Tiva: A Love Story

Chapter title: Stay With Me, Part 2

Author: tivamcabby5

Rating: T (well more like K++ but that doesn't exist)

Disclaimer: NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. I do not own NCIS or any of its characters, but the story is mine.

Summary of previous chapter:

He quickly swam the distance and scooped up the tiny puppy into his strong but tired arms. He turned back to swim to the ledge, fighting against the strong current.

He was getting closer, closer.

He struggled to hold the puppy up as he reached for the wall. He reached for a vine growing on the wall, but his hand fell inches too short. He could hear his team calling his name.

He was just reaching for the wall again, when suddenly a huge roar came from behind him and launched him forward in the water. Tony took a quick breath before being shoved underwater by the wave.

Then, everything went black.

"Breath, DiNozzo, BREATHE!" Gibbs shouted at his senior agent. "Dammit, Tony! I am not going to let you die and leave Ziva and two baby girls all alone." He continued to do CPR while McGee ran off to meet the paramedics that had just arrived.

"Paramedics are here, Boss," McGee said, sprinting back towards the ledge over the river.

"We got it, Sir," a paramedic said to Gibbs, noticing how distraught he was.

Gibbs let them take over and stood up to get out of their way. He walked away to collect himself and sat down on a nearby rock to call Ziva.

He pulled out his water-logged cell phone and threw it on the ground when it wouldn't work. He put his head in his hands and tried to calm down.

Noticing Gibbs' dilemma, Ducky silently walked over to him and held out his own phone. "He'll be okay, Jethro," he said softly.

"Try telling Ziva that, Duck," he whispered, pressing the numbers of Tony and Ziva's home phone. He held the phone up to his ear and waited.

Unconsciousness is easy. It is relaxing. It is peaceful, kind, gentle. Except when you have someone trying to crush your ribs when they press down on your chest. There was so much pressure, building up in his chest and head and everywhere. He thought about the water, the dog, and the rocks. The dog. Wait a second. The dog! Where was the puppy he had rescued? Or not rescued? What exactly had happened after the lights went out?

What would happen to his family if he died? He couldn't leave Ziva. He couldn't leave his baby girls. Three months old, and if he died, they would never have a father. He couldn't die. He sort of remembered that being shouted at him, but he wasn't sure who had done it.

He felt another extra strong push on his chest, and then someone was putting their mouth on his, pushing air into his lungs. What was this? The only person who was supposed to have their lips on his mouth was Ziva. And Ziva was not here. Ziva was at home, with his baby girls. He thought of Allie and Giana, and how much he loved them. How much he loved Ziva. He would do anything for any of them, and that included not dying.

He felt more pushes, and then he suddenly started to cough uncontrollably. His eyes flew open.

"Ducky?" Ziva asked, confused as to why the doctor would be calling her during the work day.

"No, Zivers It's Gibbs."

She could tell by his tone of voice that something was not right. "Gibbs? What is wrong? What happened?"

"It's…" He knew she would freak as soon as he told her. "I need you to meet us at the hospital. Call Abby and have her pick you up."

"The hospital?" Her voice got slightly higher. "Gibbs. What happened?" She took a deep breath. "Who?"

Silence.
"Oh, dear God," Ziva whispered. She knew. "Tony."

He had no choice now but to tell her everything he knew. "He was in the water, hit his head, I think," Gibbs said before he paused. "We pulled him out, started CPR…the medics are with him now." He heard no answer. "Ziva? You there?"

"Yes, Gibbs. I am here." He could tell she was struggling not to cry. "What hospital? Monroe University?" she asked. She continued, not waiting for an answer. "Good. That is a good hospital. I just have to get the girls ready and I'll call Abby and then-"

Gibbs interrupted her rambling. "Ziva."

"What was he doing in the water?" She tried to stay calm.

"Listen, Ziva," he said softly. "I'll tell you everything later. Now, you need to be strong for Tony and the girls. He's going to be okay, Zivers."

He heard her sniffle. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll meet you there."

Click.

A/N: okay, I know it's exciting (at least I hope it is), so I'll try and update ASAP!!!!

But I got two chapters tonight! Yay me!