Hi, everyone! Sorry that it has been FOREVER since I updated. Just haven't been feeling up to it lately. It might have something to do with the craziest three weeks in regards to school, volunteering, midterms, papers, emotions, etc.!

Anyway, I hope to have a new chapter for "Echoes" next week as well as some updates and other fun stuff once I'm on my March break. :D So, be assured, I have not abandoned my stories. :) They will be continued.

For now, Ziva tries to decipher friendship.

...

"You're here!"

Ziva peeked nervously over Mama's shoulder and looked at Abby. It was only her third time seeing the quirky scientist and she was still formulating an opinion.

That opinion was a little difficult to make when bombarded with questions.

"Want a lollipop?"

"Not right now, Abby," Mama scolded the strange stranger. "She does NOT need a lollipop!"

Ziva did not know what a lollipop was but it sounded like it might be scary. Mama was protecting her. Ziva hugged her a little more tightly.

"Want a sticker?"

Ziva ducked her head away. Maybe she would snag a sticker later but for now she was not interested.

"Would you like some raisins?"

Ziva looked up. She did like raisins ...but they were not as yummy as cookies and thus not deserving of the courage that it would require to ask for raisins from Abby. Mama had teddy bear cookies in a drawer in her office. She would wait until then.

"I printed off some colouring pages. Would you like to colour with me?"

Ziva did not even deign that question with a glance up or any response.

Then there was the grandest of offers - "Would you like to play with Burt?"

Ziva looked up at the hippo. She had seen him once before. She still was not very sure what a hippo was, but this one made funny noises. Abby squeezed him and Ziva giggled a little.

"You are just SOOO adorable!" the scientist squealed while setting Burt on her computer desk. "Come to Auntie Abby!" she said with a clap before extending her arms to the child.

Ziva's giggles disappeared and she hid her face against Mama's chest once again. She was not quite sure how to take "Auntie Abby". Abby was excited and happy but Ziva still was not sure if that was a good or bad thing in relation to her. Better to hold on to Mama and stay safe.

"Can't you just say 'hi", Zizi?" Mama coaxed. Ziva refused. Mama would keep her safe. There was no need to say 'hi'. Life was very good without such foolish pleasantries.

But something was changing.

"You are so heavy!"

Mama adjusted how she was holding Ziva and suddenly the toddler was forced out of her hiding spot. She squirmed and tried to grab on tighter to Mama but Mama was not cooperating very well! In fact, she was setting Ziva on the floor where she would have to stand on her own!

Ziva grabbed Mama's knees as soon as her feet touched the floor. She made squeaky sounds as she darted behind her. Mama was the only safe person. Well, Mr. Gibbs and Miss Lora were safe too, but everyone else was still questionable. The verdict was still out on Abby. Ziva hid her face in Mama's skirt.

"Am I scaring you?"

Ziva peeked up at Abby with one eye.

Oh no! Abby looked sad!

"Don't worry. I'm not as scary as I may look," Abby said in an attempt to reassure the toddler, but her voice wobbled a little as she said it. She backed away, giving Ziva more space. "I ... I guess that I'll just ... go." She turned and walked away.

Ziva slowly lowered the fabric away from her face and watched where Abby was going.

"I'm sure that she'll warm up to you in a bit," Mama was saying. Ziva did not know what that was supposed to mean but she did know that Abby only gave a little smile. It still seemed very sad.

And Ziva, despite her misgiving of strangers, thought that Abby should not be sad since that was making the pint-sized observer sad too. She stepped around in front of Mama and tilted her head to the side to continue observing the scientist.

...

Abby was feeling rather let down. She had been so excited about Jenny bringing Ziva in to NCIS for the day. She had been hoping for another chance to see the adorable tot but now that Ziva was there she seemed too startled by her eager reception. Abby turned to her computer monitors and brought up the information that Jenny had come down to learn. Inside she was sadly contemplating on how in the world she had scared off the toddler that she was so eager to impress. She slumped on her stool and rested her elbows against the desk as she interpreted the results of her latest tests in a monotone voice.

"Thank you, Abby," Jenny said. "Zi, you ready to go?"

Abby just kept looking at her screens. There was no point in even saying "good bye" if the toddler disliked her so much.

"Tad?" Ziva jabbered in the background.

There was a little pause.

"Tad?"

Jenny cleared her throat.

"Abby, I think someone is asking you a question."

Abby spun around and looked at the toddler.

"Tad?" Ziva repeated from her secure position grabbing onto her Mama's hands.

"She means 'sad'," Jenny commentated.

"Am I sad?" Abby clarified.

Ziva nodded in confirmation. That was what she had been asking.

"Just a little," Abby said. "I didn't mean to scare you. I want to be your friend, Ziva."

"Iddy and Benny fwends."

"Yeah. But can I be your friend too?"

Ziva tilted her head to the side and considered that idea for a minute.

"No."

"Ziva, that's not very nice," Jenny said, crouching down to be on Ziva's level.

...

Ziva was confused. Abby smile disappeared and Mama was frowning.

Why?

Abby could not be a friend. Benny and Izzy were friends. They were around Ziva's size and age.

"Abby just wants to be your friend. We always want lots of friends," Mama said. Ziva looked between Mama and Abby before shaking her head.

"Big!"

"What?" Mama asked.

"Big!" Ziva added, waving her hands in an attempt to clarify despite the growing confusion. "'oo big!"

"I'm too big to be your friend?" Abby asked with a smile. Ziva nodded.

"Fwends ittle!"

Mama laughed and smiled again. She kissed Ziva's cheek before saying, "Zizi, baby, friends are ALL sizes! Little like you and all grown up like Abby."

"Fwend?"

"Yes. Abby can be your friend!"

"Fwend?" Ziva asked, peering at Abby from behind Mama's arm in a sudden bout of shyness. This friend business was confusing!

"Do you want me to be your friend?" Abby asked, crouching down to be on eye level with the toddler.

Ziva hesitated. How should she deal with this question?

Her busy little eyes spotted something shiny in Abby's lab coat pocket. It appeared to be a pen with fluffy feathers and a sparkly jewel on the end. Ziva wanted that pen for colouring!

"Fwend," she cooed softly, promptly reaching out and helping herself to the pen.

For some reason, Mama and Abby found that funny.

She did not know what "conniver" meant, but if she got to keep the pen it must be a good word!

...

I hope that you are leaving with a smile. :) Have a wonderful day, friends and readers! Hugs to you all!