This idea hit me maybe a year ago, and I started writing it. Then lots of stuff happened and I got a dog etc, and I forgot all about it. Two days ago I found it on my computer and decided I want to finish it! (I have quite a lot of the beginning written, and the past few days I wrote a lot for the end... now I'm only missing the middle, which is actually the scenes and dialogues that wrote themselves in my head to start with! Funny how THOSE are always the ones hardest to write down.. Now I'm thinking that perhaps posting the first few chapters will help me get that written as well ;) )

Basically, the idea for this fic came from wondering how Ziva would deal with certain event. It was so clear in my head, but of course it never comes out that way on paper! Hope it isn't too OOC, though!

Deals with some dark themes, but nothing graphic.

The feeling of her feet pounding against the ground below her was probably one of her favorite things in the world. Even now, with the weather starting to turn. She didn't mind the cold air on her face or the chilly wind picking up the fallen leaves around her, or the way every breath she exhaled left a slight mist in front of her.

It was nice. Refreshing. And though she'd never tell her mom, she though she might actually prefer it over the sticky heat of the hot summer months.

She couldn't remember a time when she didn't run. Even as a toddler. She'd seen the pictures of her parents pushing her along in one of those smart running strollers on their morning runs, and her dad still teased her about how she'd always beg them to bring her as soon as she outgrew it, something they could rarely ever refuse.

And now, many years later, they no longer had to cut their route short or slow down for her to keep up.

She loved their weekend trips to the woods or national parks, running along the trails with her family, surrounded by the fresh air and the beautiful nature. And with her parents' sometimes very hectic jobs, joining her mom for her morning runs provided a chance for the two of them to have some mother-daughter time. Not that they'd always talk all that much on these runs; but even then, she still treasured it. There was just something special about that comfortable silence as they ran together, caught up in something they both loved.

Running alone, however, would always be her favorite. Especially after a long day at school. She'd escape into her own little world of nothingness. Not that she needed an escape. But letting go of all thoughts and simply letting her feet follow the beat of the music in her ears, it always brought her such a feeling of complete calmness and control. And the aching muscles in her legs after having pushed herself never failed to bring a smile to her lips.

Skipping to the next song, one with a faster beat, she picked up the pace as she started the last lap in the park. She always stuck to the path which brought her through the middle of the park, around the picnic area and to the large playground to the side, making up for the shorter distance by repeating it a few times.

They were likely just being overprotective, but her dad had refused to let her run on her own until she promised to stick to the open, most populated areas of the park.

When she'd asked them if she could run the 6-mile route to the park and back by herself once school let out for the summer the year before, they hadn't exactly been happy about it. Her mother had been the first to agree, though, after checking the route herself, and her dad had given up arguing after that. Apparently, she'd inherited her mom's annoying stubbornness, and he knew it would be a lot cause to try to change their minds.

It wasn't until this year, however, that she'd been allowed to continue her runs after school once fall came. They hadn't been thrilled about that either, but she knew just how to work that combination of the puppy eyes she learned from her dad and the stubbornness and determination she got from her mom. It had taken her two entire days of working her magic before he finally caved, unable to deny that yes, she was a teenager now.

The memory of him ruffling her hair brought a smile to her face, just like it had that day as she'd thrown her arms around him. She knew they just wanted her to be safe, and that their over-protectiveness stemmed partially from their jobs, and she didn't always mind. Being a teenager didn't mean she couldn't still be their little girl, as her dad always reminded her. And being showered with affection from him really wasn't all that bad. As long as it wasn't in public!

Feeling the phone vibrate in her pocket, she stopped right at the park exit, jogging slightly in place as she checked the message.

"Hey Princess, work got crazy. Would you be terribly upset if we're both home late today? Mom promises to make that veggie lasagna tomorrow instead. (She forced me to write that.. Evil health nuts!)"

She let out a quick chuckle, imagining her dad's disgusted face at the idea of her favorite dish. She knew they had very important jobs and that before she was born, they basically lived in the office. They'd been good at balancing their working hours for her, however, and even though she was now old enough to be alone for a few hours after school, they tried to make sure that at least one of them always got home in the late afternoon.

"No prob. Ice cream for dinner? ;)"

Placing the phone back in her pocket, she left the park to make her way back home. She was just passing the high school when she felt her phone vibrate again.

"Your mom vetoed the ice cream :/ Pizza?"

"Triple extra pineapples and lots of garlic!"

She smirked as she sent off the text, knowing he'd probably be as unhappy with that as he was with the veggie lasagna. Noticing the time on the screen, she toyed a bit with the phone before returning it to her windbreaker. It was starting to get dark out, and she was supposed to be back home before the sun set. But the high school had an amazing running track, and she loved trying to push herself by trying to beat her time. Besides, her mother and her had been talking about signing up for the marathon next summer, so she needed all the practice she could get.

And her parents weren't home. They wouldn't notice if she was 20 minutes late.

Knowing the field and the track were empty at this time, she snuck around the side to where she knew the gate was almost always left unlocked, and today was no different. She'd just reached the bleachers when she felt her phone vibrate once again, so she allowed herself to come to a full stop as she pulled it out to check the latest message.

"Ugh! I swear, sometimes I'm convinced your mom must have had an affair with a yoga instructor or something!"

Letting out a laugh, she was just about to type in a response when she felt a tap on her shoulder. As she turned around, all she felt was an intense pain in her head before the world went black.

Just a short prologue, but hope you liked it! Let me know? You thoughts always means so much! :)