Well hello everyone (: another chapter although im not sure about it, I feel like there was a bit much dialogue.. I hate reading stories like that. But this one was necessary in moving story forward, I felt like they needed a push. So you guys will have to let me know what you think.

It's a little short but it needed to end where it does to lead in to the next one which I'm pretty excited about. So let me know what you think and we can move on to the good stuff (;

Disclaimer: Well, the same as always. I own nothing.

"David!"

She was snapped out of her thoughts by someone calling her name. Ziva looked up to see the director on the stairs above them.

"My office David, now."

Getting up from her chair she could feel McGee's eyes on her, she could also feel Tony's eyes deliberately averted. She knew him so well she could picture his face, pretending to be focused on the screen in front of him. She could imagine his inquisitive expression each time he tried to subtly sneak a glance at her as she made her way up the stairs. She knew he was curious as hell, but then, so was she.

She walked in to find that Vance had returned to his seat behind his desk and was sitting patiently with his hands on the table, fingers linked together. Adjusting his position he motioned for her to take the seat in front of him and he took it warily, feeling like a criminal waiting to hear her sentence. He didn't appear to be angry or upset, in fact, just the opposite, he looked... caring. That was the only way she could describe it but despite the softness of his features, she couldn't shake the feeling that he had something to say, something she wasn't going to like. The director leaned forwards, his hands once again folded on the table.

"How are you holding up, agent?"

She tried to read his face, wanted to work out where this was going but he wasn't giving much away so she resorted to her default response.

"I am fine."

She noticed a slight crease in his brow at her words but it disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.

"Are you sure agent David?" his voice was still gentle but she could hear the firmness behind it. "I hear you aren't doing so well. It seems some events of the past few weeks have-" he hesitated, she could see him searching for words "have shaken you."

This time it was her turn to frown, Ziva however was a lot better at hiding it, feeling her face twist into an expression of discomfort she quickly smoothed the lines, recovering that perfectly blank mask.

"Where exactly did you hear that?" She asked, growing increasingly annoyed.

"I have my sources agent, so would you care to try again? How are you, really?" This time she could tell he was getting frustrated with her and she knew she would probably be out of here quicker if she just told the man she was feeling a little confused but was working on it. But Ziva David wasn't one to show weakness, and she wasn't one to admit defeat so she held her stance.

"I told you, I am fine."

Director Vance slumped back in his chair, obviously unwilling to pursue the matter.

"Alright David, if you insist. However, you should know it is compulsory for agents who have been-" she could see him once again struggling for words. "Who have been in your situation, to speak to our-"

"I am fine." She cut him off, her temper flaring but still just managing to maintain control. "I do not need to speak to you, I do not need to speak to Gibbs or Tony or McGee, I do not need to speak to Ducky or Palmer, and I most CERTAINLY do not need to see a shrink."

"It isn't up to you David. Your appointment is first thing Monday, have a good weekend."

Ziva stood up, her teeth clenched, and turned to the door. How could he know? He couldn't know, the only person who knew was Tony and that hadn't been her choice. She knew she had been a little less careful about guarding her emotions these past few weeks but Vance wasn't that observant, he couldn't read her the way certain other members of the team could. Fuming and struggling to keep her composure she left his office without looking back and descended the stairs into the now empty squadroom.

So yeah, thanks for reading, reviews are always nice, aaand that's all I have to say (: