Sorry for the delay in updating, I've been offline for the past three weeks due to some works taking place in my street (o joy). As a result, I've just dropped in a couple of chapters. I'm sort of in a festive mood, so I found it really hard to get into the mood for this. Anyway, hope you like it. The story is developing slower than I intended, but, trust me, it is going somewhere.

Disclaimer : I don't own the characters but the story's mine.

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McGee tried again to call Tony. After a few agonising rings, Tony's voice started in the strangest Italian accent Tim had ever heard:

"you talking to me? If you are, then leave me a message."

A hint of a smile made its way to McGee's lips but disappeared immediately as Tony's absence made itself obvious again.

"Boss, there's no answer still".

"What do you mean, no answer, McGee", Ziva asked, suspicious.

"No answer: it rings a few times and goes to voicemail. By the way, his message is hil..."

"McGee!" Gibbs interrupted.

He could see in Ziva's eyes that something was off and he knew exactly what it was. Tony never left his mobile behind him. He had seen him spend ages talking to random girls during work hours. Even when he was undercover with Jeanne, he still managed to answer whenever he was called. Today was an ordinary day, why should it be any different.

Ziva looked shaken, much to Gibbs's surprise. Gibbs had only seen her in that state twice: the first time when she killed Ari to save his life, and the other when she nearly died in the hands of that serial killer. He knew that she had developed a strong working relationship with her partner. She would know before all others that something wasn't right, and he, for sure, would take that sign seriously.

"McGee, can you trace him through his mobile?"

"Yes boss, but I'll need to get back to the office to do so. Do you want me to call Abby and ask her to check his mobile?"

"No, just go back. We'll grab a ride with Ducky when he gets here."

Gibbs didn't want to worry his forensic scientist unduly, and there wasn't that much left to do on the scene. McGee tried to protest but he refrained when he was shot by his boss's glaring blue eyes.

"Boss, do you really think that Tony's in trouble?"

McGee voicing what everybody thought wasn't helping and Gibbs lost his temper.

"I don't know McGee. Now, go and get on with it. I want a report in 30 minutes".

"But..."

"McGee!"

As the young officer scooted out, Gibbs called him back:

"McGee! Keep calling his mobile every five minutes until you get him or trace him.

McGee nodded and disappeared as quickly as he could. Gibbs glanced at Ziva. The Mossad officer had dutifully returned to her task and was sketching out the scene. Gibbs hoped Ducky would arrive soon and break the silence. Somehow for once he was lost for words and didn't know what to tell his liaison officer.

In spite of her calm demeanour, a lot of conflicting feelings were overwhelming Ziva : was Tony really in danger? Gibbs seemed to take the matter of Tony's absence very seriously. It was probably nothing. It had happened before, she tried to convince herself.

Deep down, she knew that Tony had never disappeared that long, not without ringing them or being contactable. If only his mobile was turned off!

A slow burning feeling was slowly taking over her chest at the thought something might have happened. You should know better, Ziva, you are a trained Mossad officer. You are not meant to feel, just think and work! She shut off her brain and concentrated on the task at hand, but the burning feeling stayed on while she sketched the scene.

She couldn't help feeling angry. Angry and helpless. She longed for McGee to call them back.

Tony knew he was drifting in and out of consciousness, but the niggling vibrations of his phone kept him awake.

I've got to fight this. They obviously know something is wrong, they wouldn't keep calling...

Somehow this thought comforted him and he vouched that he would stay awake and conscious for as long as he could. If only he could keep breathing that long.

The phone vibrations were starting to drive him crazy. He was desperately trying to focus long enough to find a way to turn his phone on and tell them... What would I tell them? I don't know where I am, what has happened to me and I can hardly talk. Well, he would at least hear them. The boss would reassure him, and maybe Ziva would be worried for him.

Unconsciously, that thought made him smile. The idea that his ninja-chick might be worried for him had some appeal.

The phone was ringing once more and Tony decided to act. The any touch function was turned on, so it would automatically answer the call if any of the buttons were hit. And well, there was a wall he could hit. The thought wasn't appealing, but in a last ditch effort, he turned his chest sideways and thrust himself at the wall as hard as he could, pushing on his legs to and gasping for breath.

"Argh", he cried in agony.

"Tony?" a small voice answered.