Chapter 11
AN: Thank you so much for the support. I am starting to feel a bit better so hopefully I can go back to daily updates in a couple of days. PLEASE REVIEW.
AN2: As I have said, let me know what episodes you would like me to address. Hope you like this chapter.
About a month has passed since the Gibbs family moved to Camp Pendleton. While it has been an adjustment for everyone, Kelly and Ziva especially, they are finally starting to get used to their new home.
It is an early morning and as Shannon walks from the master bedroom to the kitchen she sees Ziva sitting on the couch and so, instead of heading to the kitchen Shannon heads to her.
"Ziva?" Shannon asks as she approaches her older daughter. "Are you okay?" Shannon asks worried, as she sits down next to her daughter.
"I love you, Shannon, and Kelly, and Gibbs," Ziva reveals. "But it has been a year," Ziva reveals, sadness in her voice.
"Oh Sweetheart," Shannon says, putting an arm around her daughter.
"Ima has not written," Ziva says. "I think that means she cannot, and I know you think so too," Ziva admits.
"I am hopping not, but yes, I am worried," Shannon admits, knowing she knows Ziva honesty. "You know even though we have moved your Ima will still be able to get a letter to us," Shannon promises.
"That is good to know," Ziva admits. "I am thankful, Shannon. You, Gibbs, Kells, are my family, but I still think about Ima, and Tali," Ziva reveals, she also thinks about Ari and Eli, but not as much.
"And that's okay, that's normal," Shannon assures her. "Ziva, I never want you to forget them, or ever feel guilty for missing them. Gibbs and I love you, as far as we are concerned you are our daughter, but you are still Rivka's daughter too, you always will be. And just because you're Kelly's sister doesn't make you any less Tali's," Shannon promises her daughter and in response Ziva just hugs her. "I've got you, Sweetheart, always," Shannon promises her daughter as she kisses her head, and for a little while the two of them just sit together. "I should get started on breakfast, would you like to help?" Shannon asks curious as she has seen Ziva become more interested in cooking lately.
"Yes please," Ziva says, and once she does she and Shannon head to the kitchen.
A little over a month has passed since the anniversary of Ziva joining the Gibbs family. The school holidays have just begun and so the Gibbs family are beginning their traditional end of the year trip. Rather than camping they have rented a camper which they have driven to, and parked on, the beach.
"This is so cool!" Kelly says excitedly as she and Ziva run around the caravan as Shannon and Gibbs watch on with smiles on their faces.
"It is," Ziva confirms.
"Should we tell them?" Shannon asks, purposely talking loudly, as she grins.
"Tell us what?" Kelly asks, as she and Ziva turn to look at their parents.
"Yes, what?" Ziva asks curious.
"I've talked to a friend, and from tomorrow we're going to have horses for the rest of the trip," Gibbs reveals.
"Really?" Kelly and Ziva both ask, sounding excited, and looking beyond thrilled.
"Really," Shannon and Kelly confirm and once they do Kelly squeals, and both Kelly and Ziva hurry over to their parents and hug them.
"If you two don't mind your mom and I were thinking that for now we'll fish, and then cook dinner," Gibbs tells his girls.
"That would be good," Ziva says, and Kelly nods in agreement.
"Let's go," Shannon says, and once she does the four of them head out of the camper.
The following morning Kelly and Ziva wake up early, and then proceed to wake their parents up early as well as they are both so excited about the horses.
After a quick breakfast the horses finally arrived and the Gibbs family have started to ride together along the beach.
"I want to gallop, Daddy," Kelly says.
"Me too!" Ziva adds.
"No Girls," Shannon says as while both girls can gallop she is worried about them.
"Ah, let them go, Shannon," Gibbs says and the encouragement is enough the Gibbs sisters need and the second Gibbs speaks the two of them start to gallop.
"Jethro!" Shannon objects as her daughters gallop ahead, and not wanting to be beaten Gibbs start to gallop as well. Watching her family ride away Shannon starts to gallop as well and the family spend the rest of the day riding together.
For the rest of the summer Gibbs, Shannon, Kelly, and Ziva enjoy themselves spending as much time as a family as possible, Kelly turns seven and spends her time getting a horse to eat again. When school starts Ziva and Kelly start to stick together more as neither of them have made new school friends yet as people they started to know next year had to move as their parents got transferred.
It is Halloween afternoon and Ziva and Kelly are with Shannon in the living room. Both girls are dressed in their costumes, Kelly is a princess while Ziva is dressed as Wonder Women.
"Okay, stand together by the fireplace," Shannon tells her daughters.
"Where's Dad? He said he'd be here!" Kelly says.
"And I'm sure he will be," Shannon assures Kelly. "Now, look at me and smile, both of you," Shannon tells her girls, and they both do as Shannon said.
Just as Shannon takes the photo the front door opens and Gibbs walks in.
"Daddy!" Kelly says happily.
"Hi Gibbs," Ziva greats, feeling happy as while she is trying to convince herself that Gibbs is different than Eli she is still convinced that she is going to be let down.
"Wow, you girls look great," Gibbs says, looking between his girls, both of whom smile.
"Can we go trick or treating now?" Kelly asks curious.
"In five minutes, Princess," Gibbs tells his younger daughter as he kisses Shannon's cheek.
About five minutes after Gibbs arrived home he, Kelly and Ziva head out to go trick or treating together, during which Ziva and Kelly both get a lot of candy.
Nine days have passed since Halloween, it is a Friday night and while Ziva and Kelly are playing together in their room Shannon is cooking dinner in the kitchen. As she cooks Gibbs, who has been working all day, walks into the kitchen.
"The girls in their room?" Gibbs asks, as he walks over to Shannon and kisses her cheek.
"Yeah," Shannon confirms.
"Good. Shannon, we need to talk," Gibbs admits, not being able to think of a better way to start this conversation.
"You're being deployed again, aren't you?" Shannon asks, as with the Gulf War having started three months earlier she knew it was only a matter of time.
"Yeah," Gibbs confirms. "December first," Gibbs explains, knowing that they have been given the warning to give them time to arrange things with their families.
"It's Ziva's birthday on Monday," Shannon says sadly, feeling bad as she knows that she and Gibbs have been planning on making sure Ziva has an amazing eight birthday.
"I know, which is why I don't think we should tell the girls until Tuesday," Gibbs admits, not wait longer than that. "Ziva deserves a good birthday without the tension of what's going to happen hanging over her day," Gibbs says, being certain in his assessment that Ziva hasn't had many good days before becoming a Gibbs so he and Shannon have tried to give Ziva as many good days as possible.
"That she does," Shannon confirms. "Speaking of our girls dinners can you go get them?" Shannon asks.
"Sure," Gibbs says, before heading to get their girls.
For the rest of the weekend Gibbs and Shannon do their best to hide the fact that something is going on, and due to Ziva actually allowing herself to enjoy her birthday she doesn't even realise her parents are keeping something from her and in turn she has an amazing eight birthday, her best yet.
It is now Tuesday morning, the day after Ziva's birthday, and because of that Shannon and Gibbs know that they can't keep the news from their daughters anymore, as it wouldn't be fair to them. And so, as they are sitting down for breakfast, Shannon and Gibbs exchange looks, both knowing that it is time.
"Girls, your mom and I have something to tell you," Gibbs says, as he looks between his girls.
"Is everything okay?" Kelly asks concerned, as she looks between her parents.
"Kelly, Ziva, I've received new orders," Gibbs explains. "I'm being deployed to the Middle East," Gibbs says and once he speaks Ziva gets up and leaves the room, without a word to anyone.
"Ziva," Gibbs and Shannon call, but Ziva doesn't come back.
"I don't want you to go," Kelly tells her father.
"I know, Princess," Gibbs says, before getting up, walking over and hugging his daughter.
"When do you leave?" Kelly asks worried as her father hugs her.
"December first," Gibbs answers, and once he does Kelly just clings to him.
After spending about five minutes comforting Kelly Gibbs leaves her with Shannon and then to Ziva and Kelly's room where he finds Ziva lying on her bed and hugging Chestnut.
"Ziver," Gibbs says, walking over to her, calling her 'Ziver' for the first time. "Talk to me," he requests.
"I have been seeing the news, and I know they do not show everything, so I know it is very bad back home, and everywhere near," Ziva admits, and Gibbs realises that he should have known Ziva would realise how bad things are. "And now you are going there, I am afraid for you, Gibbs," Ziva admits, admitting something she wouldn't have admitted that long ago.
"Oh Kiddo," Gibbs says, reaching out and pulling her into his arms, trying to think of the best thing to say to her. "I know you have seen war up close," Gibbs says as he lifts Ziva over the railing of her bed, "and I'm sorry about that," Gibbs says as he carries Ziva over to the chair. "I am not going to lie, this is dangerous, but I will do everything I can to come home to you, your mom, and your sister," Gibbs promises. "I don't want you to watch the news while I'm gone, okay, and I don't want you to listen to the rumours, or stories, and keep Kelly from doing the same," Gibbs requests.
"I will," Ziva promises.
"I'm not going to tell you not to worry, though I wish you wouldn't. What I want you to know is that as long as I have say in the matter I will come home, I love you Kid," Gibbs tells his daughter, kissing her head.
"I love you too," Ziva admits, actually saying the words to Gibbs for the first time. "I will look after Mom and Kelly," Ziva promises.
"I know you will, Kiddo, I know," Gibbs says, and the two of them drift into silence.
For the next eighteen days Gibbs, Shannon, Kelly and Ziva spend as much time together as possible as they prepare for Gibbs to be deployed to a warzone. The day has finally come and Ziva, Kelly, Shannon and Gibbs are all standing in the driveway together.
"I'll miss you, Daddy," Kelly say as she hands Gibbs her helmet.
"We both will," Ziva adds.
"I'll miss you girls, too," Gibbs tells his daughters as he hugs them both, and kisses both his girls' heads.
After Gibbs breaks apart from Kelly and Ziva, Ziva puts her arm around her sister as Gibbs walks over to Shannon.
"We've said it all before," Gibbs says.
"I want to hear it again," Shannon informs Gibbs, who takes both her hands.
"I will take care. I will come back safe," Gibbs recites.
"Not those words," Shannon requests.
"I love you," Gibbs says, and the two of them kiss.
After Gibbs and Shannon break apart Gibbs heads to the car while Shannon walks over to the girls, and puts one arm around each of them, and the three of them watch as Gibbs drives away.
For the next fifteen days Shannon, Kelly, and Ziva do their best to get used to Gibbs being gone. Just like Ziva promised her dad she has been doing best to make sure neither she or Kelly watch the news. As she knows how important it is Shannon has been trying to make things as normal as possible, including starting Chanukah celebrations five days earlier.
It is Saturday morning and Shannon is in the kitchen cooking breakfast when Kelly suddenly runs into the room,
"MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!" Kelly yells as she runs into the room.
"Kelly?" Shannon asks concerned.
"Something's wrong with Zizi!" Kelly exclaims, looking terrified.
"Show me," Shannon says, as she turns off the oven and follows Kelly, who runs.
Feeling terrified for her daughter Shannon follows her younger daughter to the room she shares with Ziva. Hurrying into the room Shannon finds Ziva on her bed, hugging Chestnut, and the second she sees her daughter Shannon knows something is wrong.
"Ziva, what's wrong honey?" Shannon says, getting to her daughters' side.
"It hurts, Mommy," Ziva says, and the joy of hearing Ziva call her Mommy for the first time is overshadowed by the amount of pain in Ziva's voice, and so Shannon reaches over and feels Ziva's forehead.
"You're burning up," Shannon realises, feeling her worry grow. "Ziva, where are you hurting?" Shannon asks concerned.
"Stomach," Ziva admits, and Shannon starts to narrow down the possibility of what could be wrong with Ziva.
"Ziva do you feel sick?" Shannon asks worried, and Ziva nods.
"Want Daddy," Ziva mutters, but her voice is loud enough for Shannon to hear, there being no doubt in her mind that Ziva is talking about Gibbs because she doesn't ever talk about Eli, and if she were to ever talk about him Shannon is certain that she would call him either Abba or Father.
"Kelly, I need you to stay with your sister, I'm going to call the doctor," Shannon says.
"Yes Mommy," Kelly says, and once she does Shannon hurries out of the room. "It's okay Zizi, Mommy will be back soon," Kelly says, not completely understanding what is gong on as apart from when Ziva talked about her Ima and Tali she has never seen Ziva show pain.
A few hours later the doctor has come to check Ziva, and had her rushed to the base hospital where she was diagnosed with appendicitis and is going to have surgery.
"Do not want surgery," Ziva says, sounding upset, as she clings to chestnut.
"I know Sweetie, but you have to," Shannon tells her daughter. "It's going to make you feel better Sweetheart," Shannon says as she pushes Ziva's hair out of her face.
"Mommy…" Ziva starts to say.
"Honey, I know you're scared, and that's okay, but you're going to be okay," Shannon tells her daughter. "And Kelly and I will here when you wake up," Shannon promises.
"Yeah?" Ziva asks, looking afraid.
"Yeah, I promise," Shannon tells her daughter. "Kelly, do you want to give your sister a gentle hug?" Shannon asks, stressing gentle, and Kelly does just that.
"Love you, Zizi," Kelly tells her sister, as she is careful not to hurt her sister.
"Love you too, Kells," Ziva responds, and as she does the doctors walk into the room.
"Okay, we're here to take Miss Ziva Gibbs to surgery," the doctor explains.
"We'll be here when you wake up, Sweetie, I promise," Shannon says, kissing Ziva's head, and once she kisses her daughters head Ziva is taken away by the doctors.
"Mommy, Zizi is going to be okay, right?" Kelly asks her mother confused.
"Yeah Kell, she is," Shannon assures her daughter.
A few hours later, Kelly and Shannon are both waiting by Ziva's bed. While Ziva has bene out of surgery for a little while she hasn't woken up from the aesthetic and as it is getting late Kelly has fallen asleep in the chair next to her sister's bed.
Even though Kelly is asleep Shannon is wide awake and just watching her daughters sleep. Due to the fact that she is watching her daughters Shannon notices Ziva's eyes start to twitch,
"Ziva? Open your eyes Honey," Shannon requests, as she leans forward, and a few seconds later Ziva opens her eyes. "Hey Sweetheart," Shannon greats, feeling glad to see her awake.
"Mom…. I mean…" Ziva starts to correct as she sees Shannon.
"You can call me Mom if you would like Honey, it's okay, it's not betraying Rivka," Shannon assures the young girl. "But it is also okay if you don't want to," Shannon explains to her daughter knowing that ultimately the choice is Ziva's.
"Ima is Ima," Ziva says. "You are Mom," Ziva explains, and as she does Shannon's heart fills with joy and she smiles at her daughter.
"How are you feeling?" Shannon asks her daughter.
"Better," Ziva assures her mother.
"I'm really glad to hear that," Shannon admits, as she leans forward and pushes Ziva's hair out of her face. "So, while you were in surgery I had one of the nurses help me," Shannon explains as she reaches into her bag and pulls something out. "I got her to bring me this," Shannon says, showing Ziva a menorah.
"You did not have to," Ziva says, though she is grateful.
"I did," Shannon says, as she moves, and carefully sits down next to Ziva, "I know how important it is to you," Shannon says as she kisses Ziva's head and places the menorah on the bed's table.
"Thank you," Ziva says, as she carefully moves and lays her head on Shannon's shoulder, and the two of them, waking up Kelly in the process who ends up lying on her sisters' other side, start to celebrate Hanukah.