A/N: Hey guys I am so sorry this is taking forever to update, I am actually in Turkey right now on vacation. When I am not out basking in the sunshine the internet connection is only available in the lobby so I do not really feel like spending the time indoors. Anyways, here is a little update to satiate your want for this story. I apologise for leaving it on a cliffhanger. Xo

"Can we see her?" DiNozzo asked the medic.

"I would recommend against it right now," he said. "At least wait until she is awake. Wouldn't want to startle her right now."

Tony nodded but did not say anything else. Something still did not feel right to him. He and Gibbs both sat down though as the medic went to speak to the crew.

"Boss, my gut is telling me something is wrong, "he whispered. As Gibbs gave him a look he continued speaking, "Yeah I know boss, but I meant something besides the obvious. I know she is my partner, not my gi – he stuttered over the word – girlfriend, or … wife," he tacked on. "But did you ever just get these feelings about Shannon. Or Kelly? My gut is screaming at me that she's not alright, like she is still in danger."

Gibbs had been about to tell him to shut up but stopped when he heard their names. It still hurt whenever someone brought up his girls, but he knew DiNozzo would not have mentioned it if he did not truly believe Ziver was in trouble. He knew exactly what Tony was describing and just how awful it felt. Hell he had a conversation with a marine buddy of his just days before his girls had been killed.

"DiNozzo, go check on her, but do not disturb her."

Tony got up, thankful for Gibbs approval. He made his way to the small medic room that was in the belly of the Herc and paused at the door. He took a deep breath, but he still could not get over the fact that she was alive. Months of assuming she was dead had fried his nerves. But she was alive; in the literal sense of the word, and behind the thin metal door he stood trembling in front of. He could not shake the image of her slumped in the dusty, blood covered chair as Saleem pulled the sack off of her.

She had gone from dead, to on the brink of death, to safe and alive all within the span of a few hours. It made his head spin just thinking about it. Maybe that's what's throwing my gut off. I cannot even imagine what is going on in her head. Sedation must be like a god send to her right now. I should just relax and wait for her to wake up.

He turned around and stopped. Unless … she is under and all she can dream about is that place, her personal hell. She could be fighting for her sanity right now and I am just going to walk away? No. I will quickly check on her. He finally reasoned with himself and turned back around.

He would take a look at her face; her beautiful but bruised face. If he saw serenity he would leave her be. If he saw anguish he would shake her awake till she came to and her nightmares disappeared back to Somalia. He needed to see her face, the face that he would go to the ends of the world for. All he wanted to do was pull her into an embrace and never let her go. To bury his face into her goddess like hair and promise her that nothing would ever happen to her again. He needed to tell her that he loved her.

Tony exhaled slowly and opened the door. Zivas chest was rising and falling, and with those shallow movements he knew she was still under. He walked silently to her cot and kneeled down beside her. Her face was smooth and her features were slack with relaxation. Tony had never seen her look so peaceful. Gently he picked up her battered hand. He watched the one eyelid that was not swollen shut and she remained still. Slowly, he brought her bandaged hand up to his lips and began to kiss her fingers. Although it was bandaged all the way down to her wrists, some of the skin was still exposed.

"Zee-vah," he breathed. "I am so sorry. Rule number one , never screw over your partner." A single tear escaped his eye and it streaked down his cheek and landed on her ring finger.

Tony closed his eyes and leaned into the side of Zivas face. Even though she had not showered in weeks and she was still covered in a thin sheen of sweat, he breathed in her scent and shuddered. This ghost of a ninja could still evoke his primal need for her.

"Zee," he murmured into her ear praying she did not wake. "You are coming home and you are going to be safe. I promise you this." His breath hitched but he continued whispering to her. "All I want is to curl up on my couch with you and go on a Bond marathon. You know I do a wicked Connery and let's face it; you would be the ultimate Bond girl. Vesper couldn't hold a candle to you." His thoughts instantly drove to the image of Ziva undercover at a club in Morocco. He had not been there but he had still seen the dress she wore. She looked like an absolute knock out and he had fantasized many times about her in that dress. She really would make a perfect Bond girl, curvy body, gorgeous hair, and the most beautiful face. Her attitude alone and the fact that she was an assassin really did make for a cinematic bombshell.

He pulled him back into the present, knowing those thoughts were steering him into dangerous territory. "Zee-vah, you are the strongest person I know. You're going to get through this and I will be with you every step of the way … if you let me."

"I love you." Even in her unconscious state he prayed that she had heard every word.

He pulled back away from her, slightly dizzy from the proclamation he had just declared. Even if Ziva was out of it, it was the first time he had said the words out loud about her.

Something crimson caught his attention and he immediately spiralled from his high. There in her perfect little ears that he had professed his love into; was blood. Fresh, crimson blood. It was starting to drip and his stomach dropped. He was right, she was still in danger and they had only made it worse.