Chapter 8
AN: Thank you 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.
Again, sorry if the Hebrew is wrong, blame Google Translate
About a month has passed since Ziva's birthday and ever since she is allowing herself to embrace the Gibbs family, embrace her place as a member of the Gibbs family a little more.
It is a Monday evening and while Kelly and Ziva are doing their homework at the kitchen table Shannon is cooking dinner for them all. As Ziva and Kelly work on their homework the front door opens and Gibbs, in his uniform, walks into the house.
"Daddy!" Kelly says happily.
"Hey Princess," Gibbs says, squatting down and giving her a hug and a kiss on her head.
"Hi Gibbs!" Ziva says.
"Hey Kid," Gibbs says, walking over to her and just like with Kelly he gives Ziva a hug and kisses the top of her head.
"Girls, I have to talk to mum about something important. I need both of you to go upstairs," Gibbs explains.
"Okay Daddy," Kelly says, and Ziva gives him a questioning look.
"It's okay, Ziva," Gibbs tells her and once he does Ziva and Kelly get up and head upstairs, but they stop on the stairs. "And no eavesdropping," Gibbs says, causing Ziva and Kelly to exchange looks and head up to their room. "Shannon," Gibbs says, as he walks towards her.
"You're being deployed, aren't you?" Shannon asks, as she knows the tone of voice.
"Yeah," Gibbs confirms.
"When?" Shannon asks.
"Sunday," Gibbs responds.
"Six days?" Shannon asks surprised. "That's such short notice," she says surprised, as usually there is a bit more of a warning.
"I know, but this is important," Gibbs says, as with the tensions raising in Panama he has known for a little while that he might be deployed.
"It always is," Shannon responds. "We have to tell the Girls tonight," Shannon tells Gibbs as she doesn't want to keep this from them.
"I know," Gibbs responds, and she just walks the rest of the steps that separate him and Shannon and just hugs and kisses his wife.
While Shannon and Gibbs are down in the kitchen Kelly and Ziva are up in their room, both siting on Kelly's bed.
"What do you think is going on down there?" Kelly asks worried.
"I do not know," Ziva admits, though she does have a bad feeling. "But no matter what it is, we will stick together," Ziva tells her sister, as she puts her arm around her.
"Of course, we will," Kelly says, smiling back at Ziva, and the two of them drift into silence.
For a few minutes Ziva and Kelly sit together in silence until there is a knock on the door.
"Come in," Kelly says, and the door opens, and Gibbs walks in. "Hey Dad," Kelly says, as Gibbs walks over and sits down on the edge of Kelly's bed. "Daddy, what's going on?" Kelly asks worried.
"Kelly, Ziva, I'm being deployed," Gibbs explains, looking between his girls.
"Being sent away to fight?" Ziva asks, as she wants to make sure she understands correctly.
"Yes," Gibbs confirms, with a nod.
"When?" Kelly asks, tears coming to her eyes, as she hates it when her Dad goes away.
"Sunday," Gibbs answers.
"That's soo soon." Kelly says shocked.
"I know Princess, but I have orders," Gibbs explains.
"How long will you be gone for?" Ziva asks, showing how far she has come as she is actually asking questions.
"I don't know, Kiddo." Gibbs tells her. "I hope not long," Gibbs says, and Ziva nods.
"Is where you are going secret?" Kelly asks curious.
"Yeah, Princess, it is." Gibbs tells her. "While I'm gone I want you Girls to look out for each other, and your Mom," Gibbs says, and both girls nod, "I love you both," Gibbs says, leaning forward and hugging his girls.
"I love you too, Dad," Kelly says, as Gibbs kisses each of their cheeks.
"Now, your Mom has dinner ready downstairs, I say we go and eat it," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"Yes Dad,"
"Yes Gibbs."
The girls respond and Gibbs, Ziva and Kelly all get up and head downstairs.
A few hours later Kelly, Gibbs, Ziva, and Shannon have all eaten dinner and Ziva and Kelly are in their respective beds.
"Zizi, are you awake?" Kelly asks curious, keeping her voice low so that her parents don't hear.
"Yes," Ziva says, and she moves, and hangs down from the top bed, looking at Kelly. "Are you okay?" Ziva asks concerned.
"I don't want Daddy to go on deployment," Kelly admits, and once she does Ziva climbs down from the top and onto Kelly's bed. "That was cool," Kelly admits, and Ziva just smiles.
"Gibbs has been deployed before correct?" Ziva asks.
"Yeah, and I never like it," Kelly admits, sitting up. "I miss him when he's gone, so does Mom, and we never know if he is going to come home," Kelly reveals, looking upset.
"I know what that is like," Ziva admits. "It is not a good feeling, but Gibbs has to go, he has orders," Ziva says, as if there is one thing she understands it is that.
"I hate orders," Kelly reveals, and Ziva can't help but smile at that.
"We will miss Gibbs, but while he is gone we have to do what he asked," Ziva explains. "We look out for each other, and Shannon," Ziva explains to Kelly as she knows what is best in a situation like this is having something else to focus on.
"We serve on the home front," Kelly reveals, causing Ziva to give her a confused look. "It's just something military families say," Kelly explains.
"Right," Ziva says, as Kelly rests her head on Ziva's shoulder, and the two sisters drift into silence.
A little while has passed since Ziva and Kelly talked about Kelly's feelings about Gibbs being deployed. As both Gibbs and Shannon have been in the basement talking about everything and working on the boat, the two of them are finally heading to bed, but first they are checking on their girls.
Quietly walking into Kelly and Ziva's room they find Kelly and Ziva asleep but sitting up in Kelly's bed.
"They must have fell asleep talking," Shannon says, looking between her girls. "They can't stay like that, but it would be a shame to wake them," Shannon admits.
"I've got this," Gibbs says and he walks over, gently moves Kelly from Ziva, and gently picks up Ziva. Once he is holding Ziva Gibbs gently moves her and lays her down in her bed, before tucking her in and kissing her head, as Shannon does the same for Kelly.
Once Gibbs kisses and tucks in Ziva, and Shannon does the same for Kelly, Gibbs kisses Kelly and Shannon kisses Ziva. After both girls are tucked in and sleeping soundly Gibbs and Shannon spend a few minutes watching their girls before heading to bed themselves.
For the rest of the week Shannon and Gibbs try to make things as normal as possible for the Kelly and Ziva, and their family, but there is a clear tension in the air as the day Gibbs is due to leave on deployment approaches.
It is early morning on the day Gibbs is due to leave and everyone in the house, except for Shannon, are asleep. Shannon on the other hand is in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone as doing something helps her to avoid thinking about everything that is going to happen.
For a little while Shannon just cooks, making even more food than what can be eaten by four people, until she finally has nothing more to cook. Just as she is putting the food on the table Gibbs walks into the kitchen/dinning area.
As he sees what is on the table Gibbs just walks over to Shannon, and hugs her, holding the love of his life close. After fighting it for a little while Shannon finally lets go and starts to cry as Gibbs holds her.
After Gibbs and Shannon have been standing in the kitchen holding each other for a little while Ziva and Kelly walk into the living room, and as they do they can see what is going on in the kitchen and so Ziva puts her hand on Kelly's arm and leads her out of the room.
"Mommy and Daddy aren't okay," Kelly says to her sister, in a quiet voice, sounding worried.
"I think they are saying goodbye," Ziva explains. "And we should leave them alone to do that," Ziva admits, Kelly nods, and the two of them head back upstairs.
A couple of hours later Ziva, Kelly, Gibbs and Shannon are all standing in the driveway, getting ready to say goodbye to Gibbs.
"I'll miss you Daddy," Kelly says, and Gibbs picks her up. "I love you," Kelly says, as Gibbs kisses her head.
"I love you too, Princess, so much," Gibbs assures his youngest daughter, as he hugs her tightly.
After hugging Kelly Gibbs puts her on the ground, and walks over to Ziva, who is standing back, and squats down in front of her.
"I love you, Kid," Gibbs tells Ziva.
"שמרי על עצמך," Ziva says, as even though Gibbs speaks little Hebrew it feels like the right thing to say. (be safe)
"I'll do my best, Kiddo," Gibbs assures her, before hugging her. "Watch out for your Mom and Sister," Gibbs says in a quiet voice.
"I will," Ziva promises, planning on taking that promise seriously, and Gibbs kisses her head.
After breaking apart from Ziva Gibbs walks over to Shannon, as Ziva puts her arm around her little sister.
"We've done this before," Gibbs tells Shannon says.
"I know, and we'll probably do it again," Shannon admits, as Gibbs takes both her hands.
"I will take care, I will come back safe," Gibbs assures his wife. "I love you," Gibbs says.
"I love you too," Shannon responds, and the two of them kiss.
After the two of them break apart Shannon walks over to Kelly and Ziva, and puts a hand on each of their shoulders, as Gibbs, after looking at his family one last time, gets into his truck and drives away.
Hours later, after a quiet solemn dinner, Ziva and Kelly have both headed to bed. As she lies on the top bunk of their bed Ziva can hear Kelly crying, though trying not to. And so, knowing exactly what she has to do Ziva climbs down to her sisters bed and lays down next to her.
"It is okay," Ziva says, putting her arm around Kelly and pulling her in close.
"I'm so scared Zizi," Kelly admits. "I'm so scared he won't come home!" Kelly admits as she cries.
"I know," Ziva says, trying to think of something she can say to help. "Gibbs loves us, and Shannon, he will do everything to come home to us," Ziva says, knowing that that is one of the biggest differences between Gibbs and Eli, that Gibbs loves his family and will always do whatever he can to come home to them. "I am here, Kells," Ziva promises her sister.
"I know," Kelly says. Honestly, it makes her feel a little better to know Ziva is here as understands what she is feeling, and the two sisters drift into silence.
After a little while the two sisters fall asleep side by side.
Downstairs Shannon is down in the basement, having a glass of Gibbs's bourbon, which is her tradition on the first night of Gibbs being deployed, as she just looks at Gibbs's boat. Once she finishes her glass Shannon heads upstairs, where she checks to make sure that the front and back doors are locked, after making sure of that fact Shannon heads upstairs. After getting upstairs Shannon heads to Ziva and Kelly's room.
Walking into her daughters' room Shannon sees that Ziva and Kelly are both asleep on Kelly's bunk, and looking quite sweet together, as they are clearly comforting each other. Not wanting to disturb them Shannon covers both girls in a blanket, tucks them in, and kisses both their heads.
"Goodnight, Girls," Shannon says quietly.
After saying goodnight to both her girls Shannon heads to bed herself. As she walks into her and Gibbs's room Shannon finds herself just staring at Gibbs side of the bed. Even though this isn't the first time they have been apart it never gets any easier and so Shannon gets ready for bed, lays down, and eventually falls into a restless sleep.
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