Title: A Long Way Home (Chapter Two)

Author: LizzieInk

A/N: This chapter picks up moments after the car crash at the end of episode 10x21 Berlin.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the show NCIS.

Time had lost all meaning.

Tony's mind was cloudy. His memories disjointed. He wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious, hell he was having trouble battling off the fog that was trying to pull him back under even now. The last thing he could remember was holding Ziva's hand…

Oh God… Ziva. Tony thought as the image of headlights and the sound of metal assaulted his mind. Someone hit us… The terrible memory of what happened jolted him awake, and his eyes shot open.

A moment later Tony was hit by a wave of tremendous pain radiating through his body. His legs were obviously badly injured, and his head was throbbing. But his first thoughts were not of his own safety, but for the safety of his partner.

Tony had trouble remaining conscious as he tried to turn his head very slightly, to try and see if Ziva was okay. He quickly realized that moving was not a good idea. This one small movement caused a sharp searing pain in his shoulder. Not only that but he felt a drip running slowly down his neck. Was his head bleeding? There was no way to know for sure without moving too much. Deciding that his best option was to remain still, Tony spoke quietly, his voice rough with pain, "Ziva? Ziva? Are you okay?"

There was no answer.

Please No. Tony thought to himself. Not Ziva.

Tony vaguely became aware of the sound of approaching sirens.

Please God let Ziva be okay, Tony prayed to himself silently, before his vision once again faded to black.

On some level Tony knew that he was dreaming. But he just couldn't manage to wake up.

Familiar faces kept flashing through his mind; Gibbs… McGee… Abby… and Ziva. With each face came different feelings. Family. Friendship. Love.

Tony could hear the voices of his family in his mind as clear as day. McGee with his dependable comforting words, Abby with her overwhelming love and care, and Gibbs who could convey worlds just through one look alone, no words necessary. But there was one voice that he could not hear…

"…Zivaaa…" Tony murmured quietly.

Meanwhile…

"Tony wake up. Tony can you hear me? My name is Doctor Price."

"Tony wake up. Agent Dinozzo can you hear me?" Doctor Price repeated in a slow calming voice.

Tony murmured something unintelligible. His eyes flickering back and forth beneath his eyelids.

Tony had been at the hospital for just over an hour now. Preliminary tests showed that he had one broken leg. He also had a badly bruised shoulder and a minor head wound. He had hit his head against the side window of the car on first impact, which had resulted in a concussion. This was why he was taking a while to come around.

Doctor Price looked up from his patient and addressed a middle aged man standing by the door of the room.

"He should come around any time now." Dr. Price told the man, before making a small note in Tony's file. "If you will excuse me I have other patients to see, but feel free to push this button here for a nurse when he wakes up." The doctor indicated to the call button beside Tony's bed before putting Tony's file back in its correct place, and exiting the room.

Like a silent sentinel the other man remained, watching over Tony, waiting impatiently for the moment when he would finally wake up.

Tony slowly awoke to the sound of beeping machinery.

Slowly opening his eyes, he squinted against the harsh lighting.

"Gibbs" whispered Tony, as his eyes fell on the man that was stood watching him intently.

"Dinozzo," Gibbs replied, the relief clear in his voice. He stepped closer to the bed quietly, and asked, "do you remember what happened?"

"Errm… I was with Ziva." Tony replied groggily, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. Tony shook his head slightly as if trying to shake his memories into clearer focus.

"We were heading back to NCIS to put the diamonds in Evidence Storage, and then…" Tony trailed off. Closing his eyes at the pain of the memories that came next.

"And then?" Gibbs encouraged.

"There was a crash. A dark SUV… It hit us. Where is Ziva? Is she okay?" Tony asked slowly his voice catching.

Gibbs smiled softly. "Don't worry Tony. She will be fine. The two of you were both pretty out of it after the crash, and you both lost consciousness. But she got off pretty lightly considering the passenger side of the car was the point of impact. Unlike you she has suffered no head injury. Although she does have a few broken ribs and a broken arm."

A tear escaped Tony's eyes, as he blinked slowly, focusing his gaze on the ceiling above him. He couldn't help replaying the scene over in his mind; him noticing the car that was speeding towards them, and then quickly trying to envelope Ziva in his arms before the initial impact.

As if he'd read Tony's thoughts, Gibbs spoke quietly, "Ziva was somehow protected from most of the impact." His eyes searched Tony's carefully.

Tony lowered his eyes from the ceiling, "Where is she?"

"She's been placed in the room next door. Ducky is keeping an eye on her." Gibbs replied.

Tony smiled a little at the knowledge of this. He was glad to hear that Ziva wasn't alone. Ducky and Ziva had always gotten along so well. Ducky was practically a grandfather to all of them, but Ziva had always seemed to have a special place in his heart. They had always been close, probably because, like Ziva, Ducky was also originally from somewhere else. They had bonded over their need to find a home, a place where they both felt that they truly belonged.

Tony looked at Gibbs closely, "Thanks boss," he said slowly.

Wondering what Tony could possibly need to thank him for, Gibbs merely nodded his head, before getting quietly to his feet.

"Rest," he said to Dinozzo, as he quietly left the room.

Tony pressed the painkiller button a couple of times, smiling to himself, happy in the knowledge that he and Ziva had both made it out of another dangerous situation together… and that they were going to be okay.

Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who has followed this story, added it to their favourites list, and/or left a review. Your support means a lot. ;)