The final chapter. I hope I have done Zach justice. Thank you surferdude for beta-reading this for me. Thanks to all those who have left a review.
Chapter 6
She understands
At the end of dinner, Callen got up and was going to leave. They had talked about a lot and he needed to digest all of it. As he was about to leave, he turned around.
'If you get only one thing out of this, Zee, it was never your fault. I was the one that made the biggest mistake of my life.' And with that, he left.
Callen closed the door silently, he leaned against him. Tears running down his face, what a mess he had made… If he had played his cards right, he would still be married to a woman who had loved him more than life itself and he would have been there when his son had needed him.
Ziva felt empty. This wasn't how it was suppose to be, she was supposed to be really angry with him for a long time. She would make his life miserable just as he had done during those first months after he had left and when he hadn't come when she had told him about his son. She sighed. She knew why, she had found out the hard way life was too short to stay this angry for so long.
As Callen walked to his car, he realized something. Ziva understood now, wasn't ready for anything else, but at least she understood the reason why. He had never been so open to anyone, not even Sam. Ziva was the only living human being who knew his greatest fear: people walking out on him after he had given his trust, loyalty and in Ziva's case love.
The following morning, Ziva came back to LA headquarters. She walked over to Callen's desk and silently handed him an envelope.
'I'll send you more once I get back home,' she said and walked away.
She went to Hetty's office so she could debrief Hetty on the events as they had enfolded yesterday.
Callen opened the envelop and saw the photo of Zach Ziva had shown him yesterday.
'Zach?' asked Sam quietly as he moved behind Callen.
Callen nodded not able to speak. He just stared at his son. His fingers slowly caressing the photo. His son.
Later that morning, they drove Ziva to the airport, as the case was about to close and she was no longer needed in LA. Callen and Ziva stood there awkwardly. He extended his hand, knowing she wouldn't appreciate him touching her. She surprised him by gathering him in her arms for a hug. He inhaled her scent deeply, remembering the old days before everything had begun falling apart due to his insecurity. A little first step had been made to begin the repair for friendship. She understood, she didn't forget, and she sure as hell hadn't forgiven him, but she understood.
'Goodbye, Gideon,' she said and with that, she left for the boarding gate.
'Gideon?' Sam asked.
'Yes, she thought it suited me. It means great warrior in Hebrew you know.' Callen sounded schmuck.
'Is it your real name?' Sam wanted to know.
'As far as I know, nope. But you know what? I've always liked it,' said Callen.
Two days later, Callen received a huge file on his computer. He couldn't even open it, due to its massive amount. He asked Eric if he could access it on the main computer. Eric was reluctant at first, because you never know what you're downloading, but after Hetty interfered by saying it came from a very reliable source, he went along with it.
The file was opened and a video began playing. A hospital corridor. A female's voice was heard and Callen smiled.
'Aunt Netty, Ziva's aunt. Great lady,' Callen filled everyone in.
A voice in Hebrew started as soon as they entered a hospital room. They all could see Ziva lying there, still all sweaty and tired, but with the biggest smile you can image on her face. Next to her lay a small baby. She was examining it, touching fingers, touching toes. Not realizing that she was filmed while doing so.
'All complete. Happy birthday, Zach. Welcome to my world.' She kissed him on the forehead.
The voice behind the camera began to sob. 'My grandson.'
'You grab the camera and film me holding my first and, so far, only grandson.'
The camera was shoved into Ziva's hands and Aunt Netty appeared. She was holding Zach and was smiling proudly into the camera.
The video had filmed some more visitors coming in and out to take a look at the baby, but it focused on Zach the most. He just slept through the entire ordeal, not really bothered too much as to who was holding him.
The video skipped about three months and this time it was showing Zach trying to catch his feet. He didn't succeed and the entire team saw how frustrated he became with it. When he realized his mother was filming him, he gave her a goofy grin and began sucking his thumb.
'Like father like son,' murmured Hetty softly.
Again the video skipped two months and this time Zach was feeding on a bottle. A female's hand was showing and then it happened. The entire LA team all saw it, it only took a split second but it was visible Zach's eyes were rolling back into his head. They heard the female's voice panic. The bottle was thrown away and Zach was being lifted from his chair, which fell due to the panic state the mother was in. The film continued with the fallen chair as its only witness for a view more seconds and then it went black.
It resumed with Zach lying in a hospital bed with his mother sleeping next to him. She was exhausted, dark rings around her eyes. She had lost weight. Zach was hooked on several IV lines and life support he seemed so small and fragile. Aunt Netty sat down next to him and started to stroke his face. Zach looked so peaceful. He was done fighting. He had done all he can.
'Hello, Zach. Are you going to let your Ima sleep for a little bit? She is very tired. Don't you ever forget, she loves you more then you will ever know. She would trade places with you in a instant, but she cannot, can she? You are going to leave us very soon, aren't you? You and your beautiful soul have touched us deeply. Your Ima is going to miss you, you keep an eye out for her when you are up there.' Zach opened and closed his eyes as if he understood.
The team had left shortly after this. They gave Callen space and time to watch the final moments on film of his son. He saw the grief on Ziva's face when she came out of Zach's room. She was grief-stricken. The camera went black….
When Callen left MTAC shortly thereafter, no one said anything. He left the building and Sam silently followed him. Sam had his back. Callen grabbed his phone and pushed speed dial.
'Hey,' he heard softly in his ear.
'Thank you,' he said, the only two words he could even think of to say.
'You are welcome,' she told him.
She understood.
The End.
