Tim's first thought was the abrupt awareness of excruciating pain he was feeling in his torso, it seemed to radiate through the entire area. He took a breathe but the pain cut it short. He blinked his eyes, the first view of a ceiling, but the lights were too bright. His arm, also ached with a vengeance. He was confused to where he could possibly be, concentrating aggressively with his eyes closed, scrolling through his memory banks to come up with an answer. Driving...the woods, Earl, Lulu...then the loud, growing noise, like steady thunder getting closer until it felt it was on top of them, shaking the walls, turning everything into a scattered darkness. Where was Ziva...Cassie! He fully awoke, sitting up with a start, trying to center.

A sudden sense of comforting presence calmed him; lulling voices surrounding him. He felt guiding hands on his shoulders, holding firm; too weak and sore to resist.

"Timmy? I was so scared!"

"You look like you went a few rounds with The Hulk."

"Is he okay?"

"Why, Timothy, dear boy...let me check your vitals." He felt the coolness of a stethascope on his chest.

"Please lay back, honey."

"He's disoriented because of the slight concussion."

"You did it kid. I'm proud of you." His hair was tossled.

"We are safe. You did it honey. You kept us safe. Now you need to heal. You need to rest. It is my turn to protect you."

A gentle hand lay over his forehead, soothing and caressing. Hands compassionately rubbed his arms, legs. Tim sunk back into the bed able to rest, thankful for the closeness and reassurance of his team; family. Sleep came easy.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Next time he woke the room was dark and the pain had dissipated helping him wake up alert and sharp. He heard steady breathing to the right of him. Ziva was curled up on what looked to be a very uncomfortable, cushioned, yellow chair. Her arms were splayed over the sides of it's arms, her legs bent underneath her as her mouth was partly open, with just a hint of a snore. At least that was the term Ziva insisted he use. 'I don't snore well, maybe just a hint.'

Snore or no snore she was still adorable while she slept. Tim noticed a bloodied bandage on her forehead. Hadn't she told him she was okay? And where was Cassie? Well, he'd have to wait to ask her, she was out cold and there was no way he was about to wake her. He did wish she would have climbed into bed with him, though. She looked so uncomfortable, besides, he really missed her; yearning for her touch and closeness.

He thought back, now, distinctly remembering the frightening noise of the oncoming tornado and the incredible feeling of helplessness that washed over him; tied to the post unable to protect her. But, here she sat, sleeping, breathing, looking just as gorgeous as ever. Sure, her hair was a frizzy mess, she wasn't wearing any makeup, her clothes were torn and dirty but, she was utterly beautiful. She could be dressed in anything (or nothing) and she would always take his breathe away at first glance. He never knew hospitals to have such great scenery.

He rolled to his side adjusting himself until he was comfortable nestling his hands under the side of his face as he watched Ziva sleep; soaking her in as he drifted... He was content knowing she was alive, but he still had a nagging feeling about Cassie...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Ziva stretched with a big yawn, accidentally finishing with a loud sigh. She froze, slapping her hand over her mouth checking to see if she had woke him. He looked like a content little boy, dreaming of cowboys and fire trucks, a sincere smile on his beaten face.

She leaned in closer resting her elbows on the bed placing her chin in her palm to study his face, fix his hair and caress his cheek. She giggled when the corner of his mouth tugged into a big grin tickled by her touch. He mumbled, then finished with a broken chuckle. His eyes opened and was startled to see her face so close to his, then settled back with a relaxed smile.

"Oh Tim, you are finally awake. How are you sweetie?"

"Ahh, not bad, just really sore...tired. How are you? Why do you have a bandage on your head?"

"I'm fine...just a bump...no con..scussions; as Cassie would say." Ziva giggled stroking his hair back then a frown grew on her face.

Tim struggled to sit up, too afraid to ask about Cassie. Ziva laid a hand on his chest.

"Tim, Tim, don't worry, she's fine."

"Are you sure? You seem...sad."

"I guess I'm still dealing with all we went through in such a short time."

"I could understand that. Where is she? She wasn't hurt?"

"No. Earl, Lulu and Cass came out of that cellar, unscathed. Cassie was happy as a lark. She explained to me how she ate jarred pickles and beets, played eye spy with Earl, talked about her adventure through the woods, then the sound of the tornado and how scary it was. But, she had then prayed to God to protect us all. You should have seen her face when she realized God must have good ears to have heard her through all the noise." Ziva took a breathe studying the blanket on Tim's bed then running her fingertips over his arm trailing the edges of the bandage.

"She was very worried about you because you would not wake...and I..was, too. Ducky insisted we get you to the hospital, quickly." A tear ran over Ziva's cheek, she sniffled wiping the back of her hand over her nose.

Tim's eyes were blurry with tears watching Ziva explain the scene he was unable to witness. Sad, he had put her through this. He held her hand.

"She wanted to say goodbye to you...so she shook your shoulder, in her gentle way... ever so carefully. But you were out, Tim and you really needed to go to the hospital...you're breathing was worsening, so...she kissed your cheek." Ziva delicately pointed to a place on Tim's face.

Tim swallowed hard. "She's gone? But...why..where?"

"You have to understand, the case is not yet solved. They don't know if or how many more people are involved. They weren't about to take any chances of someone getting a hold of her, hurting her. There is a big investigation, pending. Gibbs and Tony have a good start on it-"

"But...she's okay."

"Yes. She is okay."

Tim sighed. How could he be so happy and, yet so sad at the same time?

"Will we ever see her again, Ziva?"

Ziva carefully laid her head over his heart, sleepy, but happy she could feel his strong beat vibrate to her very soul.

"I don't know, Tim."