Yay! Another chapter!

Thanks to fiftyshadeswritergal for the editing encouragement. And thanks to the reviewers - Troubled-Angel-26, DS2010, HappyGuest, Dalm, Nat, A (I hope that this chapter will suffice!), and KrisShannon.

Enjoy, readers! And please remember to review when you are finished!

...

Ziva blinked as she woke up, grumbling a little under her breath as she came to the sudden realization that she had taken not one, but two naps that afternoon!

"And I am not even tired and they keep making me sleep!" she muttered aloud.

"Of course you're not tired," Jenny replied sarcastically from the door. Ziva turned to her with a grumpy scowl. "Oh, none of that," Jenny scolded lightly, a smile brightening her face. "Come on, it is time for supper."

"Not hungry," Ziva tossed out the tired phrase, while simultaneously crawling out of the bed and swiping at her face with the corner of a blanket.

"I will go downstairs. Gibbs and I are expecting you in the next five minutes," Jenny said with finality.

Ziva jerked her fingers through her curls, then hid Peanut in her pillow case again. No need for Gibbs to learn about another reason to see her as a child. She would have to make sure to get Jenny to promise to not tell her boss that she still clung to the rather loved stuffed animal. Being spanked for being seen as disobedient was hard enough. Being looked upon as being sensitive and weak would be worse.

...

Ziva stood at the top of her stairs, her stomach twisting a little at the thought of having to go back down and face Gibbs. She had been punished by others before, but this was different. This time was the first time in years that she had been corrected by someone who she fully respected, valuing their opinion of her.

He will never trust me again, she mourned quietly.

"Zi!"

A glance at her watch revealed that her five minutes had passed. Slowly she began the trek to the kitchen.

...

Gibbs sighed quietly as he saw Ziva drag her feet down the stairs, eyes averted.

She's ashamed.

Gibbs nodded Jenny toward the table as Ziva dragged herself into a chair.

"Let's eat," he said with as much cheerfulness as he could muster. Jenny's raised brows showed her amusement at his attempt. He shot a glare at her, then smiled at Ziva. Too bad she was not looking to receive the rare, physical expression of love.

This is going to be a long night.

"Water, Ziver?"

...

"Yes, please," Ziva responded, taking her seat as Gibbs placed a glass of water next to her plate. Suddenly she recognized the scent of her favourite comfort meal.

Chicken, latkes and soup with matzo balls? Why is Gibbs eating a Jewish meal?

"We hope you enjoy. We tried to get the food right, but we did not have much time to learn the recipes," Jenny offered, serving Ziva a bowl of the steaming soup.

Ziva froze as she finally looked at Gibbs, glancing between the two self-appointed guardians.

They did this ... for me.

...

"Let's eat," Gibbs said gruffly.

"Hmm hmm," Jenny coughed lightly. Gibbs looked at her, then bowed his head.

"Let's pray. God, bless this food. Protect us always. Take care of friends and family. Amen," Gibbs prayed awkwardly. He prayed a lot more than anyone would guess, but it was generally a mental thanks or petition for one kid or the other. He was not used to praying out loud. However, that fact did not seem to bother either of ladies at the table. Jenny was beaming contentedly while Ziva, eyes still down, was nibbling at a matzo ball.

"Okay, Ziva?" he asked, hoping to make eye contact with her once, to make sure that the large brown eyes were looking at him and not some monster. But Ziva's head remained down as she dipped the spoon into the flavourful broth once again.

"Yes, it tastes fine," she whispered.

Gibbs rolled his eyes at Jenny, who did a slight shrug.

The rest of dinner was silent. At least Ziva was eating. She was even eating willingly, with no scrambled vegetables or splashed water.

At least that much is an improvement, Gibbs mused. He reached over and placed another latke on Ziva's plate. At her startled look her smiled soothingly.

"There's plenty more."

...

"I will do the dishes," Ziva offered, standing as soon as Gibbs announced that it was time to clear the table. After being disciplined by her father's orders she was always forced to do any undesirable tasks. She expected nothing different of Gibbs. There was no need for him to order her around. She step up on her own.

"I didn't give you that as a chore," Gibbs said simply, taking the plate from her hands and setting it on the table again.

"I will do it," Ziva repeated. She did not need Gibbs to make it a chore. She was quite eager to stay out of his bad graces for the evening.

"Jen, Tony has a dvd player in the living room. I don't know how to run it, but maybe you would know?"

"That shouldn't be too hard," Jenny replied, her tone light - too light for the tension Ziva was feeling.

"Great. Ziva will be right in to help find a movie."

Ziva heard Jenny's light steps leave the kitchen, then felt herself being turned around by Gibbs' strong hand on her back.

"I will do the work, I will!" she protested feebly.

"That's not what I want. Now, Jen and I cleaned as we worked. There is barely anything to be done. I'm going to wash up these dishes which will only take a few minutes. You are going to go help Jenny choose a movie. She likes romantic ones, so maybe you can speak reason to her. Go on."

Ziva stood still. He was telling her ...?

"Ziver," Gibbs sighed. Ziva grimaced, hating the upward tip of her face as Gibbs' finger rested under her chin. Her eyes reluctantly met his.

"Are you still upset about the spanking?" he asked, point blank.

Ziva tried to pull away, but he stopped her.

"It was only a spanking. You were naughty, I disciplined you, and now you're forgiven." His eyes softened. "I'm not angry, Ziva, not at all. I never was. I was disappointed and upset that you did not listen, and I was sad that I had to discipline you, but that is all over. The only things I feel right now about you are pride and love."

Pride?!

Gibbs must have caught the confusion in her gaze.

"You decided to be brave enough to tell me that you had broken a rule and gone outside. I did not have to go looking for the truth myself. YOU told me, even though you knew that you had broken a rule. I know that would have been hard, especially since it was the first time you knew that I might spank you. I'd be scared if it was me and I wasn't sure how I was going to be disciplined by someone new. That's why I am so proud. You're very brave, Ziver."

This is silly. Why am I feeling so good about what he is saying? I was not brave! I was disobedient and scared but ... it DOES feel nice for him to say that.

A kiss on her cheek broke her away from her confusing thoughts.

"And I love you. That's why you are forgiven. Trust me, this is over. Unless you choose to break that rule again, we don't need to talk about this anymore, unless you want to."

Ziva flushed. She would NEVER want to talk about that humiliating experience! EVER!

"Now, you go choose a movie. I'll be right in."

...

The next morning Ziva woke to the sound of whistling. She smiled at the happy tune, then she remembered the previous day - the disobedience, the spanking, and the myriad of confusing emotions afterwards.

Oh! And he will be home all day today!

Her face flushed with shame.

"Morning, Ziva. Breakfast time," Gibbs hollered upstairs from the kitchen.

And he will not leave me here to ... not pout ... what would be a good word for ...?

"Come on, Zi! We have places to go!"

THAT perked Ziva's attention.

Places?!

She quickly dressed and hurried down the stairs, pausing to peer around the wall at Gibbs who was setting a plate of pancakes on the table.

Does he look mad? He was nice last night after supper, but after I went to bed Jenny went home. Maybe he was just being nice because she was here. Maybe he is still upset!

"When you are done of spying, please come eat these pancakes before they get cold," Gibbs said drily, turning back to the stove. "Want some eggs?"

Ziva tightened her lips, unhappy that her hiding position had been found, but she slid out from behind the wall and reluctantly moved toward the table. She warily watched Gibbs as she took her seat, but he seemed oblivious to the scrutinizing gaze on his back.

"Eggs?"

Ziva nodded. "Yes, please."

"One, two, three?"

"One."

"Okay." Gibbs turned and smiled at her. "Eat up! We're heading out in an hour."

Ziva relaxed a little at the kind look and tone. "Where?" she asked, spreading butter on her pancakes.

Gibbs hesitated before stating, "For a meeting with one of Ducky's friends."

Ziva stiffened until she had the flexibility of a bar of iron.

"I will NOT see a doctor or psychiatrist!" she shouted.

I do not care about any rules! He can get as mad as he likes. I am not going!

Gibbs raised an eyebrow at her, a clear motion for her to calm herself.

"Jackie isn't a psychiatrist or medical doctor - she's a therapist. Ducky made an appointment, and we're going to keep it."

Seeing the thunderstorm embodied in his youngest agent, Gibbs shook his head.

"It's just a meeting at Ducky's house. No office, no obligations, just a little talk, okay?"

Ziva locked gazes with him, anger blazing. She deliberately dropped her fork onto the plate before stalking away.

...

"Hey! Stop!" Gibbs barked out the order as she reached the doorway to the living room. He smiled a little as she paused - even in her anger, her training was strong enough to make her listen to what he had to say. Feeling rather like he was bribing a toddler with cookies, he lightened his tone.

"If you let Jackie talk to you for fifteen minutes, and if you let Ducky check you over and he gives the okay, we'll go for a walk in the woods near his house, okay?"

I hope she listens! I do not want to have a repeat of yesterday on my hands.

...

Ziva struggled internally. She did NOT want to talk to any therapist, and she did NOT want Ducky poking at her. Neither did she really want to go for a walk with Gibbs. She wanted to go back to work, stay at her apartment, go for runs by herself, and pretend that nothing bad ever happened to her. Unfortunately, she sensed that her options were limited.

"Your egg's done. Come eat."

Ziva was a second away from rushing out of the front door, away from the old eggs and pancakes, but she spotted the couch just then. Remembering the rather unpleasant moments there yesterday, she rethought her choices. Yes, Gibbs seemed to be ... "forgiving" about yesterday, but how would he react if she pushed him again today? It was a confusing situation, but not one that she felt compelled to explore so soon. Suddenly a walk in the woods sounded too good to pass up - she did not want to miss out on her first chance to go outside and get some real exercise.

With a shuffled kick at the floor, Ziva reluctantly turned around and took her seat again.

"How long of a walk?" she asked cautiously.

"Long enough to make it worth your while," Gibbs assured her with a knowing smile.

"You ... promise?" Ziva asked hesitantly as Gibbs flipped the perfectly cooked egg onto her plate.

Gibbs sat down at his seat and started pouring himself a glass of juice. He smiled confidently at her.

"I promise."

...

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