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Tony's eyes could barely open. He felt so weak. One would think that this weakness would be less compared to when he had the plague many years ago, but to his surprise he felt weaker. His eyes slightly opened and the bright light of morning crept through. He initially could not see anything but bright light surrounding him. As his eyes soon began to adjust shapes of people and objects began to form in his vision. He only realized a plastic object covered his nose and mouth, the edges fogged up as he breathed. He looked to his right arm and saw fluid pumping into his IV. He noticed that he was in a different bed, in the same row were Ziva was lying; however, the bed from where Ziva laid was empty.
His breathing started to deepen, and a slow panic started to take over him. "Ziv…"
He turned his head to look ahead of him in case she was moved to the other row. As he looked forward he noticed something odd. Half of his right leg was missing. No! no!
Only white bandages replaced his once strong leg, now only his right knee and thigh remaining. No wonder he felt so weak. He noticed a group of porters carrying a bed frame with a woman with messy brown curls. Ziva. That was his first thought and wish of who that woman could be. She looked about as pale as him, but he noticed bandages taped to her side, it definitely was Ziva. Oh thank God!
She was placed in his row a few beds apart but she was close enough for him to see her. She too was wearing a breathing mask and was yet to wake up soon. Tony hated recovery from a surgery, but this of course was no ordinary surgery. His leg was gone. A million thoughts ran through his head. How will I catch suspects if I can't run? How can I walk? Will I be in a wheel chair for the rest of my life? Or will they give me an artificial leg? Ya…I'd prefer the fake leg.
Tony noticed Ziva's eyes slowly opening she too must have seen the same brightness that Tony woke up to. Once her eyes could see, she did nothing but stare at him. "Ziv…a…" Tony tried to say but his weakness overpowered his speech. Ziva slowly moved her arm that was in between them and the two beds that were between them, she reached it out as best she could as a gesture towards Tony. Their sight form each other was suddenly blocked by more patients dropped off by porters into the two empty beds in between them.
-x-
A few days had past and there been no luck for Gibbs and McGee. Gibbs began to wonder if they could be at a hospital out of the area. It would make sense since so many needed caring for and there is not enough room here. His borrowed phone started to ring as he and McGee to a break just sitting on the hard hot concrete floor next to the last hospital they would visit in the area.
"Ya, Gibbs."
"Gibbs! Any luck?" It was Abby. Her voice was lower than usual, he could tell that she hadn't had any sleep.
"No, Abs. Nothing yet."
"Well then I have some information that might be useful! The search and rescue team found around twenty people stranded 5 miles away from the resort. All were injured some pretty bad and they were taken to three different hospitals, the first is the one you are at now and the other two are 20 miles from here in another town."
Gibbs's heart started to beat rapidly. There could be hope!
"That's great Abs!"
"No problem, give the phone to McGee and I can give him the address…oh and Gibbs!"
"Yes, Abs?"
"Find them! Please just find them now!"
"We will! We won't rest till we do!"
He handed the phone to McGee, and started walking towards the cab they were lucky to get. Once McGee got off the phone, he told the driver where to head. Gibbs was determined that they were there somewhere.
-x-
Tony was finally able to sit up straight. His colour was coming back in his face, and he noticed that Ziva's was too but not as fast as his. He looked at the wheel chair that he had been using to travel to the bathroom which stood beside his bed. He grabbed his IV stand and attached it to the chair. He slowly tried to sit into the chair for the first time without assistance. Both arms held the two handles of the chair. He faced his back towards it. He moved his free leg to balance himself and was able to sit successfully. He unlocked the chair and turned it towards the hall. He started travelling towards Ziva's bed, and turned to stop right beside her.
"You okay?" He asked softly.
Ziva nodded her head slowly. Her breathing mask was no longer needed, so she was able to turn her head completely and look into his eyes.
"Any news on McGee or Gibbs?" she asked with a hesitated shudder.
"Nothing. I asked the nurses to check the names but they aren't here. They could be anywhere."
"I lost him Tony…" Ziva finally admitted after holding in the guilt for so long.
"lost who?"
"McGee. He was with me during the large flood and then the water pulled me underneath and I was under it for a very long time. I realized how far away I was from where I last saw him. So I hung onto that tree you found me in until the water stopped. He was with me…"
"Don't you dare blame yourself! There was nothing you could do."
"But he was in my grasp, Tony! He was holding my hand and then…I still have nightmares…just…what he may have went through…he could have been crushed, he could have been hit…I do not know….he was right there!" Ziva began to sob as those words exited her mouth.
"Shhhshshsh, it's okay! He's McGee, he may not look it but he's tough. Hell, anyone who has lasted my tormenting for so long has to be strong!"
Ziva grinned at that last comment and hoped that Tony was right. Tony grabbed her hand and kissed it. He continued stroking her thumb as they just looked at each other.