Chapter 4
AN: Thank you so much for the support. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.
AN2: As I have said, let me know what episodes you would like me to address. Hope you like this chapter.
Yes, I am aware that the whole situation may is probably not legal, just go with it for story purposes, I've tried to make logic in the world of this story.
Again, sorry if the Hebrew is wrong, blame Google Translate
A few hours have passed since Rivka told Ziva she is leaving her with the Gibbs's family and ever since Ziva has been clinging to her mother, trying to get her not to leave her. While Ziva has been trying to get her mother to stay Shannon and Kelly have been giving them their space, and Gibbs has bene working in the basement.
As the three adults, and two young girls, finish dinner a tense feeling takes over the room as the adults know what is about to happen.
"It's time," Rivka says. "I should go," Rivka says, as she stands up.
"NO IMA!" Ziva yells, running over to her mother, and Rivka picks her up.
"Ziva, we have talked about this, I have to go," Rivka says a she towards the couch, carrying Ziva.
"No, no, no," Ziva says, once more starting to cry.
"Ziva, you will be okay; Shannon and Gibbs are going to take good care of you," Rivka promises, as she picks up a backpack, and takes out one of the pictures of her, Ziva and Tali, which she hands to Ziva. "For you." Rivka says, putting the backpack on her back.
Once Rivka has put the backpack on her back she walks over to the front door and hugs Ziva tighter while looking over at Shannon who is standing with Gibbs and Kelly.
"אני אוהב אותך, תמיד, זיוה שלי." (I love you, always, my Ziva) Rivka promises her daughter, kissing her head. Once she kisses Ziva's head Rivka holds her daughter tightly, for a few moments, then, it being harder than anything she has even done apart from watching Tali die, Rivka puts her daughter down on the ground. "Shalom Ziva," Rivka tells her daughter, tears coming to her eye.
"Ima! Don't go, Ima!" Ziva begs, as she cries, but too her horror Rivka, after looking at her oldest friend and then her daughter one last time, walks out of the Gibbs house, "IMA!" Ziva yells as her mother walks away, and Ziva goes to follow, but she is prevented from because Shannon gently holds her back, "IMA! IMA!" Ziva yells, continuing to cry, and Rivka just keeps walking away, it breaking her heart to do so.
Once Rivka is out of her sight Ziva breaks from Shannon and runs upstairs.
"Daddy is ZiZi going to be okay?" Kelly asks worried, not liking that her new friend is so upset.
"Eventually Princess," Gibbs tells his daughter, as Shannon heads upstairs.
After a little bit of searching Shannon finds Ziva sitting on the ground, in the corner of the spare bedroom, her knees against her chest, crying.
"Ziva…" Shannon says, walking over to her, and sitting down across from her.
"Ima, I want Ima," Ziva repeats, not taking her head out of her hands. "I want Tali!"
"אני יודעת שאת מתוקה." (I know you do Sweetheart) Shannon says, speaking in Hebrew as she assumes it will make Ziva more comfortable.
"זיוה, אני יודעת שאני לא אמא שלך, ואני לא מנסה להחליף אותה, אבל איכפת לי ממך." (Ziva, I know I am not your Mum, and I am not trying to replace her, but I do care about you) Shannon promises the young girl, and her words cause Ziva too look up. "יתרו ואני נאהב אותך כמו בת, נדאג לך, אתן לך בית בטוח ומאושר."(Jethro and I will love you like a daughter, we will look after you, give you a safe and happy home) Shannon promises as she wants Ziva to be safe and comfortable with them. "ביקשתי מאמא שלך לכתוב ואני מבטיחה שאשתף אתכם בכל דבר שהיא אומרת." (I've asked your mum to write and I promise I will share with you anything she says." Shannon explains, feeling that the first step to building a promising relationship with Ziva is being honest.
"תודה לך, שאנון." (Thank you, Shannon) Ziva says.
"You never have to thank me, Ziva, for anything." Shannon assures her, as she reaches out and takes Ziva's hands. "Now, Kelly and I made some cookies yesterday, would you like some?" Shannon asks curious.
"Yes!" Ziva says, with a nod.
"Then let's go," Shannon says, with a smile, and she helps Ziva to her feet. Once they are both standing up Ziva hugs Shannon tightly.
After leaving the spare room Shannon and Ziva walk into the kitchen where Kelly and Gibbs are eating cookies.
"Looks like great minds think alike," Shannon comments as she and Ziva walk into the kitchen. "We were coming to eat cookies too," she reveals.
"Well, there's plenty to share," Gibbs says, handing Ziva over a cookie.
"Thank… you," Ziva says, her face scrunching up as she finds the right words.
"You're welcome, Kid," Gibbs says, smiling back at Ziva. "Now, if you two want to take those cookies to go, I've got something to show you booth down in the basement," Gibbs explains, looking between Ziva and Kelly.
"Okay," Kelly says, jumping down from the seat she is sitting on, "Come on, Zizi," Kelly says, grabbing Ziva's hand and the two of them follow Gibbs down to the basement.
Walking down to the basement along with a boat, which Ziva doesn't completely understand, the two young girls see a set of homemade bunk beds.
"Is this what you've been doing all day, Dad?" Kelly asks curious.
"Yep," Gibbs confirms. "I thought you two would like some bunk beds for your room," Gibbs explains, once more looking between the two girls.
"Bunk beds! That's amazing!" Kelly says, with a grin. "Isn't it Zizi?"
"Yes," Ziva confirms, not exactly sure what else to say, as she doesn't completely understand.
"Tomorrow I'm going to get some paint, so I was wondering what color you would each like?" Gibbs asks.
"Pink!" Kelly says, without hesitation.
"Can do, Princess," Gibbs says, with a smile. "What about you, Ziva? What color would you like your bed to be?" Gibbs asks, purposely keeping his voice as kind as possible, as he can tell how nervous Ziva is, something which isn't surprising considering everything, and Ziva mumbles something in response. "What was that, Kiddo?" Gibbs gently asks.
"Purple…. Light purple, please," Ziva requests.
"Pink and purple, can do," Gibbs confirms. "Now for the important part," Gibbs says, squatting down in front of Ziva and Kelly, "Which bunk do you each want, top or bottom?" Gibbs asks curious, and as he does Kelly notices Ziva looking at the top bunk, and she remembers the way she climbed over things at the park, and so Kelly realizes what Ziva wants, but will likely not ask for.
"I'll have the bottom, Zizi van have the top," Kelly says, and as she does Ziva smiles, telling her that she made the right choice, and honestly Kelly would prefer the bottom bunk anyway. "are they done, or can we help?" Kelly asks curious.
"I think I've got room for two assistants," Gibbs says, with a smile, and he stand up, collects some sandpaper, and walks back over to the girls, who he hands the sandpaper too.
For a while Gibbs shows Ziva and Kelly how to sand and has them help him with the bunkbeds. Even though Ziva is more closed off than Kelly, and doesn't really give away much, Gibbs is positive that both girls have enjoyed themselves.
As the three of them work on the bunkbeds they hear footsteps and Shannon walks into the basement.
"Mom! Zizi and I are helping Dad!" Kelly says, sounding excited.
"So I see, but it's bed time now," Shannon reveals, smiling at how happy both the young girls look.
"But mom…." Kelly starts to object.
"But nothing," Shannon says sternly, "Clean up, brush teeth, bed, now," Shannon say to Kelly, before turning to Ziva. "Ziva, הלילה תישן בחדר הנוסף ותשאל משהו לישון מקלי, נקנה לך בגדים ודברים אחרים מחר." (Tonight you'll sleep in the spare room and borrow something to sleep in from Kelly, we'll get you some clothes and other things tomorrow) Shannon says, speaking in Hebrew as she isn't overly sure how much English Ziva knows and so it's what is best.
"כן שאנון" Ziva responds (yes Shannon)
"עקוב אחר קלי למעלה והתכונן למיטה, אני אהיה שם" (Follow Kelly upstairs and get ready for bed. I'll be right there) Shannon says.
"כן שאנון" Ziva responds (yes Shannon), and she and Kelly hurry upstairs.
As Kelly and Ziva head upstairs Shannon walks over to Gibbs.
"Looks like you three had a productive time," Shannon says, looking at everything Kelly, Ziva and Gibbs have done.
"We really did, it was fun," Gibbs says, as he pulls Shannon in close, "Ziva is shy, and I think is afraid to be around people, but Kelly's helping her to open up," Gibbs admits, sounding proud of her daughter, being sure that Ziva's behavior would be because of the way she grew up, and what she has been through over the last six weeks.
"That's good, hopefully with time she opens up more," Shannon says, as she hopes for that.
"Hopefully," Gibbs says, as he kisses Shannon.
Not long after she told the girls to get ready for bed Shannon is in Kelly's room with her while Gibbs is putting some stuff away in the basement.
"Did you brush your teeth?" Shannon asks as she walks over and sits down on the edge of Kelly's bed.
"Yes," Kelly confirms.
"Good," Shannon says, tucking the young girl in, "Your Dad will be up soon to read you a story," Shannon explains as Kelly always prefers it when Gibbs read's her a story, which causes some issues when he is deployed. "Kelly, I want you to know that just because Ziva is here doesn't mean your Dad and I love you any less, we're still going to have time for you, you still matter," Shannon assures her daughter.
"I know, Mom," Kelly assures her mother. "Mom, Ziva's great, and I really like spending time with her. I'm glad that she is going to be my sister," Kelly admits.
"I'm glad you feel that way," Shannon admits, leaning forward and kissing Kelly's head, "Sweet dreams, I love you,"
"I love you too," Kelly responds, and once she does Shannon gets up and leaves the room. After leaving Kelly's room, which will not be just Kelly's for much longer, and heads over to the spare room.
"Ziva?" Shannon asks, knocking on the door.
"Yes," Ziva's quiet voice responds, and once she does Shannon walks into the room.
"Hi Ziva," Shannon says, walking over to her. "How are you feeling?" Shannon asks as she sits down on the bed Ziva is lying in.
"I miss Ima," Ziva admits.
"I know," Shannon says. "ואני יודעת שזה לא עוזר שלא תהיה לך הרבה מה ששייך לך, אז מחר נלך לקניות ונביא לך כמה דברים." (And I know it doesn't help that you don't really have much that belongs to you, so tomorrow we are going to go shopping and get you some stuff.) Shannon explains, coming to the decision that as well as teaching Ziva more English she will teach Gibbs and Kelly Hebrew so that Ziva doesn't lose that part of herself, or her culture.
"אני לא צריך חפצים" (I do not need belongings) Ziva says.
"Yes, you do." Shannon says. "Ziva, I made you a promise earlier and I am going to make another one now," Shannon says in English. "עם Gibbs ואני תמיד יהיה לך מה שאתה צריך. אנו נספק לך בית בטוח ואוהב, ואנחנו תמיד נהיה שם בשבילך, אני מבטיח. אתה יכול לסמוך עלינו." (With Gibbs and I you will always have what you need. We will give you a safe loving home, and we will always be there for you, I promise. You can trust us.) Shannon promises.
"אמא בוטחת בך, היא סיפרה לי הכול, סיפרה לי סיפורים." (Mom trusts you, she told me all about you, told me stories) Ziva reveals, causing Shannon to smile.
"יש לי סיפורים על אמא שלך יותר מדי, היית רוצה לשמוע אחד?" (I have stories about your mom too, would you like to hear one?) Shannon asks curious.
"Yes!" Ziva says, sounding excited, and so Shannon starts to tell Ziva a story about her mother, and as she speaks Shannon can tell that her words help the young girl, but she also notices Ziva holding the star of David necklace Rivka gave her in one of her little hands.
The next morning, Saturday morning, Gibbs and Shannon both get up early so that they can get everything ready for the girls, and their day.
"So, the mall, hardware store, where else do we have to go today?" Shannon asks, as she and Gibbs cook breakfast together.
"I think we should talk to Rex about the paperwork Rivka left, see what we have to do," Gibbs suggests, knowing that Rex is the best person to talk to.
"We can call him, ask him to come over this afternoon, we should be home by then," Shannon comments.
"Sounds good," Gibbs says, and as he does the two of them hear the footsteps of two small humans and Kelly and Ziva run into the room.
"Dad, can Ziva and I go see Maddie after breakfast? I want them to meet," Kelly explains.
"Not right after breakfast," Gibbs answers. "Me, you, Ziva and your mom have to do some things this morning, but after that you and Ziva can go to Maddie's. I actually have to ask Captain Tyler for his help with something," Gibbs reveals.
"Okay," Kelly says.
"Sit down, Girls, breakfast is ready," Shannon says and Ziva and Kelly do exactly as Shannon says.
After a quick breakfast Gibbs, Shannon, Ziva and Kelly have made their way to the mall. As they knew it would be the quicker part of the shopping trip Shannon and Gibbs had them start their shopping trip by getting everything, at least all the boring stuff, they'll need to have another child around the house. This included getting books to help Shannon teach Gibbs and Kelly Hebrew, and all about Jewish culture, and to teach Ziva more English.
As they have completed that part of the shopping Gibbs, Shannon, Kelly, and Ziva have made their way to a store that sells both kids clothes and toys.
"Ziva," Shannon says, squatting down next to her. "אני רוצה שתבחרי כל מה שאת רוצה, בגדים וצעצועים" (I want you to pick anything you want, clothes and toys) Shannon explains.
"אני לא צריך הרבה. אני לא צריך צעצועים." (I don't need much. I don't need toys) Ziva tells Shannon, as she can't help but think that only week before Tali died her father told her she was getting too old for toys.
"אתה צריך בגדים, אין לך משלך, אז לבחור כל מה שאתה רוצה ואני יהיה לבחור כמה דברים בשבילך מדי." (You do need clothes, you have none of your own, so pick anything you like and I'll pick out some things for you too) Shannon explains. "באשר צעצועים למה אתה לא קלי לבחור צעצועים ביחד, אלה שאתה אוהב." (as for toys why don't you and Kelly choose toys together, ones you both like) Shannon suggests, as while she would like Ziva to choose toys for herself she doesn't see that happening right now, and so this is a good compromise.
"Okay," Ziva sys happily and she, still quite hesitant, starts to look for clothes she likes.
Even with Shannon's encouragement Ziva struggled to pick things out for herself and so Gibbs, Shannon and Kelly helped as much as possible, which resulted in the entire shopping trip taking longer than what was expected.
"Put those bags on the couch," Shannon requests as she and Gibbs have a plan for everything, so it will be easier if the girls leave the stuff downstairs.
"Yes Mom," Kelly says, and both she and Ziva put the bags they are holding on the couch. "Can Zizi and I go to Maddie's now?" Kelly asks curious.
"Sure, just be home by sundown," Shannon explains, looking between the girls.
"Yes Mom,"
"Yes Shannon," Kelly and Ziva respectively respond, and the two girls head out of the house, in quiet a hurry.
After leaving the Gibbs house Maddie and Ziva walk down the street to another house, where they find another girl playing in the front yard.
"Maddie!" Kelly yells and the young girl look up, "This is Ziva, she's going to be staying with me, she's going to be my sister," Kelly explains, sounding excited.
"Hi Ziva," Maddie says, not completely understanding what Kelly say, "do you like horses too?" Maddie asks, as that's key to a good person in her books.
"Yes," Ziva says, with a nod.
"Great! You can play with us!" Maddie says, with a grin, and that's exactly what the three young girls do.
For the next few hours Ziva, Kelly and Maddie happily play together while Gibbs and Shannon, with help, set things up at the house, and talk to their friend Rex who assures them that Rivka's plan is a good one, and a legal one at that.
"Mom, we're home," Kelly calls as she and Ziva walk into the house, minutes before they had to be home, and Shannon walks out from the kitchen.
"Good," Shannon says, walking over to them. "Follow me," Shannon requests, causing both Kelly and Ziva to exchange looks, as they follow Shannon upstairs to the room that is now Kelly and Ziva's.
Walking into the room Kelly, Shannon and Ziva see Gibbs standing in the middle of the room, which looks very different from how it looked a few hours earlier. Not only does the room now have the bunkbeds Gibbs made them against the wall across form the door there is also, in addition to the built-in wardrobe, another wardrobe with a mirror on it and a vanity, with draws.
"This is amazing," Kelly says, with a grin as while she has always loved her room it seems even better now.
"I'm glad you think so," Gibbs says, smiling at his daughter. "Ziva, I put something special for you on your bunk," Gibbs reveals, and looking up at her bed Ziva realizes that the picture her mother gave her, of her, Tali and her mother, is stuck on her wall in the exact place for Ziva to be able to look at it while she is lying in bed.
"Thank you," Ziva says, sounding amazed, and she looks at Gibbs.
"Welcome Home, Ziva," Shannon says smiling at the young girl, and even after everything she has been through Ziva finds herself smiling as well.
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