Gibbs: Abs, you okay?
Ziva: The blood on Cobb's hands, its Ziva's.
Gibbs: It does not mean that she's gone.
Abby couldn't engulf Ziva in a hug soon enough. "So glad you're okay."
Ziva couldn't remember when she'd been embraced so strongly.
"I was so scared…even though I was trying really hard to stay positive…especially when Gibbs told me to. But I was till scared you know? You'd think I'd get use to all this stuff by now…people getting kidnapped, scaring me half to death, then getting rescued…it's a vicious cycle."
She still hadn't let her go.
"Abby, I am sorry you were afraid. But it is over."
She shook her head before releasing her abruptly. "That's just it… it's never over. This is gonna keep happening...till one of you doesn't get rescued in time…"
"I will not lie to you Abby."
"Lie to me." She said simply. "Tell me Gibbs will always rescue you…that you guys will always come back."
Ziva only shook her head. "You are not a child…you are strong enough to hear the truth."
"No I'm not."
"Yes, you are." She took a step towards her. "And the truth is, that Gibbs is not invincible, and neither are any of us."
Abby cringed. "I hate the truth."
"The truth does not mean we give up, yes?"
"You're awfully philosophical for just getting rescued." She managed a small smile.
"Circumstance does not change truth."
Abby continued to smile with tears still resting in her eyes. "Totally fortune cookie material right there."
Ziva mirrored her smile as well. "Speaking of cookies…I am starving…"
It was then Abby grabbed her arm and guided her to the elevator. "Nothing like Chinese to celebrate a homecoming…"
But silently wished this would be the last celebration…at least for a little while.