It wasn't long until Tony spotted the car in the distance, a dark blue beacon of safety. He unconsciously sped up and pulled Ziva the rest of the way.

He helped her into the car and then reached across and buckled her in. She leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. He ran the back of his hand down her cheek before closing the door securely.

He leaned against the driver's door and watched her through the window as he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. His phone finally had reception. He called information and located the closest hospital and then called Gibbs.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs voice echoed in his ear. "What's the status on the reconnaissance?"

"Your two guys are dead boss, we tried to bring them in but things didn't go so well. Ziva took a round in the thigh. We had to hole up for the night and then this morning we ran into their brother. We managed to ambush him and left him unconscious and tied to a tree. I have the coordinates for the local LEOs. Now we're at the car and I'm taking Ziva to the hospital. I'm really,"

"DiNozzo," Gibbs interrupted. "You're rambling, get Ziva to the hospital and I'll meet you there." Tony could hear the worry in his boss's voice.

"Yeah Boss, thanks boss."

Tony slid behind the wheel. He reached out and squeezed Ziva's hand. "Hey," he said quietly. "How are you doing?"

She let her head fall toward him. "I think I'm going to pass out," she slurred.

"Hang in there, the hospital is expecting us, another twenty minutes okay? Stay with me and then I'm sure they'll let you sleep."

"You started to say something back there, what was it?" She struggled to keep her eyes open.

"When?" He glanced at her as he asked and then turned back to the road. He was attempting to imitate Gibbs or Ziva with his driving, he thought wryly."

"You said Gibbs just got the team back together, and then you started to say something else."

"I started to say that I can't lose you again." He didn't meet her eyes when he spoke.

"Tony," she said cautiously. "If you are saying this because I am hurt, or if you are going to take it away tomorrow,"

"Back," Tony interrupted.

"What?" She asked, startled.

"The expression you were looking for is 'take it back' and I'm not going to. I told you that you have eyes that won't shut up. I know you think that I'm oblivious but I'm not. I care about you Ziva, more than I should. I'm afraid though, I'm afraid of ruining everything we have and losing my partner. But at the end of even the longest day I still want you to come home with me and read your books. I want to listen to you criticize my movies and botch all your idioms. I want to be able to touch you. I want to be with you." He looked over at her and saw that her head was turned his direction but her eyes were closed.

"Ziva? Did you hear any of that?" He asked apprehensively.

She nodded silently. "I heard you," she said softly. "And I am going to respond, once I can keep my eyes open again."

"Rest," he rubbed the back of her hand with his fingers. They were only minutes away from the hospital. She nodded almost motionlessly and Tony turned and concentrated on getting her there quickly.

Tony pulled into the parking lot and stopped in the ambulance bay. He knew he would get attention from the staff parked there and he was right. Almost immediately two security guards came out to tell him that he had to move his car. They took one look through the window, saw the blood on Ziva and shouted for a gurney.

Tony wanted to stay with her but by the time he had moved the car where he was instructed she was already in an exam room and the nurse at the front desk wouldn't let him pass. He filled out the standard paperwork and tried to sneak past the nurse but he was stopped and sent to the waiting room.

He paced restlessly, watching as the clock ticked slowly. He was approaching the desk to ask about her again when Gibbs walked through the door. Tony slumped visibly as his boss walked over and clasped him on the shoulder.

"What happened DiNozzo?" He asked, not unkindly. Tony explained the story in detail and then looked up at the clock again.

"What could be taking them so long?" He asked, frustrated with the lack of communication.

Just as he was going to approach the triage nurse again a young doctor stepped through the door. "I'm looking for a Tony DiNozzo," he spoke to the room. Tony approached him and he could feel Gibbs stand up behind him.

"Ms. David is asking for you," he said and turned to escort him back behind the desk. Tony turned to make sure Gibbs was behind him before he followed the doctor.

"Ms. David received a PICC line in interventional radiology. That is a central line that travels to her heart. She is currently receiving a blood transfusion and after that she will need several days of IV antibiotics. She was on her way to becoming septic when you brought her in. Any longer and her chances would have been much worse." He paused at the door.

Tony could see Ziva through the window. She was reclining in the bed with her eyes closed. "The nurse will be here in approximately thirty minutes to take her to the operating room. We will remove the bullet and clean the wound with an antibiotic solution. She also has a hairline fracture of the femur. She will be non-weight bearing for about three weeks. It must have been very painful. How far did you walk?" The doctor asked conversationally.

"About twelve miles," Tony whispered. A lump appeared in his throat.

"Wow," the doctor whistled. "Well, she's a sick girl but she she's obviously tough. She should be all right. You can go in and wait with her until we're ready in the OR."

Tony nodded and the doctor walked away. Gibbs clasped him on the shoulder. "It's not your fault DiNozzo, it's just something that happened." Tony nodded but his heart wasn't in it.

He pushed through the door and sat in the only chair. He reached over and picked up her hand. He thought she was asleep so he was surprised when she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Tony," she cleared her throat. Tony looked around but didn't see a water pitcher in the room. "They won't let me have anything to drink. I'm going to surgery," she read his mind easily.

"Oh, um," he looked away. "How are you doing?" He asked quietly. She lifted their linked hands and stroked his cheek.

"I think I feel better than you look. They gave me good drugs. What is wrong Tony?"

"I'm just sorry," he said simply.

"Sorry for what?" She didn't give him a chance to continue. "You eliminated the threat and you got me here. It was my insistence that we intercept that caused the problem. Please," she turned his face toward hers and leaned in to look in his eyes. "Don't do this okay? Don't carry this around with you the way you carry," she paused, looking for the right word. "Other things. Everything is fine, you do not need to worry."

Tony tried to grin but it was a weak imitation of his normal smile. "Gibbs is here." He changed the subject. "He sent McGee to pick up our guy."

"Alone?" She looked concerned.

"Nah, the locals are going to meet him there, he'll be fine. He made Abby stay at the lab but she'll be here later." Tony started to relax as he talked. He could see Ziva was comfortable. He looked at the window and saw Gibbs standing there patiently. Tony crossed the room and opened the door.

Gibbs walked in and surveyed his team members with a critical eye. Something had changed between them. He was certain that they hadn't broken rule twelve yet, but they were going to. It was inevitable. Tony motioned him toward the chair but he shook his head and leaned up against the side of the bed.

"How are you doing David?" His voice was surprisingly gentle.

"I'm okay but they say I am going to be on crutches for three weeks!" Her voice rose with frustration.

Gibbs just smirked. "You shouldn't have gotten yourself shot then."

Ziva narrowed her eyes at him menacingly but didn't have a chance to say anything as the nurse walked into the room.

"We're ready for you now," she smiled happily at the trio. "You can say goodbye to your friends here and then they will meet you up in your room after you come out of recovery."

Ziva nodded and motioned Tony toward her. She squeezed his hand and gave him an encouraging smile. "Remember what I said and I will see you later, yes?" He smiled and nodded, squeezing her hand in return.

Tony stepped back and Gibbs leaned in. He took her face in both hands and raised one eyebrow. "Do not let him brood Gibbs," she said quietly.

"You worry about you, we'll be here when you wake up," he silently acknowledged her request with an almost imperceptible nod. He gently tapped her on the top of the head. "Next time, you wait for backup." Ziva smiled and nodded.

The nurse injected something into her IV before she could stop her and wheeled her out of the room. Ziva didn't make it through the doors of the OR before she was sleeping soundly.