A/N: Dear Jen D, complaining about how a story doesn't appeal to Ziva's fans is not called criticizing. They don't like it, they are not forced to read it; they have been warned! I'm not supposed to stop writing just because some fans prefer other stories. I'll write whatever I like and I ALWAYS appreciate constructive criticism, but just that; it's not acceptable when some readers just wanna be mean to Tony's fans.

Everyone might see the show and its characters differently; if I don't like Ziva and her behavior and you do, then we don't see eye to eye and you won't like my stories. So, PLEASE TURN AROUND AND STOP READING!

To everyone who's been encouraging me with their words: THANK YOU. I really appreciate your support. It means the world to me, especially since for a few moments there I thought writing was not worth the headache; after all, I get more than enough of them in real life; don't need more just because some people think everybody should like their favorite characters. So, thanks. Your words keep helping me. But you don't need to get angry, either; it's alright. :)

Oh, and in answer to another Guest, regarding the medical information; well, I can't tone it down now. It's kinda too late. But thanks for pointing out those things. :)

Back at the Navy Yard, nobody felt like even smiling anymore.

Not only were they all crazy busy with trying to find Gibbs in time, they were worried as hell for Tony, too. Everyone knew how things looked for Tony this time and the fact that they couldn't even go to the hospital to see the injured agent added to their misery.

The remaining members of the MCRT had to deal with guilt on top of all those other feelings, as well.

Both McGee and Ziva were feeling terrible for the things they'd said to Tony last and couldn't help thinking that their teammate -their friend, if they dared to think that way after the things they'd said- was dying, and his last thoughts must've been how everyone undermined his abilities and that nobody wanted him there.

They were secretly disgusted with their own treatment of their teammate, but neither one of them would voice any of those thoughts; they were too stubborn and too proud to say anything out loud, but that didn't mean they couldn't see the shame on each other's face whenever their eyes landed on Tony's desk and lingered there for more than a few seconds. And surprisingly, both of them kept glancing towards Tony's desk more than Gibbs'. Not that they weren't loyal to Gibbs or weren't worried about his well-being, it was just that they knew that he was at least doing better than Tony and that they hadn't made him feel like crap.

The dull silence of bullpen was broken by Abby who run into their area and almost shrieked Gibbs' name.

"Abby?" McGee jumped from his seat, worried for the Goth' sanity and tried to calm her down before she hyperventilated. "Abby, what's it?"

"McGee. Have you seen it? Have you seen it? O my God, Tim."

"Have I seen what? Abby, please." McGee threw a worried look towards Ziva who'd come to stand near them.

Abby shook her head. "Do you even check your emails? Or maybe you haven't received anything, yet. O my God, I just saw an email from the Dispatch. There are some pictures of Gibbs. O my God, he looks bad, Tim." She was biting her bottom lip. "First, they say Tony's dying and now this. Timmy, the message said they'd send us Gibbs' head. They killed Tony, they'd kill Gibbs, too."

Ziva and Tim were both so shocked that couldn't mutter a word. Luckily for them, Vance was always around since both Senior Agents of MCRT were absent and once again he came to the rescue.

"Agent DiNozzo is not dead, Ms. Sciuto." He announced firmly. "They didn't succeed in killing him and they won't kill Gibbs, either; we won't let them. Now, show me the message." He said and then looked at Ziva. "Agent David, inform Agent Fornell. Agent McGee, you and Ms. Sciuto, start processing the pictures and the email; you might find a lead. Move it, people. Fast." He ordered firmly, sending everyone into motion.

.

It was late at night when they received another message with more pictures of Gibbs, this time unconscious and more beaten up, tied to the same chair; reminding them that they had 10 hours left and that the next message would come attached to a box with Gibbs' head inside it.

But what the arm dealers hadn't counted on was the fact that every computer Tech. in the Navy Yard and even some from FBI were working on those emails and pictures from every possible angle and the second message just did it for them. They finally broke through it and found its source, enabling both Fornell's and Gibbs' team to get into action.

'Bring him home. Tony needs him.' Was what Abby had told Tim before they took off and then Abby went to the hospital to sit with Tony, encouraging him to get better.

Back at the warehouse, where Gibbs was being held, they kept hitting him till they finally got tired of the older man's silence and left him alone for the night.

Gibbs could tell that he had broken ribs; three fingers from his right hand plus two from his left were broken, as well. His head was pounding heavily and he was sure he had a mild concussion at the very least if the nausea and the double vision was anything to go by. He was aching all over, but he was numb at the same time. Somehow, he didn't even care if he didn't survive this one; he wasn't suicidal and he still wanted to keep his promise and kill the bastards who'd killed Tony, but the pain of Tony's death was heavier than anything else at that moment and it made him care no more.

He was unconscious when the sound of a shoot-out teased his ears; he remained unconscious when Fornell and his team rushed into the room he was being held in and he remained that way until the commotion settled down and Tim and Ziva replaced Fornell's men around him.

By the time they were able to rouse him and have medics around him, the only ones in the room were McGee, Ziva and Fornell; all concerned and a little bit distraught.

Opening his eyes, Gibbs eyed them one by one, then frowned and looked past them towards the door, expecting to see someone else who wasn't in that room.

"Boss? You with us?" McGee asked gently.

"Tony." Gibbs' voice was hoarse and low.

Tim looked up at Ziva worriedly.

"Jethro. Hey. Calm down and let the medics do their job." Fornell interfered when Gibbs started to fight the hands that were trying to ease him down to the backboard to assess his injuries.

"Jethro?" he called his friend's name once again and the coldness in the other man's stare sent a chill down his spine.

"He's dead." Gibbs whispered. "My fault." And with that Gibbs' eyelids drooped close and he, once again, lost consciousness; not seeing the worried and sad looks on the other agents' faces.

...

Waking up in the hospital wasn't as painless as it should've been. In fact, it was the pain that finally brought him out of his deep sleep.

"Gibbs. You're awake." Abby jumped from the seat beside the bed and rushed to his side, grabbing Gibbs' forearm and squeezing it tightly. "Thank God. Gibbs, we were so worried. You've been unconscious for twenty hours and you have a concussion which was why everyone was so worried when you wouldn't wake up. Oh, Gibbs." She blinked back the tears in her eyes and bending down, she gave him a kiss and a gentle hug, which Gibbs didn't return.

"Gibbs?" She asked quietly and fearfully when she pulled back. "Are you alright?"

Gibbs' eyes were distant and dead. "What happened?" He asked with no emotion in his voice; not that it was a new characteristic for Gibbs, but this time, he'd taken it to a whole new level of cold and detached.

"Well, we cracked the messages and found where it was coming from. The team along with Fornell and his men came to your rescue. Everyone who was there is dead, except for two who are in FBI's custody for now. But Director Vance said they belong to us and that he'd take care of it. Don't worry, Gibbs, everything is under control now and you're alright. Well, not that you'd worry; but you know what I mean. You have five broken fingers, some broken ribs, some cracked ones and lots and lots of bruises and contusions but you'll make a full recovery." She said almost happily. Almost, because she was still worried for Tony, but she didn't want to show it in front of Gibbs since she didn't want to make her Silver-Fox upset and worried.

Gibbs closed his eyes. "I want the pictures of the scene, including those of everyone who'd died or got arrested."

"You got it, but you gotta wait till you're out of here, which I think wouldn't be later than tomorrow afternoon."

Gibbs finally mustered all his courage and brought up the name that had been haunting him for the last few days. "Tony?" He asked quietly.

Abby's lower lip quivered which only confirmed Gibbs' fears; so, he closed his eyes and turned his head away.

"Gibbs."

"I wanna be alone, Abs."

"But-"

"Abby, leave." He said harshly and very uncharacteristically since he was talking to Abby.

Nodding her head, she got up to leave, but when she reached the door, she paused. "It's bad, but we shouldn't stop believing that he'll pull through, Gibbs. He's lasted this long. He'll be fine."

Gibbs' head turned around so fast that Abby was sure that if he didn't get a whiplash, with the concussion he had he'd throw up any moment.

"What did you just say?" The older man asked with disbelief.

"Huh?" She was confused. "I said he'll pull through. Why?"

"He will-..." Gibbs blinked. "He's alive?"

"What? Of course." Abby's eyes widened as she walked back to Gibbs' bed. "O my God. You thought he was dead. They shot him in front of you, didn't they? That's why you're so upset. Oh God, Gibbs." She once again bent down and hugged him, this time, Gibbs' arm rounded around her shoulders. "I'm so sorry; we should've let you know he is alive, right away. We thought you knew; that's why they brought you here instead of Bethesda; because he's here."

"His blood was on my face." After a few seconds, Gibbs quietly confessed his agony; knowing Abby would understand why he'd thought Tony was gone.

Abby's eyes welled up and she sat down on the bed next to Gibbs. "They just shot him in cold blood, didn't they? They shot to kill?"

Gibbs nodded and then finally got his emotions under control. "They said they'd burned his body. Tell me everything, Abby. How's he? Where's he? What happened? Who found him?"

"A forest ranger." She started with the last question. "He'd thought Tony was dead at first, but Tony is Tony, he never gives up; he's the best." She smiled faintly. "He'd fought hard and against all odds; he was alive when the ranger found him. Two shots to the chest, but you already know that. One penetrated his left lung and it's bad, he can't breathe on his own, yet; but he's hanging in there." She swallowed hard and then looked away; the next part was harder to tell.

"How's that possible? I watched as life left his eyes."

"Well, you know Tony." She shrugged and squeezed Gibbs' arm. "The other bullet... It... It penetrated his heart."

Gibbs frowned with shock. "His heart?"

"It didn't go through and it actually kept him from bleeding out. But it's bad. He... I've heard that he's coded twice during the surgery and almost once between where they found him and the hospital."

Gibbs was sure the temperature in the room had dropped dramatically, because he had cold sweat covering his whole body.

"And... And he's hit his head. He's in a coma, Gibbs." Tears finally started to drop from her eyes. "It's bad."

"But he's alive." Gibbs murmured quietly; that was more than what he thought half an hour ago; he wasn't going to let that fact slip his mind; if he was alive, he still had a chance.

"Yes." She smiled.

"What are his odds?"

Abby didn't say anything.

"Abby." Gibbs demanded more forcefully.

Looking away, she said something under her breath.

"Abby!"

She sighed and forced the words out louder. "Less than ten percent."

Gibbs closed his eyes and cursed.

"He'll pull through, Gibbs. He hasn't fought this long to give up now. Tony doesn't know how to give up."

Gibbs nodded and smiled faintly. Yes, Tony was by far the most resilient man he'd ever known and he was a marine and had served with some really strong and resilient men. "I need to see him."

"I'll go and arrange that. I know you need to see him to believe he's alive and I know he needs you and would want you there." She said determinedly and walked out.

'Not sure about the last part.' Gibbs thought bitterly.

Nevertheless, he needed to see the younger man. He needed to replace the images of a dying Tony and the image of his blood on his face, which he'd seen in the mirror, with some new ones. He was well-aware that he'd never forget those things and he knew that the image of Tony in a hospital bed, unconscious and hooked up to machines would be added to those other haunting images; but an unconscious Tony meant that he was still alive and that was better than the alternative.

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... TBC ...

A/N: I don't really know about emailing something to an agency or what the Dispatch would do with it; maybe Vance should've received that email first, maybe Fornell; but I figured since Abby is the forensic specialist and since she gets more anxious than the others, maybe it wouldn't be strange if she checked the emails first and saw the pics.

Let me know what you think and once again THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your reviews, PMs, alerts and faves. :)

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All mistakes are mine.

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