Everywhere you turn, it's Ziva. After Cote de Pablo announced her departure from the "NCIS," fans and television buffs have been digging fervently to piece the mystery together. How will the show send her character off? Will she simply leave the agency or will she take a bullet to the heart? Why did Pablo choose to quit? These are all valid questions that have been answered little by little as the story unfolds.

But despite the loss of a fantastic character and actress, fans are more discouraged to see an end to Ziva and Tony's relationship. According to Michael Weatherly, who plays Tony, Pablo's double episode send-off "is as cathartic and therapeutic for the fans as it was for me shooting it."

That could mean a number of things Weatherly decided to string fans along. "When you want something for so long, and you want and you want and you want, and it almost gets warped because you've wanted it for maybe longer than anybody should ever want anything, and it's sitting five feet from you in an office," he added. "When that is dealt with, a dam breaks and it creates a fresh new and most importantly dynamic element to the show. That eight-year 'holding pattern' will be dealt with, but more important than that is what happens next. Where does Tony go after that? And [the answer to that] is the most exciting thing I've heard in a long time."

Executive producer Gary Glasberg shared similar sentiments. "It's a really touching, emotional story and I promise the viewers will not be disappointed - especially the Tiva fans, as we say. I hope it's everything they want it to be."

"I want some of it to be a surprise, but I think people will be pleased at the end of the day with where it's left both emotionally and psychologically - and not only for Tony, but Gibbs, Abby, and everybody," he added. "That's a big part of what I was taking into consideration - really understanding how the people and the fans are so connected to our characters. You really have to honor that."

NCIS returns to CBS September 24.