Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/N: I am so, so, so sorry for not updating sooner! I had my final exams at school and really couldn't afford to spend anytime catching up on this story. Although I did come up with more ideas which I promiseyou will be shocking! They'll be answers, lots of them, but also a bit more mystery! So please people, any ideas you have, anything at all, would be greatly appreciated so I can get this story out quicker! Gracias amigo!

Chapter 11

Tony clutched the phone to his ear, unsure if what he heard was right. Grace escaped from the hospital.

"Tony? Are you still there?"

Tony snapped to attention, "Sorry Rachel, I'm here." He sat up straighter in his chair, flicking on the lamp beside him, the glow suddenly illuminating the immediate area around Tony. Rachel talked some more but Tony barely heard her. He wasn't sure of what he was feeling right now, he was confused by all the emotions inside of him. He felt this sudden protectiveness over Grace, something that he wasn't used to. He hadn't even really met the little girl, but he felt a connection to her. It was the same feeling he had when he met Kate, she was so beautiful, and Tony felt like he needed to protect something so beautiful. Grace, 9-years-old and having already been through so much, her innocence wiped away. He needed to find her and protect her, for Kate's sake and for his own sanity.

"Do you want me to call someone, local PD or something?" Rachel asked.

"Um, no, don't do that. I'll head over to the hospital and see what I can do." Tony answered, hopping out of the chair and in one swift movement grabbing his car keys and heading out of the door. He paused as he grabbed the door handle, spying the photo that Rachel had given him of Kate and himself, in better times. He picked it up off the counter and headed out the door.

Tony's car still wasn't repaired from the crash, so he still had the rental. He hopped in the car, placing the photo on the dashboard in front of him. He pulled out of the parking space in a hurry, pressing the accelerator as he sped around the corner.

It was around 4pm and the sun was slowly setting, casting an eerie glow over the horizon. Soon it would be dark and it would get icy cold, too cold for anyone to survive in below zero temperatures. Especially a little girl wearing a thin nightgown and in bare feet. He knew that there were search parties out looking for Grace, no-one was going to take the risk of leaving her out there in these conditions, but Tony felt he needed to be there as well, to feel like he was accomplishing something.

He pulled into the hospital grounds, parking the car in a vacant spot and got out of his car.

"I was wondering when you were going to get here."

Tony turned around to find Gibbs standing next to him, coffee cup in hand. "Boss, what are you doing here?"

Gibbs shrugged, "Heard the kid had escaped from the hospital, came to see if there was anything I could do."

Tony frowned, "But Boss, there's no military connection…"

Gibbs nodded, "Yup." He took the lid off his coffee cup, and upon seeing it empty threw it over his shoulder, landing it neatly in a nearby trash can.

"So there's nothing you can investigate."

Gibbs rolled his eyes, "Ya think?" he lowered his voice, "I wanted to see if you were okay. I know that this kid means something to you."

Tony smiled, "Thanks Boss."

"You know I'd help you if I could DiNozzo."

Tony nodded, "I know, no military connection… I understand. There's no need to justify yourself Boss."

Gibbs scoffed, "That's not at all what I'm doing Tony. If I could help you I - "

"I'll help."

Tony turned around, surprised to see Ziva standing there, "What?" he asked.

Ziva stepped up to him, "This little girl, Grace, I'll help you find her. I have significant experience in the area of tracking."

Tony shot a questioning look at Gibbs, he shrugged, "I was going to tell you, but Director Sheppard didn't see the need until you came back from your break."

Tony directed his gaze towards Ziva, "What are you doing here?"

Ziva smiled, "I'm on your team."

Tony shook his head, "No, I mean, what are you doing HERE?"

"I told you, I want to help. Anyway, I'm owed a few favours from people, I'm sure we can find Grace in no time." Ziva smiled at Tony. He hesitated for a second then returned the smile.

"Sure. Why not…"

Ziva smiled again, "Good, we'll go now."

Tony looked from Gibbs to Ziva, "Do you two know more than I do?

Gibbs nodded, "We've already done the hard part. Grace slipped out around midday and headed for the scrub," he pointed off to his left, "just over there. Now I don't want you to go tearing through the trees looking for her, okay DiNozzo?"

"But Boss…" Tony began.

"DiNozzo, a little girl was spotted by some city workers in the middle of D.C. a few hours ago. They say they saw a young girl in a white gown running past the station on the corner of 15th and 10th Street," he paused, "Tony… that's where Kate's old apartment is."

Tony spun around, flinging open his car door and jumping in. "You gonna get in?" he asked Ziva. She went around to the other side of the car and hopped in.

Tony gave a smile in thanks to Gibbs and sped off in the direction he knew so well. He'd travelled this path so many times after Kate's death. He would just sit in his car and stare at her apartment, wishing that he'd been here earlier to wait for her, before it was too late. There was nothing he could do now.

He just hoped that Grace would be alright.

A/N: I know it's short, but I needed something short with Gibbs and Zivajust to fill it in. This is a pretty crappy chapter but I haven't updated in a month so I thought that it's better than nothing... More (better stuff)coming soon! R&R