And I present you with two chapters in one day for everyone's patience. I really do apologize and hope I can get more frequent with updates! R&R!

Thanks, Kellz

Chapter Eight

Room 209

White blinding lights...several beeping sounds...sterile surroundings...something attached to his mouth...these are the senses Tony woke to as he slowly opened his eyes. Quickly, he shut his eyes as his vision adjusted to the light. He felt tied down. The sudden realization that something was helping him breathe when he was quite capable caused him to start choking.

"Tony!" He heard his name being screamed. Then, the sound of a very familiar voice paging someone to come in the room frightened him even more. He heard racing footsteps coming their way to him. Then, a subtle pressure on his shoulder, the familiar voice urging him to relax. The pressure soon was taken away when he was ordered to open his eyes and release a deep breathe. He listened, coughing as the respirator tube was officially removed.

Tony's eyes surveyed the room, mentally noting his surroundings. His eyes landed on his probie, and instantly a relieved smile broke out. "Probie?" He croaked. McGee quickly got a cup of water for him to suck down.

"Feel better?" McGee asked, a half-smile hinting on his child-like face.

Tony nodded, following McGee's gaze. He settled on watching the doctor inform him of the situation and his injuries, ending with a "shocked that you are alive". "Ziva?" was all Tony whispered, ignoring the doctor and looking at McGee. At McGee's downcasted head, his heart sank. She's not dead, is she? Please, God, don't let her be dead. Tony begged to the heavens. I can't live without her.

McGee looked back up at him, watching the pained expression cross over the older agent. "She's not dead, Tony. She's still in a coma."

He sighed, relieved but yet optimistic. Taking a deep breathe and releasing it slowly, he started to feel all of his injuries. McGee only noticed when Tony winced and he pressed the morphine button.

"How's Ton–" Gibbs asked just as he entered the room.

"Hey Boss," Tony said weakly, drifting off to sleep. He heard McGee and Gibbs' voices carry on a conversation as darkness swallowed him.

NCIS

Room 211

A loose grip on her hand, meant to be comfort, was woke the ex-Mossad assassin. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light. Unlike Tony, she didn't require a ventilator, only a breathing tube. Her eyes fell upon her sleeping father, who looked quite uncomfortable. She noticed two guards stationed outside, assuming they were posted for her father.

Her head rolled as she took in her sterile surroundings. She'd much prefer Ducky's patching up to this; but from what she noticed, it was not advised. As she was noticing her surroundings, she assessed her injuries. She was so in tune that she failed to notice her father wake.

"Ziva." Eli David stated, his accent heavy. A brief smile crossed his lips as she turned to pay attention to him. "You are alive."

A darken look overcame her. "Why would I not be?" she said, flatly.

Eli looked at her with surprise. "You do not remember?" At the shake of her head, he explained. "Ziva...the Navy Yard was hit by several bombs yesterday. A lot of civilians are dead and many are injured. Vance has other groups from other offices coming in to investigate."

Her eyes grew big. "What the hell! Where is my team? Where is Tony?" She began to unhook herself from the machines. Eli went to stop her.

"Ziva, my daughter, please...stop. Settle down and get back in bed." He pleaded, guiding her to the bed and helping her get settled. "Only you, Tony, and Doctor Mallard were hurt the worst. Tony is a few doors down and Doctor Mallard is down the hall."

"Tony." Ziva was concerned, hurt, and longing to be near him. She wanted to ignore the pain that she would endure once she got up out of the bed and force her way to his room, but she knew her father would have none of it. Frankly, she didn't give a damn about him. It was her father's look that kept her in place. "I want to see Tony." She demanded.

Knowing she would not back down, Eli relented, a subtle nod prompted one of the guards to get a nurse and wheelchair. Ziva looked relieved and nervous. "Do not push yourself, my dear."

"I will not, Papa." She agreed.

A nurse brought a wheelchair with her and checked on Ziva's vitals before guiding her to the chair. Once she was settled, the female nurse escorted her two doors down.

"Tony!" Ziva released a full-fledge smile when she laid eyes on her partner. Tony jerked his head to the door, a mirroring smile erupting on his own face.

"Ziva!" He excited, relief pouring into his system. They may be hurt, but they were alive.

Gibbs patted her shoulder with a relieved smile. "Good to see you're awake, Ziver." Ziva nodded.

The nurse stopped her wheelchair beside Tony's bed, close enough that they could touch each other. Taking a quick look at the other patient, the nurse looked pleased as she left the group. Gibbs was leaning against the wall beside the door with crossed arms and a relieved appearance and McGee had been sitting but moved near Gibbs when the nurse put Ziva in his place. Palmer was opposite Tony, leaning against the wall. All looked relieved that this most of the team were halfway okay. She didn't see Abby or the kids. "Where are Abby and the children?" She asked, looking expectantly at Gibbs.

He dropped his arms and straightened. "Uh, she's with Mikey and Stella in Mikey's room." Gibbs broke eye contact momentarily. "He got hurt, but he'll be okay."

"I am sorry, Gibbs." She apologized, even though there was nothing she could have done to prevent the boy's pain.

"Don't apologize. Not your or any else's fault, other than the people responsible." Gibbs told her. She could hear the guilt ridden tone underlining.

"You are not at fault, either, Gibbs." Ziva stated, eyeing him and hoping he'd believe her.

Gibbs nodded, trying to keep cool for them; but he knew deep down he was responsible for this mess. Maybe, he could let it go.

Just this one time.

NCIS

Room 235

Palmer slid into the chair beside his mentor's bed. Ducky was in a deep coma. It was evident the hospital staff came to the grim conclusion that Ducky was likely headed to death. Palmer only hoped he would defeat the odds. At last, he thought, if Ducky were to die, he wouldn't be alone when he did.

"Doctor Mallard..." Palmer spoke up, pausing as he tried to gather his chaotic thoughts into one explanation. "Doctor, we really need you to come through. Our team is alive. Gibbs didn't give you permission to die on us. He'll be disappointed, and no one should disappoint Gibbs." Palmer wasn't sure if saying Gibbs' name was the best path to walk down, but he was desperate. "We still need you. I can't hand–"

"Jimmy?" a soft, familiar voice interrupted him. He turned to see Abby standing at the door, alone. She tentatively entered the room. "Perhaps, I can help."

Palmer wasn't sure how she'd be able to help, but if anyone could reach him, he was willing. As she moved closer to their dear old friend, he moved out of the way, slipping over to the other side. Abby sat down in the chair he had been previously sitting in, took Ducky's hand, and started softly speaking to him.

There was still no response. Both were disappointed and the mutual I-hope-he-wakes-soon thought passed through their minds.