Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS

Tim sat back down in the chair in the corridor outside the hospital room. He just returned from the bathroom. Delilah had been rushed into surgery forty-five minutes ago. Still no news. His phone kept buzzing. Texts from Tony, Jimmy, Ellie, Gibbs and other colleagues. Abby had rung. Twice. Tim loved his friends and was thankful that they were there and wanted to support him. But he found it annoying when they were constantly checking in. He had told them that he would tell them any news when he had some.

The phone buzzed again. Assuming that it was Tony or Abby, checking on him again, Tim had every intention of declining the call. However, caller ID read Ziva. Tim hesitated a moment before answering.

'Hello?'

'Hello Tim.'

'Hi Ziva.'

'How are you?'

'I'm alright.'

'Tony said Delilah is in surgery, yes?'

'Yeah Forty-five, no fifty minutes ago. Still no update.'

'Are her family there yet?'

'No. Her parents are trying to get a flight but it's proving difficult. A lot of flights to DC have been cancelled.'

'I suppose that makes sense.'

'Yeah, I suppose.' Tim wasn't really interested in having a conversation.

'Anything you need? Food? Company? I can come and sit with you.'

'No, I'm alright Ziva. You should stay inside, given that –` Tim finished his sentence abruptly.

'Given that I am pregnant? You should like Tony. And Gibbs.' Tim let out a small chuckle.

'Honestly, Ziva, I will be alright. I just need news about Delilah and I'm afraid you can't give me that.' He sounded dejected.

'You will let us know when there is news, yes?'

'Yes, I will Ziva.'

'OK. Bye Time.

'Bye Ziva.' Tim had every intention of declining the call when his phone buzzed, but after seeing Ziva's name on the caller ID, Tim knew that she would understand. During one long stake out years ago, Ziva had told him how she waited in the hospital for news about her mother, and only three years later, waiting for news about her sister. Tim remembered how Ziva had helped Gibbs remember when he came out of his come, how she waited for news about Rivkin. He knew that she would understand.

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Tony walked into an apartment that was full of the smells of cooking. Noises from the kitchen told hm that Ziva was busing away.

'What's going on?' he asked, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. 'Pregnancy cravings?' Ziva gave him a look.

'No. It is food for Tim. I am making him meals for the next few days.'

'Days or months?

'Very funny.' Ziva put down the spoon she was holding. 'I just felt a little lost. When I was an agent, I would be helping the team find whoever was responsible.

'McGee will appreciate the food.'

'I know.' Ziva turned to look at Tony. 'What are you doing here?'

'A brief reprieve. Shower, clean clothes, hopefully some decent food, it there's any to spare.' Tony reached over to a casserole that was sitting on the table. Ziva slapped his hand away.

'That is for Tim.'

'McGee will appreciate anything Zi, but don't you think you've gone a bit overboard.' The small dining table was covered in dishes filled with cooked food. Ziva looked pensive.

'I know what it is like, to have to split you time between your normal life and life at the hospital. Delilah will be in hospital for a while, and then she will have a lot of rehab. Tim will be at her side any time he can spare. I know him. You and Gibbs are searching for Parsa. This is how I am helping Tim. One less thing he has to think about.' Tony smiled, weakly. He remembered vaguely casserole dish after casserole dish being dropped off when his mother was ill, and again after the died. Ziva was right, it would help.

Tony had a quick shower and changed. It felt nice wearing clean clothes. He put on his coat and picked up his backpack, ready to leave. Ziva walked over to him, holding a casserole dish.

'Here, take this with you.'

'What is it?'

'Vegetarian lasagne. Stick it next to the microwave in the break room. People can help themselves when they get hungry.' Tony smiled, warmly this time. Over the decade that he had know Ziva, there had been times where her kindness and compassion were drowned out by the Mossad in her. Since she had left NCIS, he had seen just how kind Ziva could be. Working at the women's shelter twice a week, and then working at the NGO that helped vulnerable children and adults three times a week, seemed to have amplified Ziva's ability to empathise with others. She also knew what it was like to work Gibbs' hours, especially after a terrorist attack. Harper Dearing came to mind.

Tony bent down and kissed Ziva.

'I love you' he whispered. 'Both of you.' Ziva smiled.

'We love you too.'

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Tony stood up from his desk and walked over to the break room. He had been staring at his computer screen for too long. Coffee was needed. They had caught Bashir Malik, but Parsa was still at large, trying to get out of the country. Tony was in need of a quick break before going back to it. He was pouring coffee when fellow agent Sam Abbot walked in.

'Any idea who brought this in?' he asked, pointing to the lasagne. Sam was a tall African-American man in his thirties with a deep voice. He currently sat on the far side of the partition behind Gibbs.

'Yeah, I did. Courtesy of Ziva.' Sam picked up a plate and spooned some lasagne onto it. He took a mouthful.

'Tell her thanks. I was starving and didn't fancy going to the vending machine again.'

'Will do' replied Tony as Sam went back to his desk. Tony smiled to himself, proud of Ziva. Still able to help people. Without carrying a gun.

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Tim answered the door. He wondered who it would be. Ziva was standing on the other side of the threshold, a large cooler bag at her feet.

'Hi Tim' she said, smiling kindly. 'How are you?' They hugged, tightly.

'I'm alright' replied Tim. Ziva walked into his apartment and over to the kitchen.

'How is Delilah?' Tim didn't say anything. 'Tony told me she's paralyzed.' Tim nodded. 'How did she take the news?'

'As well as can be expected. I don't think its sunk in. For any of us.' He sniffed, trying to hide that fact that he could feel tears well up. The life that Tim had allowed himself to start to picture with Delilah had completely changed, gone down a different path, one that neither of them knew how to navigate. 'What's in the cooler bag?' Tim pointed to the bag at Ziva's feet. She picked it up and handed it to him.

'Food. Meals for the next few days. I figured that you will either be at NCIS or with Delilah. Thought it might help.' Tim smiled, grateful for the gesture. The idea of grocery shopping and cooking dinner seemed so normal and simple.

'Thank you Ziva.'

'Please call if you need anything. I mean it Tim. Anything.' Ziva walked over and gave her friend a hug. She considered Tim more of a brother than anything else. Their history wasn't quite so dramatic has her history with Tony, but she had still known Tim for almost a decade. His friendship was very important to her.

'I have to go' Ziva said, pulling out of the hug. 'Please keep us in the loop.'

'I will do Ziva. And thank you for the food. It will make a difference.' Ziva made her way to the door, Tim following. As he closed the door to his apartment, he was unbelievably grateful to have someone like Ziva David in his life.

I know from experience how something as simple as a casserole can help.

Hope you liked it.