Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Chapter 1

The Israel Ballet company was on tour in Washington DC for six months. They would be performing Swan Lake in the month of August, and the Nutcracker in December. 

Ziva David, Principal dancer at the Israel Ballet, was stretching at the barre placed onstage, and chatting happily about today's first performance of Swan Lake to her best friend and Soloist, Elisheva Perera.

Ziva was dancing the role of Odette and Odile on tonight's performance of Swan Lake. Not that she would admit it to anyone, but she was extremely nervous. It was her first year as a principal dancer at the Israel Ballet, and her first challenging roles.

After the death of her little sister Tali, Ziva spiralled into a deep depression. The only relief she found was when she danced. It was the death of her sister that drove Ziva to audition for the Israel Ballet to become a professional ballerina.

Not that she ever had doubts if she would be accepted into the company or not. Her father, Eli David was the director.

Ziva's boyfriend, Michael Rivkin, was dancing the role of Prince Siegfried. They had started dating only a couple of months before she got promoted to Principal Dancer of the company.
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Just then, Eli David walked onstage, and the whole company fell silent. Eli David was a very strict, no-nonsense type of director.

"Erev tov, Good evening dancers". He said.

"Erev tov Director David". Everyone responded.  

"I trust everyone has warmed up properly, and is ready for tonight's performance?" He asked.

Everyone nodded their heads.

He clapped his hands. "Excellent". He said semi-pleased. "Everyone, off to the dressing rooms. Curtain is coming up in 30 minutes".

All the dancers curtsied to him as they left to their dressing rooms. Michael snuck a quick kiss to Ziva before entering his dressing room. Ziva entered hers, and began to prepare for the performance.

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Tony DiNozzo entered the theater with his daughter, Hazzel DiNozzo. He and his three and half year old daughter were going to see the Israel Ballet perform Swan Lake. Tony never was interested in ballet, but since Hazzel wanted to be a prima ballerina one day, he wanted to be a good father and take her to see every ballet possible. When he saw that the Israel Ballet was performing Swan Lake in DC, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to take Hazzel to see it. It would be her very first ballet.

Hazzel's mother, Wendy Miller, died during childbirth. Tony was devastated. If it wasn't for his daughter, he would have probably drank himself to death, or worse. Hazzel was his little ray of sunshine, and he was extremely grateful to have her in his life.

"Dada! Dada! Dada"! Hazzel exclaimed as Tony led her to her seat.

"What sweetheart"? Tony asked as they placed the booster seat on Hazzel's seat.

Hazzel pointed to the stage, and smiled a huge smile and she jumped up and down with excitement. Tony winked at his daughter.

"Are you excited to see the ballet"? He asked, already knowing the answer.

"YES"! Hazzel shouted, causing some people to jump, and turn around in their seats to stare.

Tony chuckled. "Shhh, Hazzel, you can't be that loud".

"Sorry Dada". Hazzel apologized as Tony helped her onto her booster seat.

Just then, the lights dimmed and Hazzel squealed and clapped her hands together in excitement. "It's starting, Dada", she whispered loudly.

Tony nodded to her, and placed a finger to his lips. "No talking during the performance, sweetheart".

Hazzel nodded, and placed her own finger to her lips to copy her father.

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In the dressing rooms, Ziva put on her headphones to listen to some Hebrew pop/rap while she finished getting ready. She touched up her makeup, after securing her headpiece. She took the dress she would wear for the opening scene off the costume rack, and quickly dressed herself.

Ziva glanced at her phone. "10 minutes until the curtain comes up. Better go". She thought to herself. She took off her headphones, shut off her phone, and headed out the dressing room and onto the stage.

"Good luck Ziva"! Elisheva said to her as she walked up behind Ziva and hugged her from behind.

"Todah. Thanks. Good luck too". Ziva replied.

All of sudden, a voice shouted "Dancers, places please for the top of the show".

The performance was about to start.

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Wow! I really haven't posted in a while. I have this story about halfway finished, so I thought I would just post what I have so far.
Chapter 2 coming soon!