This one is inspired by a childhood memory (: Good times, good times.
On the review front, thank you all!
SomeKindaWonderful: Definitely not a stalker! Every review means so much to me, to know that people are actually enjoying my writing! Thank you for your time.
mprmusings: Haha, sorry for the play on the emotions! They say a good cry a day is good for you, on the upside? ;) And I do have several ones that involve Gibbs/McAbby/Ducky, even the Gremlin, they just take much longer for me to work on. I find having lots of characters more difficult to do, but rest assured, they will be put up as soon as I am happy with them! It's a necessary part of Tiva, after all.
The Lady Grace: I can definitely see that! I'd imagine she'd have the same control over Gibbs too xD
As always, enjoy folks! :D
Fire
Ziva enjoyed the weekends, particularly for the lie ins. She was always the first awake, her husband normally still sprawled out, snoring happily beside her, and it often gave her time to contemplate or ponder anything on her mind. More often than not, she wriggled herself under his arms and simply watched him sleep, marveling how still he could actually be when he tried.
This morning as she snuggled into his chest, however, she was rather surprised to receive a grunt from said man, before his arm curled itself around her waist and soft lips placed themselves on her forehead. Ziva giggled softly. Her husband had this wonderful way of erasing all training and protocol from her mind, and allowing her to be just a woman; a woman, in love with her husband, and simply enjoying the peace and quiet of early morning. She reached a hand up gently, small fingers running over the bristle of stubble, as Tony lazily cracked open one eye.
" Good morning, my love."
He grunted, pressing his lips against her forehead again as a way of replying. Ziva found herself giggling, and Tony's lips formed a gentle smile. Both were silent again, enjoying the simple intimacy. Their peace, however, was shattered by the shrill peals of the fire alarm, instantly jolting them from the bed, and into a panicked frenzy. Tony skidded into the hallway, still tugging on a pair of jogging bottoms, as his nose picked up the distinct smell of smoke, his fears confirmed as, on reaching the stairs, he saw the haze radiating from the kitchen. He cleared the stairs in several half-jumps, dashing towards the kitchen, heart pounding in his chest, as Ziva appeared at the top of the stairs behind him.
" ZIVA! GET THE KI-"
He stopped at the kitchen door, and found himself unable to speak.
" I TOLD you this would happen!"
" It's not MY fault, you idiot! I told you to watch it!"
" YOU were in charge of it!"
" Just shut up and keep waving, it'll turn off eventu-"
" Oh. Daddy."
Three rather guilty faces met Tony's panicked eyes. Abi was on her brother's shoulders, desperately waving a dishtowel beside the smoke alarm in an attempt to silence the screaming device, as Timmy wrangled with the nearest window. Several slices of charred toast sat on the worktop, clearly the cause of the panic, and all three children glanced from Tony, to the toast, and then at each other.
" TONY! The kids are gone!"
A rather flustered Ziva appeared beside her husband, before laying eyes on the scene before her, a mixture of amusement and bewilderment crossing her face.
" What in heaven's name are the three of you doing?"
Tony crossed the kitchen with a bemused chuckle, lifting Abigail back onto the floor, before easily opening the window Timmy had been struggling with, along with all the others and the back door, in an attempt to clear the smoke-logged kitchen. The eldest DiNozzo shuffled his feet, feeling his siblings' eyes on him.
" We, er...we wanted to make you breakfast in bed."
Ziva blinked several times, sighing in relief as the alarm finally silenced. The parents met eyes, before bursting into laughter, much to their children's surprise.
" Wait, you're not mad?"
Tony knelt down with a shake of his head, still chuckling.
" Nah, kiddo. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."
Abigail pouted, tears welling in her eyes. " We tried Daddy" she whined, looking so upset that Tony had to pick her up and hush her.
" It's the thought that counts, baby girl."
The younger Tony objected to the special treatment, and his father gave in, expertly balancing the two children in his arms as Ziva nodded in agreement, plucking Timmy off the counter and holding him on her hip, grinning wryly.
" Perhaps Daddy'll make you pancakes instead?"
There was a cheer from the children, as Tony met his wife's eyes, smirking.
" I'm being given permission to?"
Ziva laughed again, winking playfully.
" It led to good things last time, even if the ceiling was never quite the same again."