Rifiuto: Non Miriena
Thanks to Guest for reviewing 36 and Reader aka Sun Samurai for reviewing 34, 35 and 36.
Washington, D.C.,
Bethesda Memorial
"He is my husband." With a nod, the nurse allowed Ziva to lead them away from the station. Once settled in the waiting room on the recovery ward, Ziva took Tim's hand, turning to him. "Shirah is surgery... she was... shot in the side... they think she will be okay..." His wife quickly wiped the tears off her cheeks, her Mossad training kicking in. The girls curled into Ziva's sides, relieved to be back with their mother. "She will be okay, baby, we must believe it."
Tim pulled away, standing. "The last time I thought that, Ziva, Mams died."
Ziva winced, knowing that he hadn't meant it as a jab at her, for she'd been the one telling him that Kathleen would survive, but it stung just the same. "That situation was entirely different than this one, baby." She said, getting up and going to him. "Shirah will be fine, Tim." She stepped in front of him, taking his face in her hands. "She is a David and a McGee. She is a fighter. Our baby girl is a fighter. Remember that."
Footsteps soon caused the girls to look up as the Abby and the team rushed into the waiting room. Yoni rushed to Tony, who scooped the twelve-year-old up, holding her tight. "Where are your parents, Yon-Yon?" The girl turned, to see the emergency room door a few feet away.
Gibbs quickly set Nara back on her feet, heading to the doors; the others followed. Through the windows, they could see Tim and Ziva standing with the doctor; she was leaning against Tim, arms tight around his waist- several other parents were there as well, awaiting news on their children. Suddenly, Ziva let out a cry of surprise, wrapping her arms around Tim's neck as he lifted her briefly off the ground- clearly good news. But at the same time, a scream cut through the joy, and they watched as Marta Eisheart crumpled; her husband caught her, pulling her close. Without a word, Ziva went to Marta, pulling her into a hug.
Finally, Ziva came out with Natalie, the two holding tight to the other woman. "Ima!" Nara rushed to her mother, throwing her arms around her mother's waist.
"Ziver, where's Tim?" She glanced back at the doors.
"With Shiraleh." Then, without a word, she and Natalie helped Marta into the waiting room. Gibbs turned back to the doors, but Tim was gone.
"Gibbs?" The Team Leader looked down; Nara stood beside him, tears in her eyes, and after a moment, he knelt down, scooping the child up.
"Come here, kiddo." She wrapped her arms around his neck, bursting into tears. "Shh. It'll be okay, Nara. Your sister's tough. She's like your Mama; she'll pull through." He swayed gently with the girl in his arms, rubbing her back. "Shh. Trust me, kiddo. Shirah will be just fine."
Two hours later, Tim slipped out of the emergency room doors, tears in his eyes. He gave Gibbs a small smile, taking Nara from the older man. The older agent nodded at the father, reaching up and gently caressing his cheek, his blue eyes filled with worry. Tim swallowed, shifting his hold on Nara. "She's gonna be okay." He took a deep breath, pressing a firm kiss to his youngest daughter's head. Gibbs watched, tears gathering in his blue eyes as Tim broke down, tightening his hold on Nara, who wrapped her arms tight around his neck.
"It will be okay, Abba." She whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek. But as her father began to crumple, Gibbs took the girl; Ziva rushed to her husband, wrapping her arms around him as they hit the floor. She landed back on her butt, pulling her husband into her arms. She brushed a kiss to his forehead, holding his head against her chest, so that he could hear her heart.
"She is going to be okay, baby. Shirah is going to be okay-" She hummed softly, tugging him closer. He tightened his arms around her, burying his face in her chest, his sobs breaking her heart. Clearly the events of the day had caught up with him, as they'd caught up with all of them. The sight of the library saturated in blood, of the children rushing from the school... it had gotten to everyone.
Ziva continued to stroke her fingers through his hair, even once he calmed down; knowing that her husband needed such a simple touch to keep him grounded. She pulled him closer, kissing his hair. Not that she wouldn't break down later- it was almost guaranteed that she'd be the next to break- but Tim needed her now, and so she held him, whispering softly to him, trying to calm him with her touch and voice.
She brushed her thumb over the apple of his cheek, knowing that such a gesture usually helped to calm the man in her arms, and slowly, she looked up, to see the nurse standing over her. "Mrs. McGee, we're moving your daughter to a private room on the-" Ziva nodded, thanking the woman before turning back to Tim. The nurse left, promising to get the information for them once the girl was settled in.
Several minutes passed, before Ziva turned back to Tim; his sobs had calmed, and he tightened his hold on her. A moment passed, before he slowly looked up. She smiled softly. "Hey, baby." She stroked his cheek, catching the tears that slid down his cheeks. "The nurse said they're moving Shiraleh to a private room on the recovery ward. She is going to come back with the information for us. Do you want to go up and see her?"
He swallowed, before nodding, resting his forehead to hers.