Ch. 7

Disclaimer: See all warnings and disclaimer in chapter one

SORRY FOR DELAY…HAD COLLEGE FINALS!

Hide and Seek

Gibbs never knew just how trying being a parent could be at times. As he started to pull out the dishes for the rest of the kids to come eat supper he thought back to when he thought that life was not worth living anymore. He felt that after the death of Shannon and Kelly, that there was no reason for him to continue with his life. He can't recall how many nights he had laid there in the bed, gun at his side, wishing he could die. But, now as he hears the sound of three car doors slamming in his driveway, he realizes that there were four reasons for him to continue to live. Yeah, he knew that his hair had greyed quicker since he had been wrangling his kids, but he would not trade one day with them for anything.

"HEEEEEEEYYYYYYY LUUUUUCY …..I'm Home!" Tony yelled out in his best Ricky Ricardo impersonation.

"Could you be a little louder, I do not think Mike heard you in Mexico." Ziva said as she elbowed Tony in the ribs. Ziva had walked into the hallway, silently staring up the stairs to the girl's room. She knew that Abby was up there, and she knew that she really wanted to check on her lil' sister, but she knew that if Gibbs was punishing her, she had to get his permission to venture up there.

McGee also stopped briefly at the foot of the stairs, looking up for any signs of life, but quickly continued on into the kitchen when he heard Gibbs yell out. "Are you waiting for the food to walk itself in here McGee?"

"No….No." McGee stammered as he quickly placed the food on the set table.

Gibbs could tell from the lack of talk and the ever darting eyes to the upstairs that each of his kids was worried about Abby. Gibbs took a deep breath and shook his head with a slight grin. "Hey!"

All three heads whipped to look at their Dad in the eyes.

"You know I would never hurt any of you, I mean besides what I think you could tolerate. Right?" Gibbs asked. He wanted them to know that he never intends to ever beat them, just lovingly correct them.

"Yeah." "Yes" "Of Course." All three replied at the same time. They knew deep down he would never cause any physical damage to any of them. But, they knew from experience that the feeling of fire that you feel after a spanking is quite painful, but it usually is gone by the morning. But, it was the fact that it was their little sister that was hurting that made them so anxious to check on her. Everyone knew Abby's tendencies to dwell on the wrong stuff, and they just want her to know that they all love her.

Gibbs could see that until they saw that Abby was ok with their own eyes nothing would be eaten. "Well, Go on….See for yourself that she is still in one piece." Gibbs said sarchastically. He turned to head back into the kitchen as he heard the sound of heavy footsteps rapidly ascending the staircase. He had thought all three had left until he heard someone clear their throat.

"UMMMPPPP!"

Gibbs turned to see Ziva still standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Gibbs just cocked his head to the side and raised his brow, waiting for Ziva to start the conversation.

"Well, Gib….dad. I just wanted YOU to KNOW that I and by I...I mean WE all KNOW that you would NEVER beat us. I have….been...beaten...I…..I….und." Ziva started to choke up as she was trying to express her deepest fears.

Gibbs, unaccustomed to seeing Ziva in such an emotional state, took two long strides and had her in his arms. He gently shushed her tears and stroked her hair. Kissing the top of her head he whispered, "I know."

Ziva pulled back to see unshed tears glistening in Gibbs eyes. This made her heart hurt worse. "Dad….do not cry for me….I am…fine."

"Fine…Damn Ziva….you and that word FINE." Gibbs said as he gently ran his calloused thumb down her cheek. "You have been to hell and back. You were tortured…you have been beaten…and you are NOT FINE." Gibbs whispered with force.

Ziva, finally understanding why he was so upset, in turn reached her hand up and covered his heart with it. "As long as you hold me here." Ziva emphasized his heart by thumping her hand on it. "I am fine….and I will be fine. I know that I am loved…unconditionally…..no matter what has happened to me…." Tears started to fall down her face freely now. "I just wanted you to know that no matter how much we hate your 'discipline', and no matter how painful it may be…..you would never BEAT or damage any of us. I am not wanting to check on Abby to see if she is hurt, because if I remember the last spanking I had for lying, it hurt. I just wanted her to know that I am here if she needs me, you know big sis-little sis. I NEVER thought….I nev…" Ziva said as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"I know Ziver…..I know. I hold all 5 of my children in my heart. One is gone physically, but Kelly will always live in my heart. I know that when I discipline you it hurts… sort of the point….but it has never crossed my mind that any of you would think I would beat any of you. I understand the feeling of empathy." Gibbs said with a smile. "Had my fair share of ass whoopings from my dad and Mike, so I know that it hurts, but I always knew it was done with love. I want you to know the same applies here. I Love all of ya too much to risk losing another child, that kind of pain is almost unbearable. So if a little pain is needed as a trouble evader, then I will adminster it every time." Gibbs said as he leaned back and kissed her on the cheek. "Now….go on up….tell tweedledee and tweedledum, and sis, that it's time to eat, food already cold."

Ziva kissed Gibbs back on the cheek and ran up the stairs for their room. She had never felt so light hearted before. As she entered the door to the room, she saw Abby laying on her stomach, face still red from crying, and her hair falling out of the pig tails, encompassed by two protective brothers. She gave a smile as she heard Tony say, "Hey…where you been? Lil' sis asking where her big sis is."

Ziva entered the room, sat at Abby's head and pulled on one of the pigtails. "Big sis is here. So…..whats the plans for the next week? HMMM!"

Abby looked up at her family and started, "Well, first Tony says I have to …"

UP NEXT: What should Abby's chores be? Your suggestions to something funny and true to character are always welcome.

PLEASE REVIEW!