A/N: Hello to my readers. First of all thank you for all of you who have taken the time to read my stories and leave your views, comments, suggestions, praises, etc. You all have been very kind :) Second of all, I changed the the font in the first chapter from bold to regular. I had a few people ask me to change it, and I thank you for bringing that up. I'm not sure how that happened and I wouldn't have realized it unless you mentioned it. So thank you for that.
Before you read the second half of this story, I just want to caution you that my string of stories about the growing love between Tony and Ziva is not over after this one. It started with my story about them and Paris, and now this one. I have an idea of a somewhat longer story than the first two, and would have a lot of action. More like a real episode, as far as it would include all of the characters and a larger plot if you will. It will take some time for me to finish, but if you like the sound of that idea let me know. I'm also open to some suggestions as to some of the stuff that you would like to see in that project. :) I promise to do my best to give you all what you want to see between them as well as what I'd like to see lol.
So without further adoo, here is the second chapter of this story. Hope you enjoy!
It was night time, and it was quiet despite the fact that it was the D.C. Hospital intensive care unit.
At the entrance of the room, the doors to the emergency room opened, and through it emerged Ziva. She found it eerie the several of the hall lights were turned off, and that only a few nurses were present in the room. It seemed more like a morgue, rather than a hospital.
Many of the lights in the rooms were turned out as Ziva took her time walking to Tony's room, adding to the already strange atmosphere which lingered throughout the hospital.
Finally, she arrived at the doorway to her partner's room. Her heart throbbed, writhing in pain as Tony slept in stable condition. She hated to see someone who was usually so full of life, appear as though he was now lifeless.
She entered the room and pulled chair up next to his bed. She set the paper bag she had brought with her on the floor, and leaned back as she fiddled with her hair which she had let down from her usual ponytail.
Ziva hoped Tony would be awake by now. He had slept most of the day, then was given a sedative to help him rest through the night. She desperately just wished to hear his voice - just to have reassurance that he was okay. However, he just laid there in his sleep.
She looked around the room for a moment, not sure what to do next. Above them, on the wall adjacent from Tony's bed, Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window was playing. Even amidst her distress, she smiled knowing that even though he was just shot and in the hospital, Tony probably annoyed the staff until they found one of his stupid movies for him to watch.
After glancing around the room, her eyes turned back to Tony. They raked over his motionless body. He truly was a very handsome man.
She sat up in her seat, and touched his hand. Secretly, she hoped it would wake him up so she could hear him speak. But again, in his deep sleep he remained.
"Hello, Tony," Ziva said in almost a whisper. She peered back over her shoulder and made sure nobody else would be able to hear her. "I see that your doing better than when I saw you last!"
At first, she felt awkward. She'd never attempted to have a conversation with someone that was unconscious.
"I feel like Ducky right now," she said.
She looked once more at Tony who hadn't moved at all, and she sighed. Small talk was pointless.
"I made you a sandwich," she continued despite her initial disposition. "I would have brought pizza, but I don't think they would have allowed it. It's in the bag when you wake up."
Ziva paused, and silence roared throughout the bedroom as she gently cleared her throat.
"You're probably wondering I came now, instead of with the rest of the team," she began. "I guess I just - wanted to thank you more personally. This is the second time that you've saved my life."
She looked at his face.
"Why did you do it Tony? Why did you save me in Somalia, after I turned my back on you? Why did you shove me to the ground, when you could have just taken the shot this morning?"
Ziva spoke softly, but her questions rang out through the room. She composed herself as her eyes glazed over with tears.
"Tony, believe me, I know that it could never be as long - as long as we were teammates. For five years I've been your partner, and every day, it grows more - and more. But seeing you like this - it scares me. It scares me that one day, I could lose you. I could lose you with being able to tell you - without hearing you tell me."
A tear glistened in Ziva's eye and began to roll down her cheek. She sniffled and fought to compose herself. Finally, she wiped her cheek and drew in a deep breath.
"I," she continued. "I love you, Tony! I hope that someday we can both accept it."
More tears welled up in her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling to fight them back. After another moment of sobs, she was able to pull herself together. She sat by his side until she could see light begin to fill the sky as the sun rose. Then, she stood from her chair and set the paper bag on the side of his bed.
She leaned over his face and gently stroked his forehead with her hand.
"I'll be back after work," she said.
Then, she cupped the side of his face in her hand and laid her soft lips upon his cheek. She left them there for a moment, not wanting to part from his face. Finally, she broke this kiss and gave a sheepish smile as she stood over him, then left the room.