The Family Part One
The Family Begins
*Ziva's POV*
Ziva sighed as she sped past yet another truck, it had been a long day at work and she was glad to be returning home. Tony had been particularly irritating this morning and then he had disappeared for the entire afternoon, just as the team had been assigned a case. This particular case had affected the team greatly.
A young girl, the daughter of a marine sergeant, had been slaughtered and left in pieces behind the armory at Quantico. Upon seeing the scene Mcgee had visibly paled, whilst Gibbs had pressed on with grim efficiency and few words. Ziva had become preoccupied and had remained that way for the rest of the day. The scene had forcibly reminded her of Tali's death and as a result she had been able to think of little else all day.
Swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle, Ziva returned her focus to the road and concentrated on getting home; so she could finally allow herself to feel Tali's death all over again. Several minutes later Ziva indicated to make the turn into her street; as she turned she saw two women walking down the street. Taking a minute to observe them it was obvious to Ziva that they were a couple and that they were currently arguing.
Pulling her vehicle to one side of the road Ziva watched as the older of the two women became angrier; she reached out to strike the petite blonde she was with. Before she was aware of what she was doing, Ziva had turned off the car and was heading towards the couple. As Ziva reached them the blonde cowered away from her companion, a tall brunette as she proceeded to strike her. Ziva reached for the brunette and had her pinned to the ground, using her own wrist, before she knew what had happened.
Ziva was so angry she forgot her English as she asked the blonde; "ma shlomex?". The blonde looked at her uncomprehendingly, unsure whether or not to trust this stranger. Realizing the woman had not understood her, Ziva took a deep breath before repeating in English; "are you okay?" Noding the blonde straightened up. Ziva noticed her curvy frame and voluptuous chest before taking in the damage the brunette had done to the woman's face.
"I'm ok… could I… umm… get a ride though… please?" The woman's voice was clear cut with a trace of an English accent, Ziva nodded her assent. Turning to the brunette, whom Ziva still had pinned to the ground, the blonde spoke directly to her: "I told you I wouldn't let you hurt me again Chiya, I'll be by to pick up my things tomorrow and then I never want to hear from you again." Bending down she retrieved the brunette's cell phone and proceeded to delete her number and all communications between them.
'This woman is smart' Ziva thought 'yet she stayed with this one after she had obviously hurting her before'. Ziva was intrigued and after waiting until the blonde had finished and moved away to safe distance, she released the brunette, warned her to stay on the ground, and led the blonde to her car. Helping the woman into the passenger seat, she introduced herself and was rewarded with a brief smile and the woman's name "Jade".
"So where would you like to go?" Ziva asked carefully. When she didn't receive a response she glanced at her passenger and realized Jade had fallen apart and was unable to answer her. Silently Ziva drove the few blocks to her home, leaving Jade in the car she unlocked the front door and her apartment door. Returning to her car she noted that Jade had not moved, she recognized the pain and numbness on the blonde's face, it was the same way she felt after Tali.
Slowly Ziva opened the car door and proceeded to scoop up the small blonde and carry her into the apartment. Closing the door behind her, Ziva carried Jade through to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Stepping back Ziva removed both her and Jade's shoes and her weapon and then she joined Jade on the bed. Ziva wrapped her arms around Jade as she bagan to sob as if her heart was broken. Jade cried until she fell asleep, Ziva waited until she was sure that Jade wouldn't wake before she relxed enough to drift off to sleep
*Jade's POV*
Waking encircled in someone's arms, for a moment Jade thought she was home with Chiya; then the memories from last night returned and she realized she didn't know where she was. She tensed and felt the woman beside her tense in response. Jade looked up into Ziva's face and remembered; this was the woman who saved her.
"Th… th… thank you" Jade stuttered
"For What?" came the response
"For protecting me last night, for taking care of me… I'll get out of your way, I'm sure you have a life to get back to…"
'great' thought Jade 'now I sound like a complete idiot and I think I just insulted her'
"Actually I have the day off, but if you want to leave…" Ziva trailed off as she was interrupted by the growling of both of their stomachs. Both women laughed; "I guess maybe I could stay for breakfast… if that's ok with you?" Jade replied
"well we did both miss dinner" Ziva grinned
*Breakfast*
After a light breakfast of fruit, yogurt and cereal the two women settled down with a cup of tea.
"So…" Ziva began "May I ask what happened last night?" Jade took a deep breath; "Chiya, my girlfriend thought that I was flirting with the bartender at our favourite bar. I wasn't but she wouldn't believe me so we were arguing, then you stepped in and saved me, that's it I guess…"
"had she hit you before? … it's just you said you wouldn't let her hurt you again…" enquired Ziva.
"Chiya has a bad temper, sometimes she gets out of control, she always says sorry afterwards, but I warned her last time that I wouldn't let it happen again… she used it as proof I didn't love her enough… I told her she' my wor.." Jade froze mid-sentence with a look of pure terror on her face.
"Jade?... Ja-ade?" when she got no response to calling jade's name Ziva moved in front of her and touched her arm. Jade's eyes promptly filled with tears as she focused on Ziva's concerned face. "I just realized Chiya truly was my world" Jade explained "she pushed away all my friends and family, I lived with her, we socialized with her friends, I stayed home to take care of the house… now I have nowhere to go and no-one to turn to…" jade burst into sobs. Ot knowing what else to do Ziva gathered Jade up in her arms and held her close.
Once Jade had calmed down and Ziva had time to process Ziva tentatively offered "you could stay here for a while if you want?" Jade looked up astonished
"It's just… I have a spare room and I'm never here, and… um… it would be nice to have someone to come home to" Ziva shrugged
"Maybe for a little while… thank you… you know you don't have to do this though right?"
Ziva smiled "ah but it is not only to your advantage, it is to mine too… lets go get your personal items.