Chapter 10
AN: SORRY ABOUT NOT UPDATING THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I am sick at the moment and so I don't really have the mental capacity to write. In fact, I have been spending my time watching YouTube videos, specifically Spice Girls videos, in bed.
AN2: As I have said, let me know what episodes you like me to address. Hope you like this chapter.
Again, sorry if the Hebrew is wrong, blame Google Translate
About six weeks have passed since Christmas day and Gibbs is still deployed. The longer Gibbs is gone the more Ziva, Kelly, and Shannon get into a routine, but it is clear that they miss Gibbs, and that his absence is felt even more with each day.
It is a Friday night and as Shannon cooks dinner Ziva and Kelly are sitting at the table. While Kelly is drawing Ziva is doing a puzzle.
"Girls, dinner is almost ready, go upstairs and get washed up please," Shannon requests.
"Yes Mom," Kelly says.
"What do I do with my puzzle?" Ziva asks.
"Put it on the coffee table," Shannon says, as that is exactly why Ziva is doing her puzzle on a board, so it could be moved around.
"Okay," Ziva say as she carries her puzzle over to the coffee table and once she has put it there both she and Kelly head upstairs to wash up.
Just as Kelly and Ziva head upstairs the phone rings and so after checking to make sure the food is okay Shannon heads over to answer it.
"Hello," Shannon answers.
"Shannon, I'm coming home," Gibbs says, his voice full of joy.
"When?" Shannon asks, sounding amazed.
"A couple of days," Gibbs says, knowing he can't be more specific than that. "Look, I've got to go, I just wanted you to know," Gibbs explains. "I love you, and our girls, I'll see you in a couple of days," Gibbs promises.
"I love you too," Shannon responds, and once she does Gibbs hangs up. Just as Shannon hangs up Kelly and Ziva hurry back into the room.
"Who was that on the phone?" Kelly asks curious.
"Your Dad," Shannon explains
"Is he okay?" Ziva asks concerned, and Kelly is looking just as concerned, and honestly glad that Ziva asked the question as she wasn't able to.
"He's fine," Shannon assures her daughters as she looks between them. "He's coming home," Shannon reveals, a smile breaking out on her face.
"When?" Kelly asks, as Ziva smiles, and actually allows herself to be happy.
"A couple of days, he couldn't be more specific than that," Shannon explain, and once she does Kelly squeals, and runs towards her mother.
"Daddy's coming home!" Kelly says excitedly as she hugs her mother.
"Yeah, he is Sweetheart," Shannon says as she hugs her daughter. "Come here, you too, Ziva," Shannon says and she walks over and joins her mother and sister in a hug, all three of them feeling beyond happy that Gibbs is finally coming home.
Two days later Kelly, Shannon and Ziva are waiting with other Marine families waiting for Gibbs, and other Marines to return.
"Mommy, when will Daddy be here?" Kelly asks curious as she feels like she has been waiting for a while.
"Soon," Shannon says, as she puts one hand around Kelly and the other around Ziva, and the three of them continue to wait.
For about another five minutes Ziva, Kelly, and Shannon continue to wait, and then they finally see Marines starting to walk towards the group of waiting family.
"DADDY!" Kelly yells, as she sees her father, and she tares away from her mother and goes running. Not wanting her sister to be alone Ziva goes running too, and once she has caught up to Kelly she slows down, as she runs faster than her sister, and they both go running to Gibbs.
Once Kelly and Ziva are close enough Gibbs squats down and hugs both his girls.
"Welcome home, Daddy," Kelly says.
"Welcome home, Gibbs," Ziva says, as both sisters hug their father.
"It's good to be home," Gibbs admits, as he kisses Ziva's head and then Kelly's, and holds them tight for a few moments.
As Gibbs holds both his daughters Shannon walks up to the trio and so after giving his girls one more tight squeeze Gibbs lets them go and stands up.
"Hey," Gibbs greats.
"Welcome home, Marine," Shannon says, and once she does Gibbs pulls her into his arm and kisses her.
"This is gross kissing," Kelly whispers to her sister.
"It is," Ziva confirms, as Gibbs and Shannon finally break apart.
"Let's go home," Gibbs says, putting a hand on each of his daughter's shoulders, and the family of four head out together.
Hours later Gibbs has enjoyed spending time with his wife and daughters for the first time in months. Even though he has been in a war zone, and had to see and do a lot of bad stuff, spending time with his family that all slips away and he is able to just focus on them.
Even though they didn't want to go to bed Gibbs sent Kelly and Ziva, who had been working on his boat with him, to bed about an hour ago. Wanting to finish a couple of things before he headed to bed himself Gibbs stayed in the basement but is finally heading upstairs.
Once upstairs Gibbs heads straight to his daughters room. Walking into the room Gibbs walks over to the bunkbeds where he tucks Kelly in and kisses her head, and then does the same for Ziva. After he tucks in both his girls Gibbs spends a few just watching his girls sleep.
After watching his girls for a little while Gibbs, very quietly, heads out of the room and to his room. Walking into his room he finds Shannon still awake,
"How are our girls?" Shannon asks curious.
"Sound asleep," Gibbs reveals.
"They've missed you," Shannon says.
"I've missed them too," Gibbs admits, as he climbs into bed. "And you," Gibbs says, before kissing her.
"I've missed you too," Shannon admits, before kissing Gibbs once more.
A couple of months have passed since Gibbs returned from deployment, and since he returned he has been getting used to spending time with his family again, all of whom have been getting back into the routine of Gibbs being home.
After the news he just received Gibbs knows everything is going to change and honestly he is most worried about how Ziva is going to handle it. Shannon and Kelly have been through this before, and they knew that it could happen again, but Ziva, Ziva has just started to get settled and now she is going to be uprooted again.
It's a Monday evening and Gibbs is just returning home, walking into the house he heads straight to the kitchen where Shannon is making dinner.
"Where are the girls?" Gibbs asks curious, as he walks towards Shannon.
"Upstairs," Shannon answers, as Gibbs kisses her cheek. "What's going on, Gibbs?" Shannon asks, knowing that there is something Gibbs wants to talk about.
"I've got new orders," Gibbs reveals.
"Where?" Shannon asks, dreading the answer.
"Camp Pendleton," Gibbs answers. "I need to be there as soon as possible, but you and the girls can finish the school year here if needed," Gibbs reveals as he talked about that with the proper people.
"It's spring break next week," Shannon says feeling like that it would be good timing to move. "We'll have to talk to the girls, but I don't like the idea of us living apart for another few months," Shannon admits.
"I don't either," Gibbs admits. "But I'm worried about the girls, Ziva especially," Gibbs reveals. "She's had so much uncertainty and we're uprooting her again, just as she has become comfortable," Gibbs comments, feeling bad.
"I know," Shannon says. "But Ziva's resilient, and we'll support her," Shannon says, believing that.
"Yeah, we will," Gibbs confirms. "We'll talk to the girls after dinner," Gibbs says.
"Sounds good," Shannon confirms and once she does Gibbs starts to help Shannon make dinner.
During dinner Kelly doesn't notice anything unusual, but after everything she has been through Ziva notices Gibbs and Shannon exchanging subtle notes, he notices that there seems to be a tension, and so she just waits for the other shoe to drop, becoming more anxious as dinner progresses.
"Daddy, can we help with the boat tonight?" Kelly asks curious, once she finishes her dinner.
"Sure Princess," Gibbs tells her, and even with how worried she is Ziva looks just as excited as her sister.
"Before you girls run downstairs your Dad and I have to talk to you," Shannon explains.
"Something bad has happened," Ziva says, it being a statement not a question.
"No Sweetie, it hasn't," Shannon tells her daughter, still hating that Ziva's mind automatically goes there.
"We do have something to tell you though," Gibbs explains, looking between his daughters. "I've received transfer orders," Gibbs explains.
"That means we're moving," Kelly realises, trying to hide her disappointment, but she doesn't really succeed. "Where too?" Kelly asks.
"Camp Pendleton," Gibbs answers.
"Where is that?" Ziva asks, sounding confused.
"California," Shannon explains.
"When are we going to move?" Kelly asks.
"Your Mom and I were talking about that," Gibbs admits. "I have to be in California soon, and your Mom and I would like it if we all moved out there together," Gibbs explains.
"But that means that you'll both be starting a new school after spring break," Shannon explains.
"Can I be excused?" Kelly asks curious.
"Of course, Princess," Gibbs says, and Kelly gets up and heads upstairs. Once Kelly heads upstairs Gibbs and Shannon turn to Ziva who is still sitting at the table, both feeling like giving Kelly some space would be good and that they need to talk to Ziva,
"We know this is going to be a change, Kiddo…" Gibbs starts to say.
"I am used to change," Ziva admits. "This is orders, correct?"
"Yeah Kid," Gibbs confirms.
"I understand that," Ziva admits. "I will miss DC, but I will be okay," Ziva says, being able to tell that that is what Gibbs and Shannon are worried about, and as she speaks Gibbs and Shannon exchange proud looks. "What will happen to the boat?" Ziva asks curious.
"We'll be keeping this house Kiddo, we own it," Gibbs explains. "If we come back to DC we'll come back here," Gibbs explains and Ziva nods.
"Is there anything you want to ask, Sweetheart?" Shannon asks curious.
"No," Ziva says, shaking her head as she understands what is going on and that Gibbs has very little choice in the matter.
"Okay, we've got to go talk to your sister," Gibbs explains. "You going to be okay?"
"Yes Gibbs," Ziva confirms, and once she does Shannon and Gibbs head upstairs.
After her parents head upstairs Ziva looks around, comes to a decision, and starts to do the dishes as she wants to do something to help.
After leaving the kitchen Gibbs and Shannon head straight up to Kelly and Ziva's room. Getting to the room neither of them are surprised to find the door closed, and so they reach out and knock.
"Come in," Kelly's voice responds and so both Gibbs and Shannon walk into the room where they find Kelly lying in bed on her stomach.
"Kelly," Shannon says as she and Gibbs walk towards their daughter.
"I don't want to go! I don't want to say goodbye to Maddie!" Kelly says, sounding upset.
"I'm sorry, Princess," Gibbs says, feeling bad that he is making his daughter say goodbye to her closest friend.
"Your dad has his orders, Kelly," Shannon says. "I know it's hard, and it's not fair…"
"Its really not," Kelly tells her parents.
"Princess, I know parts of my job suck, and that it's going to be hard to say goodbye to Maddie, your friends, and your school, but I have my orders. I am really sorry about this," Gibbs admits.
"I know you are, Daddy," Kelly says, and once she does Gibbs hugs his daughter.
A little while after her parents left the kitchen Ziva is just finishing the dishes when Gibbs and Shannon walk back into the kitchen.
"Ziva you didn't have to do the dishes," Shannon tells her.
"I wanted to help," Ziva admits. "Is Kells okay?" Ziva asks concerned.
"She will be. She just needs time," Gibbs explains to his daughter, who nods.
"May I still help with the boat?" Ziva asks curious, not sure if she can without Kelly.
"Of course, you can, Kid," Gibbs assures her, Ziva grins, and the two of them head down to the basement, while Shannon finishes clearing up and then goes to have a more in-depth conversation with Kelly.
About a week later The Gibbs Family have packed up everything they want to take with them to California and finally the day has come for them to leave.
As she has just finished saying goodbye to her best friend, Kelly walks over to Ziva who was giving her some space.
"Are you okay?" Ziva asks her sister worried.
"I'm going to miss Maddie," Kelly admits.
"I know," Ziva says, putting her arm around her sister.
"I'm really glad you're my sister. It would be so much harder to go if I was going alone," Kelly admits, feeling thankful for Ziva.
"I am glad to be your sister too," Ziva admits as while she will always miss Tali that doesn't mean she can't, and doesn't, love Kelly. In fact, becoming a sister to Kelly has helped, a little, with the pain of losing Tali.
"Girls, come here," Shannon says and once she does Ziva and Kelly walk over to Shannon, and Gibbs who is in uniform.
"What's going on?" Kelly asks curious.
"We're going to take a photo before we go," Gibbs reveals. "Captain Tyler is going to take it," He explains and once he speaks he, Kelly, Ziva and Shannon move into position to take a photo. They move so that Gibbs and Shannon have one arm around each other and Gibbs has an arm around Kelly, while Shannon has an arm around Ziva, and the two girls are leaning into the side of the parent they are hugging.
After the Gibbs family takes the photo the four of them get in their can and start the drive to California.