As soon as Crandall and his men disappeared over the ridge, Shannon came out onto the porch followed by Kelly. She thanked Tim profusely by hugging him while laughing with embarrassment at Tim's devoted protection towards her family. Sadly it was becoming a common occurrence. She then rode off to locate Gibbs and Tony to bring them up to speed.

Tim sat back in a chair on the porch looking confused. "I don't understand what spooked Crandall and his men to leave that easily. I'm not a scary looking guy and I was outnumbered four to one. I would think he'd want to search the inside of your home..."

"You can say 'our home', now Timmy." Kelly corrected him. "Me and ma had our guns stickin' outta them windows, to help scare them away." Kelly pointed to the open windows behind them with her thumb.

"Oh." Tim smiled slightly abashed that he hadn't noticed at the time.

"Timmy come with me to the barn, I hafta milk ol' Mildred. You can help."

Tim followed Kelly, thankful for the simplicity of a routine chore to take his mind off Crandall's visit. He needed time to collect his thoughts. Ziva was missing and he didn't know if he should be rejoicing for her escape or worried for her safety as she was now facing the dangers of the uncivilized, open land outside the town of Eagle Bend. Then again, it was possible she caught a train if she was able to get a hold of some money.

"Is it always this crazy around here Kelly?"

"Only since you arrived Tim."

Tim stopped, taking off his hat to scratch his head. "Gees, I'm sorry I've caused so much disruption. It seems like just yesterday when my life used to be normal."

Mildred mooed as Tim and Kelly entered the barn, sliding the door wide open to allow the sun's light in. Tim grabbed the milk can off a hook on the wall handing it to Kelly, deep in thought.

"I dunno, I was gettin' bored lately and since you appeared...life has been everythin' but borin'. I'm just sorry it's all at your expense. I can't wait till I tell my friends Becky and Mary Beth at school all about you. Becky has a thing for tall blondes, she'll love you." She stifled a giggle looking over her shoulder at Tim to find he hadn't been listening, but staring at a knothole in the wall. "Tim! Hey! Are you in there?"

Tim brought his attention back to Kelly. "I'm just worried about my friend, Ziva. I hope she's okay."

"Well, all she has to do is hang out with the likes of you and she'll be safe. As for you bein' safe? I'm not so sure."

"What I should be doing is heading out to look for her. I hate the thought of her having to defend herself against all the rattlers nestled in them ridges and mountains..."

"Oh yeah! There's tons of snakes in. ..." Kelly spotted the worry she just managed to create on his face. "I'm sorry Tim. There I go again bein' too truthful."

Tim set his shoulders upright, his thick eyebrows crooked in a serious curve, as his expression took on a look of determination. "I need to go...do you think your pa will let me use a horse to go find her?"

"Now Tim don't go doing somthin' rash. I'm sure you can discuss it with him when he gets home. They will be more than happy to help you on your search for Ziva. Besides, aren't you too sore to be riding so soon?" Tim placed a hand on his side gingerly, knowing she was right. He was irritated and frustrated with the limitations his injury caused.

Kelly dismissed the situation as she continued to ramble making Tim snort and chuckle towards her comments on the drawbacks of homework to running away from boys at recess time during school. A rustle in the loft above caught his attention as he watched a few lonely strands of straw float down near Kelly as she hadn't taken notice.

"Well, I'm finished here. You comin' Tim?"

"Yeah, I'll catch up, I have to check something first."

Kelly shrugged as a small amount of milk sloshed over the side of the bucket. "I'm gonna start dinner. I like making the biscuits. I'll see ya' inside."

Tim nodded then darted towards the ladder leading to the loft, as fast as his injuries would allow. He took his time climbing up the ladder, wincing every now and then finally stepping over the top rung onto the loft. A figure bolted to his side knocking him on his back into the soft, scratchy hay.

"Ziva?" She lay on top of him wrapping her arms around his neck with a happy, unbridled hug.

"Tim! You're okay! I was so worried when I saw that snake attack you..."

"You saw that?"

"And don't get me started how worried I was after Skeets shot you..."

"You were worried?"

"Yes, so in order to see how you were, I had to steal his horse..."

"You what!?"

Ziva's mouth clamped shut as she crawled off Tim kneeling by his side.

Tim leaned on his elbows. "Do you know what they do to horse thieves, Ziva?"

Ziva clutched her throat. "Yes, I know what they do." She answered with an audible gulp. "But I had to, I was not going to become one of Crandall's ladies."

Tim smiled, proudly.

"Besides, I had to see if you were okay."

"Well, I wish you didn't resort to such drastic measures. Where is the horse now?"

"I tied it in the woods."

"So, you must know Crandall came by here lookin' for you."

"I know. I was hiding by the side of the house aiming Skeets' rifle towards them when they threatened you."

"Really?" Ziva nodded. "Well, you and everybody else."

Tim struggled to sit up but fell back wincing in pain.

"Oh! I am so sorry, I forgot. You're still in a lot of pain, aren't you?"

Tim smiled. "I'm okay. I'm just happy you're here." Ziva helped Tim to a seated position fixing his crooked hat. Tim gave her a lopsided smile. "I was worried about you, too. I've gained some knowledge and graduated to a rifle. I was preparing to come find you."

"You did that for my benefit, Timothy?"

"Well, someone has to watch out for you and keep you in line. You're obviously up to your eyeballs in a heap of some serious trouble. Apparently Shannon, Gibbs' wife, was also involved with Crandall. He beat her and left her for dead, so she knows firsthand what he is capable of. I fear for your life, Ziva. I don't want the same thing he did to Shannon to happen to you."

"So, you've been thinking about me Timothy?"

"Ziva! This is serious. We have to figure out what we can do to keep you safe..."

"Tim, It's almost dinner time! Are you up in the loft? Kelly said you were in here!" Shannon's earnest request from below, surprised them.

"Yes. ma'am, uh, Shannon. Ziva is..."

Ziva pulled Tim close, covering his mouth with her hand. Tim removed her hand giving it a squeeze. "Uh, I'll be there in a minute!"

"Are you okay Tim?"

"Just fine Shannon. Thanks."

"Okay. See you soon." They listened as she left.

Ziva released Tim, huffing a sigh of relief. "I'm not sure it's a good idea to let them know I'm here, yet. Just thought it might be a bad idea, seeing I stole the horse and all."

"Ziva, I can't not tell them, I'm sorry but there's no way I'm going to keep you a secret."

"Oooo, I like the way you worded that sentence, Timothy." Tim rolled his eyes with a hint of a smile.

Sounds of someone entering the barn gained their attention.

"That might be Kelly. I can't keep them waiting." Tim yelled to whoever was downstairs that he was coming. "I'll tell them at dinner time." Tim whispered to Ziva as he crawled to the ladder. Ziva went to grab his arm but missed, sighing in defeat.

Tim scanned the barn when he reached the floor. "Kelly?"

He turned to a sound behind him only to be hit in the head with a hard object, his world fading.