AN: Wow. I'm pleasantly surprised so many people are reading this story, especially because I know McNozzo isn't a popular ship. Thanks for all the views, reviews and story alerts! Be warned, this chapter is both short and brutal. The italicized type is Tony's nightmare.

Chapter 13

Tony walked into the house, carefully placing his basketball in the rack hidden in the closet at the back entrance to the estate. He looked at it for a minute, ensuring it was in the exact spot, logo facing out and centered. That done, he untied his basketball sneakers and placed deodorizers in them, tucking the laces in. He closed the door, making sure it was shut, then dashed up the back stairs, hoping to reach his bathroom before...

"Anthony." The deep voice pinned him in place at the top of the steps. He slowly turned around.

"Yes, Grandfather?"

"What have you been doing? You reek." The old man kept his distance, but blocked Tony's path so he couldn't get to the safety of his room. "Have you been digging at the dump with the rest of the garbage?"

"I had a basketball game. We won the game for a spot in the championship tomorrow."

"No thanks to you, I'm sure. Always the same, destroying anything you touch. If your coach is smart, you'll stay on the bench the entire game tomorrow. If you even get to attend. I'm sure he'd be happy if I ordered your father to keep you home; it would save him from having to play somebody who never should have been born." The old man's eyes glittered as he sneered at the pre-teen.

Tony felt the familiar injustice welling up. "I had a double-double, led the team in scoring. Without me, the team wouldn't be playing tomorrow." He forced himself to stand tall, to meet the old man's eyes. "Mom would have been there to cheer me on."

"She would have dragged herself out to see such a worthless piece of shit, taking another couple weeks off her life. If she hadn't forced herself to pretend she cared for you, she would still be alive." The old man spat the words at Tony, his hands tightening into fists. "If she hadn't insisted on having you, she'd be alive today." He stepped closer.

Tony forced himself not to look away. Grandfather would never hit him. Only Uncle Carmine would lash out, his fists pummeling Tony's ribs, hurting him where nobody could see. Grandfather only threw words at him, and ducking didn't make it any better. But as Grandfather stepped closer, Tony couldn't help closing his eyes.

When he opened them, he was in the concrete bunker in Israel, Eli David's fierce eyes replacing Grandfather's. "If you had not gone there, Rivken would be alive today," he said. "Why did you? Because you were jealous of him? Because you wanted my daughter?" He moved closer, his nose just inches from Tony's. "You will never have her. She is mine. She will do my bidding. Your Agent Gibbs does not want her now."

Tony opened his mouth, but nothing came out. No quips or smart-ass remarks. He forced himself to speak. "He does."

"No. He will leave her here and I will send her on her final mission." David stepped back. "You will never see her again."

Tony closed his eyes again, only to open them and find himself in Saleem's camp. The dust from the desert was heavy, and he fought to breathe. Through the haze, he could see Ziva. "You should not have come."

"Had to," he gasped before dust filled his lungs, triggering a coughing fit.

"You will die because of it. You cannot undo Rivken's death. I cannot afford to trust you." She closed her eyes. "McGee will learn that too. He will learn that some damage cannot be undone."

Tony pulled his eyes away from her face to see Tim walking away, limping from where Saleem had kicked him.

"No, Tim, come back...."

Tony heard Tim calling his name, felt his hands on his shoulders. He opened his eyes to realize he was in Tim's bed.

"Tony, I'm here. I'm not leaving." Tim pulled him close.

"Tim?"

"Oh, thank god. You're awake." Tim squeezed him into a hug. "You were having a nightmare, a bad one. You were coughing and I couldn't wake you up."

Tony closed his eyes. "Yeah, it was a bad one."

"You want to talk about it?"

"No." Tony pulled the covers up and let Tim lie back, holding him close. He felt his partner's long arms wrap around him and curled into the warmth. They lay there in silence. Not until Tim began stroking his back did Tony realize he was crying. Swiping at the tears with one hand, he turned away, his back to Tim.