A/N: Enjoy this chapter, and please remember to review, as always!

Disclaimer: I only own Jasmine. The rest of the characters belong to the creators of NCIS.

Chapter Eleven: Memories

"Open mine next." Ziva commanded, thrusting a rather heavy gift bag at me.

It was about 17:00 and we had just finished dinner. They had sung "Happy birthday" to me and we had sliced the cake that Callen had covertly picked up from the bakery late last night.

Currently, I was sitting once again on the floor in front of the fireplace. My family was gathered around me, also on the floor, with the exceptions once again being Callen and my father.

I was still wearing the locket he had given me earlier, and I vowed inwardly to never take it off except when absolutely necessary, besides when showering, swimming, etc.

I took the "Happy birthday" bag from her and lifted the tissue paper out of it. I reached inside and my hand closed around what felt like a book, or books. I turned the bag on its side and pulled out a few books on languages, mostly the ones that she had been teaching me. I also pulled out a book that contained cultural information on some of the most fascinating cultures in the world.

"Thank you Ziva, so much! I can't wait to read them. The language books will prove to be so helpful, and I'm sure the cultural book will be exciting. Thank you, Ziva." I told her, reaching over and pulling her into a hug.

"I am glad you will enjoy them. I know you prefer those educational readings so I am very happy to know that I chose well." She answered, beaming.

"You did, Ziva. I'm so excited." I replied as McGee offered me his gift.

His gift was contained in a small, flat box. I couldn't guess what it was.

I looked at him, and he looked sheepish. "It's a book." He elaborated.

I nodded in understanding, smiling the entire time.

I carefully opened the box and found a book inside. However, it wasn't any old book. It was a first edition copy of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Tim was watching my face carefully, but I couldn't hold in my excitement.

"Tim, you didn't have to do this. In fact, none of you had to, but Tim, this had to be so expensive!"

"What exactly is it?" Tony asked, puzzled. He looked around me to try to get a closer look.

"A first edition copy of To Kill A Mockingbird." I answered, staring at the book in my hands.

"Whoa, Probie. She's right." Tony said. "Not that she doesn't deserve the world, but- I'm going to stop talking now."

I glared at him playfully before turning back to Tim.

McGee shrugged. "I have a friend who deals in antique novels, so he was happy to give me an extremely reasonable price for it."

I shook my head. "You shouldn't have spent anything on me, any of you. Just having you all here is enough."

"Tony did say one thing correctly. You deserve the world, Jaz. You are quite an amazing young woman." Ziva replied. "I often think that if Tali had lived to be your age, she would be quite similar to you. In fact, some of the things you do remind me of things that she did."

I felt overwhelmingly emotional at that. I smiled at her.

"Hey, no crying before you get to mine." Tony said quickly, handing me his gift, which was also small.

I opened his gift, and was struck by what a sentimental gift it was.

"This is beautiful Tony. He got me a Pandora bracelet," I said for my dad's and Callen's benefit, who couldn't see the small gift.

I looked closely at the beads, and noticed that there was a tiny "N" "C" "I" and "S" spelling out "NCIS". There was also a little rose, because they often called me rosy because of my cheeks. There was a shoe, because I kicked ass, according to Tony himself.

"Thank you, Tony. Thank you, all of you. You didn't have to do this."

"Wait! You haven't opened mine!" Abby cried, handing me a large, awkwardly wrapped, soft bundle.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I took the bundle from her and unwrapped it. I laughed uncontrollably when I saw it, and so did the others in the room.

It was Bert II, the farting hippo. He also had a spiked dog collar. I held him tightly and giggled when he farted.

"Thank you Abby, so much!"

A few hours later, it was almost time for our last tradition. The team had gone home, making various excuses.

Callen had cleared the floor as per my instructions, and he sat on the couch. Daddy had gone into his room to change into his clothes, and I went to my room to do the same.

A few minutes later, I was ready. It was 21:59. I was dressed in my favorite emerald green dress with a gold tiara. Reminiscent of the one I had worn all those years before. Ever since I was one year old, my father dressed me in a pretty dark green dress my mother had bought for me before she passed, and would dance with me right around the exact moment I was born. It was always to the same song.

I walked into the living room. Daddy was dressed in his suit with his tie, and standing next to the CD player.

I went to him, and nodded. He pushed 'play' and took me into his arms.

"Lost" by Michael Bublé, one of our favorite singers began to play. This was our song, and Daddy often said that he chose it because it perfectly described how he was feeling after we'd lost my mother.

As we swayed around the room, I remembered all of the previous times we'd done this and realized just how much this particular tradition meant to me.

"I love you, Jasmine. I will always be there for you." Dad whispered in my ear.

I cuddled closer to his chest, once again realizing how much I needed and would always need my dad.

By the time the song ended, it was about 22:04.

"Happy birthday, Jasmine." Daddy said. "Are you ready to go to sleep?"

I nodded.

I said good night to Callen, who told me how beautiful I looked and then wished me a happy birthday again.

"You can open my gift tomorrow." He whispered as we hugged.

I pulled away, slightly confused, but let the subject go.

That night I went to sleep with thoughts about how much of a lucky girl I was. I couldn't be more grateful for my family and for the opportunities that I'd had.

Then, just before I sank into unconsciousness, I could have sworn I heard a female voice say, "Happy birthday, my Jasmine. I love you."