'NCIS' Season 11 Spoilers: New Photos Arrive From Set, But Where's Ziva?

Patience is a virtue. It's an imperative skill to succeed. While it should be cherished and respected, there are times when it can be tossed out the window. Somethings need to be rushed. While there may be a reason to wait, whether to maintain surprise or provide greater reasoning, sometimes you just need to say "screw it" and go for it. For those of you who have a hard time keeping patient, particularly with things you care about, here's an inside look into the upcoming season of "NCIS."

In anticipation of the season 11 premiere, CBS has compiled photos that have been tweeted by the cast members during the early stages of production. The majority come from Pauley Perrette, but there are several others from Brian Dietzen and Michael Weatherly. Check them out above.

The photos should give fans a slightly better idea of what's on the horizon, but what they're really interested in is the fate of Ziva. Her absence from the photos casts an ominous tone for the upcoming season. Cote de Pablo, whose contract expired at the end of season 10, will make an appearance at the onset of the upcoming season. She's making her brief return to conclude Ziva's story. Then it's time to say goodbye.

Fortunately, the goodbye won't be brisk. Instead of making a one-off appearance, it looks like Pablo will stretch out her farewell stay. She will appear in several episodes, which suggests that her story will be properly wrapped instead of quickly tossed aside as an incomplete thought. Although Pablo may be anxious to move on, the show is in its 11th season afterall, it's promising to see that she and her producers found a solution that will cater to her adoring fans. Instead of taking the easy way out and putting a bullet between her eyes, they'll get to say a proper goodbye. Whether she'll take a bullet to the head or simply leave the department is unclear. Fans will just have to wait and see.

"NCIS" will return to to CBS September 24.