Hey guys! For this chapter, I have no clue how to speak Italian. I can speak moderate Spanish. And I know that Spanish isn't that far off from Italian, if you learn one you can learn the other type thing, but I apologize if any of this is wrong. I'm using dictionaries and google translate. So, sorry!
ST
Kiley's POV:
"So… So No… ben… bene oh ggi" I staggered through the words in front of me. They were actually 'Sono bene oggi', but I couldn't get the pronunciation right.
Eric laughed from his place beside me. We had already gone through his math homework, now he was attempting to teach me Italian.
"Sono bene oggi." He prompted gently. "I am well today. Try again."
I muttered under my breath, but tried again. "SoNo beni ogi."
Eric sighed and pointed to Sono, "Okay, this does not have to have a No. One thing, Sono. Not 'So, no.' try again. Just that word."
I sighed, "Sono."
Eric clapped me on the back, "Good! Now, the next one, try 'Ben eh' not 'Ben E'."
"Bene." I tried.
He gave me another smile, "Good! For the last one, it oggi. Not Oh, gee."
"O… Oggi." It wasn't the best, but it was better than the first time.
Eric grinned, "Now try them all together."
I bit my lip, "Sono bene oggi." I stumbled a bit, but overall, I got it right.
Eric smiled widely at me, and passed me another pink cookie. Those were my rewards for getting the pronunciation right. Eric's reward was for getting his answers right was the large white chocolate macchiato sitting at his elbow.
I bit into the pink cookie and willed myself to calm down. I was getting too worked up about it, and I needed to relax. I focused on how the cookie tasted. It melted in my mouth, and tasted pleasantly like strawberries and vanilla. Eric was a good cook.
Eric saw my silent struggle and closed the Italian book. "Okay, we can pick up tomorrow. For now, I want to know more about you."
I smiled at him, "I guess that's what friends do, huh?"
He nodded in mock seriousness, "Yes. I'll go first. My name is Eric Santiago. I was born in Louisiana. I grew up on a farm and participated in local 4-H and FFA. My sister was deaf, so the first language besides English that I learned was ASL. That encouraged me to learn other languages, like Spanish and French. I came here to attend college at the age of 18. And today, I met a trouble magnet named Kiley."
I snickered and calmed to reply in equal seriousness, "My name is Kiley Reid. I was born in Nevada. My dad took me away from my mom and older brother when I was very young and took me to D.C. I went back to Las Vegas every summer until my brother got a different job in Virginia. I went to a college in D.C. when I was 13. And since then, I have gotten multiple PhD's and am working on my Forensic Science degree and another right now. The only language besides English that I know is Spanish. And you have no idea how much of a trouble magnet I am. I moved in with my brother after I got tangled up with NCIS in D.C. But I hope to go back to that team someday. And today, I met the giant teddy bear Eric."
Eric looked appropriately shocked. "Er… How old are you now?"
I raised an eyebrow at him, "How old are you? I'm 16. I'll be 17 in a few weeks."
His mouth fell open and he stuttered, "Um… Uh… I'm…. Uh… 19. You know what? I'm not going to ask."
I grinned, "Probably a good choice."
I looked down at my phone and got to my feet, if I didn't leave now I would be late.
"Sorry, Eric. I've got to go. I've got an appointment. I'll see you tomorrow though?" I talked while I gathered my things.
Eric nodded, still looking at me in shock.
He watched me walk away, before leaping to his feet and running after me.
"I can walk you to wherever you're going." He offered.
I grinned at him, "I actually have to take a bus there. But I wouldn't mind the company to the bus stop."
He fell into step beside me, and I found myself lengthening my stride so he wouldn't have to cripple himself trying to keep my pace. If he noticed, he didn't comment.
He walked me out of the school and to the bus stop. He shuffled awkwardly as the bus began to pull up and I sighed and stepped forward. I hugged him and after a moment, his arms wrapped around me.
"I'll see you tomorrow." I said before stepping back.
He nodded and I walked onto the bus, leaving my new friend behind.
Criminal Minds
When I got off the bus, I was in front of a dojo. Ziva still wanted me to continue with self-defense, especially since we had only started again before I left for Virginia. So she had called a friend of hers, Jinhai, and pulled a few favors to get me ninjitsu, martial arts, and judo training. Plus kick boxing, boxing, wrestling, knife throwing, general target practice, and a few others.
I was grateful for it. I still wanted to learn everything that could be taught to be, and I didn't want to get into a situation where I couldn't defend myself again.
I still had my knife in my boot, and the constant presence calmed me down. Like Ziva was sitting next to me.
I took a deep breath, this guy is Ziva's friend. I'll be fine.
I stepped through the door, and a voice instantly greeted me, "Punctuality is a key in fighting. If you are not directly on time, you will miss your throw and get hit. I expect you here early tomorrow, Miss Reid."
The voice was low, and very rich. It glided through the air like music. And I couldn't tell where it was coming from.
I looked around, and barely heard something shift behind me before jumping forward, missing a kick by an inch. I twisted around, throwing my bag away from me as I did so, and was greeted by a man with dark skin, black hair, a neatly trimmed black beard, a lean figure corded with muscle, and an easy grin on his face that did not go with his appearance. He looked like he could snap a bone in half by poking it. But his strength didn't look all that physical, it wasn't in your face. Had he not been wearing a tank top and sweats, I wouldn't have seen it.
He bowed with a flourish, "So Ziva was not lying when she said that she had trained you moderately. You were listening for me. I believe I can teach you. Do you have other clothes to change into? That baggy shirt will not do you any favors."
I nodded and pointed to my bag, "I've got a tank top, sweats, and tennis shoes in there. Can I get them without being hit?"
He waved his hand nonchalantly, "That depends on you. The bathroom is there," He pointed, "And your bag is there. Can you move as quickly as Ziva says you can? Get to the bag, get to the bathroom, and close the door before I land a hit. Do that, and I won't make you run 20 laps today for being late."
I felt myself start to grin. Ziva said he would challenge me. And I loved a challenge.
I took a moment to calculate the distance in my head, all the while not taking my eyes off of Jinhai. It was maybe 5 yards away. Doable. And very fun.
Jinhai blinked, and I rushed off. I bent while I ran and swung the bag over my shoulder. I side stepped and leapt into the air to avoid a swinging punch and drop kick.
I twisted around and connected with the door with my shoulder. I twisted the handle as I ducked, and fell inside, slamming the door and locking it before Jinhai could get his hand in.
I laughed, Ziva had done that more than once. Only her reward was to buy me coffee. And if I failed, then I had to buy her coffee. At first, I had bought her coffee all the time. Then, gradually, I started getting more coffee. Plus, Gibbs would always bring me coffee if I lost. He just didn't tell Ziva about it.
I changed quickly and stepped back out warily.
But Jinhai was waiting in the center of the room for me.
I walked towards him while I put my hair up in a ponytail, and Jinhai said happily. "Alright, you bested me. 15 laps will do I think. Are you ready?"
I nodded, and we walked outside, towards the massive running grounds behind his dojo, and began running.
