Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS

January 2012

Ziva swung her rucksack onto her shoulders. She always travelled light. It was easier that way. One bag, maximum. For years Ziva had watched people travel with suitcases large enough to fit a human being inside it, and wondering what on earth was in them, how people manage to navigate anywhere with such large suitcases, and why did they need two each?

Ziva's reason for her brief trip to Israel was for her father's funeral. Eli David's funeral had happened smoothly. Quiet a few people turned up, many of them former Mossad officers and/ or politicians who had worked with Ziva's father. All of them offered their condolences, and said that Israel had lost one of its best. Ziva put on a forced smile, nodded along and tried not to make too much conversation. Ziva had been reminded of her mother's funeral. Eli had turned up to support his daughters, as had Ari. However, Ziva could see that both were preoccupied with other matters and she was too concerned about Tali than to confront either of them. Perhaps she should have taken up Tony's offer to come with her to Eli's funeral. He could have been a buffer.

Schmeil had seen her off at Ben Gurion airport. She was going to miss the old man and his stories. Having Schmeil at the funeral had helped, as had having Orli Elbaz there too. Yes, Orli had used her affair with Eli to move up within Mossad, but she was sad at the death of her former mentor/ lover/ boss.

The queue for passport control and immigration moved reasonable quickly. It was easier for Ziva to pass through now she was a US citizen. She absentmindedly wondered what was going to be the best way to back to her apartment. A shower was needed after a sixteen-hour flight. Tony had dropped her and Schmeil at the airport four days ago, therefore Ziva's care was not at the airport. Weighing up the options (taxi, metro or bus) and trying to figure what was quicker vs what was cheaper, Ziva spotted him standing in the crowd, waiting for her.

Tony.

He had come to pick her up, surprise her at the airport. Tony was holding a sign with her name on it, and a chauffeur's hat. Ziva had sent him her flight information before the flight. The two of them had been sharing travel details for years now. Security reasons mainly.

Ziva walked over to Tony, smiling. She was happy to see him, having missed her friend so much over the past week. Ziva had wanted Tony to come with her but given that Bodnar was still on the run, the chances of NCIS allowing another agent to take a week off when he didn't really need to were slim. Had Tony been able to come, the whole trip would have been very different. Ziva might not be experiencing the growing feeling of guilt and regret in the pit of her stomach.

'Hi' said Tony, giving Ziva his diamond smile and pulling her into a hug.

'Tony, you did not have to pick me up' said Ziva. 'Surely there are more important things that need your attention.'

'Yeah, you're probably right. But you aren't coming back from vacation, Zi.' Ziva smiled at the nickname Tony had given her a few years ago. Tony reached up and tucked a strand of Ziva's hair behind her ear. God, she was beautiful. Perhaps he should tell her, sooner rather than later.

Ziva's smile grew, relishing in his touch. He made her so happy. He made her smile and laugh, which was rare. Perhaps she should tell him. They stood in the terminal, staring at each other before Tony took Ziva's rucksack from her.

'Come on' he said, placing his chauffeur's hat on Ziva's head and offering his arm to Ziva, who took it. 'Let's get something to eat. You can tell me all about Israel.'

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