Rifiuto: Non Mirena

Dinner was quiet that evening, and both Rivka and Eli understood that it was because of John's visit. Of course, Rivka worried the McGee siblings would willingly return to Ireland now, though she needn't worry. It was very clear from their conversation and actions after John had left, that the siblings were going to stay in Israel.

They are staying. Thank God, my babies are staying. I do not know what I would have done had they decided-

"Ima?" Tim's voice pulled Rivka from her thoughts, and she looked up, meeting his gaze across the dinner table. "At beseder?" She thought a moment before giving him a quick smile.

"Ahava, ani beseder."

"Atta batuach?"

She chuckled softly, reaching over and patting his hand gently before squeezing. "Ahava, ken. Ani mavticha." She then leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before getting up and taking her empty plate into the kitchen. The others watched her, all wearing looks of concern.

After dinner was finished and the dishes were placed in the sink, the family settled in the living room, enjoying the time together. Tali grabbed the remote, flicking the TV on and then began rummaging around the small case that held DVDS. Sarah slung herself into the armchair with a book, throwing her legs over the side, and watched as Tali flipped through the cases, searching for something.

"What are you looking for?" Tali glanced at her before returning to her search.

"That movie we watched last week. The one with the cowboys."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Which one with the cowboys? There are hundreds. Not that we have ever seen many."

It wasn't that the kids weren't cultured; they were perhaps the most cultured of any in Israel. But they'd had so little exposure to "Western" culture, that things like films and books were a treat- recently, Ziva and Tali had discovered the Harry Potter series; they'd read each book out loud, giving the characters accents and acting out scenes. And when the first two films had come out, the girls had managed to talk both McGee siblings into going to the theater. Most recently though, Tali had seen a documentary on the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, and had searched everywhere when she'd found out there was a movie about it; it had been Michael Rivkin, who'd found the DVD in his own collection of American movies and given it to her. This would be the fourth time they watched it; it was one of those films that never got old and constantly fascinated. Even though they were in their early twenties, things like magic and wild west shootouts still amazed and excited the kids.

She glanced over at the sofa, where her brother sat with Ziva; Tali's older sister was perched in his lap, hands tangled in his hair as he slid a hand up her thigh, over her hip and under her blouse. The two were completely absorbed in each other, and Sarah rolled her eyes. If they started stripping, she was gonna lock herself in her- "Hey! Get a room, you two!" They ignored her, and Sarah rolled her eyes, returning to her book.

"The one Michael gave us."

Sarah looked up from the page she was on. "You mean your boyfriend?" She giggled, lifting her hands to defend herself when Tali turned, throwing a magazine at her. It was common knowledge in Mossad that Rivkin and Tali had begun seeing each other- or, at least meeting for coffee when they weren't on assignment. 'Coffee' was Tali's story, though the other three knew exactly what she meant; however, it had been a shock to Ziva to come down to the cafe one afternoon and find her little sister snuggled up to Michael at a table, steaming cups in front of their laced hands. Both Tim and Ari had had a good talk with the other officer- something that had embarrassed Tali to no end- and after Eli had been informed- also another awkward conversation- they had left the pair be. Though occasional teasing was expected.

"Sheket bevakasha!"

Sarah made a face, sticking her tongue out at the younger girl. "Lech lehizdayen."

"Hey! Language!" The teasing stopped, as Eli came into the living room from the study, having caught the last of the ribbing. Tim and Ziva finally broke apart; she slid off his lap onto the sofa, quickly readjusting her blouse. "What have your mother and I told you about using that type of language in this house?"

"Sarah Aileen." She looked up as Rivka came in from the kitchen, shaking her head. "You know better."

Sarah had the decency to look ashamed. "Abba, Ima, slicha."

Eli shook his head, making his way to the chair and kneeling down. "Sarit, tizahari." She nodded as he leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.

"Ken, Abba." She whispered as Eli took a seat in the other armchair and got out the chess set, setting it up. Tim instantly got up, joining him, and soon, the pair fell into a match. Ziva sighed, watching her boyfriend for several minutes, before getting up. She slid her arms around his shoulders from behind, leaning down to nip gently at his ear.

"Leave Timothy be, Zivaleh." Her father waved her away, and the young officer looked up, dark eyes smoldering.

"You and Tim always play chess after dinner. Can you not skip it for one night?"

Eli glanced at his daughter, as his surrogate son took his rook from the board. Oh Ziva, my darling spitfire... so like your mother... "We are in the middle of a game, Zivaleh."

"I can see that, Abba. But can you not skip one game? It will not kill either of you."

Tim reached up, taking one of her hands and bringing it to his mouth. He kissed it firmly. "Don' tell me ye're jealous o' a chessboard, Zivaleh. And here I was hoping it was another woman." She swatted his chest gently, leaning down to whisper in his ear. He turned to her, meeting her gaze.

"If I had ever cheated on you, Zivaleh, it would have been with Deena Bashan, and it would have happened years ago. But it hasn't, and it won't. And you threaten me again and you'll ge' a taste o' yer own medicine. Abba trained me before he trained you. I have two years ahead o' you, remember?" He turned back to the game, and Ziva leaned down, tongue trailing the shell of his ear. Eli watched in silence, shaking his head.

"Listen to him, Zivaleh. You keep poking at him and he will strike, and you will be the one crying."

But his daughter ignored him, and bit- gently, but firmly- on her boyfriend's ear. He jumped, letting out a yelp and grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm until she was sprawled in his lap, her arm held behind her back. "Ow!"

"What did I tell you?" He growled softly, meeting her gaze. She fought against him, an after a moment, he released her.

"Yeah, I know." She rubbed her arm, turning to the forgotten game. A sigh escaped her lips. "So how do you play?" Tim glanced at Eli, an eyebrow raised.

"You want to learn how to play chess?" She glanced between the two men.

"If you will teach me." A moment passed, as Tim glanced at the older man, who shrugged, before speaking. By then, Ziva had adjusted until she was balanced in his lap, watching as her father set the board up again in a new game.

Tim slid an arm around her waist. "Your main goal, is the capture your opponent's queen and put their king in checkmate, which will end in victory for you."

Rivka took a seat on the sofa as Tali soon joined her, having found and put Tombstone into the player. As she and her younger girls settled down to watch the movie, she glanced over at her oldest, both absorbed in the game with Eli, completely oblivious to the movie playing-

"'I'm your huckleberry.'"

Tali looked up at Rivka. "Hey, Ima?"

"Hmm?"

"What is a huckleberry?" Her mother opened her mouth to respond, before stopping.

"I... do not know."