Disclaimer: Awkward turtles should always be upside down.

Hey homies! I apologise sincerely for the wait; school began again, and so too did the torrent of homework that inevitably comes with it. You should all actually feel super special- I'm bypassing physics, chemistry, biology and maths homework to do this. Woo for procrastination! ;)

Now, I want to take a moment to thank you all so much for your reviews! You all rock so much. Keep them coming.

So, chapter speak: I'm not really happy with this, and my excuse is that all my brain cells have shriveled and died just in time for school. I'm sure some of you understand. Those who don't, have any tips on rehydrating them? I do need that brain power at some point.

See what I'm doing here? It's called stalling. But I'm all too aware I can't avoid this forever. So, without further adieu, (ha, I've always wanted to use that word :)) bring on chapter seven. It's gets a little crazy here. You've been warned.

This chapter is for aqiran, for making me smile.

Enjoy! And please review! :)

He was pulled from his thoughts by Ziva's voice.

"Uh, Tony?"

"Yeah?" he asked, looking down at her. She really didn't look good. Well, she looked good, just not well. She closed her eyes then, and swayed a little on the spot. "Ziva?" he asked, alarmed. His uninjured arm was already in place to catch her.

"I just..." she trailed off. "I do not feel so-"

Her words were lost as she collapsed onto his arm and the world fell away.

Unable to hold her, he gently lowered her to the ground.

"Ziva? Ziva!"

Her eyes remained closed.

Tony ran through a checklist.

Uh, breathing: erratic, but present.

What's next? Pulse! Thready. Not good.

Crap. Why, oh, why hadn't he paid more attention in those first aid courses?

"Ziva!" he shouted again, and this time she stirred slightly. He leant back and let out a breath. "Oh, thank god."

Ziva opened her eyes and looked around. "What happened?" she croaked out, pushing herself into a sitting position.

"You fainted. Or passed out. Or something." Tony ran his hands through his hair. "I'm not a doctor. God, you need a doctor."

"Tony, I am fine," she said.

But she wasn't. Neither of them were.

After a short break, in which they both had a drink and, as a compromise, each took two of the pills, Tony hauled Ziva up and placed her arm over his shoulder, careful not to disturb his arm. She protested at first, but when it became painfully obvious she was unable to walk on her own, she finally relented.

Despite her injuries, Ziva couldn't help but notice the definition in Tony's biceps.

"Been working out?" she asked, her voice croaky and tired, but managing to keep that playful edge.

Tony gave a soft laugh, all too aware of how forced their banter was becoming.

Anything to get their minds off reality, right?

"Of course," Tony said. "I would complement your physique, but I think you're already far too conscious of how I think about that..." And with that, he let his eyes travel up and down her body.

She smiled slightly. "Is this the time to ogle me?"

Tony grunted as he pulled Ziva up further to stop her from slipping. She was become less and less able to walk by herself. "Hmmm, ogle. Got it right this time."

"I have a steep learning curve."

"Ha!" Tony scoffed. "I beg to differ. How many times have you screwed up the 'pot calls the kettle black' idiom?"

"How am I supposed to know what appliance is what colour?" she replied lazily, trying to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. It was difficult because Tony seemed to be carrying a majority of her weight and she was unable to command her legs to move fast enough to keep up with him.

Suddenly, a sharp sound rang out in the relative quiet, effectively silencing any comeback Tony may have had. He stopped, wide-eyed, fully prepared to pull his weapon, when he realised it was just his phone.

Just his phone?

That meant reception. And civilisation. And safety.

"Can you grab that?" Tony asked, his only free hand occupied with keeping her standing.

Ziva turned her head slowly. "Where... is it?" she stumbled over the words, her mind becoming a cloudy mess.

"Back pocket. Right side."

Ziva reached around and slipped her hand into his pocket.

Tony stiffened. Okay, DiNozzo, quash those inappropriate thoughts. This is not the time. We are injured. Stop thinking about that. Think about McGee. In a maid's outfit. With Gibbs. Don't think about your incredibly hot partner who currently has her hand... DAMN it!

"Yes?" he heard a breathy voice next to him.

He cracked open one eye. Ziva was on the phone. All clear.

"Speaker phone, Ziva," he said, and watched as she pulled the phone away from her ear and clumsily hit a few buttons until Gibbs' voice rang out.

"-the hell are you doing, Ziva? What's that beeping-"

Tony cut him off. "Sorry, boss. We were just trying to get it on speaker. We're good now. Well, sort of," he amended.

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs couldn't conceal the relief that flooded his voice. "McGee's tracing your cell. We're on our way." There was a short silence. "You good, DiNozzo?"

"Define good."

"Healthy?"

Cue a forced laugh from Ziva and a wry smile from Tony. "Let's just say we're going to need an ambulance or a Medivac or whatever's quickest."

Gibbs didn't answer for a moment. Then, "Done. Don't worry Tony, we're not far away now. Just stay on the phone-"

Beep, beep, beep.

Gibbs stared down at his phone. "What the hell?" He threw it at McGee. "Make it work!"

McGee looked up, wide eyed. "I can't, boss. The problem's not on our end. Tony's phone must have died. I've lost the signal, too."

"So we don't know where they are?"

McGee looked back to his laptop. "I have their last position, so assuming they don't move-"

"And if they do?" Gibbs demanded.

McGee didn't answer, and that was all the reply Gibbs needed. He punched the steering wheel angrily and McGee flinched.

"Damn it!"

"What happened?" Ziva asked softly and the little screen went blank.

"Crap," Tony muttered. "Battery died."

Ziva sighed. "Because things were not already bad enough..."

He turned her to face him. "They'll find us, Ziva. You can't forget that for one second, okay. They've got our position now."

She broke his gaze and looked to the side. "Forgive me if I am not feeling all that faithful right now." Her tone had a bitter edge to it.

He used his index finger to tip her head back in his direction and force her to look at him. He held her eyes for a moment, flickering between them, and then his gaze dropped to her lips.

"You gotta have faith, Ziva," he said, not looking away.

She leant in slightly. "Tony..."

He swallowed and leant in, grazing his lips against hers. She shivered unconsciously. It was just them. Just them in the woods with no Gibbs and no damn rule twelve and no Jeanne or Rivkin looming over their heads. It was quiet and there were no insecurities or pressure and they were actually going to-

And that was when a loud voice rang out from behind them.

And that was when their heads snapped to the sound and the moment was gone.

And that was when they saw the men with the guns and the words finally registered...

"Well, well, well." Sadistic grin. "Lookie what we have here..."

A/N: So... thoughts? Good, bad, maybe? Let me know by pressing that little button!

Review with your favourite lines! :)