Ziva stood there, simply staring straight ahead. She knew what she had to do – what he expected her to do – but it didn't mean she liked it. She was supposed to be letting go and getting on with her life. She was just afraid that she didn't have the strength to completely let go.

It was supposed to have been easy, at least in Tim's mind. He, though, didn't understand why it was so important to her; why it was so difficult to simply let go. He had never understood, try as he might. Then again, Ziva couldn't recall anyone in her life who had understood. It didn't lessen her feelings, but it did frustrate her.

She had known it would come to this one day, especially when she started to date Tim. There were simply some things in life that you couldn't hold on to forever. Still, when it came time to let go, Ziva found herself hesitating and second-guessing her choice.

"I do not think this is such a good idea, Tim," she said softly. Truthfully, she wanted to bolt; she wanted to forget that she had even attempted to let this go.

"Ziva, I understand that it's important to you, but you can't expect to keep this with you your entire life." He placed his hands on her shoulder, giving a small squeeze for reassurance. "I'm here to support you."

She smiled, placing a hand over his. "I know you are…and I thank you for it."

Even with this man there to comfort her, Ziva couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't ready. Sure, she'd have to do this one day, but did that mean it had to be that day? Couldn't she wait? Couldn't she build up slowly to this? Couldn't she just put this off indefinitely?

Sensing her uncertainty, Tim leaned in and gently kissed her neck. "Sweetie, I know it's hard. Just try to remember the good times you had."

"Mm," she groaned, both from the feel of his lips against her skin, as well as from the multitude of memories that popped into her head. "Like my first Hanukah here in America."

"Exactly."

"Oh, and that one rainy day last spring when it was nice and cool. We just lay there beside the window, watching the droplets slip down the glass."

"Mm-hm."

"And then our second date when we decided to stay in at my apartment."

"I remember that," Tim said, his mouth having moved to ear.

She sighed. "Thinking of those good times has only made it that much harder."

"Ziva…you have me now. You don't need much more, do you?"

"No, of course I don't," she whispered, leaning back against him.

"Then close your eyes…take a deep breath…and let it go…"

Ziva followed his instructions. With her eyes closed, she felt her lungs expand as she inhaled deeply. With her breath held, she slowly felt it leaving…falling from her grasp. When she opened her eyes, she had completely let it go.

"See? That wasn't so hard," Tim said. He looked down into the donation box with satisfaction.

She was looking down into the box, gazing forlornly at her precious. She wanted to reach in and take it back, but she felt, now that it was actually inside the box, that she had no right to reach in and grab it.

Tim gently took her hand, leading her away. "Come on. We'll go home and have a nice dinner."

Ziva smiled, squeezing his hand. "I would like that."

Though it was still on her mind, she was realizing that it really wasn't so important. In fact, it seemed as though the thing had held some sort of spell over her. It had taken Tim's support and his insistence that she let it go to truly break the spell.

And with that, the rainbow sweater was no more.

AN: Just a silly little thing I cooked up. I hope it was appropriately enjoyable!