First of all, thanks so much for all the reviews! I'm overwhelmed, I seriously am.
I was in the right mood today and I wrote another chapter. This is not beta'ed and I'm not native English, so please excuse any mistakes.
Another part might follow! For now, please enjoy =)
"Ziva." His tone is light, but he knows she will understand what he means.
She stops and turns around to look at him, eyes inquisitive but still not quite alive.
"Yes?" The same nonchalant use of her voice.
He is silent for a moment, searching for words. When it comes to her, it is always best to be careful with what comes out of his mouth.
"I need you to come with me." He settles with that, buying himself some more time. He expects her to protest, but she just nods and follows him into the elevator.
They stand next to each other in tense silence, facing the shiny elevator doors. That is, until he steps forward and flicks the switch, so that suddenly the elevator stops moving and they are stuck in their own world.
"You visited the shrink." It was a statement, not a question, but she replies anyway.
"Yes. It was mandatory." She pauses. "It was useless."
He is not surprised; she has adopted much of Tony's, and his, attitude towards help. Of course, it doesn't help that she has been taught to be completely independent from the word go.
"What would you recommend, then?" He asks her. He knows what needs to happen, but he doesn't want to have to force her. It should be her own decision.
She pauses, the silence stretching on longer than last time. When she speaks, her voice is a lot hoarser and he fights his paternal instincts to comfort her.
"Gibbs, I know I need to..." she searches for the right word, "... deal with it."
He's not surprised by her words, but the intensity and sincerity with which she says it is new. It implies she actually wants to deal with it, which he hadn't expected. He had thought that Ziva was one of those people who stuffed everything away in their minds, until it came pouring out one day. And after that day, she would start all over again with stuffing away.
"However, the fact remains..." her formal language tells him she is trying to compose herself. "I cannot."
"Deal with it?" he asks.
She nods, then corrects herself. "I can deal with it – just not in the way she wants me to."
"She wants you to talk about it?" he already knows the answer to the question.
She nods again. "I have always been taught to keep to myself," she starts. "Never let anybody see how you feel, never appear weak." She gives a hoarse laugh. "I guess I failed that the minute I stepped into this building."
He smiles briefly, remembering those first days.
"Ziva." He waits until she is turned towards him and he knows he has her full attention.
"I think I agree with her. But-" he holds up a hand when she starts to protest, "- I also think you should not be forced to do so." He regarded her silently. "In your own time, Ziva. When you are ready."
He steps forward to flick the switch again, but her voice stops him.
"I think-" her voice shakes slightly. "I think I will be ready soon."
He nods, then continues forward. The elevator starts to move again, up this time.
They stand in silence once again, but this time, it is less awkward. He feels like the air has been cleaned, and he knows she feel the same. Still, he feels the need to say something.
"I know."