She was breathing so heavily and she was crying. She was still tied to her chair and filled with inevitable fear. Just then Saleem busted through the door and rushed to her. Saleem covered her head in a black sack and unshackled her.

"You've got a visitor." He whispered to her.

Ziva grew frantic, wondering who her visitor was. How could anyone know that she was there? She was then dragged out of the room and taken down a long corridor. A few months ago she would have tried her best to fight her way out of his grasp but now she was done fighting. She was done with everything, even living. He tossed her into the room, slamming the door behind him. He then picked her up and commenced carrying her towards the chair. She couldn't see a thing. She only heard the shuffling of Saleem's feet and his words.

"One of you will tell me everything you know and the other will die."

These words confused her. He ripped the bag from her head and she saw him. She saw Tony. They didn't say anything to each other as they sat across him. Ziva shook her head, feeling crazy. She looked back up from her lap and saw those emerald green eyes again. She felt tears coming to her eyes.

"Oh, thank God you're alive." McGee said from behind her.

"You thought I was dead?" Ziva asked.

"Oh, yeah." Tony said.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

"McGee, McGee didn't think you were dead."

"Tony." She said, raising her voice slightly. "Why are you here?"

"I couldn't live without you, I guess." He told her, truth serum coursing through his veins.

That was then and this is now. When they had dragged her out of the prison camp she was nothing but skin and bones. She could barely walk and she was not well. They had gotten her to Bethesda the first thing when they finally got back to the States. Tony peered into the large window of her hospital room and stared as she cried while doctors examined her. They had figured out she was raped just by her reactions to people touching her. They then knew that despite the fact her rapists were dead to run a rape kit. It was procedure after all. Gibbs approached Tony and put a hand on the filthy agent's shoulder.

"DiNozzo."

"Yeah boss."

"Stay with her." He ordered.

"Okay."

Gibbs watched as Tony shook his head and wondered what was going through his mind.

"What is it, Tony?" He asked.

"Look at her, Gibbs. She's in so much pain. Why are they doing this? We already know who did it!" Tony yelled, drawing the attention of several passersby.

"Yes, DiNozzo, but it's protocol."

"Yeah, protocol. Nothing was protocol about this Gibbs." Tony said, turning back towards Ziva.

She was fighting the doctors off, hating it whenever they touched her. Tony had to do something. He stormed into the room and pulled the doctors away.

"Stop this!" He shouted. "Just stop!"

The doctors and nurses all stood away, absolutely stunned by his actions. They had never seen something like this. Tony looked over at Ziva and saw her trembling in the corner of the room, her IV lines tangled and a terrified look on her face. To say she was shaken up would be an understatement. Tony approached her slowly and crouched down to her level.

"Ziva. Ziva, are you okay?"

Who was he kidding? She was far from being okay. She needed some serious help. Tony took a hold of her thin hand and helped her over to the bed. Tony helped her untangle her lines and soon she settled down. Her heart race would occasionally go up as she slept but with some PTSD nightmares it was to be expected. The days turned into weeks and soon Ziva was healthy enough to go home. Tony was waiting for Ziva outside of the hospital room. As she walked out of it she realized she had nowhere else to go from here. She didn't have a home. She was alone and homeless. She didn't even have any money to her name. She walked up to Tony and put on a fake smile.

"Don't do that." Tony said.

"What? You don't want me to smile?" She asked, sounding defensive.

"I don't want you to put up a front." He clarified.

Just then Ziva's physician, Dr. Chamberlain came up to her. It had been seven weeks since she had returned and she had spent that entire time in the hospital. She didn't want to be here for another second.

"Ziva, may I have a word with you?" He asked.

"Yes, I suppose."

"Look, we need to know of a number we can call you at…in case we figure out anything or if you need anything and I'm not available."

"I do not have a phone."

"You can call my home phone number." Tony interjected, stepping towards the group rather quickly.

"Good, that was another issue we need to discuss. We need to know of who will be staying with you."

"I do not have anywhere to live." The Israeli admitted.

"She will be staying with me." Tony told him.

"Okay. Ziva, here's my card."

Ziva turned to tony once the doctor walked away and crossed her arms.

"What?" Tony asked.

"Why is it that you automatically assume that I am staying with you?" She asked.

"Because, I am willing to have you with me." He answered.

"Well, I will not be staying with you." She snapped. "I will be staying at the Navy Lodge."

"But Ziva…" He started.

"But, nothing. I don't care if you do not like this but I am not going to let you treat me like a victim who cannot live by herself. I am fine!" She said, storming off towards Dr. Chamberlain.

"Doctor!" Ziva called out.

"Yes, Ziva?"

"I will be staying at the Navy Lodge. I will give you a call and leave you the number, alright?"

"Okay, but, Ziva I don't think you should be alone right now."

"I will be alright on my own." Ziva assured him before turning around.

She then walked away, completely ignoring Tony as she passed. She left the hospital, not daring to look back.