So here it is, the chapter where you find out whether or not Ziva dies! Thanks for all the reviews so far!

By the way, this is totally unrelated, but do any Wicked fans (like me) recognize the title? :)


Tony watched helplessly as the paramedics loaded Ziva's still body into the ambulance. With quick, efficient movements they strapped an oxygen mask onto her face and placed an IV needle into her arm. Tony relaxed somewhat when he saw the mask- they wouldn't have bothered to use it if she was already dead. But he still feared the worst. There had been so much blood! As the paramedics finished up, Tony started towards the ambulance, intent on riding with Ziva, but he stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder- Gibbs'. Gibbs waved the ambulance off with his free hand, and then spoke.

"We'll follow them. Let them do their jobs DiNozzo." Tony was too numb to argue. Gibbs turned to McGee.

"McGee, go back with Ducky and Palmer. No arguments." he said when McGee's mouth opened in protest. "I need you to bring all of the evidence to Abby's lab and tell her what happened. Sign off on everything, and thenyou can come to Bethesda." Just as McGee was about to turn and leave, Tony remembered something.

"McGee, wait." Tony pulled out the evidence bag that now contained the handkerchief that he'd wiped Ziva's face with. He tossed it to McGee, who caught it with a confused look on his face. "Ziva said that the kill- the man spat on her face. Apparently he's Mossad. That should have his DNA on it. Maybe Abby can get a hit." McGee nodded, and then gently put his hand on Tony's shoulder.

"We'll find him." he said softly. He turned and jogged away.

Gibbs started off towards the Charger, and Tony followed, still in a daze. He climbed into the passenger seat, remembering how Ziva had teased him for beating him to it just a few hours before. It felt like that had been a lifetime ago. Tony inhaled deeply, trying to breathe in Ziva's scent. Gibbs started the car, slammed down on the accelerator, and the Charger barreled into traffic, narrowly missing several cars. The two agents sat in complete silence throughout the entire trip to Bethesda.

When they arrived at the hospital's parking lot, Tony leapt out of the car and raced towards the Emergency Room entrance. Gibbs, after locking the car, followed close behind. The young nurse at the front desk looked up at the arrival of the two agents. Her perky expression quickly changed into a nervous one when she saw the hard looks on their faces and the guns at their sides.

"C-c-can I help you?" she stammered.

"NCIS" Gibbs said, beating Tony to the beat. The two of them flipped open their IDs. "We're here to check on Special Agent Ziva David. She was brought in a few minutes ago." The nurse typed something into her computer, and then glanced at the screen.

"I'm sorry sir. She's in surgery right now. If you could just have a seat, we'll inform you when you can see her."

"So she's alive." Tony said, relief flooding through his body. The nurse nodded. Gibbs motioned to Tony, and the two agents took a seat in the waiting lounge. After a few minutes of silence, Gibbs spoke.

"Tony."

"Yeah boss?"

Gibbs paused for a moment, and then he cleared his throat.

"I heard what you and Ziva said. About loving each other." Tony tiredly closed his eyes, waiting for the customary head slap and lecture.

"Did you mean it?"

Slightly surprised, Tony nodded. "Yes boss, I did."

Gibbs nodded. "Well then, I expect you to hold to that, DiNozzo."

"Wait, what about rule 12?"

Gibbs sighed. "Forget about it DiNozzo. It was inevitable; we all could see it coming for a long time, even me. I wish the circumstances had been different, but they're not. As long as you and Ziva keep it out of the work place, and you both respect one another, you have my blessing."

Tony was speechless. That was one of the longest things Gibbs had ever said, and it was very emotional for him, too.

"Thank-you boss." Gibbs nodded, and then leaned back and closed his eyes. However, at that moment the ER doors burst open and Abby flew in, McGee and Ducky just barely trailing in her wake.

"OhmyGodOhmyGodOhmyGod!" Tony suddenly found himself engulfed in one of Abby's infamous killer hugs.

"Abby," he gasped. "Not… breathing…" Abby pulled away, tears in her eyes. She immediately began to babble.

"OhmyGodTonythiscan'tbehappeningIt'llbeokayI''sgottabeokayI''stootoughtodieOhmyGod!" As Abby took a breath, Gibbs got up and hugged her gently.

"Abby."

"Okay, okay, calming down Gibbs." Abby sat down text to Tony, still crying. McGee sat down next to her and awkwardly placed his arm around her shoulder. Abby gave Tim a weak smile, and then pulled out a lacy black handkerchief and wiped at her eyes.

Ducky turned to Gibbs. "Any news Jethro?"

"She's in surgery right now. That's all we know. Did anyone tell Vance?"

"I did." McGee said. "The Director said to take all the time we need. The case can wait. He'll try to come tomorrow."

"Good." Gibbs responded.

"So now we wait." Ducky sighed. He took the chair next to Gibbs and picked up a medical magazine.

The waiting room grew silent as the team sat and waited for news. Gibbs leaned back again, closed his eyes, and to all appearances fell asleep. Ducky continued to stare at the same spot on the magazine, flipping the pages occasionally, but not really reading anything. Abby stared into space, one finger subconsciously tracing the patterns on her coat. Tim, with his arm still around Abby, stared at his free hand in his lap, flexing and relaxing his fingers. Tony stared at the clock on the opposite wall, watching the seconds tick away.

…..

A few hours later, a white-coated female doctor strode into the waiting lounge. Everyone except for Gibbs looked up at her.

"Are you all the NCIS team waiting on Special Agent David?" she asked.

"Da-veed, and yes, we are." Gibbs responded, opening his eyes.

"I'm sorry. Ziva Da-veed. I'm Dr. Chris Jullman, I'll be in charge of Agent David while she's here." The doctor's tired face broke into a smile. "I'm very happy to report that the surgery went well, and that she is stable. Agent David has not woken up yet, but all of her vital signs are good, so we expect that she will wake soon. She also had three broken ribs and her right arm is broken, but we set all of those. If you want, all of you can come see her for a few minutes, but I can only allow one person to stay here overnight."

Tony glanced at Gibbs, who nodded.

"I'll be staying with her tonight." he said.

"All right then." Dr. Jullman replied. "If all of you would just follow me…"

When they arrived at Ziva's room in ICU, Dr. Jullman quietly pushed the door open. Ziva lay in the hospital bed, her face surprisingly peaceful. She had two IV tubes running to her left arm. One, carrying donor blood, ran to a vein in her arm. The other, filled with a clear liquid, led to the back of her left hand. Her right arm was in a sling, and she had an oxygen tube down her throat. Dr. Jullman handed Tony the paperwork so he could stay overnight, which he quickly filled out. The rest of the team said hello to Ziva, (Abby, despite the doctor's disapproving gaze, gave her a quick hug) and then filed out. Gibbs turned to Tony.

"We'll be working on the case back at base. Call if you need anything. Are you good for tonight?"

"I'll be fine until tomorrow." Tony replied.

"Take care, DiNozzo." Gibbs turned and walked out closing the door behind him. Tony pulled the reclining chair over to Ziva's bedside. He carefully grasped her hand below the IV, then leaned over and gently kissed her forehead.

"Love you Zi." he whispered.


Annnnddd... She doesn't die! Yay! Honestly, I just couldn't kill her, I love Ziva! Plus it just wouldn't work too well with the story plot I have in my head... so... yeah. But building suspense like that is fun, and I'm not saying I won't go for more cliffhangers later! Duh duh duuuuuuhnnn... ;) I also wanted to put a bit of sweetness, hence Tony's behavior at the end of the chapter. I'm thinking I'll go a bit lighter for now.

Anyway, be sure to REVIEW!

And show this to any other NCIS fans!

Yeah, sure, you becha!