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It was 3 o'clock in the morning, The kids had dragged themselves to bed a couple of hours ago, and all but sugar plumbs was dancing in their heads.
Kate's screams of help, filled her room, while she fights desperately with the sheets. Tony runs in he shakes her shoulders "wake up" He says softly when she attacks, he grabs her hands.
Her puppy was crying rubbing her face against Kate."Ninja, It's just me" He says, when she opens her eyes, breathing heavily when her mother runs in.
The puppy barks. "Little one, It was just a bad dream" She caught her breath, patting her father on his arm. "No, its not" She says before leaning against the pillow.
She pets Aliyana head."I'm fine, you can go to sleep …"Tony and Ziva was going to protested. "Can you please leave me alone, I want to get some sleep" She says, Ziva grabs Tony hand leading him out of their daughter room closing the door behind them where they heard whimpers.
"She..."Ziva cuts him off. "She's letting out all of her tears. She's been holding in, I'll talk to her in a few minutes...I know what she is going through...She's needs time, Tony, She knows she's not alone. But in that moment she was" Tony bites his cheek. "I am supposed to..."Ziva cuts him off
"She'll be fine, go check on the twins I got her, " Ziva kisses his cheek before walking into her daughter bedroom.
Tony walks into Tali room, he goes over taking a spot by her on the bed. Tali opens her eyes "Abba-leh" He smiles "Yes, Mini Zee"She snuggles up to him. "I'm fine, really" He nods "This is for my own reinsurance. "Tali looks down at her hands, "IS kate..." He nods "SHe's fine your Ima-leh is with her...she'll be fine, Time to go to sleep" She nods scared to close her eyes.
Tony wraps his arms around her " I know you're scared " Tali shakes her head putting on a brave face "I'm fine, I'm not scared" Tony kisses her forehead. " Honey, you can put down this tough act. This is Daddy you're trying to fool, Okay you don't need to be the strong it's okay, to be a scared little girl," Tali eyes were watery she leans into her father.
" I shouldn't have asked to go if we...you kept telling us no, I should have listened" Tony wipes away her tears.
" Mini Zee, It wasn't your fault, things like this happen, and i know it's scarring, and I wished I could protect you and sister from it, but I can't sometimes and I thank god my girls are strong enough to fight through it. but I'm here Mini Zee, and No one can ever hurt you when I'm here" Tali gives a little smile "I know Abba-leh, but I don't want to close my eyes" He pulls the blanket over her. He kisses her forehead.
"Just a walk in the forest,
Nothing to fear, I am close,
I am near,
Tony sings softly, She snuggles closer to him, staring up at him with her chocolate eyes that was glossy from tears she wouldn't shed. The same eyes she would have when she was scared of something in her closet.
So close your eyes
Little red, there no evil wolf
Just a few little pigs
trying to make a home
She closes her eyes, feeling safe in her father's arms, there was no evil wolf that could get her, when he was around. He smiles when he feels her relax, he kisses her on the top of the head.
Grandma is alright
and the hunter is on stand by.
her lips twitched up, at that line, while letting herself draft to dreamland, he holds his little girl close thanking god that she was alright, and that she was safe.
He just wanted the man that threatened his girls, to make him pay and not his daughters. He took away a lot from both, and he'll just have to repair what he can, but tonight he was his daughter shelter from the scary world, that is not all full of fairy tales, and happiness.
So there is no need for tears
to water the beenstock
jack is already half way up
trying to cash in on his lucky.
so set aside your fears
everything alright in this fairytale tonight
He sings gently, while his daughter takes a fist of his shirt in her hand, while she was sailing down the waters of slumber. He hums the melody, holding her close to him.
Tony waits until he hears soft snores coming from his little angel, He kisses her forehead before gently removing himself from the bed, He tucks her in, " Love you Mini Zee," he says softly before walking out.
Ziva lays down beside her on the bed, her daughter turns to face her "Ima-leh, I'm fine" She says, while wiping the tears from her eyes, her mother brushes her hair behind her ear.
"I know you're not" Causing Kate to stare at her confused. "That's not what I said" Ziva gives a little smile. "I know what you said, but that's not what made you wake up screaming ..."Kate cuts her off.
" Ima-leh, he was going to...He was taking Tali, he was go to..." Tears of anger fill her eyes. " I pled with him, for me to go first, he said that if he wasn't satisfied he come back for her" Ziva holds her close, her eyes fully with rage, she strokes her hair
" He locked the bedroom door, and I didn't hesitate... I couldn't tali was on the line ...I had to give her time, to get out ... we fought, he pulled out my knife, he was coming at me, I grab the gun...It happen so fast...He fall on me,... I can't get the look in his eyes out of my head, and when I close my eyes, that what I see...or play if i didn't and those are the ones are haunting then what I did" She says in snobs. Ziva holds her close letting her cry.
"I know little one, My still haunted me" Kate looks up at her. " I know" Kate causing Ziva to look up at her. "I heard you at night, when i was seven, I heard you screaming stop, and daddy consoling you." Ziva shallows hard, she didn't want her kids to know the pain, or her scars that never seem to heal all the way.
"I'm sorry I'ma-leh for want he did to you...That you still wake up at night in terror..." Ziva lets a few tears roll down her cheek before regaining her composure. "Little one you did what you had to, I know, it hard and what you're feeling, but you have to remember why, you did it, and that you're here and so is Tali, and that's what matters. your safe and nothing will happen to you or tali. You won little one, don't let him win, by messing with your mind. I'm here, so is abba-leh and everyone else."
Kate stares at her mother tears forming in her eyes. "Ima-leh, I kil..." Ziva cuts her off. " Little one it was self defense..." She stares at her with torn eyes. "Little one remember what you told me in the hospital about Ari" She nods tears falling. Her mother wipes them away. " All, I see is a little girl, who protected her sister, and whose lost something in that room, but little one that's not who you are, and you're still the most amazing caring person I know" Kate gathers her compuser. resting her head on her mother chest.
"Okay now get some sleep, I love you little one, and I won't let anyone or anything take you or your sister away from me okay, Mommy grizzly is home" Kate laughs before kissing her mother's cheek.
"momma bear is home, " She corrects before cuddling close to her mother letting her hold her tight, Ziva smiled "Same thing" She says before humming her a lullaby. thinking about how much that man took away from her daughter.
" Ima-leh, I'll be fine, I'm glad i am home, I love you" Ziva kisses her forehead. "I love you too little one, and I'm glad you and Tali are home safe where you belong" She says, She looks at the foot of the bed seeing her Aliyana keeping a watchful eye on her daughter.
Tony goes to check on A. J who wasn't in bed, he goes downstairs to the kitchen where he see's his son pouring himself some coffee
"Buddy, it's a little late to be drinking coffee, " A.j takes a sip before grabbing another mug from the cabinet.
" You want some" Tony nods causing A.j to give a small smile.
He pours his father a cup of coffee. Tony takes a sip with a smile. "It's good" A.J gives a little smile.
"Thanks, are they okay" Tony gives a weak smile. "they will be, just a little scared, are you okay?" A,J gives him a confused look. "Dad, I wasn't the one kidnapped, remembered, I was at uncle mcgee's " He says a little bitter. He's father nods.
" I know, but that doesn't mean you can't be scared or worried about your sisters, or even both" Tony says, causing his son to look at him. "I should have been there, they are my sisters..."Tony cuts him off.
"A.J, you couldn't have known, and you can't blame yourself because you weren't there,"A.J nods taking a sip of his coffee.
"Then why do you " Tony opens his mouth before closing it staring at his son, which was the splitting image of him, but at the moment was one hundred percent his wife.
"Because, I'm their father, I'm your father, It's my job to protect you guys, and I Didn't today...Buddy, bad things happen, I wish I could shield you guys from it, and I try everyday to make it safer for you and your sisters, but there is always this monster who comes around and undoes everything I do."
A.J gives his father a weak smile, Tony takes a deep breath. "and at the end of my day all that matters, is that the kids are alright, and your mother is with me, we are Fine A.j it takes more than that scum to knock us down, and Your sisters proved that today. Now we be their shoulders to lean on, and watchdogs, we protect our girls, and One day you'll have your wife, and maybe even little girl of your own, to guard, and you would understand why I blame myself regardless, that I know there was no way I could have known" A. J nods, Tony walks over to his son grabbing his cup of coffee placing it down onto the counter.
"I love you, A.J but don't come in and take my job, I got them you're my kid that means you can sleep at night because there is another watchdog making patrols and he's packing, and he has a Ninja on stand by" A,J smiles, looking up to his father, something he would do even if he grows to be taller than him.
"Goodnight, Dad...thanks" A.J says before starting to walk away, Tony grabs his arm causing him to look up at him. Tony pulls him into a hug. A.J hugs him back before smiling. "Dad, I think we have shown enough affection to last to next year" Tony laughs before kissing the top of his head.
"Now we have, get some sleep" A.J nods walking a few steps before turning around. "I love you too dad" He says before walk out causing Tony to smile.
Ziva checks on tali to find her asleep, she walks out of the room, and walks into A.J room, she smiles at her son tucking him in. "Not so tight mom" She smiles "Sorry, love" She says, before kissing his forehead. "Sweet Dreams." She says causing him to smile. "Love you mom, " She smiles "Love you too, everything is alright, okay" He nods before closing his eyes. Ziva walks to find her husband walking out of kate's room.
"She's asleep, I just wanted to...She's" Ziva hugs him. "She will be alright, come on lets get a little bit of sleep, and if they need us we be there" Tony nods wishing he could have always been there, which was the same thing his wife was thinking.
Kate stares at the roof it was 4;45 in the morning, she woke up and couldn't seem to fall back to sleep. She hears her door opens, she looks to find it shut.
She turns on her side causing her to jump when she see's Tali. "You scarred me, you are like Ima-leh with those Ninja skills" Kate says with a little smile while her sister stares at her.
"You been scarred a lot tonight" Tali says, causing Kate to sigh.
"I'm fine Tali, are you okay?" Tali shakes her head, causing kate to give her a little smile before moving over on the bed.
"Take a seat" She does what she was told. Tali looks down at her hands. "I'm scared, I had a nightmare..." Kate hugs her.
"Hey, did you tell Ima-leh and Abba-leh" She asks while stroking her hair. "No, abba-leh had stayed with me until I fall asleep, I was okay, but then it just happened."
"What was it about" Kate asks, causing Tali to look up at her with tears in her eyes. "He was...I couldn't stop him..." She says between sobs, Kate bites her bottom lip, she tints tali chin. "Hey, he can't hurt you, Tali,. Okay, you're safe. Nothing is ever going to happen to you, when I am around" Kate says, tali tears continue to fall.
"It wasn't about me, I couldn't save you. He hurt you, I couldn't stop him." Tali says causing Kate eyes to widen. "I'm sorry, I should have..." Kate cuts her off, choking back some of her tears. "Hey, you are the reason, they find us. Tali you have nothing to be sorry about okay. Tali its my job to protect you" Tali stares at her.
"I still" Kate holds her close. "No, He had a gun, I did what I had to, because Honestly you're stronger than me" Tali stares at her confused.
" I can't live without you, Cri-Kee, you're my pain in the butt little sister...I'm not ready to lose my Tail, I don't want to know what ima-leh feels every time she see's aunt Tali's picture."Kate says, causing Tali to give her a weak smile .
" I'm not ready to lose my kate ethier" Tali says, causing Kate to give him a little smile. "You never will, I'm here...And that's because of you"She says, staring at her sister.
She was still terrified, and she wanted nothing more to curl up in the ball and be the scared little girl she was in the inside, but she had tali and everyone else to push her through those feeling.
" Kate, please no more being the hero" Kate gives her sister a little smile. "I'll try, but I am kind of good at it" Tali rolls her eyes hugging Kate.
"You're okay" She says Kate gives a little smile.
"Come on it's late we need sleep" Kate says, Tali nods before laying down on the bed causing Kate to give a little smile. "Slumber Party" Tali shrugs her shoulders.
"If you have a nightmare I'll smack you to wake you up, and you can gently shake my shoulders if I have one" She says with a smile.
Kate shakes her head. "No, more Bad Dreams, for either of us. We're safe okay. I got you're Six and..."Tali cuts her off. "I got yours, but I have more area to cover" Tali says shutting off the light, when she feels her sister hit her.
Tali laughs. "Sorry," Kate smiles pulling the covers over them, Tali smiles handing Kate her Tigger. "Thank you" Kate says, closing her eyes. Tali smiles "Goodnight, mushu" tali says, closing her eyes Kate smiles
"Sweet dreams, Cri-Kee" Kate smile closing her eyes. when she hears noises she opens her eyes to see her brother, checking on them.
"are you okay A.J " He nods "Just came to see if you and Yang were okay, " Kate gives a little smile.
"We are fine, but you could stay if you don't believe us" He smiles taking a spot next to her on the bed. "Kate, did he hurt you...or tali" Kate shakes her head, he gives her a look.
"I promise A.J," He nods "I'm sorry, I wasn't there" She gives him a little smile. "You're here now, and I think we all need sleep, thanks for being our watchdog but we are ninja trained, meaning we can sleep and still secure the area and besides we have Aliyana" She says, nodding at the foot of the bed where her puppy rested, which could be scaring if she wanted to be.
He nods getting up, Kate grabs his arm before handing him her tigger"His good has a pillow" He tucks the stuff animal under his head.
"Kate, lets not let this..." She smiles "Your reputation is safe, and I love you too A.J " He sighs "God do you need to make everything into a drama" She glares while a smile plays on his lips. He turns his back facing her "Anch'io Ti Voglio Bene" He says in a whisper before closing his eyes causing kate to smile. Only sweetdreams was going to be dancing in their heads.
Kate slips out of bed, pulling the covers over her brother and sister. She goes to take a shower and slips into a green track suit and pulls her hair in a messing bun. She leaves a note on the fridge that she went out for a run, and that her destination was gibbs house.
She let her anger out in her run, the last mile she kicked it into gear, until she felt like her legs was going to give out. She reaches his house, regaining her breath, she cools down before walking into the house.
She walks down stairs to the basement smiling at the frame of a boat, that she and gibbs had been working on since she got out of the hospitable, but once she got into the program. She had been busy, and she only got to spend a few hours with gibbs a week, which was a downside to signing up.
She slides her hands against the woodwork that still had some bumps and imperfections. "I guess, we both been through a lot" She mumbles before picking up a piece of sandpaper, sliding it over the bumps that made it imperfect, hoping that she could erase it, and make it like it never happened.
She tries to force it across while it struggles to erase it, when a rough hand went over her's gliding it against the grain slowing shaving away the problems. "Shortstack, It takes time, but in the end they go away, but you have to work on it." He says softly causing her to turn around her eyes a little clouding with tears.
"How do you ...How do you do it everyday" ." She stumbles on her words. He takes her hands into his. "You make a choice, like you did Short Stack, and at the end of the day, you live with it and live your life" She looks up at him.
"You're alive Short Stack, you did what you had to save Tali and Survive, now you do it again" She gives a little smile wiping her tears away.
"I will, but grandpa, if I need a line..."He kisses her forhead. "I'll have someone throw it , because I would be jumping in for you" He says hugging her, Making a promise to himself that he would not let anyone take away his little girl again, like they did so many years ago. That he would never have to live a day without seeing her crooked smile and those beautiful green eyes staring back at him.
Tony descends down the stairs of the basement to see the duel sanding. "Hey, Ninja you should have woken me up I would have drove you here..." Kate looks up from what she was doing, "I wanted to run" She says simply. She had not really talked to him since it all happened, and that was killing him. He nods, gibbs could see the pain in his agent's eyes.
"How long you been up?" Tony asks, while stepping off the last step.
" About three hours " She answers, causing her father to look at his watch. 8:30. "Ninja you shouldn't run, when its..."She cuts him off. "I know, I just need to run that's all, I won't make it a habit" He looks over at his boss who gives him a look saying let it go, it wasn't the time for it.
"Okay, but you need sleep and breakfast...Come on I'll get you something" She nods before kissing her grandpa on the cheek
"Thank you, " She whispers to him, tony forces a little smile. he was glad she was talking about what happen, and he knew he was wrong about the way he was feeling, but he was scared he lost his little girl. He just wanted to hold her and tell her she was safe, but she wasn't letting him, she was pushing him away.
" I'm going to take a quick shower I'll be right out" She says before stopping by her father.
"Did they, notify the parents of the girls. " Tony nods his head. "Yes, they are finally be reunited with their family" Kate nods before walking up the stairs. Tony runs a hand down his face. "She's scared and she won't let me be there for her...She's pushing me away" Tony says a little hurt, Gibbs pats the man on the shoulder.
"You be there for her DiNozzo, There is no way to protect her from this, you just be there for her..."
"She won't let me, Last night she had a nightmare. She kicked me out of her room, Ziva was in there for an hour, and we checked on them, and the twins was with her...She's just pushing me away..."
"She's human, Tony, she needs time, and she's not pushing you away, Ziva is her mom, She can tell her things, that she don't want tell you. The twins she feels she needs to protect them and you..."
"I should have protect her ..."
"DiNozzo, she took care of herself and Tali, because you and Ziver taught her how...Now stop worry where you were, and worry about where you are now, and if she pushes you fight her damn it, Take care of your girls, You still got them "Tony gives the man a weak smiles, he never understand how gibbs drags himself out of bed, how is able to cope with his daughter and wife being gone, and he hoped to god he never will.
"I will, Thank you boss "Tony says, before walking up stairs.
Kate was drying her hair she walks into kelly bedroom . She lays down on the bed. "Hmm, if you was given the choice I did would you have taken..."
"Ninja, she would be able to answer your question if she did." She stares at him before getting up from the bed she tries to pass him, but he didn't move.
"Can you please move, for I can get through" Tony shakes his head, putting his arms across his chest. She glares "why?" He stares at her with soft eyes.
"because, We need to talk" She sighs "I'm hungry can this wait" He gives her a weak smile. "No, Ninja it can't" She sighs looking around at the bright colors, "Ninja why..." She cuts him off. "I just want time, why don't you get that, and do me a favor and leave me alone" She tries to pass by him he grabs her arm. "Leave me alone" She says tears threatening to fall. He gently pulls her closer to him, she looks at him.
" I can't do that Ninja," She chuckles darkly "Then why did you yesterday" She hisses causing tony eyes to water, he swallowed hard. His heart was breaking.
"Ninja...I" She lets her tears fall. "I needed you, and you weren't there, you are always there, but not this time" She snobs, causing his eyes to water. Her shattered green eyes met his wounded ones. She stares at him with guilty eyes .
"I'm sorry, It wasn't your fault, and I don't blame you...I just needed you, I don't want to be the strong one anymore" She says looking down at her feet.
"Ninja..." She hugs him tightly, breaking down in his arms.
He stroking her hair. "Shh, Ninja its okay" She nods burying her head in his chest.
He kisses the top of her head. "I'm sorry, I wasn't there Ninja, but I am here now, and no one or anything is going to hurt you, when I am around okay you're safe,..." She nods hugging him "I know"
"you can let it out Ninja, It's just you and me, there is no need to be brave daddy's got you" She lets her tears fall holding him close letting herself be vulnerable.
"It's okay, Ninja" She lets her snobs soak his shirt. "baby he can't hurt you anymore, no one can" She looks up at him.
"Promise" She says like girl, he cups her face in his hands wiping her tears away. "Has Long has this old ticker is still ticking, I promise." She gives a little smile.
"please make that a very long time" He kisses her forhead. "Very long time, Ninja I'll fight them with a cane like guy from Up" She holds him close.
"Daddy...I didn't...I had no...It just happened" She stumbles on her words. Tony tilts her chin.
"Ninja, it's not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry about, it okay to hurt, but remember why you did it, and even then. It just comes down to living with it. " Kate nods "And I'll be there if you need me" She yarns causing Tony to give a little smile. "I will always need you...Thank you," Tony kisses her forehead. "For what" She kisses his cheek. "Fighting for me," She says with heavy eyes from being tired and crying. " i will always fight for you," She rest her head on his chest letting the remaining tears fall. He rubs circles in her back. "We get through this ninja, I promise" He kisses her on the top of the head.
Gibbs was sitting on the couch, Tony and Kate had been up there for a hour and half. He gives a little smile when he see's his probie carefully carry her down the stairs. her sound asleep.
"DiNozzo, when I said fight her I didn't mean knock her out." Tony rolls his "Boss, I show her a picture of you in a mustache it was too much for her to handle" Gibbs glares causing tony to smile.
"You won't hit me when I am holding your granddaughter." He shakes his head.
"Nah, but Tomorrow I will" Tony makes a face. "I'll going to get her home" Gibbs nods he kisses her on the cheek. "thank care of her" Tony gives a small smile.
"With everything I have" He says, while kate snuggles into her father chest.
Thank you, LunaEvanna Longbottom , crezza24 , CBurns1995, hslacer, and I3GodTivaNCIS
Thank you, livelovelaughSoph198, Ranga Kate and I3GodTivaNCIS for following wildfire.
Thank you, I3GodTivaNCIS , livelovelaughSoph198, and kak29 for favoriting wildfire.
Thank you, livelovelaughSoph198 for following Lights are going out everywhere.
Thank you, kak29 for favorite me.
LunaEvanna Longbottom thank you, I hope My professor is so Nice, maybe I should let her read my story...Maybe not, lol.
Hslacer thank you, I hope so.
Crezza24, I think you're right, Do you have their numbers, I called NCIS but they said Anthony DiNozzo or Leroy Jethro Gibbs didn't work there but I think they said that for the twos protection.
Two chapters left and One bonus!