I would like to thank yet again my Betareader Vicky for correction any language mistakes. If there any left, it's all mine. Enjoy and by all means leave a review.
Chapter 6
Running on Empty
Tony decided to follow Ziva into the ladies room. He entered and found Ziva at the sink. She rinsed her mouth out, a couple of times and Tony saw the blood coming out.
'You ok'
'No, but I will be' She mumbled. She was having trouble talking; she had pain in her jaw from that stupid paste. It seemed that it only got worse as the day progressed. Crap.
Tony placed his hand on her back and she flinched. It wasn't that she didn't trust Tony, but she was on edge more than usual from all the stuff that had been happening the last few days. He quickly withdrew his hand and took up position next to her so she could see him at all times.
'Gibbs went with you'
She nodded.
'To the dentist'
She nodded again.
"I would have gone with you'
She sighed.
'I wanted Gibbs' she murmured.
'Why'
She shrugged her shoulders and looked at Tony.
'He knows'
Tony understood.
'Is there anything I can do?'
Ziva shook her head.
'Should I get you some ice?'
'Had some'
'Ah…how about a smoothie then. The one you like so much, which one was it, oh yes the Berry mango one. I don't think you'll be eating anything solid today.'
Once again she shook her head. No, she didn't think she would be able to eat anything solid today, maybe tomorrow.
'Ok then, one smoothie Berry Mango for the lady. I'll ask McGee if he wants something and then I'll tell him to go get us something to eat at that freaky health store you always visit near Marion Park.'
Tony laughed at his own idea, getting McGee to go get them something for lunch, besides he figured the new Probie on the team needed some down time so he would focus on the old probie. Yeah, he would do that McGee had been way too forward lately. He left Ziva to her own devices. After Tony had left, Ziva looked in the mirror, she looked like a zombie. She was so tired; she hadn't slept well in ages. The nightmares wouldn't let her get a good night's sleep. They seem to be getting worse and worse. Each night she would relive her worst moments in captivity. That damn therapist she was visiting because of Vance's orders didn't seem to be doing her any good either. Talk about, Ziva it will help to digest all of it. Damn, she was done digesting. She wanted to hurt someone. She had so much rage building up inside of her, it was consuming her.
Later that afternoon Gibbs looked up to see Tony and McGee hard at work but when he looked at Ziva he saw to his surprise that she was asleep. No snoring, no sound, nothing came from her. She just sat there in her chair. He kept looking at her, noticing the tiredness in her entire body.
'She's been like that for at least half hour, Boss' Tony told him softly. 'She must be real tired, she didn't even woke up when I threw a paper ball at her'
Gibbs slowly walked over to Ziva's desk. He wanted to wake her up but he also knew that it wasn't a good idea just to shake her. He just took a view steps back and called for her.
'Ziver' There was no response. This time he called her name a little bit louder. 'Ziver' she woke up with a jump. She yelled something in Arabic and raised her hands in front of her so she would be protected from any blows she seemed to expect but when none came she realized she was in the NCIS office, at her own desk. She looked very embarrassed.
'Sorry' she murmured.
'What did I tell you about saying sorry?'
'Well I am sorry, I fell asleep on the job there is no excuse'
'Well in this case there is, it's been a long week. You all should go home early.' Gibbs decided. Tony and McGee didn't need to be told twice they were out the door before Gibbs could have changed his mind if he wanted to. Ziva however stayed behind but after some staring on his part she also threw in the towel and left for home.
He was at home sanding a chair when he heard his front door open and close. Ziva appeared in the door opening.
'Hey'
'Hey'
She descended down the stairs still looking very tired.
'Why aren't you at home, getting some well earned rest?'
She shrugged her shoulders.
'Sleeping is overrated. Can I just stay here and watch you?'
'Sure' Gibbs nodded, knowing full well why she had come here. She didn't want to be alone. She had been alone for almost four months in hell and he could tell she liked be around people. She didn't want them to touch her or hug her but being around them reminded her that she was still alive.
'So when are your teeth arriving?'
He heard her chuckle a little. It was a nice sound; he hadn't heard it in a long time. He kinda missed it.
'My teeth will be here in about a week or two'
'Do you want me to go with you again?'
'I have not decided yet' She had sat down on one of the steps. She was leaning her head against the wall, closing her eyes. She felt safe here; the smell of sawdust did something to her, which she couldn't describe.
Gibbs continued working on the chair and didn't notice that she fell asleep, just sitting there, watching him.
Gibbs turned around meaning to ask Ziva if she wanted something to drink, when he saw that his visitor had fallen asleep. He was contemplating what to do. Let her sleep in this uncomfortable position or try to get her to sleep in his guestroom. He decided to try and lift her up so he could carry her to the guestroom. He ever so gently lifted her up and to his surprise she didn't wake up. He put her on the bed in his guestroom and proceeded to get some blankets so she would be covered. He turned off the light and made his way to the kitchen, he poured himself something to drink when he heard it. A bone piercing scream came from the guestroom; he quickly dumped his coffee in the sink and ran towards the guestroom. He opened the door and found Ziva awake but trembling in a corner on the floor.
'I cannot do this anymore, please make it stop' She was pleading with him. 'Make it stop'
TBC…
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