When Tim first covertly set up the clandestine meeting, he warned them all to keep a low profile. As they all knew what was at stake, they didn't have to be told twice (or even the first time but nobody was going to tell their best friend that - he was only looking out for them, trying to help as much as he could). "We're going to see Aunt Ellie again?" questioned an excited Tali as they all jumped out of their latest stolen car.

"Yes, we are, but remember - you mustn't tell anyone," ZIva reminded her, her entire being aching again at the loss of their daughter's innocence.

"I won't!"

"We love you, sweetheart." Tony ruffled her hair, and the three of them made their way to the table where they knew Ellie was waiting for them.

Ellie rose up from her seat as soon as she spotted the David-DiNozzos and held her arms open for a hug. The three of them comforted each other for a few seconds before Tali got bored and tugged on Ziva's shirt. "Can I have a hug too?" she shyly asked Ellie.

Ellie squatted down so she was eye level with her. "Of course you can. You've gotten so big, Tali! I've missed you so much." She swept her into her arms and pressed kisses to her forehead. She thanked Tony when he pulled her up from the ground.

They all took their seats and ordered some drinks. "Do you miss home?" questioned a curious Ziva as she flicked through the menu.

Ellie sighed, her mood darkening. "Of course I do. But I made my own bed and need to lay in it. I'll get back to my family and Nick eventually."

"Ellie, you can't keep living like this. Look at you!" Tony grieved the life she had lost being undercover for so long. It was clearly sucking her dry - the haunted, dead look in her eyes worried them both.

She managed to fake a smile they both saw right through. "I appreciate you guys worrying about me but I'm fine. How are you three? This shitty situation can't be good for any of you." She was deflecting, turning the conversation back on them but they didn't want to push her too hard so they let her.

Tony and Ziva exchanged a fleeting look. "We're exhausted and just want to go home but we're figuring it out," Ziva acknowledged.

Tony shrugged. "Making the best out of the worst fucking circumstances," he added with a forced grin.

Tali giggled. "It's sorta really fun." She was terrified out of her mind but at the same time, this was also like a game to her.

"We'll find out who's after Tony - relieved it wasn't me for once - and then take them down," Ziva confidently declared after taking a sip of her water. She squeezed Tony's hand.

"Yeah, we got this." Tony's anxiety was sky high, always fearful for Ziva and Tali's safety. He tried to mask his concerns but of course his girlfriend saw right through him (and shared the same fears).

Ellie nodded, thanking the waiter when he came by with their food. "Maybe our paths will intersect again soon. I miss you."

Ziva finished taking a bite of her food. "As do we. You want to say fuck it, quit, and go on the run with us?" she semi-jokingly suggested.

Ellie cracked up. "As much as I would love to take you up on that offer, I think it would end in disaster for various reasons. But maybe I'll hitch a ride back to DC with you if you guys solve your issue first."

"And we will take you on that. I know Nick misses you." Tony knew what he was doing but he had to get through to her somehow.

As soon as they finished eating and paid for their meal, they stood up and exchanged a hug that lasted at least ten minutes, not wanting to part ways. "If I find anything, I'll get in touch. Somehow." They were all using burner phones and constantly switched them out but they'd figure out a way to get in contact again. "You're going to be so much taller next time we see each other, kid," Ellie murmured to Tali.

"I can't wait, Aunt Ellie."

"I can't either. You be good for your ima and dad, okay? Promise me that."

"I promise," Tali agreed.

"Good." They hugged again, and then they went their separate ways again, once more. But hopefully not permanently.

And when Tony and Ziva did finally find out who was after him and took down the whole group, they got in contact with Ellie again, forced Odette to fix her fuck-ups so their friend could go free, and took her back home to DC with them. Shit was going down at NCIS too (again), but they stayed out of the crosshairs for once and swiftly adjusted to their brand new lives, this fresh start they had been awarded.