Tim ran his heart pounding. He was too far! He would never make it. He knew Ziva was headed towards that side of the building. He had looked up and saw the sniper on the roof. All he could see in that split second was Kate lying so cold and lifeless on that slab. He saw the man turn away from him tracking the distant figure on the ground.
No! Ziva so warm and full of life. He saw her laughing at him, a wooden spoon in her hand as she scolded him out of her kitchen, flour smeared down one cheek.
Tony! Tony please! He was behind the edge of the building and out of his line of sight although he was closer to her.
No! Tim screamed a warning as the powerful rifle was lifted and aimed. The muscles of his body straining and heart pounding as he tried to close the distance towards her. Suddenly at his distant cry the black rifle and scope turned swiftly in his direction.
He heard a sharp crack and suddenly he was lifted off his feet only to slam down on the ground. He couldn't breathe! He …. Couldn't……. Breathe!
Panic started to grip him as he struggled to breathe from the dual impact. All he could see was clear blue sky. How had he ended up on the ground? Tony would laugh if he had tripped again. It was so pretty. The sky was just that blue when they had had that picnic in the park that Sunday morning.
Pain suddenly cleared his foggy brain in a flash and an involuntary scream was ripped from his throat as his body spasmed and twisted trying to register exactly where the pain was centered. Everywhere. He hurt everywhere. His heart was racing and he couldn't think properly and he couldn't breathe and he felt lots of hot liquid pouring down his side. Sweat. Why was he sweating so much? He felt cold not hot.
Ziva! Was she alright? He had to try and help. He tried to roll to his side but his muscles wouldn't co operate. Suddenly there was the sound of pounding feet and Tony was above him, saying something, too quickly, panicked. What had happened? He was tearing his jacket off and holding it too his side. Tim screamed again as the action renewed the sensors telling him something was seriously wrong.
Gibbs was there, kneeling at his side and he could feel his hands on him. He would be alright now Gibbs was there. He would make the pain stop. Where was Ziva? Was she ok. They should go and help her. She was strong and would refuse help if she thought someone else needed it. But sometimes she needed help too, you just had to insist. She was stubborn like that. He wished he was as strong as she was sometimes and as brave.
Suddenly there she was looking over him, panting hard from her race across the open ground. Her thick dark hair had gotten loose from the ponytail she wore it in when she went on operations and fell about her face. He liked it when she wore it down. It was so beautiful and he had often wanted to run his fingers through it. Ziva looked like an angel with the bright sun and blue sky framing her beautiful face and glowing ebony hair. She looked happy and sort of mad at him at the same time, just like she did when she was chasing him out of the kitchen. Tim reached up to wipe away the flour on her cheek with his hand. Why was it so heavy?
It was too noisy, Tony was talking quickly into his phone and Gibbs was telling him to stay awake and Ziva looked like she was crying. Why was Gibbs telling him to stay awake? He wasn't going to sleep. He was on duty.
Tim closed his eyes just for a moment.
Ziva walked down the hallway, silently chanting the mantra she used when walking into difficult situations.
She was iron, she was ice, she was stone.
She was iron, she was ice, she was stone
She was iron, she was ice, she was stone
They all turned and looked at her and she did exactly what she didn't want to do. She smiled.
"He is ok and you will all be able to see him soon."
Several voices suddenly started up with the questions as she knew they would. Ziva raised her hands and facing them, started talking quietly.
"Please, please. I can't answer you all at once" She held firm until the questions died out. Only Gibbs watched her silent, his eyes appraising her. Could he tell the lie?
"First off, yes McGee and I did get married in order for me to stay in the country. He came to see me with what seemed like the only possible solution at a difficult time. Obviously I must ask for your discression regarding this information otherwise all that we have done over the last few months will be undone and I will have to leave the country. I know we have much to explain and we did not mean any harm to come to anyone because of our actions." At this she looked at Abby's tear stained face and kneeling down beside her held her pale hand in her darker one.
"Please understand we did not mean to hurt anyone. We were going to tell you, we just couldn't figure out how." Ziva stood and with a look halted the wise crack on Tony's lips.
"I will explain it all when I get back." Ziva's eyes flicked to the door of the hospital and back. Soon she would be free.
"Get back? Where are you going? You aren't leaving are you?"
It seemed wrong that they wouldn't all be together when McGee woke up from the surgery. It was as if she were abandoning him, even though she knew Ziva wasn't.
Ziva smiled. "I need to go attend to Jethro before he tears up the apartment and get McGee some clothes and toiletries as he will be here for a little while I am sure."
Abby sniffed as she considered the practicalities of this and tried to smile to assure Ziva that she held no ill will towards her.
"You will need to go back to NCIS first. His wallet and keys and stuff are back there."
Ziva smiled quietly and a little sadly. "It is alright Abby. I have my own key to McGee's apartment. I will use that. I will be back as soon as I can."
There didn't seem to be anything to say to that statement and Ziva turned and started to walk out.
"Hey Ziva! Need a lift?" Tony stopped her several steps down the hallway.
"Yes thank you Tony. That would be most helpful." The two partners turned and continued their walk out of the hospital together.
Abby looked up at Gibbs again "She has her own key?"
(Thanks for all the reviews and feedback. I wanted to show some stuff from Tims perspective. I will try and have another chapter soon but i should work on my other stories too! Please let me know what you think with were this is heading )
