Wow, just...WOW! This is so incredibly well done and so well written. I was completely captivated by the entire thing and it's just so clever. I love it. One of my absolute favourite fics I've read. Ever.

I think I had to reread the last chapter five different times before I really understood what happened. I got the ballerina-world being a dream pretty quickly, however what I missed was that the world where they're both tortured was also a dream. I couldn't figure out how she had died twice, or why you would write it like this... It took me a while. But I got it, I think.

(I should mention that this story is fabulous and that I love it before I continue. It just took more thought than I'm used to, and I think it's a refreshing change. It caught me off guard because it's not what I was expecting when I clicked on the fic but it's a welcome surprise and I will definitely not be forgetting this story)

So the moral of the story: no matter what universe they lived in, whether Tali never died and Eli DID and she became a ballerina and they met in DC, or whether they were tortured and imprisoned together (I think that's what confused me the most because I didn't understand what universe that was supposed to be, or the circumstances leading up to it, but I wasn't supposed to, was I?), or whether he killed Rivkin and left her in Israel... Things still could have just as easily turned to shit for her. So it's not Tony's fault, and he's realizing that.

That took me a long time to come to (longer than it probably should have) but that is honestly the mark of a good story. It made me think.

Very nice job. I'll probably be rereading this in the future

Okay, so apparently, I'm one of the dumber readers of your fic- I didn't understand the difference between the "real" world and the "dream" world until I read some of the reviews. I thought the non-torture scenes were flashbacks until I read the reviews, and then it clicked. If I hadn't read them, I'd probably still be sitting here thinking, "What the hell did I miss?" Anyway, very well written. I've gone and read every fic you've got posted- been at it about three hours. Definitely one of my favorite authors. Good work. :)

absolutely beautiful story. love the symbolism, language, and just pretty much the whole damn thing. i dont know whether i loved or hated the ending or not! it was such a surprise to have it just be a dream. oh how i wish it wasn't.

favorited for sure. :]

You are very good at symbolism.

Great story.

I love how you related it to the show at the end.

Wow, this was really well written. I especially liked the end. Very moving.

aw :D

I have to admit that I did not catch the Frost reference until the end. /ashamed.

This was a beautiful work of art, fabulous and thrilling. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I can't imagine not being able to flip straight to the next chapter, impatient as I am.

You have a way with words and storytelling, weaving it all together. No matter which road Tony chose, it would have ended badly. Thank you for the illustration.

The best stories are the ones that keep you thinking long after they're over, and this has easily earned it's place in that category.

Articulate, thought provoking. Definitely a favorite.

-A.

Wow, I don't know if I should be mad at you or happy that it was just a dream.

I never expected something like this and I'm totally blown away by the end. As I said I'm happy that it was just a dream but it would have been great to see them well and happy at the end.

I'm really amazed by the way you wrote this story. Never ever giving away the end of the story or indicating that there's more than one storyline going on. Absolutely fantastic.

Loved the way you wrapped up the scenarios and how Tony coped with the situation. Especially blaming himself for what had happened to Ziva and how he would have given everything to take away her pain but knowing that it probably wouldn't have made any difference.

It was so much fun to read your story and I really enjoyed reading it. I'm already looking forward to your next project.

I love how in the end you connected it back to the series.

great job.

OMG! I never saw it coming! Reading this chapter was like the sun rising at dawn. I started out in the dark and slowly a light began to appear and finally I saw the whole picture. Wow! Damn good!

I guess his subconscious was trying to tell him it wouldn't have made a difference at all. I'm not sure if I agree. I'll have to think about it. In any case, another amazing job. Will eagerly read anything you post.

Now I understand. Splendidly angsty and dark, great story!

fucking amazing.

Okay, so I was totally wrong about the torture scenes. I think you integrated these two universes so very well, with one a dream land where Tony and Ziva meet under different circumstances, and the other where Tony is struggling to rescue her from Somalia. You really went back and forth between these very well.

And yet Ziva apparently dies in two different worlds - the one where Tony is a DC cop, and the one where he's tortured and made to watch as she's sexually assaulted and then killed. And in the end the reality is that they're on the plane, and he's dreaming sweat-soaked dreams of Ziva and the nature of their relationship.

Very bittersweet at the end of the chapter. Is this the end, or is there more?

Wow, big cliffhanger there!

I'm beginning to think that the person being tortured is actually Lock, and he's being interrogated by people from Mossad, which is what he connection is with Ziva - perhaps he's even trying to get back at her father. No idea how accurate that might be though.

Poor Ziva getting so sick. I guess it's from standing out in the rain making out with hot DC cops. ;)

And then Tony getting whacked in the back of his head, having to get his head partially shaved, and then finding out that Ziva was missing, and there was blood everywhere.

I like how Ziva finds Gibbs so intimidating that she needs to hold Tony's hand, but then when he says he knew her father, she stiffens up.

Really good story so far.