Thankyou so much to everyone who has reviewed thus far, they're so encouraging!! Here's chapter two for you all, don't forget the presence of the big blue button at the bottom of the screen! :D
DISCLAIMER: I don't own NCIS, it owns me. Haven't we already established that?
Fragile Façade
Five minutes after saying goodbye to Tony Ziva had showered and was now berating herself in front of the mirror while trying desperately to cover the bags under her eyes and the pallor of her cheeks with make up. She questioned why she had accepted Tony's offer but conceded that she was in no fit state to drive, she had barely managed to walk across the room to the phone without collapsing, driving would just be dumb. But what would she tell him.
She continued to contemplate this while she dressed; luckily she had brought a spare set of work clothes for the weekend, you just never knew with Gibbs. She had learnt very quickly to always be prepared. She cursed her choice of outfit, a knee-length navy blue skirt and sky blue three quarter length blouse along with the navy heels she had worn to work on Friday. The outfit served only to accentuate her tired, pale features. There was no way Tony would let this slip. Tony… he would there in five minutes and she was yet to formulate an excuse for needing a lift and now so she also needed one for her appearance.
She considered these issues as she checked and then rechecked her gear, everything was there, exactly where it should be. After much contemplation she settled on telling Tony that her car had a flat battery. Now she just had to explain her appearance, then suddenly the door bell rang.
Ziva answered telling Tony that she just needed a minute to leave a note for Kedar and then they could go. Within two minutes they were in Tony's car, Ziva was still trying frantically to think of an explanation when Tony, who had been studying her as much as he was the road, finally asked what was wrong.
"Nothing, Tony, I'm fine. A little tired maybe, but fine".
"You don't look fine, Ziva. You look like something out of return of the living dead."
"Just drop it Tony"
They sat in silence for the remaining five minutes of the trip, both deep in contemplation. Ziva sat there, eyes closed, as if meditating, focusing desperately on ignoring her throbbing head. Tony, who was paying dangerously little attention to the road, could not help but wonder what it was his partner was hiding from him. Her voice on the phone had really scared him; he had never heard her voice shake like that, ever. His mind was doing summersaults, thinking of many varying explanations for Ziva's behavior, each more far fetched and worrying than its predecessor.
Arrival at the scene was a blessing for Tony; his mind would have other things to mull over and he would be momentarily freed from his worry. For Ziva though, it was hell. More people to hide from, to lie to, more pointed gazes and a million things to concentrate on as well as appearing fine.
The team processed the scene as per usual, Tony took measurements and sketched, McGee took photos and Ziva examined the scene and talked to the witnesses. As per usual, Palmer and Ducky arrived late, of course Palmer's fault and Gibbs delegated.
They all did their job and said nothing, but they all noticed. They noticed that Ziva's teasing of Tony seemed forced, they noticed that when she wasn't teasing him she was silent and withdrawn and most of all they noticed her eyes. Try as she may she could not hide the exhaustion. She knew that she was fooling nobody but she clung to the façade for dear life.
Defenseless
By ten o'clock that morning the scene had been processed although it this stage there was very little to go on. Little more would be known until Ducky had finished the autopsy of his newest guest and Abby had had a deep and meaningful with the multitude of machines in her lab. That left Gibbs and his team to start chasing down the paper trail.
When Tony arrived back at headquarters he immediately began to search for Ziva. She had asked to come back with McGee and start locating the various documents that would help them to establish more about their victim. That had worried Tony, Ziva hated desk work with a passion and here she was volunteering for it.
As Tony stepped out of the elevator the bull pen appeared empty, McGee was obviously down stairs enjoying helping Abby. But where was Ziva?
"Ziva? Ziva? Come on please, I'm sorry if I upset you in the car, I was just…" His voice trailed off as he noticed Ziva asleep on her desk. Her arms were folded to create pillow on which she rested her head. Her long black curls hid her face from his view as they cascaded on to her desk.
This opportunity was almost too good to pass up, a sleeping Ziva was a defenseless Ziva, this would be the perfect time to get revenge for all those times she'd got him. He looked at her again, he was right, she was defenseless, he couldn't.
He slowly made his way over to her. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder; even through her shirt he could feel that she was ice cold. He gently shook her, trying to wake her, better him than Gibbs he thought. Eventually she began to stir, she sat up looking slightly dazed and quickly pushed the escaping locks of her hair back behind her ears. For a moment no one spoke, Tony was trying to formulate a way of obtaining information from her without having his head bitten off.
"I'm worried about you, Ziva" he finally managed to mutter
"Why Tony, I have already told you that I am perfectly fine."
"But you're not and everyone can see that. Maybe I should take you home"
"Tony I can take care of myself and besides I have work to do"
As she said this she stood up. As she did her eyes closed, she was focusing hard on staying upright. Moments later her eyes opened and she exhaled deeply. Tony gave her a knowing look and was about to continue his line of argument when he heard the elevator. Knowing all too well that it was Gibbs he gave up and returned to his desk. His mind was still in turmoil, when Ziva was asleep she had looked so delicate and helpless, he had never seen her look like that before. Something had to be done.
In the few remaining seconds before Gibbs would make it to his desk, Tony sent an email to Jenny saying that he urgently needed to see her. Jenny would know what to do; she always did when it came to Ziva. Also he thought that if Ziva found that he had been talking about her to Jenny she would be more forgiving than if it had been to Gibbs.
When Gibbs arrived he made some lame excuse about photocopies and made his way up to Jenny's office via the back elevator. Cynthia ushered him saying that she was free at the moment. As Tony entered the room he could see the concern etched on her face, maybe mentioning Ziva in the email wasn't wise but oh well. He began by explaining the events of the morning, he knew that he did not have to point out how of character these things were, Jenny knew Ziva better than he did.
Once he'd finished Jenny sighed. She said that Ziva had never dealt well with her own limitations. She agreed that someone should keep and eye on her but also said that Gibbs must be informed, what if he put her in a dangerous situation. For something to be obviously bothering her it had to be big. That was what had both of them so worried.
Reinforcements
As Tony left Jenny's office and made his way down the stairs, he couldn't help wishing that he could be of more help to Ziva. He couldn't stop thinking about how fragile she had looked when she was asleep, he just couldn't. This was so unlike Ziva. As he made his way back to his desk he spotted Gibbs and told him that Jenny had requested the pleasure of his company up in her office immediately. With that, Gibbs turned and made his way up the stairs, retracing the path that Tony had just taken.
When he reached Jenny's office he did not even break stride to check that she was available, but instead walked straight on in. Although this was customary it was also indicative of his concern. He knew full well that Tony's momentary absence had nothing to do with photocopying and everything to do with Ziva. He could not help but share Tony's concern and evidently from her expression, neither could Jenny.
"I have only ever seen Ziva look this sick once before, Jethro. That time she had been dealing with glandular fever behind my back for over a month. I'm really worried about her."
"Me too, Jen, but she's stubborn as all hell and will not admit her own physical limitations. What are we supposed to do?"
"I don't know. Maybe I could try banning her from work? In any case, Jethro, promise me you will keep an eye on her and let me know if anything happens."
"She's like a daughter to me, Jen. I will not let anything happen to her, I promise."
Before the conversation could continue any further, they were interrupted by his cell phone. He answered. Tony informed him that Abby had made a break through but in her typical fashion was not willing to play show and tell before everyone was present.
Gibbs hung up and relayed Tony's message to Jenny. He then asked if she wished to accompany him down to Abby's lab. Unusual but sweet, she thought, finally accepting his offer. The two made their way to the elevator and as they entered their hands brushed momentarily, sending chills up each of their spines.
Exhaustion
Meanwhile in Abby's lab, Abby was waiting impatiently to inform the team of her latest discovery. Tony and McGee were already present and Ducky was waiting with anticipation via the video hook up. Abby turned and began to study the two men in her lab. Her eyes first fixed on McGee, he was so sweet. He was sitting at her computer frantically trying to speed up the data base search he had initiated on the latent print she had pulled from their victim. She loved it when he played geek.
Her gaze then migrated to Tony. He looked unsettled and anxious. It was only then that she noticed Ziva's absence. Where could she be? And why was Tony so frantic and worried?
"Tony, firstly what's wrong with you? And secondly, where's Ziva? I thought I told you to get everyone down here, this could be big."
"It's Ziva, she's what's wrong. There's something really up with her. I think she must be really sick or something. She looks terrible but she won't admit that anything's wrong."
His voice trailed off as he felt himself being enveloped in one of Abby's customary hugs. Abby knew exactly how much Tony cared about Ziva, it was so obvious. She knew how much it hurt him to see her in pain, and how powerless he felt at not being able to help her.
She was herself worried about Ziva. She had come down earlier to drop off various items of evidence and Abby had been astounded by her appearance. She looked pale and drained, and she had bags under her eyes that vaguely resembled a panda bear. She had been unable to take her eyes off the Israeli for fear that she might drop.
Ziva half stood, half leaned against the wall in the ladies toilets. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, her eyes were glassy and her cheeks were almost white. She was exhausted, exhausted to the point of tears. She felt helpless and angry. Tears were a sign of emotion, of weakness and vulnerability, but try as she might she could not stem the flow. She was suddenly overcome by dizziness and allowed her body to slide down the wall until she came to rest on the floor.
She sat there for what seemed like hours until she again felt strong enough to stand. When she did, she turned and faced her reflection. What greeted her was the face of illness and exhaustion she had fought so hard to hide from everyone around her. She scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on her cheeks, trying vainly to wash away her pain. She then turned and exited to rejoin her colleagues, trying in vain to forget the momentary lapse in her façade.
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