I believe this is the last chapter...The first part is what Tim is hearing from a semi-conscious state, with the team surrounding him. Thought it could be confusing so I thought I'd give you a heads up...thanks for reading!

xxx

Hushed voices filled with contained excitement laced with subdued concern and desperate questions drifted in and out like an out of tune radio station. He would develop spurts of frantic energy with a strong desire that brought him close to the surface then a hand would caress his arm or brow, easily easing him back to submission to the deep sleep that would over take him. The exhaustion had set up residence deep within his core; relentless and strong as it held him under. Each physical movement, a repercussion of what he had gone through throughout his captivity. Images of unfriendly faces flashed in his mind as he tried to piece together where he was and what had happened. He knew he was not home in bed; the beeping noises and familiar voices assured him of that.

"...He's like a liddle Timex... watch...takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'..."

"Tony, I find that highly un! amusing-Tony! Leave him alone! Don't pinch his cheek, he needs to sleep..." Tim heard a slap. When he realized it was Ziva's voice that he heard, he felt a peace spread through his chest causing him to relax and breathe deeper.

"But, look how cute he is...hey! I think he's happy to hear my voice! He's smiling!"

"Was it a through and through, Tony?" Gibbs serious tone cut through Tony's silliness.

"No, they had to dig it out of...my arm and it really hurt."

"...which explains the way he is acting..."

"What? I'm... wonder...ful!"

"Oh, I'm sure you are. You're as high as a kite in the 'windy city'-"

"Now, tell me, how did McCadden tie in..."

"Apparently he had ordered a hit on an ex-girlfriend that had broken up with him and the witness ID'ed the hit man. The witness's testimony to her murder would have eventually linked McCadden to the case..."

"No good son-of-a-bitch..."

"Now, explain how you thought it was McGee that was shot by McCadden in the chest-"
"Oh yeah! Listen, you guys! I was so scared! What I thought, was that Tim got shot in the chest, because that was where McCadden was aiming but that wasn't what happened. Tim realized I was bleeding on him...you know...from my arm...So...you can say, I took one for my comrade...my liddle buddy." Tim felt something brush his cheek then heard another slap.

"...requesting a hospital bed for Tony, Gibbs?"

"That's fine by me, Abs..."

Tim heard a suppressed giggle.

"Get back here, you're out of control!"

"But I suggest you don't run in those... what you call shoes, Abs-"

When Tim heard the sound of shuffling feet followed by a loud scraping sound, he managed to crack an eye open but closed it immediately when the bright lights hit him. His bed abruptly jerked, jolting him, but he just rolled his head to the side, inert.

"Boss...I guess I do need a bed. I bumped my sore arm, and...I'm feeling...tired, all of a sudden."

"Anthony...if you only had listened to reason-"
"Good one Ducky."

"Come on...get up off the floor..."

The room quieted and he welcomed it until the sound of soft, quick footsteps, interrupted the silence. He felt a hand on his arm, then pressure. "Well, your vitals have improved. I'm sure the support of your friends are a big factor, Special Agent McGee. They are extremely proud of you..." Tim sighed then fell deeper into sleep.

xxxxx

Tim vaguely felt a sudden presence in his bed then an arm wrap around his chest. Something tickled his cheek, "I missed you probie. I wanted to stay close and make sure you're okay, and no one else would come and take you away. Plus I wanted to tell you I'm sorry, Tim. I was scared when we couldn't find you. You're one of the few people in the world that will put up with me, at long lengths of time and I thank you for that... Timmy."
Tony squeezed him closer as Tim blindly gripped Tony's arm, giving it a strong hold and not letting go.

xxxx

When he finally opened his eyes, awaken from the bustling sounds of the busy nurses on the floor, in the morning, he expected to find Tony next to him in the bed but was surprised to see that he was gone.

"Ziva?" He cleared his throat, finding it scratchy and weak.

"Huh?" She pushed herself up quickly, her hair tangled and sticking up in spots. She appeared more disoriented than he was, her eyes searching the room, her mouth open wide in confusion. He couldn't help but chuckle, grabbing his side. She smiled to hear him awake then frowned to see his face twisted in pain. "You are okay, yes, or should I get a nurse, McGee?"

Tim moved a bit then winced, again, inspecting his arm with the bandage wrapped around it. "Uh...sore and tired but...relatively good." He smiled sadly. "Is that kid going to be okay? You know, George?"
"George... you asked about him, earlier. He is out of surgery and once you give them your statement they will decide what will be done with him. As for that low-life, McCadden-"
"I can't believe-"
"He had ten hours of surgery on his nose and leg-"
"His leg?"
"One of my knives found it's way to his knee. And I commend you for the praiseworthy damage you did to his face. The surgeon asked if he was hit by a mac truck."

Tim cautiously chuckled, softly. "I have a hard head."

Ziva was leaning directly over Tim; she sighed deeply, "Yes, you do." She smiled with beaming admiration.

"But how did you know it was me that caused his broken nose?"

"He couldn't stop complaining that you, uh..., how do you say, rear-ended him in the face-"
"Headbutted, Ziva. I headbutted him."

"Oh head-butted! I have used that technique often."
"I'm sure you have. Uh, Ziva?"
"Yes, Tim." Her voice was soft and gentle, as her eyes looked warmly into his, causing his face to redden.

"I, uh,wanted to thank you. I thought of you often while I was tied to that chair wondering if I would ever get out of there alive. You were my light at the end of the tunnel, so to say. But, not only that. I tried to face the fear like I thought you might; with strength and self-composure. I wanted to handle the situations I was faced with just like you would. You were my rock. I prayed immensely and... well. I thought of you most of the time."

Now it was her turn to blush as she looked away them climbed off the bed to sit in a chair by his side. Tim sat up, wincing, the movement tiring him instantly. "Ziva? Did I say something wrong? I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable-"
"No, you didn't Tim. It's just...I need to tell you something-"

The sad expression on Ziva's face caused Tim's heart to sink. He felt the exhaustion creep back and was embarrassed when the sudden tears filled his eyes. How could he have ever thought that Ziva would have feelings for him? He turned to the opposite wall trying to control the constriction in his throat, breathing deeply. He swallowed when he felt her hand on his chin, turning his face to look into her dark brown, teary eyes. When a tear spilled over his cheek she wiped it away with her thumb.

"I believe I have fallen down for you, Tim."
He squinted his eyes then smiled widely. "Fallen...for me?" He asked with an excitement spilling into his voice.

"Um...what I am trying to say, is that I really care about you..in a way I thought I would never care about someone, ever again."

"Then why do you look so sad?"
"Well...I'm scared to feel this way. I have lost many people close to me and I am afraid, I will lose you, too." Her voice started to escalate as her hands waved in the air. "I mean...How can you blame me? As soon as I knew how I felt about you, you go and get yourself kidnapped! We think you're dead when we find a body all sprawled out in the backyard! Who looks just like you, from far away!"
"Huh?"
"And that's right after I found the wristband I gave you...all bloody, I should add." Tim's look of doubt fused into hopeful relief as she ranted on. "You scared the hell out of me!"

"Ziva, listen to me, please. Ziva?"She glared at him as she silenced, so he crept closer, holding her arms then pulling her close as he sighed with alleviation. "Ziva, you don't know how happy you have just made me. I'm sorry you are so upset about this but I feel the same way about you, too."

Ziva started to cry then pulled away, backhanding his shoulder with a suppressed smile. Tim whimpered with a smile. "Damn you, Timothy McGee."

Tim enthusiastically pulled Ziva to his chest as he rubbed her back while running his other hand through her tangled hair, neatening it. "You're a mess, sweetheart. You need some rest...why don't you come back to bed?"

Ziva huffed, pulling back to look into his eyes, as she placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so happy you're okay. If I didn't have this chance to tell you..." She wiped her wet eyes then hugged him, tightly, smiling against his shoulder.