Okay guys, like wow! I log on and I see that my email account is 'chock-a-block' with emails. Some of you guys are even putting me on author alert even though this is my first story . But you have inspired me to get this update up here nice and quick. I thought that this story would just crash and burn but it is you guys that have made this story come alive. I am only 14 and so I have not really tried doing any 'serious' writing before but I enjoy it and perhaps it is something I should be doing more of….. As always tell me what you think and enjoy!

Chapter 5

Ziva tried to lift her head, but she gasped as she heard a cracking sound come from her ribs. Se was still strung up but she was alone now. Tony had not returned and in his absence the masked men had set upon her with baseball bats, not really to get her to talk, just to wear her down, make her feel beaten and self-pitiful.

Her torso felt like it was on fire! It hurt to breath, even the slightest movement sent daggers of pain shooting through her body.

The door swung open and Tony was kicked inside, he cried out in pain as he landed heavily on his injured shoulder. The door swung shut behind him with a heavy 'clang'. The sounds of bolts being slammed shut was the only sound that pierced the air.

They both stayed in there positions for a while, not wanting to be the one who broke the silence. But it was Ziva who broke the silence.

"Tony?" She gasped and bit her lip she did not realise how much it hurt to speak, it felt like every cell in her body was being ripped apart.

Hearing her gasp Tony desperately tried to struggle to his feet, his shoulder felt like it was on fire and the long slash that run down his face made smiling painful. Even so he cracked Ziva one of his million watt smiles, desperately trying to make her feel better.

It was only now that Ziva realised that Tony's hands were no longer bound. They must have been untied when the doctor was working on him she thought. He took a step over to her and untied the leather bonds above her head, she instantly slumped and Tony caught her on his shoulder. She gasped and stood straight upright as if thousands of volts of electricity had been sent coursing through her body.

"Zi?" Tony's voice was full of concern, he held her by the shoulders and forced her to look up at him.

"It is nothing Tony" she whispered

He gently pushed her down against the concrete wall until they were both sat side by side.

Tony spun around so he was facing Ziva and slowly and carefully lifted up her T-shirt. H gasped at what he saw. Ziva's torso was covered in angry bruises and swollen lumps. Several lumps pointed out in painful ways, at least 4 of her ribs must be broken.

"Zi…" Tony's voice cracked as his hands softly ran over chest.

"Tony," she placed a hand on his cheek "It is nothing."

They both just sat there for a while, staring into each others eyes, neither of them wanting to face the harsh reality that they found themselves in.

"Let me see your shoulder," Ziva muttered.

"Nothing to see Ziva." At this moment Tony did what he always did at the end of a sentence when he was trying to let a topic slide, he shrugged his shoulders. Of course this was a very bad idea and he let out a gasp of pain.

"Tony," Ziva said more firmly this time "Let me see your shoulder."

Tony nodded once and spun around so now his back was facing Ziva, she carefully lifted up his shirt her hands brushing against his back. Ziva saw the wound on Tony's shoulder. It was red and inflamed. The Doctor had obviously tried to stitch it up but it had been done very unprofessionally and it left the wound open. Ziva ran her fingers along the wound, it must have been 5 inches long and Ziva was very carefully not to let her fingers even brush it in a fear it could cause Tony any more pan that necessary.

"My god Tony I am so sorry!" She exclaimed, she could feel tears forming in her eyes but she furiously blinked them back thankful that Tony had his back to her.

"You have nothing to apologise for Zi," Tony said turning around now so that he could look her in the eyes.

"Yes I do!" She exclaimed "You have lost a finger you have a horrific wound in your shoulder and a long gash across your face!" As she said this her fingers danced along the mark on his face. After she had finished her outburst she hung her head in shame.

Tony carefully with both hands cupped Ziva's cheeks and raised her head so she could look into his emerald eyes.

"You have nothing to apologise for Zi, I entered this job knowing the risks just like you, and if it means that I am put through pain rather than you I would willingly allow that man to cut off all my fingers." She nodded slowly. "Now you get some sleep Zi."

After saying this Tony spun around so Ziva could rest her head against his shoulder. He raised his hand to her head and gently stroked her hair. After a couple of minutes he began to sing softly the children's song that Abby and McGee had discovered in Mossads files, which had ultimately led them to Ziva in Somalia. After 10 minutes he felt her drift to sleep on his chest. He kept humming the song to himself.

Find us soon Gibbs, please find us soon!