A/N – Thank you for all the love, the reviews and the follows it does mean the world. Hope you enjoy the next chapter. I have kind of used a story line from the S14 finale – even though I don't really watch the show anymore I saw a clip and used the ideal.

All spelling and grammar are my own error

Disclaimer – Just borrowing them. Jennifer is mine though, she is my little hero

Even after all this time?

Chapter 6

The car ride to the warehouse wasn't long at all, the driver pulled over behind the overgrowth about 500 metres from the actual building. The engine was cut dead and all three agents climbed out and crouched down behind the vehicle. The driver followed and headed off into the bush to hide, this was always the plan as they knew they wouldn't be leaving by car. Gibbs pulled out the satellite phone and punched in the number direct into MTAC, after a few rings Abby answered.

"We are in position, update?" Gibbs started

"We have eyes in the sky, the NSA have granted us satellite feed and we are currently on our way to your location"

"Good, we need the e-vac arranged as soon as possible medi one and normal have a feeling this is going to get messy" Gibbs mumbled

"Ellie has arranged and are on stand-by they are 5 minutes away just give us the signal Gibbs"

"update"

"Last satellite shows 5 entering the building from the back, there are two cars positioned there, and we have a feeling there is another 3 plus the two girls in the building"

"McGee is going to feed you from the phone to ours ears so we have constant contact, we need your eyes Abs" The line went silent and Tim pulled equipment out of his bag and started to sort out their individual ear pieces. Handing them over they all placed the ear piece in and hooked it to the transmitter in the back of their bullet vest.

"Abs" Tim spoke

"Hear you loud and clear Timmy" the squeal was far too loud and all agents squirmed as the last of Abby's voice rang out.

"Abs, calm down Timmy is just fine" Tony laughed a little as Tim glared at him. "Plan boss?" Tony finished

"So, there are around 8 of them and 3 of us, I say we plant the detonators on the car at the back to use as diversion, head into the building as quietly as possible and take out as many, keep Maria alive though" Gibbs mumbled, the two other agents nodded and collected their things ready.

"We have eyes on you Gibbs we can see you" Ellies voice rang out through the earpieces "you are clear to proceed, I have disabled all operating security cameras, I have fed a loop to the monitors" All three agents stood and proceeded to the building they went quick and quiet trying to stay as low as possible to avoid any detection.

Arriving at the side of the huge warehouse all three agents crouched down by the side of the building, looking around Gibbs signalled that it was clear and to move forward slowly.

"Abs blue prints for building we need exits" Tony whispered, Tony could hear tapping away and muffled mumbles.

"There is the main entrance that you have passed at the front, there is a door on the side you are on and two more at the back, the inside is quite simple, warehouse space and a few office type rooms to the left, the river is to the back of the building" Abby instantly regretted mentioning the river and heard a low grumble coming from one of the agents, both Ellie and Abby could have placed a bet who it was.

"Keep eyes out" Gibbs mumbled, he signalled for his agents to follow him again and they reached the first door, quickly studying it, it was a fire escape that could only be actioned from the inside. Gibbs looked back at his agents and carried on moving by the wall.

Reaching the end, Gibbs looked around the corner and saw the two cars that Abby spoke about, he turned around and pulled out the two small explosives out of his bag and handed on to Tim, he nodded at his younger agent to follow him and for Tony to keep eyes on the door. Moving quick and quietly as they could McGee and Gibbs both reached the two vehicles' and lay on the ground behind the back off them. As quickly as they could, both agents got to work to setting the timers on them and placing them on the back-wheel arch.

"Abs, we have placed the detonators, when I give signal, blow them up" Tim whispered

"Guys company! Someone has left the side door and heading towards the front" Gibbs stood up and looked over the car towards his older agent who was already into action. Tony quietly followed the man who just left the building by the fire exit door and sneaked up on him, he got him into a surprise choke hold and before the man had time to react Tony held the man still till he lost consciousness, once the man went limp Tony pulled the body to the bushes at the side and threw him in, waiting for a few moments to make sure he was out Tony turned around and ran back to his position and signalled to Gibbs. Tony ran over and joined the other two agents, Tim took out his binoculars and looked through towards the two back doors. There was an older man stood outside on his phone, Tim picked up a Mexican accent, he watched as the man stumped out his cigarette and headed back into the building, leaving the door a little open. Tim crouched down again.

"We have an opening" Tim mumbled, the other two nodded, they got their weapons ready to engage at any point.

"Be safe" Abby whispered into the headpiece.

Agent Gibbs and his team quickly made their way over to the back of the building constantly on the lookout, weapons drawn at the off chance they met with any unwanted people. Arriving at the building and the back doors, all three agents stopped and waited. He nodded at his agents, counting to three Tony was the first to enter the building, he was met with a cool damp smell, he twitched his nose as the smell hit his senses. He looked around and the room which was clear, whispering clear, the other two agents appeared within seconds. They looked around the first room and heard muffle voices of two men, the voices were getting louder and the next minute a door opened that must have led to the main warehouse, waiting for the men, both Gibbs and Tony crept behind the men and like before held them in a choke hold and waited for their bodies to go limp, pulling the bodies to the side they quickly searched the bodies for any clues but nothing.

"Three down" Gibbs mumbled, both Ellie and Abby let out breaths that they were both holding.

"There is about 5 now Gibbs" Ellie whispered. More voices now shouting made all three agents freeze they listened as a Mexican style argument was happening. Gibbs signalled to the door leading to the main warehouse. All three agents stood up and reached the door, counting to three all Agents burst through the door and saw the 5-remaining people.

"NCIS" Gibbs shouted the warning "Freeze" all 5-people turned around to face the agents that now were stood with their weapons raised.

"Well if it isn't the famous Agent Gibbs" A women in her 30s walked in front of the other men, she smiled towards Gibbs and a small laughed escaped "I was waiting for you" she finished

"Maria Reynosa, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Navy reservist Jennifer Green and NCIS agent Ziva David" Gibbs shouted, with his weapon still drawn he inched closer towards the women she just remained still. Another cold laugh left her as she looked at her men.

"Sorry I don't know what you are talking about" Maria laughed, she walked closer to her number one enemy and gave Gibbs the sweetest of smiles "tell me Gibbs how does it feel" Maria asked looking directly into the eyes of the man who killed her uncle.

"Well I killed your uncle set your cousin up to kill his sister and now he sits in a prison to rot" Gibbs mumbled, Maria's face dropped

"Emmanuel, Jose, get them ready" Maria snapped, the two men nodded at their boss and headed to another room to the left of them, Tony watched closely as they entered another room.

"Guys I think the girls are in there" Abby panicked, all three agents heard the message but didn't want to react they didn't want to give away they had back up help.

"Where is Ziva" Tony finally snapped, he couldn't handle it anymore

"dead" Maria laughed, Tony moved forward but was stopped by a bigger man

"I swear Maria if you have killed her you will me to answer to" Tony shouted, Maria just laughed and shook her head whilst walking closer to her main target.

"How about I release the two girls and you stay?" Maria asked staring at Gibbs, he didn't flinch nor make any notion. He stared out the women stood in front of him and raised his eyebrow a little.

The door to the office opened and the two men appeared with the girls who were now tied up with bags over their head. They threw them onto the floor before them and awaited their next instructions. Maria walked over to them and pulled the hood of one of the girls, with each action Tony's heart rate was beating fast. The hood revealed the Navy reservist Jennifer, her short black hair was now matted and she had cuts and bruises over her face.

"How about we send these girls for a swim" Maria laughed, Jennifer looked at the three men before her and noticed the bullet vests with NCIS written on them, a wave of relief washed over her and she looked at the middle agent towards the back. Jennifer realised who it was, it was Tony.

"Tell me Maria" Gibbs started dragging out her name, the other girl with the bag still over her head now rose to attention at the very familiar voice that bounded around the warehouse, her breathing quickened which was hard with the bag over her head, was it really her old boss, the man she looked up to like a father? Ziva shook her head a little she thought her mind was playing tricks on her.

"How does the cousin become the leader?" Gibbs finished off, Ziva froze and realised it was him, but what came next made her nearly pass out.

"Let them go" Tony's voice bounded out, glancing at the other girl on the floor still with the bag on her head Tony looked at Jennifer who was funnily enough staring at him, Tony nodded to the girl and Jennifer gathered what he was implying and nodded back, confirming it was Ziva. Tony's breath caught up with him as he re focused on Maria and the other men. A now new determination raged through him, she was alive and he was going to do everything to get her out of here.

Maria walked over to the second girl and pulled the hood off, for Tony the world froze, there she was after two and half years of not seeing her, there she was her hair now a lot shorter but matted like Jennifer's, cuts and bruises over her face, Tony closed his eyes for a second as he was taken right back to Somalia. Ziva adjusted her eyes to the light that flooded in and took a couple of minutes to realise he was there. Ziva glanced over at Tony who was staring back, their eyes finally connected and Ziva felt safe. Maria picked up the metal bar resting against the door frame and hit Ziva over the head, within a flash Ziva fell to the floor in a slump and Tony raised his gun and fired a warning shot towards Maria.

"Abs, evac" Gibbs whispered, Abby typed quickly into her computer and within seconds the sounds of two explosions filled the warehouse. Everyone fell to the floor as the power of the blast sored through the door and blew out the glass. Gun fire soon followed as McGee took out the nearest man to him, Tony watched in a haze as the two men who were guarding the two women ran back in the office presuming to grab their weapons. The distant sounds of the helicopters could be heard in the distance, Tony sprang into action and ran over to the two women.

"Dinozzo get them out of here now we will cover you" Gibbs snapped, he quickly helped Jennifer out her ties and stood her up, she seemed to be mobile enough, he clicked his gun and handed it to her.

"You need to cover me" Tony mumbled, he bent down and in one swift picked Ziva up in his arms and made his way out towards the fire exit, smoke was now filling the warehouse from the explosions which was giving him the cover he needed but the gun fire was still ringing around the warehouse, Jennifer followed suite and pushed the fire exit door open, once they arrived out the building they saw the helicopters on the ground waiting, running towards them the medical team headed towards them and took Ziva out of Tony's arms, he nodded to Jennifer to get on the Helicopter who just nodded and followed.

"Dinozzo" Tony looked to his side

"Burly" Tony smiled, the agent ran over and patted his friend on the shoulder

"Vance called, now get out of here I am here to cover Gibbs and McGee, you need to go" Burly smiled, he signalled to his team who followed his suite and entered the building. Tony ran over the awaiting helicopter and climbed aboard. He watched as the medical team started to work on Ziva who was still un responsive.

"Agent Dinozzo? I am Poppy, I have induced Ziva into a coma she has a bad trauma to her head and we need to asses her, this is the easiest way" Poppy smiled, Tony took a seat next to Ziva's limp body, he ripped his bullet proof vest off and threw it to the side, taking the ear piece out as well as he was now out of range and wouldn't be able to hear the girls. "Buckle up it's a 4-hour ride away, the team are waiting at Walter Reed for us" Poppy finished she signalled for the pilot to lift away and Tony felt as the helicopter finally lifted off the ground.

#########

It had been half an hour since the medi evac took off, and all Tony could do was stare at the body on the make shift bed, not moving. He didn't want to take his eyes off her for one second just in case she would disappear. He finally got chance to study her, she looked just as beautiful as the day he left her on the tarmac in Israel. He noticed now he was closer how bad the wounds over her face and arms were, he wanted to reach out and trace them but something stopped him, he felt he had no right to touch her.

As the adrenalin started to ware off he noticed the throbbing pain in his head which was probably caused by the loud explosions, taking his hands to his temple he gave them a small massage and groaned at the pain. It wasn't by far the worst pain that he ever encountered but it never got easier. He took a few deep breaths and just closed his eyes for a few seconds trying to battle off the nausea feeling that was creeping up from his stomach.

"You want some water?" Tony looked up at the quiet voice and saw Jennifer now sat opposite him, she had a few bandages over her arms and plasters on some of the deeper cuts on her face, he shook his head and took another few deep breaths as the sickness now was disappearing.

"Thank you" Jennifer was quiet with her tone but it was full of praise and respect. Tony took another look and nodded towards the girl.

"My job, I am just glad you are ok" Tony mumbled, Jennifer watched him closely as his eyes wandered to body lying between them, Jennifer had caught Tony looking at her for the last half hour.

"She mentioned you" Jennifer smiled nodding down to Ziva, looking at Jennifer he frowned a little at the comment. Ziva had mentioned him?

"Oh" was all he could say, another wave of pain seared through his head, he just wished they were on the ground now.

"She was my rock" Jennifer whispered, "you'd think for a Navy reservist I would be strong but I don't know, I have trained for all types of scenarios but kidnapping isn't on the list" Jennifer sighed as she leant back against the seat.

"No one is really ready for anything Jennifer, I am sure that Zi- Miss David would say the same about you" Tony smiled a little, he appreciated the little smile that Jennifer sent his way.

Silence descended again apart from the noise of the aircraft and the machines beeping away helping Ziva stay alive. Tony leant back a little and looked away for a moment, all the emotions were now catching up with him, he couldn't believe after all this time she was now in the same space as him, part of him felt a little glad that one of them was out of it, he couldn't handle the conversation yet.

"The night we were taken we were locked in this tiny room chained up together, we started talking and I told her who I really was, it's not something I intend to tell everyone, but on this occasion I did and well I found out we had a lot more in common, I know Tony she was an ex NCIS agent, her agent instincts must have kicked in, she told me that you guys may come, but she mentioned the San Diego team" Jennifer trailed off as she watched Tony take it all in "she said she couldn't handle the guilt with you being brought into this" Jennifer stopped as Tony rubbed his face he couldn't take it.

"Well here I am" Tony mumbled, Jennifer leant forward

"She told me that she only ever had one regret" Jennifer started, Tony looked back to her and shrugged

"All she said was she regretted not stopping you" Jennifer whispered, Tony's breath hitched in his throat and his heartrate was now peaking at an all-time high. Jennifer never understood the comment nor why she said it but looking at Tony and the look in his eyes of hurt/pain/anger/love it all started to making sense. Leaning back again and getting comfy Jennifer closed her eyes and let sleep wash over her. Watching the young girl opposite, Tony took a deep breath and finally reached out towards the women lying next to him, he gently took her cold hand into his and held it lightly. A few tears fell from his eyes, with his right hand he quickly wiped them away and took another few deep breaths.

"Agent Dinozzo, other chopper is in the air about 10 minutes behind, all safe no injury's" Poppy smiled adjusting Ziva's breathing tube in her nose. Tony just nodded and gave a smile of thanks, he squeezed Ziva's hand a little tighter and before he knew he brought her cold hand up to his dry lips as he placed a small light kiss on her hand.

A/N – Golly gosh! I thought this was going to be the hardest chapter to write but my god this has been the most fun and exciting one! At least now Ziva is safe, okay she is in a coma but I am sure she will pull through! Please let me know what you think of this chapter and the story so far, I would love feedback.

Next chapter will be soon

Happy bank holiday Monday Ya'll

Nat x