AN: Ok so, I took a brief hiatus and now I should be back. I wrote this sometime in December and just got around to posting it. Sorry if you're following "Too Perfect" but it is now on official hiatus as well.

Hiding

She was always good at hiding things. She had to be. Her field of work didn't leave room for weakness. It is impossible to go through torture and not have scars, whether emotional or physical. She had both. The physical were easier to hide.

She wore long sleeves and pants not daring to let anyone see how badly she'd been beaten. Hiding even the memory of every scar from everyone, but those who cared to look the deepest. Those who knew her the best.

The mental scars were hardest. Waking up in a panic because she dreamed of Saleem. The smell of mold now terrified her, too close to the stench of her prison. Every loud noise made her jump, but the worst was having to look in the mirror. Seeing every scar hidden to the world, but so painfully obvious on her naked body. Remembering every strike, blow, cut, and bruise, every pain and insult she endured at the hands of that sadistic bastard. It brought her back to that feeling of total desolation, the primal knowledge that no one was coming, that she was no longer worth saving. Ziva David was strong but no one is that strong.

AN: Short and bitter. The orignal last line was "Most mornings she collapsed to the floor crying." but I couldn't end it there. Please review and tell me what you think.