Commander Arnott had to look up CJ DiNozzo's phone number; causing him to feel even more out of touch with his son's life. As the phone rang he began to question if this was the right idea. But having heard some of the stories he was sure that Anthony DiNozzo would want to know what his daughter was up to and want to help with this situation. Problem was when the phone was picked up; it was Ziva on the other end. The dialogue with his own wife running through his head he decided to ask approach this effort from a different point of view. The discussion was short and although the woman on the other end didn't react as he thought a 'father' would she seemed to understand the severity that his wife missed.
Ziva easily put two and two together. Now what to do about it.
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CJ woke up confused as to why her arm felt like it weighted a ton. That was until the events of the previous afternoon and evening came flooding back. Crawling out of bed with a pain killer groggy hang over she reassured herself that 'at least no one here knew why and what had happened'.
Fighting in the bathtub to get refreshed and awake took some maneuvering as her cast couldn't get wet and it was on her right hand. Finally getting dry and figuring out a way to get dressed CJ walked back into her room to finish her hair. Her mind was so preoccupied with the logistics of her actions that she didn't notice the figure leaning against the headboard knees drawn up to her chest. When Ziva shifted slightly the movement made CJ jump and quickly drew her attention away from the hair brush in her hand and quickly to 'why?' was her mother sitting in ambush.
'Come here my little one' Ziva said patting the bed in front of her. Cautiously CJ approached the bed and sat down. Ziva took the hair brush from her daughter and again signaled for CJ to move. Finally understanding what her mother was trying to do, CJ sat cross legged in front of her mother so that the older of the two could brush out her hair. CJ sat there remembering times in the past that she shared with her mother pulling a brush through her thick dark curls.
Feeling that a discussion was looming ever closer CJ tried to take over for her increasingly tense parent. "Mama, I am more than capable of brushing my own hair" CJ tried, unsuccessfully to take the implement from her mother's hand.
"CJ…" Ziva began and then returned to the job at hand. CJ sat quietly she knew that Ziva wanted to 'talk' about something but didn't want to help her out in any way.
"CJ… I had a phone call from Commander Arnott yesterday evening" she began. Luckily Ziva was concentrating so hard on what she was about to say she didn't hear CJ swear. "He…" Ziva had rehearsed all night and even part of this morning what she was going to say and then when faced with the actual conversation all her preplanned words didn't seem right.
"Ya, I know." CJ said trying to quickly get through this awkward moment in hopes that it would end sooner rather than later. Scooting to the edge of the bed and making to stand CJ was only partially up when Ziva took her by the shoulder and directed her back to the middle of the bed resuming her brushing. CJ's hair was no longer in need of attention but it provided something for her nervous hands to do.
"Did you getting hurt have anything to do with…" again CJ cut off the conversation.
"Look… I'm not having this discussion…'K" CJ whispered.
"CJ we need to have this conversation. I need you to know that certain decisions affect the rest of your life. I cannot make these choices for you… I can only help to direct you… and you need to understand…"
"Mawwwwmmmm…. I know what the decisions mean… I understand the implications… I'm NOT an idiot… I …. Can you PLLLEEEEASE leave me alone…" her tone a mix of anger and whining.
They sat quietly for some time before Ziva spoke. "CJ I am not trying to embarrass you. I am not trying to make your life hard. I am trying to make sure that you get to live the life you hope and dream of and sometimes decisions you make as a 17 year old can alter those plans."
Now angry that she wasn't being left alone CJ snarled "I am quite aware that having a baby would change my college plans… like I said I'M NOT AN IDIOT!" Having shocked Ziva into immobility CJ stomped out of the room and right out of the house. Her walk to Steven's was rather chilly as she'd left in such a hurry she didn't have a jacket or hat.
Steven found his girlfriend shivering on the front porch and quickly ushered her into the house. Ignoring his own mother's presence he enveloped CJ in a loving embrace. "You ok Ceejj" he asked over pronouncing her name as he always did when he was trying to get her to understand how much he cared for her.
"I'm fine… can we go… somewhere?" she asked not really wanting to hang about with both adult Arnott's in the house.
"Sure let's go for a drive" he answered grabbing the family car keys and heading for the door.
They drove to the bike trails and sat in the car in the parking lot. Neither had spoken until the engine was turned off.
"Your father called MY mother!" CJ rumbled with a sneer towards Steven.
"I would rather deal with your mother than my father" he said jovially and both teens broke into an easy laugh. "I'm with you on that one!" she answered through her laughter.
As the laughter died away they sat in silence both staring out the front wind screen, neither needing to say anything but taking comfort and understanding simply by being the presence of a good friend. Without turning his head Steven asked "I wanted to know if you're alright with… ah… with… what happened yesterday" his hands on the steering wheel twisting back and forth. He took almost imperceptible glances to the side trying to gauge her reaction.
"What happened yesterday?" she repeated slowly attempting to discern his specific meaning. "What part of yesterday? 'cause there were a lot of yesterday I have NO interest in ever doing again" tilting her head sideways as she turned to her eyes to watch him in return. He remained transfixed on the dash as he clarified. "I mean the part with you and I… the alone part" again his quick fleeting looks portraying the nervousness and embarrassment he felt.
"Oh… that part… that part I'm alright with" CJ answered with a nonchalance he didn't know she could have in such a conversation.
"You are" he asked completely surprised and then repeated "You are" far more confidently.
"Aren't you?" she asked realizing for the first time that he may not have the same feelings about the subject as she did.
"No I'm fine with it… I just wanted to make sure you were ok… you were the one who punched a wall hard enough to break 3 bones… " he said finally looking directly into her eyes. And he saw the love, understanding and comfort he sought.
"That had nothing to do with…. US… that was … that was everything else… it was … it was nothing to do with our …. Our actions" she explained looking out the window.
"Ok… I feel better now…" he stated almost to the air itself.
Seeing that he was still feeling uneasy CJ decided to show him rather than tell him how she was feeling. Undoing her seatbelt she lifted herself to the side and took his face in her hands, gently as one of them was casted, and kissed him passionately full on the lips. When she pulled away his smile along with his relaxed shoulders told her that he finally understood.