Can Orli Elbaz be a bitch? Yes. But I like to give her a little leeway, as I do Eli, because of her position. She is trying to make amends for her mistakes. And she is trying to seal the breach between Eli and Ziva one last time. I had to fit her into the story because I was so pleased to see Marina Sirtis on NCIS (I'm a very big Trekkie) even though I generally loathe the episodes she appears in ("Berlin", but really anything directly post-"Shiva"; "Past, Present and Future" and "Family First").

When Mossad Director Orli Elbaz sent Officers Malachi Ben-Gidon and Liat Tuvia to pick up Ziva David and Anthony DiNozzo the second time, they returned with the couple. The last time, Malachi had delivered the message Ziva had given him. To say Orli was perturbed was an understatement. She had contacted Leon Vance, immediately and directly to express her displeasure at the lack of cooperation she had received from the NCIS agents. She thought they would come when Malachi mentioned having information on the case that Agent DiNozzo had been seriously wounded in. But then she was informed that, technically, both of them were on leave and in Israel as private American citizens. That word had been emphasized by Agent Gibbs, who Orli had asked to be included. It was the only thing the the man had said during the entire call. She had calmed down, at last, when Leon assured her it would be mentioned to them about the importance of cooperation between their two agencies.

It was only after the call had finished that Orli remembered Ziva was a David. They were stubborn and and arrogant and would not be moved until they were ready. And a few days later, Ziva had overcome that inborn stubbornness and called to apologize and make an appointment to see her.

David and DiNozzo walked into her office and Orli saw that the stubbornness and fire in the younger woman's eyes hadn't actually diminished, even as she was trailing the American. She knew Ziva was only here for the intel, nothing more. But Orli chose to be polite and patient, and see what it got her in return.

"Ziva, Anthony, it is good to see you," she said graciously as she gestured to the couch opposite her desk.

Ziva turned to Tony, who looked a to be a little more cooperative. "It's really lovely to be here in this building again," Tony replied, a note of sarcasm in his tone. "Seems you folks won't let me leave without stopping in and saying hi."

Orli took a deep breath, as she made a mental note that with Agent DiNozzo, appearances were often deceiving. It was a lesson Eli had learned the hard way. Then she turned to give a full look to Ziva. Of course, Malachi and Liat had reported back to her the fact that Ziva was with child and it wasn't hard to figure out that Anthony was the father. Now, it was becoming clearer why she had chosen to return to the United States. "I would like to offer my congratulations," she said. "When are you due?"

"If it all the same to you. Director, we would like to be on our way. The flight tomorrow is rather early and we would like to go back to our hotel as soon as possible." It was actually more polite that Orli had expected.

She let out a sigh and handed over a USB drive. "When we learned not just of Agent DiNozzo's shooting, but that it appeared to be connected to the Brotherhood of Doubt, I had an investigation openned. We had finished collecting the intel a few days before your return, and I was preparing it when we were alerted to your presence back in this country, so I thought it would be best to hand it off to you directly. That way, it ensured reaching NCIS without fear of being intercepted."

Ziva looked at the data storage unit in her hand. "Thank you. We will be sure that Director Vance and Agent Gibbs receive this as soon as we get back."

Ziva was not going to make this easy, it seemed, so Orli tried a new tactic. "Tony, how are you recovering? I spoke with Leon Vance just the other day and he said you had still in a residential rehabilitation program only a week ago."

Tony's eyes slide to Ziva, but then he answered the question with a rather good deal of patience. "I'm doing better. I don't really need a cane to walk anymore, so that's good. When I get back, I hope still have a little more physical therapy to do, but I hope to be back at NCIS soon."

"And you, Ziva? How are you faring with your condition?"

"You care about my condition?" When she smiled like that, like she was ready to pounce, she looked so much like Eli, it hurt Orli. But before she could go on, Tony rubbed her arm. It had the effect of calming her, as she answered. "I am well, as is the baby. And I will be rejoining NCIS soon as well."

Orli tried to act surprised by the news, but Ziva was too good at reading people for it to work now. "A mother and an agent? It is a lot to balance," she commented.

But sadly, it appeared as though her opinion was not wanted. "I have worked out the situation with Director Vance. I will not be in the field, but support for Agent Gibbs' team." Then she rose from her seat. "Now, if that is all, Director."

Orli should have let them go. Ziva's mind was set, but Orli felt there were things that needed to be said, needed to be out in the open. "Actually, I think we need to clear things up, as I suspect we will never be in each other's company again." She turned to Tony. "Agent DiNozzo, if you would, I would like to speak to Ziva alone."

One thing the Mossad director knew about the other man was, he was also excellent at reading a situation and this time, it was no different. She didn't know how much he knew about their history, but she suspected Ziva had given him all that information. Again, his eyes swung between the two women as he remained in his seat. "With all due respect, Director Elbaz, if you feel like you truly need to have this discussion, I would rather be here, for the sake of Ziva and my daughter."

It was a logical request. "As you wish." She pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. "When I was appointed as Director, it was I and I alone who was allowed to remove your father's possessions, should there be any sensitive information hidden away. So, I had to go through everything before I returned it to your Aunt Nettie. In the course of examining his things, I found this behind a picture he kept on the desk here. It was addressed to you." She tried to hand it to Ziva, but the younger woman looked away. Orli pulled her hand back, disappointed that Ziva would not take it from her.

Then she came to the other thing she wished to speak about. "I would like to personally apologize to you." From the look on Ziva's face, it wasn't what she had expected, but Orli went on. "I was a young woman, ambitious, yes and I believed there was a way to do things...to get things. I see now that it is not so. I took advantage of a breach between your parents, one that may have been able to be overcome, and destroyed their relationship. For that, you have my sincerest apologies."

There was a long silence and Orli wanted to smirk. Again, like her father, it seemed to take a lot to make them hold their tongue. Finally, Ziva recovered. "I cannot say thank you for your apology." She stood to leave, but then faced him. "I think it is time for us to leave."

"One last thing, I would also like to extend you my best wishes on your engagement," Orli told her, having noticed the ring on Ziva's finger. Ziva stopped again. It was obvious that she was fighting with herself as to how she should reply. "I want to leave things between us...better than they have been, that is all."

"Thank you, for that," she said at last. Then she left the office.

Tony seemed to agree. "Director, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I hope I never see you again," he said to her on his way out.

Her voice stopped him. "Agent DiNozzo, for me to get to this position, offense is no problem. I appreciate directness." She extended her hand, the missive still in it. "Please, take this. Give it to Ziva. I read it, again to make sure it was nothing classified. I believe, especially now, she would appreciate reading her father's word. Shalom, Anthony DiNozzo, and all my blessings on you and your family."

He took the envelope, then merely nodding and walking out the door.

When she had found the letter from father to daughter and read it, Orli had gone to Eli's grave and made one final vow to him, as a subordinate, as a friend, as a lover and as a successor, that she would see to it that, before she herself, left this earth, Ziva would have that letter. She had, after nearly a year, at last completed it.