Dislaimer: I would love to but I do not own NCIS
Ziva looked around her kitchen again before glancing up to the wall where the clock was. Everything she needed was ready here and it was 1600h which gives her exactly two hours before her guests arrive. She had asked her friends to come at 1800h so they could talk or 'hang out' as Americans called it before dinner. She looked at the ingredients on the kitchen counter and decided to start with making the appetizer since she had already prepared the lasagna the night before and it only needed to be baked. As she started to chop up the lettuce she let her mind wonder to the phone conversation the night before.
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The Night Before
Ziva snapped her phone open to only shut it close again only a few seconds later for the eleventh time in the past half an hour. Angry at herself for not having enough courage to call she threw her phone across the room. She groaned and placed her face in her hands as she tried to figure out what she should do. Nothing came to her mind other than the fact that she screwed up fat time, or was it big time? It did not matter she decided, she was about to get up and prepare for tomorrow night when the cell phone that she had chucked away few minutes ago started ringing. Too annoyed at her situation, she did not bother to look at the caller ID before answering curtly."Ziva David."
"Uh...hey Ziva. It's me Tony. Ah... am I interrupting something because if it's not a good time I could call back or not if you don't want me to."
"Tony." Ziva simply stated, no other words forming in her mind. For the past hour she had tried get the courage to call him but she was saved the trouble. But she still had no idea what she could say, she definitely did not think this through.
Earlier that day she had mentioned the dinner plan to Tony before anybody else, perhaps even herself because she was surprised at the offer that she made herself. She asked him if he would like to come to dinner with rest of their friends tomorrow and he said he would consider it. Vague answers like that was all she received from him in the past month. She had tried very hard to fix their relationship without telling him what was really going on but it was not working in. Out, she thought to herself, that was what Tony would do, correct her English mistakes but these days he never did even when she did it on purpose, trying to make him laugh even if it was at her. Even though the answer was probably meant as a no she had told her friends later that afternoon that he would be there and she had been trying all day to find a way to get him to agree.
"You know what, never-"
"No. I am sorry if I answered the phone harshly but it was not at you, I did not check the caller ID. I was just... thinking... it does not matter. What did you want to talk to me about?" Ziva said desperately trying to make the longest conversation they have had in the past month without some random jokes last as long as... well as long as possible.
"Oh. I just called to tell you about what you said this afternoon. I felt rude to leave you with an answer like that, I-" He started but Ziva did not let him finish because she was very, no extreamely afraid that he would say no.
"Everybody else agreed to come. We would miss you if you do not come. It has been a long time, we have not hanged out together since..." Ziva trailed off as she realized when the last time was, not wanting to go into that subject again she brushed that idea off. "Everyone would have a better time if you come, it will be fun. You do not even have to stay that long, just for the dinner, then you could leave, but please at least come." Ziva felt guilty that she was trying to make him guilty just to make him come. She knew that he cared a lot about her friends and that was the only way that Ziva could ever get him to come so even though she felt bad about it, she still played the card.
There was a long silence, not the silence that they used to have that meant comfort and support to each other, but the very awkward ones that made Ziva want to ditch the phone and run to the airport. Then she realized that was such a Hollywood movie move that Tony would comment about. Tony, she really missed the Tony that used to be funny and happy and made everyone laugh. The Tony right now only made jokes to avoid talking to her and it just... she could not even describe what that made her feel. But she could not go further with her thoughts as Tony interrupted.
"Yeah, sure I'll come. You're right it has been a long time... I... I gotta go. See you tomorrow Ziva." Tony answered from the other end. The answer made Ziva so happy but she still could tell the hint of doubt in Tony's voice.
"See you tomorrow." She managed to add before he disconnected.
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Ziva let out a big sigh as she realized that the dinner could make or break the relationship as they say. What relationship? You cannot possibly think he wants to get back together with you. Wait you were not even together in the first place. Besides he is dating Jeanne, you broke his heart and now you have to pay the price. So deal with it! She scolded herself as she realized what she really meant by 'relationship'. But she still did want to make their friendship work again at least, or else things can get very awkward, not that it was not already awkward enough. She drew in deep breath and promised herself that she was going to make this work.
Ziva mixed her salad as she poured the last of ingredients into the bowl. Once she finished, she prepared to make the falafel to put in them. At 1748h, she finally finished as she placed the fried falafel on to the salad. She turned around and saw Ari leaning against the kitchen door looking at her. She would have jumped at his presence if she did not know her half-brother better, but she did and she was used to it by now.
"Thought I smelled your falafel. Very nice dish, I do not think anybody has ever not loved your falafel. I for one would never pass on an opportunity to have them." Ari said still leaning against wooden door.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Since you started the mixer." Ari answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
"You have been standing there the whole time?" Ziva said with a little edge, half mad at her brother for observing her without her permission, and another half mad at herself for not noticing him for such a long time. But it was gone as soon as Ari smiled at her. "Do not try to grab one of them when I am not paying attention, or else..." She mock threatened him.
Ari chuckled as Ziva teased him, it made him remember the time when she was eight and it was the time she made a batch of cookies for their father on his birthday. It was the secret recipe that her mother had just taught her, and even though Ari knew better it just smelled so good and he knew just how good his sister's baking was. So he sneaked into the kitchen when she wasn't looking and took several of them hoping that his sister would not notice. But in the end she did and she got all mad and started to hit him. Ari got desperate and tried to brush her off but she kept following him around so he pushed her a little too hard. She backed into small cabinet and the flower vase shuddered as she fell to the ground. Some of the shuddered glass pieces got into her right arm and her eyes started to moist. Just then their father came home from a late night and when he saw Ziva he started to yell at her for breaking the vase and scolded her for crying. He told her to clean it up as he went into the kitchen. Before Ziva could even get up their father came back with the bowl of cookies. When he asked Ziva if she made this and she nodded proudly, he slapped her across the face and told her to do something useful like learning to clean and reload a gun instead of causing trouble and baking useless things. Ari was not sure if his father was really mad at what Ziva did or if he was just angry from work and pouring his anger onto her, but Ziva started to cry again. He slapped her again telling her that crying is weakness that she should not have before dumping the cookies into the garbage can. When he stormed off Ari went up to his sister and hugged her. He cleaned up her wound and sang her to sleep. He brought her upstairs and tucked her in bed before going down stairs and cleaning up the mess.
Although Ari and Ziva were only half-siblings, they were very close, perhaps even closer than most siblings. Especially after that night they always stuck together especially against their father. And being the protective big brother that he was he knew that this is one of the time that he had to snap Ziva back in to reality. "Ziva, this is not a good idea."
"I never asked you to stay."
"You know very well that this is not about me Ziva. It is you, you are already suspended as it is. If father catches you bringing people over to the house without his permission, you are not helping yourself to convince him that you deserve to stay here for another year." Ari knew that Ziva knew what he was referring to, and without realizing it both of their minds wondered off to that night's conversation, except that Ari did not fully comprehend what really happened that night.
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About a month ago
"Father, at least let Ziva stay for rest of the semester. She had only been here for two weeks, it would look bad if she leaves now." Ari begged his father to let Ziva stay in the States but he really did not know why he bothered to waste his breath since he knew very well that when his father's mind was made up, it was made up. It was not even his business in the first place, it would not have any effect on him if Ziva went back to Israel but he could not help himself when he saw how much she loved it here.
But Ari was very surprised as his father put the phone down. He beckoned Ziva into his office. Ari tried to follow but his father told him to wait outside and he obeyed. He had no idea what was going on but things was looking better. He did not bother to consider finding out since he knew his father picked a insulated office and he would know within a second that somebody was listening at the door.
Meanwhile in the office Ziva stood in front of her father's desk waiting for him to start yelling. But it never came, instead he said the last thing that Ziva thought her father would say at that moment. "You may stay here until end of the school year."
Ziva widened her eyes in surprise and opened her mouth to say something but no sound came out. She had just broke Tony's heart last Saturday and spent the last three days packing her stuff all because she was one hundred percent sure that he would ship her back to Israel. And it would not have surprised her if he decided that as a punishment he would literally ship her back. That was all that came to her mind and she knew that he would not appreciate the thought that his daughter viewed him as such a man.
"Under one condition." Ziva relaxed as her father said so because if he acted nice for another minute she would have blown up. There was always a reason why Eli David did things. "I made you come here for you to improve your English and build a background, not to make out with stupid American boys." Ziva had to bite her tongue to stop herself from snapping back that Tony was not stupid. "He looked pretty... emotional back there no?"
Ziva was now really confused. What was her father talking about? Then it clicked, her father knew, her father knew that she broke up with Tony for lack of better terms. "You had people spying on me?" Ziva asked no longer able to suppress her anger.
"Oh no. How would it look if the Deputy Director of Mossad required other people to tail a fourteen year old? It is not a hard task, my daughter." Eli answered with a half smirk.
Ziva did not know what made her more mad. The fact that her father was spying on her or the fact that he was admitting it without a single hint of guilt or regret for invading her privacy. She really did not know whether she should be furious that he followed her around as 'business' or should be faltered that her father had bothered to go after her himself. But it did not make her feel good that having her break up with Tony was her father's intention all along, not to sent her back to Israel. Attending high school in the States was too big of a good background for her father to pass off like that, all he needed to do was get the obstacles in the way out of the way. As much as she hated it she had to admit that it was a smart plan.
"I would assume that you ended the 'relationship'" He said rolling his eyes at the word 'relationship', "As long as it stays that way, I see no problem in you staying here rather than Israel. As for next school year... it has to depend on your performance... I really hope it was not tear that I saw that night back at Anthony DiNozzo's house. To show such weakness... America has not made you soft, Ziva, has it?" He continued as more of a threat than a question.
Ziva stiffened visibly and had to use all of her power to try and not visibly shudder at the thought that her father may have saw her cry. Tears was never welcome in the David family and through out childhood Ziva had learned that crying always ended in unpleasant consequences. She took a deep breath before answering. "No, papa."
"Good." He stated flatly without an expression. He slipped on his eye glasses and started to read one of his many files on his desk. Understanding that the discussion is over, Ziva turned towards to door. When she stepped out side she forced a smile onto her face. "I can stay until end of the year."
"That is great." Ari said as he smiled full of happiness unlike Ziva's Ziva had convinced her father to let her stay by falling into his trap, but the price that she paid, she really was not sure whether it was worth it.
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"He would not come back early, and even if he did you would not be home so you would not be in trouble." Ari sighed as he realized what his sister was worrying about, which was definitely not the right thing.
"Do you really want to go down that road again?" Ari asked, remembering that it had took him a full two weeks before he was able to convince his sister that he did not hate her for the slamming door incident. He was never sure whether she was fully convinced or was just trying to not piss him off by showing that she was not convinced. Ziva was a horrible lier, but if she truly believed that hiding or changing a fact was the right thing to do, nobody could see through her.
Ziva broke off the eye contact without answering.
"You do not want to anger father further. Maybe if you could do a picnic outside instead of in the house." Ari suggested which Ziva just shook her head at.
"This is not Israel, you cannot just go outside and eat in middle of March, it is cold this year. Beside I still have to use the oven for the lasagna. Really Ari, you should leave, you do not have to stay."
"No. If you are here, I am, what if you need to use the car, fine I know you know how to drive. But just in case you need me I will be up in my room, nobody would even notice me."
Seeing that Ari was not going to change his mind Ziva gave up and went back to preparing her desert, even though she really did not want to bore Ari or get Ari into trouble just in case her father finds out later. After a few minutes the door bell rang.
"Good luck." Ari whispered in her ears as he got ready to go to his room but she grabbed his arm.
"You should stay. It will be nice." Ziva offered and when he looked doubtful she added one thing that she knew would make him stay. "I need you here."
Ari softened as Ziva said that. He could never really say no to his little sister. Because in Ari's mind, the world could turn upside down for all he care but nothing would ever turn him against his little sister. He have always stood by her and he always will protect her no matter what. He smiled at her in encouragement and she opened the door to reveal her guests. The evening had began.
I apologize if they are out of character sometimes but I do try my best. Next chap is finally be the dinner. Oh by the way if you have not noticed I do not write about everything, I just pick some interesting time of the year for the characters to do something. Just so you know after the march break I'm actually planning to skip until the finals or even maybe until the summer break start. So if anybody have any ideas as to anything they could do in between or after that, I am always open to suggestions. Thanks
TBC and please review.
