Formating this story is a nightmare, but what wouldn't I do for you guys?
Here's a new chapter and I think I might actually like it and hope you do the same.
I'm a little busy these days but I try to update both stories frequently.
The quote for this chapter is from a song for once because it seems so fitting.
Now enjoy reading & tell me your thoughts *hint hint*

"Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound"
- Taylor Swift

"How many times did I tell you to not play by the water on your own?" He raised his voice and the two little girls startled at his anger.
Her little sister had pleaded her to take her to the lake and at first Ziva was hesitant but she couldn't deny her the wish once her deep brown eyes were looking into hers.
"Ok Tali, but we have to be careful, alright?" The little girl had nodded vehemently and took her sister's hand before starting to walk.

She should've known that they would be in trouble once someone found out. And he always found out.
"Sorry daddy, we didn't want to make you angry, please." Tali now pleaded fear ever so evident in her voice.
She was only 4 years old at that time but the innocence in her eyes were long gone.
He was about to raise his hand against Tali when Ziva started to scream hysterically.
"No Abba, it was my fault. I took her to the lake. Don't hit her." She always wanted to protect her little sister. She wanted her to have a better childhood and knew that it helped if she blamed herself for everything.
Now he turned towards her and before she could even react his strong hand connected with her small backside. Once, twice, until she lost count of the times and couldn't feel anything besides the burning sensation of her back.

When he was done he walked away without saying another word.
Ziva held back her emotions but once the tiny arms of her sister were wrapped around her waist she couldn't help but cry a little.
"I'm sorry Zi, so sorry." She whispered and continued hugging her.
"Shh, it's ok Tali. I don't want him to hurt you too." She run her hand through the hair of her sister and waited until they both calmed down.
"Let's go home, mummy will be waiting for us."
- - - -

"Hey, what's on your mind?" Tony quietly asked her.
It was late in the afternoon and a little rainy since the autumn always comes early.
They were both sitting on the couch, Ziva was sipping on her cup of tea with a blanket wrapped around her. He had brought her one when he noticed that she was shivering slightly and had neatly tucked her in.
Moments ago she seemed so content with the entire situation but something she had thought about must have unsettled her.
"A lot." She whispered absentmindedly.

He gently scooted one arm around her waist to pull her closer so she could rest her head on his shoulders.
She didn't hesitate and gratefully took in the warmth of his body.
"I tried to protect her Tony. I really did." Ziva now took a shuddering breath and looked up at him with glassy eyes.
"Who Ziva?" He asked, trying to not push her too hard.
"Tali. She was my baby sister." A lone tear made it's way down her face but she quickly recomposed herself.
"I know she was. And she will always be your sister." He reassured her, knowing that she still missed her a lot.

"I would" Ziva started but had to take another deep breath before continuing. "I would always tell him it was my fault so he wouldn't hurt her. But sometimes he did hurt her anyway." A painful expression now crossed her eyes and she closed them to process the flashback she already had so many times.
Tony swallowed hard as he imagined what happened to her and her sister when they were younger.
"Your father?" He had to know if she was really talking about him, even though he had always thought that this man was up to no good.

Ziva's nod was all he needed and he simply pulled her into a tight hug.
"Oh Ziva, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I'm sure you did your best to protect her, but one can only be strong for so long." He sensed there was more to it but decided that they should talk about this later.
"I didn't want to see her suffer the way I did. But most of the time he wouldn't have any of it." Thinking about their childhood and what they went through still hurt. She had spent years remaining silent of what had happened to her, trying to bury it deep down so it couldn't hurt her anymore.
But she was wrong believing it would stop hurting some day.

With Tony however she felt like she could finally let someone in and allow herself to heal.
There was a lot she wasn't ready to talk about just yet, but she knew he wouldn't judge her and that was what she was looking for all those years.
"You are so brave Ziva for fighting for yourself and your sister. I'm sure she would still be proud of you." Her sister had meant the world to her and he knew it and she was glad he understood her in times like this.

"What was she like, your sister?" He now gently squeezed her shoulder, trying to get her off those dark thoughts and he succeeded.
Soon she was telling him everything about Tali and he gratefully listened, hoping it would bring a little peace to her.
At least for now.