Tony stepped off the last stair in Gibbs's basement numbly and collapsed pathetically onto the step. He put his face in his hand and mumbled quietly, so Ziva could barely hear him as she sat down beside him.

"I couldn't protect them. They're gone." He said and Ziva jerked his hands away from his face angrily. Tony lifted his head and stared at Ziva's face. She was doing something she never did, she was loosing control. She had tears running down her blood red face and had a look of fear and anger in her eyes. She still had a strong hold on his wrists; he would probably have bruises tomorrow.

"No, Tony! Do not say that! No! They're not gone!" She yelled half-angry, half-scared. Tony let his own tears fall, half from the distress he made Ziva feel, and half from his own fear and anger at himself.

"I know, Zee, I'm just worried." He said, his voice cracking a bit. Ziva nodded slightly and buried herself in his arms. He pulled her into his lap and turned on the step where the wall was supporting his back. Tony rubbed Ziva's back and ran his hand through her hair; he had never seen her lose control like this, never.

"I'm sorry, Zee." He whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"I know, Tony." She mumbled into his chest. Tony shirt was becoming damp, she was still crying. He lifted her head.

"Then why are you still crying, Ziva?" He asked sympathetically.

"I love them, Tony. They are like my own children to me. I want them back here with us, Gibbs, and the team, where they're safe." She said quietly. Tony smiled sadly.

"They are your children, Zee, and we will get them back." Tony said firmly.

"Thank you, Tony." She whispered.

"Of course, Zee. I love you." He whispered back and kissed her softly. She laid her head on Tony's chest.

"I love you too, Tony." She whispered. A few moments later, the basement door opened and McGee walked onto the first step of the ones leading down to Gibbs's boat.

"Gibbs said you need to do the sketch now, Ziva." He said nervously. He didn't want to upset her.

"Okay, McGee." Ziva said, her voice still cracked from crying. She didn't lift her head away from Tony's chest and she felt Tony run his hand through her hair gently.

"We'll be up in a minute, Tim." Tony said. McGee nodded, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. Tony never called him Tim, ever. It was always probie, McGee, or some jacked up nickname like McGeek, McGoo, or Probie Wan Kanobie. Tony looked at him oddly, noticing his puzzled expression. McGee shook his head slowly, clearing himself of his random thoughts, and left the basement.

"You have to do this, Zee." Tony said tenderly and kissed the top of her head.

"I do not want to, Tony."

"I know, honey. I'm sorry, but I'll be there. You have to do this for Marshall and McKenna."

"I know." Ziva whispered and Tony nodded. She stood up and walked out of the basement, without a backwards glance at Tony.

Ziva looked at the computer screen after giving McGee the details of the man's appearance.

"That's exactly what he looked like!" She yelled, more hatred coursing through her body for that man than any other. Tony felt the same way.

"You sure, Ziva?" McGee asked, confirming.

"Yes, McGee! I'm sure!" She yelled again.

"Okay, then. I'm sending it to Abby. I have to go. Gibbs said to leave you all here, we'll let you know if anything comes up." McGee said and closed his laptop. Ziva and Tony nodded and McGee left. Tony kissed Ziva lightly when he had closed the door.

"You did well." He mumbled and Ziva pulled him down harder against her lips.

"No, Zee." He whispered and Ziva frowned.

"Please, Tony." She pouted. She looked kind of cute, but Tony would never tell her that, he didn't feel like dying anytime soon.

"Zee…." He said warily. It was hard to deny her anything, especially sex.

"Come on, Tony. Please, it will make me feel better." She said, and she was serious, it would. Tony sighed; she was breaking down his defenses, and fast at that.

"Ziva, its Gibbs house, if he catches us we'll be dead... literally." Tony said seriously, it was a stupid idea. He really didn't understand how he was being the rational one right now, though. He was never rational when it came to sex, what was happening right now. He looked down; thinking for a moment, then turned his head back up. Ziva looked at him seductively; it was that look she knew he couldn't deny.

"We just won't get caught." She mumbled as she pressed her lips firmly to his. She moaned and finally gave in. He lifted her up quickly, carrying her to the basement. He had always wondered what sex on a hand made by Gibbs boat would feel like, but he didn't know if now was the time to see.