A/N: Here's the epilogue I was talking about. It's the letter from Eli to Ziva that Ali had been keeping (mentioned in Chapter 8!). I hope you like it! Let me know what you think in the comments section at the end please?! :) Thanks in advance! (there won't be an author's note at the end because it'd ruin the whole thing lol) ENJOY READING! Love y'all! :)

Dear Ziva,

first of all I have to tell you that I am sorry. I did not know how to say this face-to-face and that is the reason why I wrote this letter and gave it to Alison instead.

I know that the two of you are very close and I am sure that she will be living in DC with you when you read this. She is a good girl and I am certain that she is going to give this to you even though she does not like me.

You do not like me either. But I understand it. I do not like me, too, I hate myself.

I hate myself for letting my family go. Your mother left me and the whole family as you know. I never told you why she did but I need to write it down. That is the least I can do.

When you were five years old and your sister was only one year old, your mother and I got into a terrible fight. It was about the time when I wanted to start your training.

She got really angry at me, told me that this was not right but utterly wrong. I yelled at her and she left. She wanted to take you girls with her but I did not allow it.

When she left she told me that I was making a mistake. She was certain that both, you and Tali, would not want such a life and that I would loose you because of Mossad. I understand her now.

When you, Ziva, decided to join NCIS and become and American Citizen I was not angry. I know that you think I was but I am not. I was just upset and I remembered your mother's words.

I should have just told you how proud I am of you that you found your own way. I am sorry, tatelah.

Now you live in DC and I know that you love your life. Even though I am sad that I lost you I am still happy for you. I talked to Special Agent Gibbs once and he seems to be a better father to you than I am.

He refers to you as his kid. I am certain that he takes care of you and I am glad he does. Also I am certain that by the time you read this letter you are going to be engaged or even married to Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo.

When I visited NCIS once I saw the two of you. You belong together and you love each other. I guess you do not care what I think about that but if you do: You two have my approval and my blessings. I just hope he takes great care of you.

I do not want to hurt you by talking about it but I need you to know that I am really sorry for what happened on the Damocles and in Somalia. I know that you went through hell and I am so sorry.

Special Agent Gibbs once said that I left you in the desert to die. He was very mad at me. I am mad at me, too. I am sorry, tatelah, so, so sorry.

I hope you do not freak out when you read this. Maybe you already know when you read it. Your sister, Talia, or Tali as you used to call her, is not dead. She is alive.

I do not know where she is but it is my fault that she had to flee. Mossad was after her. I regret it.

Ziva whatever happens, I just need you to know that I am sorry – for everything. I regret most of my life. I am sorry that I was such a horrible father to you.

I know that you cannot forgive me. That is too much to ask from you. Apologizing does not make up for everything you went through because of me. But please, remember that you are wonderful.

You are my daughter and I just want you to know that I am always and will always be proud of you.

Live your life, tatelah.

Your father

Eli

P.S. If Alison is indeed staying with you in DC by now, please take care of her. Who am I kidding? I know you will..

The End