Okay, I'm just going to tell you now, don't expect much. My eyes are acting really weird and I only had 3 or 4 hours of sleep last night. I might not be updating for a while because, like I said, I like to stay ahead of you all so there is no huge inconsistencies, but right now I am stuck at the beginning of chapter 10 and I really need some more ideas. Also because I have a boat of homework and I get home really late. I seriously need some ideas, and I am SO sorry I didn't get the chance to update for a while. Thanks for understanding.

Chapter 7, Ziva's house, 02:30 AM, Saihah's P.O.V

I opened my eyes and waited as my vision slowly returned. A tall figure loomed over me and I saw a mop of curly hair on one side.

"Mmm..." I groaned. "Ziva?"

"I'm here," she said as she knelt down beside me. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," I said, sitting up. Her face showed concern and I thought about what I had told Gibbs earlier. Had I dreamed that, too? No, that part was real. "He told you, didn't her?" I whispered as I felt tears come into my eyes.

Slowly, Ziva nodded her head and embraced me in a soft hug. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I gulped. "I wanted to forget it. Act like it never happened. You can't do that when other people know."

She seemed to think this over, but did not say anything about it. "You should get some sleep,"

"You too," I said, trying to forget what was said just moments ago.

She chuckled. "Okay," Turning out the lights, she shut the door and headed to her room.

Saihah's Dream

"Akela?" I looked up at Karam. He was smiling. I smiled back. "C'mon, what are you waiting for?" he asked, pulling me to my feet. We raced out into the hot sun.

"Karam?" I asked him.

"What?"

"Exactly how late did we sleep in?"

"It's nothing to fret over, little one." he teased.

"I'm not any more little than you are!" I pouted.

"Yes you are," he said. "By six months." I scowled at him and he laughed. I loved his laugh. I t was the kind of laugh that fills the air.

"Karam-" I whined.

"Freeze, terrorist!" an angry voice shouted from behind me. Karam was no longer their.

"No! No!" I cried, "I'm not one of them! Don't kill me!"

"No!" I gasped as I jolted forward. I flicked on the lamp light and breathed a sigh of relief. It was only a dream. I was safe.

I crept silently into the kitchen/living room, snuggling onto the sofa and turning on the TV. I watched the pale blueish-white lights flicker across the walls and ceiling out of the corner of my eye as I buried my face into the cushions. It was something I hadn't done since I was seven, but it brought back the familiar feeling of protection and seclusion that I had long since craved.

The news was on now. I heard pieces of it. "Murder" ... "robbery" ... "politics'. It seemed that no matter where you were, there was always problems. I turned it off. I didn't want to hear about America's problems right now. I had enough of my own. I need some peace. I slowly got to my feet, glancing at the clock. 03:24 AM. Great.

I pushed the laundry room door open as quietly as I could and retrieved the jacket I wore on the plane. Right pocket. Bingo! I carefully slid the package out and hurried back to the sofa, grabbing a pencil and a sheet of paper along the way. The package. It wasn't a package, really. It was only wrapped in a piece of cloth, tied with a dark blue ribbon. My going away present from Karam and his mother. I had told them not to, since they were the ones who had paid for all my traveling expenses, but they'd insisted. And now I was going to see what it was.

I delicately untied the ribbon, laying it at my feet, and pulled back the cloth. I smiled at the photo that lay inside. It was of me and Karam, maybe three or so years ago. I was laughing and he had his arm around my shoulders, grinning from ear to ear. We were just buddies, best friends. That's what we've always been.

Setting down the photo, I picked up the pencil and paper and started humming as the pencil created the beginnings of an image that had not been their before. Music has always helped me draw. In fact, I can't remember a time I once drew anything without music. Karam's house was always filled with music. His mother played on the piano, even taught me some, and she played opera while she cooked. They were her muses, I guess. Cooking and music.

Me, my muse was drawing. I loved to draw. It calmed me. It's fascinating what someone can do with just a pencil and paper. I watched the picture come to life before me. First it was just shapes, outlines. Then, slowly, it became something real.
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It was about 06:40 AM. I stared at the drawing. I don't know why I drew what I did. It is just what my hand drew. And now my eyes were tired.

It suddenly got quieter in the house. What was it? Oh, yes. The snoring. The snoring was gone. Ziva must be awake. I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I didn't look, I already knew who it was

"How long have you been awake?" Ziva's sleepy voice asked.

I panicked and hastily slid the photo and drawing under some papers when she turned away. "A while,"

"Why?" she sounded a bit angry.

"I'm sorry!" I shouted, putting my hands over my ears and ducking my head down. Arg... stupid automatic reactions.

Ziva rushed over and hugged me. "It's fine," she said softly. "Do you want me to stay home with you today?"

I shook my head. "No, you shouldn't have to miss work just because I stayed up."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "I'm perfectly fine."

~Yeah... I know that one was a little dull. Again, sorry I haven't updated in a while. I might not be able to for some time. I'm gonna ask my friend for some help so maybe I can get a new chapter faster.~D.J.M