18.
Tony heard the villains of the piece clambering up after him and fought to stay ahead of them. His breath was becoming increasingly labored. He feared that his lungs were freezing from the icy air, but there was nothing he could do, so he fought on.
He stumbled again, grabbing at the nearest tree limb to keep from falling flat on his face. At this point in time and with no feeling below his knees, Tony didn't know if he'd be able to get back on his feet if he fell.
He was beginning to have doubts as to his surviving this one. Of course, once Gibbs got done with him for all his screwups in this situation, he might wish he hadn't. Survived, that is. He leaned against the tree, panting. He fought back a cough, pushed himself upright and began again.
C'mon, boss. It's time to come to the rescue. Hope you found Laurel. Wouldn't want her to be left in that dark scary escape tunnel for too long. Don't much like the dark myself. Not since Dad put me…no, I'm not gonna remember that.
He was marking his progress tree by tree, falling against the brittle bark and bouncing off to make his way to the next one.
Can I make it? Of course I can. Gibbs would kill me if I just laid down and went to sleep. God, I'm tired. Hey, boss, you gonna come get me?
He almost tumbled down the far side of the hill when he reached the crest without warning. Tony stood looking down both sides, searching for help. Unfortunately, he saw none.
Of course, I can't see for crap. Too bad I didn't bring skis. I could've slid down the other side and made it all the way to the Navy Yard. Well, maybe not that far…
He began coughing, unable to stop. It was an experience he had hoped to never repeat after his bout with the plague. He fell to his knees, lightheaded from the effort he was expending to catch his breath.
I can't go on much longer. I really need a little help here, boss.
He fell back against a large boulder. With fumbling fingers, he pulled the knife from his belt buckle. Although he knew that the Giles woman and her sidekick were carrying guns, he hoped to get one of them before he was killed.
Really should've had Ziva teach me how to throw a knife. Could've had a boot one. Of course, Billy took my shoes. I really don't feel so good.
He began coughing again, his blurry eyesight fading to black pinpoints as he fought to stay conscious. Tony grabbed a handful of snow and put it in his mouth, sucking on the water as it melted. He looked up to see Annabelle Giles reach the hilltop, her gun aimed at him.
Tony's fingers dug into the snow, feeling a rock of fist size. He was too out of breath to make any of his usual quips. Instead he flung the rock at her and rolled over the hill in a last ditch escape attempt. He barely heard the gunfire, not knowing if it was reaction or aimed at him.
He rolled over and over, losing all sense of direction. Sky, snow, sky, snow, rock. Tony's head connected with said rock with a decided thump and all went black.