Title: Sacrifice

Chapter: 2

Disclaimer: I do not own ANY of the original characters from the show, they belong to the writers of NCIS.

Author's note: Okay, so I am sorry that there was a little bit of a delay for updating, but I've been busy and I didn't want to rush an update that wouldn't be as good. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter and that it was indeed worth the wait. I will try to update a little sooner. :) I want to say thank you for all of the reviews that you have already submitted, I really enjoy them and I do have to say that I am still pretty new to fanfics so if I can improve in any ways (I'm sure I can) feel free to tell me how. :) Thanks for the feedback and I hope you enjoy!


Ziva nodded, knowing this was not the time or place to argue with him. At that moment the doctor came out. "Family of DiNozzo?"

All four of Tony's co-workers took a deep breath before stepping forward. "Here."

Gibbs knew how hard this was on his team and decided to take the lead, "How is he?"



Time seemed to stop as everyone waited for the doctor to answer.

Ziva forced back tears as she realized he was hesitating.

"It is difficult to say at this time, we need to keep him under observation, but Agent DiNozzo's situation doesn't seem to be as grave as first thought."

Everyone let out the breath they'd been holding as the doctor continued. "He has lost a lot of blood and will take time to recover, but he is stable and seems to be doing well."

"Can we visit him?" Abby asked.

The doctor frowned, "Well…"

"Good." Gibbs replied, not giving him time to argue. "Which way?"

The doctor sighed and shook his head, but answered. "Room 108, but he needs his rest so it is best that you let him sleep. Up to three people at a time."

Gibbs and the team just kept walking towards Tony's room, ignoring the doctor. They reached room 108 and Ziva hesitated before opening the door and walking inside.

She was met by a weak "Hey" from Tony.

"The doctor said you were sleeping."

Tony smirked, "The doctor would've kept rambling on to me about stuff I don't understand and tell me I need to be put on desk duty."

Ziva smirked, then turned around to see Gibbs, Abby and McGee talking in the hallway. She wondered why they hadn't come in yet and was about to get them when Tony's hand reached out to her. "Ziva."

Ziva looked down at Tony and fought the tears that came to her eyes, his state wasn't deadly, but it was still her fault he was lying there.

"Ziva it's not your fault."

Ziva didn't even bother asking how he knew she felt that way; they'd been partners for years and had learned to read each other very well. "Yes it is Tony."

Tony tried to push himself up so he could talk to her better, but grunted at the pain that shot through his chest, making Ziva feel even guiltier.

She turned around to leave but Tony's hand grabbed her arm before she could. "Ziva listen to me."

Ziva turned around and faced him but kept her head down and refused to look him in the eyes. Tony noticed this and used his hand to push her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "Ziva this isn't your fault."

"Then whose is it Tony? It's not yours and that bullet was heading for me! It is all because of me that you almost died!"

Tony saw the pain and guilt in her eyes and refused to back down. "Ziva, the point is I didn't die. Even if I did die, which I didn't, it wouldn't be your fault. It would have been no one's fault but Jeanne's."

Ziva nodded, straightening her back at the sound of Jeanne's name. Ziva knew she was trouble from day one, jealousy may have been a major factor in this, but she still knew Jeanne was up to no good.

Tony saw Ziva put her defences up as soon as he mentioned Jeanne. "Ziva…"

"Tony!" Abby screamed and ran in before he could say anything else. "I was SO worried about you!"

She reached to give him a bear-hug like she so often did, then pulled back realizing the state he was in. "Aww… Tony you are okay right? Like, okay okay, cause if you're not…"

Abby trailed off and Tony merely grinned, "I'm doing great Abby. The doc says I'll recover in no time."

Liar! He silently scolded himself, but even though it hurt Tony was sure his wounds would go away fast enough, there was no reason to worry Abby.

Abby smiled as Tony grinned at her, ensuring him that he made the right choice.

Gibbs walked up to Tony and head-slapped him, "I didn't give you permission to be shot."

Gibbs smirked and Tony grinned, knowing that this was Gibbs' way of letting Tony know everything was going to be okay.

McGee stepped forward, looking a little hesitant. Tony grinned stupidly at him, "How are you feeling?"

Tony knew this was hard for McGee so he bit back a sarcastic retort. "I'm fine Probie."

McGee's face showed relief and Tony chuckled, he looked around the room, "Where did Ziva go?"

Everyone turned around to see that Ziva had left. Abby shrugged, McGee looked confused and Gibbs shook his head slightly. He waited until Abby had both Tony and McGee preoccupied before slipping out of the room in search of Ziva.

He found her staring at the hospital vending machine, she heard him approach, but when she turned to look at him Gibbs was slightly startled at the emptiness in her eyes.

"Ziva?" He questioned carefully, not wanting to set her off. "What's wrong?"

Ziva sighed; her eyes still seemed hollow as she looked at him, defeated. "It is my fault."

Gibbs shook his head, "No Ziver, it's not." He replied, using his nickname for her.

Ziva refused to meet his gaze, "The bullet was heading for me Gibbs. I should be dead right now."

Gibbs shook his head lightly, "No Ziva. You're fine, Tony's fine, everything turned out okay."

Ziva looked up at Gibbs, ready to protest but he saw this and cut her off. His voice was firm, but caring as he began, "Ziva. It is over; blaming yourself doesn't help Tony right now. If you feel guilty, talk it out with Tony. I'm sure that he realizes this isn't your fault, you need to too."

Ziva simply nodded and Gibbs was pleased to see that her eyes were no longer void and emotionless. He wasn't sure what it was that he saw there right now, but anything was better than the emptiness from before.

Ziva and Gibbs walked back to the hospital room just in time to hear Tony ask for Ziva again. Gibbs noted the small smile on her face as she heard this; his annoyance about rule 12 was overruled by his happiness for his agents.

Gibbs allowed himself a small smile as he and Ziva walked in the room.

Upon seeing Ziva, Tony immediately perked up. "Hey Zee-vah."

He flashed her a grin which brought another ghost of a smile upon Ziva's lips. "Hey."

The room went quiet, but it wasn't long before Tony broke the silence. "I'm kinda thirsty; do think the doc will let me stand to get a drink?"

Gibbs rolled his eyes as Tony's remark had its' effect and Abby raced out of the room to get him water.

"McGee."

"Yeah Boss?" The younger agent questioned.

"It's time for us to get back to work, Abby too."

McGee nodded, then glanced at the dark-haired woman next to Tony. "What about Ziva?"

Gibbs rolled his eyes, "She's staying."

Tony's smile grew wider, but Ziva turned around quickly. "What?"

Gibbs shook his head. "You two were the only ones there Ziva. Tony can't write a report so you'll help him do so."

Ziva nodded but didn't say anything as she turned back to Tony who looked slightly put off that she didn't want to stay with him.

Abby walked in and handed Tony his water. She leaned in to give Tony a hug but pulled back quickly when Tony winced, "I am SO sorry!"

"It's okay Abs, I'm fine." Tony assured her, but he could tell the Goth still felt bad.

"Come on Abby, we're going." Gibbs told her, but Abby just looked at him with puppy-dog eyes.

"Now?" She whined but Gibbs merely smirked, that look wasn't going to work this time.

"Now." He confirmed, bringing a frown to Abby's face and a slight smirk to everyone else's.

McGee sighed as he followed a sulking Abby out the door. "Bye Tony, try to keep better care of yourself."

Tony smirked at McGee's comment before looking towards Ziva who stood as far away from him as she possibly. "So Zee-vah…"

He began but Ziva didn't even react to the way he drug out her name, making Tony sigh. As he did Ziva looked up quickly and he noted the concern in her eyes. "Tony?"

"I'm fine Ziva." He said, sounding defeated.

Ziva looked at her watch, "I am going to get a quick drink from the vending machine, if you need anything, just wait until I get back."

Tony smirked, that definitely was a very Ziva thing to say. "Fine." He agreed while watching her leave the room, wondering if she was okay.

Ziva didn't even notice this as she walked away from his room. Upon reaching the vending machine, she placed her forehead against the cool glass. This was going to be a long day.

As if it wasn't enough that she felt incredibly guilty Tony got hurt, she had to stay with him all day and watch him suffer. She still couldn't believe that she almost had the man she loves killed.

Ziva shook her head to correct herself, loved. The man she loved. She had to let her feelings for him go as it was obvious he didn't feel the same. The way he declared his love for Jeanne right in front of her that morning just proved how clueless he was about her feelings for him, either that or he didn't care.

Ziva sighed and fought back the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her; it was almost too much to think that Tony truly was in love with Jeanne. For three years now, Ziva had dreamed of having Tony love her the way he loved Jeanne, yet the other woman didn't even seem to care that she held the heart of such a great man.

Deciding that it was time to stop wallowing in her sorrows, Ziva began walking back to the hospital room.

She was walking through the door when she saw a weak Tony attempting to walk. "Tony!"

She startled him and Tony jumped, but he didn't have the strength or sturdiness to land properly and he began falling to the ground.

Ziva quickly ran to his side and caught him, grunting under his dead weight. She looked up and both of them noticed how close their faces were.

Tony's dark green eyes bored into her chocolate brown ones as he tried searching her for any signs that she felt the same way, any signs to let him know she cared for him too.

Ziva stared deep into his eyes, then realized that she was only making things harder on herself and pulled back quickly. She laid Tony down on the bed then backed away quickly.

Tony sighed but Ziva was too caught up in her own thoughts to catch the look of disappointment on his face as he watched her back away.


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