Conversations, Sleepovers, and Breakfast

Special thanks to Laughers song and ncischuckluver for reviewing you guys made my day. Also thanks to my mom who is betaing this story for me.

Jenny and Gibbs finished putting the leftovers from dinner before heading upstairs to put the kids to bed and talk with Ari and Ziva. They headed into the girls' room first where Tali and Kelly was already in their cribs and Ziva was coloring on the floor.

Ziva, what are you drawing? Gibbs asked the little girl. She passed him a picture of two smiling stick figures that were standing in a bowl looking object with a monster chasing them.

What's this? Gibbs asked again pointing to the bowl.

It's a boat and that's you and me. Here it's for you. Ziva said pointing to the bowl, then the tall stick figure, and finally then the small one.

Thank you. What is that? Gibbs asked once again.

The monster. Ziva signed looking at the floor.

Who's the monster?

Rivken.

We're going to get him I promise. Gibbs said.

I know. Ziva said climbing in his lap.

MEANWHILE

"Ari, can I talk to you?" Jenny asked.

"Of course." Ari said putting down his book down and following Jenny to the kitchen.

"Did you put the girls to bed?" Jenny asked.

"I am sorry, I won't do it again, I promise." Ari replied his eyes going wide his voice giving away his panic.

"Ari, you're not in trouble I just wanted to thank you." Jenny said Ari instantly relaxing.

"You care about your sisters a lot don't you?"

"Yes, they my life. I would do anything to protect them." Ari replied his face showing how much he cared.

"Then tell me who beat you." Jenny said her eyes pleading with him to trust her.

"I tried to stop him from hitting Ziva but he knocked me against the wall."

"Who?"

"Rivken."

Later

At o'clock that night or morning however you look at it everyone, in the Gibbs house was asleep or almost everyone.

Ari woke up to a constant tapping on his stomach.

"Mmm. Ziva what's wrong?" Ari asked still half asleep.

I had a nightmare.

"Come here, you can sleep in my bed." Ari said pulling back his blanket and scooting over to one side of the bed. Ziva climbed in to his bed her head on his chest and an arm around his waist. Ari wrapped his arms around her protectively.

Ziva woke up to the sound of someone in the kitchen, the smell of coffee, and the feeling of being safe. She crawled out of the cocoon of Ari's arms and the blankets without waking him. She looked around to see all of the boys still asleep. Ziva walked downstairs to see Gibbs making coffee and cereal. She walked into the kitchen, causing Gibbs to look up to see her standing next to the table. He grabbed another bowl and spoon, pouring some Lucky Charms and milk into the bowl he set it on the table. Ziva looked between the Gibbs and the cereal before sitting and eating like there was no tomorrow. Gibbs smiled at the little girl who had managed to crawl into his heart in less than a day. He grabbed his cereal and coffee and sat next to her.

Ziva, its 0500 what are you doing up? Gibbs asked. Ziva just smiled, shrugged, and ate her cereal. Gibbs chuckled and dug into his breakfast.