A/N: Thank you to everyone who's stuck with the story so far. I know I haven't updated for aaaagesss, I'm sorry. :(

I have only managed to find the time to update cos I'm ill! Anyways...here we go!

Chapter 11:

Tony's apartment:

We sat, sprawled out on the sofa.

An empty pizza box was balancing on my knee. The credits from the 'Sound of Music' rolled up the screen. I had let Ziva pick the film and the pizza, she needed a break and to be selfish for once in her life.

Towards the end, she had become droopier, ending up leaning against my left shoulder fast asleep, pinning my arm to my side.

Now she was snoring softly, oblivious to her surroundings.

I was kind of proud that she had felt relaxed enough to put down her defensive walls and to let me see the weaker side of her.

My arm twitched slightly, having had the blood supply cut off and I felt the urge to move it as a pins and needles sensation set in. However, as much as I wanted to free my arm, I didn't want to awake Ziva from her peaceful slumber.

I slowly twisted, manoevering myself around her slowly, and in doing so, knocked the tv remote onto the floor with a loud thud. I held my breath.

'Tony?' Ziva said sleepily.

I cursed my non-existant ninja skills under my breath.

'Yeah?

'What time is it?'

'Um…11 o'clock.' I replied.

'Hmmm.' She mumbled before promptly falling asleep again.

I knew what to do this time.

After standing up and switching off the T.V, I turned and swiftly yet gently gathered Ziva in my arms.

I paused, she didn't stir from her slumber.

I carefully crossed the room, towards my bedroom, wary of the figure in my arms.

Approaching the large double bed, I somehow managed to stoop and pull back the duvet, before tenderly laying Ziva down in the bed.

I repositioned the duvet over her prostate body, before standing back.

She looked so peaceful, breathing deeply with a serene look of her face. I hoped she was having sweet dreams.

I lightly walked out of the room, leaving the door ajar, just in case. After getting a pillow and blanket from the cupboards, and preparing them on the sofa, I lay down. Shutting my heavy eyelids, I reflected on the past few weeks, feeling more positive about Ziva and I. And within thirty seconds, I drifted into sleep.

Ziva:

I sat in the corner of the room, leaning my tired body against the cool mud walls.

My clothes were torn up and almost non-existant, but they were the only remnants of the belongings I once had, as well as my dignity and pride. My skin was already crusted with weeks of dirt, dust and sweat, as well as being covered with blotchy bruises, varying from blue, purple to yellow-green. My whole body ached.

I stared blankly at my surroundings, and idly watched the small dust moats floating gently through the air. They aimlessly drifted, wherever the stifling air would take them, not influenced by time, emotion or need.

My eyes followed them, as if by hypnosis, the only thing I could do to forget the pain.

The physical pain.

The emotional pain.

The humiliation.

The pain of not knowing.

The pain of waiting.

The pain of remembering.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps getting louder, coming towards the room.

I shut my eyes, praying it was a dream.

The stiff iron bolts of the door were slowly slid back with a grind. And the person stepped into the room, then Saleem's sinister voice filled the room.

'Don't pretend I'm not here, sweetie. You can't get away that easily.'

And with that, he walked closer and closer until I could smell the familiar and sickening stench emanating from him.

I shut my eyes tighter and hunched myself further into the corner, willing the walls to protect me.

He came closer and knelt down, only a few inches from my face. I could feel his breath against my skin. And even with my eyes shut and my hands over my head, I could see his black cavernous eyes boring into my soul…

Tony's POV:

I awoke with a start to a bone-chilling scream coming from my bedroom.

Ziva.

Without even thinking I launched myself off the sofa and sprinted towards the sound.

I found her sitting bolt upright, the duvet twisted around her body, screaming for her life.

'Ziva. ZIVA!' I half said, half shouted.

Her eyes were unfocused, blankly staring ahead. A sheen of perspiration coated her, and she was shaking uncontrollably.

I took hold of her shoulders firmly yet gently, and gave her a little shake.

'Ziva,' I urged, 'Ziva. It's okay, you're here and you're safe.'

With a start, she woke up and her gaze focused on me.

'It was Saleem.' she whispered, before starting to cry in my arms.

Okay. :D Please PLEASE review. It means so much, to know what people think and to know what ideas they have.

Thank you to the people who reviewed the last chapter. :) And to my friends who have nagged me to write another chapter. ;)

I have loads of exams this month, and in the next few months, so I can't promise to update for a while, but I'll try! :)

See ya!