Disclaimer: Still don't own NCIS

A/N: I changed things a bit, and pretended that Ziva's application didn't get approved at the end of 7x4. Hope you guys don't mind.

When Ziva walked into NCIS at 7, she was shocked to find that Ducky, Abby, McGee, Tony, and Gibbs were all waiting for her. All of them had grim looks and seemed afraid to look at her

"Gibbs?" she asked, wondering if they were here to demand that she stay.

"Ziva, I told the team what's going on," Gibbs said.

"Boss, I-"

"This affects them, too. Now, we aren't going to force you to stay, Ziva. We love you too much to make you chose between us and your family.

"Ziva," Abby started. "I know how hard of a choice this must be. I wish I could demand that you not leave, but I don't want to manipulate you like your father, but if we just let you go, you may not think that we care, so…"

"What Abby is trying to say," Tony interrupted, looking at his partner, "is that you should know that the only reason we aren't begging and pleading for you to stay is that we know it has to be your choice, not ours."

Ziva was holding back the tears that were threatening to fall. Her father had been cold as ice and hard as stone. He hadn't cared about her in years. But in front of her, she had a family. It was a completely dysfunctional family, but it worked for them. She had Ducky as the doting grandfather, Abby and McGee were the younger brother and sister, Tony was…well, complicated, as much as she hated that word. Not brother (that would be too weird, but more than friend). And then there was Gibbs. More of a father in the few years she had been at NCIS than Eli had been in nearly three decades. Without any of this family in her life, it would be dull and grey. She knew she needed them.

"My dear, say something," Ducky urged.

"I spoke last night with my family in Tel Aviv. It seems that they are as outraged as I am about Eli's threats. They have said that, should my citizenship be revoked, they will gladly meet me at our house in Jordan when I wish to see them." She paused and looked at each of the faces one at a time. "I have chosen to stay at NCIS."

For a moment, no one moved, then Abby threw herself at Ziva, and all the men smiled. They had hoped this would be her choice, but hadn't been sure.

"What made you decide to stay?" Tony asked

"You guys are my family. When I was held by Saleem, you came for me, not Mossad, not even Eli. Most of my family does not know how to be a family. I made the mistake of questioning you guys once, I will never do it again."

Each of them gave her a hug in turn; Gibbs was last.

"I'm glad you're staying," he said quietly.

"Could you do me a favor?" she asked quickly.

"What do you need?"

"Could you come into MTAC with me?"

"Of course, Ziver."

When 0800 rolled around, Vance called down again, "Ziva, Director David in MTAC for you."

She stood, and looked at Gibbs. He nodded, and told Tony and McGee to keep working the case, then followed her upstairs. When they walked in, he had to work to keep the grin off his face. He was thrilled that they weren't going to lose Ziva again, but this was still trying for her.

Ziva nodded to the tech, who flipped a switch, and Eli's face appeared on the screen.

"Well, my daughter. Have you thought about our last conversation?"

"Yes, Director," she said, keeping it professional. "My resignation to Mossad still stands. I choose to stay in America. Forever."

"Ziva!" Eli yelled. "I am your father. You have to return, what about your family?"

"My true family is here. If you ban me from my family, at least, those that are still alive, you will have to answer to that. Not I."

"Ziva David," he said, in a tone that sent shivers down Gibbs's spine, "if you think that you can walk away from Mossad, you are gravely mistaken. I will see to it that you regret this decision, Officer David!" he yelled. Ziva motioned to the tech to cut the feed.

"Ziva?" Gibbs asked gently. When she didn't answer, he walked in front of her and saw her eyes shut tightly, and she was taking deep breaths. Realizing that she was holding back the sobs that were fighting to come out, he felt his blood boil again. He motioned everyone out of the room, and once the door was closed behind them, he pulled her close like he did with Abby. "Let it out, Ziver. Don't bury it." Finally, she let go and cried like nothing he had ever seen from her. "Its going to be alright," he said.

She pulled out of his embrace and wiped her eyes. "No, it won't. You heard Eli. He is not going to just let me leave. He will do something, you know he will."

"We will protect you, no matter what he does or threatens to do," Gibbs said.

"No, Gibbs. I can't let you risk yourself and the team like that, not when I know the resources my father has. I am sorry." With that, she left the room. Gibbs made to follow her, but was interceded by Vance.

"Ah, Agent Gibbs. I have something for you." he said, holding out a sheet of paper.

"What is it, Leon?" Gibbs asked impatiently, wanting to catch Ziva.

"Ziva's agent application. Its just been approved. Took me a bit longer to get it through the system, since she's not a citizen yet, but its here now."

Gibbs took it and stared. He nearly wanted to laugh. He couldn't have gotten this an hour ago? "Thanks, Leon," he said, before, turning and running into the bullpen.

"Boss, what's going on?" Tony asked.

"You guys seen Ziva?" he demanded.

"Yeah, she took off like the building was on fire," Tony said with a frown.

"McGee, can you trace her cell?"

"Sure thing, boss," Tim said, already starting the trace. "She's almost back at her apartment, boss."

"Alright. I'll be back later. You two keep working the case." Gibbs didn't wait for an answer before running out of the building.

Ziva was nearly back at her apartment, when she heard a ding from her cell. Looking at it, she saw that she had a missed call from Eli, and a voicemail. Guess the music was too loud to hear it ring. Turning down the CD, she typed the password for her voicemail. Listening to it, her blood ran cold. This was going to get bad.

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