Finally ... I am getting around to posting another chapter!

Thanks to all who reviewed - hid-red-head, Hetwaszoietsals, Troubled-Angel-26, Suzy Q1068 (I definiitely hope to do a story on Kelly someday when I have more time!), Fan, Fashionista-girl, fiftyshadeswritergal, Loads of Randomness, S, DS2010, Guest who, Hawk, and Guest. I love hearing from all of you and I am sorry that I took so long in updating!

Now ... enjoy!

...

Ziva knelt on the arm chair, peering over the back at Mama who was working in the kitchen. They had come straight home from daycare and Mama was back to work. She was making supper and Ziva had wanted to help, but everything was going up far above her head. Mama would not let her climb up the drawers and onto the countertop, so Ziva's attention had wandered quickly. For now she was playing with her new toy person and ice cream truck on the chair. Both she and the little plastic girl - aptly named "Zidi" by the delighted toddler - were spying on Mama and hoping for cookies for supper.

Unfortunately, Mama was cutting vegetables and meat. Those were not foods that Ziva liked - at least not as much as sweets and treats. Her little face contorted with displeasure.

"Ookies, Mama?"

...

Jenny had to smile while her back was to Ziva. The toddler had developed an addiction to cookies on the flight to America and they were most definitely a "comfort food." Jenny regretted that she had not had fruits and veggies on that flight to entertain and fill tiny Ziva's tummy. At least tonight she would try to convince the little girl that more nutrient-dense foods were delicious as well. Jenny turned around and talked to Ziva.

"No cookies tonight, baby. We are going to have sausage and mashed potatoes and green beans. We might be able to find some apple sauce as a treat for after you finish eating supper."

"Attle sauce?" Ziva echoed. Her brown eyes were big and curious.

"Yes, yummy apple sauce."

"Attle sauce yummy!" Ziva repeated with a little giggle.

"And beans and potatoes and sausage are yummy too," Jenny said leadingly. But her attempt did not work. Ziva pursed her little lips together and shook her head stubbornly.

"Ookies and attle sauce!"

Jenny sighed in defeat and turned back to her cooking. Already food was a battle and they were not even at the table.

"Play with your toys, Zizi. When Mama is done out here she'll come play with you until supper is ready."

Next time Jethro wants to buy her a toy, he can buy her a toy fruit stand! I need all the help that I can get!

...

Ziva hung backwards off of the chair, then tumbled off in a modified back flip. She had been playing with her toy truck ever since she got home. It had been fifteen minutes, but with Mama busy, Ziva found herself in need of new amusement. She began to wander around the room. She pulled some books off of the shelf, but they were "big girl" books that Mama read. No pictures - just pages with wiggly lines. Ziva just knew that she could draw prettier lines on her own. The books held no appeal so she continued her search. There was a hamper of laundry - there were dozens of tiny socks. They were Ziva's socks - and how she did love her socks! There was one with a strawberry on it. Ziva grabbed it and plopped onto the ground.

"Uhh!" she grunted, tugging at the boring blue and white striped sock that she was wearing. It came off and she wiggled her toes, giggling at the sight and feel without her sock. Then she tried to tug the strawberry sock onto her foot. It was harder than Mama made it look! Ziva got it partially on, then lost interest with that as well and looked for yet another activity. The strawberry sock flopped along with her.

The living room having been futile for finding lasting amusement, Ziva decided to venture farther afield and headed for the bathroom. Now this was a room where she could have fun! She strolled over to the toilet paper roll and gave it an experimental spin. Toilet paper wafted off easily. She spun it again. Even more paper spun off, creating a small pile on the floor. Ziva picked up the end and began walking away. It was amazing how the paper followed her! It was like a very long kitty tail. She spun around in circles until the toilet paper tied her up like a large cocoon. Eventually she got dizzy and stumbled against the wall before falling on her bottom. She bumped her head a little and had to blink away a few tears that sprung to her eyes, but she was too busy to cry. This toilet paper stuff was fun! She struggled to her feet and began to waddle across the room. She continued to spin the toilet paper roll - for some reason, it was getting smaller. That was very disappointing. Ziva poked it to see if it would grow some more but nothing happened. She picked up part of the pile of toilet paper and tried to balance it on the roll once again, but it did not look quite right.

The doorbell dinged. Ziva ignored it. She was still too busy playing with her toilet paper. She patted it and stroked it, enjoying the softness.

"Come in, Jethro," Mama yelled.

Jethro - that sounded familiar. Ziva tilted her head to the side to think about what or who Jethro was supposed to be, then turned her full attention back to the toilet paper. She wanted to play with it a little more. She picked it up and tossed it in the air. Some drifted down and settled on her head. It was like a beautiful, funny hat! She giggled and shook her head. All the toilet paper slid off of her little curls. She was enthralled. But then ...

"Where are you, Ziver?"

When she heard a voice in the living room, she paused.

It was Mr. Gibbs' voice! She quickly scrambled to her feet and waddled as fast as she could toward him.

...

Gibbs had to laugh when he saw Ziva scampering into the room. She was covered from head to toe in toilet paper - and obviously delighted with that fact.

"Mitter Dibbs!" she yelled happily. "Pway caws!"

"Hey, Ziver. Looks like you got into the toilet paper," he chuckled.

"What?" Jenny groaned from in the kitchen. She stepped out and took a look at Ziva. "Oh, darling, you made a mess!"

"Not too big of a mess," Gibbs amended. He walked over and took her little hand. "Let's go clean up the mess, Ziva. I'll help you."

"Pway!" Ziva whined, unhappy at the change of directions. She looked longingly over her shoulder at her basket of toys and her truck still on the arm chair.

"We'll play after we clean," Gibbs assured her. "Come on, you can help by being a big girl."

"Thank you, Jethro," Jenny said, returning to her frying pans and bubbling pots.

"No problem," he chuckled, turning to the little mess maker at his side. "Now, let's clean so we can play with your cars."

"Pway caws?"

"Yep, once we clean. Then we'll play. Then we'll eat the yummy supper Mama made, and then you'll get ready for bed."

"No bed!" Ziva protested, plopping down to sit on her bottom. Mr. Gibbs held out his hand. Ziva sniffled but reluctantly handed Gibbs scraps of toilet paper for him to place in a trash bin.

"Not until later," Gibbs assured her. "And little miss? No more playing with toilet paper. It is NOT a toy!"

Ziva stuck her bottom lip out at the scolding, but sadly kept handing toilet paper to Mr. Gibbs. He noticed that the shiny button eyes were becoming teary and quickly switched to being encouraging.

"There, we're almost done. You're such a good helper. Can you hand me that last piece?"

Ziva sadly watched her "toy" disappear into the garbage, but disappointment was replaced by unfathomable joy when Gibbs scooped her up, tickled her tummy, then swung her off to the living room.

"Ready to play?"

"Yah!"

...

I hope that you enjoyed! :) Coming up in a few chapters - Abby as a babysitter. As I am writing several chapters ahead, I would love to hear your ideas for what mischief you think that they might end up causing. ;)