Hi, everyone! Yes, it's me - MaidenMoonshine, finally returning to the scene of the story! I found writing to be a little difficult lately (I've been doing lots of editing and the mindset involved in that is far different - at least for me - than the one that allows me to write new selections). Anyway, this finally scrambled together. :) A new chapters of "Echoes" is on its way as well. Probably look for it tomorrow or Monday. :)

Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter - Sarai, Troubled-Angel-26, his-red-head, Hetwaszoietsals, Jibbsforever, Loads of Randomness, DS2010, Suzy Q1068, and Dawn248. :) I appreciate that you take the time to let me know that you read. I always like hearing what in particular you like about the chapter or story. :D

Stay safe, everyone! And please, enjoy!

...

"I will be back in a moment to take your order," the waitress told Tony and Kate. Then she left them to their own world, which at the moment was free of the concerns and rigours of their work, the responsibilities and concerns of their respective families, and busy activities of their friendship circles. It was just the two of them and their own hopes and dreams and joint future that they were considering as they leaned their heads close together and whispered and laughed and whispered some more with the occasional kiss as they spent this precious time together.

...

"Here is your food. Now is there anything else that I can do for you?" the waitress asked Jenny and Gibbs after setting the fragrant dinners in front of them.

"None at the moment," Jenny answered with a gracious smile.

"Lovely. Then I will come back to check on you in a few minutes," the waitress said with a charming smile before moving on to the check on the next table's needs and desires.

...

"Do you want a cookie for eating all your supper?" Abby asked Ziva who had eagerly and easily finished eating all her rice, chicken, and carrots.

"Yeah!" Ziva cheered excitedly, banging her spoon against the table.

"Okay! Let's go find one! And then after you eat it maybe you should have a bubble bath with some toys - I bought you some as a present. You're a little messy," Abby remarked, looking at the rice smeared all over the toddler's face. Somehow a few grains had ended up tangled in her curls as well. Yet somehow the toddler still appeared charmingly adorable.

"Bath!" Ziva echoed joyfully, looking up at Abby with great admiration glowing in her giant brown eyes. A cookie and new toys and a bubble bath! Abby was FUN! Ziva wanted to be babysat every night!

...

Jenny and Gibbs were fully enjoying their evening. Dinner came and they leisurely took their time savouring every bite. In their line of work meals were often microwaveable or takeout, if not delayed or skipped all together. This was a treat for both of them.

"Even if it makes me sound like a bad mother, I have to admit that I am enjoying a meal without food all over the floor or someone's face," Jenny laughed gently.

"Not a bad mother - just a tired one," Gibbs affirmed. "You need to take time for yourself occasionally."

Jenny smiled, letting herself flirt with him just a little. "Perhaps I could be persuaded to do just that."

Gibbs returned the smile.

That sounded enjoyable.

...

"Tony, you are looking a little pale? Are you sure that you are okay?" Kate pressed gently.

"Me? Of course I'm fine!" Tony joked, but he nearly knocked over his wine glass. Kate reached out to steady it and looked at him strangely.

"Tony?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine. Just ... do you want to look at the dessert menu?"

...

Ziva splashed her hands in the water and shrieked in delight when the bubbles flew up into the air.

Abby laughed.

"You having fun?"

Ziva just beamed at her and made the rubber dolphin dive under the piles of bubbles.

"Five more minutes, okay? Then we need to get you changed into your pjs."

A tiny frown crossed Ziva's face at that announcement, but it quickly faded as she was distracted by another large pile of bubbles that she had to spotted on the other side of the tub.

"Spwash!" she squealed, smacking the surface of the water and poking her face into the bubbles to get some on her nose.

"You are just too cute," Abby sighed happily.

...

Toddlers do not have the best time perception. Five minutes in time out is forever. Five minutes when playing is just like seconds. So when Abby held out her hands and said, "Come on, Zizi, it's time for you to get dried off and into your pjs," there was a surprised and instantly upset toddler.

"No!"

Ziva looked at Abby whose face seemed to get unhappy too.

"Now, Ziva, it's time to get out of the bath."

"No!" Ziva shrieked. Pjs meant bedtime. Ziva did not like bedtime. Bedtime was no fun. But bathtime? Bathtime was full of bubbles and toys and splashing! Bathtime was lots of fun and Ziva was not ready for it to be over.

"Ziva," Abby said sternly, trying to reach out for her. "It is time to get out. Now."

Ziva was not on board with the plan. She kicked and splashed the water and ended up getting some water on Abby's face.

"Augh! Ziva, do not do that. You're being naughty."

"Nooooooo!" Ziva hollered, splashing more water and bubbles all over the bathroom. Abby's face went grim for a second before her apparently had an idea. She smiled a sneaky smile before reaching into the tub and pulling out the stopper.

"Go ahead and stay there then," Abby said calmly.

Ziva smiled. That tantrum had worked well! Now she could keep playing. She splashed the water cheerily and calmed down. But wait? What was that sound? And where was the water going?! It was disappearing and all the bubbles were starting to move toward the drain. Ziva's lower lip trembled as she surveyed the situation.

"Oh, it looks like all the water is going bye-bye. Do you want to get out now?" Abby announced calmly, earning her what would equate to a death glare from the toddler who scooted toward the drain herself to stay with all the bubbles.

Ziva outlasted all the water but as the bubbles began to pop she began to get a little chilly. The bathtub was cold and sad without water to splash. She began to shiver a little.

"Look at this nice warm towel I found," Abby announced in surprise, lifting a small brown towel with a little monkey hood on it. "Maybe I should use it."

"No! Mine!" Ziva protested, reaching for it.

"Oh, is this your towel? But if you want to sit in the tub then you don't need it. I'll use it!"

"No!" Ziva shouted, tears springing to her eyes at the thought of her towel being stolen from her while she was wet and cold.

"Okay, okay, you can have it," Abby assured her, wrapping it around the toddler who had scrambled to her feet. She lifted Ziva out of the tub and onto her hip. "Want to go get in your pjs now?"

Ziva, holding tightly to her towel, nodded. She wasn't going to let Abby take her pjs either!

...

I hope that you enjoyed!

Hopefully I will be able to update this story again soon. Thank you for your patience!