Ziva woke up screaming. Her brain took several seconds to readjust and remind her that she was safe now, home. She wasn't in that god-awful desert anymore. Her hand was shaking so violently as she reached for her cell, it took her at least twice as long to dial the number. Memories flashed behind her eyes; the sound of chains, the heat, the taste of blood. She saw herself lying on the floor, sobbing her heart out. She felt the pain in every muscle as she led there. She felt her heart break as every sun rose and set. While her brain was being engulfed by terrible memories, her body forced her to press the dial button.

"DiNozzo?" Ziva didn't hear it; the memories were hurting her heart. She was shaking and sobbing. "Zi?" A strangled cry escaped her lips as she felt him torture her again and again. "Ziva? Where are you?" A scream tore through her chest and broke his heart. "I'm coming Ziva. I'm coming to get you." He got dressed in lighting speed and broke about fifty laws driving four times the limit to get to her.

He kicked her door off its hinges and ran through the carnage. She was still crying out, he could hear it echo through the small apartment. Slamming her bedroom door open he saw her, cowering on a corner, there but really still in Africa.

"Ziva. It's me, you're safe, you're home. I won't let anyone hurt you." He babbled as she cried. He didn't even attempt to approach her. It would just distress her further. "Ziva! You're okay sweetheart. We saved you. We travelled the world to come and get you Zi. You're safe now."

"No, no, no, no. Please!" She screamed. "No, no please God no, please." She hit out wildly, fighting off the man that haunted her dreams. "Tony!" That one hit his heart hard. She called out to him desperately. "Have my back Tony!" She had started hyperventilating at this point. "Save me!" She screamed painfully and he just couldn't help it anymore. He encased her in his arms, holding her tightly as she fought against him. Except she wasn't fighting him; she was fighting Saleem, in that godforsaken desert.

"Ziva!" She stopped fighting and went limp in his arms. "Ziva?" With the hand not supporting her he checked her pulse, strong and steadying. "Ziva?" He asked gently stroking her hair out of her face. Her eye lids fluttered gently before opening. She jumped, not expecting to see him there.

"What…what are you…what are you doing here?" She faltered.

"You called me. You were having a nightmare and you called me." The fear in her eyes gave way to tears and she buried her face into his shoulder while he stroked her back. "Shhh, it's okay Zi. I'm here."

"Tony?" She mumbled against his shirt but by some miracle he heard her the first time.

"Yeah baby?"

"He tortured me. He violated me. He hurt me in ways you can only imagine. I was so scared." She sobbed and his grip on her tightened.

"I will never let anyone hurt you like that again Ziva I promise you."

"Why can I not forget him?"

"It's only been a month Zi. Give yourself time to process, to heal. Please, be kind to yourself." He secured his arm around her back while the other came under her legs and picked her up before climbing onto her bed and holding her closer to him.

"Stay with me?" She asked vulnerably

"Was planning on it. The nights are hardest when you have nothing but your thoughts to keep you company." He carefully led down never once releasing his grip on her. "I'll stay with you, until it stops hurting."