Hey! this is Hippiechic81. This Is the first chapter of a story I am co-writing with Misspatchesmom. We will put in the first author's note in each chapter, who wrote the chapter! please read AND review!

Hope you enjoy the story!

"So, you wanna go grab something to eat? I know this great place that has the best Philly Cheese Steaks in Virginia. It's also got a pretty good alcoholic beverage selection.", Tony asked Ziva, as they walked out to their cars. They had just had to deal with a particularly difficult case. Ziva's boyfriend (who was now her ex-boyfriend.),Ray Cruz, had murdered a female Navy commander. Right before the team had found out that Cruz was the murderer, he had proposed to Ziva. When she had found out the truth about him, she'd been hurt, furious, and altogether heartbroken. Though she wouldn't admit it, Tony could see right through her, and she wasn't fooling any of the others, either. Now they were walking across the parking lot towards their cars, after having informed the husband of the victim that the case had been solved and seeing him out.

When Ziva hesitated after receiving the dinner invitation, Tony added,

"Come on. Ya gotta eat. It'll be fun." Ziva shook her head and said,

" No Thank you Tony. I am not very hungry you take a snow-check?"

"It's rain-check, Ziva. If you don't feel like going out, we could just order take out and hang out. I mean, I can be a friend to listen...a shoulder to cry on?" Tony responded.

With a small smile, Ziva shook her head again. "I appreciate what you are trying to do, Tony, but I really just need to be alone tonight." Tony sighed, but gave Ziva a smile in return.

Walking backwards towards his car slowly, he said, "Ok. Well, if you change your mind..."

"I know where to find you.", Ziva finished.

Tony nodded and said, "Remember, Ziva. You've got a lot of people who care. You're not alone."

Ziva gave another,small smile and replied softly,

"I , Tony."

"Goodnight, Ziva.", Tony said in response.

"Laila tov, Tony.", was Ziva's reply. With one last, meaningful look, Tony got into his car and drove away. After giving a wave and smile to Abby, who had just arrived at her car across the parking lot, and getting a small smile and wave in return, Ziva got into her own car and drove off.

What she and Tony didn't know is that Abby had actually overheard the last part of the conversation. Now, she stood by her car, lost in thought as she tried to imagine how her friend must be feeling at this moment. Abby wasn't sure what to do. Should she follow Ziva home? Should she leave her alone for tonight and check on her the next day? Abby was so lost in thought that she almost didn't hear a voice calling out her name.

"Abby?", the voice said, but received no response. "Abby? Are you alright?" This time, Abby looked up startled.

"Huh? Oh hey, Jimmy. Yeah. I'm fine. I just thought I forgot something."

"Well, do you want me to go back in with you to get it?" ,Palmer asked.

"No. I actually just remembered I left it in my car. It's all good now. G'night,Jimmy. See you tomorrow," Abby said, in a rush, before getting into her car and leaving the parking lot.

"Goodnight Abby," the younger man called after her. Then, he gave a shrug and headed home as well.

Abby thought about what she should do about Ziva as she drove along. She hadn't gotten too far when she finally decided that just because Ziva wanted to be alone, didn't mean she should be. She turned her car in the direction of Ziva's apartment. It was about ten minutes away. Once she arrived, she parked her car and headed into the building. She knocked on the door, but received no answer. After a moment, she knocked again.

This time, she got a sharp and slightly slurred response of, "Tony, I told you I wanted to be alone."

"Ziva? It's me. Abby.", the Goth called through the door.

After a brief hesitation, Ziva called out, "Coming." The Israeli strode to the door, and unlocked and opened it.

"What do you want, Abby?"

"I know today was hard. I just thought you could use a friend," Abby said softly.

"I will tell you the same thing I told Tony. I need to be alone."

"Apparently,alone with the company of Budweiser." Abby replied, taking in Ziva's appearance, and the nearly empty bottle on the coffee table. Ziva gave the forensics specialist an annoyed look.

"I do not see how that is any of your business." Abby put a hand on her friend's shoulder and looked her directly in the eye, saying,

"It's not the best idea to drink alone. Especially after the sucky day you've had."

"I needed to forget. I could only do that by getting intoxicated. I did not wish to be put off.", Ziva said, defensively.

"I think you mean cut off, Ziva. But that's not the point. I refuse to leave you alone in the condition you're in. I'm staying here tonight."

"Abby, no. I do not need a baby-sitter. Go home. I will be fine."

"Not happening. You're my friend, and you need me. I'm not going anywhere." Ziva was about to argue when she suddenly got ghostly pale.

"Ziva? Are you ok?", Abby asked in concern. Ziva's only response was to make a mad dash to her bathroom. She barely made it in time to empty everything in her stomach into the toilet. After a few seconds, she felt Abby kneel beside her and rub her back while holding back her hair. After a few more moments of dry heaving, Ziva felt it was safe to back away from the toilet. She looked at Abby, slightly embarrassed.

"Thank you, Abby."

"Are you ok, now?" Abby asked.

"I am better. Although, I believe I need some tea." Abby offered to go make some while Ziva got into her pajamas and got some Tylenol for the headache she was sure to have later.

"Thank you, Abby. That would be very nice." Ziva went and got her pajamas on and brushed her teeth before taking a Tylenol with some water from the bathroom sink. Then, she went out and sat on the couch, turning on the TV down low. Abby soon joined her with two cups of tea.

"Here.", Abby said, handing her friend a cup. Ziva thanked her, and the two friends drank their tea in silence as the watched a movie on TV. At some point during the movie, Abby looked over and saw that her friend had fallen asleep on the couch. She found a blanket to drape over the woman and then she took the teacups to the kitchen and washed them. Then she found another blanket in Ziva's bedroom and curled up to sleep in the easy chair next to the couch.

Abby hadn't been asleep for very long when she was startled awake by a terrified scream. Abby jumped out of the chair and hurried over to the couch where Ziva was thrashing around and calling out in her sleep.

"Ziva? Ziva, wake up! You're having a nightmare! Ziva! It's Abby. You're safe. Come on! Wake up!" Abby couldn't wake Ziva, and the woman was still thrashing around. Abby had to bob and weave to avoid getting hit. She finally gently grabbed Ziva's wrists and held them as she said again, "Ziva! You need to wake up. Come on. Open your eyes. This isn't real. You're dreaming. You're ok." Suddenly, Ziva jolted awake, but her eyes held a wild look that terrified Abby.

"No, no, no, no! It's ok, Ziva. It's 're in your apartment. You're safe! It's ok.", Abby said, soothingly. After what seemed like forever, Ziva seemed to come out of her nightmare, and her eyes found Abby's. She took a few deep breaths before saying,

"Abby?" The Israeli received a short nod.

"Yeah. It's me. I'm here. You're safe. You're okay." Abby sat on the couch facing her friend. She held Ziva's hand, but didn't say or do anything else as she waited for Ziva to process. She was sure Ziva would close herself off and pretend like it was nothing, but the other woman surprised Abby. It could have been that she wasn't quite alert or awake yet, or it could be simply that the Israeli was tired of holding it together all the time, and that she felt safe with Abby. Whatever the reason, Ziva looked at her friend wordlessly for a few moments before her face crumpled, and she collapsed into her friend's arms, sobbing. Abby was surprised at this side of Ziva. She'd never seen it before. However, Abby did the only thing she knew to do. She wrapped Ziva tightly in her arms and held her as she cried. It didn't matter how long it would last, or if Ziva shut her out once she was more alert. Abby was prepared to be there for her friend as long as she needed her.

Well, there's chapter one! Hope you liked it! Remember, ALL reviews are MUCH appreciated. Please don't forget. The next chapter which will be written by Misspatchesmom,

Will be posted later on this week! Catch ya later!