This chapter was written by misspatches mom. But this author's note is mine. To the guest reviewer that was saying Abby would be the last person she'd want with her during a hard time,Abby has a big heart and she really wanted to show she cared. She may not be Tony but she IS Ziva's friend!TIVA IS coming, but it will take a few chapters. I have a No Character bashing rule for my stories and that includes co-written stories. If you don't like a certain character, that's your right. But if you don't like, don't read. I will NOT accept hateful bashing of any character from the show. That's not what reviews are for.Please keep your reviews kind and stick to critiquing the story itself and our writing. for everyone else, Hope you enjoy this chapter! Please read and review! Misspatchesmom would, I'm sure, appreciate them.

Ziva awoke at her usual 0530. She groaned when she rolled to her side and then opened her eyes quickly when she realized that she wasn't in her bed. Why had she fallen asleep on the sofa? She looked around the dark room, noticing a form in the chair. Abby? Why was Abby sleeping in her chair?

Ziva slipped quietly from the couch and moved silently to her bedroom. In the bathroom, she grabbed a Tylenol and a cup of water, downing both in one gulp. She took care of needs and then sat on the edge of her bed, trying to remember what had happened the night before. Abby had come to her apartment and Ziva remembered drinking tea with the Goth. Oh, yeah, and about half a dozen cans of beer before that…

Ray Cruz… the latest in an eternal string of men who had used her and let her down. She had been expecting nothing from him at the point where they had been before the case of Maya Burris. Then he had shown up with a ring in the blasted box. Made a fool of himself in public by pleading with her to marry him. Damn him!

Tony… trying to be supportive and acting every bit the part of best friend. Giving her that look when Nick Burris had asked if they were a couple. Then giving her that smile he gave only to her in the elevator… making her heart race as always. Damn him!

A vague memory of having Abby's arms wrapped around her during the night and sobbing on the Goth's shoulder had Ziva shaking her head. Why had she cried? Bits and pieces of the scene were coming back to her; the nightmare, Abby trying to wake her, the hug… The last thing Ziva wanted was anyone's pity. Why had she let her guard down with Abby?

Ziva grabbed the bear with the tutu from her shelf and lay down on her pillow. Tali had always been the emotional one in the family; never afraid to show vulnerability, need, emotion. She had resisted all of Eli's efforts to train her to be emotionless, a good little soldier, very unlike her older siblings. Ziva sometimes had envied Tali's resistance to their father, her spirit and determination dominating her personality. Tali had been the best of them. Tali, who wanted to be an opera singer, a ballet dancer, a free spirit, had been taken way too early. She had given Ziva the bear just weeks before her senseless death.

Feelings, emotions; all of it threatening to tear her heart and mind into pieces. Perhaps Eli was correct; emotions were a sign of weakness. She had liked Ray at one point, but as time went by and he disappointed her yet again, she began to realize that she was only "in love" with the idea of a family, her "something permanent," if you could call it that. It dawned on her, lying on her bed in the early morning hours, that she would have replayed her Ima's life had she married Ray. Not what she wanted by a long shot; her "something permanent" included an Abba who was there for his wife and children in all the ways that mattered.

'Admit it, Ziva,' she shook her head to clear her thoughts. 'Your something permanent has ALWAYS included Tony in your dreams.' Complicated was a mild, at best, way to describe her relationship with her team mate, her best friend. She did have to admit that he was always there for her; supportive, understanding, and just fun to be around. Even things that she had found annoying about Anthony DiNozzo in the early days were now a part of his charm over her. The movie references, the jokes, the masks, the kidding and teasing; all of it just added to the spell he unconsciously cast over her.

Ziva was pulled from her thoughts by the sounds of Abby moving about the living room and kitchen of the apartment. She glanced at her clock; 0715, time to get up and get things done today. She walked out of her bedroom to find Abby looking in the refrigerator and cabinets.

"Good morning, Abby," Ziva called out.

"Ziva! You're awake. I hope I didn't wake you up; you can go back to sleep if you want," Abby apologized. "After the night you had, you deserve to sleep in!" Abby moved over to Ziva and hugged her tightly.

Ziva stiffened slightly, which Abby noticed. "I am fine, Abby," she stated. "You did not have to stay with me."

"But, I wanted to make sure that you're okay," Abby released her hug and moved back slightly. "Besides, this way we can both get a good breakfast! And you can talk to me about your nightmares if you need to talk…"

Ziva scowled, "I AM fine, and I do not need to talk about anything. Let me make us some eggs and then you can go do whatever it is you do on Saturday." Ziva took eggs, some veggies, and cheese from the fridge and put the items on the counter. She grabbed her skillet, a bowl, and her chopping block and knife.
As Abby watched, Ziva chopped onions, mushrooms, and baby spinach leaves. She grated the cheese into a small pile. She broke four eggs into the bowl and whisked them into a frothy yellow color. Then she added the vegetables and mixed some more. Finally she poured the egg mixture into the heated skillet.

"I do not have Caf-POW! But I do have tea, coffee, orange juice, and water. What would you like to drink?" Ziva poured herself a glass of orange juice and put the tea kettle on the stove to heat the water.

"Orange juice is fine, Ziva," Abby replied. "Are you really okay? I mean that nightmare was pretty scary; you were thrashing around and screaming and all. You can tell me; I'll listen!"

Ziva walked over to Abby with the glass of orange juice. She set the glass in front of her friend and put her hands over the Goth's. "I do not want to talk about it. Understood, Abby?" She made eye contact as she spoke.

"Um, okay; but if…" Ziva cut Abby off by putting her finger over the woman's lips. Abby nodded that she understood Ziva's request to drop the subject. She would let it go for now.

Ziva served the eggs to plates for herself and Abby. She set them on the table and sat down to eat the meal. Abby glanced at her friend, noting the set look on Ziva's face and in her eyes and decided to remain silent. After they finished the meal, Abby helped Ziva clean up.

"Thank you for coming by to check on me, Abby. I do have some errands to run today, so I will see you at work on Monday," Ziva moved towards the door. Abby got the hint and gathered her things to head home.

"Thank you for breakfast, Ziva; it was delicious. I am just a phone call away, if you need me."

Ziva shut the apartment door behind the Goth. First things first; she would get her morning run, then come home and shower and head out to do her errands. Running always cleared her head and helped put the thoughts and emotions into perspective.

Well, there's chapter 2. Chapter three will be written by hippiechic81 and will most likely be posted on Thursday. Remember ALL reviews pertaining to the writing and story are MUCH apprieciated, but please NO character bashing! Thanks! catch ya'll later!