A/N I tried to make it read like Gibbs and while he has a bit of slang now and then it's not entirely consistent so I intentionally ended some words with in' instead of ing depending on how I heard him say it in my head.

Chapter 4

Girls

(Gibbs POV)

I pause outside the room when I hear them talking. I overhear enough to put together what has passed between the girls. I know I should refer to them as 'women' with all the PC meetings I couldn't duck out of, but seeing them braidin' each others' hair and confidin' in each other, it feels more like I am looking at my daughters than my agents. Memories of Shannon and Kelly having girl talks over hair come flooding back to me and I can't help but smile.

I hear, "He loves you, you know . . . " I roll my eyes and think to myself, "Yep, Abby, we ALL know."

I know my "kids." To Abby affection is vital. She thrives on kisses and Caf-Pow. I'm proud of Ziva for braiding Abby's hair. Touch does not come easily for her, especially when it comes to other girls. Sorry, "women." The boys are easier, Tony needs daily head slaps, McGee the occasional, "Good work, Tim." Then there is Ziva . . .

She is tough, capable, but affected. She hides it, but she needs more assurances than the rest put together. I saw the file. Vance made me review it as a condition of accepting her back. He wanted me to be prepared, I guess in case she couldn't handle returnin' to the harder parts of the job. I hated to read the reports and skim through the pictures of the torture she went through. I unwillingly invaded her privacy, pages telling what she wouldn't want me to know.

Instead of seeing her as some helpless victim, what I came away with was that she is resilient. She lived through hell, has daily reminders of it, but she's still here - rightin' wrongs, solvin' murders, and functioning as a model agent with no sign that her past haunts her. I keep an eye on her because I do know of the hurts that need to be erased, soothed, but for the life of me, I don't know how it all can be overcome or how anyone could make up for a life full of neglect, violence, abuse and loss. Of course Tony at least understands neglect. I hope Ziva will talk to him. I think it would help them both. I must be getting soft because I'm starting to sound like some sort of shrink.

I often see Tony watchin' her and pickin' up on the little clues that all is not okay, but he's givin' her space. I see him struggling to find the right balance with her, but I trust they'll figure it out. Tim does his best to keep things normal even though he experienced part of her abuse first hand in Somalia. When we got back I think Ziva was more worried about him than herself since this was his first taste of severe torture. Through it all he never complained. I'm proud of both of my boys, not only for how they rescued her, but also for how they're keepin' her head above water now.

I walk in with my straight expression and a fresh Caf-Pow, giving away nothing to betray my sentimental thoughts. That was hard when I saw that Ziva had cared enough to add red checked skull do-hickeys to the end of Abby's braids. Ziva, not hearing my entry turns and bumps into my chest. Her awareness is a bit off – noted.

I look at her as she smiles, nods and passes me. I hand Abby a Caf-Pow and say, "Abbs, if you have time to get your hair done, you better have something good!"

"Gibbs! You know I wouldn't let you down . . . "

Abby presses play and the room fills with noise once again.