Author's Note-Okay guys, it's about to get emotional. Including this one, I have seven chapters written, all of them are short, and all of them are really REALLY emotional. Oh and Ziva cries a lot. :/ I thought I'd warn you. NYLF xx
Ziva silently opened Gibbs' front door before quickly making her way over to the couch and sitting on the coffee table beside it.
"What's up?" Gibbs asked sleepily, cracking one eye open. Ziva smiled half-heartedly and put a coffee cup in his hand.
"I need your help."
"So, how long's the op?" Ziva had just finished retelling the night's events and was now sitting very still, trying desperately to hold it together.
"Ah, well, the last one ended after two weeks."
"Yeah, well, I'd rather you not get shot to pieces this time though, if you can help it." A small smile graced her face. "So you don't know?" The small, tense shake of her head that she gives him has him worried. "You're scared. Not a question."
"Not for me." He looked at her questioningly. "Gibbs, nothing I tell you today leaves us okay?"
"Okay?" If there was a more worrying sentence, he was yet to hear it.
"I do not think I am coming home Gibbs. I know that this mission is not going to end well, I can feel it, but I have to go."
"Why?" Ziva sighed exasperatedly before standing and starting to pace.
"Because if I do not, Mossad will keep coming after my family. My children, my husband, the team: the people I care about. They will never be safe for as long as Mossad feel as though I owe them. You must understand that I am doing this to protect you all." Gibbs was quickly on his feet as tears pooled in her eyes.
"C'mere." He pulled her to him with strong insistent arms until she curled into his embrace and wept. "Oh Ziver." He kissed the top of her head as she was rocked by the force of the sobs coming from her. "You shouldn't have to do this. His death should have been the end." He mused. He hated that Mossad still owned her, but she was right. This last job would protect Tony and the children from Mossad backlash in the future. Even if she didn't come home. She slowly calmed down and rested her head on his chest.
"I am sorry." She murmured tearfully.
"Hey, no no. You don't need to apologise." He matched her volume as he held her tighter. "Maybe you should tell Tony how you feel about this." He felt her shake her head against him.
"I cannot. He will try to stop me." Gibbs sighed. "Will you help me?"
"Of course. You should know that by now Ziver." He smiled gently as he cupped her face and made her look at him. "I'll keep all four of you safe." He kissed her forehead lingeringly. "I promise." He whispered against her skin.