Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.
Note: "No, but I would tell Gibbs." is a quote from Ziva I got off the episode Legends.
Mistakes. Some have names like Michael. Others are missions. Crossing a desert only to try and return home to find a tidal wave in your way, without a boat, without a paddle, failure. Not that she wants to return to her country. She has found a new home, a new family, a new life. But you can't escape the past. It resurfaces like a shark, tearing bits of you until its razor teeth devour you whole. But she has always been the sharp end of the spear. Taught that way and yet she is not regretful.
Sometimes she wonders if innocence is really ever there. If anything is pure anymore. Because all she can see is the grey area in which she tries to live by black and white. It all blends. Although her ideals are changing the familiar grey hair still gives her comfort. The blue eyes, the silent way he speaks, still are what make her feel safe. He led her to finally accepting her life. Even if her ways are sometimes violent she has embraced her inner peace. No longer tied down by the weight of anger towards her father, towards his actions; she is flying. Gibbs trusts her. He once asked her if she was with him and she knows she is bound. Not by a mission, not by her family, not against her will. She chooses to give her loyalty to him, her trust. He taught her how to do this. And she will always be grateful.
She knows she hurt him by not giving him to truth all those years ago about Ari. The return home after her last mission for Mossad was hard but she knows they are stronger for it.
Breathing out slowly she approaches his desk. In stealth mode she creeps around the bullpen to sneak up on Gibbs.
"Hello Gibbs." She says, as she stands behind him.
"Hello Ziva." He replies calmly, not at all disturbed by her silent approach.
"You are still here, should you not be in your basement, sanding the boat, yes?"
At this he gave a chuckle.
"Are you trying to get me to leave?" He asked with mock hurt.
"I'm going to make sure of it. We'll ride the elevator down together."
Five minutes later Gibbs was jamming the button to the parking garage.