A lot of people wanted a long chapter, so here you go. Most people will think the last part is pointless, but I think it has a powerful meaning and will effect Tony a lot. OKAY NOW... CHAPTER 26!

"Gibbs, over here." McGee called. His hands slowly brushed down the silk curtains, examining them for rips and tears.

"What McGee?" Gibbs bolding walked into Ziva's bedroom, looking around at the urban themed trinkets that sat quietly on shelves and end tables.

"I found where Carlee got the rope from. These curtains had ropes to hold them together and… as you can see they are gone." McGee stumbled over the words. The nervousness over being in his friend's bedroom not to mention his best's friend's girlfriend's bedroom, made him feel not welcomed here.

"Okay, that only solves part of the mystery. Tony said he walked in at 2100 and from what the doorman said, Carlee and Ziva got here around 1700. That is a 2 hour period that we have no idea what happened."

"Boss, how are we-"

"So we know Carlee was in this room and the living room. If we survey every part of the apartment and dust everything for finger prints we can find out if Ziva came in here before lights out and exactly Carlee was doing."

"Boss, I don't know if-"

"And we need to test all the blood and see if we can get a time frame on when she started bleeding. That can help the doctors know how long Zi's wounds were exposed to the air and-"

"Gibbs!" McGee voice rose, silencing his over talkative boss.

"What McGee!" Gibbs turned to his agent, an angered stare made Tim take a few steps back.

"I don't know how I'm going to do this alone. With Tony and Ziva at the hospital…"

Gibbs stare turned from angry to a kind of joking smile. His eyes softened and he stepped out of the doorway where he stood."I got you some help."

A shady character entered the room, smiling, while looking around. "Ready to be of assistance!"

McGee stared at the helper and his jaw dropped. "Palmer!"

-NCIS-

Tony's eyes flickered as he stared at the clock as the seconds turned to minutes then to hours. Due from the lack of sleep and the massive amounts of Caf-Pow! Abby had brought him; Tony's head was spinning with the possibilities of what could happen to Ziva. He could hear the doctor's voice ringing in his ears.

"We are sorry , but there was no way to save her. The bleeding was too much and nothing would help."

Tony gripped his head; the images of these scenes were too much for him to take. He needed air. Forgetting his coat, he walked out into the below freezing weather. He leaned against the column at the entrance of the hospital and breathed hard to watch his hot breath evaporate into the air.

"Want one?"

Tony turned to look at an old man holding out a box ofcigarettes, with one in-between his teeth. Tony smiled and shook his head. "Nah, don't smoke."

"Wish I could say the same thing." The senior chuckled. "Know what the stuff does ta me but, ugh God have mercy on my soul."

"Sometimes I wish I could have something that makes me feel like all my troubles have gone away, like those things." Tony sighed and breathed out harder into the cold air.

"Problem is, right when they're gone, troubles com' back, making you reach fer more." He wheezed.

"Yeah, guess so."

"Arthur." The man reached over, sticking his hand out across his body.

"Tony." Tony reached and accepted his hand and smiled.

"So what you doing here? You yourself don't look ill." Arthur laughed, at the realization of the kind of predicament they were in.

"My girlfriend. She's here." Tony ran his now free hand through his hair.

"What happen?" Arthur asked taking a puff of his cigarette.

Tony looked up into the black sky seeing snowflakes starting to fall. "She got stabbed…and she's pregnant." Tony felt that the full story didn't need to be told the old gentlemen, something made him think Arthur got it.

"Ahh. Shame. Give your lady my blessin'. Stinks that this kind of crime happens round' here, thought DC would be safe. That's why me and Sam moved here."

"Sam?"

"My naval buddy. When our wife's died, we moved here to live out the rest of our day. A box of cigarettes and beer. Here cause he's dyin' of cancer." He chuckle, which lead to a few seconds in a coughing fit.

"You okay?" Tony stood up straight as he watched the man lean down, with his hands on his knees.

Arthur brought up his head and laughed. "Don't know how many times I been asked tha' question."

"I'm sorry about Sam. It must be heartbreaking."

"Sam and I knew this would happen. Just didn't' know it was this soon."

There was a silence the creped around the two as Tony watched the snow fall. He lookeddown at his wrist watch and shook his head at the time, 3:57. He sighed and stood up straight and rolled his shoulders. "I better head in. See how she's doing, if possible."

"Go to her son."

"See ya Arthur." Tony twisted around and starting into the building.

"Boy?" Arthur said, making Tony turn. Arthur looked Tony in the eyes, a deep meaningful stare.

"Yeah?"

"Live life like it is your last day. Cause you never know when it will be."

Tony smiled and nodded before entering the building. Last thing he heard was Arthur's wheezing laugh.

This chapter is dedicated to the following for being loyal fans of this story and for not killing me for all the cliffhangers and for the three month long WRITERS BLOCK I had. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH AND ALL THE OTHERS (I'm sorry) WHO I FORGOT! I LOVE YOU GUYS TOO! I ALSO LOVE ALL THE NEW READERS OF THIS STORY!

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