Tony entered the bullpen, late again, and gave a relieved sigh when he discovered that his boss must be on his usual coffee run. He sat at his desk, placed his gun, badge and cell phone in the top draw of his desk and ran his hands through his hair. It was only then he realised something was missing
"Hey McGoo, where's Ziva?" McGee was typing furiously at his desk, his mouth moving as if he was saying every word he wrote.
"She's…" He paused, looked at her desk, then to Tony and finally back at his computer screen. "She must not be in yet." Right on cue, the elevator ding rang out and Ziva stepped out, walking quickly towards her desk. Tony's smile disappeared before his mouth could form it. She looked terrible. Her usually luscious hair fell limply across her shoulders and lack of sleep had taken its effect on her beautiful face. She slumped into her chair, opened her top draw slowly and placed into it her gun and badge, careful not to make too much noise.
A coy smile returned to her partner's face.
"Good night was it?" Ziva's head jerked up to meet his eye. "Well, you've obviously had no sleep, you're wearing the same clothes as yesterday…" Pain spread through the back of his head as Gibbs' hand made contact.
"Shut up Dinozzo."
"Shutting up Boss." He said sheepishly, rubbing his head.
"Dead marine, grab your gear." McGee, Ziva and Tony all proceeded to do just that. Gibbs tossed Tony the keys as they left the bullpen. They all stopped however as they watched Ziva move as slowly as if she was jogging in treacle. "Ziver? Are you alright?" Gibbs asked in a hushed tone. She only tipped her head but it was enough for him. "Then let's go." All four agents entered the lift without another word.
McGee was busy bagging and tagging and Gibbs was talking to Ducky and Palmer about the body, leaving Tony to be the only one to notice Ziva's lack of normality. They were interviewing Darcy Maroon, Lt Nigel Maroon's wife. But Ziva just wasn't herself; she was being too close cut, too forward. By the second crying fit, Tony decided that Darcy had had enough.
"Ziva, can I have a word?" He asked, not wanting an answer. He took her by the elbow and led her back to the car. "What the hell is wrong with you today?" She was obviously taken aback by the question, a reaction Tony wasn't expecting. The chocolate in her eyes seemed to darken slightly as her eyes glossed. Tony knew that she would never forgive him if he made her cry let alone at a crime scene, so he squeezed the elbow he suddenly realised he was still holding. "Just… be nice, she's just lost her husband. Okay?"