"Ziva!"
The moment Gibbs and Ziva exited the elevator, Abby had flung herself upon the Israeli who now found herself in a bone crushing hug.
"Abby! Abs! Be gentle, she's hurt," Gibbs said as he pulled Abby off.
"I am fine Gibbs," Ziva said for what felt like the thousandth time and Gibbs rolled his eyes as, just to make her point she stepped forward and embraced Abby.
Abby froze for a moment, not used to Ziva initiating hugs but then she wrapped her arms around her again.
"I was so worried! Are you sure you're alright?"
Ziva laughed. "I am fine."
Gibbs shook his head. "How come when Abby asks how she is it's funny but if I ask it's the worst thing in the world?" he thought to himself.
"Well, that's debatable," he interrupted. "Ducky's worried she might have concussion. I have a huge of paperwork on my desk so do you think you could drive her up to Bethesda for a CAT scan Abby?"
"Sure, just let me shut down my babies and I'll be ready to go."
Gibbs kissed her cheek. "Thanks Abs."
He turned to Ziva, expecting her to argue. She was about to kick up a major fuss when she realised who she was being left with and that her chances of convincing Abby that she was fine were a hell of a lot better than her chances of convincing Gibbs.
Gibbs felt a little unnerved by the smirk that appeared on her face. "You sure you'll be okay?" he asked Abby.
"Of course I will," she replied.
He nodded and turned back to Ziva. "Behave," he instructed before turning and heading for the elevator. "Oh, and Abs?"
"Yeah?"
"Bring her back to my place afterwards, I want to keep an eye on her tonight."
It took some serious willpower for Ziva to force herself not to argue with that but she concluded that she could cope with staying at Gibbs' for a night if it meant that she could get out of going to the hospital.
Abby nodded, "Will do Boss."
"Thanks," he repeated and left.
"Right, I'm all ready. Shall we go?" Abby asked, grabbing her bag from the desk.
Ziva nodded and followed Abby to the parking garage, having decided to get away from the Navy yard, and more importantly from Gibbs, before making her case to Abby.
They were a few blocks away from the hospital when Ziva asked Abby to pull over. Abby complied and looked at Ziva worriedly.
"What's the matter? Do you feel sick?"
Ziva shook her head. "No, and see, that's just the thing I do not feel unwell. Not one little bit. And truly, going to the hospital would be a waste of both our and the doctor's time."
Abby looked unsure. "Well, Gibbs wants you to go and so does Ducky and he's a doctor."
"I know Abby but I really do feel fine and I do not like hospitals. I have not had good experiences of hospitals."
Abby sighed. "Yeah, well, who does? But. . ."
"Abby, come on, please. I know you did not like me when I first came here but we are kind of like friends now yes?"
"What? We're not kind of like friends Ziva! We are friends!"
Ziva felt a warm glow gush through her at Abby's words. After her months of trying to fit it this confirmation of acceptance made her happy.
She smiled. "Thank you Abby. You truly have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that. I have never really cared about people not liking me in the past but I really did not like it when you hated me. I am glad that you consider me a friend."
"Aww Zi! I never hated you! I was just upset about Kate, I shouldn't have taken it out on you, it wasn't your fault."
There was a moment of silence as Ziva grinned happily. Abby sighed.
"Do you really not want to go to the hospital?"
"I really do not. I detest people sticking needles in my arm and poking and prodding at me."
"Yeah, I get that," Abby said with a smile.
"I know, I saw the fuss you kicked up when Gibbs tried to take you to Ducky after you hit your head on your fridge last week."
Abby blushed, "Yes, well. . . What are we supposed to tell Gibbs?"
Ziva's eyes lit up. "You will help me?"
Abby nodded. "Yeah, sure I will. But really what do we tell Gibbs?"
"That we went to the hospital and the CAT scan was negative and I am fine."
Abby nodded. "Okay, I'll help you."
Ziva flung herself across the car and hugged Abby. Abby laughed. "You must really not want to go to the hospital. That's the second time you've hugged me in ten minutes."
Ziva smiled a little sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Don't be. It's nice to see you exhibiting emotion and this is like the first time we've done something together. Like a sister-y thing. Tricking 'Dad' and 'Grandpa'."
"What?"
"What do you mean 'what'?"
"What do you mean about 'sister' and 'Dad'?"
"Do you seriously not get it?"
Ziva shook her head.
"Well, you know how worried Gibbs was about you earlier?"
"Yes."
"Well, a boss might be worried but not that worried. That was Dad worried."
"Dad worried? Maybe he is like a father to you but I. . .I am. . ."
"A part of our family now too," Abby interrupted enthusiastically.
"I do not know Abby."
"You are. We were all so scared when we heard you got hurt and you don't get that scared about someone you don't love. And you defiantly don't stick your ass on the line like I'm gonna do for someone you don't love."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Thank you Abby."
"Any time sis," Abby replied as she began to pull away.
Ziva leant back against the seat and smiled her first real smile in months. Whilst she was not sure how right Abby was about how Gibbs felt, it was nice to imagine that it was true. That he did feel that way. That she was part of a family.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review!