Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to Gottahavemyncis for reviewing 9 and Reader for reviewing 8 and 9.

Again, like she had the time before, she awoke on the sofa, a pillow resting beneath her head and blanket tucked around her body. The wine glass was in the sink and the bottle in the recycling bin, the chairs all situated around the table as though nothing had happened.

Every muscle in her body screamed otherwise.

She sighed, looking around, brushing her hair out of her eyes, before her gaze landed on the coffee table.

Sitting in front of her was an almond bear claw.

Slowly, she reached out, picking up the pastry. No one knew how much she liked the glazed, nutty treat.

No one but Tim.

A moment passed as she breathed in the sweet scent of cinnamon and almonds, before taking a bite.

"Thank you for the bear claw." He turned to her, not at all surprised to see her in the elevator, when he hadn't even noticed her enter. He shrugged, sipping his coffee.

"Was the... least I could do, after last night." She nodded, stopping him before he could open his mouth again.

"Don't say it. I do not regret it, and I know you don't either, so don't. Don't even think it, Timothy McGee." He sighed; when the elevator arrived at their floor, he shot out so fast, Ziva thought she saw smoke.

She sighed, following, watching silently as he took a seat at his desk and turned his computer on, but didn't move to check his e-mail. Instead, he was constantly checking his phone. She nodded, remembering. Sarah was still in the hospital, and had yet to be released. She looked around; Gibbs was most likely skulking around somewhere, and Tony had yet to arrive...

Pushing her chair back, she went to him, rubbing his back as she slipped behind his desk, asking,

"Any word on Sarah?" He shook his head, silent. A moment passed, before he turned to her. She leaned back against the small table beside his bookcase, crossing her arms. "Talk to me, Tim." But all his green eyes did was study her; he kept quiet, eventually turning from her and glancing at the photographs on his corkboard. Ziva's gaze followed, and she noticed as he reached up, brushing his fingers over the image of the two of them sitting together on Jake's jeep, grinning from ear to ear on that hot summer day in the Australian Outback. Her gaze snapped to him as she noticed his shoulders begin to shake with soft sobs, and after a moment, she got up, going to him and wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. She pressed a kiss to his hair, feeling him reach up and take her hand in his. "I am so sorry, Tim."

He choked on a sob, meeting her gaze. They stared into each others' eyes for several seconds; gently, Ziva brushed a tear off his cheek, before slowly leaning close-

The sound of footsteps caused Tim to pull away, though Ziva didn't move. Gibbs just glanced at the pair, and seeing the tears in his junior agent's eyes, sighed. He took a seat, leaving them be, but keeping a close eye on them. Realizing that she would never be able to kiss him like she desperately wanted to with Gibbs there, she settled for brushing a kiss to his forehead. When she pulled away, Tim removed her hands and got up, rushing from the bullpen just as Tony arrived. "Whoa, where's the fire, McHasty?" But one look at Tim's tortured green eyes told Tony exactly what was going on, and he let the younger man flee.

Once he was gone, Ziva moved to go back to her desk, when Tim's cell rang. She should have left it alone, but one glance at the ID told her it was important. "Agent David."

"Timmy, thank... Agent David?" Ziva nodded.

"Yes. Tim is... he is busy."

The caller on the other end of the line paused for a moment, before,

"Agent David, it's Emma. Can you tell Timmy that I'm at the hospital with Penny and the others?"

Ziva glanced at her coworkers, who were listening with interest. "I will, but... what should I-"

"Sarah's awake, and she's asking for him."

The bathroom door opened and Ziva silently stepped inside. "Tim?" He didn't look up from the sink. He just held onto the counter and rocked silently back and forth on his heels. She watched, saw how he struggled to regain control of his emotions. He choked on a sob, and though the first thing Ziva wanted to do was rush to him and pull him into her arms, kiss him and tell him everything would be okay, she didn't. She stayed where she was. "Tim?"

A moment passed, before he slowly raised his head. His green eyes were red and raw, and tears slipped down his cheeks. He was silent, and Ziva suddenly found herself nervous. She mentally shook herself. Don't be ridiculous, this is McGee! He's your partner! You have no reason to be nervous!

Her gaze met his, and she shook herself. "What?"

"Is there a reason why... you're in here, Ziva?" He choked out, forcing himself to swallow the lump in his throat. She nodded.

"Your cousin... Emma called. She's at Bethesda with Penny and Sarah's awake. She's asking for you." Tim sighed, nodding, and moved past her. She quickly followed, watching as he grabbed his things and headed for the elevator. With a glance at Gibbs, who nodded, Ziva grabbed her things and went with him, squeezing his hand gently as they stepped into the elevator. As they entered the parking garage, Ziva tightened her grip on his hand, tugging him towards her Mini Cooper. "Come on. I will take you." He shook his head, pulling away, but she tightened her grip and tugged him closer. "Tim, you are in no condition to drive, and I do not mind."

After a moment, he reluctantly agreed.