This chapter has a lot more of Hasmia's POV, also sorry if Abby seems slightly OOC. And beware, there is a little flash back, nothing terrible, jus not extremely happy stuff :p
"You sure you are OK coming to work? I can stay home if you prefer," Ziva suggested, Tony was in the shower, the loud ballad he was singing was floating down the hallway. Both Ziva and Hasmia were already ready to leave, Ziva having been for her morning run, she got back at six to find Hasmia curled up on the couch reading one of the books Ziva had given her.
The teen shook her head, it was a slow movement but it sent her wild curls swaying, "Don't change your life for me."
"It is already changed, but one day won't matter if I stay home," Ziva reasoned.
"And then tomorrow?" She retorted, Ziva noticed that whenever the girl was angry a slight accent shone through, she actually found it a lovely sound.
Ziva sighed, "Fine you can come, but bring something to keep yourself occupied, if there is a case I cannot look after you," She was already becoming protective of her niece.
"You really think I can't take care of myself?! Like I haven't done that already," Hasmia scoffed, storming off to grab a backpack. Ziva rubbed her eyes, she was beginning to doubt if she could look after the teenager. Maybe she just wasn't cut out for parenting.
Tony interrupted her thoughts, he came out of the bathroom, doing up his shirt for work, "What was that about?"
"I can not be a parent Tony," Ziva admitted.
"Then don't," He replied simply.
She glared at him, "What and send her back to Eli?!"
"No, don't be her parent Ziva, you aren't and you never will be. Just be her friend, be that cool aunt that every kid has, that we all wanted to live with forever," Tony sincerely answered.
Ziva nodded, blown away at his wisdom, "You should be serious more often, I like you like this."
Tony grinned, doing an elaborate bow, "Why thank you madam David."
"And you are back."
"Missed me?" Tony shot back, still smiling.
Ziva leant up, as if to kiss him, but pulled away, a wicked smirk on her face, patting his cheek, "Nope."
He gave a mock sad face, bottom lip trembling, "That hurt."
She just grinned and picked up her bag, "Hasmia, you ready?" She called down the hall.
"I'm right here Ziva," A voice replied, both Ziva and Tony jumped; she had been sitting on the couch, watching them.
"How did you get there kiddo?" Tony asked, genuinely curious.
She shrugged, "I'm quiet."
"I noticed," He muttered, he had tried this morning to talk to her about last night, but she had avoided his questions like an expert, quickly eating her small bowl of muesli then leaving to shower. She had secretly loved that shower, it was one of the first proper ones she'd had in a long time, not hurried along by the Child Services lady or when she snuck into a public pool, just to use their showers.
Ziva noted the tension that was still in the air, "Alright let's go."
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
Hasmia Haswari was bored. Very. Recently she had been without much to do, no toys, friends, places to go or anything like that, but she had always been occupied, getting food or just watching life stroll by. But in the bullpen there was no life, they were only talking about death. She had finished the book she had brought with her, both taught and mastered how to play solitaire and chess, been for a small tour of the building, well some areas. She wasn't taken into the forensics lab or autopsy, not that either appealed to her much. She hated doing nothing, she'd always disliked sitting still, getting told off at school constantly. Hasmia lifted her chin off her arms, she decided to find something to do. The bullpen was empty, apart from Agent McGee, but he was tapping furiously on his computer, clearly not paying any attention to her. She had suspected he was left behind to keep an eye on her.
Hasmia slowly stood, making no sudden movements that would catch his eye. He didn't seem too strong, or fast, he should be easy to get away from. Hasmia slowly walked around Ziva's desk, walking towards the elevator, she pressed the bottom just like she had seen Gibbs do, the doors opened with a loud ding.
Shit. Agent McGee looked up, "Hey you're not allowed anywhere without a agent present." He called, standing up he hurriedly walked over, Hasmia sighed and walked into the open elevator, pressing the button that she assumed was the ground floor, McGee slipped in after her. "I don't think you're allowed to leave the squad room." He said nervously. The doors were just starting to close when Hasmia jumped out, smirking as the agent's confused expression changed when he realised he wouldn't make it through the door in time. There was another ding and suddenly Hasmia was alone. She glanced around quickly, making sure no one had seen what had happened, thankfully no one had. She quickly walked down through the now empty bullpen, making her way to the second elevator, determined to explore this new building more.
She found another elevator, Hasmia didn't know which number led where so she just guessed, she ended up in the place Ziva had described as the lab. There was music pounding it's way through the thick steel door, she shrugged, figuring whoever was behind the door would eventually meet her, why not speed up the process?
She walked quietly into the room, seeing one of the strangest people she had ever seen in front of her, foot tapping to the beat, eyes glued to a computer screen. She was wearing big leather boots with huge soles, white socks that went up to her knees, a short black skirt, white tee shirt, a black leather dog collar, her obviously dyed black hair was in pigtails and her pale skin was littered with tattoos.
She hadn't noticed Hasmia so she decided to make her presence known, "Hi." She said nervously.
The woman spun around, confused to find a fifteen year old girl in her lab, "Who are you?" She asked harshly, her tee shirt revealed to have a skull on it.
"Hasmia Haswari." She was confused why she saw hatred fill the woman's eyes, that coupled with the fact she towered over the teen made her quite intimidating.
The woman took a deep breath, "You're staying with Ziva and Tony right?" She was met with only a nod as a response. "And you're Ari's daughter."
"It would make sense, we have the same last name after all," Hasmia replied, irritation in her tone, she crossed her arms, defiantly looking the woman hard in the eye.
"What are you doing down here?!"
She shrugged, "Bored. Agent McGee was easy to lose though."
Suddenly the leather clad lady was angry, "Don't be so mean to Timmy! He was made to babysit you, and you- you run off!" She cried out.
"Ran off actually."
She went over a phone that was sitting on her desk, "I'm phoning Tim."
But Hasmia got to the phone first, "Please don't! I was just bored! I didn't want to sit around all day and do nothing! I can't sit still!" She sharply blurted out.
The woman stopped, "Me too, once when I was in school we had an exam and I was first finished but had to stay the full two hours and I actually fell off my chair because I was bouncing up and down on it!" A small grin was on her face, as if she had forgotten she was mad. She paused, studying Hasmia, "I'm Abby." She finally said.
Hasmia hesitated, then handed her back her phone, "There."
Abby held it in her flat palm, pondering wether or not to dial McGee's number, she glanced up at Hasmia, before putting it back on her desk, "He'll find ya soon enough, I like your hair."
The teen sub consciously flatten her curly mane, "Thanks."
Abby sensed she wasn't very talkative, "So, I have to know, what is Tony and Ziva like at their home, do they kiss each other or anything?!" She excitedly asked.
Hasmia shrugged leaning against a desk that held an impressive looking machine, "I have only been there one night."
"I know but come one! There must have been something cute! A little kiss or anything! They are always so, normal around me!" Abby folded her arms,
"Why don't you like my Abba?" She asked in return, going back to her habit of avoiding questions.
Abby straighten, "I-I never said that," She stammered nervously.
"Didn't have to," She pointed to her own eyes, "These kinda said it."
The goth fiddled with a pig tail, "Oh." She bit her lip nervously, "He kinda shot my best friend." She finally mumbled.
Hasmia's gaze met Abby's, she didn't have to exclaim it was false, the woman's expression said it all. "How?" She managed to squeak out.
"I'm not allowed to tell-"
"HOW?!" Hasmia cried.
"He ah, shot her in the head, sniper style."
Hasmia ran her hands through her hair, "I never knew." She mumbled.
Abby opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted when the door slid open, Ducky walking in. "Ah Abby I have a tissue sample for you to-" He noticed Hasmia's presence, "Oh hello there, I am Dr Mallad, but most call me Ducky, you are?" He asked kindly.
"Hasmia," The teen answered quietly, leaving out her last name.
Ducky paused, "Ah you are staying with Ziva and Anthony!" He handed a small glass tube to Abby, "Now I am sorry but I must go, by the way Timothy has phoned Jethro, I would get back to the bull pen before he does," He said with a wink as he left.
Hasmia found herself counting to five, until she knew he was out of ear shot, "I have to go," She mumbled, Abby went to comfort her over the news of how her Father died but the teen's face had already become a unreadable mask.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
"So how did you loose McGoo?" Tony asked, once Gibbs had stopped the death glares and left to talk to Ducky, McGee was with Abby and Ziva had gone toilet.
Hasmia shrugged, but a smirk was still visible, "Tricked him into going in the elevator, slipped out as the doors shut."
"Ha! Bet his face was hilarious! What was it, mouth wide open? Eyes full of disbelief?" Tony laughed, a cheesy grin on his face.
"What was hilarious Tony?" Ziva asked as she walked back from the bathroom, smirking when Tony quickly took his feet off the top of the desk.
"Dumb and Dumber, missy here hasn't seen it," He quickly lied.
Ziva stood between them, "Really?" She shot him a glare, "We will talk about this at home," She turned to Hasmia, "And you! Why would you run off?!"
"I just went for a walk, I did nothing wrong!"
"You call nothing-"
"Ziva?" Tony hushed voice interrupted, his finger gesturing for her to come closer.
She leant in, "What?"
"Aunt and friend, not forced mother," He quickly whispered.
Ziva nodded and turned back to face her niece, "OK I'll admit I am pissed, if you want something to do you ask. Not tricking McGee, got that?" She sternly asked. Hasmia nodded, hands fidgeting on her lap, a stray curl had fallen over her face. "I am more freaked out with what Gibbs will do, but I assume he will smack Tim, not me. It must have been funny though, right?" Ziva added, smiling slightly.
Hasmia's large eyes slowly rose to meet Ziva's, smirking she nodded.
"Alright then! I have to stay, Tony do you want to go home with Hasmia, rent a movie or something, I will not be needing tea." Ziva suggested in an attempt to brighten the still tense atmosphere.
Tony paused, his mind racing for different movie options, matching them with the perfect takeaways, "So we will watch Dumb and Dumber, with pizza," He announce, grabbing his bag, motioning for Hasmia to do the same. They walked to the elevator, the door was closing when Ziva heard him ask, "So when did you jump between the doors?"
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
"So Mia, interval time!" Tony announced, pausing the movie.
She glanced at his, giving him a questioning look.
Tony figured that was going to be his only answer so he continued, "You can't stop fidgeting, and about five inures ago your knee started jiggling." He informed her, when her cheeks went slightly red he added, "It isn't a bad thing! Are you enjoying the movie?" He asked, standing up, giving an exaggerated stretch.
"Yes, the characters are basically what I imagined America to be like," She replied, standing also, helping herself to a glass of water.
"Now that hurts," Tony joked, "I'm just gonna phone Ziva, see when she'll be back." He left, walking off down the hallway.
Hasmia paused, unsure of what to do, when she heard a car pull up outside. She quickly checked the window, affirming that it was indeed Ziva. She sighed, knowing she was probably going to get told off, so she sat back down, awaiting for her Aunt to start yelling.
Ziva opened the door, her phone ringing wildly, Tony came back, "Oh it's you," He flicked his phone shut, Ziva's stopped chirping out a annoying tune.
"Nice to see you too," Ziva laughed, dumping her bag near the kitchen counter, leaning over and giving him a quick kiss. "I am glad it is a friday though."
"Case solved?" Tony asked.
"Guy admitted to it, probably going to get life."
Tony reached his hands around her waist, pulling her in tight, "Perfect, just perfect," He quietly said into her ear, a sly grin on his face.
"Still here," Hasmia muttered from her place on the couch.
Tony and Ziva abruptly stopped, Hasmia turned around to face them, smirking a little. Ziva noticed she was wearing the same clothes she had been the day before, "Hey, enjoying the movie?" She asked, deciding not to mention the events of the day, she herself had done similar things as a child.
"It is funny."
"I wondered, want to go clothes shopping tonight, we can get something yum for supper, and any clothes and stuff you need, only if you are up to it though," Ziva suggested, hoping for some 'girl' time with Hasmia. Whilst she normally didn't enjoy shopping she had figured it couldn't be that dull, she still didn't know much about her niece.
Hasmia shrugged, "Sure, now?"
"If that is OK with you," Ziva replied, glancing at Tony who nodded his agreement. Hasmia stood, making her way to the door, Ziva behind her.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
"So what do you like to wear?" Ziva asked as they entered the large mall, small groups of people laughing and milling around them, several more stories of clothing outlets layered above them, a food court nearby was letting off intoxicating smells, Ziva considered getting some ice cream afterwards.
Hasmia shrugged, "Don't know."
Ziva paused, "Do you like what you are wearing now?"
Hasmia glanced down, the shoes were her old chuck taylors, they were extremely comfortable, the cargo pants were also nice, but she sensed they were not a popular choice in America, the white tee shirt was boring, a 'gift' from Janet, she had a old shirt unbuttoned over top also, but that was more to hide the small stain near her left hip. "I guess some new pants?" She finally said.
"That is a start, follow me," Ziva directed them to a small outlet store, with stands full of jeans, track pants, sweats and even cargo pants.
Hasmia walked around listlessly, hands trailing the pants, not used to being able to actually choose what she wanted, she did however see one pair that she liked. They were a pair of jeans, a faded blue, she figured they would not be baggy but still hug her frame well. Ziva walked up behind her, "Want to try them on?" She asked gently.
"Sure." Hasmia replied in a soft voice, Ziva had also noticed it was the one she adopted when she was unsure or nervous.
She glanced around, locating the dressing rooms, "Ok so you go over and get changed, I will be right outside the door."
Hasmia nodded mutely and strolled over to the changing room, carefully locking the door behind her. She slid off her shoes, and loosened the draw string of her cargo pants, they fell to her ankles. Hasmia took a deep breath and glanced at the mirror. Her thin legs, both from genetics and malnourishment, should be a dark olive tan to match her arms. But they only partially were, wattled burns marred her thighs, where the flames had licked her skin, dancing their way painfully down to her calves. She closed her eyes in a weak attempt to shut out the events that took place for them to be there.
It was dark, night had long since fallen. The teenage girl draped the thin rug over her sleeping mother as they took shelter from the bitter winds in a small hovel, a mound made of tin sheets, an old oil barrel burning defiantly in the gale. She perked up when she heard footsteps in the alleyway, it could be a number of things, other homeless people who had seen the light from the fire, a police officer coming to tell them to move, but when she saw several silhouettes of large men she stiffened nervously.
"What do we have here?" One of them asked, he had a cruel face, which the flickering fire illuminated.
The group enclosed the tin shelter, laughing sadistically, "I think we've got some fun," Another stated, met by more laughter.
"Please, let us be," The girl begged.
The one that had spoken first, obviously the leader stepped forward, "Us?" Her face hardened as she realised her mistake, "Omar, get her out of the way, let's see who else she has here." He grinned as he banged loudly on the tin.
"Hasmia? What it is?" A weak woman's voice asked from within the structure.
"Hasmia?"
"Hey Hasmia, you alright?" Ziva asked nervously from outside the changing room, snapping Hasmia out of her trance. She quickly pulled the jeans on, opening the door the let her Aunt see. She noticed immediately how pale the girl looked, "Are you not feeling well?" She questioned.
"I am fine," Hasmia stated.
Ziva did not push, "The jeans look very nice on you, do you like them?"
She turned to look again in the mirror, forcing the images away, she really did like the jeans, "Yeah, they look more," She stopped unsure of how to put it.
"American?"
"Yes, American."
"Oh and I found you a pair of sweats, just plain grey ones for around the house," Ziva held them up.
"Sure," Hasmia muttered, she had to put up her defences, or else the men could come back.
Ziva forced a smile, "I will go pay," She hurried off, leaving Hasmia to put her shoes back on. She met the teen in the open doorway, "Now was that painless enough?" She joked, not catching the look that flashed over Hasmia's eyes quickly. "Now tee shirts, what do you like? Plain? Cartoon? Vintage?"
"What does vintage mean?" Hasmia asked softly.
Ziva had completely forgotten she was still learning English, "It is like old fashioned, a vintage tee shirt may have a picture of the original Mickey Mouse or the first Hulk cartoon, got it?"
"I think so." Hasmia replied, "I like big tops, not tight ones," She suggested.
"Baggy tops, they are very comfortable, yes?" Ziva answered, trying to keep her niece's self esteem up.
She just nodded in reply, as they entered another shop, full of girly dresses, skirts, shoes, tops, jerseys, thankfully however there was a table with relatively plain tee shirts on it. They sifted through the large messy pile for a few minutes, Ziva noticed Hasmia eyeing up some of the other teenage girls, her own age in the shop. They had their long, blond hair straightened, denim shorts that were extremely close to being called underwear, slim fitting tops that showed off their breasts, makeup plastered their faces, but they were laughing loudly, constantly smiling.
They glanced at Hasmia, her curls challenging any attempt at being in some order, baggy cargo pants and a faded shirt, one of the nodded her way, giggling. Ziva hadn't noticed when Hasmia suddenly called out, "What is funny?"
Their happy grins were replaced with smirks, "Your hair, you look ridiculous!" Only of them chirped.
This Ziva did also hear, she opened her mouth to tell the girl off for being rude but her niece got there first, "At least I don't have to show off half my body to try and look appealing, yet still be insecure enough to need to plaster my face with make up just to look middy attractive," She snapped back quickly. Their smirks left their faces, as they hurriedly left, Ziva walked around the bench, "Don't even think about telling me off for being rude." Hasmia spat.
"Was not going to, well done for standing up for yourself," Ziva answered calmly.
Hasmia grinned, they soon had payed for the tops, and brought themselves some expensive ice creams to eat in the food court.
They ate in relative silence, but Hasmia broke it, "Thank you Ziva, you didn't have to buy me anything," She murmured quietly, avoiding eye contact.
"Hey," Ziva replied, demanding Hasmia's gaze, "It was fine, I enjoyed tonight." Hasmia smiled back. Ziva glanced around, observing some young boys Hasmia's age were looking at her, one of them tried to smile at her and act cool, she just rolled her eyes, uninterested. Hasmia however didn't see when the two girls she had insulted earlier had been sitting nearby, looks of total disgust on their faces as the boys they were trying to impress were ignoring them.
Ziva bit back a laugh, she was beginning to really like her niece.
Haha I was laughing to myself so much writing the Hasmia vs Teenage Girl scenario, I have actually been in her shoes before and it was fun to write something similar to what I said, although mine involved a few four letter words beginning with 'F'
Hope you enjoyed!
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