Everything was aching. The tears down her face stung but no matter how hard she tried to wipe them away they just kept coming back. As she stared at her reflection she could blame the wetness on her cheeks on the water from the sink…but Ziva knew she was crying and she knew who she was crying for.

"Don't do that," came a voice from above her.

Ziva hiccuped. The tears kept flowing but she was silent.

"You have to be strong for the team Ziva. You're the only who can be."

Ziva sighed. She couldn't close her eyes because if she did she would see the explosion, over and over again. She didn't want to imagine Gibbs in the middle of it. She didn't even want to think about the condition he was in right now…only because she knew too well. And she knew what the survival rate was…

"It's Gibbs, Ziva. He could survive and earthquake, hurricane, and volcanic eruption even if it him all at the same time."

She smiled, but remained silent. She tried once again to wipe the tears from her face but it only felt like she was pushing them deeper into her skin. Like there would be permanent marks on her face where the tears fell and burned her skin at the touch. She wiped even harder, nearly scratching her eyes out. She had to be strong.

"That's right. You have to be strong, Ziva. I wouldn't have left them to you if I didn't think you could handle them. They need you. Let Abby be angry and let Ducky be concerned. And McGee confused and Tony…well…Tony. Gibbs will be fine. You have to believe that."

Ziva turned around. "We haven't spoken in a while Kate."

Kate smiled, "I'm only around when I need to be."

Ziva sighed, "They need you Kate. I can't do anything for them. Gibbs is…he is-"

"-he's fine," Kate interrupted, "Look. Its unfortunate that we never got to meet but I already know you're more than capable of doing this job. Contrary to what people might think you have more compassion than anyone I knew. That's what makes you the stronger person." She walked forward and placed her hands on Ziva's shoulders, "Be strong for them. Be strong for me."

Ziva nodded slightly, "You know, most people don't believe in ghosts. Not even Abby."

Kate smiled, "She believes in spirits."

Ziva smiled too, "So do I."

Just then Agent Laramie walked in. She looked over at Ziva, "were you just talking to someone?"

"Just a friend. A mentor, actually."

Assuming she was on a phone call Agent Laramie nodded, "Oh, that's nice." She turned to the sink, but then did a 180, "I'm sorry about…" she couldn't bring herself to say Gibbs' name.

Ziva shook her head, "Don't worry about it. I'm not." And she walked out the door with all the air of confidence and faith around her.