Hey guys I'm back, sorry for the wait. I would like to thank Susie666 VERY much for helping me with this chapter. I was (and still a bit) unsure of it so all reviews are welcome, and bare in mind the more reviews I get the quicker I'll update! ENJOY!

He couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Nothing. Oh God…

"Ziva…she's…she can't be…how?" Voice breaking, it was all Gibbs could say. The tears were still falling gracefully down his cheeks as he mourned for his adopted daughter.

"Cancer" was all Ducky said; his own voice sombre. He took off his glasses and started cleaning them on the hem of his shirt, giving Gibbs enough time to compose himself.

"I want to be alone Duck" His voice had returned to its usual chilling tone, however Ducky knew better than to say that the Gibbs they knew had fully returned for he would not meet the older man's eyes. The 'deaf glare champion' was grief stricken; there was only so much one could take, especially after an 11 year coma. So he stood from the rather uncomfortable chair and told Gibbs he will be back in a few hours, just popping out for some Earl Grey tea. And with that he left.

Gibbs heard the door shut, and gave out a shaky sigh. He couldn't think, yet all he was doing was thinking. A happy picture of Ziva, Tony and two handsome children kept popping into his head and then it was ripped to shreds. So no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake DiNozzo's accusing voice telling him it was his entire fault and how things could have turned out differently if only Gibbs had been there.

Another part just kept thinking how the two had finally broken rule 12.

Flashback – 10 weeks after the mission

10 weeks, 2 days, 7 hours and 36 minutes and still nothing. He was exhausted but couldn't sleep, every time he tried, Tony was plagued with nightmares of when it all went wrong, as well as the overwhelming pain from his bloody leg - even watching his favourite movies had become a chore. Thus here he was, staring at a blank screen, rubbing his leg to try and ease the continuous throbbing. So many times had he thought how easy it would be to just give up, but then who would look after the team while Gibbs's out of commission?

Tony had visited him nearly every day, trying (and failing) to make him open those damn eyes. They were all hanging together by a single piece of string and a wreck of a man who could hardly walk was holding it all together, therefore he went to the physiotherapist, did his best to recover and keep a strong face so that he could thicken that string. But that didn't stop him praying that Gibbs would just wake up and save them all, like he had so many times before.

But even Tony had to admit that as every day went on, the chances of him waking seemed slimmer and slimmer. A fool's hope.

His hand stretched out towards the bottle of pain meds on the coffee table in front of him. Shaking two pills out of the tub, he threw them back in his mouth and swallowed. Falling back on the black, comfy cushions, he closed his eyes he willed them to take effect. Painkillers had stopped their strong, crazy effect on him about 6 weeks ago because of his frequent use and the mood he was usually in. Tony sometimes missed its effects because it made him joyful and forget why he was miserable in the first place, but another, stronger part of him was glad because it meant that he could deal with the team while he was on them, he could also hide how frequently he needed to have them – meaning his adopted family didn't worry so much.

A knock at the door brought him out of his stupor, and with a sigh he picked up his walking stick that was lying beside him and limped to the door. Tony quickly recovered his mask and plastered on a smile; he swung it open to reveal his partner carrying Chinese. Leaning against the door frame Tony inquired "And what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit."

"Well you are returning to work on Monday, yes?" Tony gave a slow nod and flashed another smile "So I am here to celebrate your return and see how you are doing, now am I allowed to come in? Before all this gets cold preferably."

DiNozzo moved and Ziva passed, placing the Chinese on the coffee table and quickly set it out, moving the Vicodin bottle to the side. Shutting the door, Tony turned and headed for the kitchen to get beers.

"Are you sure you are allowed alcohol with Vicodin?" eying the beers in his hands as she accepted hers.

"I'm fine sweet cheeks" flashing another 100 watts smile. Ziva's eyes narrowed as she glared at him suspiciously. "What?"

"Why do you keep saying that when you are obviously not?"

Sighing Tony replied "Look Ziva I'm fine. F. I. N. E. Ok, now can we just eat?" he really wasn't interested in this conversation and just wanted to sit down with a bottle of Whiskey and try to have at least a couple of hours of sleep. So, giving another infamous smile, he picked up a box and ate.

They stayed in awkward silence through the whole meal, Ziva scrutinising every move made by her partner. This went on till she finally cracked, slamming her box down onto the coffee table. Tony tensed, feeling her eyes on him as they tried to burn through his skull and dreading the soon to come outburst.

"Talk!" Ziva hissed with anger.

Placing his box carefully down on the table, he replied "What would you like me to say?" his voice was tired and resigned.

"Anything! Please just say something!" Shocked at the pleading in her accent, he met her gaze and sighed when he saw one tear falling down her cheek and the sadness etched in her eyes. Slowly he lifted his hand to her face, cupping her cheek, his thumb wiping the tear away. He was taken aback when she tilted into his hold.

"I have nothing to say" he whispered as she shut her eyes to let another tear fall. Tony let go of her, gathered the unfinished boxes and empty beers on to the tray that was formaly leaning against the sofa (it had been living there ever since the mission), picked up his walking stick and made his way towards the kitchen.

Ziva fallowed after a second or two later, wiping away the tears; her whole body was shaking. She found him leaning over the sink, splashing his face with cold water. "You need help"

DiNozzo turned the tap off and stared at the wall in front of him as he gave a bitter laugh, "I'm fine Z."

"NO!" she strode up to him, grabbing his arm and spinning him around so that their noses were only centimetres apart. "You are not FINE!" she hissed, the anger again forming. "We have heard no movie quotes; there is no skirt chasing, no complete juvenile behaviour, no calling McGee nicknames, no correcting me when I make a mistake, no nothing." Her volume climbed. "You have lost considerable weight, the spark in your eyes has nearly gone, and fatigue is written all over your face. You are not looking after yourself and if you don't start now, you will soon be six feet under!"

"What the hell do you care?" he growled, feeling his mask fall away as he got more frustrated and drained.

"Because I love you!" she screamed, suddenly stepping back with eyes wide. The hand that was formally on his arm now over her mouth at the realization of what she had just said.

"You...What?" he said hoarsely. The anger and frustration had completely left the room to be replaced with an awkward silence, neither one of them knowing what to do next.

Her hand fell from her mouth, she took a long breath and repeated in a bare whisper "I-I love you", crying silent tears she gave a ghost of a smile and turned to leave, her heart broken at knowing she had just ruined their friendship.

Just before Ziva made it out of the kitchen she felt Tony grab her arm. Revolving back, she found Tony right in front of her. His hand cupped her cheek once more, eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't quite read. Before she could say anything though she felt his lips brush hers and her eyes automatically shut. Feeling that he was about to withdraw, Ziva's arms made their way to his shoulders. Her hands joined at the back of his neck, and she pulled him back down to deepen the kiss. The passion made her head spin; every inch of her skin was crawling with electric shocks and the breath was ripped from her lungs. Meanwhile, his hand became entangled in her hair and the other went to her back, drawing her even closer. Her heart was racing so much, she thought it might explode. When they finally stopped, it was only to take in some much needed air.

Fore heads still resting against together, Ziva opened her eyes and looked up at him. Their gaze connected and Tony smiled, and for the first time in 10 weeks, 2 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes, it reached his eyes.

No cliff hanger there but there will be one next chapter sorry. But don't worry, next chapter you'll be seeing Abby and McGee, you'll also find out what actuality happened that caused the coma. And Remember to REVIEW.

Thank you