Title: The Hardest Thing To Say

Summary: Ziva's having some difficulty expressing herself

Rating: G

Prompt: 04. Love

'Our love is troubled,' murmured Kate, nudging Abby to Ziva's direction.

Abby gazed despairingly at her second lover, wondering why her little Israeli had such an expression of self loathing and dismay. Kate took Abby's hand and led her towards their girlfriend. Abby piped up first, 'What's the matter, baby?'

To their surprise, Ziva's reaction was to hunch up her shoulders. Kate couldn't help but grab Ziva in a tight hug, with Abby soon joining. Ziva was breathing shallowly and with what appeared to be gulping sobs. Kate was only relieved that there was no major case so that they could concentrate on Ziva's problem. She wondered if she should ring up Gibbs and tell him that they would all be unavailable for at least today. Ziva's shaking soon dispeled that thought from her mind.

'Ziva? Please, tell us if there's something wrong. Please, honey,' Abby ventured again.

Ziva turned away from their gaze again, 'Please. Abby. Do not call me that. I don't deserve it.'

Kate wondered if this was the best approach. Ziva was different to Abby, as was she from either of her lovers. Perhaps a little bit of tough love was what Ziva needed right now. She stood up, disassembling the group hug, 'Get your ass up and tell me your problem Ziva David!'

Ziva looked up at Kate in shock, but obeyed. She stood straight, a face of woe, but none the less with a strong posture. Ever the soldier of perfection thought Kate endearingly. 'I don't deserve your little pet names. I can't tell you how I feel. Not yet. It's hard,' said Ziva, attempting to keep her report short.

Abby was clearly troubled by the whole thing, but Kate kept the act, 'What do you mean Ziva?'
Ziva faltered, even just for a moment, but Kate could see that she was trying very hard. 'I can't say it. I can't say to you both how much I lo...' she trailed off, the word stuck in her throat like a bone of an over eager puppy.

Kate brightened, finally understanding. She mouthed the word to Abby, who let Kate do the talking, adding her two cents, with a kiss and a hug. Kate reverted to the gentle tone she reserved for her girls. 'Ziva, we love you. We know that you love us. If you didn't, we wouldn't be here today. We can wait for you to say it at your own pace,' stated Kate.

Abby nodded in approval of Kate's words, 'Oh Ziva, if I had known how troubled you felt, I would have told you to forget about it ages ago! Love, you need to tell us your feelings more often.'

Ziva nodded, 'I am sorry I worried you both. Thank you.'
Kate sighed in relief and leaned down to share a deep yet strangely chaste kiss with both Ziva and Abby. They spent the rest of the morning curled up in bed, holding each other close with Ziva in the middle.

THE END

All chapters here are actually standalone drabbles. There will be a total of 100, I will add them as I complete my drabble table from LJ. R&R