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Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs sits at his desk, already on his third cup of coffee, ready for the rest of his team to arrive to begin the work day. He hears the familiar ding of the elevator, and Tony DiNozzo's jovial laugh as his phone begins to ring. "Gibbs," he says gruffly into the phone preparing himself for a new case. As he listens to the caller on the other end, he watches as Kate, Tony and McGee walk out of the elevator and pause in front of their cubicles.
They all watch as his always steely gaze falters and shows fear for just a moment before he rushes out of his seat and towards the stairs. "Boss?" Tony questions ready to follow buts gets no response in return before Gibbs disappears around the corner.
"I wonder what that was about." Kate questions as she places her backpack by her desk.
"Yeah I've never seen him move that fast? Tony comments dropping into his seat. After a few seconds of contemplation he looks over to McGee as he takes his seat as well. "Probie pull up the incoming phone records from Gibbs' phone," Tony commands.
"Please is usually the customary response when you ask for a favor," McGee replies unhappy that Tony is already acting as the boss.
"Come on Probie. Just do it. I mean don't you want to know why Gibbs left here in such a hurry," he says glancing down at McGee. Receiving just a glare in response Tony rolls his eyes before giving into the pressure. "Fine, can you please pull the records from Gibbs' phone?" he asks watching as McGee's fingers work their magic to bring up the phone logs.
"Okay here we are. Gibbs received a call at 0655 from Tel Aviv, Israel. It looks like from a local hospital." McGee says looking up at both Tony and Kate as they both glance curiously at the now empty desk.
"Who does Gibbs' know in Israel?" Kate questions aloud.
Eighteen hours and thirty minutes later Jethro Gibbs steps outside the doors of Ben Gurion International Airport and into the midday sun of Tel Aviv. He quickly grabs a cab and informs him of the hospital he wishes to go to. With some extra urging he convinces the driver to go faster, his impatience getting the better of him. In record time Gibbs arrives outside the hospital, looking up he glances at the rows of windows wondering which one holds the person he's looking for.
He makes his way inside and quickly informs the receptionist of the person he's looking for. She makes quick work of directing him to the second floor, Surgery and Recovery. Stepping off the elevator, he scans the hallways and waiting area until he spots a woman with dark curly hair and tan kissed skin sitting by herself with her head in her hands. "Leah?" he asks making his way up to her.
"Jethro," Leah cries as she jumps into his waiting arms. His arms tighten around her as he places a comforting kiss into the part of her hair.
"Have you seen her yet? How is she?" Gibbs asks as he leads them both to sit down in the awaiting chairs.
"No, father called me once they had found her. All I know is that she has a couple broken ribs a punctured spleen, and….and she was shot," she says in between pauses of crying into his shoulder. Gibbs tightens his grip on her hand as he looks back at the doors hoping to see a doctor exit from them. "Jethro, do you think she'll make it?" Leah whispers hoping beyond all that her daughter will survive.
"She will. I have no doubt. After all she has you for a mother," Gibbs laughs.
"And you for a father," Leah teases back, referring to his well known bull headedness.
"Family of Ziva David," they hear a doctor announce as he enters into the waiting room. Gibbs and Leah both stand up, worry etched onto their faces as they await the news. "Hi, I'm Dr. Guidon. I've been working on Ms. David, Mrs.…"
"Miss David and this is her father, Jethro Gibbs," Leah says introducing her ex-husband to the doctor.
"Thank You. Anyhow Ms David and Mr. Gibbs your daughter came into with some very severe injuries. Her most sever of course being the bullet near her heart. It was luckily a through and through and did not hit any major arteries. She will need time to heal, but I believe if she makes it through the next 48hours, Miss. David should be fine." Doctor Guidon says giving a comforting smile to the now relieved parents.
Out of the corner of his eye the doctor sees a nurse give him the okay that the patient is settled. "It seems Miss David is settled in her room. If you will follow me I'll take you to your daughter," he says standing along with the anxious parents.
Opening the door, Leah gasps at the site of her daughter, lying among the light blue sheets with all sorts of wires and tubes connected to her. "Oh my Zivalah," she cries rushing to her daughter's side. She silently runs her hands over the exposed bandages as a lone tear slips down her cheek. Gibbs watches from the doorway along with the doctor as his ex-wife brushes back stray strands of curly hair from his daughter's face.
"I will leave you two now. Just press the call button if you need anything," the doctor says.
"Thank you Doctor," Gibbs says before heading into the room himself. He moves next to Leah, and slowly wraps his arms around her shoulders in a comforting gesture.
"Look at her Jethro. She's so pale. Father told me as much as he could of what happened. Apparently the mission had gone wrong. One of the other officer's had turned on her team. The man had killed two others before he aimed at Ziva. They fired at the same time. His bullet hit her chest, hers right between his eyes," Leah says as she runs her hand along Ziva's exposed arm.
"That's my girl," Gibbs mumbles earning him a glare from his ex-wife.
For some hours they continue to stand vigil over their injured daughter until Gibbs notices Leah begin to sway. "Hey are you okay?" Gibbs asks pulling her in closer to support her.
"I'm fine. I just haven't eaten since I got word," she confesses as she rests her head on his shoulder.
"Why don't you get something to eat? I'll stay here and I promise to call you if anything changes," he suggests already seeing the argument about to form on her lips. Leah glances back at Ziva, then back at Gibbs ready to fight, but knowing it's futile as her stomach just ever so slightly telling her its demand for food. "You promise Jethro." With a nod Gibbs' head she exits the room, but not before placing a kiss on Ziva's cheek.
Left alone Gibbs turns back to his daughter and takes her hand in his, just as he did when she was a child. "Ziver," he says quietly. Pulling up a chair he sits down and rests his head on the bed rail. "I wish you didn't have to go through this. Your life shouldn't be surrounded by fear and pain. You should be able to have a life and days where you don't have to worry. If only I had tried harder to stop you when you told me you wanted to join Mossad. I tried to show you that this life isn't meant for you. Living every day with revenge in your heart is not good." He says as his thumb runs over the roughed knuckles of her hand.
"I wished you had tried harder too. I wished I had tried harder. This is no way for our daughter to live," Leah says from behind him having heard most of his speech from her position in the doorway.
"I thought I told you to go get something to eat," he states warningly.
"I did and I brought you up something too," she says showing him the large cup of coffee. He gives her a smirk before taking the cup and pulling the other chair closer. "You know she does the same thing as you, but mainly with tea. She main lines it and it's always too strong." Leah lets out a small laugh before the room goes silent as they both glance at Ziva hoping for some sign of movement.
"Sometimes I wish we had stayed in America, instead of coming back here where my father could get his hands on her," Leah sighs sadness flowing into her eyes.
"There are days I regret that we couldn't make it work. Not just for Ziva, but for us. You did help me," Gibbs says looking into her chocolate brown eyes.
"You helped me too, but we both brought in a lot of baggage to the marriage, you with Shannon and Kelly and me with Kaleb. We only lasted as long because of Ziva," she says as she wraps her hand around his forearm.
"I wish I could have protected her more," Gibbs says glancing back at his daughter as he feels the slight movement of her fingers in his hand.
"Don't blame yourself. There's not much either of us could have done then, but maybe you can do something now. Take her back to D.C. Jethro."
Gibbs head turns quickly, looking back at Leah with shock written across his face. "Leah!" he says in a loud whisper, but before he can say more she interrupts him.
"Please Jethro. I'm not sure how much longer Ziva will be alive if she stays here. I won't lose my little girl. Not permanently," she says as tears begin to roll down her cheeks leaving glimmering tears.
Watching her closely, Gibbs places his coffee on the floor before reaching up to brush away her tears. He pulls her in closer and presses a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll see what I can do, but it's going to have to be Ziva's decision. You know we can't force her to do anything," he says making a smile form on her face.
"Thank You Jethro," she says wrapping her arms around him. They continue to embrace until the sound of rustling sheets disturbs them.
"Ima…Papa…"Ziva moans groggily gaining the attention of both of them.
Two weeks later Gibbs sits in Ben Guiron International airport at a departure gate, coffee in hand as he reads an article from the day's Washington Post. A groan from the seat next to him pulls him from his thoughts. "It's okay Ziver," he says running his hands along her hair in an attempt to soothe her. Her eyes crack open at his touch and her head moves to look at him. "You okay?" he asks as he pulls his jacket up around her shoulders.
"Yes. I am just a little sore," Ziva says as she carefully moves herself into a sitting position. "Did you bring me any?" she asks gesturing to the cup in his hand.
"No but I did bring you some tea," he says pointing to the seat next to her.
"Toda," she says taking a sip of her tea, and smiling as the warm liquid travels down her throat.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Gibbs says taking a quick glance at her.
"I think it is a little late for that question, no" Ziva laughs showing Gibbs the ticket in her hand.
"Yes I am ready. I know Ima wishes for me to be safe and have a better life. She has always wanted that. With all that has occurred I believe this move with be best for me. Yes, much better for me." She says the last part quietly to herself before looking up at her father with a thankful smile. "Thank you Papa." Ziva places a kiss on his cheek as they hear their flight being called for boarding.
"Anything for you Ziver," he says with a smile glad to have his daughter with him again.