Leroy Jethro Gibbs stood there in shock, he couldn't believe it. The person everyone thinks is dead, is standing right in front of him. He doesn't know what to say, or think, or even do. They stand there looking at each other. Just standing and staring, no words are exchanged. That is until Ziva takes a step towards him, and he puts his tools down, and she runs into his arms. He embraces her into a tight hug, and kisses her head. She never wants to let go, because she feels him, his love, and his care. She can sense he's crying, and she pulls away to see him wipe his eyes. "Gibbs," she whispers. But she doesn't know what else to say. He composes himself, before speaking up. "Ziva, what…. what are you doing here? I mean," but he doesn't finish.
"I had to come… home. To where my family is, I don't know if you know, well you probably do, but…" she was fumbling with her words.
"Oh I know. I know about Tali, and I guess I know about Israel. And about Tony, and how he feels about you, and this whole situation. And I know how everyone else feels. But what I don't know is how you feel."
"Listen Gibbs you don't understand any of this, and you may never, but I did it because...no one can understand, and," Gibbs cut her off, raising his voice at her.
"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I DON'T UNDERSTAND. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS, ZIVA. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DID, YOU TORE US APART."
"But Gibbs,".
"NO. YOU WALKED OUT ON YOUR FAMILY. YOU BROKE DiNOZZO'S HEART NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT MULTIPLE TIMES. YOU GUYS WERE IN SUCH DENIAL AND WHEN YOU FINALLY CAME TO YOUR SENSES AND YOU TOLD EACH OTHER THE TRUTH, YOU MADE HIM LEAVE. STRIKE ONE. YOU HAVE HIS CHILD, SOMEONE THAT HE FELL IN LOVE WITH, AND CAN'T STOP LOVING, AND HID HER FROM HIM. STRIKE TWO. YOU DON'T TELL HIM. EVER! STRIKE THREE. AND WORST OF ALL, YOU MAKE US ALL THINK YOU'RE DEAD! YOU LIED TO HIM, AND BASICALLY JUST SAID 'HERE'S YOUR KID, I'M DEAD, I KNOW I NEVER TOLD YOU ABOUT HER, BUT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT FROM HERE. I'M DEAD, I'M GONE. BUT WAIT I'M NOT DEAD, I FAKED MY OWN DEATH AND LIED TO EVERYONE ABOUT IT! HERE I AM! STRIKE FOUR!"
Ziva just sunk to the ground crying, and shaking uncontrollably, as tears racked her whole body, and sobs just came. Tears falling down her face non-stop, her hands covering her face. Gibbs put down his tools, and walked over to Ziva. He got down on the ground, next to her and wrapped his arms around her, embracing her. Whispering to her that it was gonna be alright. Telling her he loves her, and he's happy she's back. He kissed her head, as she fell into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder, staining his shirt with her tears. All the while she kept repeating, "I'm sorry, Gibbs, I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry." He rubbed her back to comfort her. She finally stopped crying, and they sat there a little while longer on the floor.
She looked up into Gibbs' eyes, and spoke softly, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I don't care if it's a sign of weakness, because right now I am weak. I was weak when I made Tony leave and I left you all. And when I didn't tell Tony. But I am sorry. I love you all, and you are all my family that I care about. None of this was supposed to happen, I wish it didn't."
Gibbs kissed her head, "It's okay Ziver, thank God you're alive." Ziva looked at him curiously, "Why would I be dead?"