A/N: Hi all! Thanks for your continued reviewing – I really appreciate it. Getting nice reviews is such a confidence builder and it's a nice way to start a weekend Please keep reviewing and enjoy!
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I don't own anything except the plotline and some of the details that I've changed. Oh, and maybe a third of the characters… Any that aren't in the team, obviously, are mine! Copyright to me! (and EJ for naming them).
Chapter 36
"What happened?" Ziva prompted gently, a situation forming in her mind. "He gave me a bit of a shove 'cos he was a bit pissed of and his anger got a little, no a lot, out of control" Gabrielle admitted "I fell down the stairs and although I never checked or found out, I reckon that could have been what caused the miscarriage. Because two days after that incident, I had a doctor's appointment where they broke the dreadful news… Since we didn't have the baby after that, I made the decision to leave Paul and break off the engagement."
The spirited redhead paused to take in a slow breath. "What was the point, I figured, of getting married when the thing that had led to the marriage in the first place no longer played a part? I left Paul in San Francisco and moved here; a couple of months later I met David. Eventually after dating for about a year, we decided to get married. It was our 10 year anniversary last week…" Gabrielle Smith said, softly and sadly. Ziva took a sip from a water glass, trying to keep herself from d\rifting into reflective thought.
"Poor Samantha…" Gabrielle Smith continued, her blue eyes shining as she sniffed. Ziva glanced at Ducky who mouthed "daughter" back at her, just as Gabrielle Smith lifted her head to lock eyes with Ziva once again. "That's your daughter, yes?" Ziva asked, still cautious not to upset their guest. Gabrielle Smith looked moderately surprised at Ziva's knowledge of her daughter "Yes…" she said slowly "That's right… How did you know that..?" she continued with a frown. Ziva indicated Ducky who was seated on her right
"Doctor Mallard did the autopsy on your husband which meant he got access to the medical and personnel records from the army… A marine's spouse and children are noted on those records" Ziva explained quickly and quietly, showing her experience of working with NCIS. Gabrielle Smith nodded, finally understanding "Right. Yes, Sam – Samantha is our daughter… I'm just glad she wasn't home when that bastard killed David…" she shivered and Ziva tried her best to work out what she was implying; her usually sharp mind particularly slow.
She tilted her head again "What do you mean?" she repeated. Gabrielle Smith looked at the dark-haired Israeli seriously "Because I believe Paul would have killed her" she admitted quietly, drawing in a shaky breath "He always wanted a child when we were together but we lost our chance at parenthood back then… Seeing her at my house probably would have enraged him. I dread to think what could have happened…" the redhead shuddered again at the thought. Ziva shivered slightly "Where is your daughter, Samantha, at the moment?" she asked briskly.
Gabrielle Smith withdrew a small slip of paper from the pocket of her blue coat and handed it to Ziva "She's staying at her friend's" Gabrielle Smith smiled "She'll be having a ball... Well, until I pick her up and break this news to her that is… She'll be devastated… She was always her father's little girl, ion a big way… It was always hard for her when David was away with his work…" Ziva cleared her throat, her dark brown eyes meeting Gabrielle Smith's gaze seriously "Would you mind if we picked her up and brought her here?" Ziva asked gently and the redhead's head snapped up "Why…?" she asked slowly as a concerned frown formed on her face.
Ziva sighed, something that she was doing frequently, and paused "It's a safety thing" she said finally "We would like to move the pair of you to a safe house for a few days" Ziva explained, then she leaned awkwardly towards the table and lowered her voice "In case Paul Vittorio has any mates he's given further instructions to" she added. Gabrielle Smith's blue eyes widened as she received this explanation. There were a few seconds of stunned silence on her part then she quickly nodded vigorously "Right. I understand" she said sharply "Yes, I'd agree to that. Although, Samantha is only 8… Is it okay for me to pick some things up from home first?" Ziva nodded quickly "Yes" she replied "That can be arranged" she said, glancing at Ducky who stood up "I'll get Jethro and the others in here" he announced briskly.
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