KINGDOM CROSSOVER 2

This is a series of dreams that take place between the end of season six-when Ziva is captured-and the beginning of season 7 when she is rescued by team Gibbs. It continues the story of self-exploration, friendship, and love begun by the series itself and the first Kingdom Crossover. If you get lost, don't worry, it's a little out there on the crazy side of fanfiction, but it's all in good fun. I don't think you need to read the first one to figure out what's going on here, but if you want the back story, by all means, read and review it!

Prologue: Fear

Are you scared to forgive?

Are you afraid to live?

Are you afraid to die?

Do you think you told a lie?

"I'm getting tired of these games, Miss David." A blurry figure stood before her. He trailed a thin blade almost lovingly down her neck. It wasn't the knife that cut, but the indignity of the gesture.

Ziva's vision was failing her. From lack of nourishment or from physical trauma, she couldn't be sure. All she knew was her body had reached its limit; bruises dotted her flesh wherever it wasn't broken and her face was swollen beyond recognition from multiple blows. Maybe if she'd been in a fit emotional state to begin with, her mind would have been able to retain some shred of lucidity. But the loss of Michael was just as raw as the fresh wounds her captor had given her. It was over. She would keep her secrets, but lose her life. "I…don't…know."

This time, it was a real cut. A swift slice across her shoulder blade. Then, a wild, burning heat blinded her nervous system as the wound was cauterized. Maybe I am cursed. Ziva thought back on her crazy Disney dreams from her previous exile. Just like before, she found herself fearing that she had never meant anything to her team. No, she knew that Gibbs had cared. He owed her his life. Even McGee was always nice to her. It was Tony's betrayal that was doing so much damage. Stop thinking about it. He will kill you before the terrorists get the chance. Broken hearts were more dangerous than anything else in this situation. In spite of it all, she missed him. She missed everyone. She just wanted to go home. To forget any of this had ever happened. She wanted to watch a damn movie of all things.

Stop thinking about him. She ordered herself. It was no good. Ziva couldn't control her own train of thought any more. It slipped away from reality. Like a dream she couldn't control. Just like a dream. She wondered if people really could find each other in dreams. If the people she loved would be able to sense how much trouble she was in. Who exactly is that? Nobody loved her. Not her father. Not Tony. Gibbs hadn't even tried to convince her to come back to NCIS. McGee and Abby...well, they liked everyone so their vote didn't amount to much.

"You're wrong, you know."

Ziva squinted through the haze. "Kate?"

The ghost offered a small sympathetic smile.

"Who is Kate?" The captor asked.

Ziva stared blankly at Kate's ghost, partly knowing that she wasn't really there. "You…came to…help me?"

"You think I have your best interests at heart?" Kate smirked. "Sounds more like a prayer to me."

The terrorist looked over his shoulder and laughed. "It seems we're done for today. I'll leave you to talk to your friend." He got up and left the room.

Ziva glanced up at the camera in the corner of her cell.

"Don't say anything." Kate warned. "They can't hear me, but they'll probably hear you."

"Yes." Ziva leaned back in her chair, shutting her eyes against the pain. "What…what do you want?"

"Same as before." Kate shrugged.

"You never said…" Ziva groaned.

"Does it really matter what I want?" Kate glared. "Like you said, I'm here to help."

"You're dead." She opened her good eye. "What can you do?"

"I can give you a few hours of peace." Kate reached out and lowered Ziva's eyelids. "Or…however long it takes for the others to show up."

"Peace? You?" She started to laugh but it turned into a cough.

"Hey, can it be any worse than this place?" Kate paused, waiting for an answer. When the Israeli didn't offer up any protests, the ghost flashed a mischievous smile. "Glad you're seeing things my way. See you on the other side."

The lights went out, enveloping the room in total darkness.

Author Note

Aaaaaaaaaand welcome back kiddies! I know it's been a few years, but I hope this story will have been worth the wait! During my absence, I've written a novel and am currently in the process of seeking out publishers, so while I wait for responses I figured I'd revisit this surprisingly enduring, chaotic crossover tale. I have changed *when* the sequel takes place, so the sneak peak at the end of the original KC isn't accurate on that account, but the rest of it is still fairly on track if you want to keep trying to solve that riddle as we go along!

This first chapter obviously isn't Disney related, so it's not a Disney song. I thought it set up a lot of the emotions Ziva's dealing with during her interrogation. Take that however you'd like. :) If you don't recognize the song, it's Fear by Stop Making Friends. It's on the NCIS soundtrack. Appropriate on many levels, yes? :-)

Don't forget about those reviews! You don't even have to log on to post with me. So take a minute and let me know what you think so I can continue to make this story better! I also have a forum set up now if you want to discuss the story with other readers, I respond to reviewers who have logged in, and accept PM's. There's a lot of ways to get in contact with me, so push those buttons! :-)