A/N: So I'd just like to thank every single one of you who have taken the time to review this fic. I mean, it gives me a hell of a lot more motivation to write when I know that people are reading this, and enjoying it… I hope. Any way, this is the third instalment to 'Freezer', so if you're still reading; thanks for sticking with it!

The clock on Ziva's bedside table clicked over to 5:30 am. Without the alarm sounding, she opened her eyes and rolled onto her back. It was a ritual now; waking up at the same time every morning. There was no need for her alarm to go off; the shrieking tone would just put her in a bad mood anyway.

She slipped out from under the white sheets and headed for her bathroom. She cupped the running water from her porcelain tap in her hands and splashed it onto her face, sighing as the cool liquid refreshed her tired features.

Breakfast was quick; just two slices of toast, a banana and a cup of juice. She placed her dishes next to the sink and made her way towards her bedroom, picking out a pair of black skinny jeans and a short sleeved, lose fitting white top. She left her hair down in a relaxed manner, sitting on the foot of her bed to slip on her black ballet flats. She definitely was not in the mood for chasing a suspect in heels today. She slipped her sunglasses on her head and made for the door, grabbing her bag and keys on the way.

"NCIS! We'd like to ask you a few questions." She and Tony both held up their badges to Lieutenant Jacob Shields who was carrying his groceries to the front door of his house. However, as soon as he saw the two agents, he dropped his bags and ran.

"Why do they always run," Tony exclaimed before he set off to chase down Shields.

"I will go around the back." Ziva headed around the other side of the house, sighing as she saw Lieutenant Shields jump his back fence. Thank God I didn't wear heels today. She picked up her pace and leapt up onto the fence, hearing Tony right behind her. She swung her legs over quickly before starting her sprint again, Tony landing less than a second after her.

She looked up to see Shields enter a lifeless construction site. Tony and herself approached the incomplete building, scaffolding and stray slabs of concrete littering the floors. Tony motioned for them to split up, so she headed towards the left side of the building as he headed right.

She could hear Tony's footsteps as they cautiously advanced through each room, whispering "Clear" once they had secured each one. Finally, Ziva came to the last room on her side. It was what looked to be the beginning of a kitchen. Carefully, she stepped over a plank of wood, her gun poised and ready. She froze as she heard movement from a crevice in which a fridge would be. Taking a breath, she decided to announce her presence.

"NCIS! Come out with your hands above your head!" She kept her gun trained on the area where Lieutenant Shields sought cover. Behind her she heard footsteps, so she turned to see Tony jogging up to her with his gun at his side. She nodded her head in the direction of the crevice where Shields slowly stood, making his way out with both of his hands above his head, one holding a .44 Magnum.

"Gun on the bench," Tony's voice boomed from next to her.

"Okay… okay. I'm putting it down."

Ziva watched as Tony holstered his weapon and retrieved his hand cuffs, striding towards Lieutenant Shields who was standing behind the bench, hands still behind his head. She was eyeing off Shields until a glimmer behind his head caught her attention.

"Tony!" But before he could react to her warning, Shields pulled a knife from his back and lunged towards Tony. Hearing the shear agony in his shout was the most torturous thing she had endured.

She watched in shock as Tony staggered backwards and hit the wall, leaning against it as he clutched his shoulder. She leapt into action, sprinting to Tony's side as he groaned in pain. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shields reach for his gun that was sitting on the bench. In one quick and swift motion, Ziva pulled her handgun from her side and fired two rounds; one into his ankle and the second into the opposite knee. He was definitely not getting away this time.

She holstered her gun and turned to Tony, a smirk plastered on his pained face.

"Sharp shootin', Zi." His voice sounded forced, like he was trying to hide his pain. She smiled and sighed in relief. At least it was just his shoulder. If it was his abdomen, then they'd have a lot to worry about right now.

She pulled his hand away from his wound and slid his jacket off, trying not to cause him too much discomfort. The bleeding seemed to be easing off, so she could assume that the blade did not perforate his artery.

"Tony, put pressure on your wound. I need your tie and belt." She knew from the minute it left her mouth that what she had said sounded obscure.

She watched his expression take on that of confusion, so she answered the unspoken question for him.

"I am going to use your tie and belt to stop the bleeding."

"Oh, sure."

She stood close to him as she undid his tie, his unsteady breaths tickling her cheek. Her gaze kept switching from his eyes to his chest, the light covering of hair emerging as she undid the top two buttons of his shirt to pull his tie off. She slung it over her shoulder and moved her hands down to his belt, taking a deep breath in to try to ease her nerves. Since when did she get so nervous whilst undoing a man's belt? Well, for starters… this man was Tony. Attempting to push aside all of her task irrelevant thoughts, she slid his belt from their loops and began in folding up the tie to form a pad which would, in theory, help stop the bleeding.

"Hold this on your shoulder." She handed him the folded tie which he held over his wound. She slid the belt under his armpit and over the top of his shoulder, securing the tie in place by buckling the belt. "Done. Does it feel okay?" She looked up at him, his eyes fixed on hers. She examined the stubble along his jaw as he spoke.

"It feels great. Thanks." His lips formed into their usual charming DiNozzo smile, yet this time there was a hint of something else. Something more intimate; something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"You are welcome." She patted his chest and stepped back, reaching for her cell phone. "I should probably call Gibbs and let him know what happened. Keep a camera on Shields."

"Eye. 'Keep and eye on Shields'. And sure… it doesn't really look like he's going anywhere." She looked over to Lieutenant Shields who was lying on the floor, passed out from the pain of being shot. She glanced back at Tony before she headed into the next room, dialling Gibbs' number.

"How are you feeling?" She gazed up from her computer screen to look over to Tony. He sat at his desk wearing the same shirt; a dark blood stain and a sling evidence of the violent confrontation he had with Shields earlier today.

"A little buzzed up from the pain killers, but all is good. And you, my ninja?" She smiled at the use of the many nicknames he had for her.

"I am fine. A little tired, but fine." She watched him attempt to type up his report with one hand. He wasn't doing a very good job at it. "Are you sure that you are okay?"

He stopped typing and looked up to meet her gaze. "I'm sure, Zi." She examined the expression on his face. Slight fatigue. Possible contentment. Confliction? Was it her, or did it look like he wanted to say something to her. Well obviously he did; given what they went through a few nights back. So she decided to leave it, allow him to get his words right. He needed time, and she was willing to give that to him. She remembered back a few years ago; how much time he gave her to finally come to her senses and realise that killing Michael was not his intention. That he was there to talk to her; to save her from what the Mossad had planned for her. Of course she would give him time. He could have as much time as he needed, given what he has done for her in the past.

"Why don't you leave your report for tomorrow? I am sure Gibbs will understand, given the circumstances." She logged off her computer and shut it down, then started to pack up her things.

"Nah, it's okay. I'm almost done, anyway."

She grabbed her bag and walked over to his desk, crossing her arms and leaning one hip against the side of his desk. She looked down at him, concerned. "I am glad that you are okay, Tony." She placed her hand over his on the keyboard.

"I know… Thank you." He squeezed her hand back, making her smile.

"Call me if you need anything." She let his hand go and stepped from his desk, heading for the elevator.

"Sure. Goodnight, Zi."

She turned to face him, walking backwards as she spoke. "Goodnight, Tony."

She dropped her keys onto the stand by her front door and made her way towards her bedroom. Today had been a long day; filling out paperwork, waiting for Shields to get out of surgery and wake up so that they could take his statement, and then finally spending a good half hour with Tony trying to convince Palmer that he was okay to go home without any further medical attention. All in all, she was happy that today was over, and that she now had the time to relax and put her feet up.

She placed her bag next to her bed and sat down on the edge, slipping her shoes off. She was just about to lie back before a knock at her door stopped her. She stood and walked to the door, opening it to find Tony on the other side. She gazed at him, still wearing his bloodstained shirt. His tie was missing, the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, and his hair looked like he had run his hand through it a hundred times. She was shocked to look up and see a single, silent tear roll slowly down his cheek.

His voice was low and unsteady.

"I love you, Ziva."

A/N: Sorry for the wait; exams are creeping up on me again. I should finish the final chapter in a week or two, so don't panic; I haven't abandoned this fic! And sorry for ending it here… but I guess it ads a bit of drama and suspense, right? Any way, I shall see you guys again soon. Don't give up on me yet! And thanks for sticking around!