Gibbs carefully tucked the blanket around Zivas shoulders, leaving the toddler to nap on the couch for a few hours. The puppy was next to her, also sleeping, in its bed that he'd finally uncovered from beneath the mountain of puppy paraphernalia. McGee hadn't been stingy, he'd have to offer him compensation for all of it, it wasn't Tims responsibility to pay such extortionate amounts of money on his kid, especially when she'd not been on her best behaviour. He worried about the consequences of such behaviour been so extensively rewarded, hopefully it wouldn't be a part of an expected pattern from the kid. He doubted it, but he'd have to nip it in the bud, fast, explain to the two year old that her behaviour would be punished with time out or the naughty step in the future.

A soft whimper from the pup brought him out of his musings on how to handle her behaviour in the future, also awakening the little girl who seemed to do nothing but occupy his day and fill his mind. Wide eyes looked around for the source of the sound, head leaning over the couch to catch a glimpse of blue. He watched to ensure that she'd handle the dog with care, not that he thought she'd be intentionally rough, but toddlers sometimes were oblivious to the strength of themselves in comparison to other creatures. He didn't have to worry, her chubby little hand softly caressed the puppies head, a lulling shush instantly calming the fretful pup. Her delighted grin brought a smile to his own face. He held his arms out to her, lifting her from the sofa so she didn't disrupt her pet. Looks like nap time was a no go today. Oh well, she'd sleep well tonight, hopefully early. The thought of sleep also reminded him of the reason for her absence within his household this afternoon, she was still yet to see her room. He decided he'd wait till the others arrived for dinner, he'd sent a text ( yes, he did know how to text ) inviting them to a take out on him round his to thank them for their help and support since baby Ziva had entered his life.

Tim had declined, insisting that he'd come another day, but had plans for tonight. Both he and Gibbs knew that wasn't the truth, the poor man had just had his fill of their little terror for one afternoon and was still regretting the purchase of a pet without said terrors fathers permission. Abby, Ducky and Tony, however, were attending, as was Jimmy, who up until this point, still hadn't met Ziva in her child form. Gibbs felt slightly guilty for not thinking of including the autopsy gremlin before tonight, he was a friend to the team, but, despite the poor mans attempts, still hadn't been completely accepted and embraced into their make shift family. Gibbs also was rather nervous as to what Jimmy would say around Ziva, he was known to ramble when nervous, which was a constant around Gibbs, and they'd already established Ziva was an incredibly bright child. He didn't want her hearing anything about the incident that resulted in her de-aging, he didn't want her knowing anything in regards to it. As far as she was concerned she was a normal little girl,which was the way he wanted it to stay. Hopefully palmer would control himself well enough, after all he doubted Ziva would take to him well , even more so if he was a jittery skittish mess.

"Daddy, I'm soooo hungry!". The little girl currently held in his arms, leaned back, looking into his eyes expectantly, knowing he'd be the one providing the food.

"Sandwich?"

Ziva nodded her head vigorously, causing her hair to frame around her head like a lines mane. He carefully brushed it away from her eyes before planting a kiss on the end of her nose, much to get delight.

"We've got cheese, ham, tuna, peanut butter and jelly?"

"Oh, peanut butter and jelly! Toady gaves me some of dat the otha day, it was so yummy, have you ever had dat daddy?"

He couldn't remember ever seeing tony fetch any snacks for Ziva, so came to the accurate conclusion that Tony was sneaking her snacks after her dinner, when she wasn't supposed to have anything sugary. He'd have to speak to him about that, the man was completely wrapped around her finger, even more so now that she was a child, but they couldn't give in to her every whim, it would only end in disaster in the long run.

With the sandwich made, Gibbs went to cut it down the middle, resulting in a shriek of protest directly in his ear. He stared bewildered into her face, every other sandwich he'd made her gad been cut that way.

"Toady dids it in a shape, can you make a shape daddy, like a heart?pweaseeee!"

He was a hypocrite, they were all wrapped around her finger, especially he himself, he thought as he carefully cut a love heart from the bread, causing his daughter to squeeze around his neck just a little too tight, unintentionally choking him and causing him to splutter for a breath.

They spent the next few hours watching a movie in the living room, he'd found some old video tapes of Disney films in the back of a cupboard, they were currently watching snow white. He was sat back, Ziva curled against his side, thump in mouth, staring with rapt attention as the animated figures found their happy ending. Much like the one they had both found now in each other. A father without a family, a child without a home, finding just what each needed in each other. A sharp knock sounded against the door, accompanied by the sound if muffled bickering. He smirked to himself, no matter what age his 'kids' were, some things never changed. The sound if the knocking had also woken the puppy blue from slumber, a yapping bark emitted from its small frame, already trying to defend the little girl from unknown forces. Leaving the dog in the living room with Ziva, Gibbs headed to let the rest if his unruly bunch into the house, closing the door behind him so the dog couldn't escape.

Jimmy was running late with Ducky, Abby and Tony had arrived together, slightly early, eager to spend time with their shrunken sister. As they were removing their jackets there was a shrill shriek from the other side of the living room door.

All of the agents flew into action, racing into the room, to be met with a rather unpleasant sight.

"Daddy! Blue did a poo on the floor!", the little girls tone showed how disgusted she was with what she had just witnessed. Abby and Tony looked flabbergasted,Gibbs definitely had not had a puppy when they'd left earlier.

Gibbs looked in equal parts disgust and resignation at the mess the dog had left, it would be him who would be cleaning up after it. He pulled the necessary supplies from McGee's puppy treasure trove and made quick work of cleaning up, ensuring he put a puppy training pad by the door,hopefully the dog would use it if they didn't get her out in time.

Gibbs just hoped the dog mess wasn't going to be a bad omen for the evening...