+++I must apologize for not updating in so long! I'll try to update sooner from now on! +++
By about 0830, the office was baking. A sudden heat wave had descended upon the city, and there was very little relief from the stifling temperatures. Despite that, Ziva had yet to take off her long sleeved sweater, or put up her hair, which was hiding the bruise on her neck. She was also becoming quite paranoid, since everyone seemed to be whispering behind her back. Finally, at about 0900, Gibbs and Ducky came down from the meeting they'd been in with the director. Both looked exhausted.
"What the matter boss?" McGee questioned Gibbs. Gibbs gave him a look that would have killed lesser men.
"Why on Earth would there be something wrong McGee? Is it the fact that we have no chance of figuring out this case," Gibbs waved a file in the air they had never seen before. What case? "Or could it be the fact that we have to work with the FBI on this case? Or maybe it's the problems within out team that's causing stress."
He glared daggers at Ziva when he said that, but she was still typing away at her computer. Tony and McGee felt bad. It was obvious that Gibbs and Ducky had stayed up late, either at Ziva's apartment, or worrying about her. Gibbs rubbed the bridge of his nose with his hand, a habit Tony had noticed last night- had he just started doing that? Suddenly, Ziva started coughing. Tony'd also noticed that she was coughing a bit lately, but chalked it up to some allergy she would never admit to having, or something like that. This time, though, when she pulled her hands away from her mouth, she looked at them, and then jumped up. She quickly walked to the ladies room and disappeared in it. Both Gibbs and Tony headed for the door, and Gibbs only realized that Tony was behind him when they both reached for the door handle. "Back off, DiNozzo." Gibbs growled warningly. Tony shook his head.
"Boss, let me talk to her, please?" He was prepared to beg for this- he wanted it to be him who talked to Ziva. He wanted to comfort her, to help her. He didn't know why, but…pulling her hair back when she'd been sick, making her dinner, waking her up from her nightmares, he was becoming more and more protective of her the farther into this he got, whatever 'this' may be. Gibbs paused a moment, then nodded. Tony had no doubt that he would stand outside the door, listening in the whole time, but he wasn't going to complain. Tony pulled the door to the bathroom open.
+++sorry it's so short! It's more of a bridge chapter…anyways, I have a basic outline for this story, but I'm still having a bit of trouble adding details, so if anyone would like to suggest anything, I will gladly consider suggestions!+++