Set: During Ziva's time in Somalia and her recovery back home in DC.
Rated: M for violence and content
Characters: Ziva David, Saleem Ulman, Tony DiNozzo, Leroy Gibbs, Tim McGee, Abby Scuito, well the whole team really!
As Ziva David struggled to make sense of the blurred world she had come to call home, she heard a voice beckoning her attention, she couldn't focus on anything; if only the sun didn't shine so brightly from the window above her. A sharp stinging sensation followed by a bucket of cold water launched against her face, brought Ziva back. Attempting to suck in as much of the precious liquid as she could, she knew she couldn't be certain when it would pass through her lips again.
A man was sitting cross-legged opposite her, dressed in simple clothing, an armed guard stood in the doorway behind him. The man introduced himself as Saleem Ulman, the head of a terrorist organisation that had recently been hugely insulted by an American military service known as NCIS. He leaned forward, and took Ziva's necklace in his hand, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"Tell me everything you know about NCIS" He stated.
'Why isn't he asking about NCIS? He expects me to crumble, like most other women from his nation would'. Ziva, despite herself smirked, 'I am not just from his nation, I have two now to call home'.
The silence that followed, only interrupted by the howling of the desert wind, became uncomfortable. This man, Saleem crossed over to a small bench and picked up a lightweight metal rod. Toying with it in his hand he warned, "Do not place yourself as special, you're not the only Mossad agent we've had in here, I know full well you are trained to take a beating, just not one like this." He brought the rod high above his head; Ziva tucked her chin into her chest, to avoid the worst of the blows. Thankfully she only felt three of them before she passed out.
With her mind still swimming in a pool of hurt, unconsciousness and blood, Ziva awoke. Scanning the small cell and finding it empty, she pulled herself up to a sitting position, her back leaning against a dusty and cold wall. Tentatively checking her face, she found a small but deep cut on her forehead and several sticky lumps elsewhere. Those would heal in time.
'But how much time do I have?'
But what worried her most was the way one of her lower right ribs poked out, the surface of the skin stretched, tender and red. Wincing as she touched a voice echoed through the small room, jerking her head around Ziva soon found the speaker, a stout man with a light stubble, a cargo jacket, grey pants and a sand coloured top, he was sitting near the only apparent exit, shrouded in a dim shadow, a pistol in his hand. He smiled at her, not kindly, in more of an authoritive way.
"You're pretty" The oaf blurred out, making it immediately obvious there was alcohol mixed with his blood. He stood up and lumbered her way. Ziva became nervous, doubting the man was approaching to clean her wounds. He was reaching to caress her face when Ziva struck. Quick as lightening she latched onto his wrist, hoping to drag him to the ground, but his gun got in the way first.
Nestling it up against the crook of her neck he whispered into her ear, "I wouldn't do that sweetheart, anyway I have a better idea…" He again reached for her, his hand brushing against her lower neck. Ziva responded by pushing his hand away, only for the gun to press harder into her neck, sending shockwaves of pain down her neck to her injured ribs. Knowing she was beaten, Ziva let the pervert feel all over her, as the sun set Ziva knew little sleep would be obtained as the night would be to rigorous to rest. As the man lay into her again and again, Ziva's mind crossed to a night, a lifetime ago, with Tony. How similar this was, yet how kind he was about it, not pushing her, but going when she was ready. A single tear rolled down Ziva's cheek as she said a silent thank you to Tony for always being there, even though he wasn't here to save her.
So, what do ya think? It's my first fanfic so please be nice! READ AND REVEIW PLEASE! I'll love you forever...