Disclaimer: I am so sick of writing disclaimers, but I'm also stubborn. And if I wrote a disclaimer for all the other chapters, then this one will have a disclaimer too. :)
"Ziva... you don't have to spend the night here, again. I'll be fine."
"Abby." Ziva looks up from where she is brushing her hair. "I promised Gibbs I would protect you and since I haven't been called yet about the case being wrapped up there is still the chance that someone is out there. I am staying."
"Okay, but if you're going to stay... do you want to watch another movie?"
The two girls decide to order pizza and Abby picks out the movie: Desert Hearts. She didn't think when she picked it or she clearly would have picked another movie. But, once she realized how awkward this could get, it was too late. Nothing like watching a lesbian movie with the woman you have a crush on. But, soon Abby forgets that Ziva is there as she is drawn into the movie. It's her favorite movie. When the two main characters kiss for the first time, she squeals in excitement and jumps up and down on the couch, until she hears a chuckle.
Abby turns to find Ziva watching her. "What's so funny, Ziva?"
"You are just so excited."
"Of course! They finally kissed. It took forever... I mean, I've seen it like a thousand times but still, it gets me every time."
Ziva tilts her head at Abby, an undefinable expression on her face. "Why do you like this movie so much, Abby?"
Abby shifts toward Ziva and grabs another slice of pizza. "I don't know, Ziv. It's just so romantic, I guess. Watching them fall in love despite the odds..."
"But, why not something like 27 Dresses?"
"Ugh... no. The guy in that movie is so ugly."
"So, two women kissing does not bother you?"
Abby freezes. "Ohmygosh. Ziva? Is this offensive to you? I didn't even consider that - I mean with your religion and all... I'm so sorry. I can turn it off." She reaches for the remote but pauses when Ziva's hand alights on her own.
"No, it is fine. It is one of my favorite movies as well."
Abby jokingly looks at Ziva. "Why, Ziva, are you a lesbian?"
A mask covers Ziva's face. "No, I am not... Are you?"
Abby grins. "Yep. Out and proud and loud and...uh, whatever else rhymes with that."
Ziva smiles at Abby and they return to watching the movie in silence, but inside Ziva is in turmoil. She had no clue Abby was a lesbian. Does this mean she has even the most remote chance? Is it possible? But no... Abby had never looked at her with anything more than friendship. Of course, she had hugged Ziva very long when they rescued her, but Abby hugged everyone like that. She was nothing special to Abby, not in that way. She never would be.
At least, that's what Ziva thought until later that night.
Ziva is getting ready for bed while Abby takes a shower. She hears the shower turn off but continues reading one of Abby's novels: THE SPY. She never took Abby for the romantic, science-fiction type. She's startled, however, when she hears a voice coming from the bathroom.
"Ziva?" Immediately on alert, Ziva throws down the book, grabs her gun, and rushes into the bathroom.
"WHAT? What is wrong?"
Abby has a look of surprise on her face. "I was just wondering if you could grab my pj's for me. I forgot them."
"Oh." Ziva walks back to the bedroom, grabs the pj's, and hands them to Abby once she's in the bathroom again. But she doesn't leave. She can't help it: her eyes slowly travel from Abby's wet hair and face to her towel-clad, curvy torso to her long legs and petite feet. Ziva swallows and looks up again to find Abby studying her, a look of pure desire on her face. Without meaning to, she steps closer, until their bodies are touching.
Abby brings a trembling hand to her face and the soft touch is amazing. Abby leans forward and gently brushes her lips against Ziva's, but Ziva doesn't pull back or react in anyway. So, Abby gently begins to kiss Ziva, and she's shocked when Ziva starts to respond so passionately that Abby soon finds herself backed against the bathroom counter as Ziva's hands wrap tightly around her. Abby lets out a moan and bites on Ziva's lip, begging for entrance. Ziva complies and Abby's tongue explores a previously forbidden realm. It's beyond what she ever thought it could be. She hears a moan from Ziva who suddenly draws back with a shaky breath, her eyes in shock as if she just realized what she is doing.
"I-I'm... sorry. I did not mean... I must go."
Ziva bolts out of the bathroom, leaving Abby reeling from her kiss and smiling like an idiot. She gets dressed and walks into the bedroom to find Ziva pretending to read.
"Ziva, I-"
"No, Abby. That was a mistake."
"What? No, it wasn't, Ziva."
"Yes, it was. We are friends, Abby."
"But we could be so much more than that! I care about you, Ziva. C'mon. Please?"
"I cannot, Abby. I do not care for you, not in that way. I am sorry. I think I should sleep on the couch tonight." Ziva gets up, grabs a blanket, and leaves the room without another word. She hears Abby hesitate and then close the bedroom door behind her.
Ziva slowly lays down on the couch, wishing she hadn't kissed Abby; wishing she could forget. But the first image she sees as she closes her eyes is Abby's face close to her as she remembers the feel of Abby's lips on her own. She had thought it would be so easy and she had longed so much for Abby to desire her in the same way she admired her. But, once they acted upon their feelings and she knew Abby might possibly feel the same way... she got scared. She couldn't do this. She had never dated another woman. What would the team say? What would her father say? What if it did not work out - it would completely destroy her relationship with Abby! She did not know what to do...
I have to apologize, guys. There is so much angst in this story and I'm sorry about that. It's just that Ziva is so closed off from everyone so, of course, it's going to take her FOREVER to open up. But... good news is that soon they are going to get together and be happy and visit Disneyland and the land of magical marshmallows. Okay, well, at least two of the four. Hopefully you know which two I mean... Please review :)