Chapter Ten: Survivors

(Ziva's Apartment)

Ziva walked into her apartment. Gibbs had sent her home, promising to come check on her soon, shortly after Tony had died. That was five hours ago. Where had she been those five hours? Tony's apartment. She picked the lock and went into his house, finding a small comfort about being there. She hadn't cried. Not yet. Not since Gibbs had held her. The tears were still begging to be let loose.

She set her keys on the counter and shut the door behind her with her back. She slid onto her butt and hugged her knees, tears filling her eyes quicker then she would want to admit. The tears began to fall down her cheeks. Tony was gone. Never coming back. I am so sorry Tony. I should have been more observant. I should have noticed. This never should have happened. Ziva thought, unable to speak the words. "It's my fault."

No it's not Zee, I got ahead of myself. It's my fault. Please don't blame yourself.

It was the voice. His voice. The one she had been longing to hear since the humming of the heart monitor's low whine.

"Tony." Ziva lifted her head. He sounded like he was there. As if he was standing in front of her. Tears filled her eyes when she realized it was only something her imagination conjured up. Tony DiNozzo was gone. And she was a survivor. While he was gone, she had to be the one to keep her strength going. She had to be the one who went on everyday. Without seeing or hearing from him again.

(at the Navy Yard. Inside the bullpen)

McGee walked into the bullpen after he had finished talking to Sr. DiNozzo in MTAC. He was the one Gibbs wanted to explain to the Sr. It was probably one of the harder tasks he would have to full-fill now as Sr. Agent on team Gibbs.

"Timmy." Abby wrapped her arms around the agent as he walked deeper into the quiet bullpen.

"Hey Abs." He hugged Abby back knowing she just wanted to be held. She had been alone in the bullpen for the five hours since Tony died.

He wouldn't get used to that sentence. Those words. Tony died. Tony dead. They seemed so foreign. Like a disease that would suck the life out of everyone. It was already plotting to. Between Ziva and Abby. The two girls were more heartbroken than anyone combined.

It was understandable. Abby had seen Tony as a brother. Someone to go to for hug when she needed one. Tony had been her strength after Kate died.

Tony why'd you leave us to? Why'd you make me promise to take care of the girls? I can't do this. It's too much. Already the young agent was feeling the pressures of the favor he promised.

"It'll be okay Abs." He whispered trying to comfort her.

Abby nodded and he felt a sob escape her body. If only he could get rid of this. The ache the whole team would feel was going to be ever present now. No matter if they found a new team member. No one could take the place of DiNozzo.

"Timmy," Abby sniffed and pulled back to look at him, "what will we do without Tony? We all need him."

McGee shrugged. He wished he had an answer "I don't know Abby. But we gotta keep going. He'd want that."

Abby nodded in agreement. "Just like Kate would've after she died."

"And we did. And then Ziva came along." McGee rubbed Abby's back, "we're all a family and we're gonna be here for each other. That's the important thing."

"We're the survivors." Abby agreed. She sighed glancing at Tony's desk. "I miss him McGee."

"Me to Abs." McGee sighed. "Me to."

A/N:Okay so nothing about Gibbs and Ducky yet. But Gibbs' part is gonna be the most important. So I'll try to get it out here soon. If not, then next week hopefully. Sorry for the shortness!