It's OK
Ziva quickly kept the gun in her holster and knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Mrs Leighton! Rachel! Open the door!" Still no response. Swearing under her breath, Ziva ran to the kitchen. The window was open, and she clambered in. Rachel was on the floor, hugging herself. The food in the oven and on the stove had started to burn. Quickly shutting it all off, Ziva sat beside Rachel and placed her hand on her arm.
"Rachel. Are you alright?" Ziva dodged the arm that came flying at her. She was able to see Rachel properly now. She was beautiful, with deep blonde hair and an oval face. Her nails were perfectly manicured and her legs were long and tanned.
"Tony's ideal woman," Ziva found herself thinking but she quickly shook the thought away.
"Do you think I'm alright? That's such an idiotic question to ask someone in a state like mine." She started to cry. Ziva sat down opposite her cross-legged.
"I'm sorry Rachel, let me start again. What's wrong?" Rachel sighed, her breath haggard.
"Everything's wrong. It's been wrong ever since Aaron died." Ziva gently touched her arm.
"Aaron?"she asked. Rachel nodded, and wiped her tears away.
"Yes, our next door neighbour. I was cooking roast chicken and vegetables. Then I thought of him, it was his favourite meal! There's not much after that." She smiled a little and Ziva smiled back.
"How do you know his favourite meal?" she asked. Rachel hesitated before replying.
"Aaron was a Marine, as was his father and my husband John. John actually served under Aaron's father Adam. That's how they knew each other. Aaron moved in next door." She looked sheepish.
"When John goes on long trips, you know Navy trips, I invited Aaron over. Poor boy, he lost his mother at an early age, he only knew takeout not a lovingly made home cooked meal!" Rachel started to cry again and Ziva hugged her supportively.
"Thank you Maria. You're a good woman." Ziva smiled and noticed Tony gesturing to her from next door. She smiled stood up, dusting herself off.
"I have to go. Goodbye Rachel." She helped Rachel get up before she climbed to the window.
"Goodbye Maria." Ziva closed the window behind her as she left.