"Tony, we have been in this safe house for almost twenty-four hours. Nobody has showed up! How long are we supposed to stay here?" Ziva exclaimed, nearly insane. She hated staying in one place for a long period of time, and especially when she was in danger. In Mossad, she traveled. Accepting the fact this was another option was too much.
"I know, Ziva. Both of our lives have been threatened. It's not my fault. Calm down. If we are here another hour I'll call Gibbs and ask him to let us leave." Tony bartered back to her.
"Ask him, Tony?" She looked at him, obviously annoyed. He gave her a look. It wasn't his fault they had to sit in a safe house. At least Gibbs or McGee would drop in occasionally and check on them. He even brought Pizza once, which, of course, Ziva wouldn't eat because of her nerves.
"I am going to go find something to do. In the meantime, eat something. You haven't eaten since we've been here. At least drink something." Tony nearly ordered. He was worried about her. She wasn't usually like this. She would usually be the calm one, the one excited for action. But for some reason, this threat got to her.
Ziva finally decided to go search for something to drink in the garage. If she had any luck, she would find some coffee. But she would settle for water if she had to.
Even though she knew she wasn't supposed to open any doors that went to the outside, she opened the small door in the garage for fresh air. Being cooped up inside all day wasn't exactly her idea of a good time. The air, although being in the near middle of a forest, was remarkably clear. She flashed back to a time in her childhood when her and her brother and sister were playing in a forest.
"Ziva! Come here!" Ari called her. She took Tali by the arm and ran down a path, following her brother's call. "Look! There is a house back here!" Her brother called once more.
"Oh my. Look, Eev. Look! Bootiful!" Tali spoke, her words still a little short of fully developed. She was right, however. The house was beautiful. It was a small house, a cottage if you will. Brick all around and smoke coming from the top. The sun made it look even brighter, making a dazzling backdrop. It almost looked surreal, this house. Whoever this belonged to must have not been home, because all of their lights were off. It was truly beautiful, though. And something very out of the ordinary to find in this forest.
"Yes, Tali, it is. Just like you." Ziva smiled at her sister. She pulled her close and hugged her.
Something now, Ziva wishes she could do. She missed Tali, and she missed Ari. She always would.
"Ziva? Where'd you go?" Tony called from inside the house. She quickly shut the door behind her, forgetting to lock it, and hurried to the house with a water in her hand.
"Here. I was looking for something to drink." She yelled, approaching the door.
"You know there was water in the mini-fridge, right?" He asked, folding his forehead.
"Did you find anything to do, Tony?" Ziva changed he subject, and emphasizing the word 'do'.
"No. I didn't. I went to the bathroom. I was about to go look, but the door was open, so I didn't. I will now, though." Tony walked to the other room, searching for a game, or anything to make do with. Hoping for a movie, but expecting nothing less than dust.
Ziva sighed. The one day of the week it was particularly nice outside, she was stuck in a safe house. She would have preferred a crime scene over this. But, maybe there would be one. Maybe they would catch the terrorist. Hopefully, not maybe.
Debating on whether to go back outside, she placed her hand on the doorknob, but decided not to. She just walked away from the door. But it did open, however, except she didn't open it. Someone else did.
The sound of the gun shook the house, Ziva turned around as soon as she heard the gun cock, but it wasn't fast enough. Her gun wasn't even unsheathed when the bullet hit her side.
With a grunting sound and a catch of breath, she clutched her side and fell to her knees.
Upon looking up, she saw nothing other than the man they were looking for. Ziva barely had any strength left, but she managed to pull out her gun. It weighed a ton. Her shot hit his leg, delaying him enough for Tony to arrive.
He kept shouting Ziva's name, but when he saw the man, he fired. He fired until he had no bullets remaining.
Tony ran over to Ziva, dropping to his knees and clutching her in his arms.
"I got him, Ziva. I got him. You're going to be okay. It's going to be okay." He tried comforting her as he notified Gibbs, and called the ambulance. She grabbed his shirt and clenched her fists. Her eyes were blinking, faster and faster.
"Ziva.." Tony's voice nearly cracked. He almost thought she was .. gone. But how could he have shot her? He was good, he had to be.
Ziva made another grunting/ sighing noise, and took a deep breath. Her grip on his shirt tightened when she saw the wound. Tony held her tighter, placing his jacket over the wound and putting pressure on it.
"Tony.." Ziva managed, "don't leave.."
"I'm not going anywhere, Ziva. I won't leave you. I promise." He assured her, putting her head in his hand, and smiled at her.
She smiled back.