They turned a corner, went down a set of stairs, and entered a confessional booth. Malachi motioned for her to take a seat, then closed the door and left.

"Why are you here?"

Ziva's voice was hoarse, as though she'd inhaled smoke recently. She must have been at the farmhouse until the very last second, Ellie thought.

"I'm here to help you and bring you home," she replied.

She heard Ziva shift in her seat. "I do not need or want your help. This is my ax to bear."

Ellie paused, confused. "Ax to bear?"

She felt rather than heard Ziva stiffen, then relax. "I take it Tony has not told you about my problems with American idioms."

"No."

"Regardless, my answer is still no. Malachi will get you back to the airport." Ellie heard the door start to open and knew it was now or never.

"I wouldn't let Tony come because I didn't want Tali to lose both of her parents if your mission went wrong." She waited, listening, refusing to indulge her curiosity and open her own door.

After a very long moment, she heard the door click shut.

"I wouldn't let Tim come because he has Delilah. And Gibbs, well, he's indispensable to all kinds of people. But I'm not. One of us was going to come and help you, and I couldn't let it be them, so it's me. I want to help you so I can help them – so you can go home to them. To your daughter."

She felt wood shift as Ziva sat down. "You do not even know me," she said quietly.

"But I know them."

The door opened again, and Ellie sighed, thinking that Ziva was leaving. Then her own door opened, and she saw the infamous Ziva David standing there. She looked battered, to put it mildly. She had bruises on her forearms and the side of her neck; small burns dotted her arms and legs, with a long burn over one shoulder, showing through her ripped shirt.

Ziva held out a hand. Tentatively, Ellie took it. Ziva pulled her to her feet. "I still do not like it," Ziva told her. "But I appreciate your reasoning."

"I'll follow your lead," Ellie told her. "I'll do whatever you need me to do. Just – get home."

"I will do my best." Without another word, Ziva turned and proceeded down the hallway. "Liat will be here shortly," she said over her shoulder. "It would be best if we were not."


And finally, Ziva! I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am. Thanks to everyone for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing!