A/N: OK, so this is based aroung Gibbs calling Ziva 'Ziver.' I actually am not sure that he realises he does it, but if he does, this is why I think he does it.
Sarah x
They were alone in the squad room, and it was late. Tony and McGee had called it a night, but Ziva and Gibbs remained. Gibbs looked over at Ziva and noticed how quiet she was. It was unusual, even by her standards of silence. She had been like this since Eli had mad a visit, and it bothered him. He knew that they were on better terms now, but it was something Ziva ought have been happy about, surely? "You alright, Ziver?" he asked with a concerned note in his voice.
She lifted her head and stared at him for a moment. "Why do you do that?" she demanded. It wasn't something she was upset about as he had done it ever since Jenny died, but she did wonder why it slipped off his tongue like that sometimes.
"What?"
"Call me 'Ziver,'" she elaborated for him. She had noticed it the first time, but she let it lie and didn't always take note of it, until tonight. She waited for an answer silently while Gibbs thought of how to put it.
"It's sort of a way to try and comfort you, I guess," Gibbs replied slowly. He didn't actually really understand it himself. "'Ziva' just sounds more harsh."
Ziva just gazed at him blankly. That was not the reasoning she expected. She actually expected him to tell her that he didn't realise he did it. She opened her mouth to speak and hesitated before deciding to tell him. "My father used to use my full name when he was yelling at me," recalled Ziva. It was the only time she was called anything but 'Ziva.'
"I'm not your father," Gibbs reminded her gently.
"You are as good as," she assured him with a smile. They laughed slightly when they got out of their chairs at the same time. They met between the desks and hugged for a moment. It felt natural, like they really were family. As she stood there, she realised that she had a pet name because she was cared for. "Ziver," she breathed. It was soft and caring and everything she loved about her family.
Hope you like it!
Please review and tell me what you think!
Sarah x