we're a bumper car." said Tim, while still trying to project composure in his voice for her sake.

"I love bumper cars!" Answered Cassie.

"Well, you won't like these kind." Ziva said under her breath.

Tim swerved to the left, skidding, slowing down, watching the Ford, anticipating another knock as it also slowed down, too, then reversing into their back end, rocking their car, whipping their heads to the side.

"They mean business. You should be driving."

Ziva released the safety on her gun. "You'll do fine, Tim."

"I can't believe they're doing this; she's just a little kid."

Ziva rolled down her window, aimed and fired at their wheels, missing.

"Maybe we should... trade places." said Ziva.

Tim sped up to try to out run them until Ziva could get a better shot at their tires. They followed, catching up, but Ziva was able to blowout one of their tires as the Ford swerved out of control. The Ford slammed into them as it pinwheeled across the road. Tim tried to turn but one of the car's tires was stuck in the bent fender. There was a loud screech and a crash; the last sound Ziva and Tim heard before everything went black.