A/N: Hiya everybody. I know everyone and his brother has done the 'Ziva get a new Star of David from ...' However, I wanted to try my hand at it. If anything in the background is off PM and I'll fix it. But, I hope I did this storyline justice and I hope everyone enjoys it.
Ziva David sighed as she reached her hand up to her neck to play with the Star of David necklace that sat at her collar bone. The only problem was, her Star was somewhere back in Somalia. Ziva dropped her hand to the keyboard and resumed her typing. There were moments where Ziva felt as if her whole world was turned right side down, ah no it was upside down. Her last connection to her mother was gone and she didn't think anything could replace it.
The rest of the team had noticed Ziva's despondence. Gibbs, whilst trying to determine if Ziva really was back on their side or if she had ever really left at all, seemed to notice her mood most of all. Maybe it was because he had been a father or maybe he was just a good investigator.
Gibbs was in his basement, sanding his newest boat, The Jenny, two glass jars of bourbon sat on the tool bench. Light footsteps could be heard above his head and suddenly Ziva's legs and feet appeared in the doorway.
"Hello Gibbs." She sounded tired. He nodded at her and lightly tossed a sanding block her way. She carefully hung her jacket on the staircase banister and joined him at the side of the boat. They sanded in silence for several moments before Ziva spoke up.
"You build boats because it is cathartic, yes?" Without waiting for the answer she knew would be yes, she continued, " I understand this now. Before Somalia to relieve stress I would spend hours running or sparring. Now, I think that doing things like this would be more relaxing. You have the right idea Gibbs." Gibbs gave her a small smile.
"How are you feeling Ziver? You don't look like yourself." Ziva toyed with the idea of lying, of saying she was fine just as she had done for so many years when faced with that same question. Soon that idea was gone and she was telling Gibbs how she really felt.
"I am in pain Gibbs. Physical pain, yes but this pain seems sharper. This is emotional pain. I wore my Star every day since I was 10. Now it is gone and I have nothing left of my mother." Even though she told herself she would not cry, tears found their way onto her cheeks. Gibbs said nothing and she felt weak, weaker then she had when her boys had rescued her. Ziva sat down on the basement floor and accepted the jar of bourbon Gibbs was holding out to her.
Gibbs sat down next to her and she leaned her head against his shoulder as Abby had done so many times over the past, however many years it had been. Never before had Ziva done this. Without saying a word, Gibbs reached into his pocket and gave Ziva the jewelry box that was sitting there. She opened the box and found a gleaming, gold Star of David, almost identical to her lost one. Looking quizzically up at Gibbs, Ziva hooked the necklace around her neck.
"Thank you Gibbs. How did you know that I was missing mine?" Gibbs gave her a genuine smile this time.
"I know this isn't the same as your old one and it doesn't have the same memories, but even DiNozzo noticed you were off. Ziva this one came hold your new memories." Ziva wiped the last vestiges of her tears and gave Gibbs a hug.
"Thank you. I will never take it off." Gibbs placed his glass jar down and returned the hug. Not saying a word, Gibbs placed a gentle kiss to the top of Ziva's head, much as a father would give to his daughter.