Chapter 7

McGee was at his desk, typing furiously, when Ziva walked into the bullpen. "Hey Ziva!"

"Hello McGee," she returned his greeting.

"How are you doing? Holding up okay?" McGee asked. Ziva was like his sister. He protected her as he would his blood sister, Sarah.

"I am fine…Have you made your decision? About going to Israel, I mean," she asked cautiously.

McGee thought about his answer before he said anything. "I'm not sure. Maybe. But if you go, then I'll definitely go with you."

"Do not go if you do not want to. It is your choice that matters, not mine," Ziva told him.

"Well Ziva, Israel and Mossad, they have affected our team a lot in these last few years. You know, after you came home. Even before you disappeared. Your father created quite a few problems. It's not easy for us to just go and help now. I know it's you, and it's what you father wanted. But it is still not easy," McGee explained.

Ziva nodded. "I know what you mean McGee. It's not easy to go to Israel for case that shouldn't even be ours."

"Do you want to go?" Tim asked her.

"Why does my choice matter so much to everyone? Everyone seems to ask me. It is not mine; it is all of yours that matter!" Ziva exclaimed. She noticed that her voice was beginning to rise.

"It's your father Ziva. Mossad wants you, and your choice carries the most weight," McGee said. It dawned on Ziva that what McGee was right. Her choice mattered the most because it was Mossad.

"I guess you are right. Thank you McGee."

"Anytime, Ziva." He smiled at her and watched her leave.

-12:15-

Ziva decided to pay Gibbs a visit while he was getting his coffee. Unfortunately, his weird, advanced sixth sense picked her up.

"C'mon out Ziver. You've been following me since I left the building," he called.

Ziva emerged from her spot behind the coffee cart. "Are my skills wearing off?" she asked defensively.

"Nope," he said and motioned for her to sit down.

Ziva nodded and took a sip of her coffee.

"You want to ask me about the case. If I think we should take it or leave it," he said as he watched the people go by.

Ziva looked surprised. "How did you know?" she asked, shell shocked.

"I only care about if you want to go, Ziver. It's your call, not mine, not Vance's, not Mossad's," he explained to her.

Ziva said nothing. She just looked at her coffee cup.

"Do you want to go, Ziva?" Gibbs asked.

She still didn't say anything. And time passed until she did say something. "I don't know, Gibbs. Should I go? Everyone says that they'll follow if I decide to follow through with this. But my opinion does no matter."

"Your opinion has a lot of power, Ziver. Take the time to think, listen to your heart. I told you this three years ago Ziva, and I'll tell you again. Don't question your judgment. Got it?" said Gibbs.

Ziva nodded, and then together, she and Gibbs walked back to the building.