Ziva rose earlier than usual the following morning. For the first time in a very long time, even before the terror of Somalia, her sleep had been uninterrupted, almost peaceful but when she had woken, an almost childish panic gripped her as she worried that Ari's appearance had all been a dream. If that was in fact the case, then they would be the cruellest of dreams. With trepidation, she quietly walked through to the kitchen to find Ari standing there, brewing jasmine tea and slicing fruit into a bowl for her breakfast. A sigh of relief and happiness escaped her lips at the sight.

'Boker Tov.' Ari called, turning around to look at Ziva. His brow furrowed as he noticed her expression. 'What is wrong?'

'It is nothing.'

He raised his eyebrow at her in a way which, when she was a teenager, he had used to make her confess to something.

'I was worried that you being here was a dream.' She confessed as tears threatened to spill. She self consciously wiped her eyes and Ari walked over and took her once more in his strong arms.

'As I said last night- I am going nowhere.' He murmured.

She smiled at that. 'I see you have made me breakfast yet none for yourself. You still do not eat? My, my Ari is that a wise idea when you should be worried about keeping your figure, particularly in your old age.' She stuck her tongue out at him as he gasped, swatting her playfully.

'That may well be the case but at least I do not sound like an old man with emphysema when I sleep!' Ziva gasped in mock anger and this time it was her turn to swat Ari who laughed heartedly.


The weeks went by and the team had noticed that Ziva was different. The team had all noticed that she was a lot happier than what she had been in a long time; in fact even before Somalia. Her dedication on cases was unrivalled but she had begun to leave earlier, instead of staying late working on paperwork. Her clothing too had changed. Abby had been the first to notice that Ziva was back to wearing cargo pants, shirts and vest tops and boots and with her Star of David proudly displayed around her neck.

At home, she and Ari spent every free moment together. He, telling her about the mission and about events in Israel; she regaling him with stories of her team and cases-in particular the suspects they chased. He had stopped her during one story and had told her solemnly that he was proud of her work and happy that she was happy in America. This statement had caused her to cry in happiness and Ari had laughed at how soft she was becoming, earning him a punch in the arm.

But this new life Ziva achieved did not come without its threats. With the danger Ari faced from being recognised by any member of the intelligence community, the siblings were careful when they went out to the shops or to restaurants, Ziva being particular to stay away from any of the team's haunts. When he was not conducting Mossad business, Ari stayed about the apartment, taking occasional trips out on his motorbike and he had started to read some of Ziva's books much to her shock as he never was a reader like her and Ari had been even more shocked when she told him that McGee was Thom E. Gemcity and that Liza was based on her. She had come home everyday to be grilled by Ari on her incidents in the book, none more so than her relationship with Special Agent 'Tommy'. Ziva had fiercely denied any feelings for Tony but even still, Ari was suspicious.


A month had passed since the happier, ninja-like Ziva had walked into the bullpen and Tim had found himself once more down in the lab with Abby. It was the end of the day and Gibbs had disappeared to Vance's office to discuss politics and Ziva had rushed out before the others were even out of their chairs causing an exchange of raised eyebrows between himself and Tony who too had left, on his way to the bar with his Baltimore buddies. Finally alone together and without fear of Gibbs walking in, Abby and McGee sat in her office holding hands and working on Abby's computer.

'Ziva's different.' Abby spoke quietly, nuzzling into his neck.

'I've noticed. She's leaving early and she seems happier. I'm glad that she's happy especially after everything she's been through. She's like a sister to me.' McGee talked softly.

'Yeah I know Timmy. And it's good she's like the old Ziva. Do you think Tony and her, have, you know, hooked up?'

'I don't think so because Tony seems just as surprised as we are.' McGee said, kissing Abby on the forehead making her blush.

'Well...maybe she has a new boyfriend. Oh I hope not. She and Tony so belong with each other-everyone sees it except them.' Abby wailed desperately at that thought causing McGee to laugh.

'I know what you mean. It gives me a headache just thinking about all those glances, flirting and innuendo in the bullpen. It's like living with a pair of teenagers. Uh imagine that thought-Tony as a teenager!' McGee shuddered, causing Abby to laugh and then he too joined in as they thought about teenage versions of their co-workers.

'Timmy, imagine a teenage Gibbs!' The pair roared with laughter as they imagined it. 'Although I do think the boss man was born the way he is.' Abby whispered and McGee laughed even harder as he pressed a kiss to her neck, grateful for every moment he shared with Abby.


Meanwhile, Gibbs walked into autopsy after speaking to Vance about budgets and about their last case. 'Ah Jethro. Fancy a dram?'

Gibbs smiled at this, 'Sure Duck.' He took a seat next to Ducky as the older man poured him his whisky. They were silent as they took a sip, appreciating the texture and the flavour of the swirling liquid. Ducky placed his glass down and turned to Gibbs. 'So what brings you down here Jethro?'

'I dunno...came to see an old friend.' Gibbs replied, taking another sip of his whisky.

'You are here about Ziva.' Ducky answered looking at Gibbs knowingly.

'Ah Duck, you know me so well.' He sighed deeply. 'I'm worried about her.'

'Why? From what I have seen and from Palmer's accounts, Ziva is a lot happier than she has been for some time.' Ducky questioned his old friend.

'I dunno...gut feeling that she's hiding something. Call it a fatherly instinct.' Gibbs smiled at that thought. Despite losing Kelly, he thought of both Abby and Ziva as his daughters and he was fiercely protective of both even though he knew that they could easily take care of themselves.

'Perhaps this new found happiness is the result of one Anthony DiNozzo.' Ducky spoke astutely.

'Nah. I've been watching Tony and he seems just as surprised as we are about the whole thing.'

'Oh dear. Perhaps Ziva has found herself another man.' Ducky asked worriedly.

'I doubt it. She only has eyes for DiNozzo.' Gibbs said gruffly, concerned about their relationship yet having long ago thrown out Rule 12.

'No doubt we will find out eventually what is making our Ziva so happy.' Ducky wisely predicted.

'I'll drink to that.' Gibbs said raising his glass, as did Ducky and they sat and drank the night away, reminiscing about the past.


Tony too sat drinking the night away with his Baltimore buddies at a bar in downtown DC. His buddies were mucking around, watching a baseball game on the TV but for once Tony was not in the mood. Instead he sat thinking of Ziva. She seemed a lot happier recently and he was worried. Something must have changed her. Ever since Somalia, Ziva had been different-less confident, less ruthless, less Ziva and now, within a few weeks of her breakdown and her being sent the pendant, she was almost her old self.

Almost. She would never be the same after what she had endured in the desert. Ziva had been happy when her pendant was returned but she was even happier and the fact she was also leaving early, made him worry. Please, please, say she doesn't have a boyfriend. The thought of Ziva being with a man that wasn't him upset him more than anything else. But if Ziva was happy then he would gladly sacrifice his own happiness. Sighing, Tony took a swig of his beer as one of his mates called him over. Plastering a fake grin on his face, he walked over. Oh well, at least I can get absolutely stoned tonight.


Ziva and Ari sat, sprawled over the sofas, reading old case files that Ari had smuggled with him so that Ziva was still informed of what was happening back in her homeland. They had sat in silence for what seemed like forever until Ari interrupted Ziva's thoughts. 'Do you miss it? Mossad and Israel?'

Ziva looked up at him surprised he had asked such a question. 'Yes. I do. I tell myself that I should not but I do. I am happy in America but Israel is my homeland and I will always miss it. I even miss Abba, even after all that has happened between us.'

'I understand that. Eli David may be a bastard but he is our father and you are right-Israel is your home and it will always be but you are lucky to have this life in America. You have a new life Ziva.' Ari spoke sincerely.

'So do you Ari. You have a new life too.' She replied smiling back and the siblings spent the rest of their night like Gibbs and Ducky, reminiscing about their past in Israel.


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Translations are as follows:

Boker Tov- Good Morning