Well, it's been a very long time since I have written anything, so please forgive me. I hope you enjoy my latest plot, it just wouldn't leave my mind, if you know what I mean. Please review.

Chapter One

And It All Begins

It was too late, she realized, to take back the words she had so inadequately spoke in a fit of anger. A resounding 'smack' followed almost immediately after, her father not taken to the sudden character analysis his five year old daughter had provided.

Her head snapped to the right, her back finding the floor soon after. Dazed, her hand found itself moving up to cover her steadily swelling eye.

Towering over her, feeling in every sense the most powerful of the two, Eli David sniffed casually and stepped over his daughter. "Do not get blood on the floor." He spat out without looking at her as he swiftly left the room.

Once she was positive her father wasn't coming back, she rose from the ground shakily and bolted to her brothers room.

"Ari! Ari!" She cried, tears of pain and bewilderment falling down her face.

Her brother lay in bed, sleeves rolled up and magazine in hand. "Ziva!" He exclaimed as he eyed the trail of blood flowing freely out of his sister's broken nose.

"Oh, little one, what has he done to you." Ari wrapped his arms around her and brought her in close. Ziva shook as her tears soaked Ari's shirt.

"I-I just wanted t-to know why he wasn't at my b-birthday party, 'ri."

Tightening his arms around Ziva, he didn't have to imagine too hard of how his father would have reacted to that. The image of little Ziva searching the room desperately on the one day that was supposed to be all about her found itself imbedded in his mind. He remembered holding Ziva that night as she cried in his arms, all the while asking where her father was. And with deep bitterness he recalled having no answer for her.

"He said he had p-pressing m-matters to attend to," she said mockingly, "and I got angry and told him he had more p-pressing m-matters than he did time for his f-family. So he hit me."

Ari groaned at his sister's antics. "Little one, how many times must I tell you, do not speak too much around Aba, for only bad things come of it."

Ziva burrowed her head further into his shoulder. "I know, and I'm sorry 'ri, but he just makes me so angry!"

"Shh, little one, it doesn't matter anymore." Silence consumed the room for a moment as Ari considered his next words carefully.

"There is something I need to tell you little one, and it is with great regret I do."

Ziva pulled away and gazed at Ari's face with growing concern. "What is it 'ri?"

Ari sighed. I must be the worst brother for saying this. "I fear that your life has already been set by Aba, and in order for you to survive, there are things I must teach you before he does."

He shifted uncomfortably, a knot in his stomach began to form. "When your training begins, Ziva, you must become the best, for being the best is the only way you'll survive the hell our father has already planned for you."

Ziva stiffened, uncomfortable with the topic. "I don't understand 'ri, what type of training do you think Aba will teach me?"

"That does not matter, now, little one. But when that day comes, I want you to always remember, never show weakness, never show what you are feeling or when you are in pain, for if you do, men like Aba will take over you and control you. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Ziva looked down ashamed as she felt the dried tears on her face. Already she had disappointed her big brother. Looking up determinedly, "I understand 'ri."

Twisting out of her brother's arms, she stood and turned to Ari with a hard look in her eye. "Do not worry Ari, for I will become the best, and that day Aba will regret the day he laid a hand on me."

Ari gave a sad smile. This was not how a five year old should speak. She should be full of life and energy, naïve to the evil ways of the world. Just another reason he despised his father.

"I know little one."

Ziva turned to leave, but after a moments hesitation, she turned. "I am no longer little anymore, Ari, and I would like to not be called that anymore."

She left before he could give her an answer, perhaps because she didn't need one. Ziva always heard the answer she liked, and that was hers.

Slowly Ari rose. "One day, Ziva, even father will not be able to stop you."

~~*~~

"Officer David, your car has arrived."

Ziva swung her head around, startled as she was ripped away from her own private musings. "Would you like for me to send for a driver?"

She stood, stretching the unused muscles that had tightened up as she sat in embassy's chairs. "Do I look as if I have no ability to drive?" She questioned, irritable.

"No, no, ma'am, I was merely suggesting-"

"I did not ask for your suggestion." Ziva snapped, annoyed at being referred to as ma'am. She obtained little sleep those past few nights and those who annoyed her paid for it.

Leaving the poor man to stand stunned behind her, Ziva left the embassy and entered her car. The sun shone brightly, so she pulled out her glasses, all the while bringing out her cell phone.

Bringing the phone to her ear, she waited impatiently for the man to pick up.

"Shalom"

Ziva smiled. "Shalom, Ari."