Tony walked down the stairs slowly, watching her. He hoped she was truly finding some relief from the pain and sorrow. Not just putting up that ninja front she had. Sometimes he could see through it and sometimes he couldn't. He was sure she needed to talk some more, and hoped that their night together, plane ride and time in Israel would do the trick to cement their relationship. He watched her receive a skype call and wondered what it was about. He wanted to watch, but tried to give her privacy instead.

When Ziva heard the skype call go off she groaned internally. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Mossad just yet. When she saw that it was the family friend that killed her father, her blood ran cold. Trying to mask her feelings for him she answered the call going full ninja.

Tony saw the change in her and knew something was wrong. How much should he intersect? It was late, and they had an early flight. Should he interrupt the call to take her home with him? He wanted to know who it was and why it changed her whole demeanor when they called.

She ended the call icily and quickly. He couldn't see her face- she was turned the other way. Then she put her hands over her face to let out a few tears. Everyone she knew in Israel had turned against her. Friends were not friends but enemies! Mossad was such a mess. They all were so corrupt and not reliable. Everyone had their own agenda, and she was mad that she had ever been part of it or put up with it. All felt lost to her as she sat there crying.

Tony ran down the rest of the stairs to see what was wrong, but he wasn't the first hands to reach Ziva this time. Gibbs put his hand on her shoulder and lifted her up to stand in his embrace. "Ziver, this is awful. I know it is. We will get Bodner. You worry about taking care of yourself. You can trust us. Tony has your back. Rely on him, use him Ziva." He implored her with his eyes. "Who was on the phone," he asked when she had stopped crying and was able to talk again.

"Bodner" she said to him, and he looked up in surprise.

"McGee!" Gibbs yelled out and McGee came running.

"Yes boss?" He asked, trying to catch up.

"Trace Ziva's last Skype call."

"On it boss." And McGee started typing. He yawned because it had been a long day, but this case was person so they were working full throttle. "It was from Bodner boss" McGee said surprised.

"We know that McGee, where was he?"

"Just outside Boss. He's in the navy yard."

"McGee, you're with me, Tony take Ziva home and have a good flight."

Tony appreciated the relationship those two had. He hoped Gibbs would be the father she needed him to be.

"Will do boss" and Tony put his arm over Ziva's shoulder and led her out to his car.

When they got in the car he looked at her, wondering what she was thinking. If she wanted to talk or just sit in comfortable silence. Her eyes caught him staring and she shook her head. She didn't feel like talking right now.

When they got back to his apartment she looked ready to collapse. They didn't even pretend that they would sleep in different beds, but curled up on the bed and fell asleep together.

The alarm went off way too soon, and both groaned at the sound. But their flight was leaving, so there was no option for a snooze button today. Coffee would be a must. She couldn't even open her eyes, she stumbled and just about fell into his furniture. He reached across the bed and caught her. "Whoa there sweet cheeks. Hold on." He held her close and rubbed her back. "How about you open your eyes first and then try to get to the bathroom? Remember you're at my house not your own this morning."

She tried to smile at him but she was so tired. More emotionally then physically. She would need him around today for support. She was glad he was going with her for many reasons. He could be her rock, or compass. He had started being that for her before she even realized it.

"Are you ok?" He asked because she wasn't getting any better.

She nodded, opened her eyes, gave him a shoulder squeeze and walked to the bathroom.

He was worried. She was so quiet, and when Ziva got quiet she got into her own head too much. Started feeling alone and like she needed to withdraw. He didn't want her to do that, but could he really stop it? They needed to talk about so many things, but sometimes he could reach her heart and sometimes he couldn't. Being in Israel would be interesting. It was like she was taking him home. This could be really good, he thought and hoped.

When Ziva emerged from the bathroom she looked just as asleep as when she went in. Not good, he thought. He tried not to worry or pester her. She did need to do this in her own time. But it was hard to watch. Her gorgeous eyes were so troubled and grief-stricken. "Are you hungry? Want to stop for breakfast?"

"Yeah that would be fine" she muttered. "Tony..." She started and then looked confused.

She started lots of sentences this way, and he had the feeling that he really wanted to know what the end of that sentence was. "Yes?" He tried to encourage her, and took her in his arms to hold onto her. Her hair was crazy and she only had a little make up on- but she looked beautiful.

"I, I want to thank you. For putting everything on hold to come with me. It's amazing that you want to do that. I don't quite understand why you are, but thank you."

"You know why," He said with a warm smile and serious eyes.

She looked shocked and shook her head like she couldn't hear the real reason right now.

Ok, his eyes answered her. He wouldn't say it right now. But it was true. "Ready to go?"

She nodded and picked up her bag and walked ahead of Tony to the car. Ok, he had pushed her too hard. He sighed hoping that he hadn't just lost too much ground. She was very very sad and angry and there was not room for much else right now. So he went back to loving her at a distance.

They stopped for food and got to the airport on time. The flight was 30 minutes away and everything was in order. He looked at her. "Ziva..." Then checked himself. He sighed, looked at her again and started over, "Ziva, I'm afraid for you right now."

She looked up at him and gasped at his bearing his heart to her.

"I am so afraid that you are going to run away, leave the good life you have in DC with, with us." He pleaded with his eyes for her to stay with him, let him take care of her. Let him be part of her grief. "You said you needed me yesterday morning. Please keep letting me be part of this. Let me in, I'm here for you. I am afraid that when we get to Israel, you will decide to-" he choked on the words and his eyes filled with tears.

"Tony I determined myself to not run. And I am fighting within myself on this exact same thing. I am trying my hardest not to run away. Bringing you to Israel is a big step for me- but it's a good one. It'll be good for us."

He nodded his agreement and they held each other until the flight attended announced it was time to board. Both felt a little better after this exchange and Ziva looked noticeable more alert.

He took her hand and they boarded the plane together. When they were in their seats, they both turned to each other and conversation flowed easily. Their conversation earlier must have cleared the air a little. Getting it out, he felt a little better. And clearly she did too. They talked about her father, stories from Israel, and the places she wanted to take him while they were there. They talked all the way to Israel, and it was intimate and comfortable. Like them and old times.

Ziva looked excited to get to her home town, there was a spark in her eye that made him feel better. He took her hand, kissed it and walked off the plane with her. He had no idea what to expect on this trip but as long as him and Ziva were talking and together- he was good.

Ziva was surprised by the kiss on her hand, but didn't fight it. She smiled and followed him.