I REALLY WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW, ADDED STORY ALERTS AND FAVORITES FOR THIS LITTLE STORY. I'M REALLY BAD AT REPLYING SO HOPEFULLY YOU'LL ACCEPT MY ALL AROUND THANKS. JUST TAKING 'MOM'S' ADVICE AND TIDYING UP THE ZIVA AND THE NCIS/MOSSAD ISSUE. HOPE IT MAKES SENSE.
OH YEAH – ROLL ON SEASON 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EPILOGUE
Gibbs relaxed that night for the first night in a long time. It was probably a result of exhaustion and the medication but whatever it was, he had enjoyed a deep undisturbed sleep that night. It was late the next morning before he woke to the usual hectic sounds of hospital life. He felt relatively pain free that morning and almost refreshed. He wondered how McGee was doing. He turned his head to look around and was relieved to find that his room was visitor free. He had given Tony orders to get some rest after the excitement of the previous night. Abby and Ducky had taken him to their hotel. Gibbs adjusted the back of his bed remotely and hauled himself up into a more comfortable seated position.
Then he noticed that a breakfast tray had been left on the table at the bottom of the bed for him. He reached for it and pulled it closer to him and examined the contents of the tray. It was nothing too exciting, a small packet of cereal, toast which had gone cold, butter and preserve and coffee, well, what used to be coffee! He felt kind of hungry so spread butter onto the cold toast and bit into it. It actually tasted quite good. He tried to remember the last time he'd had a proper meal. He couldn't. He sniffed the cold coffee in the cup and wished he was back home queuing up for his usual morning pick-me-up. He was about to reach for the t.v. remote when the door to his room opened.
"Good morning, Gibbs," Ziva smiled as she entered carrying two Styrofoam cups. "Coffee?"
Gibbs grinned like a Cheshire cat as he gratefully accepted her offering.
"It's probably not that good. I got it from the machine down the hall," Ziva admitted as she pulled a chair closer to him.
"Right about now, any coffee is good coffee," he smiled taking a large gulp.
"You're feeling better then?" Ziva asked happy to see him with more colour in his cheeks.
"Yeah much better. Can't wait to get out of here though," Gibbs admitted.
"Me too. They say I can go home today," she told him.
"That's great. You look much better," Gibbs said noticing that the bruising was not as pronounced this morning.
"I wanted to talk to you about ….. you know," Ziva started nervously.
"Yea, I know. I understand. You have a duty. I can't expect you to sacrifice everything you grew up wanting," Gibbs replied trying to make the announcement of her decision less difficult for her.
"Thanks," she said. "But I was hoping you might consider taking me back on your team."
Gibbs almost choked on his coffee but tried not to appear as surprised as he felt. He looked her directly in the eyes. Her face bore the scars of her recent trauma but he wondered about the scars that didn't show. He could not help but feel pity for her. He tried to read the emotions that she so skilfully concealed.
"What about your trust issue, Ziva? DiNozzo is an important part of my team, don't tell him I said that though," Gibbs said theatrically. "I will not be changing the members of my team. If you come back, you come back to the way it was. Can you do that?"
"I know I can. I was angry with Tony for not trusting my judgement about Michael. I was angry with him for ….. for being right," she admitted awkwardly. Gibbs looked seriously at her. She continued. "I have had time to think. During my captivity thoughts of you, of the team, kept me going. I realised that my place is in the U.S. now. I belong in N.C.I.S. I'm a good agent. I made a terrible mistake and I have paid dearly. I won't make such a mistake again," she promised hanging her head.
Gibbs saw her shame and embarrassment and reached his hand out and gently raised her chin so that she was looking at him.
"You know I want you on my team, Ziva, but what about your father?" Gibbs wondered.
"We had a long talk last night. I think he understands why I need to do this," she told him.
"And he will support this?" Gibbs asked.
"He will. I just need you to convince Director Vance that a more permanent arrangement is wise," she said seriously.
"You leave Vance to me," Gibbs replied. Ziva knew that he meant it. She stood up and leaned in towards him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you," she said. Gibbs blushed. As she left the room, Gibbs lay back and smiled contented. Despite knowing that he would have Vance on his back over this, he could rest assured that when he walked back down those stairs at NCIS headquarters his team would be waiting for him. All would be as it should. His family would be whole.
FIN
