Hey, just to make it clear that when Ziva and Zipporah are talking and it's written in italics means it's in hebrew!
Tony was rummaging through his drawers when Ziva appeared in the doorway, her face was drawn and pallid. She crossed to the bed and flopped down.
"They fell asleep."
"Well, they must be tired it's been a traumatic day." even as he spoke he felt it was a stupid thing to say, well unhelpful at least. Ziva nodded slowly before turning and crawling up to the head of the bed and slipped under the duvet, sighing deeply. He closed the drawer and went into his unsuited to changed into his pyjamas. When he came back out she hadn't moved at all she was just lying staring at the ceiling,
"Well, I guess I'll go then," he dropped his clothes over the back of a chair and headed towards the door, "Night," he was about to shut it after him when he heard Ziva called his name, he turned back,
"yeah?"
"You do not have to sleep on the sofa, there is plenty of room for you here." she was sitting up staring at him with wide eyes still slightly swollen and red.
"uh are you sure?" he said uncertainly, "Yes," she said empathically before lying back down facing the wall. He carefully stretched out on his side of the bed,
"Mind if I turn off the light?"
"No," he switched off the lamp, leaving them in the inky blue dark. Tony folded his arms across his chest, he really, really didn't know what to do. An upset woman was one thing, normally she would admit she was devastated or would look for comfort giving some indication of what he should be doing to make it better. Not Ziva though, she was strong and stubborn, not used to needing someone else. He knew it was up to him to go to her, she would probably never come to him for comfort,
"Ziva. Are you ok?"
"I am fine," it was the answer he was expecting, he sighed and rolled over slightly and reached out, wrapping an arm around her and dragging her across the bed towards him.
"You don't always have to be fine Ziva," he slid his arm further around her and pulled her closer, she remained tense and rigid against him for a few seconds,
"I am FINE," She insisted, remaining motionless
"Ziva come on . .."he started but before he could continue she suddenly spun round to face him, pressing her face against his neck and ran her hand across his chest, grabbing a handful of his t-shirt gripping it tightly. He leant back slightly, pulling her with him allowing him to slip his other arm underneath her, placing his hand on the back of her head where he could gently stroke her hair. Neither said anything but he could feel her warm tears slipping from her eyes leaving a growing wet patch at the crook of his neck. A quiet sob escaped and rippled through her body, he squeezed her.
"I'm sorry Ziva, I'm so sorry," he felt his own emotions churning when faced with such naked hurt in Ziva, he buried his face in her hair, trying to compose himself. They lay quietly for a while, the only sound was an occasional sniffle, muffled by his skin. He didn't know what to say to her, he assumed that she probably didn't want to talk while she was so upset; drawing attention to her vulnerability. She hiccupped against him, sitting up wiping her face with her hand, "Sorry," she moved to dry her tears from his neck. He chuckled slightly, cupping her cheek in his hand.
"Ziva, it's fine, c'mon," he pulled her back down, holding her even tighter than before. She gulped in a fractured breath and then snaked an arm back across his chest, Tony turned and kissed her hair gently eliciting a deep sigh. Another silence descended upon them until they heard the door creak open, Ziva sat up instantly hurridly brushing away her tears, a small silhouette stood in the doorway.
"Zizi?" little voice tentatively asked, Tony turned the lamp back on as Ziva asked,
"Zipporah? What's wrong?"
"Leo's sleeping, and she kicking me," she whined,
"Well, come here then, we promise we won't kick you," Zipporah scampered forward and clambered onto the bed. Ziva lay back down and Zipporah rolled over her and snuggled into the space between the two of them, elbowing and kneeing them awkwardly. Zipporah sighed deeply and turned to face Ziva,
"Leo very sad,"
"I know,"
"You sad too."
"Yes"
"Is mummy sad too?" Ziva furrowed her brows slightly,
"uhm, yes. . . She is sad because she misses you,"
"When's she coming back?" Ziva's stomach sank,
"What?"
"When's mummy coming back? I think it would make Leo happy again,"
"Zipporah, mummy's with your Grandma and Granddad remember?" Ziva said softly,
"Yes I know," Zipporah rolled her eyes, "You said mummy is dead and she with Grandma and Granddad, but when does she stop being dead and come home?" Zipporah looked at her, eyes wide in anticipation. Ziva had of course realised that Zipporah hadn't quite grasped the concept of her mother being dead but she hadn't realised just how confused she was.
"Uh, she, she isn't coming back" she rolled onto her side and reached out to stroke the girl's hair gently, "She needs to stay with them now" Zipporah's face dropped,
"Why?"
"Because, because she was badly, badly hurt and now she needs her mummy to look after her." Zipporah's lip quivered, "But, I need mummy to look after me,"
"I know sweetheart, your mummy looked after me too but she had to go,"
"Forever and ever?
"Yes," Zipporah whimpered loudly, causing Ziva to hastily backtrack,
"Well not exactly forever and ever; one day you'll see her again. But not for a long, long, long, long time. Not until you're very old."
"When I'm dead too?" Zipporah asked earnestly,
"Ehm, yes. But that won't be for a long, long time ok?" the little girl nodded sadly and flopped down onto her back, deep in thought, allowing a short lull in the questions before she resumed her inquiries,
"What's mummy going to do for aaaaallll that time? What's she doing right now? Won't she get bored?
"No she won't get bored, now she can do anything she wants! But right now she's watching over you and Leora, she's worried that you are too sad just now."
"I can't help it, I miss her!" Zipporah complained,
"I know but when you're sad and crying it makes mummy sad too, she wants you to be happy,"
"She doesn't want me to cry?" Ziva shook her head, "ok, I won't then," Zipporah declared emphatically. Ziva smiled and kissed her forehead,
"Your mummy will be very proud of you," This seemed to please the little girl and she was quiet again for a few fleeting moments,
"Wait, how will she know I'm not crying and am being brave?"
"Because she can still see you, she'll be looking after you like a, a , a, fairy godmother, like in Cinderella."
"But she can't come and bring me pumpkins because she needs to stay with grandma and granddad?"
"Exactly!"
"But she can still look after me with her magic?"
"Definitely"
"If I talk to her can she hear me?"
"Oh yes, I'm sure she'd love it if you spoke to her sometimes."Zipporah smiled slightly and finally her curiosity seemed to be satisfied allowing Ziva to relax and lean back against the pillows. Tony had been observing the whole scene, not understanding a word of it and shot Ziva a questioning look. She shook her head and rolled her eyes silently. A few moments later he sat up and reached for the glass of water on his bedside table and took a quick sip, he was about to replace it when Zipporah held out her hands towards it,
"Thirsty" she said simply, he handed the glass to her carefully and she began taking large gulps from it.
"She has learnt a lot of words at nursery, her English gets better everyday," Ziva told him proudly. He smiled and looked at her,
"Yeah I can see that, in about a week she'll probably speak English better than you!" Ziva frowned at him,
"Pff yes and you are renowned for your linguistic skills! I am sure you would pick Hebrew very easily!"
Ziva snorted
"Well, at least you're finally getting the hang of sarcasm Ziva, it only took about a century!" he laughed playfully. Zipporah turned to Ziva,
"What are you saying?" Ziva gave her the highlights of their conversation, well the bit about her English. Zipporah turned back to Tony, nodding vigorously,
"I learn lots words," she said proudly, "Ziva not good English!" she giggled, causing a large wave of water to tip from the glass all over Tony's t-shirt. He yelped at the sudden soaking and sat up, peeling off his sodden top as he did so. Zipporah's face froze and the crumpled,
"Sorry" she whimpered, "Sorry, sorry, accident" she started to cry quietly and shuffled slightly back away from him. He was using the dry side of the t-shirt to wipe his chest and was going to get a dry one out but was too surprised by her reaction,
"Hey, it's ok,"he smiled and laughed quietly, taking away the glass and putting it back on the table. She was still cowering away from him and Ziva had an arm wrapped around her shoulders, trying to comfort her but it didn't appear to be working. He reached out to the little girl, placing a hand under her cheek and pushing her head up so she could see his face,
"Zipporah, it's ok," he said soothingly but she still looked terrified with tears rolling down her cheeks. Finally he resorted to picking her up and pulling her against his chest, rubbing her back gently,
"Look, see, Tony's not angry with you," Ziva whispered to her, running a hand through Zipporah's hair. She sniffed and leant back to look at Tony, "No angry?" she asked uncertainly, he shook his head,
"Nope, not angry," and flashed her a cheesy grin.
"ok" she sighed and smiled half heartedly, he let her slide down till she was sitting in his lap. She giggled suddenly and stuck her hands out to his chest and pulled a handful of hair.
"LIKE PICKLE!" she squealed, Tony turned to Ziva,
"What?" he asked and she shrugged,
"Tony's furry like pickle! It tickles just the same!" Zipporah explained, Ziva threw back her head and laughed loudly, leaving Tony the only one outside the joke.
"What?!? What are you laughing at??" he whined childishly, Ziva was still chuckling when she told him,
"Pickle is my neighbour's dog, she thinks you are just as furry," she lay her head down on the pillow giggling, Tony looked indignantly at Zipporah,
"Hey, I am not furry!" she just smiled at him sweetly,
"Yes," she replied simply.
"well, I am not as hairy as a dog at least !"he sulked jokingly, flinging his head back onto the pillows, Ziva reached out her hand and tugged on a few tufts,
"It is a close contest Tony," she started laughing again, joined by Zipporah who then lay her head against Tony's chest; running a finger through his copious hair.
"Is it tickly?" Ziva asked and Zipporah nodded and then giggled again. Tony huffed but laughed in spite of himself,
"Well, it takes a real man y'know-the ladies love it."
"Yes, I am using all my strength to resist you Tony," Ziva laughed, "My little hairy butt," she added playfully. He turned to face her,
"I knew it" he exclaimed, "don't feel bad Ziva, I am pretty irresistible,"
"And yet I've managed for so long!" the both chuckled quietly, noticing Zipporah's eyes were drooping. Ziva stroked her hair soothingly until they were firmly shut and then continued anyway-finding it comforted herself too. The light hearted mood quickly evaporated leaving her free to descend back into despair. Tony noticed the dark look returning to her eyes and reached his hand up and wrapped it around the arm left lying across Zipporah,
"It's going to be ok Ziva,"
"I do not know what to do now,"
"You will be ok,"
"You do not know that,"
"Yes" he squeezed her arm tightly, "Yes I do,"