Thanks to fiftyshadeswritergal for the help in editing!
Thanks for the reviews to the following - Troubled-Angel-26, Queenofwheels, Rhi, Dalm, DS2010, xstargirlx123, A, Fan, KrisShannon, HappyGuest, Fashionista-girl, and NaughtyAngelBrat (thanks for the MANY catch-up reviews on many stories!).
Now, enjoy!
...
"So, how has she been?" Jenny asked in muted tones, setting her purse on a nearby chair.
Gibbs shrugged downheartedly. "I don't know, Jen."
Jenny walked over to him, her mouth curving up slightly with understanding. She placed a soft hand on his face, gently running her thumb along the lines of worry.
"Perhaps I should have started with, she will be fine, Jethro."
"I don't know, Jen," Gibbs repeated doubtfully.
"Did she do her whole drama routine?" Jen asked with a smirk.
"What?"
"You know how you can tell when someone is crying just for sympathy?"
"Yeah. I've spent enough time with Abby to kn... but what does that have to do with this?"
Jenny frowned. "Ziva did not act that way with you?"
"No. She does with you?" Gibbs asked with confusion.
Jenny narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Yes, she does. She kicks, squirms, cries - she likes to bite too."
Gibbs ran his hand across his face. "I've only ever seen her cry when something is ... catastrophic in her world."
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "You know, that is the same for me - except for me when I've spanked her. Suddenly, the tough little spitfire turns into sobbing little girl trying to get out of punishment."
"Discipline."
"What?"
Gibbs blinked, then shook his head with a smile on his face. "I'm so used to correcting the wording of my team. Remember, discipline is teaching."
Jenny smiled. "Of course. Feel free to correct me if I confuse those terms again. I will try to help in reaffirming that with Ziva."
"Thank you."
Jenny went to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water. "So, you did not tell me - how did Ziva react to being spanked by you?"
"Protested a little. Tried to stall. Hated giving me answers. I only gave her eight with my hand over her pants. She definitely did not like it, wanted to run to her room."
Jenny set the empty glass on the counter. "Well, that is normal. She will only take comfort when she decides that she is ready." Jenny walked over to him. "Perhaps we should tell Ducky about her different reactions. I'm sure that he would have an explanation."
Gibbs leaned forward, paused for a second, then placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
"Thanks, Jen," he whispered. "I ... wouldn't know what to do without you."
She stepped back and shook her head with amusement.
"You flatter me."
"I should."
"I'll go up and check on her. You said that she was sleeping?"
Gibbs nodded. "She was sleeping when I came down to let you in."
"Then you get a cup of coffee and I'll make sure that she is okay."
...
Jenny entered the room. A sympathetic smile crossed her face as she saw Ziva, sprawled across the bed on her tummy.
"Oh, sweetheart," she whispered, gently lifting a curl off of her cheek to reveal the tear streaks. Jenny leaned in to kiss Ziva's forehead, but before she could, Ziva jerked and her eyes began to slowly open.
"Shh, shh. Bad dreams, darling?" Jenny soothed, experienced in this situation.
"Ima?"
The word was whispered so quietly that it was barely detectable, but Jenny's heart twisted. How many times had she heard a half-asleep Ziva mutter that word hopefully? She had lost count a long time ago. Jenny turned away so that she would not have to see the brokenness in her dear one's face once she realized that it was just Jenny.
I do not even think that she knows what she is saying or thinking at those times. Her subconscious is so desperate for the figure of love in her life. She did not deserve this ...
"Jenny?"
"Yes, Ziva, I'm here."
"Jenny!" The small cry was desperate as Ziva began to sit up, kicking away the blanket that Gibbs had protectively spread over her.
Jenny leaned over and looked Ziva in the eye, reaching for her hand and squeezing it comfortingly.
"I'm right here, sweetie, I'm right here."
Ziva blinked and tears pooled in her eyes.
"Jenny!"
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
Jenny sat down and held out her arms. Ziva pushed herself up so that she was sitting on the bed, paused, then leaned into the offered hug.
"I ... he ... did he tell ... oh!"
Jenny gently rocked Ziva.
"You got a spanking," she stated, not hint of judgment in her voice.
Ziva struggled back out of the hug.
"He ... he told you! I did not want you to know!"
Jenny pulled the distraught Ziva back into her embrace. Ziva was stiff, angry, but Jenny gently rubbed her back and felt Ziva begin to relax.
"Calm, Zi, calm."
"But ...!"
"No, Little One. I am going to tell you something and it very important. I need you to listen. When you are at Gibbs' house, I will know what is going on, and when you are under my care, he will know what is going on. We are partners, Ziva, and more than that, we share a common interest in keeping you safe and happy."
Jenny could feel Ziva shaking her head vehemently. Jenny rolled her eyes, pleased that Ziva could not see the amusement on her face as she sternly scolded.
"Ziva! This is the way things are going to be. Now, why don't you inform me about why you had to be spanked?"
Of course, I do not really need to know. Jethro already told me, and I would always trust his account more than my distraught Ziva's.
Ziva yanked away and glared at Jenny reproachfully.
"I did not have to be!" Ziva snapped. "Gibbs just did it."
Try a new technique. Hmm...
"Did he tell you why? That would very wrong of him to discipline you without any reason or explanation."
Ziva drew a quick, frustrated breath between her teeth, then dropped her eyes.
"I went outside."
"Ah," Jenny said with understanding. She smiled gently as she tilted Ziva's chin up to look at her. "So you know what you did wrong. You broke a rule."
"Only one!"
Jenny was not to be distracted but the noisy protest.
"So you earned that spanking. Now, why were you worried that I found out? No, Zi, don't look away. I am not upset, not at all. Did you think that I was going to pu... discipline you as well?"
"Maybe," Ziva replied, continuing to look away from Jenny.
"Ziva, as I mentioned the other day, I know how a spanking feels. I ... know ... how it feels from ... Gibbs ... and trust me, dear, I don't believe you need anything else. You have been spanked and forgiven. Please do not disobey again. Now we move on with our day. Do you understand?"
Ziva's confused glance proved that she did not, despite her quick nod. Jenny sighed, but kissed Ziva's forehead instead of confronting her.
"Now, is your bottom still hurting?"
"Yes!" Ziva said indignantly.
It doesn't, Jenny thought, amused. She is just still too upset to realize that she is fine. If it was still really hurting she would not have been sitting easily for the last few minutes.
Jenny leaned over and began to fluff one of Ziva's pillows.
...
Ziva's indignance drooped into confusion. Where was the sympathy? She had just said that her bottom was still hurting - and Jenny was more concerned about the pillows then about her! She had thought Jenny was nicer than that. Even though she had been scolding just moments earlier, it had all been done with hugs and reassuring contact. She WAS right! Gibbs must be making Jenny mean. That Gibbs! He was so ...
"Then if you are still feeling a little sore, why don't you lie down and nap a little more?" Jenny suggested. "And maybe this will help."
Ziva's eyes grew big as she saw what Jenny was holding.
Peanut!
"Where did you find that?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant, despite wanting to grab it and hug it to her chest. After all, ninja assassins did NOT need teddy bears.
"I brought it here with your other things," Jenny said knowingly, holding out the squished bear. "I thought that you might like him in your pillow here since this is where you are for awhile."
"I did not realize," Ziva murmured, taking the bear and smoothing the fur out of its eyes. She jerked her gaze up and set the bear to the side. "Not that I need him," she offered quickly to Jenny, who was still watching.
Why can she not go help Gibbs?
"I know you are a strong girl," Jenny said, kissing her forehead once again before whispering, "but it is okay to be gentle as well."
Ziva did not reply in either word or body language.
...
Jenny smiled internally. She could tell that she was no longer wanted.
"Nap until supper, Zi. I'll come get you then."
"Not tired," Ziva immediately replied.
Some things never change.
Jenny shook her head in amusement as she chose to walk away from the feisty girl. She knew that, despite her words, Ziva would be asleep in minutes.
...
Ziva waited until she heard Jenny start going down the stairs to the living room before snatching Peanut into her arms.
"I wanted you," she whispered, hugging the stuffed bear against her chest as she squirmed underneath of the covers. Then, as she always had over the last few years, whenever Jenny had given her any form of discipline, Ziva fell asleep with the furry comfort - a tangible reminder of love - safe within her arms.
...
"She okay?"
Jenny smiled at the oh-so-predictable question.
"She is more than okay. She is learning and she might not like it, but she is in a good place. Trust me. Now let's make a dinner that she won't fight about eating."
Gibbs shrugged carelessly, but Jenny could read the relief in his face as he joked, "Well, if you believe in miracles ...!"
...
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