"See you Tuesday then. Thank you Doctors." Ziva waved a bit tiredly.

She just got diagnosed with a brain tumour and had a bunch load of information and risks thrown at her. She could allow herself to be tired for once.

Doctor Caleb Relich waved back at his new patient. She seemed like the calmest patient he had ever met. She was a stubborn woman, that of which he could see. That quality was gonna be useful, for it meant she wouldn't give up easily. He admired her bravery, and thus was determined to obtain her friendship as her doctor.

Ziva was back at work on Monday morning. She was extra early to start packing up her belongings first. After all she wouldn't be returning to her desk for quite some time.

As the hands on the clock ticked by, McGee and Tony had already arrived at work. By then, Ziva had already cleared what she had to clear. She could now feel the probing eyes of her fellow agents.

Tony was stealing glimpses at Ziva's desk. Was it him or was it emptier than before?

McGee was doing the same. Was it him or was the wall behind Ziva missing some things?

Ziva was waiting patiently for Gibbs to arrive. She had to talk to him. Today was Monday. She had to get her leave by today, since tomorrow was the surgery.

Right on cue, Gibbs strolled into the bullpen with a coffee cup in hand. Again he caught Ziva's eye. He sat at his desk and now he was just waiting for Ziva to approach him.

True enough, she arrived at his desk yet again like she did on Saturday. Gibbs placed his coffee down beside his keyboard and raised his eyes to look into Ziva's.

"Uhh. I need to take some leave Gibbs. In fact all the leave I have. Starting now. It is like three months right?"

If Gibbs was surprised, he didn't show it. The blow-up came from Tony first, and then McGee, who had been listening in on the conversation.

"What! Three months? Why!" Tony exclaimed as he shot out of his chair.

"Why Ziva? Three months is a long time. Can you take one week instead?" McGee shot out of his chair too.

Ziva had to laugh at McGee's suggestion.

"Why are you laughing? Three months!" Tony said in a desperate voice.

Ziva was about to reply him, but was cut off by the start of his rambles.

"It was my mistake. I didn't mean to say all those things. Is it because of me? Are you leaving to avoid me? Because that ain't gonna work. I'll knock on your door every single day. I'm serious." Tony mumbled as he paced up and down, throwing her sad faces from time to time.

Ziva wasn't given the chance to explain as he continued on. By now, she was leaning against the edge of the table, arms crossed as she waited patiently for his tirade to end.

"Are you so mad at me that you don't want to see me for three months? You said we were good! You told me on Saturday that we were good!" Tony's flustered face stared back at Ziva as he finally stopped his pacing.

"You were about to make a hole in the ground." She joked lightly.

The tips of Tony's lips just curved down further. This wasn't a time for jokes.

"Please don't go. I'm sorry." Tony had a pleading edge to his voice by now.

He wasn't about to let Ziva waltz out of his life. No way.

"Can I explain now? You did not even give me a chance to explain, Tony." She smirked just a little bit.

"Do I have to be worried?" Gibbs cleared his voice, making his grand entrance into the whole conversation.

"Not really."

"Why?" Gibbs uttered a mere one word.

Ziva was prepared. Prepared with lies. "I told you I have a friend. She is sick and there is nobody to take care of her. So I will. Her sickness is terminal. I have an obligation towards her."

She lied so well.

Inside, she felt guilty beyond words. How in the hell could she lie through her teeth to her family and pull it off just like that? Maybe Wendy was right. Sisters who killed their own brothers had no heart.

Gibbs sighed. All eyes snapped to him. He didn't sigh much. This was rare. "You sure I'll see you back here in three months?"

"You know I cannot make promises that I may not be able to keep Gibbs. You know, like accidents. Accidents happen every day to anyone. It is a fact. You never know."

"Then you be extra careful, got it?"

"Got it."

Gibbs pulled her into a protective hug and whispered in her ear "Whatever you're doing, just remember to look out for yourself."

Ziva realised that Gibbs didn't believe her whole 'sick friend' excuse. But it didn't matter. He was far from suspecting what was really going on.

She hugged Gibbs back with all she had. But it was weaker than usual, Ziva finding not much strength in herself, her being plagued with undeniable guilt. "I will try Gibbs."

They pulled back, and Ziva found herself in a McGee bear hug this time. "We'll miss you Ziva. Tony is gonna be insufferable without you here to keep him in check."

"You can handle it." She laughed, rubbing his back.

They pulled away after a while, and she met Tony's gaze. Her smile fell a little.

"You're leaving me with McAllergies for three months." Tony found his voice.

"You will cope."

He just looked sad. And she looked at the other two men. They looked sad too, although Gibbs' one was subtle. It took a trained eye to notice.

"Do not look so sad guys. It is only three months. You can always call me. And I will try my best to pick up." She really didn't want to promise anything definite.

They all acknowledged it, albeit dejectedly. She moved to pack the last of her stuff, as McGee asked "Are you gonna tell Abby?"

"I would. But no. She would not let me leave." She chuckled.

"So could you tell her for me, after I leave?" She continued.

"Sure thing." McGee agreed.

"Okay guys. I am going to find Ducky. See you in three months." She faced them.

Tony started walking forward into Ziva's space. But she back stepped out of his reach. Sure, she said they were good. But after what she just did, he didn't believe her.

Hurt was clearly etched on his face. Things definitely weren't okay between them.

"Uhh I am running late. I still have to say goodbye to Ducky." Ziva gave the lamest excuse she could find.

Tony's shoulders visibly sagged. "Is it because of me?"

"No Tony. It is not. Stop over thinking things." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't exactly true either.

"Nobody's gonna have your back." Tony argued feebly.

"I am going to be in a hospital most of the time. Nothing is going to happen." She gave him a meaningful look.

"Things happen." He sulked like he a kid who had his candy ripped out of his hands.

"I am pretty sure I can take care of myself."

"And you're not here to have my back."

"You have McGee."

"I'd prefer you."

"I will always have your back Tony, whether you know it or not. Okay?" Ziva sighed and offered a weak smile.

"M'kay. Be careful." Tony sighed as well.

"I will. Bye guys." She bid as she stepped into the elevator.

A chorus of 'bye's came about as the elevator doors closed.

"Damn, she didn't tell us exactly where she's going. The earth is a big place." McGee muttered.

"We can always check her credit cards, flight records or something. Or the GPS signal on her phone." Tony offered with blatant concern.

"Are you sure we should be doing that? Ziva deserves some privacy."

"Do you see any other choice?"

"McGee is right. Drop a call or two once in awhile will do. Respect her privacy. But if the need ever arises, we do what we do for family." Gibbs justified sternly.

Entering the dark autopsy, Ziva caught sight of the Medical Examiner. "Hey Ducky."

"My dear girl. Why are you carrying a bag? Don't you have work?" He asked as his eyes fell upon her.

"That is why I am here. I am going on a three month leave, to take care of a terminally sick friend."

"Three months?"

"Like I told the others, you can try calling me if you need."

"I'm gonna miss you Ziva. Three months is too long a time." He said in his Scottish accent as they both hugged.

"I am going to miss having tea with you too Ducky." She said sadly.

As they pulled back from their hug, Ducky continued to talk. "About what Tony blurted out last Friday..."

"I did. I killed Ari. He was going to kill Gibbs." She clarified quickly.

"I wanted to say that I already know that."

"When?"

"Jethro felt betrayed by you when he found out you were sent by your father to kill your brother. He thought you lied to him, and he confided in me."

She sighed. There was lots of sighing done that day.

"I just want to say, that you did what you had to do. There's nothing disgraceful about that." He patted her on the arm.

"Thank you Ducky." She pecked him on the cheek like McGee.

"Have a safe three months my dear." He wished her well.

"Bye Ducky. I hope I'll see you soon." And she left autopsy, doors swooshing close behind her.

In the silence and partial darkness, Ducky stood there staring at the doors. He mused to himself "Hope to see me? Hope?"

Meanwhile, Ziva was crushed to say the least. She didn't know what was up with her body and she just set herself up to be away from the only real family she had now. She dragged herself home and packed a couple of things in her go-bag. A few sets of clothes, some books and a photo of the whole team was all she needed.

She took a lingering look at her apartment and locked the door behind her. She was moving to Uziel's. He thought it was a good idea. It was near George Washington and he could look after her after the surgery.

Two birds, one stone.

TBC

Here ya go...Time flies. It's April! Happy April Fools' Day! Hope you guys didn't get fooled too badly (: