Ghosts

A/N: This came to me while thinking about Ari today… I have no idea where this is going, but enjoy.

Summary: Kate and Ari visit Ziva in a dream.

Ziva was home after another day at work. It was a tiring day. Their crime scene had been in the middle of a vicious hill that she was almost certain could be called a mountain. She spent the whole day going up and down, taking statements and bagging evidence. Not to mention that it was one of the hottest days of the year. She didn't mind the heat, but the humidity killed her.

So she allowed herself the luxury of a bath to relax her muscles and wash the sweat—hers and, unfortunately, Tony's (he sat right next to her in the van, getting his sweat on her since his jacket was off and his sleeves rolled up)—off of her body. She twirled her hair efficiently, clipping it up and out of the water with a large hair clip. She would wash it in the morning, but for now she just wanted the bath.

She placed a toe in her bath, cringing at the hot water. She gently lowered herself in, feeling her muscles relax every inch she sunk in. She picked up the book that lay next to the tub and flipped it open. An hour later, she was sound asleep, head resting on the side of the tub, arm holding the book hanging out the side.

Ziva was sitting in a wooded area, much like the ones she had seen as a child. She could smell the sweet scent of flowers and she smiled. It was spring and the forest was beautiful. "Ziva!" a voice called. Her heart thudded in her chest. She knew that voice. Her hand instantly went to her gun and she flinched when there was no gun. She reached next to her boot and found no knife hidden there. So she stood straight, ready to fight.

"Ziva," the voice called again, this time behind her. She spun around, jumping into attack position. And then she saw them. Nonhostile people. "Hello."

"Ari!" she cried, all former malice forgotten. She flung herself into his arms and he spun her around once, burying his face in her hair just like he always did.

"I've missed you," Ari confessed, appearing young and healthy. "I have someone I want you to meet. Ziva, this is Caitlyn Todd." He gestured to the dark-haired woman next to him. The woman smiled and waved.

"Ari has told me so much about you, Ziva."

"I'm sorry for taking your place," Ziva apologized.

"Rule number six," Kate said with a smirk.

"Never apologize," they said together.

"From what I've heard, you've been taking care of the team," Kate continued. "I just hope you don't let Tony push you around too much." Ziva smiled.

"My little sister doesn't let anyone push her around," Ari said proudly.

"Except for you, Ari," Ziva corrected. Her expression clouded over as she remembered reality. "I am sorry for killing you," she said, hanging her head in shame.

"No need. I was out of control. Our father was going to have me killed no matter what. I'm just sorry that you had to kill me." He pulled her close to him, letting her cry into his shoulder.

"I miss you," she whispered.

"I miss you as well. But, do not dwell on things you cannot change. It will drive you crazy." She nodded. "Now, you need to wake up. Goodbye, Ziva."

"We'll visit again," Kate promised.

Ari pulled away from Ziva and offered his hand to Kate. She took it and they smiled at one another. "Goodbye, little one. I love you. Stay safe."

"I love you too, Ari."

"Bye, Ziva," Kate called, smiling broadly.

"Goodbye, Kate. Ari."

With that, the pair walked off, hand in hand, walking through the forest. Ziva watched them leave until she could no longer see the retreating figures of her brother and the woman he loved.

Ziva awoke with a start, slipping into the bathtub a little more. She shivered at the now-cold water and got out quickly. After pulling on her pajamas and crawling into bed, she swore she could feel a kiss being pressed to her forehead and the gentle scent of a forest in spring. She missed her brother, but his ghostly presence made her smile.

A/N: Yeah, I know it was short. But, I think any longer would be overkill. And Ziva probably doesn't believe in ghosts, but when you're really tired, lots of weird things happen. I'm thinking about writing more with different characters… Like, they visit Tony or Gibbs. Tell me what you think.