Hey y'all, I'm back. I'm really not in the mood for warm fuzzies right now, but I do want y'all to know that all of the feedback on the last chapter was wonderful, and the concern over my loss was greatly appreciated. I'm still struggling with it a little; yesterday was the funeral, (that's why I didn't update) because watching my grandma cry over my grandpa was one of the most painful things I've ever had to witness. But, enough about that. I'm not too happy with this chapter, because I was rushed writing it, but I felt like I owed it to y'all to update. There's some Tiva fluffiness in the beginning, so enjoy that.

disclaimer: disclaimed. all day, every day.

I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head, over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind, she's on your mind

-The Fray, "Over My Head (Cable Car)"

[July 28, 2014]

6:13 p.m.

Tony DiNozzo has started a new message with Ziva David.

[Tony] Hey! Sooo...I haven't heard from you in awhile. Every time I call or text your cell it says that the phone's been disconnected. Should I be worried? Anyway, I really just wanted to let you know that I love you and I'm thinking about you. Hope all's well! :)

[Ziva] Hi :-) I have been meaning to contact you for a while, but things have been busy! And yes, my phone is off. I will get a new one at some point, so for now, just message me here or call Aunt Nettie! So do not worry...you will get wrinkles!

[Tony] Wrinkles? Not for me sister.

[Ziva] Sister? That is a little awkward, don't you think? :)

[Tony] you know what I mean :D So, how are things? What are you up to?

[Ziva] I have been dancing :) I will hopefully open the studio soon!

[Tony] All of those little girls are gonna love you, ya know that? Are you happy?

[Ziva] Very. I feel...peaceful. It is nice, yes?

[Tony] I'm glad :) send me some pictures, okay? I'd love to see you in action.

[Ziva] okay :) How are you?

[Tony] Hungry.

[Ziva] of course you are...

[Tony] actually, Gibbs has kept us late tonight. I've worked through dinner for the second night in a row :(

[Ziva] Well, tell him that I said to let you eat, because you do not work when you are hungry, Tony.

[Tony] You know me so well, Sweetcheeks :)

[Ziva] That I do :) But really, how are you? It was obvious that you are incredibly...hurt...over this.

[Tony] I'm just glad that you're happy.

[Ziva] Tony...

[Tony] Ziva, I don't really wanna have this conversation again. I want you, and I'm keeping myself busy getting my apartment ready for two people.

[Ziva] are you asking me to move in with you?

[Tony] Honey, you don't have a choice :)

[Ziva] Okay :) I need to get the studio off the ground and then find people to keep it going for me after I leave. And then, I will be home with you, and everything will be how it is supposed to be.

[Tony] alright. Just as long as you're coming back for real...I think I can make it :D

[Ziva] Count to a million, Tony.

[Tony] every day, sweetheart. Every day.

Tony found himself in Abby's lab a few mornings later, which was, for once, devoid of any of the ear-busting noise she called music, and he was perturbed. The goth was hunched over a microscope, analyzed whatever fragment of this or that Ducky had sent up, but the red and white cup that had become a Labby staple was nowhere to be found. Instead, a clear plastic bottle of what Tony believed was water (with Abby, you never knew), sat on the table near where she was working.

"You alright, Abbs?" he asked, and Abby just shrugged. Tony studied her a minute, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Well, clearly you're not done yet, so I'm just gonna go back upstairs..." he spun on his heel, and when she didn't respond, he began making his way out. But, just as he stepped foot on the threshold, he heard a sob come from inside the lab, and he turned to see her shoulders hunched and her head in her hands.

What the hell?

He passed Ellie on the way to the elevator, and pulled her aside. "Hey, do you know what's wrong with Abby?"

The blond looked up at him, quickly extracting her arm from his grasp. "Umm, no. Didn't know anything was wrong."

"She's been crying."

"Oh..." Ellie thought for a moment and Tony could practically see the light bulb flash over her head as she comically snapped her fingers. "Oh! Has she heard that McGee's proposing to Delilah? That could be it."

"Geez, how many people has the Probie told?"

Bishop chuckled. "Not many. But I know that she likes him. And you never know, it could always be something else."

"It's just weird, ya know? She has water."

"Yeah. I'll keep an eye on her though." she assured with a nod.

Tony nodded and smiled a little. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Ellie grinned, and slipped past him.

The team was called into the field later, and naturally, a routine investigation turned into a serial killer investigation which morphed into hunting down a suspect, which put Tony, McGee, Bishop, and Gibbs on all sides of an old warehouse in the middle of nowhere at almost midnight. Typical.

This particular serial killer had a special penchant for little kids, and even the mere thought of it made Tony's stomach churn. He hated the bastard. Whoever the hell he was, Tony wanted to make sure he paid, because those crime scene photos...they were something that would plague his dreams for a long time...

Tony was stationed at the back door, waiting patiently for Gibbs's voice over the earwig to give him the go-ahead, and trying his hardest not to step on fallen leaves and broken branches. The night was still, the crickets croaked occasionally, and there was no wind, and it made Tony think. A little prayer circulated in his mind, something he found himself doing before a dangerous mission more often. It was never anything long or churchy, just a few words to get him by.

Help me stay safe for her.

He repeated it now in his mind like a mantra when he heard commotion inside the building, but remained rooted in place. Help me stay safe for her.

Voices rose indoors. Help me stay safe for her.

"Go."

Help me stay safe for her.

Tony burst through the door, his eyes quickly surveying the dimly lit area, his gun at the ready.

"NCIS!" Gibbs yelled, and his voice echoed throughout the warehouse. "Drop your weapon!"

The two men, who were standing in the middle of the room, nose to nose and red in the face, let their guns clatter to the floor, and Bishop quickly kicked them away while Tim and Gibbs handcuffed. Too easy.

"DiNozzo! You gonna join us?" Gibbs barked, but Tony stayed still, his eyes on the rafters and the loft above them. Ignoring Gibbs, he craned his neck and strained to hear over the grumbling of the two suspects.

He could have sworn that he saw something...heard something...footsteps. Little footsteps.

Then, a shadow.

"Boss," he murmured quietly, and even though he was several feet from him, Gibbs heard and understood.

"McGee, Bishop, get these two to the car and watch 'em." he ordered, and McGee looked like he was about to protest. But one look from Gibbs showed him that this was clearly not up for debate, so McGee sighed, and he and Ellie reluctantly ushered the goons out of the warehouse.

The last thing McGee saw was Tony and Gibbs rushing upstairs before he pushed the grumbling idiot outside, and spared a glance at Bishop.

"-Arghhh...I didn't do nothin," Ellie's man moaned, and the other one elbowed him in the side.

"Shut it."

"You shut it!"

"Don't tell me to shut it asshole. This all your fuckin' fault man."

"My fault?! What tha hell you talkin' bout man?"

"I'm talkin' 'bout gettin' us caught!"

"Shut up!" Ellie snapped, and yanked open the door to the car.

The men snarled at each other as each agent shoved them, wisely, into opposite cars, making doubly sure that the doors were locked and the cuffs were tight.

"Ugh, they're giving me a headache." McGee groaned. The men had now resorted to shouting at each other from the cars, but their voices were muffled by the windows, creating nothing but garbled sounds.

"Me too. And I'm hungry." Ellie responded, and glanced back at the warehouse. "You think Tony and Gibbs are alright?"

"Yeah, they're probably fine. If they needed us-"

He was cut off by a loud sound that pierced the air, and his eyes grew wide. His head jerked to the side, searching Bishop's face and he immediately knew that they were thinking the same thing.

Gunshot.

Cliffhanger because I'm feeling lucky.

Next update will in the next few days; I won't leave you hanging for too long. Let me know what you thought about this chapter!

-Laura