Hi readers, here is a short chapter... yes yes I can write short and sweet ones! I intend on closing all loose ends of this story. All characters and evens will have a closure. Hate what CA did leaving us all guessing so I'm creating my 'ENDINDS'. This one is Ziva Davis's closure. Annie's, Auggie's and all the others mentioned in my story will come, that's a promise. Please review if you like or even dislike.

Eyal asked "Sharon, help me sit up, I need to speak to Ziva."

"Eyal you should rest. The pain didn't go away just because she appeared."

Ziva added "Don't fret, I'm leaving. I wanted for Sharon to confirm this last chapter in my father and brother's Ziva hell hole!"

Eyal closed his eyes and breathed deeply "Ziva, that way of thinking has to stop. Sharon and I have been working to come to term with 'our sins'. We've both taken turns in inflicting to the other the 'tuff-love' pep talks! Today, it's your turn, friend. You've avoided me long enough! Want you to sit and listen to my view of this last 'chapter'."

"Eyal, love you for caring, but not sure I'm up to another pep talk. Just lived through one with Gibbs and Ducky. Enough is enough, OK?"

Eyal didn't back down "Stick with me, Ziva. We are of the same background; I know what you need to hear at the moment. Your brother knew of Eli's full plan. Sharon is here with us. Knowing your father, after Ari's death, he would have wanted to 'do away' with her. She was the last 'loose end'. Why didn't he dispose of her?"

Ziva rolled her eyes at Eyal "Simple… she's Robert Jackson adopted daughter, he would never do anything to jeopardized MI-6's relation with the Mossad!"

"Wrong. Eli David never shied away from what needed to be done in order to tie up a loose end! Sharon was protected by a person close to you. Think Ziva!"

Ziva was at wits end, "Eyal, stop! I have enough on my plate as it is. Tafsik lezyen bamoah! (You're talking nonsense)"

Eyal, the pain helping, was livid "That's it, I give up! Lech hapess me yenanea otcha (Go look for someone who cares)"

Sharon was surprised at Eyal's reaction. "Eyal, that wasn't called for!"

As Ziva went to get up, Eyal caught her arm and pushed her down. He winced and swore as the pain ran down his neck to the tip of his fingers.

Sharon shot Ziva such a deadly stare that she obediently sat down.

Eyal spoke in a robotic voice "Sharon, can you page Uncle En? I need some kind of pain killer, any kind!"

Getting up and putting her arm around his shoulders, she said

"Love, they are going to serve diner soon, better you rest and have a good meal. Think it's better if Ziva and I talk first (sort it out between us). Promise, we'll be back by 1900 hours with an open mind. Won't we Ziva?" (she nodded).

Eyal answered "Since you asked so nicely, I'll oblige. As for 'a good meal' not going to happen! I'm on a soft diet, meaning my food is chopped, ground, mashed, pureed, and moist. Worst… all alcoholic beverages are forbidden."

Chuckling Sharon answered "Oupsss … hadn't thought of that! Well, I'm sure it nourishing and that's what you need at this time, Mister! Still want me to page Uncle En? You can't take regular painkillers."

"Yes, please. He mentioned you had asked him to find an alternative to hypnosis, seem he might have found something."

Winking at Ziva, he said "Girl prepare yourself, you are going to get that lecture! It's only a matter of time. I'm on your side, always remember that..."

Ziva approached and whispered while kissing the top of his head,

"I know and promise to listen when ready. Thanks for caring, big brother. Sharon is right, better we talk first. I have many questions; she might not have all the answers but I'll take what's available."

As soon as they left, Eyal's uncle, bearing a hypocrite smile, came in.

"You ready to try my alternative pain killer?"

Eyal smiled and answered, "Marijuana isn't a pain killer, it's a pain distracter. Uncle En, prefer we keep this from Sharon for now. If it works, I'll read her in, if not… well, what she doesn't know can't hurt her!"

"Son, why the secrecy? It's legal in the US as well as in Israel for medical reasons. You have received the OK from hospital authorities. Plus, you know damn well it works for you, gave you some for that back injury… remember."

Eyal shot him a sly smile "I remember…"

Uncle En lighted up the medical marihuana joint and pass it to Eyal while saying,

"Never thought I'd become an expert in rolling joints! They also have capsules here; would you prefer those?"

"No, like it better the 'natural' way. It stirs up memories of my youth!"

"Son, I was there, you were not much of a smoker more the book worm type!"

"Agree, but did have some fun from time to time."

They jumped at hearing "Interesting pain killer, boys!"

Eyal nearly swallowed the join he was inhaling "Damn, Sharon what are you doing here?"

"Knew what you were up to and wanted you to know that I knew!"

Uncle En asked "How?"

"In order to have permission to smoke the weed instead of the capsules usually given, you need to have a special ventilator… which I noticed was added to your 'equipment'. I'm a spy in case you had forgotten, details like that don't go unnoticed. Guys, would have preferred you'd read me in. I'm not a holy little hypocrite, know what pot is and always approved of its medical use. At this time, it's a welcome/perfect alternative for you, Love! Plus, you are not the addictive personality."

Eyal handed her his joint and she took a couple of puffs.

"Nice, smell brings back memories… need to know memories that is!"

"Oh… I need/want to know, darling. You look at ease smoking a joint!"

"As you my dear! Memories will have to wait, for now I've got a dreadful face to face date with my friend Ziva!"

As she bent down to kiss Eyal good-bye, he folded two joints in her hand and whispered for her only "It might lighten the mood!"

Sharon rapidly hid the joints from Uncle En and said thank-you/good idea as she kissed him a last time.

Arriving at 'Eyal's place in Washington' Sharon just let herself drop on the sofa. Ziva followed suite. Looking at each other, they broke in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Sharon took out the joints and said "A gift from Eyal…"

"I love that man! Who could have guess you two would end up together? Got to admit though, you complete each other well. Eyal is a changed man, for the better that is. I've lost my faithful sidekick dark companion!"

Sharon handed Ziva her joint and they took some well needed downtime! Both were not adepts of pot but the very sensitive subject they had to talk and sort out commended this drastic measure!

After smoking the join, Sharon was the first to speak,

"Funny, the oldest reference to the cannabis plant is a pharmacy book from 2737 B.C., and it was related to its use as a medicine. The Chinese emperor Shen Nung (the Divine Farmer) referred to it as the "liberator of sin" and recommended it for the treatment of "female weakness," gout, rheumatism, malaria, constipation, and absent-mindedness. By 1000 B.C., its medicinal use, as indicated by available writings, had spread to India; by 500 B.C., it was familiar to the ancient Greeks. How can we explain that in 2015, we are fighting over its legalization? In some place it isn't even permitted for medical uses! Our ancestors were way ahead of us!"

"Welby shut the hell up! I always hated your historic inputs. How on earth can you remember it all!"

At those words Ziva froze and added "Damn, why didn't I see it before, you and Ducky are exactly alike. He's always blabbing away… damn Gibbs is borderline psychic; it took him less than 48 hours to make the far fetch connection!"

"He's special that for sure, but Ziva we aren't here to talk about Gibbs and my new found father. Need you to be truthful: Did you have any knowledge of your father's plan for me?"

"Sharon, I did not, Barei Lev (pure in heart)"

"I believe you, the spy in me needed to ask! Ziva, at the hospital, Eyal only wanted to help. As Eyal, you've also change from when we were partners, but you still have one hurdle to pass… accepting who you are. Abby said something to me that I'm going to throw at you – Good people know how to outweigh good actions from the bad. Ziva is a good person… but she only looks at her bad actions so she thinks she is bad. Wish someone could make her see her goods like Gibbs did for me. I tried to help Ziva but…"

"Sharon, Abby sees 'good' in everybody. She's not a reference."

"Well, she has an IQ of well over 180 and is a forensic scientist. Plus, I agree with what she said. Ziva, when are you going to realize that you are not your father or brother and it is not your job to carry their sins. Must admit I was shock when I realized that my mother and Eli were a 'team'. That makes me your equal in every way."

"Sharon how can you say that? I'm sure my father blackmailed your mother in some way. You are a good friend, mother and wife…Sound mind and body…"

"And you? You are the best partner and friend I ever had; Tony would die for you; Gibbs considers you like his daughter. I see his eyes when you are hurting, he's hurting double! Girl you must be doing something right. Have a question for you: Who was the hit woman when we were paired together?"

"Sharon…"

"WHO?"

"Damn, you were!"

"WHY"

"…."

"WHY"

"Because my father didn't trust me to kill on demand! You always were his # 1, his favorite, the daughter he wished he'd had…. HAPPY! I couldn't even live up to the expectations of my own father."

"Damn Ziva, you don't get it, I was only a puppet for him. He made me do the dirty work and purposely kept you away from that side of the job. Why: I needed to have the 'necessary' tools to complete my mission! You were his family; he was protecting you and using me."

Sharon saw the realization then the pain in Ziva face.

"Mitzta'eret (I'm sorry)! How can you not want to kill me?"

"Ziva, you are my friend – ChaveraShelach, better my sister - Achoti. You had nothing to do with this shit. It did hit home hard and must admit what I'm realizing hurts big. Always considered Eli as a father figure. I prefer, no need to think, that I might have become at one point, for him, more than a spy toy but…"

Ziva looked up and said "Chag Urim Sameach (May we be enlightened)

"Ziva, I have more of a dark side than you ever will but you are in no way responsible for how I got those 'dark' qualities! It's a trait of my personality that was only highlighted by Eli. I am who I am, you're not to blame!"

Suddenly Ziva lifted her hand, Sharon caught it and a violent fight erupted.

They went at each other not to hurt but more to relieve the unbearable tension that had built up between them. It had always been their way of working out their problems: He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword way.

Out of breath, Ziva pulled Sharon up "Well Sis, what do you think of us now?"

"Ready to face the future in a better light! You?"

"Might be interesting to try. Sharon, since we are letting it all out… I always envied your compartmentalization skills and the fact that you could shut off emotions. Plus, you had the singing and dancing skills I wished I was born with."

"Ziva, this is weird… I would have loved to have your empathy and kindness for others. I just can't 'feel' profoundly about the events in a person's life – good or bad. Yes, I can see their hurt or happiness, react to it and give a helping hand or shoulder if necessary but it's all superficial; I'd even say, at times, an act because it's what is expected of me. Gibbs would say 'I don't feel it in my guts.' The only persons I can relate to are my close friends and family. I learned today that I was genetically conceived for this specific trait and what I was lacking, Eli David trained me for it! Ziva, for the singing, you have a wonderful voice and are a lot sexier at it than I can be. As for dancing, take lessons girl! You have a better body for it than I ever will. Give yourself a fighting chance!"

"Sharon, that's …."

"The Emet veYatziv (True and Certain)! Ziva with Eyal's help, I accepted myself for what I am. I love the life I have and what I've done with myself. You have, with Tony, Gibbs and the rest of your NCIS family, the chance to enjoy your life to the fullest. You only need to love yourself half as much as we all do!"

"Sharon, I can only promise to try. We were partners for three years and lived through many up and down, but we never talked like we just did. Tonight, you hit many sensitive nerves. Never would have thought you envied, of all things, my empathy… For me, it was THE flaw preventing me from being the spy my father wanted me to be!"

"It's not a flaw, believe me, it's not a flaw. We really are two peas in a pod!"

They talked about the consequences and legacies of the actions of Eli David/Elisabeth Jackson. Both had many unanswered questions but reminiscing the three years they were partners, many situations/mission mishaps were now clearer. Looking deeply in each other's eyes, they hugged.

Sharon added, "Hey, it's nearly 1900 hours. Eyal is a sticker for punctuality. We don't show up in time, he's going to send the cavalry. Ziva prepare yourself for some sort of news… think Eyal has another piece of this distorted puzzle. My master spy has been pulling strings since I told him of it all. Pretty sure it concerns Ari."

"I know, wasn't ready to hear it this morning but I am now. Sharon, I'm in no shape to drive…."

"Either am I, better we take a cab. With your skills, we could end up being arrested for driving under the influence. Great headlines that would make!"

"Sharon, why don't we bring Eyal a little something for sharing his 'pain killers'. It permitted me to calm down long enough for your words to sink in. An up and coming Israeli artist owed me money and offered a very pricey wine and two signed glass set to settle his debt. Consider it my gift to you both… for all you've done and will continue doing for yours truly."

"I don't need or want a gift to be your friend, that's free. But I will take you up on your offer, it will up Eyal's spirits: Israeli made, fine art craft and pricey wine. He won't be able to take much of the wine but he's an avid art collector. It's the perfect gift, Ziva. Jut what the doctor would order!"

"Well, it all fits: The wine is just his size – It's one of those mini-bottle."

As they entered the room, Eyal was caught red handed in charming a nurse. She took one look at Sharon and rapidly excused herself.

Chuckling Sharon came close to him "I can return at another time, if it's inconvenient for you?"

"Sharon, I was just being a gentleman."

Ziva answered "Yea, you always loved being a gentleman… and the paybacks it could procure. You do realize you can't do that anymore?"

"See somebody is in a better mood."

He took a closer look at them and a sly smile grew on his face.

"See by the red marks on your necks, you two ruffled your feathers, just hope it over and done with. Really don't want to defuse time bombs between the two of you… this old man not quite up to it yet! Should I warn Gibbs to be on the lookout for two pit bulls seeking closures?"

Both rolled their eyes at him.

Sharon kissed him, he brought her closer and deepened the kiss while adding "Missed you."

She smiled and Ziva added "Eyal, you were alone less than three hours! Has love rendered you so powerless that it has control on your every thought...your every word...your every move? Not good for a Master spy!"

Eyal answered "Not at all, it makes me a happy man and a better spy. You should try it sometimes."

Ziva's answered "I might just do that!"

"Well, well, well I can see it was a good ruffling of feathers!"

Sharon asked "Eyal, this afternoon you seemed to want to share a new piece of the puzzle?"

Eyal sat up and said "Very observant of you Mrs. Welby."

Ziva added "I'm ready to answer – You asked who protected Sharon from my father, I'm guessing it was Ari."

"Yes, How?"

Both said "Don't know."

"I'm disappointed, all that training; Mossad, Kidon and MI-6 and neither of you has a clue. Think my little grasshoppers, think."

Ziva had less patience with Eyal's humor than Sharon "EYAL, stop touting your own horn!

Sharon laughed "She finally got an idiom right!"

Ziva was not in a laughing mood "SHARON"

Eyal held up his hands "OK, OK, Ziva, you win! Warning: This is not going to paint a better picture of your father but you might come to terms with Ari's actions. Since Sharon told me of the situation, I pushed a couple of buttons and cashed in some IOUs. Surprisingly enough, people are more than willing to talk since the principal culprits are dead."

He pulled Sharon near him and made sure Ziva was comfortable.

"From what I gathered Eli informed Ari of the plans 'daddy' had for him. From what I was able to gather it was as Ari was entering medical school. The same School as Sharon was enrolled in after having spent three years as Ziva's partner in Israel and, at that time and as planned, was Ari's girlfriend. Ari flatly refused the orders. That pushed Eli to blackmail Ari by threatening to kill his mother. Ari called it a bluff but sadly he didn't know how far Eli could go; Mrs. Haswari was promptly killed (well more murdered). Sharon was next in line if Ari didn't fall in the ranks… so he did. Sharon, from what I gathered, he deeply cared for you. Ari was his father's son and he came up with a vengeful plan; go along with his father's traced path but at one point he turned the table: The son blackmailed the father."

Ziva swallowed hard before asking "But why kill Caitlin Todd?"

Eyal smiled at Ziva "An eye for an eye… Ari by killing Caitlin was avenging his mother's murder. Not saying I agree or understand his motives, but that young man was put through one hell of a psychological torture! Can't say I'd kept my sanity having lived through what he did. Ziva, the man had, at one point, a heart and soul. Deep down, from what my sources are telling me, he was at lot like you. He was forced to walk a different path. "

Ziva swallowed hard but still needed to ask,

"Why her, why in the US?"

"That's where my intel is a little sketchy, Ari, at that time, was Mossad posing as a Hamas terrorist (or it may have been the other way around) and to complete a terrorist act, he met up with Gibbs (in order to only seem to complete the mission Hamas had tasked him with). One of my assets said that Gibbs reminded Ari of your father, don't ask me why. Ari chose to make Gibbs suffer for the crime of your father, don't have the answer to why Gibbs. My asset, one of Mossad's best profiler at the time, was asked by Ari to study Gibbs and built a complete file on the man. That's how he knew how to hurt Gibbs at his core. Caitlin death served two purposes: Get his revenge for his mother and pass on to Gibbs and Ziva, your father's horrible doings."

Sharon asked "Eyal, Eli should have had me killed, I was a loose end. Even could say, the only one left standing. He had the means and I'm now realizing with horror… the will."

Ziva gulped at Sharon's words. Eyal reached for Ziva's hand and squeezed it as he pulled Sharon closer to him.

"Yes, you are right but Ari purposely didn't read Sharon in. By doing so, his ability to protect Sharon grew. If you would have known of your role, believe me, Sharon you'd be dead. By killing Caitlin Todd and going public (telling Gibbs and Ziva) in the US with what Eli David had planned for his own son's future, (He chose the US because it was/is an important Israeli allied and a leader for coordinating peace talks), Ari succeeded in demolishing Eli's reputation in the Mossad and in the spy world in general: His mother was avenged and his girl protected, Ari could die in peace. As for Sharon, Ari knew the man Eli was… how can I say this without being sick, 'a man of honor'. Meaning he didn't kill if it wasn't necessary to achieve his goal or tie up a loose end. Sharon, you were not a loose end. All that knew of the diabolical plan, except Eli, were dead. If Eli didn't tell you, you'd never find out. Plus, you and Ziva had developed a very strong friendship and I'm thinking you grew on him. You became a member of his family… Eli would never hurt a member of his family."

Sharon shook her head and said "Eyal, he sent Ziva on an impossible mission and if it hadn't been for Gibbs and Tony, she'd be dead. How can you say Eli would never hurt a family member?"

Eyal smiled "My little grasshopper is missing something! Think my little one!"

Ziva swore in Hebrew and blurted out "I was no more a member of his family; I was a member of the NCIS family. He said it to me over and over, I didn't realize it, damn Eyal, you and Gibbs are made of the same cloth!"

It was Sharon's turn to swear in French!

Ziva wanted more "Eyal, can I know who your sources are? If you know… someone else knows…."

"Ziva, that I'll take to my grave. Just know that you are both safe; Eli's heritage died with him. My asset had doubts on one person and I made sure he is no longer a threat. The buck stops here!"

Ziva and Sharon looked wide eyes at Eyal but knew better to ask for more details, they wouldn't get any.

Ziva got up and kissed Eyal while whispering for him only,

"Today I close the door to my past, open the door to my future, take a deep breath, step on through and start a new chapter in my life. Eyal, you and Sharon may not be of my blood but you are my only true family. Thank-you beloved brother! Ketivah veChasimah Tovah LeShanah Tovah Tikateivu (May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good Year)"

At that she handed him her gift.

Sharon looked at Eyal and saw a rare moment; tears rolling down his face. She had not heard what Ziva had said to her man but seeing him cry was enough to know Eyal had succeeded in what he had set out to do: Change Ziva's Kismet and give her a life of her own; free of Eli, Ari, the Mossad and even the dark memories of Israel. Ziva was now free to build her future and live with the happy souvenirs of her past along with the bad ones.

After Ziva had left, Sharon sat by Eyal and said "Think she'll be OK?"

"Don't know. The only wall that was stopping her from going forward was the one she created in her thoughts/mind. Just hope she realized at least that!

"I also need to thank-you. Ziva is not the only one you helped seeing the glass half full!"

She noticed Eyal was admiring the glasses Ziva had giving him.

"Would you like to try out those glasses. We could toast to our future?"

"I'm dying to but I might just die doing it!"

"Well, you'll at least die happy. Kidding… Checked it out with you Uncle and he said if the first sip doesn't make him vomit or convulse, tell him he can have half a glass but he has to take several small sips!"

Sharon had to laugh, his long lashed dark brown eyes were sparkling with mischief as he said

"Really and you agreed? Think this is the best gift I've ever been given."

Well Eyal was able to keep the first sip down and as promise Sharon poured him half a glass. They toasted to life and to Ziva's future (be it a happy one!).

To be continue