AN: Thank you for everyone who is still keeping up with the story!

Disclaimer: I'm hoping and wishing for the NCIS ownership for Valentines day, until then, still don't own anything.

TONY POV

Previously on Tony's POV

Before long, I was back at the site. My heart started sinking because I could see the progress that Ziva had made, but it looked like she had been disturbed. I quickly got my gun out of the holster and shelved my heavy sunken heart. I couldn't, however, shelve my worry about my love, my Ziva. Crossing the small stream I carefully made my way onto the site.

I quickly and quietly made my way to the center of the clearing. My heart was sinking more and more with every step and thoughts of an injured, kidnapped, or even killed Ziva. I paused in the middle of the clearing with my back to the tree, gun at the ready, listening for any sounds.

Suddenly, there was a powerful, painful, and explosive hit to the back of my knees which made them buckle. A thin arm wrapped around my neck into the classic sleeper hold position and was cutting off my air supply. I instantly knew this was Ziva and painfully croaked out, "Ninja, it's me, Tony."

ZIVA POV

I was hiding in the tree waiting for whoever was out there to pass or stop in front of me long enough to take down my threat. While waiting, images from events leading up to being captured made their way into my head. My throat threatened to close up. I quickly shut myself down to avoid making a mistake by being a camel in distress that could lead me loosing my life.

The image of a man came into view and stopped in front of me. Before I realized it was Tony, my autopilot self preserve took hold, and I had him on his knees. It was only when he croaked out, "Ninja, it's me, Tony," I let him go.

REGULAR POV

Ziva set down by him and blushed when she replied, "Sorry Tony. I heard footsteps." She then impulsively hugged him tight thankful he was back and unharmed.

Tony hugged her back tightly, his heart, and breathing, returning to normal. "I don't care. I'm just glad you are OK." The agent's stayed like that for a few minutes until the coolness of the night made Ziva shiver.

"We need to finish getting camp set up." Tony said releasing Ziva and helping her up. "What can I do?"

"If you want to drag those branches to the tree, I will light a fire." Ziva replied before they went and performed their tasks.

Tony had managed to drag a small log over for the duo to sit on. They now had a campfire, a cover for the night, and Ziva had even managed to somehow make a way to make sure they had pure drinking water from the stream.

Tony finished first and went back to his bag to bring out two granola bars from his bag. He brought them over and set down on the log.

Ziva, however, decided to sit on the ground with her back resting on the log. She gratefully accepted one of the granola bars that Tony offered her.

They ate slowly in comfortable silence. They were both starting at the fire that provided them with some warmth. Tony finished first and looked at Ziva. He saw her shivering.

He got up, and with a questioning look from Ziva, went and retrieved his suit jacket. He returned draped it around her shoulders, and sat on the ground next to her.

"Thanks." Ziva said, bringing the jacket front closer together in the front.

"No problem." Tony said and waiting a few minutes before he asked, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Ziva replied cautiously. She knew what the question was going to be before Tony even asked it.

"What were you dreaming about when you were unconscious?" Tony asked not daring to look at her.

"Tony, please." Ziva begged knowing that Tony would not like to hear it – or anything from that dark time. She wanted to protect him and the rest of her family from that time. More than that, she wanted to forget – she wanted to be rid of those memories and nightmares and be free again.

"Please Ziva. I want to help you." Slowly, Tony turned so he could see her. She had always been small, slender, and toned. When they rescued her, she was smaller and malnourished, and looked sickly. She had gained some weight, but still looked small than ever. So in his jacket, he noticed she looked like she was being swallowed up.

"Tony…" Ziva hesitantly began. And almost immediately her tears threatened to fall no matter how much she willed them to stay put. "There is so much that happened, and I promise to share it all with you – someday."

Ziva patted his cheek. He put his hand over hers and left it on his cheek. They sat like this for a moment lost in each others eyes. He then brought her hand down and kissed the top of her hand. He scooted closer to her and put his arm around her. She laid her head on his chest. She breathed in his scent.

Ziva knew in her heart that she needed to talk to someone. She hid everything so well from the NCIS psychologist that they mandated her to see. She had previously told Gibbs some of the things that had happened since he diligently watched over her when she was first brought home.

Ziva took a deep breath and began, "Tony, I…."

MEANWHILE

The uninjured gunman was driving and trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly, he turned into the parking lot at Airway Motel. This looked liked a place where he could get in, stay, and get out without a lot of suspicion about his buddy.

"Stay here and out of sight." He ordered and hopped out of the car.

"Like I'm going anywhere." The injured man mumbled after the other man left.

The uninjured man walked quickly into the front office to get a room.

"Can I help you young man?" An older gentleman slowly walked out of the back office.

"Yes, I would like a ground floor room in the back of the motel." The strange man grabbed his wallet.

"Ok. Just put your name here." The gentleman pointed to the line on the form. "How long are you planning on staying?"

"As of now, just two nights. How much do I owe you?" The strange man opened his wallet to pull out some cash.

"Forty dollars even." The older gentleman said and took the cash he was handed without a second thought or comment. "Your room is number 147. Go around the building and it is right by the ice machine by the hill. Have a nice stay sir."

"Perfect. Thank you." The man took the key and turned around to leave.

The man walked back out and got back in the car where the injured man was falling asleep inside. He started it and drove around the building. Once he parked, he ran out and unlocked their room. Running back, he eyed the lot carefully to make sure there were no witnesses around.

"Come on." He said and grabbed the injured man and dragged him out of the car.

"Easy man! This shit hurts!" The injured man half yelled.

"Hey dumbass. Keep your voice down!" The uninjured man commanded and half ran and half dragged the man into the room. Once they were in the room, he tossed him on the bed.

The uninjured man went back to the door and took one last look around outside and shut the door. Turning to the injured man he said, "I'm going to go look for some medical supplies that we can use. STAY STILL and don't open the door for anyone!"

"Ok." Was all he said before the man took off out the door.

He drove a few miles down the road a came upon a Veterinarian Hospital that looked like it was closed up for the day. He decided to go there to get the supplies so he could get in and out without all the questions or people stopping him. He pulled into the lot and made the call he was dreading.

"Is it taken care of?" A tense voice demanded.

"No sir, we have a little situation, but I am handling it." The man said staring at the hospital.

"What the hell happened? I give you one task!" The anger started rising with the already on edge stressed man.

"They survived the crash. We fired at them, but they returned fire. Jerome was hit, but he I am patching him up. They can't survive long out there in the woods in this weather. We will get them tomorrow."

Crossing the lot to the back door, the man on the other line said, "Be sure you do. Otherwise, don't come back." And with that, the line was dead.

He broke the glass in the back door and entered. He had made a mistake though. The vet and his two assistants were still there. Only one thing for him to do.

BANG

BANG

BANG

AN: Well, what did you think? Hope everyone liked it!