"Thanks for picking me up Ziva" said McGee as he awkwardly made his way into the Mini Cooper trying not to to bang his injured arm on the way in.
"You are welcome McGee" Ziva said helping her team mate and good friend with his seat belt. "Nice car" McGee said, looking around the Mini as Ziva speed off to the Yard
"Thank you McGee. How is the arm this morning?" Ziva asks, taking her eyes of the road for moment onto McGee
"Eyes on the road Ziva ".
"McGee, I am a perfectly safe driver".
McGee turned his head to look out the widow "Ouch" he said as Ziva gave him a 'Gibbs slap'.
"Do not roll your eyes at me McGee and you never answered my question"
"I'm fine Ziva I just landed on it wrong when I had to tackle that suspect yesterday"
"Are you sure you should come in today?"
"I'll be fine Ziva, I have some paper work to catch up on"
"If you say so McGee"
They drove in silence for a few minutes until McGee breaks the silence with a question.
"Why a Mini Cooper? It's not a car I would of thought popular in Israel". McGee looks at Ziva and he thinks he sees a slight tear forming in Ziva's eyes but quickly it was gone as Ziva blinked them away.
"Never mind" McGee quickly says. While Ziva is focusing on the road ahead her mind drifts back to Israel and her beloved sister Tali...
Flashback to Israel...
Sixteen year old Tali David straightens out her red dress making sure the black ribbon is nicely in place before peeking around the red velvet curtain. She saw that her father made it to her lunch time recital. He had told her last night that her big sister Ziva, who was also her best friend, might not be able to make it.
" Places please everyone", her singing instructor said, noticing that Tali had yet to respond to the call. ame
"Tali" she said again this time more firmly.
"Yes Miss Rubinstein?"
"Take your place please!"
"Yes Miss Rubinstein"
Twenty two year old Ziva David covertly made her way into the recital. She knew that she was slicing it pretty close after just wrapping up one of her first assignments with Mossad to make it on time. Her father looks at her with a question in his eyes.
"Tov Me'od" Ziva said telling her father and her boss that it went very well.
Just as Ziva sat down, the curtain opened and the music of Puccini's Madame Butterfly began as Tali prepaired to sing.
Ziva sat spell bounded in her seat as she listened to the beautiful gift God have given her sister. Glancing at her father she noticed that even he had a tear in his eyes. All too soon the concert was over and they were outside congratulating Tali on her performance.
"Ziva and I have to go back work" Eli David said to his daughters.
"But Aba, it has been weeks since I have seen Ziva" says Tali said giving him a look he could not refuse.
"Ziva be back at Mossad in an hour to write your report"
Thank you Aba" Tali says giving him a big hug. The sisters watch on as Eli leaves.
They walk to a nearby coffee shop and at Tali's insistence, sit at an outside table with their drinks. Tali starts informing Ziva about everything she has missed while she has been away,
"One day Zee, I am going to buy myself a car like that" Tali says pointing to a VW Bug "but in colors like this", pointing to her Red dress with a thin black ribbon.
"I am sure you will". Ziva smiled and was about to say more, but her phone rang. She looked at her caller Id and it was Mossad.
"Sorry I have to go Tali."
"Your sounding like Aba already" she replied
"See you at dinner tonight. Will you be okay to get a lift home" Ziva said choosing to ignore that comment.
"Yes, Sarah and her family are inside" Tali rolls her eyes at Ziva and waves at her long time friend in the window.
Ziva kissed her sister on the cheek and walked away. She only got a block away when she hears a loud bang, the tell tale sound of a suicide bomber.
"TALI"! Ziva screams. Ziva runs back towards the coffee shop. As she approaches her worst fears are realized when she sees the charred remains of the building that was the coffee shop that she had only left moments ago.
End of flashback
Ziva knows McGee will not push her, but she feels secure enough to tell him just one word.
"Tali"
McGee puts his good hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze and they continue the drive in silence.
and these are(some)of the cars of our lives
The End