NCIS High School Teenage Years

Chapter 17: Temptation and Christmas

It was now December. December 5th to be exact. Today was the day of Ziva's mission. She was to go to a bar in Morocco, pretend she was a famous singer, and observe the audience for any signs of Mossad's Most Wanted.
She was told that her performance would be broadcasted to all the agencies in the world, and that since Gibbs and Jenny work for NCIS, they would be watching. Butterflies fluttered in Ziva's stomach, at the thought of Gibbs and Jenny watching her performance.
Clutching her microphone tighter, she stepped out of the curtain, and took her place.

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Back at the Gibbs', Jenny and Gibbs were gathered around their TV in the living room. The cameras zoomed onto Ziva's toned back as the music started. They watched as Ziva turned around, and started to sing.

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Upstairs, Tony was working on homework in his room. Ziva haven't shown up at school, and wasn't responding to any calls and texts he made to her. Ziva's voice from the TV floated up into his room, and Tony's eyes grew wide.

"Is that Ziva?" He thought to himself. He silently sneaked downstairs, and peered out of banister.

There was Ziva. Singing, as her eyes searched the audience. Tony watched as Ziva flirted with a couple men, before walking back up to the stage again. People started to leave, and Tony saw Ziva's eyes search the audience again, before her voice began to falter.

His heart started to beat harder and faster as a look of concern came over Ziva. He saw Ziva backing away from something that was across the room. All of a sudden, there was a flash of light, and a loud boom. The cameras, still on Ziva, showed her shielding her face with her arms. But the blast was too powerful. Tony watched as Ziva was flown through the air, and out of range of the camera.

Tony screamed, and Gibbs and Jenny gasped. Tony ran over to the living room, and stood in front of the TV.

"Ziva". He whispered as the camera changed clips; showing Ziva in a stretcher, being loaded in the back of an ambulance.

"Tony". Gibbs said gently. "Ziva will be alright. I haven't given her permission to die yet".

"Where is she?" Tony asked, turning around to face his parents.

"Morocco".

"Why the hell is she in Morocco for?!"

"Tony! Language!"

"Sorry. I mean, why is she in Morocco?"

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Gibbs and Jenny looked at each other. Jenny nodded, and Gibbs cleared his throat.
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"Ziva and Michael Rivkin were carrying out a mission in Morocco. For Mossad". Gibbs stated.

Tony couldn't believe his ears. "But she's only seventeen!" He shouted.

Jenny put a comforting hand on Tony's shoulder. "I know, Tony. If it was up to us, we wouldn't have allowed her to go".

Tony turned back to the screen. "What's going to happen to her?" He asked quietly.

"Well, since she's conscious, and the injuries don't seem to be life-threatening, I think she will be just fine. She should be coming home in a few days". Jenny answered.

"In time for Christmas?" Tony asked, hopefully.

"Tony, Ziva doesn't celebrate Christmas. Remember?"

"I know, but I still want to get her something, and celebrate it with her".

"I'm not sure when she will be discharged from the hospital, but I'm sure it will be in time for Christmas". Jenny reassured him.

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It was now Christmas Day, and Ziva was discharged from the hospital a week before. Since the mission was over, Michael was still living with Ziva, but was being sent back to Israel in a few weeks.
Ziva and the Gibbs' were sitting in a circle in the Gibbs' living room. Ziva was spending Christmas Day with the Gibbs'. Abby was not pleased by that arrangement, but she held her tongue when Gibbs sent her a venomous glare.

"Ziva, your turn". Tony said, and Ziva picked a present from her pile and opened it.

It was Swiss Army Knives from Gibbs. Ziva picked them up, and admired them. "Thank you". She said quietly.

Next was Abby. She opened a present from Tony. It was numerous amounts of Brain Matter, Flesh Eating Foundation, and Green Satan CDs, and an Android Lust poster. She squealed in delight, and ran over to hug her brother. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!" She exclaimed.

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It took a few hours for everyone to open up their presents. Abby also got a few dog collars, and new headphones with large skulls from them. Tony got many new movies, and money. Apart from the knives, Ziva got new clothes from Jenny, and new books in Hebrew from Tony.

As Ziva thanked everyone for her gifts, she noticed Gibbs staring at her intensely. She could feel his gaze pierce her soul. When everyone was busy talking excitedly about the presents they got, Gibbs walked over to Ziva, and quietly whispered in her ear.

"Come down into my basement right now. I need to talk to you".

Ziva nodded, and Gibbs held her hand tightly. Without anyone noticing, they walked down into Gibbs' basement.

When they walked down the stairs, Gibbs turned to Ziva and put his hands on her shoulders. He stared directly into her eyes.

"Did you like your presents, Ziver?" He asked.

"Yes. Thank you". Ziva answered.

"Which one was your favorite?" Gibbs asked.

Ziva didn't respond. She dropped her gaze and stared at the floor. "I don't have any". She finally answered.

"You're lying". Gibbs said, drawing a bench next to Ziva. "Sit". He said, patting the bench.

Ziva sat down, and Gibbs crouched down to level himself with his surrogate daughter.

"Which one was your favorite?" He asked again.

Ziva's lips trembled. "I can't tell you". She answered quietly.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you knowing which one I like best".

"Why?"

"Because once you know that, you will know which one to take away".

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you will know which one would hurt me the most if it was taken away from me".

"Why would I take what you love away from you?"

"It's an effective form of punishment".

Something clicked in Gibbs' brain. "Is that how you get punished?"

"That's the psychological part of my punishment". Ziva responded, looking up at Gibbs' caring eyes.

Gibbs tapped Ziva's hand with her finger. "I would never do that to you, Ziva. I care about you too much to punish you that cruelly".

Ziva sniffed. "I know that, and thank you. But I guess I have a hard time telling you my favorite because it's a habit, and because..."

"... And because you don't want to get hurt". Gibbs finished for her.

"I'm not your father, Ziva. You can tell me which one is your favorite".

Ziva's eyes sparkled. "Gibbs". She pleaded quietly. "Please don't betray my trust".

"Ziver". Gibbs said softly. He sat next to her on the bench, and wrapped his arms around her shoulder. Ziva's head rested in the crook of his neck. Gibbs kissed her forehead. "I would never betray your trust, kid".

Ziva sighed. "I really like my new clothes and books, but the knives were perfect. I love them. Thank you so much".

Gibbs chuckled, and squeezed her gently. "I knew you would love them".