Everybody Needs Help, Sometime

Summary: Tag to season 9 episode "Engaged part 2." Takes place shortly after Gibbs and Ziva return from Afghanistan.

Warning: Spoilers for "Engaged parts 1 & 2".

Rated: K+

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Just borrowing.

Ziva lathered her hands again, letting the hot water wash away the suds and the guilt. The Captain's blood was no longer on her hands, but somehow it still felt like it and she kept washing. She could still hear them yelling at her to leave the man while his wound was tended and him begging her to stay.

The short homecoming had been emotional, but she found her thoughts consumed by images of Gibbs. Perhaps it was the young girls who had been tortured or maybe memories of his time in the Marine Corps. She didn't know what was bothering him, but she knew something was and the faraway look he had on the flight home touched her soul. Oh they had rescued the lieutenant and then stopped the bus bombing and Gibbs was focused and determined as always. She hadn't noticed anything in particular since they'd been back, but perhaps it was what she didn't see and that pushed her to do so something that she didn't think she ever would.

With Gibbs gone for coffee, McGee in Abby's lab and DiNozzo in the restroom, she climbed the stairs and went to see the Director. He was busy with paperwork, but invited her in for a short talk before a scheduled meeting.

"Good morning, Agent David. What can I do for you?"

Ziva stood in front of his desk, knowing what she wanted to say, but not sure how to say it. Vance remained sitting, but he put down the folder and pen in his hands to give her his complete attention. That action seemed to help.

"I would not normally tell anyone this, and especially not you."

The man's eyes widened and his eyebrows inched up toward his hairline. Ziva's clasped hands twisted in front of her and she rocked a little side to side.

"What I mean is..." Could she do this? Could she violate the man's privacy? He wouldn't talk to her or Ducky, they'd both tried, but did it mean she should be here, now?

Vance recognized her struggle and leaned back in his chair, just waiting.

Ziva decided to just spit it out. "I'm concerned about Gibbs."

That got the man's attention, but before he could say anything she spit out the rest.

"On the flight home he was thoughtful and... uh." Finally the word came to her and she spoke it with more emphasis. "Melancholy." She remembered his body language and his face, but especially his eyes and knew melancholy was an understatement. "The mission was difficult... starting with the plane crash. It was even for me, but this is something else... I think."

NCIS~NCIS~NCIS

The Director watched as Gibbs strolled from his office. The vacation idea had been a good one, but maybe he could figure out something else. Gibbs didn't share his troubles or seek help... usually, but he'd been complimentary about the assistance he and his team received during the case. With the decision made Vance picked up his phone.

NCIS~NCIS~NCIS

Gibbs looked up from his latest project to see Chaplain Burke making her way down the basement stairs.

The End

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