Yay, a new chapter! Sorry to those of you that got alerts for my other stories, I've just been having a difficult time focusing on this chapter. Hopefully you guys like it. Review please, it means a lot. :)

A Dance With The Devil

Ziva cursed as she cut some of the brush out of her way, stumbling over the rocks and tree roots littering the ground. It was pitch black except for the small beam if light that came from her flashlight. She held it tightly, afraid she would lose it.

The cold wind nipped at her skin and she desperately wanted to rest and start a fire. She thought better of it, Knowing it would only give away her position. Instead she settled for pulling her sweater closer to her, shivering slightly. A branch snapped behind her and she instantly turned, gun drawn.

The bushes quivered a little before a small raccoon stumbled out, paying no attention to her or her attempt to shoo it. She slowly turned around and continued walking, muttering under her breath.

As she pushed past the last of the trees she found herself staring at a small winding road. A new surge of hope fluttered in her chest as she stepped onto the asphalt. She walked for what felt like hours, her legs shaking ever so slightly under the strain. A light drizzle was falling, lowering the already freezing temperature.

A noise behind her made her slow, and when she turned around she was nearly blinded by the lights coming from a car. Pulling her hands out of her pockets she flapped her arms, waving the flashlight too. The car crept closer, slowing down when it was just a few feet away.

Ziva hesitated as the driver threw their door open and stepped into the rain. She could feel her stomach twist in knots and tears well in her tired eyes. The name rolled off her tongue, smooth and clear.

"Tony."

It took him a moment to register what was happening, that she was really there in front of him. She said his name and ran to him, their bodies smashing together as he held her close.

"Ziva?" he asked, as if he weren't sure. He pulled her back, cupping her face with his cheeks. He wiped away the tears staining her pale face, fingers tracing over the faint pink scratches.

"It is me Tony." she whispered. He pulled her back into him, rubbing her back and murmuring in her ear.

"I can't believe we found you." he said. Ziva perked up a little and craned her neck to look at the car.

"We? Is Gibbs with you?" she asked. Tony shook his head and walked her over to his car.

"The best I could do was McGee." he told her. She smiled at the mention of another friend and approached his side of the car. McGee was leaning against the door, hands shoved awkwardly in his pocket. When he saw her his face lit up and he hugged her.

"Ziva, I'm so glad you're alright. Tonys been so worried and the fight between him and Gibbs.." he trailed off as an icy glare was shot his way. Zivas head whipped around to look at Tony.

"You and Gibbs had a fight?" she asked, raising her voice slightly. Tony looked down at his feet and kicked a pebble, refusing to look at her.

"Tony, please tell me you did not do anything stupid? And why are you out here anyways." exhaling Tony came to stand by the two, rubbing his eyes before clearing his throat.

"No, I didn't do anything stupid, just immature. And we're out here because we were looking for you. We traced the phone you called me on. When I heard those gunshots," he trailed off, his voice cracking a bit.

"Tony," Ziva whispered, putting a gentle hand on his arm.

"It is alright. I'm safe now." she continued consoling him until he shrugged her hand off, standing straight.

"I know. We need to go, get you back to NCIS." he stated, walking to the drivers side. McGee got in the back, allowing Ziva to take the passengers seat. Tony put the key in the ignition, frowning when the car refused to start.

"Well that's just great, he grumbled." Before the others could reply a deafening blast was heard as the windshield shattered, shards of glass flying all around.

"Get down," Tony hissed. He ducked, peeking over the steering wheel to see, but the dark of the night blocked his view. Another blast came, followed by a few smaller ones. Tony slowly drew his weapon and raised up to fire a warning shot. The road was empty, only their car seemed to be occupying the space. The trees rustled softly in the breeze, an eerie silence falling over the clearing.

"Stay down, both of you." Tony ordered, inching his door open and stepping onto the street. He had Zivas flashlight in his other hand, shining it all around him, bile slowly rising in his throat as his stomach twisted in knots.

Without warning a last shot rang out followed by a shout. Tony could feel the blood seeping through his jacket, white hot pain ripping through his body. He put a curious finger to the wound and his hand instantly retracted, a hiss of pain escaping his lips.

"Tony?" Ziva called, noticing he had dropped the flashlight. He was still gripping the gun, his ashen face soaked in sweat. Before he could call to her his knees buckled and his body smacked into the pavement with a dull thud.

"Tony?" Ziva called to him again. No response.

"Tony!"