Ziva David had just experienced more heart stopping fear in the last 48 hours; than she had ever had in a single month before in her entire life! While it was certainly true that she had not been on this team very long. She hadn't been the Liason between NCIS and Mosad for very long. At this point; it didn't matter. Tim McGee had been a friend from the 1st day she'd arrived. Even while the team was still reeling from the death of their teammate; Tim had not let that get in the way of his attitude toward her.

She'd seen that he was still grieving for Kate Todd. When she'd taken Kate's desk; Tim had bitten his tongue; said nothing to her; but she'd seen the pain in his eyes; seen him struggle with whether or not to say something to her. She'd also seen the way Gibbs had looked at him for a long silent minute; seemingly watching his struggle; although, she hadn't known what the boss had been thinking. When McGee had deliberately looked away from her and caught Gibbs' eyes; the young man had quickly looked away; back to his computer; to steadfastly not look either of their way again. Surprisingly, Gibbs had continued to look at McGee for another minute . Tony, too; had stopped what he was doing when Tim had first frozen in place at his desk and had fixedly watched the situation play out.

Having quietly gotten up from the desk; Ziva had walked half way to McGee's desk; caught a movement from Gibbs out of the corner of her eye; looked his way; to find him shaking his head at her; obviously not wanting her to get in the way of Tim's dealing with the painful sight of someone else at Kate's desk. As she had nodded her understanding; she'd seen him continue to watch McGee with something similar to compassion in his eyes; even though the young man never saw it. Turning to go back to her desk; she'd seen Tony's equally compassionate glance still directed McGee's way.

That had been a defining moment for Ziva; the moment when she realized this team cared about each other as people; that Gibbs cared about his agents as people. Tim McGee had continued to surprise her. His steadfast refusal to invade her private life was surprising and refreshing; considering his teammate's equally determined propensity to hound her about it. McGee was the happy; considerate; super polite; bumbling; geek who took a lot of crap from Tony; and even from Ziva; and never lost his manners with her.

When she and Tony had left Tim in the squad room yesterday; had it only been yesterday?; she'd been convinced McGee was okay. He had told her he was okay and Tim McGee; according to Gibbs; did not know how to lie. But, the simple truth was; Tim McGee had lied! And that lie had cost him dearly; cost all of them dearly. Ziva was at a loss as to how to deal with this. She did what she knew to do; she retreated into herself until she could figure out what to do or say to McGee.

And now, after she'd sat with the team while they waited to hear his prognosis; stood with Sara as part of his family; she found herself walking with them to McGee's room.

Brought up short by the closed door to his room; and the sight of McGee through the window in the door; Ziva felt the air sucked out of her lungs. He looked so frail and young and helpless and "Oh, My God!" Abby breathed out in horror; and she turned and bolted down the hall and out of sight. Ziva found herself angry at Abby's weakness in the face of McGee's suffering.

Gibbs drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out. "He's alive." Reminding the rest of them of that. he quietly opened the door and silently walked up to McGee's bed. Looking his agent over; Gibbs drew a chair up to the bed and began smoothing back Tim's hair out of his eyes; once again reminding Ziva of just how much this team cared about each other.

"We're here for you, Tim. You're not alone anymore." As Gibbs began talking to McGee; Ziva could see the patient actually seemed to relax even more into his slumber. "I know it hurts; son; but it'll get better. You just need to hang it there." Gibbs continued to soothe.

Tony and Ziva continued to watch from the door as Jenny entered the room and did her own cursory check on the young man. She whispered to Gibbs; who; without taking his eyes or his hands off his agent; nodded his head in silence.

As Jenny left; Tony came in and silently drew the other chair up to the other side of the bed; beckoning to Ziva; from the door; he stepped back to allow her to visit with Tim first. Not having anything to say; Ziva sat almost stone-like. Tim was her friend; the first one to accept her without judgement on the team; and their friendship was an anchor for her. Seeing him here; like this; shook Ziva more than she wanted to admit. Was this fear she was feeling? Finally; forcing her feelings aside; she; too reached out and ran her hands over his hair; touching his forehead; as if to make sure he knew she was there.

"You need to get better, McGee." she told him. Suddenly, she couldn't stay there any longer. Quickly, she got up and left the room; almost running to the nearest waiting room.

Here it was almost 24 hours later and while she helped watch over him to make sure his condition did not deteriorate from any medical allergic reaxtions; and in general; just being an active team member; Ziva continued to hold in her confusion and fear; knowing there would be a time and a place to sort them out; later.

Gibbs was attempting to talk McGee into waking up. "Come on, Tim; wake up; let us see that you're okay. We're all here for you."

Sure enough; as Tim's eyes flickered open; his body began to stiffen with agitation; not sure of what he was waking up to. Gibbs revved things up for him.

"McGee; it's okay. you're fine. We're here."

"B...B'ss?" the mumbled voice brought a smile to Gibbs' face. Ziva; along with the rest of the group standing back from the bed; all breathed in a sigh of relieve and finally allowed themselves to smile.

Gibbs moved closer to the young man; putting himself where Tim could only see him; Gibbs encouraged him to open his eyes.

"What happened?" McGee rasped out.

"You had a bad reaction to the dog attack, Tim." Gibbs kept it simple. "You're gonna be fine as long as you take things slow and easy."

"Where is every....body?" Tim asked quietly;

"Right behind me. Are you ready to see them?" Gibbs asked.

"Ducky?" Tim asked.

"Right here, Timothy." Ducky reassured the young man.

"Sara?" Tim asked.

Quickly, his sister stepped up to the bed; next to Gibbs. "Right here, Tim" she said quietly.

"Hey." Tim whispered.

Gibbs stepped back and gave his place over to Sara; continuing to step back; until he was sitting off to the side;

Sara leaned down and kissed her brother on the cheek. "You scared me to death, Tim. No pun intended. You make sure you don't overdue yourself. Don't let any of these guys wear you out.! Now, that you're okay, I need to get back to class. You've got the rest of your team here; and they're not going anywhere. I'll be back after class. okay?"

"love you." Tim whispered.

"I love you, too." Sara replied; with tears in her eyes.

Jenny stepped up; "Sara, I'll drive you back. It's great to have you back with us Tim. You make sure you let yourself recover; don't rush anything; okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Tim replied. "thank you."

As Jenny and Sara left; Tony urged Ziva to step up to the bed. She didn't fight him on it.

"McGee; I am relieved to see that you are okay."

"Thank you, Ziva. Are you okay?" Tim asked; concerned about her obviously seeing she looked very upset.

"You are recovering from the dog attack; the bad reaction to the cocaine in your system; and you are asking me if I am okay?" Ziva asked; typically confused by such abject curteousy shown her.

"Are you?" Tim pushed.

"Yes, McGee; I am fine. Tell me; how do you feel?"

"Sore; tired; but okay." Tim answered truthfully.

"That is to be expected, Timothy. I want you to let us know the minute you tire; you do need to stay rested before you can begin to recover." Ducky quietly admonished him from the other side of the bed.

"Ducky; I just need to see Tony. Abby." Tim pushed.

Ziva stepped back and backed herself up to the window; silently watching and waiting until the team was ready to leave. She knew Tim would go back to sleep soon. These interactions affected her; showing her what family really meant. They touched her. But, they also served to cause her pain; at the thought of losing any of her new team; especially the one laid up in the bed; as he'd tried the hardest to show her he cared about her; even though he hadn't known her long.

"Probie, I'm right here. I'll be here when you wake up again. You just get some sleep." Tony ordered.

"Hey, Tony."

"Hey, yourself, Probie; you do what we're tellin you; get some sleep; you here me?" Tony pushed.

"In a minute, Tony." Tim promised.

Abby stepped up to the bed; not wanting Tim to stress himself out.

"Tim, you go on; get some sleep. It's the only way you'll get better." Abby encouraged.

"Abby. are you okay?"

"I'm fine; just worried about you. Now, get some sleep." Bending over his bed; Abby kissed him on the cheek and stepped back.

Ducky silently gestured for them all to go

Ziva had noted every interaction between Tim and the team; none of them seemed angry up betrayed that he'd lied to them and that it resulted in the desperate fight to save his life. Ziva didn't understand that. She couldn't comprehend it. But, she was very relieved that he was okay. Still this nagged at her. She sat lost in her thoughts; in the waiting room; not prepared to leave anytime soon.

"Ziva." Gibbs' quiet voice startled her out of her thoughts.

"Gibbs." She responded almost automatically. Looking toward his voice; she found him standing in front of her with genuine concern on his face.

"I understand." Gibbs cryptically told her. "Come on- let's go get some coffee."

Silently, Ziva accompanied Gibbs to the cafeteria. Tony was already on his way back to Tim's room. "I do not understand, Gibbs; what is it you understand.?" Ziva asked him.

"I remember what I told you when Tim shot Benedict. And right now; you're thinking he betrayed that trust I showed in him about his honesty. You figure he lied to you when he told you he was fine, yesterday." Gibbs explained.

Ziva was shocked that Gibbs had nailed it; knew exactly what she was struglling with. Apparently, it showed on her face; because he offered her a small grin.

"Ziva, We don't know what was going through his mind at that time. None of us are sure; right now; if he was even coherent or lucid. His body was being attacked by drugs; and in shock from the dog attack. We won't know until he remembers things for himself. I can tell you; that if he told you he was fine; then it was either because he did feel fine; or he didn't want to bother you."

"in which case; it would mean his lie; even out of being polite; almost cost him his own life. How am I supposed to feel about that, Gibbs?" Ziva demanded.

"I can't tell you how to feel, Ziva. I can tell you; that I am too relieved that he's alive. Yes, I'm pissed at him; but he's in no condition to deal with whether or not he lied and the consequences of it."

"Right now; until he's completely out of danger; this discussion will have to wait. And I can't worry about it until he can talk about it. His recovery is more important. Whatever it takes to get him out of danger. Even if that means; we don't talk to him about this for a week, Ziva. Are you willing to have it all stuck in your head for that long? Or can you bring yourself to let it go until a later time?"

"Now, it is I who understand, Gibbs." Ziva said. "I thank you."

"You're welcome. Come on- I want Ducky to go home; get some sleep. You too. Take Sara home and bring her back with you tomorrow." Gibbs directed; back on task as Team Leader.

Ziva had managed to shake it from her mind; and concentrate on being there for McGee as the compassionate; caring teammate she was. And everything was going smoothly; right up until the time Sara McGee had ripped at Abby and Ziva had been ordered to get Ducky; and take the M.E.'s place at Tim's bedside. She could tell right away that the young man was upset.

"McGee do you wish to tell me what is wrong?" she'd asked him.

"I'm fine, Ziva." he'd too quickly answered her.

"McGee, do not lie to me; it is unnecessary and not appreciated. If you do not want to confide in me; that is fine; but do not lie about it." Ziva had exclaimed in a sudden burst of anger.

"Ziva, I'm sorry. You're right. It's just that I know you and Abby don't like each other and right now, I'm upset because I just heard Sara screaming at her." McGee had quietly admitted.

"You are forgiven, McGee. However; please do not lie to me any more. Abby and I are still getting used to each other. It does not mean I want anything bad to happen to her."

"I'm sorry, Ziva." Tim said again. His voice was fading and he was obviously exhausted. Ziva silently patted his arm; and sat watch over him while he allowed sleep to take him.

At 6:30 the next morning, Ziva was awakened. Gibbs called her and sounded so; off. By the end of that morning; after hearing what happened mere hours ago; Ziva; was once again; facing emtions that scared her almost as the close call they'd just had with McGee. She was reminded that time is short and precious. She vowed to talk to McGee when he is strong enough and out of danger; before she looses the opportunity to understand her friend.

Knowing that the rest of the team had a lot to talk to him about; Ziva bid her time. Patiently waiting; even while taking her shift as watchman over McGee; she held her tongue on her own thoughts and feelings; questions and comments; and waited. At the end of the 1st day; even Tim had spent most of it sleeping; everyone remained on edge; fearful of a repeat situation during the night.

Gibbs had relieved their unspoken fears when he arrived for the nightshift; fully awake and loaded down with coffee. As Ziva got up from her seat by Tim's bed; grateful that the young man was already asleep; gaining ground on his recovery; Gibbs stopped her in her tracks; with a hand on her arm. As she looked up at him; he said quietly:

"Ziva, just thought you'ld like to know. I was right; He doesn't remember anything that happened between the time I asked him if he was okay; before you and Tony asked him; and waking up in the e.r." he informed her.

"Thank you." she answered.

Gibbs nodded at her in acceptance of her thanks. and she'd left; headed home for the night.

By noon the next day; McGee was cleared to go home. Ziva still needed to talk to him. He was leaving this afternoon. Gibbs was taking him to his house; unwilling to let him be alone just yet; despite Dr. Short's promise that he would be okay alone and the risk of a reacurrence of that near fatal situatiion was slim to none. The team was still taking turns sitting with McGee; unwilling to leave him alone themselves. Ziva; bit the bullet; when it was her turn; just a couple of hours before he was due to leave the hosptial.

"Hey, Ziva." Tim greeted her.

"McGee, how are you?" she asked him.

"Fine, Ziva; what about you?"

"I am fine, McGee."

Ziva; can i ask you something?" he asked.

"Certainly."

"What did I do between the time Gibbs asked me if I was okay; and when you and Tony left the squad room?" Tim's voice was serious and shaky.

"Why would you ask?"

"Ziva, now who's not acting right? Just tell me what it is I did that has you so upset." Tim demanded quietly.

"Why would you say it has me upset?" Ziva was concerned.

"Ziva; I heard what Gibbs said to you the other night. Why else would he go out on a limb to reassure you I had a memory problem for part of the day of the dog attack?"

"You are right. And since you are recovered and out of danger; on your way home; Gibbs should not want to shoot me for talking to you about it now. On the day of the attack; Tony and I asked you if you were okay; after Gibbs had done so already. However, Gibbs had gone up to the Director's office and you were not looking so well; 15 minutes later.

"Ziva, what did I do?"

"You lied to me. McGee. You lied to Tony. And this lie almost cost you your life and yes; I am; I have been very angry about this since it happened." Ziva exclaimed; glad to suddenly have it out in the open between them.

"Oh, Ziva! I have no idea why I would have done that!" Tim was getting upset. He valued her friendshp; growing as it was; and wouldn't want to ruin it.

"Gibbs has suggested that it was because you did not want to 'bother' us." Ziva said; anger obvious in her voice.

The devastated look on his face; washed away all of her anger; almost instantly. It was in that moment that Zva was reminded that Tim McGee did not lie on purpose; he'd been sick at the time; injured; drugged; disorientated and not himself. She was beginning to feel like a terrible person; one worthy of whatever rath Gibbs would bring down on her for taking this conversation to a place where McGee had gotten so upset.

"McGee. Tim. I am sorry. Please, calm down. I understand you were not yourself that day. And, I should not have allowed this to bother me. I most definately should not have made an issue of it with you. Please, forgive me." Ziva implored him.

Tim relaxed. "Ziva, of course I forgive you. And I am sorry I gave you reason to be upset with me."

"And I am sorry for my aloofness. I have been in fear of losing you. It shocked me into not knowing what to say or do around you."

"Ziva, I understand. With all the losses you've suffered; well; what you've shared of them; anyway; and your background. You always talk about this being normal for you. But, I can see that you still feel similar things that we do when stuff like this happens."

"So, everything is okay with us, McGee?" Ziva asked.

"Yeah, Ziva; everything is fine with us." Tim smiled as he reassured her.

"I am thankful that we did not have to attend your funeral." Ziva told him in her typical 'matter-of-fact'way.

"Me, too, Ziva. But something's still bothering you, isnt it? Tim astutely asked her.

"Only that Gibbs will want to shoot me on sight when he hears that I pushed you into getting upset." Ziva admitted.

"I won't tell him if you won't. It'll be our little secret." Tim promised her with a wink and a smile.

"Thank you. Have you talked to Abby?" Ziva asked.

"No. I don't plan on it yet; either; at least for a couple more days." Tim answered.

"Why?" Ziva wanted to know.

"Because, Ziva; I need to do what Gibbs told me to do; start looking out for myself first and what I need. And right now; I need to get out of here and get on my feet again. Then, I'll talk to her."

"Is there anything you want me to tell her?" Ziva offered.

"Thank you, Ziva. If she asks; you could tell her what I just told you; if you don't mind."

"Okay. If she asks or if I hear her mention that she has not heard from you; I will tell her."

"Thanks." Tim smiled so sweetly at her; Ziva felt led to lean over and kiss him on the cheek.

Ziva was greatly relieved to have resolved this issue. McGee was one friend she would hate to lose.

It was good to know that their friendship was once again on solid ground.