Ziva naturally woke up at four, as usual, and took a moment to appreciate where she was. She had stayed the night, despite her own protests and found herself laid on Gibbs' chest with his arm protectively slung low around her waist. She breathed him in deeply before sighing contentedly. She squeezed his hand as she took it before gently pulling it from around her and rolling out of bed.
"Ziver?" His sleepy voice rang out as he made a grab for her making her chuckle. She carefully evaded his hands while leaning over and kissing him softly.
"Go back to sleep. I am just going for a run. I will be back soon." He grumbled but quickly settled again. She smiled before getting dressed in her running gear and heading down stairs for her trainers.
"Where are you going?" LJ's question from the darkness of the lounge had Ziva clutching her chest and near on jumping out of her skin.
"You made me jump." LJ chuckled as she came to lean on the wall Gibbs had held Ziva against not twelve hours earlier.
"Sorry. You'd forgotten I was here huh?" Ziva shook her head as she caught her breath and mentally scolded herself for being so spookable.
"No, I just presumed you would be in bed, given the hour." LJ shrugged.
"I had a nightmare, couldn't get back to sleep. I have just finished your book, it's very good."
"It was a gift from my brother for my twenty first birthday." She smiled bitter sweetly. "What was your nightmare about?" LJ shook her head.
"I'd, I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind?" Ziva shook her head.
"That is okay. I was just going for my morning run." She received a grateful smile at the subject change.
"How far do you run?" Ziva thought about it as she slipped on her shoes and sat on the bottom step to tie her laces.
"An hour or so on a weekday, anywhere up to three on a weekend." LJ whistled; a low impressed sound. "It is not that impressive Tesoro."
"May I, may I come with you?" LJ asked timidly.
"If you'd like. Are you okay to run in that or would you like to borrow something else?" Ziva asked motioning at the shorts and tank top she had leant her to wear to bed.
"This will be okay. I'm just glad mom was wearing trainers." Ziva smiled.
"Me too, I'm not sure mine would fit you. I will make sure someone goes to collect some things for you today."
"Thanks Ziva." She nodded before leading them both out the door.
Just under an hour later after a silent but well paced run, Ziva snuck back into the master bedroom. She let down her ponytail, peeled her tank top off, along with her shorts, and was about to head to the ensuite when she sense Gibbs' eyes on her.
"See something you like?" She murmured playfully. He chuckled just sleepily enough to make her think he hadn't been awake very sat beside him on the bed
"You should've woken me. I'd of come with ya." He slowly traced patterns on her bare thigh.
"LJ came with me, she is very good. She had a nightmare and could not get back to sleep."
"What's the time?" Ziva looked over at the clock while Gibbs' hand moved steadily higher.
"Almost five." She replied breathily as his fingertips gently stroked the inside of her thigh. "Jethro...?"
"So we've got an hour or so." He chuckled as he sat up and pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
"No." She quickly pulled herself from the bed and took a step away from it, making sure she was out of reach.
"Ziver...?" She shook her head.
"I told you last night I should have gone home. I do not feel comfortable sleeping with you with your daughter and her children down the hall." Gibbs sighed. "You were the one who said we should be honest. You cannot be angry at me for doing so." She pointed out softly.
"Not angry." He sighed. "Just think maybe you should think why you're uncomfortable." Ziva ran a hand through her hair.
"Because."
"Not an answer Ziva." He smiled.
"Pennie has had a lot to deal with in the last few days, as have the children. She has just found you again and finding out that you are with someone that is only three years her senior was a shock. I would rather not rub her nose in it." He sighed and opened his arms to her. She shook her head slightly.
"I'll keep my hands to my self." He promised. She quickly stepped into his embrace and curled back into his chest. "I love how much you care about her." He mumbled into her hair. "But she's a grown woman."
"Neither of us is particularly good at being quiet though Jethro. And there is now a three year old down the hall." He chuckled, stroking firm comforting lines across her spine.
"Fair point." He kissed the base of he neck gently. "Love you." She sighed before kissing him softly.
"I love you too. Now, I must shower." Gibbs refused to let her go just yet. "Jethro."
"Like ya like this." She scoffed disbelievingly.
"What, flushed and covered in sweat?"
"Mhmm." He kissed a line up her throat before ending up at her ear. "Especially when I'm the reason." Ziva shivered.
"Okay. Getting up now." Gibbs chuckled as she stood rather flusteredly and made her way to the ensuite. "I hate you, I hope you know that." Gibbs chuckled.
"Love you too Ziver." She poked her tongue out at him before closing the door and starting the shower.
Jenny, at Gibbs' request, had arranged emergency placement in the NCIS employee day-care for Ethan but there was very little they could do to place was decided that she would just have to come in, seeing as Pennie was needed for the case. While Gibbs took Ethan and Pennie, Ziva drove LJ in and took her downstairs to meet Abby.
"Are you okay? You were awfully quiet this morning." Ziva asked as soon as they were alone in the elevator. LJ nodded without making eye contact. "Lauren?" The young girl sighed and Ziva was quick to engage the emergency brake.
"Are you allowed to do that?" Ziva smiled.
"It is neither the first nor the last time, now, what's up?" LJ turned to face her while leaning against the rail, eyes downcast. "LJ?"
"What's going to happen?" Ziva mimicked her stance on the opposite wall.
"What do you mean?"
"With my dad, with all of us afterwards?" Ziva sighed softly.
"Well, your father will be brought in for questioning, today probably, and Jethro will ensure he's charged." LJ smiled at that. "Then you, Ethan and your mother can go home."
"Will we ever see you again?" She looked up at Ziva through her lashes and Ziva was quick to crouch before her, taking both of her hands in her own.
"Your mother and Jethro have a lot to catch up on. There are some very important pieces of each other's lives that they have missed. I am sure this will not be the last they see of each seeing how you and I are important to them, I doubt it will be the last we see of each other." LJ nodded. "Would you like a hug little one?" LJ nodded quickly, trying to swallow around the sudden lump in her throat, and Ziva stood and tenderly took her into her arms and held her close. "It will all be okay." She gently ran her hand up and down the young girl's back. "It will all be okay."
The two of them exited the lift a few minutes later and LJ sensed Ziva's surprise.
"What is it?" Ziva chuckled, shaking her head as she led them forward into the doorway of the lab.
"Nothing for you to worry about. There is just usually a rather deafening level of music." Abby appeared in the office doorway and quickly made her way over to the pair.
"Gibbs called ahead, told me not to deafen small children. Hey." She babbled as usual. LJ laughed.
"Hello." Abby shook her hand excitedly.
"I'm Abby Sciuto, resident forensic scientist of NCIS." Ziva chuckled, more than happy to let them make their own introductions so long as they were comfortable. LJ looked up at her and once Ziva had given her a reassuring smile LJ turned back to Abby.
"Hi Abby. I'm Lauren Jessica Harrod, everyone calls me LJ." Abby smiled broadly.
"Is that after Mr Boss Leroy Jethro Gibbs?" LJ shrugged.
"I guess." Ziva smiled, resting her hand on LJ's shoulder before addressing Abby.
"I guess Gibbs has told you the story?" Abby nodded.
"Yup, Pennie's upstairs and this one is her daughter, I'm to look out for her today while you all look for her husband." Ziva smiled gently, squeezing LJ's shoulder.
"Indeed. She has a lunch with her." LJ held up the brown paper bag holding her meal and Abby smiled again.
"Cool."
"No Caf-Pow Abs okay?" Ziva warned. Abby looked slightly guilty and LJ couldn't help but giggle. "She's twelve Abby, in my experience twelve year olds and caffeine do not mix very well." Abby saluted making LJ giggle.
"Wrong hand." She whispered and Abby quickly changed hands.
"You got it Zi." Ziva smiled and nodded while Abby turned to face LJ. "We're gonna have loads of fun. I don't really know what you like to do but I'm sure we'll find you something."
"Reading. She likes reading. In Spanish." Abby and Ziva both shared an eyebrow-raised smile.
"Or Italian, or French, I know a little Hebrew, enough at least to translate Ziva." She smiled at her as Ziva chuckled. "But English is just fine."
"You're one smart cookie kid." LJ curtseyed making Abby chuckle. "We've got this Zi, don't worry." Ziva hugged LJ quickly.
"You have my number if you need me and Abby has contacts for the whole team."
"Including your mom." Abby added.
"If you need any of us do not hesitate okay?" LJ nodded against her chest as she hugged her back.
"Thank you Ziva." She pressed a kiss to LJ's crown before backing out of the lab.
"My pleasure. I will try and come see you later." The three of them all waved before Ziva disappeared into the elevator.
"So." Abby started. "How much do you know about forensics?"