Hey, quickish update. I know right? Well, I'm loving the response for this story. And I think I'm going to continue with this "leave your favorite line in the review" thing cause there are some lines that I loved writing that I didn't think you make it but, they did. I was really surprised actually at some of the lines people picked, like I knew the last few lines would be picked but there were a few that surprised me, in a good way:D

This is a sad chappy, so get out your tissues, I'm trying to make this the last sad chapter, for a while.

"Once you want it to begin,no one really ever wins…Watch my face as I pretend to feel no pain." –Heartbreak Warefare, John Mayer

Morning came quickly, too quickly.

The sunshine peeked through the blinds, stinging Ziva's eyes. She opened her eyes quickly, blinking to adjust to the sudden change in light.

Her chest hurt a bit more than usual, but it was nothing unbearable. Then, she realized she wasn't alone.

It all rushed back to her quickly when he eyes fell to her stomach and saw Tony's warm hand wrapped tightly around hers. She felt his steady breathing against her back. His warm breath against her neck made her shiver absently.

She hadn't realized until now that her whole body was stiff. Looking at the clock, which read 5:02 a.m., she relaxed her whole body into his.

For the first time in a long time, she felt totally comfortable.

And it was starting to scare her.

He hadn't slept, at all.

His eyes were wide open the entire night. But he didn't care that his eyes stung from being not being closed. He had more to worry about than the fact that his whole face hurt from lack of sleep. And the last thing on his mind was his aching limbs.

He thought about their kiss. Their tender and sweet goodnight kiss. But it meant more to him. At that moment, at that perfect moment, he knew he loved her. More than just care for love. A lot more.

Tony glanced at the clock. 5:01 a.m. He felt her tense for a moment. Then, a second passed, she melted back into his arms, her grip around his hand getting slightly tighter, but more comforting.

She hadn't stirred a bit during the night. He would have noticed; their bodies were so close they were almost one. He did hear her whimper a little before she finally fell asleep. He had never heard anything like it. It was a sound of pure sadness.

He couldn't believe he was falling for her. He couldn't believe he was falling for her now. He couldn't believe he didn't realize sooner.

You truly have the worst luck with relationships Anthony Dinozzo. Oh, god what does she want? Falling in love is hard; falling in love with a dying woman…I'd hate to be in your shoes right now.

Would you go away? He thought harshly.

No, you need to hear this Tony.

Oh, really? Cause it's not making me feel any better. Actually, nothing you've said these past few days has been very comforting.

She quickly changed the subject. Its gunna be a heartbreak, either way you spin it. You've always known there was something between you too. Like I said when you first met, she intimidates you. The voice smirked.

I haven't always liked her. I'm falling for her because…he trailed off.

But she smiled a victorious smile. Because she's dying? She chuckled. No, you realized you like her because she's dying.

She was right.

Aren't I always? She teased.

Don't you have other, angelic stuff to do?

She laughed. Don't worry Tony, I'm leaving. Your head is filled with clutter anyway. There are too many emotions in one thought.

At a time like this…can you blame me? He sighed.

He imagined her grinning. Oh god he was going crazy. But he didn't mind. For her, he wouldn't mind.

Soon, he felt her move. Ziva unwillingly unwrapped herself from his embrace and got off of the bed, immediately regretting it. She wanted so bad to curl right back up in his arms, but she couldn't. She had to face another of her limited days.

"It's early." he stated groggily. She opened up one of her dresser drawers and pulled out a fresh shirt.

"Yes, it is." she replied automatically, searching the bottom drawer for a pair of pants.

There was a small pause as Tony waited for an explanation. When he found he was getting none, he continued. "Why are you up?"

She passed the half opened window, pausing for a second to admire the sunrise over the metropolitan area. "I am going to work early." she answered, her eyes still lingering on the newly awaken sun.

He looked a bit confused. "Want me to drive you?" he asked, eyes adjusting to the sunlight that was starting to fill the room.

She took her eyes off of the sunrise and aimed them at him. "No, you should sleep."

"I got enough sleep last night." he offered, lying through his teeth.

She smirked as she opened the bathroom door. Without looking at him, she spoke again in a teasing manner. "I always know when you are lying Tony."

For 5:30 in the morning, the office was pretty well lit. She made her way slowly to her desk, staring into the middle of the empty bullpen the entire time. There was no sign of life anywhere actually.

She stretched her hand out in the back of her desk, letting her backpack linger above the ground before she slowly let go, it dropped to the ground with a thump.

Her throat felt dry as she thought of a regular day in the bullpen, before her diagnosis, before telling everyone, before the now; when everything was normal. What she would give to go back to just a few weeks ago.

She could feel the lump in her throat start to swell as she blinked back tears. Balancing herself on the front of her desk, she kept looking around; making sure no one was there. But she was totally and completely alone. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she slowly started to slide down the side of her desk, her lip quivering with every inch.

She couldn't hold it in. There was too much she would miss. She finally hit the floor, she came crashing down. And by now she could no longer swallow.

The tears stung and she hated herself for letting them start to slip, but she couldn't hold on any longer. They ran aimlessly down her cheeks, formed pools underneath her eyes, and slipped off her chin, splashing onto her shirt.

Slowly, she brought her knees to her chest, clutching them with such might. She longed for an embrace, anyone's embrace. Anyone.

She just needed someone's hands around her, to comfort her. Hatred for herself ran through her veins. She looked so weak, she felt so weak. Hugging her knees tighter, she tried to cover her mouth with them to prevent her sobs from being heard. But the tears, the tears she could not stop.

And, unknowing to her, she was being watched. Abby had gotten to her lab in the wee hours of the morning. And like she usually did for entertainment, had set up the security camera to spy on the janitor (having caught the last one stealing things from McGee's desk, of course she had brought him to justice and thought maybe she'd have another shot at being the hero). She especially needed it now. She needed anything to get her mind off of Ziva for a while, just to calm down and accept things, although it wasn't working much.

She was surprised to see Ziva enter the bullpen a half hour than usual. Her vision became blurry with tears as she saw Ziva start to breakdown. And when she hit the floor, Abby couldn't bear it. She stayed there for a moment watching her best friend cry. Cry. Ziva never cried. Ever. And now the former assassin was hysterical, completely hysterical.

Abby watched as she hugged her knees and her throat became dry. She covered her mouth with her hand trying to keep semi-calm, but she failed. Shaking her head, she burst out of her lab. She reached the elevator and pressed the button until her finger hurt. When she got in the metal container she paced back and forth, going nowhere but letting her anger out in each step.

She slammed the lever down, letting out a scream as the lights flickered off and the elevator stopped. Abby pounded her fist against the wall. And then she stopped, and cried. Just cried.

Ziva cried until it hurt, she cried until she thought she could cry no more. And yet, even then, she continued to cry.

Her face was buried into her knees and she resisted the urge to just collapse. She felt physically weak; having no clue how much simply crying took out of one person.

And then, she realized she wasn't alone.

She felt another presence and lifted her head up as soon as she did, only to meet a raccoon-eyed Abby standing near McGee's desk. Two matching streaks of eyeliner marked her face underneath blurs of more eyeliner. She looked at Ziva with a sad expression, to put it in the simplest terms.

Ziva tried to force a smile, but her tears prevented that from happening. She slowly got up. Abby still stood there, fresh tears flowing out of her eyes.

When Ziva was fully up, Abby ran. She hardly processed the blur of black as it shot towards her, wrapping her arms around her neck and holding onto her for dear life. And before she knew it, she had her arms wrapped tightly around Abby's waist.

This wasn't like the hug Abby had given her when she returned home from Somalia, no. Then, Abby was scared, scared that Ziva might break at more then a simple touch. But this embrace was tighter, much tighter. She held onto Ziva for dear life, as if the only thing keeping her on this earth was her arms.

They stayed there like that for many long minutes. Minutes that seems to pass by like years. They cried into each other's ears and shoulders until their eyes were completely dry. And even when they were, they still continued to cry tearlessly.

"I love you, Abby, so much." Ziva cried, close to her ear.

Abby let out a sob. "I love you too Ziva." she smiled through her tears.

Ziva shook her head, letting out a sad smile, one that was not seen but felt. "You are truly the best friend I have ever had." she shed more tears than she thought she had left.

"Ziva…" Abby's trailed off in her sorrow.

And then, they let go.

Looking into each other's weary eyes, they began to attempt to laugh off their sadness. They laughed at how ridiculous they looked. Their makeup was a mess, they were a mess.

Abby, hands still lingering near Ziva's shoulders, gave her a blue smile. "I'm really gunna miss you." she quivered.

Ziva shook her head understandingly. They breathed another laugh through their tears.

"Wh-when you..." she pursued her lips inward and tried to continue. "When you get to heaven," she let out a sob. But tried to catch herself with a smile. "Wil-will you tell Kate I miss her?" she asked innocently through her distress.

Ziva chuckled somberly and nodded, her eyes started to swell again. She reached her hand out and wiped Abby's cheeks of eyeliner as the goth laughed. "We should get cleaned up." her voice cracked. Abby let out another sad chuckle as she nodded. Turning to the mirror, they began to wipe the sadness, makeup, and truth from their faces.

Half an hour had passed since Ziva got in. They came back into the bullpen, arm-in-arm.

Ziva gave Abby one last smile before she let her go and sat down at her desk. She was surprised to see Tony sitting across from her, watching her intensely. She shot him a questioning look and he quickly ripped his eyes off her.

She turned to her left to see Gibbs watching her. She looked at him sincerely and, well, normally. "Good morning." she greeted softly.

He nodded in her direction. "Morning." he mumbled, taking a long sip of coffee.

McGee arrived soon, laying down a white paper bag on each of his teammate's desks. Although he lingered over Ziva desk for a second more than usual. Ziva smiled at the bag. "What is this?" she asked almost cheerfully as she opened the bag.

"Bagels." Tony answered for her as he took out his. He turned to McGee "Thanks." he shot, taking a bite.

McGee furrowed his eyebrows, he was being unusually nice. This always happened when someone died. Everything changed, and then out of nowhere, with no notice, it went back to normal.

The three men watched Ziva throughout the day. It was a slow day, open and shut case; which made Ziva more aware of their eyes constantly on them.

Then, she snapped.

The clock read 3:23 p.m.

"Will you stop?" she burst out of her chair. "All of you!" she sent daggers to every desk.

They all looked at her with mixes of concern and confusion.

"All day, the only thing you have been doing is watching me! I have not had one normal conversation with any of you. And every time I cough it is like you have heard an explosion!" she shouted at them. "Can you please, please try to be as normal as possible?" she pleaded angrily. "That is all I want. Can you do just that for me?"

They looked at each other, then at her. Ziva hands were on the table holding her up as she slowed her breathing but continued to look at them sternly. After another moment, they nodded.

"Thank you." she breathed sitting down.

Normal. That's what she wanted.

Normal. But was that what she was going to get?

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Love you all to death!...poor choice of words...