Here it is! The sequel to "The Mini Team". I hope you guys enjoy this one as much as the first. I'm planning on making this one a little bit longer, so please keep reviewing, and (obviously) keep reading!

Erika sighed as her legs dangled down from the tree. She loved this place so much. Maybe that's why she had decided to bury them there, or maybe that was why it was her favorite place. She loved the way the wind felt in her hair, the way the flowers seemed to multiply every time she went there, and of course, the way it seemed like they were still with her. Erika could still see her mother's deep brown eyes and her beautiful laugh. The laugh that always made things better. She could still see her father's broad smile, glasses crooked from racing to dinner. She could still see Dan, the way he would run his fingers through his hair, the way he made her smile at everything. Two years ago, Erika pushed those memories away, but now she embraced them. She remembered something her cousin had said to her.

Flashback

"What's wrong, Erika?" The girl couldn't help but cry.

"Nothing."

"Listen...about your parents...and Dan..."

"I don't want to talk about it ok! Just leave me alone!" Instead of leaving the room, Ziva put her arms around Erika in a hug.

"Listen. I know how much it hurt to lose your family. To lose everything you care about in one moment. But they don't have to be gone for good. You have to remember them, not what happened, not what you could have done to stop it, just them. Trust me, I've been there. It's hard to get your mind off their actual death, but if you focus on a smile, a laugh, a memory, anything, then it will be all right." The girl looked up at her older cousin. She hadn't been expecting such an emotional response...

End Flashback

Just as Erika was going to go for a swim in the river below, she saw a young girl bounding towards her.

"Erika!"

"Yeah!" Hannah looked up to see her sister in a giant oak tree.

"Ima wants you to come back. She made lunch for us." Erika blinked.

"Did you just call Ziva mom?" Hannah nodded.

"She is. Officially and unofficially." Erika smiled slightly. Hannah looked up at her sister, wonder showing in her eyes,

"Are you ok, akhot?"

"Yeah. Be right down." She put two hands on a solid branch and swung down from the tree. Her feet landed on the ground with a solid thud. She put an arm around Hannah and they walked the short distance back their house. When they walked in the door, they walked into a loud bustle of activity. Erika looked around seeing nine familiar faces. They were all beaming at Erika when they shouted

"Surprise!" Erika turned to her cousin.

"Jeez Ziva, did you invite everyone?" Ziva smiled.

"I just wanted everyone here to celebrate." It was Erika and her twin brother Charlie's sixteenth birthday. It had been two years since Ziva moved in with Erika, Charlie, and their younger siblings Hannah and Ben. Erika gave Ziva a hug.

"Toda."

"Don't thank me. This was all Tony's idea." Erika now turned to her cousin's boyfriend. Tony and Ziva had been going out since Erika got her own team at NCIS two years ago. They had had to go undercover as an engaged couple to keep Ziva's father busy while the team searched for Hannah (who he had kidnapped). They someone managed to figure out they actually had feelings for each other.

"Is that true, Tony?" Tony smiled his famous DiNozzo smile.

"Hey, it wouldn't have come together without everyone's help."

"Everyone?"

"Well, let's see...Kylie was the first one I suggested it to. She spread the word to everyone and made a list of who was coming. Speaking of which, Gibbs wanted me to tell you that he couldn't make it. Probably too busy working on the boat. The Director..." Tony stopped when he saw Erika wince at the mention of Director Jenny Sheppard. Ziva wrapped an arm protectively around Erika and finished the list Tony had made.

"Ari, Leif, and Nick helped us decide on a present, and Ben and Hannah helped me in the kitchen." Erika and Charlie looked at their younger brother, shocked.

"Ben did what?"

"He and Hannah helped me make all the food for the party." Erika raised her eyebrows.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope." Charlie patted Ben on the back.

"Wow, Benny boy. I guess you are useful after all." Ben just rolled his eyes. They continued talking about pretty much everything until the cake was done. Then they sang happy birthday and all ate cake and ice cream.

Tada! Please review! Keeps me going.