Okay... New chapter. Sorry it has been so long, but I was super busy with college assignments. Anyways. This chapter was inspired by a song by Thriving Ivory called Long Hallway With a Broken Light. Bit of a Tiva chapter. Please R&R. Oh, and I would like some input as to where you'd like to see the story go... I might end up adding some of that into the mix; although I already have a pretty good idea. Next chapter might be up by the end of the week =)

"Tony, when are you going to tell him?" came Abby's voice from the other side of Ziva's bed. It had already been three days since the accident. Ziva was still unconscious; Abby was lying on her bed. After she had begged and begged, plus a word from Gibbs, the attending physician allowed Abby to be moved into the same room with Ziva, since she was no longer in ICU.

"Tony."

Abby, why would you ask that? Why now?

"Tell who what?" he whispered, letting go of Ziva's hand, and moved to sit on Abby's bed.

"Gibbs, Tony. When are you going to tell him about Ziva?"

"What about Ziva?" she looked at him, but he knew where she was going with this and looked away. I'm not saying anything Abby. Not a soul will ever know what is going on inside this head.

"Tony!"

"Abby… there's nothing going on between Ziva and I. How could there be Abbs? We're partners. I mean, we've been through a lot together, but that doesn't mean anything. Why would you think-?"

"Because! You've been dead worried about her. You have not left the hospital; you hold her hand as often as possible. And you keep looking at her – don't think I haven't noticed Tony. You're doing it right now! And besides, it's Ziva. But wait—" she said thinking, "You aren't together! But you, oh Tony, you care about her more than just partners or friends… And you haven't told her." She finally slowed her mini-rant.

Tony just looked at her, letting her know that she was right. And Abby could see that he was being torn.

"I'm sorry Tony," she moved in to hug him, "I shouldn't have said anything. I know how it feels. But you should let her know. She will understand."

...

I'm walking on air, close to you
Through a long hallway with a broken light
And I, I need to know
If you're still alive

Abby was right. How many times had they been there? At that very moment when he looked her in the eyes, telling her everything he felt for her, yet not a single word was uttered. How many times had he had the chance to let her know that he really couldn't live without her? That what he had said in Somalia was true, he would never be able to live without her. And here came this thought that he was not willing to be hurt again. Not like with Jeanne; he did not want to love someone and then it go wrong. Not this time. But here he was in this room, Ziva unable to speak to him, and he was unsure if she even heard all that he was saying to her. Of course, again, he said nothing what so ever as to what he was feeling. He still fed around the bush….

She began to stir slightly. He looked up at Abby, who was fast asleep now, then down at Ziva.

"Ziva?" he whispered. When she did not stir again, he continued talking to her.

...

You hold me like a bag of bones
Wrapped up and underground
Pull me out so I can feel
Make me believe, that one more night's
Not a minute too long when a moment's all I need

She woke up, completely disoriented. She heard people talking around her. More like whispering, but she couldn't place their voices. It seemed like forever, but when she finally opened her eyes the room was almost completely dark. She looked over to the light source and saw a figure on the adjacent bed, asleep with a book in her arms. Abby? She thought

She looked in the other direction, still trying to adjust her vision. She saw Tony on a chair, sleeping, holding her hand. That made her smile. But where was she, in a hospital? Then she remembered the accident, being hit by the car, then the lights went out.

"Tony," she said barely audible. She swallowed then managed to say his name a bit louder.

He moved a bit and yawned. He smiled when he saw she was awake.

"I thought I heard you stirring. I had called the nurse in, but she said it was nothing." He let go of her hand and she felt the cold air touch her skin. He sat on the edge of her bed.

"am I?

"Yea, you're in the hospital."

"How are you feeling?" he asked, gently reaching for her face. She made a sudden movement that made him take it back.

"No, it's fine," she said in a whisper, "I just… it was a reflex."

He tussled her hair playfully a bit, then tucked a strand behind her ear, clearing her face. She smiled slightly. "So… how are you feeling Ziva?"

She tried to laugh a bit, "Like I've been his by a car," and he laughed with her, as quietly as possible so not to wake Abby up. She just admired him, that beautiful DiNozzo smile that he had. "Tony, how long have I been in?"

"Out, you mean? As of tonight, three days."

"That long? I mean the car was just barely hit. And then it flipped. I've been in worse." She knew it was bad, but didn't want to admit it to herself.

"Yea, not this time. Doctor said it was the shock of being slammed by the car on one side, and then it hitting the guardrail and flipping over."

"How's Abby?"

"She's fine," they both looked over at her, "Few battle scars, but she'll be okay."

"I'm glad." She closed her eyes, and Tony thought she had fallen asleep. He began to move away, but she pulled him back by the hand.

"Have you been here all day?"

"Almost all three days. Gibbs, McGee, even Ducky and Palmer have been in and out."

"nhm," she started to doze off again.

"You should get some sleep," he said looking at his watch. 3:30am.

"No, I have to talk to Gibbs," she said sitting up.

"Hey, hey, hey. Not so fast my little ninja. You need rest." He said gently pushing her back to rest.

"But I have to…" she protested

"Not today." He caressed her cheek, looking at her again. The same way he so often did, but he would not tell her. Not today.

"Tony," she said softer than ever.

"Yea?"

"Thank you" she said, with the same look in her eyes that he so often gave her. He began to move in closer, she saw it coming. Her heart began to race and the machines she was hooked up to began beeping loudly. He moved back apologizing as Abby woke up scared to death and the nurse came in.

"Miss David, you have joined us," she said moving around from here to there, checking vitals, machines, and everything in between. "Well, you look fine, I should say. If the machine goes off again just press this button." She said.

"Thank you," Ziva managed as the nurse moved out and Abby began to fall back asleep.

Once the nurse was gone, Tony sat next to Ziva again, on her bed, "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have."

"Tony, it's okay. You don't need to apologize. I… I didn't mind it," a shy smile playing on her lips.

When she said that, he moved in again. The machines once again began beeping as her heart fluttered, but Tony just reached over and pushed a button. He cupped her face in his hand, and kissed her softly.

Meanwhile, Abby, pretending to be asleep, could not help but smile.

There it is. Hope you liked it =)

Guys, I'd totally love some reviews here. I am dying. I don't know if I should keep going with the story or leave it here... PLEASE REVIEW! (AND SERIOUSLY, ANY IDEAS?)