<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-size: 15px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">Sarah didn't know how much time had passed, just that when she woke up again, she was still cuddled into her brother's side. "Tim? You awake?" When she spoke, the words were said softly, so that if he was sleep, she wouldn't risk waking him up. She pushed her brown hair out of her face and wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. <br/>
The young woman considered suggesting that he either ask for a cot, or get some sleep at home in his own bed. But, part of her also couldn't stand the thought of being away from her brother. Not just yet, at least.<br/>
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Ziva nodded at his question. "Yes, it is. Or well, was. My mother used to make this for my sister and I when we were little.." She said softly. "She would wrap us up in blankets and make the soup for us, and then she would sing to us.... I have not sang in years. I do not listen to music in the car, or anywhere else really.." She said and then shrugged a little. A moment later, she chuckled softly, and then smiled when he smiled shyly at her. "I think it would be interesting, yes. Though some of the kosher foods I sometimes eat might be unappealing to you."<br/>
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She paused for a moment, and reached up to push some fallen hair out of her face. "It has been a long time since I have been able to take care of someone. It feels kind of strange to take care of you.. but also nice. I have not taken care of anyone since Tali..." She trailed off and cleared her throat, and then made sure to quickly change the subject. "How long do these sickly spells last? </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 255, 153)">Do you need me to call Gibbs and tell him you will be out for the week?"</span><br/>
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Kate had turned her microphone on as soon as they had gotten into the car, in case Gibbs would end up speaking. And when he did, she read his words on the screen, and then turned it off when they arrived at her place, and parked. She took off her seatbelt, and moved the armrest in the middle of the seat out of the way, and she moved closer to him and rested a hand on his shoulder, as she spoke into the microphone and showed him the tablet screen. <i>"There will always be bad things that happen, Jet. It simply can't be helped.</i><br/>
<br/>
<i>Something about needing to balance out the universe or some crap like that. I know you feel this way because today has been such a crappy day. But I don't think you mean what you're saying. I know that sometimes, it feels like there's more bad in the world than good. And maybe that's true, I don't know. But what I do know is, you can't give up. Because if you and the others can help even just one person..That one person is </i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 255, 153)"><span style="font-size: 15px">a hell of a lot better off than they were before you guys showed up. You make a difference, Jet. Even if it feels like you don't, you do."<br/>
<br/>
"Just think of how many men, women and children are still alive because of the things that you and the team have accomplished over the years. Think of all the families you've helped, think of all the men and women you've been able to finally send home to their families that otherwise wouldn't have known what happened to them. Sarah's alive today. McGee's going to get to hug his sister, and tease her, and be there to help her get better. And though she's going to be going through hell for a long time to come, I'm pretty sure she's grateful she can still go through hell."<br/>
<br/>
"I know I am. I can't tell you how many times over the years I've wanted to give up my badge, put my gun in my mouth and call it a day. But I haven't, and even though I get depressed and sometimes consider it, I never will. Because I'm still here. And as cliche as it sounds, as long as I'm still here, I can still do good. </span>So, I have been, and I'm going<br/>
to keep doing it. Whatever I do from here on out, it won't be with a gun or a badge. But that doesn't mean I can't still put out some good into the world. I haven't figured out what<br/>
that is yet, but I know it's out there."<br/>
<br/>
"And I'm damn sure going to find it. Whenever you have a day like today, you come and find me. And you talk to me, and let me remind you of why you do what you do." </span></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">She pause and then spoke again. "</span></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">You might think I'm being <span style="font-size: 15px">over dramatic</span>, and maybe I am, but, I don't care. Meeting you.Meeting your team.. our team.. our boys. Being at NCIS. Being part of your team for the last two years, it saved my life. The day we met, on Air Force One..I was depressed. But I was good at hiding it. I'd been stuck at a job I'd come to resent and hate, and I was screwed up over losing Dan."<br/>
<br/>
"And then the case on Air Force One happened, and yeah, you were a pain the butt. But.. when you offered me a job at NCIS, it caused me to reconsider putting my gun in my mouth and pulling the trigger. I've wanted to help people since I lost Dan. It was the only thing that even came close to filling the ache in my heart and in my chest. And ever since I joined the team, I've never regretted my decision... Look, the world is full of bad, Jet. So, we need to be a driving force for what's good. Stand with your badge and your gun,and your team."<br/>
<br/>
"Our team. You won't regret it. </span></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99"><i>Just remember, when you have a bad day, the sun will still come up tomorrow and you can still try to make the new day a hell of a lot better than the last was." </i>She stopped speaking and squeezed his shoulder and then released it. Then, she turned off the microphone and tablet, and carefully stored it in her bag, and the two of them got out of his car, and headed for her apartment. She leaned on her cane as they headed for the door. </span></span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 255, 153)"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">And she ignored it when her hands shook as she turned off the house alarm, got her keys out and shoved them into the door.</span></span>