A/N For anyone who didnt understand, in the last chapter Dom and Kensi were pretending to be a couple arguing about being late for their flight so that the captors would be distracted. Woohoo, it worked! On to the next chapter!

Washington DC—Labby

"You found Tony?" Abby was ecstatic at the news. "Is he—"

Eric looked up at her as she cut off and was frightened to see that she wore the same expression that she had when she first learned that Tony and Ziva were missing.

"And Ziva?" she whispered, tears in her eyes. They spilled over at Tim's negative reply. Then she took a shaky breath and, feigning confidence, said, "Well, Bethesda, right? Okay," she said, grabbing her keys. "I'm on my way."

Tim's response caused her to make a face, and she said indignantly, "Yes, McGee, I am okay to drive!" But her sniffling betrayed her. "N, McGee, I said I'm… Fine!" she yelled, hanging up. "Come on, Eric, you're driving me to the hospital."

Washington DC-

Washington National Airport

Despite her protests, Ziva was enjoying Gibbs' insistence that she go to the hospital. On the rare occasion that Eli had asked if she'd needed medical assistance, her expected answer had always been "No, Father, I will be fine." When she actually admitted that she needed help, his disappointed expression was always enough for her to take it back. But with Gibbs, her safety was always the first priority.

"Ziva, you've got a head wound that needs to be checked out," Callen pointed out, joining the argument on Gibbs' side.

She winced. With all of the emotional stress, she'd forgotten about the physical pain. Now that Callen mentioned it, however, it hurt.

"All right, all right." Her head was now in her hands, and both Gibbs and Callen had to reach out to steady her. The exhaustion, stress, and pain had finally gotten to her, and she found herself leaning heavily on the two men as they made their way to the car.

Washington DC—Bethesda Hospital

McGee was on the phone when Abby and Eric walked into the waiting room, and he was beaming.

"Thanks, Dom," he said as he hung up. To the two in the doorway, he announced, "They found Ziva."

Abby's face lit up, and she let out a squeal. In two seconds she'd crossed the room and leaped into Tim's arms.

"She's okay," he added as he staggered backwards.

Abby's carefree laughter was suddenly cut off, and she took a step back. "How's Tony?"

Tim's happiness faded as well, and he didn't answer.

"Timothy McGee! I am so tired of everyone keeping things from me! I am a grown woman, and I don't need anyone to protect me. Don't!" she yelled as the men exchanged glances full of situations in which she had needed protection.

"Fine, Abby, you're right. But we only keep things from you so you don't get upset—"

"It upsets me when you don't tell me everything, McGee! Because that means that something is really wrong, and then my imagination goes into overdrive. Now, tell me!"

Tim took a deep breath. "He's got internal bleeding, broken ribs, a broken arm, cuts and bruises everywhere, and a GSW to each leg." He spoke the list tonelessly, as if he was simply telling her the details of a case, but by the end it sank in just how much Tony had been through.

All three sank into chairs as the gravity of the situation became clear.

"So, where's Gibbs?" Abby asked suddenly. "On a coffee run?"

"No, he's not here yet," McGee answered, though his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

"What do you mean, 'he's not here'?"

"Abby…" both men cautioned. Luckily, the room was empty of anyone else, but they did not want to attract the attention of a passing nurse.

She stood up and started to pace as if she hadn't heard them. "With those injuries Tony could be dead. The only reason he isn't is because you guys, somehow, found him in time. Then Gibbs just leaves him? That's not like him at all, McGee!"

"Well, Abby, he had to go find Ziva. And besides—"

"Tim, stop. That's not an excuse. If it was just the two of you, I wouldn't mind so much. But there was another whole team who could have rescued Ziva. But, no, Gibbs left Tony in his time of need, and made you ride with him, alone, to the hospital, where you had to wait, alone, for news… He owes both of you an apology, Rule 6 or no Rule 6!"

"Abby!"

She blinked at Tim's outburst, and Eric jumped.

"It wasn't Gibbs' decision."

"Then whose—"

"Please, Abs, let me talk! Tony wanted me to ride with him in the ambulance, okay? Tony, not Gibbs. I don't know why," he added as Abby opened her mouth to ask. "I don't know why," he repeated.

His head was in his hands again, and Abby came to sit beside him. She wanted to tell him everything would be okay, but with Tony's list of injuries, even the optimistic Goth wasn't sure.

A/N Sorry for the pessimism. But really, all of that, how can Tony survive? Add onto that list that the day before the only woman he'd ever had a real relationship with (despite the way it all ended) was killed, and his partner (maybe more) was on her way to her murderous father in Israel! Why would he want to fight? It's not looking good for Tony. *DRAMATIC MUSIC!*