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Dixie Dewdrop's Graceland- Thanks for letting me know. I'll try to make it easier to understand.

Guest- Shalom to you, as well! :) And, thanks for reviewing :)

Sue- Thanks! :D

KrisShannon- Your review made my day! :) It's nice to know someone enjoys my fics. :)

I don't own N.C.I.S. or any of the characters on the show.

Constructive critisism is appreciated and taken very seriously. C.C. is always welcome, as is good feedback.

Jibbs, possible Tiva and implied McAbby. Slightly out of character, AU. Very Jenny/Ziva Mother/Daughter chapter.

Shalom,
A.F.

Blackout: Chapter Three- Hide and Seek

3:04 AM

Jenny woke up to the sound of something hitting the ground. "Jethro?" she whispered.

"Jen?"

"Do you know what that was?"

"Nope." Gibbs replied.

Jenny sat up and looked around. Tony was sprawled out on his mattress, Abby was snuggled up against McGee, and Ziva was on the floor, next to the couch. Why is she on the floor?

"Jethro, Ziva fell off of the couch." Jenny stood up and walked over to Ziva, who was now lying in the floor.

"Zee, do you want to sleep on the floor or the couch?" Jen asked.

"Couch." Ziva mumbled.

"Can you get up?"

"No."

"Do you need me to pick you up?"

"I don't want to be any trouble."

"How about I have Gibbs pick you up and I find you another bottle of water?"

"Okay."

Gibbs walked over and scooped Ziva up, laying her back down on the couch. "Toda, Gibbs."

"Good night, Ziver." Gibbs pulled the blanket over her, and went back to his mattress.

Jenny returned, holding a bottle of water.

"Toda, Jenny." Ziva said, quietly, turning over to face the couch cushion.

"Sleep well, Ziva." Jenny said, softly, before climbing back into bed.

6:00 AM

Jenny opened her eyes and looked around. Tony was sitting up in bed, McGee was leaning against the wall with Abby's head on his shoulder, Gibbs was sitting at her desk with a cup of coffee, which she had no idea where he got, and Ziva was staring at the ceiling.

"Feeling better, Ziva?" Jenny asked, looking at the younger agent.

"I am fine."

"Let me see if you still have a fever." Jenny said, walking to the couch. She put her hand on Ziva's forehead. "Still pretty warm. You can sit up and walk around a little, but no couch jumping." Jenny said, with a serious look on her face.

Ziva glared at Jenny, with a pouting look. Gibbs stood up from Jenny's desk and walked over to the couch. He handed Jenny a cup of coffee.

"How on earth-" Jenny began.

"Coffee." Gibbs stated.

Jenny smiled, gratefully, and took the cup. She looked down at Ziva, who was now sitting up and smiling.

"Director, when do we get out of here?" Tony asked, sleepily.

"From what I've heard, it's going to be the day after tomorrow, at the earliest. Probably even later." Jenny replied, taking a sip of her coffee.

Tony groaned, and flopped back on the mattress.

10:00 AM

"I am bored." Ziva whined.

Gibbs looked up from the table, where he was reading the paper. "DiNozzo, find Ziva some tea. McGee, take Abby back to her lab. Dah-veed, stay here."

Ziva pouted. "Why can't I go, Gibbs?"

"You're sick, Ziver." Gibbs replied.

"Let's see. One, you're sick. Two, you've got a fever. Three, you've still got a fever and it's bringing out your childish side." Tony added, with a smirk.

Ziva glared at him. Before she could try anything, Jenny put her hand on her shoulder. "Stay, Ziv. Don't get off that couch, and that's an order."

"What if I have to go to the bathroom?" Ziva asked.

"Then, you may get up."

"So, can I get up?"

"Do you have to go to the bathroom?"

"No."

"Don't test my limits, Agent David." Jenny said, annoyed.

"What happens if I do?"

"Well, if you were DiNozzo, I'd keelhaul you."

"But, I'm not Tony."

"I noticed." Jenny replied, dryly.

"So, what will you do if I test your limits?"

"You're testing them right now. Go any further, and I'll have to start thinking of a way to punish you."

Ziva stayed silent, after that.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jenny and Gibbs sipped their coffee at the same time, which didn't go unnoticed by the team. McGee had his arm around Abby, who was sitting in the corner. Tony was playing a game on his cell phone.

Abby cleared her throat. "Are mommy and daddy gonna get back together?" Gibbs and Jenny's faces both turned red.

"Watch out, Abs." Tony said. "The Director might keelhaul you." Abby shook her head. "Mommy won't. I'm the favorite daughter." Everyone in the room laughed.

"Be careful, Abby." Ziva warned. "She has different personalities. Sometimes she's Jenny, sometimes she's Jen, when she's concerned she's the mama bear, and other times she's the Director. Sometimes, it's hard to tell."

Jenny stood up from her desk. "You're forgetting I'm also your boss's boss."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ziva stared at the ceiling. "You okay, Ziva?" Jenny asked, looking up from her paperwork.

"I am fine."

"Ziva, if you never tell us the truth, we can't help you."

Ziva looked up at Jenny. "But, I don't want to be weak." Jenny met Ziva's eyes, with a sympathetic smile. "I never said you were."

"Where is everyone?" Ziva asked, breaking the silence.

"Abby and McGee went to the lab, Tony went off to find food, and you know where Agent Gibbs is."

"He went for coffee, yes?"

"Yes."

"Jenny?"

"Yes, Ziva?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Zee." Jenny replied.

"When can I leave here? I have no spare clothes, and I want to go home."

"I don't know, Ziva. I don't know."

"What happened between you and Gibbs?" Ziva asked, randomly.

Jenny was a bit caught off-guard. "What makes you think something happened between us?"

"I see the way you two look at each other. Plus, you call him Jethro. Not a lot of people get to call him that."

"Playing matchmaker, Agent David?"

"Just observing, Director."

4:00 PM

Jenny held Ziva's hair, as she threw up. "Want to go lay down again, Ziva?"

Ziva nodded, with tears in her eyes. She looked at the floor. "Hey," Jenny said, gently. Ziva remained silent. Jenny lifted the younger agent's chin and made her meet her eyes. "We just want to help you, Zee."

"I know." Ziva said, hugging Jenny.

2:00 AM

Jenny lay on the edge of the mattress, with Gibbs on the other side. She stared at the ceiling, and knew that he was doing the same. She turned to face him. "Jethro?"

"Yeah, Jen?"

"Do you think Ziva's going to be okay?"

"Why do you think she won't?"

"It's not that, it's just that she's so stubborn and I'm worried about her. I just hate to see her like this, Jethro."

"Go to sleep, Jen. Ziva's gonna be fine."

Too tired to protest, Jenny let sleep claim her. Only when he was sure that she was fast asleep, did Gibbs press a light kiss to her forehead. "Good night, Jenny."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Happy New Year! Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

-AF