Vance and Gibbs had a long talk. Vance wasn't a push over and wasn't sentimental about keeping the team together. It was hard for him to ignore how well the old team's chemistry worked. They were impressive. In the end, Vance agreed, but required that Ziva would need to contact her father to tell him she was indeed alive. He set up a meeting with Mossad over MTAC. Gibbs went to find Ziva to inform her of the decision.
"You're going to need these," he said while providing her with a formal contract, new badge and firearm.
When she took a glance at the papers, four words stuck out on the cover sheet. She read them a few times to make sure she wasn't mistaken. It clearly read, 'Special Agent Ziva David'. She was no longer a Mossad Liaison. She was filled with strength and her fears subsided. It provided her with just the kind of confidence she needed to face her father.
Her visit with her father via satellite was short and unemotional. Ziva saw her father's face upon his first confirmation that she was alive. He was so arrogant he didn't even gush that he was happy to see her alive. His first words to her were to return home.
"Ahhhh, Ziva. Come home. We will take care of you." her father said with a smug smile.
"No, father. I will stay here," she simply replied.
"You cannot be serious, Ziva. What…. yerida from Israel?" he guilted her.
"Exactly," she said as she ended the conversation. She motioned for the controller to end the meeting and in a flash they were disconnected. She fulfilled Vance's order and did not give in to her father. She felt happy.
She walked out of MTAC and back down the grand staircase, overlooking her co-workers. Her whole team, who had been informed of her permanent return, all came to their feet. Ducky, Palmer and Abby were also there and Abby started an applause and a few whistles. The team was feeling pumped. At the bottom of the staircase, McGee met her and ushered her over to her revamped space, complete with fully accessible networks. Everyone was pleased. Tony's eyes twinkled.
Gibbs smiled from ear to ear. He relished having his team back.
The moment didn't last long, a new investigation opened just minutes later and the team was off, backpacks in hand, piling into the midnight blue Mustang. Gibbs kept a watchful eye on Ziva during the day. He wasn't sure she had the strength for a whole day in the field. She proved him wrong. She had a lot of healing left to do, but she was on cloud nine and nothing was going to stop her.