A/n: Hey! So this-if you guys like it- is very similar to Gracie's Journal, something I wrote for NCIS:LA. It's not really a journal, more like just her thoughts. And it wouldn't go as far off or get as large as GJ did. So meet Eden, I hope you like her:) It's like, her following Gibbs rules. Plus I miss Tiva. Oh, and duh, AU. Take everyone's age and subtract a bunch because I want Ducky and Gibbs not to be like retired- just go with it. Let me know if you like it, I'd love to continue.

Rule #8: Never take anything for granted.

I walked in to autopsy. Ducky was sitting at his desk. He turned eagerly to see me.

"Eden, you're back! How was Israel?"

"Fine, I suppose. Not exactly how I remember it, but it has been like 10 years."

"I'm sure things change, and so
have you. I remember when you first arrived here..."

"Don't remind me Ducky. Let's not think about that."

"Now, don't think so negatively about that time. You were definitely not what your father expected, and he was so thrilled to have you. As you can imagine, it was quite a shock."

"I know."

I know. I know. I know.
I know. My dad doesn't hate me, he in fact loves me very much. My mom also loves me very much, she just didn't make a very good decision.

I was born in the summer of 2014, the year after Mom moved back to Israel, and dad left her there. My father was always an important part of my life. Although I never met him, I was always aware of him. His picture was around the house, and Mom would talk about him. I felt like I knew him. When I met him for the
first time, I sincerely thought of him as my father and I just clung to his leg like it was nothing. I was always a DiNozzo. Always.

So yeah. Mom eventually brought me back to the states. She'd been in contact with Gibbs, (who like Ducky, is a grandfather to me now) and she flew me to America for the very first time. And when she brought me to him, it was more or less a disaster.

I was little, but I remember it very vividly. There was a lot of
screaming and fighting and yelling. I remember how afraid I was. I remember going from clinging to my father's leg to cowering in the corner, until Mom stopped screaming and picked me up and held me close.

So yeah. I just didn't understand. But I get it now. My mom held my father's child from him for six years. He had the right to be pretty angry. One minute he's a normal guy and the next he's got a six year old daughter.
So then for the next few months I lived with Gibbs. Dad wanted me in his life, Mom did as well, and they weren't going to move me back and forth between countries all the time. So Mom looked for a place in America. I stayed with Dad for the first time while she went back to Israel to clean out our place and pack up.

And so for the last 10 years I've lived with either Mom or Dad. I've grown to love this city and love my NCIS family. My dad and I are just as close if not closer than
mom and I.
Its frustrating to me. I see dad's side: what mom did was wrong. I see mom's side: she was afraid and her life's been a mess and all this.

But believe me. I know I'm lucky. I have two parents who love me more than life itself. I have a huge family who protect me and treat me like one of their own- Abby, McGee, Ellie, Ducky, Gibbs, Delilah, Palmer, all of them.

I just wish that in ten years my
parents could have grown up. She should have apologized and he should just take what's been his. They both have legitimate reasons for being angry but it comes a point where they need to give up and for my sake at least, be friends again. Best friends. Lovers. Going back and forth between dad's side and mom's side is just not something I'm willing to do anymore. And I know if it wasn't for me, then they'd be together. I just know.

I've learned a lot during my time
in America, and Gibbs' rules are part of it. My favorite is rule 8. I'm not taking any of this for granted. Any of it at all. I may not know if I'm an Israeli or if I'm an American and my parents will probably never love each other and so much of life is hard and confusing, but I'm just lucky. I speak like 8 languages fluently and I got a somewhat Hebrew name but it doesn't sound strange in the US. I have opportunities and people who love me. So I won't take anything for granted.

Ducky doesn't let me think any longer. "You're being too hard on yourself," he said.
"Yeah, I know," I replied.

"My dear, come back soon. Alright? We'll talk more. Go see Abby, talk to Eleanor. Relax." He patted me me on the back.

I nodded and walked out of autopsy. He is Ducky and he may be some sort of miracle worker, but that's not going to fix me.

"Not a chance Duck, not a chance." I mumbled.

"You heard me Eden DiNozzo!" he called, "You're just like your mother, stubborn as a mule."