Rifiuto: Non Miriena
A/N: The first chapter of the next one in this series should be up soon.
The older woman stepped onto the small front porch, and pulled her wrap closer. Even with all the chaos and violence taking over their home, it was nice to see family again. A moment passed, before she felt strong arms slide around her from behind. "So, they 'ere yet?" She glanced behind her.
It had been too long since Siobhan had seen her nephew and his family, and they were all long overdue for a visit. Especially since the family was staying for a week, to get out of the complete chaos of Clontarf; sure, it was just as crazy here, but even with the violence, Siobhan was willing to have her family stop by for a week's visit, if it got them out of the eastern half of the republic for a while. Who knew, when she'd see them again, if ever? In this dangerous game of Tag, no one was guaranteed a free shot at home base.
"Tha's them, comin' up the road." She nodded to the car as it pulled into the drive. Once it parked, the doors opened and three children and a German Shepard bounded out, rushing towards them.
"Aunt Siobhan! Uncle Patrick!" She stepped out of her husband's embrace, accepting the boys into her arms as Patrick scooped his great-niece up and spun her around. Tim and Ziva followed, holding tight to each others' hands.
"Oh, ye've gotten so big, all of ye! Ye're gettin' t' look just like yer father!" Siobhan said, pressing a kiss to each of her great-nephew's foreheads. She then pulled away from them, holding out her hands. Tim went to her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "How are ye, me darlin'?"
"I'm doing good, AintÃn Siobhan. And you?" She and Tim talked softly for several seconds, and Ziva went to Patrick, watching as he held Zipporah close. He gently tapped her nose and set her down with a kiss to the forehead. Patrick then turned to the young Israeli, smiling softly.
"How are ye doin', Ziva-girl?" Patrick asked, as she went to him, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Patrick was the kind of man Ziva wished Eli had been- caring, loving, good-natured, the kind of man Tim was, the kind of man she hoped- no, she knew- her sons would turn out to be someday. The kind of man who accepted no matter the skin tone or heritage, who never laid a hand on those he loved unless it was in comfort or love.
"I'm good, Patrick. We... we hit a few rough batches, but we were able to work through them." She said, meeting Tim's eyes.
"Patches, Ima." Liron whispered softly; Ziva grinned, leaning towards her youngest son.
"I realize, my joy." She pressed a kiss to his head, before turning back to the others. Siobhan squeezed Tim's hand before pulling Zipporah in for a hug.
"Let's get inside and get a 'ot meal in ye. I bet yer all starving. Come on."
"So how 'ave ye been really, Timothy?" He looked up; Zipporah lay curled up on the sofa, wedged into her father's side. He sighed, meeting his aunt's gaze. Of all his father's sisters, he loved Siobhan most- not that he didn't love Fiona and Brigid- but Siobhan was the one he was closest to. How his aunts could be so loving and gentle, when his own parents didn't have a caring, loving bone in either of their bodies, always surprised him.
Deirdre and John McGee were perhaps the coldest of the McGee family, if what they'd done to their children were any proof. Tim glanced down at Zipporah, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Then, he removed his arm from her shoulders. "Why don't you go help Ima in the kitchen, sweetheart." The girl nodded, getting up. Once she was gone, Tim leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his hands together. He sighed.
"Wha's wrong, Tim?" A moment passed, before he met his uncle's gaze.
"It's the fact that my children are growing up in a country where your religious beliefs and your affiliation with certain people or certain groups depends on whether you live or die." He stood, going to the window. "A friend of Asher's lost her father to a trip wired explosion. He was one of the best doctors at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, a gifted trauma surgeon, but because he's Catholic... because he believed in the Republic remaining a part of the British crown... he was killed." Tim turned back to his aunt and uncle. "What if my children are targeted because of who they're friends are, or what religion they practice, or... or whether they believe Ireland should be its own complete country or that part of it should still remain a part of Britain? What if my children are next?" Siobhan got up, going to her nephew.
"Oh Timothy, ye should not worry so much. Yer children are bright an' smart... they will be the generation t' end this violence. Ye jus' 'ave t' trust. They will be fine, ye will all be fine."
Ziva looked up, meeting her husband's eyes as he shut the door and locked it softly behind him. A moment passed, before she shut her book and climbed out of the bed, going to him. He leaned back against the door, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her towards him when she got close. "You okay, baby?" He nodded, swallowing. "You sure?"
"Yeah." His voice was soft, and he searched her gaze for several minutes as his fingers moved under her tank and trailed up her spine. "I'm okay, baby, I promise." She smiled, meeting his gaze as her hands moved up his chest, working on the buttons of his shirt.
"I talked to Gibbs earlier. He's sending Tony and Bishop on assignment to England for... some sort of case or assignment or... something or other. What do you want to bet that he'd gonna try to sneak over the border into Ireland to see us?" Tim snorted, running a hand up her back.
"I'd bet my wedding ring and my good name that Tony would get caught the moment he stepped onto Irish soil, and, considering that it's unclear who's friend and who's foe in this country, he'd probably get shot in the ass for his trouble before he can so much as flash his badge and says the words 'Very Special Agent.'" Ziva laughed, working on the last button of her husband's shirt.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Bet your wedding ring. I love it on you. Besides, it took me four hours of lovemaking for you to finally let me return it to your finger."
"That's only because you wouldn't stop screaming."
"You kept distracting me. Besides, you know every well that I'm a screamer. You've known that from that first night on. Or have you forgotten?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't forgotten."
"Good. And it's good that you're not tired anymore." He rolled his eyes and she pressed a kiss to his lips, grinning as she whispered, "Because I was afraid you wouldn't be in the mood tonight." But in the next instant, he'd walked her back towards the bed, taking one of her hands and spinning her once before pushing her gently onto the bed. She let out a squeal of delight as Tim's mouth met hers in a brief kiss. "Tim!"
"When it comes to you, Zi, I'm always in the mood." Her laughter filled his ear as she pushed him away and crab walked back towards the pillows. He followed, catching her around the waist and capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.