Chapter 26

A/N: Text between ##################### indicates a dream sequence. Text in Italics is in Hebrew.

November 26th 1999 1500 hours

*****page break*****

After a 12-hour flight, Ziva and Larry landed in DC. Larry practically had to pick Ziva up to get her to wake.

A sleepy Ziva got her luggage off of the carousel and followed Larry to the taxicab.

Sometime during the 2 and ½ hour drive, the young Israeli fell asleep.

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Ziva was running down the street, when suddenly she was grabbed by someone and was pulled into a van.

The masked man glared at her, he chuckled. "Hello little girl. You scream and you will regret it."

He swiftly pulled down her skirt and underwear, "No! No please! Please don't!"

She screamed, not caring what would happen.

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Larry was shaking her by the shoulders, "Ziva, wake up! You're having a nightmare!"

She opened her eyes and saw the concern on Larry's face. She exhaled forcefully before sobbing. Larry cradled her in his arms.

After calming down, 10 minutes later, Ziva fell back to sleep on Larry's lap.

"Sorry, she's been through a lot." He told the driver.

The driver, a man named Rajiv, smiled, "Anything's better than the drunk kids I get. She seems like a sweet kid. You're a good dad."

Larry chuckled, "Oh, she's not mine. I wish, she's…my niece." He didn't want the driver thinking she was kidnapped or something.

"Well then you're a very good uncle. Feel free to rest, my friend, it will be another 45 minutes with this traffic."

Larry sighed and closed his eyes, "Thank you, Rajiv, you're a good man."

Rajiv pulled the car up a beautiful house in the suburbs. He tapped the break to wake Larry and Ziva.

Larry yawned and stretched as he carefully woke Ziva.

She looked at him, smiling. "We are here already?" She sat up and smoothed her wild hair into a ponytail.

Larry paid Rajiv, giving him an extra tip. Ziva and Larry arrived at the door with 4 suitcases.

"Would you like to ring the bell?" Larry asked the young girl. Ziva thought for a moment and nodded.

She pushed the button slowly, delighted by the beautiful sound it made. "Where are we, anyway?" She asked. Larry responded, "It's a surprise." The door opened.

"Finally, Larry, I thought you'd never…" Jenny looked down at the little young teen. Tears filled her eyes. "Ziva? …Is that really you?"

Ziva, already crying, nodded. Jenny embraced her with such warmth and love. She couldn't believe that she was truly standing in front of her.

"Can we come in, Jen?" Larry asked, looking tired. Jenny chuckled and grabbed Ziva's bags, leading them into the family room.

Jenny sat in a chair across from the couch, where Gibbs had once slept. "So, how did you two find eachother?"

Larry chuckled, "Long story." Jenny smiled and leaned back in her seat, relaxing, "I've got time."

A/N: I know, short chapter, but Ziva and Gibbs will reunite in this next one! Stay tuned!