Another day had come and gone, and Tim McGee was back in his apartment, seated in front of his laptop, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his face. Having gained access to Michael Rivkin's login information by hacking into Ziva's Wi-Fi had been a blessing in disguise, allowing him to bypass the most treacherous part of Mossad's firewall. He had carefully rolled back the date and time on Rivkin's profile, making it appear as though he was logged in before his death, thereby avoiding any potential red flags. With this newfound access, Tim had scanned every available file on Saleem Ulman and his notorious terrorist training camp, as well as the majority of Michael Rivkin's Mossad profile, searching for any clues that might lead him to Ziva.

As he delved deeper into the system, he had isolated what he believed to be Ziva's means of communication with Mossad's Intelligence division, aside from her current cell phone. However, he had decided against contacting her, knowing that the Mossad report had listed her as being on a mission on behalf of Michael Rivkin, and that she was likely going after Saleem Ulman. Given Rivkin's death, Tim McGee was aware that he could only log in for six more hours before he had to abandon this path to Mossad for good. The old adage "dead men don't use computers" echoed in his mind, and he knew that he had to be careful not to raise any suspicions. As he sat in front of his laptop, his hands began to tremble, and anxiety shot through his body like a bolt of electricity. His plan for today was incredibly daring and would more than likely alert Mossad of his presence, putting him and others at risk. He would use Michael Rivkin's profile and Kidon privilege to access both Ziva and Ari's files, a move that could have far-reaching consequences. Once he had completed this task, he would cause a distraction, creating a smokescreen to conceal his digital footprints, before attempting to access as many files from Mossad Director Eli David as he could.

Tim had spent the day focused on his computer, poring over cases that dealt with hackers and viruses, searching for any information that might aid him in his mission. A case from a few months before he started FLETC had caught his attention, describing an esoteric cyberattack on NCIS. The attack had been perpetrated by a Russian hacker named Aleeksiv, whose sole purpose was not to steal information, but to destabilize the very system that the organization was using to function. The attack pattern had seemed random, striking multiple parts of the system, and had led the Cybersecurity Division on a wild goose chase. After isolating the virus, they had discovered that destroying it was surprisingly simple. Cybersecurity measures had been created to deal with similar viruses, and a sample had been kept to test the strength of the system. Tim had safely copied the virus to a virtual server, and now he was biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He would collect as much information as he could before unleashing the virus and striking at Eli David's files directly, using the chaos to cover his tracks.

Taking a deep breath, Timothy McGee connected to Mossad using Michael Rivkin's profile, his heart racing with anticipation. He started scanning every document about Ziva David and Ari Haswari, his eyes scanning the screens with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The clock was ticking, and he knew that he had to move quickly, before his presence was detected, and the entire operation was compromised. With a sense of determination, Tim McGee embarked on his perilous journey, navigating the treacherous landscape of Mossad's digital world, where one misstep could mean disaster.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs was in his basement, surrounded by the familiar scent of wood and the sound of sandpaper gliding smoothly over the surface of his latest boat project. As he worked, he sipped on his favorite Bourbon, savoring the rich flavor and feeling the warmth spread through his chest. It was a peaceful moment, one that he had been looking forward to all day. With Tony DiNozzo nursing a broken arm and Ziva David in Israel, doing whatever it was that she did for Mossad, his team was on administrative leave, which suited Gibbs just fine for now.

As he sanded, Gibbs's mind wandered to the current state of affairs at NCIS. Leon Vance, the successor to Jenny Shepard as Director of NCIS, was running the agency with his usual flair, all while keeping a watchful eye on his pet project, the Office of Special Projects in Los Angeles. The OSP had gotten off to a rocky start, barely operational before being thrown into the deep end with a Kidon assassin from Mossad. Gibbs had to admit, he was impressed by the way the team had handled themselves, despite being thrown into the fire so quickly. Gibbs's own experiences in the Marine Special Forces, specifically Force Recon, had given him a unique perspective on the world of counter-intelligence and special operations. He had participated in joint operations with the Army, but he had never undergone training comparable to that of the Kidon officers, or even the likes of the Green Berets, Navy SEALS, or Army Rangers. It was a sobering thought, one that reminded him of the complexities and nuances of the world he operated in.

His meeting with the Secretary of the Navy a few days prior had been a revelation, to say the least. Gibbs had been surprised to hear that the new Director of NCIS was the subject of a secret Intelligence meeting that Michael Rivkin had crashed. Of course, after hearing about Leon Vance's illustrious career and his expertise in counter-intelligence, Gibbs had understood why he had been nominated as Assistant Director to Jenny Shepard, and later, her replacement. Leon had adapted flawlessly to the threats posed by Eli David, and Tony's expertise in turning the Mossad Director's allegations against him had been invaluable.

As Gibbs continued to sand his boat, he couldn't help but think about the conversation he had with Leon after they had left Israel, and Ziva David, behind. Leon had confided in Gibbs about his conversation with Eli David, and his belief that Ziva could be used as an asset against Mossad after her little mission to prove her loyalty to her father. Gibbs had snorted in his Bourbon at the thought, knowing that Eli David was a shrewd liar and a manipulator, something that both Tony and he had been able to show Ziva. Gibbs knew that it was only a matter of time before Ziva came back, and the trust between Tony and Ziva would be repaired. He just had to wait for the moment to be right, and he was confident that it would happen. After all, his team was resilient, and they had been through tougher times before. Putting his glass down, Gibbs continued sanding his boat, lost in his thoughts about his team, and the complexities of the world they operated in.

The sound of the sandpaper and the smell of the wood filled the air, as Gibbs drifted off into his thoughts, lost in the world of his own making. The boat, the Bourbon, and the memories of his team were all that mattered, and for now, that was enough. The world outside could wait, but for Gibbs, the moment was all that mattered, and he was determined to savor every last second of it.

Tony DiNozzo was in the comfort of his apartment, sipping his beer and savoring the flavors of his pizza, completely absorbed in the classic spy action thriller "No Way Out", starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Will Patton, and Sean Young. The combination of high-stakes action, steamy affairs, and the military elements, all set against the backdrop of stardom, was exactly the kind of entertainment he needed to unwind. As he watched the film, he felt his tension melt away, the thrill of the movie providing a much-needed distraction from the events of the past few days, which had been a roller coaster of emotions.

After enjoying his dinner and the film, Tony slowly stood up, preparing to get ready for the night ahead. However, as he moved, the annoyance of his broken arm suddenly brought him back to reality, reminding him of the recent events that had led to his injury. His mind began to wander, reflecting on the expertise he had developed in undercover work over the years. Tony's proficiency in this area implied a great deal: it meant that he knew exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to say it to elicit specific responses from people. It also meant that he was a master at improvising, at rolling with the punches, and at adapting to any situation that arose, all while keeping his mission objective firmly in mind. With his exceptional ability to use words to his advantage and his adaptability in the face of uncertainty, the third cornerstone of Tony's expertise in undercover work was his remarkable observation skills. He had developed the ability to read people like books, noticing details that most people missed, and understanding which details were important and which could be safely ignored. This skill had served him well in his line of work, allowing him to navigate complex situations and gather vital information.

Recently, Tony's observation skills had led him to investigate Ziva's behavior, particularly her increased use of Hebrew and her more frequent disappearing acts. His snooping, as some might call it, had uncovered some disturbing information. He had discovered that Ziva's friend, Michael Rivkin, had disregarded the warnings from their boss and returned to the country, despite the fact that the OSP had previously caught up with him and put a stop to his activities in Los Angeles. Rivkin's return to Washington DC and his continued prioritization of Ziva's time had raised several questions that needed answers, and warnings that needed to be observed. So, Tony did what he did best: he investigated. He dug deeper, following a trail of clues that led him to some shocking discoveries. He found that Rivkin had attempted to spy on an Intelligence meeting, and in the process, had killed one of the men involved. He also discovered that Rivkin had killed the leader of the terrorist cell that NCIS was investigating, making it look like a suicide, and had then taken the laptop and deleted all of the information, seemingly framing Ziva for the crime.

Tony had gone to Ziva's place to warn her about Rivkin's activities, but instead, he had found Rivkin himself. So, Tony adapted, confronting Rivkin and trying to arrest him. However, he had not expected Rivkin to resist arrest, and their ensuing fight had reminded Tony of the times he had sparred with Ziva at the gym. He had tried to stop Rivkin, but the only method that had ultimately worked was a bullet. Tony let out a deep sigh as he thought back to the moment when Ziva arrived at the scene, her timing couldn't have been worse. The look in her eyes was conflicted, a mixture of emotions that he couldn't quite decipher. His usual sharp thinking was clouded by the pain radiating from his broken arm, making it difficult for him to process his thoughts. He had tried to reason with her, to make her see things from his perspective, but his words seemed to fall flat. The pain and frustration were evident in his voice, but Ziva didn't seem to be affected by them.

As an experienced agent, Tony was accustomed to relying on his expertise and instincts to get him out of tricky situations. However, this time, his skills had failed him when he needed them the most. The events that had transpired had left him feeling defeated and unsure of how to proceed. After his hospital visit, he had taken the time to write a detailed Internal Affairs report, making sure to include every aspect of the incident. He had been truthful and transparent, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Ducky and Abby had both corroborated his story, providing additional evidence that supported his account of the events. Despite this, Ziva had lashed out at him, accusing him of killing Rivkin when it wasn't necessary. Tony couldn't understand why Ziva was reacting this way, and he found himself questioning his own actions. He had thought through the situation from every possible angle, but he still couldn't comprehend what had driven Ziva to behave in such a manner.

Before he could even begin to process his emotions, Tony was ordered by Director Vance to accompany him, Gibbs, Ziva, along with Rivkin's corpse, to Israel. The purpose of the trip was to explain the circumstances surrounding Rivkin's death to the Israeli authorities. The 17-hour flight gave Tony ample time to gather his thoughts, to make sure he had all the facts straight, and to prepare himself for the challenges that lay ahead. He was determined to use his skills to make Ziva see the truth, to make her understand that he had acted in the best possible way given the situation. As they arrived in Israel, Tony found himself face to face with the formidable Director of Mossad, Eli David. The man was known for his cunning and intelligence, and Tony was well aware that he would have to be at the top of his game if he was to succeed. Eli David's polite demeanor was laced with veiled mockery, but Tony was not intimidated. Instead, he chose to respond with sarcasm and overconfidence, deliberately trying to annoy and frustrate the Director.

As the interrogation progressed, Tony continued to talk, barely pausing for breath. He was aware that Eli David was trying to get under his skin, to make him slip up and reveal something that he shouldn't. But Tony was determined to keep his cool, to keep talking until Eli David made a mistake. And eventually, the Director did slip up, admitting that Michael Rivkin's relationship with Ziva was nothing more than a manipulation ploy. The revelation was a significant one, and Tony was convinced that it would be enough to make Ziva see the truth. He was certain that she had been observing the interrogation, that she had heard her father's admission of guilt. Tony had expected her to be shocked, to be angry, and to finally apologize for her behavior. He had expected her to return to Washington DC with him, to go back to NCIS and resume their work together.

But as the events unfolded, Tony found himself feeling disappointed and confused. Ziva didn't follow them to the tarmac, and she didn't return to the US with them. Tony was left feeling speechless, unsure of what to do or say. He couldn't understand why Ziva hadn't come with them, why she hadn't acknowledged the truth and apologized for her behavior. It was Boss who eventually provided Tony with some insight, explaining that Ziva needed time to accept the truth. She needed to come to terms with the fact that her father was a manipulator, that he had used her for his own purposes. Boss also reminded Tony that Ziva couldn't trust the Mossad, that she needed to trust them, her colleagues at NCIS. Tony realized that he had been too impatient, that he had expected Ziva to come around too quickly.

As he reflected on the events, Tony found himself picking up the phone, intending to call Ziva and give her a piece of his mind. But every time, he put the phone down, knowing that he didn't have the right words to say. He didn't know how to reach out to her, how to make her see the truth and come back to them. For now, he would have to wait, hoping that eventually, Ziva would come to her senses and return to where she belonged.