It took Ziva two weeks to recover from her injuries. During that time, Mossad tracked down her would-be assassin with the help of Aryeh, the falafel owner as well as the immense network of security cameras across Israel. The man, Shachar, had been a loyal follower of Ilan Bodnar and had tracked Ziva down to seek revenge for Bodnar's death. Once found, Shachar was, as Adam Eshel had bluntly put it, "eliminated". Both Ziva and Tony were relieved to hear this news, although her armed guards remained outside Ziva's door throughout the duration of her hospital stay.

Ziva remained in the hospital for a week, and then was allowed to return to her birth home to recuperate and plan her trip home. The dark, depressing thoughts that had plagued her throughout her stay in Israel had lifted, replaced by a joy matched only by Tony's when she told him she was returning to Washington D.C. At the news, he had embraced her with such exuberance that she had to ask him to stop- she was still healing after all. With that, Tony had taken it upon himself to make the arrangements needed to bring her home. Shipping her belongings, getting plane tickets and figuring out a plan to sell her house were just some of the preparations that he had done for her sake.

Sixteen days after the shooting, Tony and Ziva arrived at the Tel Aviv airport, ready to begin their trip home. There, they were met by Adam. While preparing to leave, Ziva had agreed to sell her birth house to Mossad to use as a safe house, and Adam had been a large part of the process. Standing at the gate, Adam gave Ziva a broad smile as she and Tony walked up. She returned the gesture, leaning a little more heavily on Tony than she would have liked. Even after the weeks of rest, walks were still strenuous for her, causing pain in not only her chest, but her bad leg as well. Not that she would ever admit it.

"You look well Ziva." Adam commented as soon as they were in earshot. Ziva gave him a small nod.

"I am… well enough. Thank you for all that you have done to help us Adam." Propped as she was against Tony's broad chest, she was able to very clearly feel the tightness that went through his muscles at her words. Clearly he wasn't as thankful as she was. Ziva gave him a quick nudge, and then added, "We both appreciate it." Tony gave a small snort while Adam struggled to hide a smirk.

"I am glad to have helped Ziva," Adam replied as he inclined his head in her direction, "I only wish that you would stay longer. But… I understand. America is your home now. Perhaps one day you will see fit to return to Israel again." If Tony's body was tense before, it was nothing compared to the rigidity running through his muscles at those words. Ziva gave him another, harder shove.

"Perhaps. Again, thank you for all you have done. Goodbye Adam." Stepping forward, Ziva gave her one-time lover a quick, light kiss on both cheeks, and then stepped back to Tony's side. Adam then stuck his hand out toward Tony. After a brief moment of hesitation, Tony took it and the two men shook hands twice. As they did, Ziva heard Adam murmur, "Take good care of her, please." To which Tony simply replied, "I will."

With that, the two partners and lovers boarded the silver airplane for the long journey back to the United States.

…..

As the plane began its descent into Dulles airport, Ziva was nudged awake from where she rested on the crook between Tony's neck and shoulder. "We're landing" he murmured, and Ziva immediately turned to the window, her breath hitching as she looked out once more on the place she had left months ago. She remembered the first time she had been to Washington D.C.-eight years ago- and at that time she hadn't been able to appreciate the city while trying to protect her half-brother. Now she could, and she was glad. Tony's hand closed over hers, and she squeezed it in response.

Once the plane touched down, Tony quickly grabbed both of their carry-on bags, refusing to allow Ziva near hers. When she protested, stating that she wasn't an invalid, he replied with "Doctor's orders, Zee-vah. Nothing over ten pounds. And both these bags are well over that." Blocking her clumsy grab, Tony scooped up both of their bags with ease and responded to Ziva's exasperated growl with a broad grin and a quick peck on her nose. She let him see a small smile- she really couldn't be mad at him with all he'd done- and let him lead her off of the plane and into the baggage claim.

That's where she saw them.

They stood in a close-knit knot around a giant hand-made sign that read "WELCOME HOME ZIVA!" in beautifully scripted letters. Gibbs, McGee, Abby and Ducky - they were all there waiting, waiting for her. Ziva looked back at Tony for a second, and he chuckled and motioned towards the waiting group. Before she could take a step however, there was a pig-tailed blur and Ziva was wrapped in Abby's arms- not her normal knock-your-breath-out-break-every-rib-hug, but rather one that was tender and even maternal, much like the one she had given Ziva on her return from Somalia. Abby didn't say a word- just clutched Ziva close.

Ziva's composure broke completely.

Tears leaked out, slow at first, then growing faster as the emotions from the past few months ran their course. Sobbing, she clutched at Abby, and then felt other arms embrace her. Looking up, she saw that the rest of the team had surrounded her in a hug. When everyone had released her, Gibbs pulled her in for another hug and brushed a kiss on her temple. His gruff voice vibrated through her body as he spoke.

"Welcome home Ziver."

…..

Tony drove them both back to his apartment from the airport. Most of her belongings were in a storage facility while she figured out her new living arrangements, and so it only took Tony two trips to bring in everything from the trip. Once inside, Tony directed a protesting Ziva to the couch while he put everything away. Once finished, he filled two glasses with water and ice, handed one to Ziva and sat down next to her with a sigh. She added a sigh to his and shook the ice, enjoying the musical sound the cubes made as they hit the side of the glass.

"What now Tony?"

"Hmmm?"

"What now? I have… nothing here. No job, no apartment, no… life. I am back, but I have no path. My life here was defined by my job, by the relationships I made with NCIS. My purpose was as an agent, and I cannot go back there Tony. My past will haunt me forever, and if I go back, I fear I will become my own worst nightmare- a merciless killer who takes the lives of others, others who have family who morn their passing. I know the lives we took were to save the lives of others, but my days of Mossad, Ari, they still haunt me. I can do this no more. I am… damaged." She put her water glass down and ran a hand over her face. A warm hand settled on her shoulders, and Tony pulled her close. What he said next startled her.

"Ziva, are you up for a short walk? I'd like to take you someplace… special if you can make it. It's not much more than five minutes away." Ziva nodded, even managing a small chuckle.

"Tony, I have spent over 13 hours on a cramped plane. A walk sounds wonderful." Tony grinned, snagged his keys, and led her out. He wasn't lying- after only a few minutes, the pair arrived at a small wooded grove overlooking the Potomac River. The sound of the splashing water was quite calming for Ziva. Tony pointed to a shaded bench and they sat down. For a while they sat in silence, watching a family of ducks pass by. Tony was the first to speak.

"I come here a lot, especially after you left. It's the one place I can really get a measure of peace." Tony paused for a moment, weaving his fingers through Ziva's, then continued on with his narrative. "I know that the past few months have unbelievably difficult for you Ziva. I know you have doubted yourself and what you have done in the past for quite some time. I know that you have gone through enough hell to last a thousand lifetimes and you've been told that you are damaged goods because of this. You think this is true." Ziva tensed at this, and Tony scratched her shoulder before continuing her speech. "But you're not damaged, Ziva. You're scarred, carry deep hurts and you have had to guard your emotions to survive, but I know that's not really you. I know that you are sharp, witty, gorgeous, strong, skilled and capable of so, so much love." Again he paused, and then gently pulled Ziva so that they were facing one another. She felt something warm stir in her chest at the absolutely adoring look on his face.

"Ziva, I love you. It's been eight years, and I've almost lost you twice, and now I have never been surer of anything in my life. No matter what happens, know this: I love you." A movement caught her eye and she saw him reach into his coat pocket and pull out a small velvet box. Tony moved so that he was kneeling in front of Ziva. He opened the box to reveal a bright silver ring set with a small yet stunning diamond. When Ziva took in a gasping breath, Tony whispered to her, "Ziva David, I want to forever be a part of your life. Will you marry me?"

There was absolutely no hesitation from Ziva. Tony's words reminded her of everything they had gone through-together- and brought forward the love that had always been there. With a somewhat clumsy lunge, she dropped to Tony's level and threw her arms around him.

"Yes Tony! Yes."

Ahh! Almost done! Just the epilogue left, and then I'll return to Irreplaceable.