I love this entire chapter, but my favorite part has to be Ziva carrying Sara back downstairs to Gibbs - such a precious scene.

Awwww! So sweet! Amazing story! :)

I'm really getting into this story.
Can't wait to see what's up with Sara.
Great story so far...off to read more.
josgrandma

Bittersweet and beautifully written. Thank you for sharing this with us!

So sweet with Gibbs telling Sara that he's going to be her daddy from now on. And so symbolic that he has his arms around both her and Ziva when he says it.

So call me crazy but I decided to reread this entire novel-length fanfic:) it's just as good the second time around. Reminded myself of why I love it:) I'm going to go reread a village life now if you'll excuse me!

I love this story! Love Sara! Sad in the begining, though, turned out great! Now im going to the sequel!

So this is going to sound really stupid but I just found out that Village Life is a sequel. I had been reading it without having read this! No wonder I was confused! Well anyhow, this story is absolutely amazing and unique. I loved it. I'm off to go read the rest of VL!

"They were asking about things that weren't even real anymore." To me, that might just be the most profound line in the whole story. It's so simple, yet it says so much.

This was such an amazing story! Much like your summary, I'm not really sure how I got here either, but I'm so glad I did. I think it was your summary that hooked me, actually.

Please take this as the huge compliment it is intended to be - this isn't the sort of story I usually read. That said, there's something about the way this is written that hooked me and would NOT let go. (And there went a good four hours...all right in a row!). You managed to keep everyone absolutely in character...and then some. In character, but also what I HOPE for them all...if that makes any sense.

This story tore my heart and put it back together again. I loved how you wove all the pieces together - the case, Sara, Ziva...everything. Amazing work. Thank you so much for sharing it!

It's team, it's family, it's perfect.

Her middle name's Elise? How pretty, I love that name! :) Aww...what a sweet ending! Short and simple and for once something is easy for them. I can't say that much about the rest of their lives but I look forward to finding out. Thanks a bunch, so glad I read this story! :)

Dang, more stuff for S to deal with, not cool. Ohh...never thought about foster homes etc as a place where she'd develop a fear of other kids, good point. Sucks tho. hahaha...and a pony. That's hilarious. Nice try kid. He'll have to keep an eye on that one ;)

I know Z is awfully anxious not to go into the abuse subject with S, but maybe she needs to talk about it, maybe S needs to ask questions instead of just always being told that it is fine and everything. I'm surprised at her choice to pull Z's hair. Wonder what's got her so up in arms?

Huh...that's a choice I didn't expect coming from Z, tho I understand her wanting a chance at real life. Interesting how blase Gibbs is about the choice. I didn't know you could retire at 30. What does she mean they owe her? Some sort of Mossad pension if you live long enough?

I find it interesting (and I know I am often alone in my positions) that now things very much seem to be - move in with me first and then later we'll decide if we really want to spend the rest of our lives together. Instead of figuring that out and getting married. I appreciate Z's stance on not acting as his wife until they're married. That's something I don't think I've ever seen before in a FF.

lol...smooth Tony. How long have you had that ring? Perfect moment tho, at least she knows he's serious. What a great idea! I want to release balloons and blow noisemakers now. Congratulations! Aww...I love love stories :) lol...funny and sorta sad that S didn't know what married is. I agree with Abby, eloping always sounds so much less complicated and intimate. Nobody staring, no one freaking out over the details, just married and happy and a party later. Let's go with that :) Gosh, only 2 days later and I'm really going to miss this story... Thanks for being awesome! :)

Short and not exactly sweet. I have a feeling G, and S, will be very happy never to see that lady again. Aww Sar...not many 5 year olds willingly admit to needing a nap. Oh Z...who would've thought that was going through her head? Geez. Yikes, that was not a pleasant moment for Z. Why won't she let them help? I'm with Gibbs, I would hate for her to lose everything she's workd so hard to get back.

She's saying all the right things but I don't think she believes a word of it. I didn't realize she'd gotten so far inside herself and no one noticed. I feel bad that Z got forgotten in the wake of everyone worrying after Sara, even Tony didn't see that happening. Hopefully they can get this turned around.

Either Tony knows her better than I thought or he's a really good guesser. I love how he just rolled over all her objections and attempts to get rid of him. He doesn't seem afraid of her and I think Z appreciated it. Why is she trying so hard to push away the people that care? I don't get it? Is she like Sara, doesn't think she's good enough to be loved? I don't like her logic.

lol...at least she ate and he got to hold her. I think it's so cute that she stated what she wanted and Tony agreed just like that. I hope he's awake enough to know what he's saying/agreeing too. Wow, that's a lot of confessions for Z, good ones too. Y'know, I think if Z asked, he'd say yes ;)

Wow...I love that honest, open real convo T&Z had. It was getting a glimpse inside her heart for the first time. I'm glad she wants to marry him, that she wants a child. I like the way Tony described their team, having someone to love and take care of in Sara. I'm sad Z can't get pregnant but being a mother doesn't always mean biologically. I love how T just accepts it, like he expected/planned for this all along. Maybe he did.

So cute that Sara called Z, wants her home. Someone will have to tell her that Z's home is with Tony, wherever they decide that to be, and it won't necessarily always be at Gibbs' house. lol...I like Z's wake up call for Tony. Don't want to get up when I mention the kid? Fine, what about being hungry? Even better, I want to share the shower with you? lol...got his attention pretty quick :P

I'm sorry Sara's still sick, but it sounds like they're going to have a nice family day. G hugging Z was cute. They make such a good family. Are we almost done? Really? Because I'm not ready to say goodbye. Oh wait, there's a sequel! lol...might have to take my time on that one. This is fabulous by the way!

Aww...I felt bad for Tony when S didn't want him, but since she's sitting with him for a story, I guess that makes it better. Yikes, Gibbs went after that lawyer person with only speculation. He doesn't believe in innocent until proven guilty, huh? I always feel bad when Gibbs scolds Sara but he's right and she doesn't need to throw a fit when T&Z are trying to help. Ooh...and the resident ninja doesn't like being left behind. But doesn't she know she's in charge of his most precious treasure? That's a huge compliment if she's willing to look at it that way. I hope they can plug this leak, it would've been nice to have everything stay under the radar.

Wow, that was a pretty intense meeting. I love how they were all a little bit too big for their britches until Gibbs made the situation real for them with details of what Sara went through. I hope that guy can call the dogs off, he certainly wouldn't want to be meeting Gibbs in a dark alley late a night...

lol...that house clearly needs more beds...or rooms...or at least some camping cots. Having the whole family bunk there means they're a little short on space. It's cute that S tried to sleep with him, but little kids don't make for restful sleeps apparently. I guess even a kid starving for affection would get tired of being carried around all the time. I liked Tim playing unintentional watchdog for the news vans and helping Sara walk, that probably makes her feel accomplished :)

I hope this adoption thing works out. I never really feel totally secure about happy endings until I see them with my own eyes. Thanks for this :)

Elephant pjs? Good choice. I wish they made cool pjs for adults. My favourite pj bottoms have sheep on them, but elephants would be way cooler, lol. Uhoh, I still feel like G might be getting in trouble for that prison visit... I hope not, I want him and Sara to stay together and happy forever :)

Aww...I'm glad Z admits to missing T, they're good together. Hm. As much as I like T&Z cozy and sleeping together (clothed of course) I think it's admirable that G is taking a stand against it because of how it looks through Sara's eyes. And is that...him assuming they're getting married? Because I'm totally okay with that :)

Oh Sara...now all of her nightmares and reality are mixing together. Nothing is her fault. And Gibbs will never be sorry he signed up for that reading group and then brought her home. Wish this was more fixable, sucks when nothing you do helps. Sara is a champ, she did great in that interview even tho I wish I didn't know the details. And it was sweet at home when Z wanted some quiet time too :) Girls and their dads...

lol...smooth Gibbs. Let's tick off reporters. *rolls eyes* He will never learn to play nicely with others. But I like how he's got the techno whizzes working on signal jamming systems and the vulnerable parties upstairs. He still plans like he's fighting a battle. But I guess Rule 40 is hide the women and children, good call there. I hope this doesn't come back to bite him.