Chapter 1:
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the NCIS characters, they belong to Donald Bellasario.
Abby POV:
I can't help but to pace the floors. Gibbs is hurt, McGee is hurt, Tony is hurt, oh my god my Ziva, what if she's hurt too.
*DING* Ziva is the only one on the elevator, she turns towards me and I start to freak out. She is right in front of me and her face is all bruised and she is in pain.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, Ziva…"
She grabs my arms and sits me in her chair, "Abby, Tony has a broken nose, McGee has a dislocated shoulder. But we caught the guy."
"What is he even doing here? He should be locked up. He's an animal."
Her face softens and she kneels in front of me, "He's not an animal. He's a man"
I can't believe what she is saying, "Are you defending him? He attacked for no reason. The guy's a killing machine"
She tries to reason with me, "He's a marine. Who was willing to give up everything for his country. We have a responsibility to him."
I don't agree. "Oh, spare me the samurai code of honor. Noble respect for your combatant, it's admirable, but he tried to kill Tony and he tried to kill McGee. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my god…"
She grabs my face, "And me, too. Believe me, we are fine. Calm down."
"Ziva, can't you just let me get it out for a second? I mean, I'm not like you. I'm not some totally emotionless perfect warrior." God, I didn't mean that. I'm just worried.
I walk back to my lab and leave her speechless in the bullpen.
1 HOUR LATER:
I'm down in my lab analyzing samples of Corporal Werth's blood and urine with Ducky. A ding goes off,"So, I guess he's a liar, too. Other than low concentrations of sedatives and antidepressants his blood was clean of drugs."
Ducky says to me, "Well, the results of Werth's urinalysis should confirm that then.:
I'm frustrated. "Oh! I can't just turn off one part of my head right now and turn on the other part.
Ducky tries to reason, "Abby..'
*DING*
"You know what. I don't even care."
Ducky argues back, "Abby, Abby, I need you to draw upon that considerable capacity you have for empathy, for a moment."
"I don't want to help him."
After the day begins to come to an end, I walk up to the bullpen to apologize to Ziva. I notice that her and Gibbs are the only ones still here. Gibbs gets up and heads towards the bathroom and smiles at me along the way.
She doesn't look up at me and I could see that she is deep thought so I call out her name slightly so I don't startle her. "Ziva."
"Ah I apologize Abby I was thinking."
"Oh it is okay Ziva, I wanted to know if you would like to grab something to eat and a drink?"
"That would be nice Abby, I would love to."
"Well then Officer David, you can follow me to my favorite dig."
"Quick question Abby, what is a dig?"
"Oh Ziva it's a name for a diner."
"That makes sense thank you Abby."
"Of course."
I get into my car and then make my way over to the diner. When we get towards the door, she opens it for me. "Thank you Ziva."
The waitress notices me as I lead Ziva to my favorite table. I always get the same things everytime I go to the restaurant, she brings over my favorite appetizer mozzarella sticks.
"Abby this place is lovely."
"Thank you I always find solace here."
"I can see why."
"Ziva I just want to apologize for earlier I didn't mean to imply that you don't have feelings, or that the way you deal with situations is bad. I just didn't know how to react and I don't want you to think that I don't like you because I do and I just sometimes don't know what to say or I say too much. I'm sorry I'm….."
"Abigail I know you were overwhelmed, and really it is okay. And it is okay that sometimes you ramble. I find it cute."
"Wait, you do?"
"I do."
"What else do you find cute Officer David?"
"I find a lot of things you do cute, but you I find beautiful." My heart warms at her words but I get taken out of my trance when the waitress clears her throat.
"What can I get you tonight ladies?"
"Can I have a classic mojito please?" Ziva asks politely.
"I will have my usual Tracey."
"You got it, those will be right out. Usual to eat as well Abby."
"Double order please Trac?"
"Of course, it will be out soon." And with that, it was just Ziva and I.
"You think I am beautiful Ziva?"
"Extremely Abigail, you never cease to take my breath away."
"Wow Ziva, for someone who doesn't express their feelings all too much you are truly eloquent in your delivery."
"Likes the gods worshiped women and poets speak so articulately I save my sweet delivery for someone who deserves it."
"Wow you are a charmer."
After the dinner and drinks, I have a new found confidence. So while she is looking at me I grab her hand, "Ziva will you take me home?"
"I would love to, Abigail."