Tony felt his heart breaking as he watched Ziva sobbing over her father's dead body. It hurt him to see his normally strong ninja so broken. Eli had hurt her again and again, he even left her to die in Somalia, and yet she still loved him.
Tony kept his distance from Ziva because he didn't know what to say to her. There was nothing he really could say that would actually make a difference right now. Eli was dead, and Tony couldn't change that. Nothing could, so when Jethro entered the house to check on Ziva, Tony stepped outside to make a phone call. There might not be anything that he could do to comfort his partner and friend, but there was someone who could.
Meanwhile at the BAU headquarters in Quantico, Emily had arrived at the office before any of her co-workers. The only one that was there was Aaron Hotchner, but he was always there. She wasn't sure when or even if he slept.
Suddenly her personal cellphone rang. There was no caller ID. Just a number.
She answered, "Emily Prentiss."
"Liya. It's Tony. Agent DiNozzo."
"Tony. How can I help you?"
There was a brief pause where it was completely silent. Tony was trying to figure out the right words to say.
"Um…well, Ziva needs you."
Emily held her breath, "Ziva? Is she okay?"
"Yeah. It's actually about your dad. He's…he's dead."
"Abba." Emily muttered, "No. No, that's impossible. I just saw him."
A million memories flashed through her mind, but the one that stood out was from three days ago.
- Three days ago -
Liya returns home from work, walking up the front porch of her house to unlock the door. Coming from inside the house, she hears voices - talking and laughing.
She unlocks the door and walks inside to find her father sitting on the couch with 15 year old Declan and 10 year old Chaya on either side of him.
Eli looks up when he hears the approaching footsteps. He is smiling and laughing.
"Oh Liya, come join us. I was just telling Dec and Chayaleh about your first day of school and how you clung so tightly to me, begging me not to leave you."
Liya stands still in her place, crossing her arms, "What are you doing here?"
Her voice is laced with annoyance. She is too annoyed to notice that her father's protection detail is no where to be seen. Or even the fact the her father most likely sent her children's nanny home.
"What? A father cannot visit his daughter and grandchildren?"
Liya huffs, "Father. Right. Because you've always been such an involved father."
She pauses, glancing around the room before walking over and looking out the window. Her suspicion had been confirmed. Her father's car is not outside.
Strolling back over her father, Liya looks at him, concern now in her eyes, "Abba, did you come here alone? Where is your detail?"
"They do not know I am here."
"Oh." Liya utters, "Yeah. Well, I never knew you to be stupid. Why are you really here?"
"I understand your distrust. I have not given you much reason to trust me, but I really did come to see you, Liyaleh. I wanted us to be alone. I am not here as the Director of Mossad. I am here as your father. I want to make amends. I want to redeem myself." Eli explains
"You can start with an apology."
Declan glares at his mother, "Ima, stop. Give Saba a break."
"No, no. It is alright, Tataleh." Eli replies.
He is touched by his grandson coming to his defense, but Liya is right. He should apologise. He couldn't though. It's not in his nature.
"I wish I could turn back the clock. I wish I could have a redo, but I cannot and apologising will not change what was."
Liya shakes her head, "Exactly what I expected. Please, just get out."
There is too much pain. Too much love has been lost. Her father may want to redeem himself, but he is a little too late.
Eli stands up. He kisses the tops of his grandchildrens' heads and then strides over to Liya, placing a kiss on her cheek.
She turns her head away, looking away from her father as a single tear escapes her eye, "I'm sorry, Abba, but your sins are too great. My children may have an undying love for you as I once did, but after everything, I just can't. Not again."
He nods sadly, "It is okay. I understand." Then he walks out the front door, closing the door after him.
- End of flashback -
That was the last time Emily had seen her father. All he wanted was her forgiveness. Even if he couldn't apologise, he was trying to make amends. She should have given him a chance. Now she would never get chance to repair her relationship with her father.
"I'm sorry, Liya." She heard Tony's voice through the phone.
Liya was quiet. She stared at the wall in front of her as she spaced out, completely disconnecting from the reality around.
"Liya? Are you still there?"
"Yeah. What happened?" She asked, "Wait. Never mind. I don't want to know."
Liya wondered what and how she would tell her children. Declan and Chaya loved their grandfather.
"I'll be there. I'm coming."
As much as she knew that Ziva would need her, she needed Ziva just as much.
Liya grabbed her go-bag and rushed out to the elevator. Just as she was about to push the down button, there was a ding and then the doors opened.
Emerging from the elevator was Derek Morgan.
"Whoa, Prentiss. What's the rush? Do we have a case?"
She ignored him, brushing past him as she entered the elevator, pushing the close door button behind her, leaving Derek standing flabbergasted and confused. She couldn't think about him right now. There were other things on her mind, like her father and her sister.
Ziva needs her.
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated. In fact, they keep me going.
What would you like to see happen next?
Translation
Shabbat Shalom - Peaceful sabbath
