Ziva looked up from her novel, surprised to hear her phone ringing. She looked at the screen and frowned slightly at the name. Why would Tim be calling her?

She wasn't really ready to talk to anyone from Washington yet. But what if it was an emergency?

Her heart panged slightly, and for a moment she was afraid he was in danger. Ziva's eyes glanced over the chest in the corner, which held all of her weaponry that had gone untouched over the past month and a half. And she was all the better for it, but if Tim was in trouble, she would gladly dig them out.

The phone rang again, and the answering machine beeped.

She waited to see what he had to say. If he was in need, she would pick up.

"Hey...hey Ziva, its me. Tim. But you probably already knew that, with caller ID..."

She smiled at his awkward rambling. So he wasn't in danger, at least.

"...and something tells me you're just screening my call, which is fine. You don't need to talk, you just need to listen."

She was listening.

"Uh... I know you wanted to be left alone Ziva. That's why I haven't called since you stayed in Israel...but I thought you should know..."

Who was dead? What was wrong? If someone had been killed-

"We have a new addition to the team.. Her name is Ellie. Bishop. She's from NSA. She's smart and sweet...but...we still miss you over here. She's not going to be able to replace you, which is what SecNav wants, I think. She's getting your desk..."

Well, no one was dead. Thank God. But Ziva's heart cracked a little nonetheless. Someone was sitting at her desk? Why was she so upset about that?

Why was Tim calling just to hurt her?

"I know that you are out there...finding yourself, recovering... And I stand by you for that. But I just wanted you to know...no matter what, you're part of the team...and I know you probably won't want to come back any time soon...but...no matter what, if you need anything...I'm here. We're here.

You probably already know all this...I guess I just needed to tell myself that you know...I'm worried about you, Z. We didn't exactly get to say goodbye before you left...and I know why...but still-"

The machine clicked. His time was up.

They didn't get to say goodbye, that was true. So that was why Tim was calling. To say goodbye.

She smiled fondly, tears springing to her eyes. He would be the one to call. Because they needed it. They both needed it.

So when she was ready, she would call him back. Finally, she could-officially let go. Already she felt herself healing more completely than before. Because she could move on, but still be a part of the family that made her.

And thank goodness for that.