Work Text:
(Y/N) coughed into her elbow, trying to muffle the sound as best as she could. She had been sick for a while, she knew that she wasn't going to get better, the doctors had told her that months ago. They had told her to get her affairs in order and leave her job, to travel and make memories, and to make sure she was comfortable. (Y/N) didn't listen.
She sat at her desk like she did every day and typed up the necessary reports and paperwork pertaining to the case her and the rest of the MCRT team had closed. Dinozzo and McGee had long since left and Gibbs was out getting another coffee top up, leaving only Ziva and herself in the bullpen.
They had opted to keep their relationship to a minimal at work, Gibbs was already displeased at them for breaking Rule 12. They had their time alone and that was enough, it would have to be enough. But for the times it wasn't, they could have these stolen moments together.
(Y/N) looked up and around the room to ensure that there wasn't any ears listening in that shouldn't be. She stood quickly, moving towards Ziva's desk, stopped only by a coughing fit that she couldn't mask.
Ziva looked up at the sudden noise. "Are you alright, (Y/N). You look a little pale."
(Y/N) nodded, hand to her mouth, still trying to swallow the coughing down. She gratefully took the water bottle Ziva held out, the water soothing her throat. It was when she lowered her hand to put the cap back on did she notice the blood in the palm of her hand.
She tried to screw up her hand but Ziva noticed the red liquid too. As swiftly as she could managed, Ziva launched herself up to meet (Y/N) in the middle of the bullpen. "What was that?"
"What was what?" she tried to meekly cover her tracks.
"Your hand, you're coughing blood. You're sick."
"Barely. It's a sore throat, Ziva. I'm probably getting a cold. That's all. Drop it."
(Y/N) stepped backwards away from her love before she turned to sit back down at her desk. She watched as Ziva raised her hands in surrender before sitting down herself. She knew that this would not be the last of the topic but for now she could have a little more peace.
Eventually Ziva would discover that (Y/N) had been lying to her. She would learnt hat her partner's time was limited, and that every second she spent exerting herself at work was only speeding up her demise. She would blame herself for not noticing sooner. And when her time was finally up, then Ziva would grieve (Y/N)'s passing.
But for now, (Y/N) was happy to grant Ziva the bliss that came with ignorance.