Gibbs was among the forensic experts collecting evidence in Ziva's apartment. The room was full of people picking up and rifling through things. The puddle of blood was still on the floor, it had soaked into the flooring and begun to dry, leaving a dark stain.
He looked around and asked an expert:
"Was the fight here?"
"I imagine not, there's only the blood on the floor. By the hand marks in the hallway and traces on the ground, it looks like it came from the direction of the bathroom."
Gibbs went into the bathroom, the door was open so he turned on the light and their vision is assaulted by the scene there. The mirror was crushed and things were on the floor, the bathtub had bloody hand marks the edge. There was so much blood on the floor he didn't know how Ziva had made it out alive. He leant on the doorframe and smiled, lost in thought. She was the Ziva that's he'd looked at as if she were the daughter he'd lost when she was only small. She was strong and pugnacious and Ziva never would give up or be deterred so easily.
He turned and asked:
"You find the knife?"
"Not yet, we're looking for it. He must have used a kitchen knife."
McGee entered the living room, approaching the bookshelf, underneath which he saw the tip of a shining blade.
"I think he used this," he said.
An expert ran up to him and stooped down, picking up the knife, bagging it and handing it to McGee.
"I'll take it to Abby," McGee said. "Boss, why doesn't another team take the case?"
"Because she's one of ours."
"Okay." He said nothing else.
-
McGee came rushing into Abby's lab. She stretched her hand out, in a hurry:
"Give me it McGee, hurry up."
He handed her the knife. Abby seemed more agitated than usual and he asked, curious:
"How many Caf-Pow!'s have you had today, Abby?"
"McGee, I need to stay focused. I need to catch this guy before he does any more harm to Ziva." Abby says it calmly.
"Abby goes calmly, she is with Tony."
"McGee! Ziva said we would get together on the weekend. And she can no longer... and I... I..." She stopped, eyes full of tears.
McGee said:
"You went with Kate to the spa, I know. You were friends. Abby, please don't beat yourself up because Kate is gone and Ziva was hurt. Ziva isn't going anywhere, okay?"
"I'm just afraid if losing her too."
McGee approached her, giving her a hug. "She isn't going anywhere. None of us are."
"Promise?"
"Of course. We are always here for you."
"Oh, McGee." She hugged him. "Now, I need to get back to work and you can bring me another Caf-Pow!"
He smiled. "Okay."
Tony woke up to a light caress on his head. He smiled without lifting it up and said:
"I think someone is messing up my hair."
Ziva began to laugh, but was it was interrupted with a dry cough and pain wracked her body. She squirmed and grimaced. Tony stood worried.
"Sorry," he said.
"I am fine. I think you need to stop with the jokes for a while."
"It's fun. You need some Zee-vah!"
"Well, I am fine. A little dizzy, but fine."
"You want me to call a nurse? I saw a pretty one I can call."
"Tony!"
He held her IV-free hand. She tried to cover her bare legs but couldn't reach.
"Beautiful legs," Tony said.
"Can you cover them? I'm cold."
"Of course."
"Tony, without jokes," Ziva warned.
"I'll be careful."
He took the blanket from under her legs and, lifting it up, he was about to cover her up when he noticed purple bruises on her thighs. Tony raised the edge of her gown.
"Tony!" Ziva said furiously.
He wasn't paying attention to her, just the finger marks on the skin of both legs. Ziva tried to sit but without success. Again she spoke, this time more loudly:
"Tony, stop! What are you doing?"
He looked at her sadly and said:
"I'll call the nurse."
"Why? Tony, damn it, what is going on?"
"Do you remember what happened to you?"
"Of course I remember."
He returned to her side and picked up her hand in his. He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb and, looking in her eyes, calmy asked:
"I know it's difficult but, Ziva, did he rape you?"
"Tony..."
"Ziva, you can tell me. I'm here for you."
"If he had done so, I would not be harmed in this way. Yes, he tried, but I could not let that happen. Not to me."
Tony lowered his head to hers and kissed the top of it. He stood leaning on her for a while before stepping back:
"Now I'll take you home and look at the apartment before you go in."
"Tony, it was my fault."
"Ziva, it was not your fault."
"I left the door open."
"That doesn't give anyone the right to invade your apartment."
"Tony, I think I know who did it."
"You saw him? You know him?"
"You need to tell Gibbs that he turned off the bathroom light."
"Is this the same guy who had been attacking women this past month?"
"I just saw a glance before he knocked my head into the mirror. But I can identify him. And when we find him, I want him."
"Ziva, this won't happen. I want him too."
"Tony..."
-
"Ziva! Oh my God, Ziva!" Abby came running, making a large uproar, and jumped to hug her. Ziva moaned in pain but wrapped her arms around Abby.
"Ready to hang out?" she said.
"Abby, let go of her. You're going to reopen her wound," Tony said, worried.
Abby stepped back, teary-eyed and wiped her eyes dry:
"Don't ever do that to me again, Ziva!" she said.
"You can leave, Abby," Tony said. "I'll keep an eye on her. Actually, stay here and take care of her. I'm going to talk to Gibbs."
"Tony, I already found the guy. The knife was in the database, so either he's really dumb or Ziva was just too good for him, so he left trace."
"I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into," He said.
"Tony, he should have a black eye," Ziva told him.
"He messed with the wrong person."
"Abby, you don't need to stay here with me, I am fine."
"Of course you have everything under control, I see that, but look at you! I'm going to stay here until one of the boys comes back again and if possible, when you go home, I'm coming along too."
"Who am I to argue with Miss Abby?"
Please Review! TBC...
L. S. Becker
I Hope you enjoyed, please comment!
Thank you for everything Chelsea!