Sisters for Life - Tiva

***Eat***

-Days later-

"Sam, just eat something," Tony pleaded.

Sam shook her head and pushed away the plate of food he was trying to hand her. She closed her eyes and turned her head in the hospital bed. So much sadness dwelt inside her, it filled her from any hunger.

"The doctor said when you eat something you can go home,"Ziva explained. "Don't you want to go home?"

Sam only opened her eyes and stared at a spot on the wall.

Ziva sighed, slightly frustrated, "fine. If you don't want to eat, fine. I'm gonna go see who's here." She left to find the visitor that the doctor had said was here.

Tony set the plate down on the chair. "Sam, why won't you eat?"

Sam softly shook her head, not saying a word. Tony lifted her chin. "Look at me."

Slowly, Sam's eyes raised to meet his. He said, "I know you're sad. We all are. But you have to eat, or else you won't get better."

Sam shook her head again and lowered her eyes. Tony sighed, "say something, Sam. You have said maybe 3 words since you've been here. Say something."

"Say what?" Sam asked dryly. "I'm not hungry. I'm not sad. I'm just... So. Mad..." Sam took a deep breath, her jaw visibly shaking. "I'm mad that Cassie died. I'm mad that Justin got to me. I'm mad that I couldn't stop it. I'm mad that I can't stop me, dad. I can't stop this anger. And It scares me! Don't you see?? I don't talk. I don't eat. Because it scares me!"

Tony only stared at Sam, speechless. She stared back - no - she glared back. Silence and tension hung thick between them.

A soft knock on the door separated their stare. Gibbs entered, followed by Ziva. They both walked in and Gibbs handed Sam the flowers he had. Purple daisies, in perfect condition.

Sam didn't take them at first. Gibbs pushed them a little further towards her. Sam, in an outburst, grabbed them and thrust them to the side. They sprawled out on the floor, as a tear rolled down her face.

"I don't want to see you." She said through gritted teeth.

Gibbs put his hand back to his side. He didn't walk out, though, like the previous times she'd refused his presence. He looked at Tony and Ziva and nodded to the door. They took the hint and got lost.

"Sam," Gibbs said simply.

"It's your fault," Sam said quietly. Gibbs stayed silent to let her finish. "You let go of him... it was your gun... it's all your fault..." she started to cry.

When Gibbs didn't respond, Sam grabbed the closest thing, being a cup of water, and threw it at Gibbs.

"It's all your fault!!" She shrieked.

"Say something! Dangit!" She yelled as she threw another bedside object, then pouted facing the wall.

Once a minute of silence sat, Gibbs responded, "it's not my fault, sam... and you know it, too...."

"It's you're fault," she repeated, openly sobbing now, "it has to be your fault."

He sat in the seat and tried to get Sam to look at him, by leaning down further and turning his head sideways. "You're lying... and You know that you are lying."

Sam's face distorted with her tears. "It has to be your fault," she repeated in a whisper, "It's too hard... I'm not- I'm not- able to... live. If it's my fault..."

Gibbs' shoulders dropped with the realization that Sam had probably been telling herself everything she'd yelled at him. Sam truly thought it was all her fault. He, ever so gently, approached her, and she accepted him in a hug.

"I miss her.. So much," Sam whispered.

Gibbs rubbed her back and soothed her, "I know.. but it's not your fault, Sam... you have to understand that-- for me... please know that... and it's not my fault either."

"It's just- it's easier to- to blame someone... for what happened," Sam sniffled. "I'm sorry..."

Gibbs leaned back. He saw the untouched plate. "It's alright... but Ya know how you could make it up to me?"

Sam looked at him, willing to do whatever he asked. "How?"

He handed her the plate. "Eat..."

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How would you respond to your close sibling's or friend's death?

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~Abi <3