Voices. Pain.

"Mmmmmmm…"

"Shhhhh! I think he's waking up!" an energetic voice broke through the hushed whispers.

"Abby, you've said that three times. He's just stirring in his sleep."

Abby. McGee.

"Wrong again Probie." Tony's words were raspy and barely audible.

Light attacked as Tony opened his eyes to the white walled hospital room. His colleagues sat before him in cheap white plastic chairs, both looking desperate for a shower and some sleep. He quickly took notice the Nasal Cannul wrapped around his face and the white bandage wrapped around his upper arm and shoulder, just peaking out of his white hospital gown. Several IVs were protruded from his hand that rested atop the white cotton blanket.

Why was everything in a hospital white?

"TONY!" Abby quickly readjusted her sound level, remembering where they were. "Tony!" it was almost a whisper "How are you feeling? You had us so worried! We, well Gibbs, got a call that you were in the hospital and that you were shot and had lost a lot of blood. Then we get here and find out that Ziva's hurt too and…"

ZIVA!

"Ziva!" Tony quickly attempted to sit up, but was stopped by the gentle hands of McGee.

"Easy Tony! You'll rip out your stitches."

Stitches? Who the hell cared about HIS stitches when Ziva was… was…

"Where's Ziva? Is she okay?" There was little control left in his voice.

McGee and Abby exchanged a glance.

"Is she okay?" The question was repeated loudly as Tony tried once again to sit up.

McGee put a hand on Tony's chest to gently guide him back into place. "Take it easy Tony you don't want to…"

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DAMN STITCHES!" Everything was finally in focus as a shot of frustration sheered through Tony. "Just give me a freakin answer!"

Abby looked down at the floor, bringing her hand to cover her mouth. The younger agent took a deep breath before he met his friend's eyes.

"Tony…" McGee started then taking a deep breath to buy him some time.

No…. no… she's not dead… she can't be dead.

"…Ziva's alive but… but…. "

But. There's always a but.

" She's in surgery…the right side of her head was grazed by a bullet… and she… uhh… she lost a lot of blood, and…uh… the doctors are trying to see what they can do."

No.

"What do you mean 'trying' to see what they can do?" Tony's voice was laced with panic as he nearly spat at the younger man with misdirected anger.

"Well… uhh…"

"The bullet caused a skull fracture." Abby finally spoke removing her tattooed hand from her mouth, voice weak and trembling. "There's some swelling in her skull. And bleeding. And the doctors said they'd do what they can do." The last part was finished in a sob that escaped her lips. A stream of tears trickled down her check as her head fell in her hands.

McGee gave the girl a sympathetic look, and placed a hand on her shoulder before looking back up at Tony.

No. This wasn't real.

Okay guys, it was pretty much a unanimous decision that this be an extended fic. Got an idea where I want to go, and I'm going to warn ya'll- hang on because it's going to be one bumpy ride. I'm super duper psyched for what's to come and hope you're enjoying what you are reading so far. Review and I'll send you a sneak peak of the next chapter. Peace