The evening settled in around the small safe house, and though the tension of the day still lingered, the cozy cabin was filled with the smell of something warm and familiar. Rivka had insisted on cooking, taking control of the small kitchen and working with what they'd brought—fresh ingredients, spices, and a touch of her old recipes from Israel.

"I will make something traditional," she'd said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Ziva hadn't protested; she knew better.

The scent of sautéing onions and garlic mixed with the aroma of herbs filled the air, and Ziva, sitting in the living room with Tony and Tali, felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. The smell reminded her of home, of childhood meals shared with her mother and Tali before their world had been torn apart. It was a bittersweet feeling, one that she wasn't entirely comfortable with.

She glanced toward the kitchen, where Rivka moved with ease, her hands working rhythmically as she chopped vegetables and stirred pots. For a moment, it almost looked like nothing had changed, like they were just a family again. But the truth lingered beneath the surface Rivka and Tali had been ripped from her life, and Ziva had been left behind with Eli.

The memories stirred up conflicting emotions, and Ziva's brow furrowed as she tried to focus on the present.

Tony, ever the one to break the silence, leaned forward, looking at Tali with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "So, Tali," he began, his voice teasing. "Since we're all getting to know each other better, any embarrassing stories about Ziva you'd like to share from when she was a kid?"

Ziva immediately tensed, shooting Tony a sharp look. "Tony, don't you dare."

Tali, however, grinned, enjoying the opportunity far too much to let it pass. "Oh, I have a few," she said, completely ignoring her sister's warning.

"Tali," Ziva's voice was low, her eyes narrowing in a clear signal of danger, "I am warning you."

But Tali only laughed and turned to Tony, clearly enjoying this far too much. "Okay, so there was this one time when Ziva was ten years old…"

"Tali."

"…and she decided she wanted to climb this huge tree in our backyard. It was one of those big, old trees with branches that stretched out forever. Ziva thought she was invincible, of course, so she climbed all the way to the top."

Ziva groaned, putting her face in her hands, already knowing where the story was going. "This is ridiculous."

Tali continued, undeterred. "So, she's up there, super high, right? And then she decides to climb back down—except she slips. She tries to catch herself but ends up with her leg tangled in the branches. She's dangling upside down, yelling at the tree like it's personally betrayed her."

Tony burst out laughing, picturing Ziva, ten years old and full of fire, stuck upside down in a tree. "Oh my God, that I would pay to see!"

Ziva shot him a look that could kill. "I was ten. And if you ever tell anyone else, Tony, I will harm you."

Tony grinned, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I won't say a word. But this image is staying with me forever."

Tali, laughing at her sister's expense, leaned back in her chair. "The best part was, she wouldn't let anyone help her down. She was so stubborn. It took hours before she finally managed to untangle herself."

Ziva huffed, crossing her arms. "I did not need help."

"Sure you didn't," Tali teased, flashing her a knowing smile. "But you were so red in the face by the time you got down."

Ziva's patience was wearing thin, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes despite herself. "You're lucky you're my sister, Tali."

Tony, still chuckling, leaned back in his seat, thoroughly entertained. "I knew there was more to Ziva than just the cool, tough exterior. Upside down in a tree… that's priceless."

Ziva rolled her eyes, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "Laugh it up, Tony. Remember, I know plenty of embarrassing things about you."

"I don't doubt that," Tony said, still grinning. "But nothing quite as epic as this, I'm sure."

Tali, not finished with her storytelling, leaned in with another glint in her eye. "Oh, but there's another one, and this one's even better."

Ziva's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Tali, don't..."

Tali ignored her and turned to Tony. "So, in the same year, our brother Ari thought it would be hilarious to hide a scorpion in her school bag."

Tony's eyes widened. "A scorpion? That's… next level!"

Tali nodded, clearly enjoying herself. "It wasn't poisonous, but still, when Ziva opened her bag in class and saw it, she screamed so loud the whole school must have heard her. The teacher, the students everyone started laughing."

Tony looked over at Ziva, who was glaring at Tali with murderous intent. "Ziva screamed? I can't even picture it."

Ziva crossed her arms tightly, trying to maintain her dignity. "It was unexpected," she said defensively. "And it was Ari's fault."

Tali was laughing now, remembering the scene with vivid detail. "She stood on her desk, refusing to come down until someone got rid of it. She was so embarrassed when everyone started laughing."

Tony could barely contain his amusement, shaking his head. "Ziva, yelling and jumping onto a desk? I'd pay to see that."

Ziva shot him a dangerous look. "I was ten. It was a perfectly reasonable reaction."

Tony grinned. "Totally reasonable. I'll make sure not to leave any scorpions near your desk, just in case."

Ziva leaned toward him, her tone deadly. "You better not, DiNozzo."

Tali laughed again, her eyes sparkling. "Admit it, Ziva. You would have done the same to him."

Ziva's lips twitched, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Perhaps."

"And perhaps I had gotten my revenge by hiding a small snake in his bag a few years later when he wanted to sneak out for the weekend when Eli was gone to meet a girl. He screamed like a baby in front of her" she said with a grin.

"You dis not..." said Tali laughing.

"Sounds more like you" said Tony also laughing.

From the kitchen, Rivka could hear the laughter and teasing. She glanced over her shoulder, watching her daughters interact, a soft smile on her face. For a brief moment, the fear that had weighed on her since the attack faded. Her daughters were together, laughing like they used to. It almost felt normal, like they were just a family again.

Rivka stirred the pot one last time, calling out to them. "Dinner is ready."

Tony stretched, his stomach growling as the smell of the food filled the cabin. "Finally! I've been starving."

"Is there a moment when you are not hungry Tony" asked Ziva teasing him.

"Hey I am a hard working very special agent of cause I am very hungry" he answered.

Ziva grinned and shock her had as she was heading towards the kitchen.

Tali stood and made her way toward the kitchen, still smiling. "It smells amazing, Ima."

Ziva followed more slowly, the memories still swirling in her mind. The smell of the food tugged her back to a time when things were simpler before everything had changed. It was bittersweet, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. But for now, they were together, and that was enough.

Tony clapped his hands together as he took a seat at the small table. "Well, if this tastes as good as it smells, we're in for a treat."

Rivka smiled softly, watching her family gather. Despite the fear and uncertainty that still lingered, for this moment, they were together. And for now, that was enough.