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Chapter 18

"we met at the bar and he just started talking to me and it felt kinda nice, I mean he was so sweet and honest, he made me feel better, I forgot everything when I was with him" everyone smiled at the enthusiasm in her voice, Kate felt Rick wrap his arms around her and she leaned against him listening to her daughter, seeing the light in her eyes burning bright.

"what's his name girl" Lanie asked eagerly "Alex" she said with a grin "Alex Somers" "oooooo" everyone said and she narrowed her eyes at them all "he was pretty cute" April said with a grin "good for you girl" Lanie said pulling Livie into a hug making her smile, "let's eat" Livie said "I am starving" laughing they all headed over to the food and piled their plates high, as they all headed out Lanie fell into step with Kate and Rick "and how do you two feel about this" she asked, Kate grinned "I am happy for her, I trust her to be sensible, she is an intelligent girl, and I want her to be happy and this boy really seems to be making her happy" Lanie smiled "and what about you writer man" she asked looking at Rick.

"I'm cool with it" he said, Kate laughed "he was watching her the whole night" she said "being over protective" Lanie laughed "what" Rick said "I want to watch out for her, especially now she calls me her daddy" Kate smiled again and they headed outside, they were all sitting in the sand away from the pool this morning, the girls obviously not wanting to be dunked again in the cold pool by their fathers, Kate watched Rick chatting to Livie who talked to him with a smile on her face, he laughed and pulled her in against his chest tussling her hair making her laugh, it felt so perfect, this family.

Livie came and lay on the blanket with them, Lanie continued to grill her for information about Alex, "Lanie" she complained "I feel like I am in interrogation" "tough" Lanie said, Kate tried to change the subject "so where did you ride this morning" she asked, to her surprise Livie ducked her head uncertainly before grinning at her "I went along the cliffs, it was amazing, I watched the sun rise at the top before I rode down onto the beach and galloped back" Kate smiled "you going to do it again tomorrow" she asked, Livie ducked her head again "yeah" she said "I think I will and take my camera get some nice pictures, hey um I want to go check on Skye she was really hot earlier" she leapt up and ran towards the little stable.

They all watched her go before Kate looked at Lanie and shrugged "she seams shifty" she said, Lanie nodded and April laughed, they both looked over at her "that's because she is hiding something" April said, they both eyed her "what" Lanie asked, April looked at her "well if I knew it she wouldn't be hiding it would she" she said "but I would guess it has something to do with a certain blue eyed boy and the cliffs" "ahhh" Kate and Lanie both said together.

Kate looked at her watch "Lanie" she said "I want to run into town and pick up some things for lunch and run a few errands, do you mind accompanying me" Lanie looked at her oddly before nodding "sure girl" she said and she leapt up, Kate stood and slowly pulled a shirt on over her bikini and slipped her feet into her flip-flops and headed into the house grabbing the keys to the car and moving out to the driveway, she could see Livie tacking up Skye with Tali obviously to give her another lesson before she allowed the mare to rest. "Livs" she called and her daughter looked up at her "I am just going into town with Lanie ok" Livie nodded "Ok have fun" she called before hoisting herself onto Skye and hauling Tali up behind her and urging the mare back down to the beach with Tali giggling.

Lanie came out of the house and clambered into the passenger seat and Kate slid into the driver's seat and headed off into town. Lanie waited until they were picking up food in the supermarket before she spoke "ok Kate what do you want to talk about" Kate looked at her "what do you mean" she asked innocently, Lanie looked at her "girl I am your best friend, I know when something is up", Kate smiled at her "ok" she said "I want to do something and it feels so right to do it, I just want to know if you think it is a good idea" Lanie smiled at her "ok girl let's hear it", her eyes widened as Kate told her, then she laughed and hugged her tightly "Kate that is awesome, oh I totally agree, I think it is perfect" Kate smiled and hugged her friend back "glad you think so" she said "I mean I can't see anything bad that could come out of it" "I only see happiness" Lanie said with a smile, Kate smiled and moved deeper into the shop, "now where is the electronics" she murmured and with a smile Lanie followed.

XOXO

Tali laughed as she clung to Livie and they cantered down the beach "you ok" Livie shouted "yeah" she shouted back "faster" Livie laughed and urged Skye into a gentle controlled gallop back towards their parents who were all watching them with a smile, April and Libby were building a giant sandcastle nearby, they slowed to a canter before they headed into the sea laughing then squealing as the cold water hit them, Tony grinned at Ziva "well another expensive hobby" Rick laughed "expensive is correct but worth every penny to see the light in their eyes and to hear their laugh of glee" Ziva smiled and they both looked out at the two girls laughing as the horse leapt over the waves

"April used to love it" Booth said "But after the incident she never started back up again, maybe she should of, she loved it and like you said Rick I loved seeing her delight" April looked over at him and smiled "yeah I did enjoy it" she said "time was a bit of an issue though as well" he rolled his eyes "something we have even less of now we have this little munchkin" he said looking at Libby who smiled sweetly at him making everyone smile.

"lunch" Kate called reappearing round the side of the house with Lanie carrying pizza boxes all stacked one on top of each other "we got a verity" she said dumping them on the counter as everyone scrambled inside "we didn't know what everyone liked so we ordered a large of everything" "ooo yum" Tony said snagging a slice of a meaty one "ah lovely cheers Kate… oi Ziva" he complained as Ziva snagged it from him a sparkle in her eye, she grinned at him just as through the monitor they heard a wail "your son is crying" she said, he pouted "so he is my son when he wants something but yours when he is being an angel" she smiled sweetly "yes" he groaned and headed off up the stairs.

Ziva smiled and placed the slice of pizza on a plate for him before fetching her own as everyone scrambled for the food, "Livie" Kate called and reached into the bag and handed her daughter a box "got you a new phone" she said softly, Livie looked at her and smiled weakly, she could have had her old phone back but Kate didn't want her to have it back, that phone had been used to capture their pain and cause Rick pain, it had been used to lure her into the danger and to deliver threats, so when it had been returned she had instantly smashed it and thrown it away before Livie could see it, she had been using Alexis' old phone until she had gotten a new one. Livie hugged her "thanks mom" she mumbled and pulled out her temporary phone and switched the SIM cards, Kate watched her with a smile on her face, moving on again, it was getting a bit repetitive.

She waited until everyone had finished eating before she moved over to Alexis "hey can I talk to you for a minute" she asked quietly, Alexis looked at her confused before nodding and gathered up the empty pizza boxes with her and helped her carry them out to the recycle bins, Kate dropped her load in and waited for Alexis to do the same before looking at the 17 year old girl "are you ok Kate" she asked uncertainly, she nodded "I am fine Lex, I promise I just want to ask your thoughts and permission to do something"

Alexis looked at her "what" she asked, Kate bit her lip before slowly explaining her idea, the more she explained the bigger the smile got on Alexis' face until she finished and stood there waiting for Alexis to speak, instead the teenager flung her arms around Kate "oh my gosh Kate that is awesome, I am so happy that you want to do that, really I am over the moon" Kate smiled at her and hugged her again "I am glad you agree Alexis really I am" Alexis pulled away to smile at her "why wouldn't I be Kate, this makes us even more of a family and that is what I want, that is what we all want" Kate smiled.

"what you talking about" they both jumped and turned to find Rick and Livie standing behind them "nothing" they both said "just taking out the recycling" Kate said, Rick eyed them before he smiled and opened his arm, Kate smiled and moved into his embrace "come on back to the beach" he said, Alexis grinned and slung her arm around Livie who giggled and mimicked the movement before the two of them raced to the sea laughing as they plunged into the water fully dressed. Kate moved over to the blanket "hey little guy" she said as she knelt down, AJ giggled at her and crawled over to investigate her, Rick fell down on the other side of her slinging an arm over her waist holding her tight, all the couples were like that sunning themselves side by side in each other's arms whilst their children entertained themselves.

Ziva lay on her side next to Tony watching AJ, he crawled back to her giggling and she smiled as she reached out to him, he slowly pulled himself holding onto her before he tumbled against her laughing to himself, Ziva caught him steadying him smiling at his glee, she felt Tony stir "what is my mini man up to" he mumbled "trying to stand" Ziva murmured "he is getting better" "mm" Tony said looking at him "remind me to baby proof the apartment when we return", Ziva laughed.

April came stumbling over to her parents grinning and fell down next to her mom who smiled and ran a hand through her daughters hair "can we get a place out here" April asked. Brennan laughed "is this some conspiracy" she asked "your father just asked me the same thing" April giggled and grinned at her dad who smiled back giving her the thumbs up.

They all lay there together and one by one their children joined them, lying on the blanket one, big united team, one alliance, they lay there until Tali said dozily "um as much as I don't want to move, those clouds look very threatening do you think we should move"?, they all looked up at the iron grey clouds above them, then they felt the first drops of water, "sounds good" Booth said and they all leapt up grabbing their things and running into the house laughing as the rain fell thicker and faster, Kate and Livie were the last ones in having sorted Skye out and they were soaked but laughing loudly, Kate grinned and moved over to hug Rick who wrapped her in his arms catching hold of a handful of her wet hair holding her tightly as he kissed her, pressing his lips lovingly to hers.

Livie grinned at Tali and April as she wrung out her wet hair, they grinned back at her happily "shall we move into the living room" she suggested and they all did so sitting on the sofas and the large makeshift bed, giggling as they talked. Ziva was sitting on the edge of the bed with AJ smiling at them all then she looked down at her son and a smile slipped onto her face "Tony" she murmured "look at AJ" everyone looked over to see the 11 month old baby standing holding onto Ziva's arm wobbling away as he stood there, then slowly he released her and stood there swaying slightly, slowly Tony slid off the sofa and crouched a few feet in front of the baby boy who looked at his dad and held out his hand "da" he squealed making everyone smile.

Nobody moved as they held their breaths, Tali pulled her phone out and shifted closer setting it to record. AJ looked around at everyone watching and then at his daddy in front of him then slowly he stepped away from his mommy, one shaky step at a time. The smile on Tony's face was huge as his son took his first shaky steps towards him before tumbling into his arms.

Tony whooped as he lifted his son above his head "way to go little buddy" he said making Aiden giggle and kick his legs excitedly, "yay AJ can walk" Tali squealed leaping up and running over to her baby brother and her dad "clever boy". Ziva smiled as she stood up and took her son from Tony who was grinning proudly, she looked at the little boy who looked at her with his chocolate brown eyes, exact copies of her own "YisharKoachha'bensheli" she murmured "well done my son" he giggled and clung to her his little fingers digging into her skin "about time too" Tony said "was beginning to think he would never walk" AJ smiled cheekily at his dad making them all laugh.

The rain lashed at the windows, pounded on the roof but it didn't bother them, they were all inside safe, warm and comfortable without a care in the world for what was going on outside, they talked and laughed, told funny stories to each other and soon they were laughing well into the evening.

Eventually they all went to bed; Libby had already passed out, sprawled across the bed so they all snuck out whispering their goodnights. The girls changed quietly whispering to one another before sliding into the bed and shifting around tugging blankets over them, claiming pillows and finding their spaces, Libby rolled over and curled up pressed against April who wrapped her in her arms hugging her tightly before closing her eyes, Livie curled up next to Alexis who hugged her for a while before drifting off to sleep, Livie grinned at her friends and sister, today had been awesome, but now she had to get sleep since she would be getting up early the next morning…

XOXOXO

Tali could hear the birds chirping and someone moving around in the room, slowly she allowed her eyes to flutter open and saw that it was Livie dressing, she was pulling on a pair of three quarter length leggings and a loose white top on, she picked up a small bag and placed some apples in it and her new phone, then she picked up a brush and ran it through her hair looking in the mirror with a concentrated look on her face.

She glanced over her shoulder and instantly Tali feigned sleep, she peeped out again to see Livie picking up a pair of sneakers and placing them in her bag before she slipped outside, Tali sat up and poked Alexis and April, they both grumbled at her "Livie just snuck out" she whispered "alert the media" April slurred rolling over and closing her eyes again "she put on pretty clothes to go out riding in" Tali said "so" Alexis mumbled "and she brushed her hair and left it down, I think she was sneaking out to see someone, someone who has blonde hair and blue eyes and Livie is smitten with".

That got them, they both sat up "oo, she is off to see Alex you think" April said a gleam in her eye, Tali nodded, instantly they slipped out the bed and yanked on some clothes before slipping out in time to see Livie leading Skye out and pull herself onto the mare's bare back, then she headed off towards the cliffs again at a trot. "well we will never keep up with her" April said looking crestfallen, "yeah we will" Alexis said, she ran towards the outhouse and curiously they followed her entering in time to see her uncover some bikes, "awesome" April hissed and they grabbed them, there were only two but one had little bars on the back wheel and Tali stood on it holding onto April's shoulders and they took off giggling up towards the cliffs after the horse and rider.

"urgh she has it easy" April groaned as they peddled up the hill, laughing Tali leapt off and ran to the top where she waited for them to arrive huffing, she laughed and carried on running as they peddled along, keeping up with them easily with her heightened stamina. "whoa stop there she is" Tali suddenly hissed as they arrived at the top of another hill and spotted Livie sitting on Skye watching the sunrise, they dropped hurriedly behind some bushes and lay there watching her.

"maybe she just came up here to watch the sunrise as usual" April hissed as they watched Skye lower her head to graze on the grass "no Tali is right" Alexis whispered "she dressed up", they watched as she slid off and then offered Skye an apple which the mare took gently before eating one herself "so that's where the apples keep disappearing to" Alexis said making them giggle and then shush each other as Livie suddenly turned round and smiled as a figure appeared at the top of the hill "oo it's him" Tali giggled and they both shushed her giggling excitedly as they watched "hang on need proof" Alexis whispered and pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the two silhouetted in the sunrise as they greeted each other unaware of the three pairs of eyes watching them struggling to remain quiet.

XO

Livie smiled as she saw Alex appear and make his way towards her "hey" he said smiling "hi" she said slightly breathlessly, smiling he reached down and took her hand kissing it gently "I couldn't stop thinking of you yesterday" he said softly gazing at her with his clear blue eyes, she blushed "same" she said smiling at him, slowly he sat down in the grass and Livie joined him keeping an eye on her horse who grazed a few feet away "so you are headed home today" she said, he nodded sadly "all packed and ready to go, luckily my parents went out last night with friends and came back late so they are still sleeping and knowing them they will sleep in late, so I have a while, what about you"? Livie smiled "they won't mind and they will think I have just gone out for a ride as I have every morning" he grinned "awesome" he said.

And so they talked about everything, their schools, they pasts, everything, though of course Livie left out her incidents, the sun had risen when he leaned over and ran his hand through her hair gently "you are beautiful" he whispered and there was such honesty in his eyes, she hesitated before leaning into the touch as he moved his hand to her neck, then she suddenly pulled away as his fingers brushed over her burns, he frowned "hey are you ok" he asked "what was that", she turned away breathing hard "no" she said "you don't need to see them" "see what and why" he asked confused "because when you see them you will realise that I am not as beautiful as you think I am" she whispered, she sensed him shift closer "hey Livie what's wrong" he asked, she didn't move, she just continued to breath hard, then she felt him slowly brush her hair aside and his breath caught in his throat.

"Jesus Livie who did that to you" he asked, she took a shaky breath "don't worry about it" she said "Livie hey what happened" he asked and moved round in front of her, she looked at him "you know my mom is a cop" she said, he nodded, his eyes concerned "well she was solving this case and the people who committed it, they panicked and kidnapped me to use as leverage" his eyes widened but she continued "my mom asked for proof that I was alive" she whispered "so they sent her a video of them pressing a white hot pipe into my back, burning me, they sent her a video of my pain" he stared at her in shock "when" he asked, she swallowed and looked away "almost a year ago" she whispered "but it still hurts and holds me in"

She didn't look at him until he gently caught hold of her chin and turned her head to face him "hey Livie" he said softly, slowly she looked at him, he smiled at her "those marks don't make you any less beautiful to me, in fact I think they make you even more amazing, they show how strong and brave you are and how much you have been through, you don't have to tell me what happened to you but if you ever want someone to talk to about it, then I will be there for you, I promise". She looked at him before she leaned forward and gently kissed him on the cheek "thank you" she whispered "you are the most amazing guy I have ever met" he grinned.

At that moment Skye wondered over and nibbled at Livie's hair playfully before lowering her head to her bag searching for more tit bits, Alex laughed and stroked her neck "I have a horse" he said with a smile, she looked at him in surprise "You do" she said, he nodded "I don't tell many people though because most people find it to be a girly hobby, but I love horses, they are the most amazing creatures ever" she grinned "I agree, what is your horse like" she asked, he looked at her smiling "well he is a bright bay horse and he is called Red" she smiled "what's he like" she asked "hyper" he said and she giggled giving Skye another apple much to the mare's delight, then she stood up "do you want to ride Skye" she asked, he looked at her "only if you come with me" he said, "deal" she laughed and, he boosted her up before climbing up behind her, she turned Skye and headed slowly down the track at a leisurely pace, feeling his arms gently round her waist and loving the fact she was sitting in his arms.

At the bottom they headed onto the beach and Skye snatched at the reins again "faster" she asked "as long as you have more control than yesterday" he said making her laugh, she kept hold of the reins squeezing on them gently as she nudged her heels into Skye's sides. The mare leapt forward but remained at a steady canter down the beach, Livie laughed and she heard Alex laugh in delight as they rode the mare down the beach, she steered the horse into the sea and squealed as the cold water sprayed up at them before laughing as Skye galloped through the shallows picking up her speed, she felt so undeniably happy.

XO

Rick woke as there was a cry from beside him and he sat up to see Kate gasping and jerking in her sleep "no" she whispered "no don't, please help her, no Livie" "hey" he whispered "hey Kate wake up" he shook her gently, but she didn't and she gasped struggling "no" she sobbed "please Livie stay awake" she let out another cry "please you have to help her, I'll do anything, please help her" "Kate" Rick said shaking her again "hey Kate wake up honey"

To his relief she jerked awake gasping and trembling "hey" he whispered "Kate you're safe, it's ok, it is all over, he won't hurt you ever again" she stared at him gasping before her eyes filled with tears "it was so real" she whispered and fell forward, he caught her and pulled her against his chest, resting her head over his heart as she cried, he cradled her whispering to her that it was all over and that she was safe. It took her a while to calm down, then she looked up at him, her gentle brown eyes wide "thank you" she whispered "always" he whispered back stroking her hair gently, she hugged him for a while before sighing "I need some air" she whispered and he nodded "do you want company" he asked and she nodded so he followed her down the stairs, peering into the living room they saw that the only one there was Libby curled up in a ball under some blankets.

Rick followed Kate out onto the beach, he watched her as she leant against the table, breathing in the sea air taking in deep breaths, slowly he crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her "you ok" he asked, she nodded slowly "just shaken" she whispered "but I will be fine", he kissed her neck gently, she looked out across the beach and spotted a dappled grey horse making her way down the trail towards the beach, and she sighed watching as the horse stepped onto the sands and began to canter.

They suddenly heard laughing and looked over to see two bicycles and three girls shooting into the drive, "I forgot about those bikes" Rick said as the girls dropped the bikes and raced towards them "hey girls where did you go" he asked "we followed Livie" April said her eyes shining "and spied on her date", they both frowned "what date" Rick asked, they pointed "the sandy haired blue eyes boy she is riding across the beach with now" Alexis said with a grin, Kate squinted and saw that there were indeed two riders, riding the horse across the beach "she met up with Alex" she said with a smile "yeah she snuck out to do so" Tali said "quick inside" April said as the horse approached, and they all raced in, peering out to see the horse slow and Alex hoped off followed by Livie and the two of them moved round to the drive

"that was awesome" they heard Alex say as they peered through the window "yeah" Livie said her eyes shining, he sighed "I had better head home though, we are leaving and my parents will flip if I am late back" they both looked pretty crestfallen. "What's going on" Tony asked appearing behind them, they all shushed him and he peered out spotting the two teenagers "ah" he said and fell silent. "well I will text you" Alex said "maybe one day we should arrange to go riding together" "yeah that would be amazing" Livie said and her smile widened as he kissed her cheek again, "well talk soon" he said, she nodded "yes I need to go have a word with my sister and friends and ask why the bikes are out" she sounded like she already knew though.

Everyone looked at Tali, Alexis and April who all gulped as Livie said her goodbyes and then headed towards the house, she entered to find everyone trying to act innocent, Tony was filling the kettle whistling innocently and Rick was hunting through the cupboards for mugs, her mom was smiling at her "morning" she said moving to hug her daughter "good ride" Livie hugged her mom before looking past her at the other girls "oh I don't know why don't you ask them" "hey what did we do" Tali asked "followed me" she said "no we didn't" they said together.

"why are the bikes out then" she asked "we went into town" Alexis said "at 7am" she said obviously not believing them, they nodded and she narrowed her eyes in a way very similar to her mother, Alexis and April both pointed at Tali "her idea" they said "traitors" she muttered making her father laugh "who are traitors" Lanie asked coming into the kitchen followed by Esposito "April and Alexis for ratting me out" Tali said "what you go" Esposito asked "followed me" Livie said.

Lanie looked at her "why is that a problem" "because she went to see her boyfriend" Alexis said, Lanie squealed "really" "he is not my boyfriend" Livie said scowling at her sister who grinned "I don't know what he is" she added "really because the kiss on the cheek said something different" Tony said and ducked as Livie threw a dishcloth at him, "aww" Lanie said pulling Livie into a hug "our little girl is all grown up" Kate smiled gently as Livie pulled a face but hugged Lanie back before moving to stand next to her mom who wrapped an arm around her shoulders hugging her.

As everyone else came in and heard about Livie's morning much to her embarrassment Kate watched her daughter and realised that Lanie was right, Livie wasn't her little girl any more, she was all grown up and falling in love and falling in deep for the first time.

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