A/N: Thanks for leaving me a little something. I really appreciate it.

Alright, I'm pretty sure most of the characters are…well, out of character. I just don't think I have a good grasp on them.

Also, just to clarify, Tony's head wound is only superficial, a glancing hit that skimmed the side of his head, nothing life threatening, just bloody. And his chest wound is supposed to be somewhere near his lungs—far enough to avoid the heart. Sorry for the confusion that anyone had.

And Kelly, I didn't want Kate to die; I love Ziva, but I loved Kate too. Although it was pretty damn unexpected and made me almost fall off my couch watching it. Anyway, I do agree that their personalities are kinda similar, but I'm a sucker for their banter. I just don't know whose going to get Tony!

Mondlerlove—I guess Kate could be a little cruel, but nothing that Tony wouldn't be able to pay her back for. I think there was something there, maybe not as obvious as Tony and Ziva or McGee and Abby, but I think there was something there, although Tony's reaction to her death didn't really show that I guess.

Alright, enough of me talking. Here's the next chapter.


Chapter 2: Coming to Terms

"How is he?" No hello. No, nice to see ya. Although Gibbs was happy that she had jumped straight to the point and was in the same boat as they all were. They were all worried about DiNozzo, but they probably wouldn't find anything out for a few more hours.

"Don't know." Gibbs' response was curt as he continued to stare past her, into the hallway, awaiting the arrival of anyone with news of his agent. He had picked up on the way that Kate and DiNozzo had gotten closer, but there was still bitterness between himself and Kate. Nothing too sufficient, but enough for Gibbs to feel a flare of annoyance rush through his body as she had entered.

It was as Kate took a seat next to Abby had Gibbs realized how worn the rest of the team looked. McGee's face was pale, blood still staining his clothes, as he sat next to Abby. His legs were shaking slightly, barely noticeable. His hand was on Abby's back while the other was wrapped around her chest in a comforting grip.

Abby was leaning into McGee, but not exactly touching him. Gibbs figured it was because of the blood. "McGee, go get cleaned up."

"You should get cleaned up too Gibbs," Kate spoke so quickly, he almost couldn't hear what she had said. But with a quick glare he returned to McGee.

"Go." His tone left for no questions, and McGee did as he was told. He turned his attention to himself at the moment and noticed that the deep red that had been there not too long ago had turned into a brown. It made his stomach churn to see the evidence of Tony's injuries so blatantly exposed for everyone to see. He felt sick even thinking that it was on him.

He stood up slowly and moved towards the doors and walked outside. He couldn't think of what to do. There wasn't anything for him to do in the hospital, but he didn't want to be away from DiNozzo if anything happened. It was almost as if there was only a thin string keeping DiNozzo alive and if Gibbs left, it would snap. But there were still things to do back at the Naval Base. There was always something for him to do. There just wasn't many times when he didn't greet it with open arms.

A soft hand grabbed his shoulder, and he immediately recognized it as Director Jenny Shepard's. She smiled at him with one of her famous smiles, the one that was always reassuring, always a comfort. "He'll be fine Jethro. You should go home. Get changed. There's enough of us here to—"

"No." He closed the door to the outside and stepped back in, turning to walk past her. Her fingers lightly clasped onto his arm, making him stop dead in his tracks.

"Fine. I'll go get you some new clothes to wear," she turned to walk away. "And McGee too." She exited the building before any of the team were able to see her enter. Although she wanted to make sure Tony was okay, she knew that she would probably be one of the only sensible people around for awhile.


Ziva watched as Gibbs returned, following his movements with her eyes. She could see everyone's worry, even their 'fearless leader' as Abby refers to him. Her keen eyes noticed Gibbs' heavy steps and tired stature.

She also noticed the worry building up and ready to burst inside Abby as she fidgeted. Standing up, she moved towards her friend and sat next to her, whispering reassuring words. "Tony'll be fine. He always is."

In her comforting movements, Ziva hadn't noticed Kate's eyes upon her. Ziva seemed strange to Kate, a little out of place. She seemed to be accepted by the team, but there was just something off about her. She couldn't tell what it was, but there was something about her that Kate didn't like. Kate was never a person to judge a book by its cover, but Ziva was not someone she could picture Tony teasing in the bullpen or McGee coming to talk to.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Abby's quiet words. "But what if he's not? He's not a cat ya know! Maybe he's cheated death too many times!" Abby's words turned into sobs as she clenched onto Ziva's arm. More whispered words escaped her lips and seemed to have a calming effect on her as McGee hurried back into the room. He took up his respective spot next to Abby and started to stroke her hair.

When did the two of them get that close? Kate turned towards the M.E. that was seating next to his young assistant, who seemed to be more integrated into Gibbs' team than she had remembered when she was there. Grant you it was two years ago, but you never know how much someone can change in that short of a time until it flies past.

Ducky was looking sadly upon them all, almost as if he was helpless. But not completely to her surprise he spoke. "Now, this reminds me of a time in my youth…"

Kate smiled as she remembered how the M.E. could go on for days about stories that had happened when he was younger. They were normally cut off by Gibbs' nonexistent patience. No one spoke while Ducky went about his long winded story.


The director arrived a few minutes into Ducky's story, placing coffee on the table and passing McGee and Gibbs new clothes for them to change into. McGee looked towards Gibbs, who gave him a nod, before he left to find the bathroom. Everyone grabbed a coffee, but as Kate reached in, there was no more left. Her cheeks flared momentarily in embarrassment, but she quickly composed herself.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Jenny spoke, unsure of what to say. She had known who Caitlin Todd was, although they had never met before. It was hard trying to get Gibbs to replace her, but somehow Ziva found her way into the team. She extended a hand towards the former member of Gibbs' team. "Director Jenny Shepard."

"Kate." She skipped formalities as she grabbed her hand and shook it. A smile crossed her face out of politeness, but she immediately sat back down. Her mind had started to turn to the person she missed the most. Tony.

At first it had felt like a brother-sister teasing match, but it started to blossom into something knew. At least for Kate it had. But she had never been sure if Tony felt the same way. If she asked, would he laugh? Even if he did have feelings for her, would he follow them? She wasn't exactly the type of girl he dated normally. Who was she kidding? He would have moved on by now if he even had some feelings to begin with. So why hadn't she?


Ziva watched as Abby and McGee almost shared the same chair, they were that close. Letting out a sigh, she started to think about the possible outcomes. Tony could be dead, that was the obvious, or he could be alive. But if he lived, would he still be the same DiNozzo?

She shook her head; there was no way she could let herself think about that. She loved him…or did she? There was a battle being waged inside her, and she wasn't sure if there were true feelings for her partner or she was just having a girlish crush.

Her eyes glanced over towards Gibbs, who was sitting next to Jenny, probably discussing what had happened. Ziva wasn't even sure what had happened. If she had been more prepared, paid attention, maybe this wouldn't have happened. If she had thought of others first instead of herself, maybe she wouldn't be the one waiting in the rightfully called waiting room. Maybe she'd be the one riddled with bullets.

Maybe that's what she deserved. Tony didn't deserve this. He was a little childish and not always the most serious person, but there was always a kind heart inside. He had a stubborn streak that could rival Gibbs when it came to cases. There weren't many that would cross his path that were left unsolved. DiNozzo was an amazing investigator, an amazing person, so why was he always the one being bandaged up? Maybe not this bad, but there was always something that needed mending.

"Ziva, my dear," Ducky's words cut into her thoughts, obviously he had stopped his story, sometimes even he didn't find it the right time to tell of his boyish stories. "Are you alright?"

Her eyes blinked up towards him from their spot on the floor. She hadn't noticed that she seemed to be the only one that wasn't either showing their worry or being stoic; she was just vacant. Her face was void of emotion, but there was something there behind the surface. Everyone could see it, but just didn't know what it was. Worry, fear, anger? It was a mystery. "Yes, Ducky."

Her voice was oddly calm and a rush of heat hit her body. She felt her cheeks flush, although nothing appeared in them, and she turned away. Ziva stared at the plastic chairs that sat in between herself and Dr. Mallard. She could feel her chest constrict, tighter and tighter, and the unfamiliar feeling made her nervous.

She quickly moved to her feet and left the waiting area and found the nearest bathroom. Ziva couldn't tell if anyone had followed her, only her heart beat and her footsteps rang in her ears. She wasn't even sure what she was doing. She just wanted to leave, but not Tony. She wanted to run—run away with Tony.

Pushing the bathroom door open, Ziva stepped into the empty room and gripped the nearest sink. Her fingers slipping around the smooth edges, she stared at herself through the mirror. She looked as she always did, but there was something wrong. There was something different. There was sadness in her eyes, a clatter of her teeth, and a small whimper that wanted to escape her lips.

Was this all because she loved Tony? Or because she feared she may lose a friend? She knew she never wanted him to leave her, but was there a deeper meaning than what was on the surface?


Not too much happening in this one, but let me know what you think anyway.