Yes it finishes. That's just the last step in the process. Just wait until it stops. You can watch the progress bar at the top - which I know you are already doing - and when everything finishes, it will just quit.
I sync over WiFi and the very last thing that I see on the screen is a window that pops up with the words - "looking for iPad" and it has the blue and white barber's pole (that's what I call it anyway) that rotates until the sync finally ends. That window stays on the screen for about 3 or 4 seconds.
there is a very easy way to test to see if the sync does complete if you are that concerned about it. Download a free app on the iPad and when you sync, it should transfer into iTunes. Check your apps after you sync and it the app shows up in your iTunes library, then you know that the sync was completed.
I'm sure you are fine, but that would be a way to check. But what you are seeing is absolutely normal and expected behavior when you sync.
Sitting here watching the NFL playoffs today, I'm so bummed out that the Steelers are sitting this one out. 😟