Chapter 9 is here. Chapter 10 will be called Recovery.
Chapter 9: The end of the Battle
Ziva ran down the stairs, taking the same route she did just a short while earlier. She didn't stop running, even as she almost ran into one of the Russians. She reached the lower floor, and hurried into the "main room". Miroslav was lying on the floor, with Palmer tending to him. The don had two gunshot wounds to his chest, and was unconscious. Palmer franticly tried to stop the bleeding. Lyov dragged himself over to his leader, and looked him over. He murmured something in Russian, which he then translated,
"Got to stop that bleeding Palmer"
"I'm trying" Palmer said, holding a cloth to the wound. He grimaced, but continued trying.
Gibbs shot, again and again, and was happy at the sight of less muzzle flashes. He yelled at the Italians,
"Give up?" He got the response of more gunfire, aimed at him.
Ziva held Miroslav's hand, as Palmer struggled to stop the bleeding. Miroslav didn't move. Tim lay nearby, with one of the Russians tending to him. Ziva's heart ached. She hadn't got the chance to tell him how she felt about him.
Gibbs ran out the front door, and handcuffed one of the Italians. The threat was over. Some of the mob members had fled, others were injured or killed, and a few had their hands in the air. Gibbs noticed the man that Lyov had pointed out as Miroslav's rival from Russia, had disappeared. He frowned. He also, was worried about the don.
Gibbs waited. He had just called the ambulances, and they were fast arriving. He could hear the sirens approaching. Miroslav and Tim were in bad shape, and Lyov was injured as well. Three other Russians were wounded. 4 of the Italians were dead, and 5 were injured. 5 were now in custody. The ambulances pulled up the drive, and stopped. Emergency workers rushed into the building.
Ziva watched as the emergency workers carried Miroslav out. She thought about how he had been so kind, and cared about his men. Tim was next, and Ziva's heart clenched. His head was bandaged, and she was worried the bullet had hit his brain. Lyov and the other Russians were finally taken out, and the ambulances drove off, Gibbs and Tony riding with them.
That chapter was short. The next and last chapters of the story:
Chapter 10: Recovery
Chapter 11: Freedom
Chapter 12: It's not over
R/R