Author's Note: NFA Hangman Prize for mini bagel! Hope everyone enjoys it!

Disclaimer:This story is inspired by Jay Asher's "Th1rteen R3asons Why". If you've read it (or know about it), don't worry. It's not going to be that dark. I don't think it's going to be that dark at all! So the credit for the plot bunny goes to Mr. Asher. As for NCIS, it belongs to its rightful owner!

From: 1954_TMcG

To: zdavid.646

Received: 25 Jan 2010, Mon; 4:56 am

Subject: Hi!

Hi, Ziva!

It's me. Tim. How are you? I know you are wondering right now if this e-mail is from someone trying to pull a prank on you, or worse. It could be from a kidnapper.

Sadly, my life is not that dramatic. Well, yet. But I do understand if that's what you're thinking. After all, I did not leave any notes or called to tell anyone where I will be. I want you to know that I'm perfectly fine. I can assure you that I'm at somewhere safe, so don't worry. I've also heard that all of you there are thinking that I'm dead. I think I can understand that, too…

But let me cut to the chase. To tell you the truth, I decided to leave everything behind—"take a break" as some would say. Will I come back? I don't know. I have resolved not to let anybody know where I am so that I could finally be at peace, but I couldn't. I thought about you. I thought you deserved to know. I also hoped that you could understand the reasons why.

I went away because I'm tired. There are so many things going on in my head right now, and I know I will not be able to bear it if I stayed. I'm so frustrated, and there was always that impression in me that everyone's too busy to care about my situation. There were a lot of things that are gradually pulling me apart.

I went my way because I need to find the pieces. If I could, of course.

I had to go and save myself, Ziva. Seeing the team and my family will make things harder. Maybe the time out that I'm having will help me. Then again, maybe not. But all I need to do is to forget.

This might be the last e-mail you'll receive from me. Don't tell Gibbs or Tony or Abby about this, because I programmed it to 'self-destruct'. This e-mail is just a way of mine to let you know that I'm alright.

Before I say goodbye, you need to know that there's fourteen particular reasons why I left. One reason leads to the other. If you want to, you can look for them. I will go with you throughout your search. If you don't want to, that's perfectly fine. I just wish a good life for you, and I'd like to let you know that I'm honored to have met a woman like you.

Yours truly,

Timothy McGee

(012610;98.9;0045)

Ziva stared at the luminescent screen in front of her. Slowly, her eyebrows creased. Yours truly, Timothy McGee. Was it really him? A part of her whispered that it was just Tony, playing an awful joke on her, but another part of her argued that it really was McGee. She recognized the words, and she felt every letter.

Was it just desperation? She missed him a lot since the first day he was declared missing—even before that. Maybe she was just hoping aimlessly? No. It couldn't be. She trusted her guess, and it told her that the e-mail truly was from him.

Before a smile fully dawned on her lips, his words floated in her mind once more. He left because he was frustrated. He said he had to forget the team and his family. A month ago, the last day she saw him, he looked rather happy. He was even laughing! But she was remorseful for having let go of the suspicion she had during that time. It was a fleeting moment, when their eyes caught each other, when she saw that flash of aloneness and sadness in his eyes.

If she had known better, she would have talked to him about it. She would not have watched him leave, waving a farewell to him as the elevators closed.

Fourteen reasons that caused that unnecessary broken heart of his to come to be. One reason leads to the other. Ziva closed her eyes. He had always been there for her, even through catastrophes life had bestowed upon her. When she was shattered, he did his all to mend her the best way he could. And she had been made new because of him.

Now it was her turn. She wanted to know. She wanted to understand him and hopefully, when she did, it would be when he comes back to her.

"Hey to all the listeners!" the radio station announcer's energetic greeting sent Ziva bolting upright on her bed, alert to any intruders.

"Just the radio," she mumbled after glaring at it. She shook her head.

"It's January the twenty-sixth, two-oh-ten! What are you guys doing up so late?" the announcer continued. "If you answered 'tuning in to my favorite radio station, 98.9', well, you'll win a check for a million dollars!" He laughed. "I'm just kiddin', I'm just kiddin'. But that's a very good answer, though. For that, you'll get the reward of hearing our next listener's request! It's from Probie One. He dedicates this song to Probie Two and wants her to know this is the first reason. Hmm. I'm seeing geek love here.

"Anyways, here it is, Probie Two! Hoobastank's 'The Reason'. It's 12:45 am in beautiful Maryland. This has been DJ Dee-Jay. Goodnight!"

On impulse, Ziva looked back at McGee's e-mail. 012610. January 26 2010. 98.9. The radio station. 0045. The time of the song. First reason why. She listened closely.

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

It couldn't be the radio station. McGee rarely listened to it, as far as she remembered.

I'm sorry that I hurt you

It's something I must live with everyday

And all the pain I put you through

I wish that I could take it all away

Probie One. She fought the urge to smile. It was McGee. She knew it.

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

Reason. First reason.

And the reason is you

And the reason is you…

Reason. First reason.

She was the first reason why.

Reviews are greatly appreciated! =)