We all were sitting on Gibbs' couch waiting for him to start yelling. After a few minutes of him pacing back and forth he finally stopped and looked at us.

"Alright Tony, since this seems to be your brilliant plan, start explaining. From the beginning."

"Ok, boss, Trevor and I were roommates in college. We talk a few times a year but that's about it. He called me last month and said he needed my help. I started trying to trace phone calls from here. I realized that I was in way over my head and so I decided I needed to tell the team what was going on. I needed help. McGee's computer skills are way better than my own. I know I should have come to you, but I guess I just thought that if I could do this on my own that I...well that you would be proud of me. There were several times the last week that I wanted to tell you...but I couldn't bring myself to. I'm sorry boss." Tony took a deep breath and sat back to await the wrath of Gibbs.

"Did any of the rest of you think that it might be a good idea to clue me in? Huh? That maybe I just might be able to help? And what in the world was your plan if something were to happen to Tony in Atlanta? How can I protect you if you don't tell me the truth! And I know that every single one of you know how I feel about lying to me. Ziva? Abby?How do I feel about lying?"

I could feel Abby shaking next to me. I thought back to the last spanking I had received and knew Abby was doing the same. I squeezed her hand and looked up at Gibbs. "Please, Gibbs we are sorry. We came to you this morning..."

"After Tony was in an airplane at 30,000 feet and I couldn't do a damn thing about it! Just answer me this, did any of you bother to think about what might happen if Tony would have gotten hurt?"

"Ummm, we tried not to think about that, Gibbs." Abby said quietly.

"I cannot protect you if you lie to me! Do you understand me?"

"Yes, boss."

"Yes, Gibbs"

"Yes Gibbs"

Yes boss"

"Good. I hope one of these days I finally get that through to you four. You are all in very big trouble. Tony, you will have two parts of your punishment. One for lying and putting yourself in danger and a second punishment for letting your team down. They are all being punished because you convinced them to lie to me. And yes, omitting the truth is lying. You are supposed to be the leader, Tony. You are supposed to protect them! Not get them all into trouble because you can't face your own pride. How can I trust you to protect them when you pull a stunt like this?"

"Boss, I'm sorry please don't punish them. It's my fault they are in this mess..."

"Yes...yes it is Dinozzo. I'm glad you see that but every single one of them could have come to me at any time. Yet, they didn't. So they each earned their coming punishments. But I'm glad you are finally accepting responsibility for your actions and for your team." turning his attention to McGee he continued, "McGee you will be next. I am very disappointed that you allowed Tony to get the girls in trouble. You should have stood up and realized how this would end. I expect more of you. I expect you to look out for this team. We are a family. You might have thought you were protecting Tony, but you weren't. I am just thankful that he didn't get hurt. Otherwise this conversation would be a lot worse."

"Yes, boss."McGee said, looking down at the floor.

Gibbs turned his attention to me. "Ziva, I am disappointed in your choice. After that stunt you pulled at the warehouse last year, I thought you understood what putting yourself in danger would do. You let Tony put himself in danger. Did you forget what happened after you put yourself in danger? Maybe I didn't make my point clear with that lesson..."

"No! Gibbs, you did. I remember your lesson clearly, I just thought that we could help him. I am sorry, Gibbs. I should have tried harder to convince him to come to you."

"Yes, and Abby, you should know what happens when you lie to me. Do you remember what happened the last time you lied?"

I felt bad for Abby, tears streaming down her face, She nodded. "Yes, sir."

"It so obvious that I have not made my lessons clear enough in the past. Rest assured I will not make the same mistake this time. There will be no doubt that you will perfectly understand the repercussions of lying to me after tonight is through. Do I make myself clear?"

We all nodded and mumbled our agreement. I have fought in dangerous conditions and feared for my life on more than one occasion, but nothing could compare to the uneasy feeling in my stomach at the thought of the punishments to come. What was worse was the knowledge that this queasy feeling was not because I would be receiving a spanking, that I could handle. But knowing that it was because I had disappointed him was hard. The man whose approval I wanted more than anything, was upset and hurt by the choices I had made.

I was fighting to keep my emotional shell intact, to stay brave for Abby. I couldn't hold back the tears as Tony reached over and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Ziva," he said softly, "I'm sorry I got you in trouble. I should have listened to you."

"It's ok, Tony we are in this together." I said, trying miserably to stop the tears from betraying my nerves.

Abby was still clinging to my hand as she curled up into McGee's side as he wrapped his arm around her.

"We will get through this together ok? It will be over soon." Tony said to all three of us. I was thankful for his resolve, as I was quickly loosing mine.

"Alright," Gibbs said, "I need a few minutes to calm down. Ziva, Tony, I want you guys to go out and get everybody's overnight bags and bring them in. McGee, you go upstairs and get the guest room ready for the girls. McGee and Tony you can have my room, girls you're in the guest room tonight.

Tony and I walked outside. "Tony, I'm really sorry that we got in trouble."

"No, Ziva, it's all my fault. You guys all told me that we should go to Gibbs from the moment I let you in on what was going on. I just...I don't know...there was some part of me that thought if we could pull this off it would be a good thing, but I guess I should've just asked for his help. Then we wouldn't be in this mess."

We were walking back up onto the porch when I heard Abby and Gibbs talking through the open window. "Shh..." I whispered to Tony as I grabbed his hand to stop him from opening the door. "He obviously sent us on errands so he could talk to her."

"Abby, come here." Gibbs said.

"No, Gibbs, please don't spank me!"

"I just want to talk to you Abbs. Come here...why did you not come to me? We have been doing so good these past few months. What happened?"

"I wanted to help Tony. I wanted to tell you Gibbs but I didn't want to feel like a little kid tattling on her brother. It sounds silly, I know. I'm sorry, please don't spank me!"

"Abby, you know I can't do that. You lied to me Abby. Tony could have gotten hurt. I thought I got this through to you last time. We have talk to each other and not hide things so no one gets hurt. How would you have felt if Tony would have been hurt in Atlanta? I can't protect you guys if I don't know where you are. I hate to punish you kids but you have got to think before you keep doing stupid things. I'm sorry Abby but you will get a spanking just like Ziva, McGee and Tony..."

"But we were protecting him! We were watching out for each other, as a team, isn't that an important rule?" Abby yelled, sounding even more upset.

"Yes Abbs, but you guys were missing one important part of this team..."

"Oh..." she paused, "You... we were not acting like a team because we didn't tell you."

"That's right Abbs, it's my team, my rules, and you broke the rules, all of you, together. And now you will be punished together."

"Yes sir," whispered Abby, and I motioned to Tony that we should head back inside.

We passed McGee sitting on the steps as we set the bags on the steps on our way in and he followed us back into the living room. When were were all standing in the living room. Gibbs stood Abby up off the couch.

He pointed to the hall way and said, "Wait out there in the hallway. Tony, you will go first and last. And guys, please learn your lesson this time. I don't like having to do this. I love you all more than you know, and I don't know what I would do if I lost any of you. The rules are there for your safety."

We all nodded as McGee and I led a crying Abby into the hallway. McGee sat down and Abby slid down the wall next to him. She made no effort to stop crying as McGee wrapped his arm around her. "Shh...it will be over soon."

I stood against the wall and closed my eyes. How could this have gotten so messed up. We actually thought we could get away with this? How dumb are we? I closed my eyes and listened to Tony and Gibbs talking.

"Tony, I am very disappointed in your choices you have made the past few weeks. I really expected more from you."

"I'm sorry, boss, do you really have to punish them too? Cant I just take it for them? I can handle it boss, this is all my fault."

I couldn't help it, but I rushed around the corner and yelled, "No! Tony, no! You cant do that, we knew what we were all getting into. It will be too much."

Gibbs was furious, "Ziva! Out now! I told you to wait in the hall."

"But, Gibbs..." I started.

"Ziva! Out in the hallway, now!"

Tony grabbed my arm and led me back around the corner, "Ziva, look at me. I can do this. I got us into this mess, ok? Im so sorry I got you three in trouble. Look at me, Gibbs loves us. Ok, he is trying to make sure we stay safe and follow the rules. Be strong for Abby, and me, ok? Can you be strong for me, Ziva?" he said, as he tucked a curl behind my ear.

"Tony, lets get this over with." Gibbs called, growing impatient.

"Go Tony." I said, "I will be fine."

Tony walked back into the living room and I sank to the floor beside Abby.

"Tony, why are you being punished?" Gibbs asked.

"Because I asked everyone to hide things from you."

"And..." Gibbs prodded.

"Because I went to Atlanta without telling you. And tried to do this on my own. I should have come to you, Boss. I really am sorry." Tony said with a deep sigh, "Boss..."

"Yes?"

"If I could take it all back I would. Please don't punish the girls or Tim."

"You know I cant do that, Tony."

"Come on, son, lets get this over with." Gibbs said walking over to the window and closing it. Then he walked over to the couch, undoing his belt. He motioned Tony to lean over the back of the couch.

I felt another tear slide down my cheek as I listen to the first swat of the belt and Tony's yelp.

"Tony" *swat*swat* "You will learn" *swat*swat* "to follow my rules" *swat*swat* "or you will end up" *swat*swat* "right here" *swat*swat* "every time." *swat*swat**swat*swat* *swat*swat* "Do you" *swat*swat* "understand me, son?" *swat*swat*

"Yes! Ow! Yes, Sir, I understand" Tony answered and I could tell he was trying hard not to cry.

"I cant protect you," *swat*swat* "If i dont know where you are" *swat*swat* "I have to be able to protect you," *swat*swat**swat*swat* "I dont want to loose you" *swat*swat* "Promise me you will" *swat*swat* "NEVER" *swat*swat* "EVER" *swat*swat* "lie to me again." *swat*swat* *swat*swat* *swat*swat*

"Yes, Boss! Please I will not lie to you again!" Tony cried, and then broke into sobs.

My heart broke hearing him cry. Tony was so strong, so caring, and here I was listening to him cry and being punished by papa Gibbs as Abby likes to call him.

After a few minutes Tony came into the hallway, the tears gone and that goofy smile on his face, as Gibbs called for McGee.

I listened as McGee walked in to face Gibbs. Tony walked over to me and pulled me to my feet and into his arms. "Im sorry Zi, Im sorry"

"Shhh...Tony, Its ok." I said, rubbing his back. "its ok, you gave us each a chance to back out. We are in this together."

"Tony..." Abby said softly, looking up at us, "I don't want a spanking."

"Oh, Abby" Tony said, kneeling down beside her. "Come on, its not that bad. And you know that Gibbs wont spank you nearly as hard as me. You know that he wont. I am so sorry, Abbs. Please forgive me for getting you into this mess."

"Its ok, Tony," She said softly. "I just really don't want a spanking from papa Gibbs."

Tony chuckled and kissed her forehead. Then looking up at me he said, "Ziva, I really am sorry."

"It is fine. Tony." I said. "It will be over soon..." It wasn't long before McGee was walking back into the hallway trying to wipe the tears from his face.

"Ziva." Gibbs called.

I looked at Tony and then walked in to face Gibbs.

"Ziva, Tell me why you are being punished."

"Because we lied to you." I said, staring at the floor. Waiting for him to tell me where to go. I was trying to build up a wall so that I would not cry. When he didn't say anything after a few minutes I looked up.

Once my eyes met his he said, "Ziva, I am very disappointed that you lied to me. I thought we had already had this discussion about trust. I want to hear what you have to say. Why did you hide the truth from me. Did you not stop to think about the fact that Tony could get hurt? Tell me what you were thinking Ziva, I need to hear it from you. Why did you lie to me!?" He stopped and waited for me to answer him. "Its just you and me in here. There is no one you have to be strong for, or protect, Ziva. I want to hear what you have to say." Gibbs said as he sat down on the couch and waited for me to continue.

My head was spinning. I was furious. I had not wanted to lie to him. I had not wanted to get everyone in trouble. "What do you want me to say Gibbs? That I am sorry? I am sorry that we did not come to you. I wanted to come to you as soon as I knew what we were getting into. I had not wanted to get in trouble. I had not wanted anyone to get in trouble. And I sure as hell did not want to disappoint you! I am sorry, Gibbs! Is that what you need to hear. That I do not want a spanking either but I am trying to be strong for Abby, and Tim, and Tony. Because They need me to be strong for them. I am sorry Gibbs. But I had to help him, Gibbs. He needed us. He needed our help." I finished yelling and broke into sobs.

Gibbs pulled me into his arms. "You don't have to be strong for everyone all the time. If you would stop trying to be the tough one, maybe one of us could be strong for you someday, Ziver. We love you, we need you, and I need you to trust me. I cant protect you guys if you keep hiding things from me. I cant read minds, you know. Take off your tough attitude for just a second and listen to me."

I took a deep breath and looked up at him. "I am listening." I said, trying to wipe the tears off my face.

"Ziva, Do you understand why I get so angry when any of you put yourself in danger?"

"Yes, of course." I said.

He just looked at me and raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to elaborate.

I sighed, "Because it is one of your rules. And you do not break a Gibbs Rule."

"While that is technically correct, it is not the answer I am looking for."

"Because you do not want us to get hurt?" I said after a few seconds.

"Damn it Ziva! I don't want to loose you. I know what it is like to loose people I love and I cant go through that again! I have rules to keep you safe! I don't want to loose you. Do you get that?"

I felt another tear escape and slide down my cheek. "Yes, Gibbs, I understand. I am sorry Gibbs."

"I know, ZIva, come on, lets get this over with." Gibbs said. I started to push myself up to stand up and go to the back of the couch where i knew that he had placed Tony. "No, Ziva. You need to understand that this is personal. I am not punishing you because you broke a rule. I am doing this, as much as I don't want to, because I love you, I love all four of you as much as I could love my own children. And you need to remember that there will be many people here, whose world would be completely shaken if we lost you." Gibbs said softly, as he guided me across his lap.

I was so shocked that I did not resist. I had not expected to have to take the punishment like this, not that he hadn't spanked me across his lap before. It was just that he was punishing us all for the same thing, yet it was personal for each of us. My brain was flying at record speed and I had not sorted out any of my thoughts when Gibbs began.

"Ziva," *swat*swat* "You will learn" *swat*swat* "to follow the rules" *swat*swat* "or you will end up" *swat*swat* "right here" *swat*swat* "every time." *swat*swat**swat*swat* *swat*swat* "Do you" *swat*swat* "understand me?" *swat*swat*

"Yes Sir," I grunted through gritted teeth.

"Ziva," *swat*swat* "You need to remember" *swat*swat* "that we are a family" *swat*swat* "and that means that" *swat*swat* "we have to" *swat*swat* "trust each other." *swat*swat**swat*swat* *swat*swat* "and that includes me too." *swat*swat* "Do you understand that?" *swat*swat*

I finally let go and broke into sobs once again. "Yes, Gibbs, I understand." He didn't say anything for a few minutes, just rubbed circles on my back.

After I had calmed down a little he helped me up to my feet and gave me one more hug. "Please come to me next time, ok, Ziva?"

I nodded, while wiping the last of the tears off my face, "Yes Gibbs."

"Alright, send in Abby."

I walked into the hallway and nodded to Tony. He pulled Abby to her feet. "Come on, Abbs" he said trying to guide her around the corner into the living room.

"No." Abby said, sliding to the floor and crossing her arms. Looking very much like a pouting child.

Tony looked over to me and rolled his eyes, and I could not help the giggle that escaped. Abby looked up at me and gave me a mean glare, and then turned her attention back to helping Abby get to Gibbs before he got any more upset.

"Abigail Scuito! In here now!" Gibbs yelled from the doorway, pointing into the living room. It took him a few seconds of giving her a dangerous stare, almost willing her to push him tonight, before she finally stood up and burst into tears again. Gibbs took a deep breath and sighed. "Ok, Abby you need a moment to compose yourself before I have any hope of having a rational conversation with you." Grabbing her elbow, he guided her into the living room. "Go find a corner, and I will be right back," we heard Gibbs say, followed by a small yelp, and then the sound of Abby's boots shuffling across the room.

Gibbs came back into the hallway where the three of us were still standing. Tony's jaw must have dropped because Gibbs took one look at us, all staring at him in disbelief, and said, "What? Haven't you ever had to stand in the corner before?" We all shook our heads and he gave a small laugh, "Ok. Well, you three need to remember this the next time you all decide to lie to me together, that you are getting other people in trouble besides yourself. So I hope that I have made myself clear and that this had better not ever happen again!"

We all mumbled our agreement and nodded as Gibbs turned back into the living room and McGee slumped against the wall.

Tony turned to me and asked, "you ok?" I nodded and was thankful when he pulled me into a hug. "I am sorry, Zi" he whispered into my ear.

"I know." I whispered standing back up and then leaning against the wall next to McGee. "I hate seeing Abby so upset."

"Why is it so much harder on her?" McGee asked, to neither of us in particular.

"I don't know" I answered.

"Because in our family she is the stubborn little sister" Tony said, trying to joke but I could tell he felt bad. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. "She tried to warn us, you know."

"Yes, I know. But we all had a choice, Tony." I said.

"Yes, we did. You told us from the beginning we could back out if we wanted to."

"I know, guys I just feel bad. She wanted to tell Gibbs but she didn't want to get me in trouble."

None of us said anything for a few minutes as we stood there leaning against the wall listening to Gibbs talk to Abby.

"It's so hard listening to this!" Tony said after a while. "She takes it so much harder than the rest of us."

"I guess that was Gibbs' point." McGee said softly.

"Yea, I guess so."

"Tony, will Gibbs really spank you a second time?" I asked.

"Yea, Ziva, he will. He's only had to once before but yeah...he will."

"I wonder how he gets her to stay still over the back of the couch?" McGee said curiously.

"He doesn't." I said.

Both boys looked at me in shock, "what do you mean?" Tony asked.

"He spanks her over his lap." I shrugged. Acting like it was not a big deal, although I knew it was to me.

"Wow, poor Abby." McGee said. "There is no way to escape Gibbs then."

I realized, just then, that I was thankful for Gibbs. I felt loved and cared for, and punished yes, but it wasn't a bad feeling. I finally realized that he really does love us. That all of this was somehow a way to show us that we needed him as much as he needed us. We were all in this together. And we really were a family. Albeit a very unusual and dysfunctional family, but we were there for each other all the same.

I was lost in thought when a sniffling Abby came into the hallway. I wrapped her up in my arms as I gave Tony an encouraging look before he left the hall.

"Sh...Abby, you are just fine." I said, rubbing her back. Turning to McGee I said, "I am going to help her to bed."

He just nodded as I guided Abby up the stairs, grabbing our overnight bags, and headed to the guest room.

We both got ready for bed and I was putting my clothes back into my bag. Abby was laying on her stomach in her pajamas. I could still see the redness in her eyes from crying.

"Abby, are you ok?" I asked.

"Yea, Ziva. Thanks. Do you think the boys are ok?" She asked, rolling onto her side to look at me.

"Yes, Abby I think the boys are fine. I think Tony feels really bad for getting us all in trouble...Abby...can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Ziva."

I cleared my throat, feeling embarrassed for asking her this. But my curiosity was getting the best of me. "Did Gibbs really make you stand in the corner?"

I relaxed a little as Abby laughed. "Yea. It's not the first time. Why? It's not a big deal." She shrugged, and looked at me with great interest.

"It's not?" I asked, surprised.

"No it's pretty normal where I grew up. I take it children don't get sent to the corner in Israel?"

"No Abby, no they don't."

"Oh, well it usually helps for me to have a little time to sort out my thoughts before Gibbs expects me to answer his questions and take my spanking."

I just nodded and thought about what she had said. It did make sense, I guess. After a while I looked over and Abby was almost asleep. "Abby, I am going to go check on Tony and McGee ok?"

"Mmhmmm, came the reply as she was quickly falling asleep.

I turned the light off and slipped out the door. I went back downstairs and joined McGee in the hallway.

"Are you ok?" I asked him softly.

"Yeah, that was hard to listen to. Ziva. Gibbs was really hard on him."

"Is it over?" I asked, right as Tony and Gibbs walked into the hallway.

"Is Abby asleep?" Gibbs asked us. And when I nodded he continued, "I'm not surprised she usually gets pretty worn out when I have to punish her."

"Boss, I'm sorry." McGee said.

"It's over now, Tim. Ok? You all took your punishments well. It's over and done with, let's not have to repeat this ok?"

"Yes Gibbs." I said quickly

"Yes boss."

"Yes boss."

"Good. Now off to bed, we have a big day tomorrow." Gibbs said, shooing us up the stairs and heading towards the basement.