Another chapter down!
Thanks to everyone for the reviews on the last chapter, I am glad you guys are happy I'm back!
Enjoy, Hundan.
He's quiet all that afternoon and she doesn't need to ask to know something big was on his mind. She'd seen him talking to Vance and she knows it was something about that conversation that had him rather lost in his own thought all day since they got back from the hospital. She also knows that he will tell her when he is ready to let her in, when he's finished contemplating whatever it is that Vance had said to him earlier. She has a good idea of what it might be, his old job. She leaves him to his own thoughts and goes off to cook the dinner, however not long after she does he walks into the kitchen.
She watches as he leans back against the counter to her right and she can almost feel his confession arrival in the air around them. When he says her name softly she turns down the stove and puts down the vegetables she was cutting before turning to face him.
"I know you pretty much already know there's something on my mind and you're probably just waiting for me to tell you, so here it is" he pauses and lets out a deep breath. "Vance approached me today at the hospital and asked me to come back to work" he explains and she can feel it in his words that he's still unsure about what he's going to do even if he's been thinking about it for most the day.
She's not really surprised that Vance approached Tony like that, she knows how good he is at his job, what an asset he is to NCIS. To be honest if she was approached with the same offer she wouldn't really be sure either. She feels like she wants to make some changes to her life and she feels like NCIS is one of those changes.
She thinks Tony's admission is finished but when she hears him continue again she wasn't expecting to hear what he tells her next. "And he wants me to replace Gibbs and take over the team" he said and that's what she never expected, she didn't think Gibbs could ever be replaced and she never thought Vance would want to do that. Maybe Gibbs was worse than she thought he was. She was unsure what to really say to Tony, she's so proud that he was offered this position but then at the same time it was hard to handle the situation considering Gibbs.
"Does Gibbs know?" she decided to ask. She didn't think that would be something that would go down too well with Gibbs, his job was pretty much his entire life. Tony slowly nodded his head.
"His conversation with Vance was a little heated but once he'd taken to account and thought about it he let it be. I still think he's upset about being dropped but he … he seems to be happy that Vance offered it to me" There was something in the way Tony's eyes had a certain look to them, that Ziva just knew deep down that Tony was truly touched by Gibbs' approval of Tony replacing him.
Tony and Gibbs had worked together for many years now so if Gibbs was going to let anyone take over his team it would be his trusty number two.
"Have you made a decision yet?" She asks. He gives a certain look and she understood right then and there that no he hasn't made a decision, simply because he hasn't discussed it with her yet.
"I want to make the decision together. What you think about what I decide to do means a lot to me" he explains. Honestly she wasn't really expecting this from him, she hadn't considered that he would want her to help him decide. She takes a step closer to him so she stands right in front of him, she reaches down and takes both of his hands in hers.
"Whatever it is you choose to do, know that I am happy with your decision" she explained, because that was the honest truth. Whatever he did, if he wanted to work at a supermarket, she didn't care. As long as he was happy, she would be happy. He looks down at their hands entwined for a moment before his grip tightened and he looked up at her.
"So if I went back you wouldn't mind?" he asks. They both know it's been great not facing death each day of their lives but at the same time they cannot go jobless for much longer. She brings one of her hands up and places it on the side of his cheek.
"If that's what you want to do I wouldn't mind at all. I just want you to be happy" she explained.
"I'm happy because I have you" he smiled at her with that loving softness in his eyes. She smiled back because when he touches her heart like that, it's one of the reason she loves him so much.
"I've been thinking a lot about it this afternoon but I wasn't sure because I wanted to make sure with you first" he continued. Another reason why she loved him so much, he considered her in what he did.
"Have you made your decision now then?" she asks with a soft smile. He gave a slight shrug.
"Well if you really didn't mind I was seriously contemplating it. I mean it's been great not having to work those hours and seeing death so much but it's what I'm good at, solving crimes. I wouldn't know what else I would do. And this is the biggest offer of my career" he explains giving another shrug. Her thumb strokes along his cheek.
"You know what I think? I think this is a good opportunity for you and that this is something you have worked for most of your life. If you are seriously thinking about it I think you should take it" she says looking at him seriously. He's worked so hard at what he does to get to where he was, he deserves this offer. He nods at her slightly, taking in her words.
"And if I take the job and ask you to come back with me, what would you say?" he asked and she could hear the hesitant waver in his voice. She hadn't expected him to ask her that. She thinks about it for a moment but she really doesn't know how to answer him. He must see it in her face when she looks up because his eyes give the tell-tale sign that he understands.
"I'm not sure, I just feel like right now I need to make a change in my life and I think that working at NCIS might be that change that I'm looking for. I just don't know to be honest" she doesn't lie to him about it, she never does now because these days she has nothing to hide from him, nothing at all. He nods his head slowly and smiles softly at her and just like she had seen in his eyes before she sees it even more now, that he understands.
"If you need to make that change, you want to do something different I'll be with you on whatever it is all the way on your journey wherever it is you want to go. You know that, right?" he said stepping slightly closer. She didn't know what it was about this moment but the room just got smaller and her heart skipped a beat stronger. She can just see clearly in this man's eyes, in what he does and says to her that he loves her with all his heart. She doesn't have to hear him say it to know he does.
"I know" she beams a smile at him and he returns it. "And know it's the same for you" she says and his smile grows some more and he nods towards her.
"I know you won't let me go that easy sweetheart" his look turns into a grin and she's glad for the slight serious talk tension break that he brings with that comment. If she was being honest she likes the way his humour lightened the seriousness of some of the moments they have.
She gives him a longing look of adoration then she leans up and gives him a gentle kiss before resting her forehead against his, running her hands into the back of his hair.
"How long until you let Vance know?" she asks while playing softly with his hair. She just knows after this conversation they just had that he's going back. With his eyes closed he lets out a deep breath because he hadn't thought that far yet. His arms wrap around her waist.
"Probably in the morning I guess" he says and she feels his third shrug for the evening. They just fall silent after that in their own thoughts, each thinking about the same new situation they are about to face together. She wonders how long she'll have him freely until he goes back into the depths of work because she knows when he goes back he'll be busy, he has a team to rebuild.
Later that night when they are in bed, his chest against her back with his breaths warm and soft against her neck, she feels like whatever it is she does in life she rightly belongs here in his arms. She has always been the type of woman who was a bit heartless, men used to not really be of any major importance to her, however these days this one man means everything to her and she never thought she would feel like this.
It's good though, she's changed a lot from the woman she used to be and she likes the new person she has become over the years in America. It makes her feel as though she's a better person. She feels that if her friends these days knew her back when she was in Mossad in Israel they wouldn't recognize her. Tony might a little, but he doesn't fully understand what she was like back in those days. That woman was not the woman he loves now.
"I can feel you thinking" he whispers against her neck and she smiles because it's just the way they understand each other that's truly perfect.
"I have a lot to think about sometimes" she tells him, and she does. Some days she finds herself just sitting and thinking about her life, the past, present and future.
"Yeah?" he asks and she can hear the sudden peak in interest in his voice, something she has come to know very well. She chuckles lightly at his obvious interest and she feels the smile on his lips against her neck as he pulls her closer towards him.
"Most of the time it has to do with you lately" she chuckles some more and he presses his lips to her neck in a gentle kiss.
"Well I've got something that will make you think some more" he says and she hears the way his voice changes from playful to a little more serious.
"And what's that?" she asks as she wraps a hand around one of his over her stomach. He's been full of a lot of serious conversations today. She wonders where this one is going when his fingers weave between hers.
"With the way things are heading and I know it might be a bit soon but I guess this is different because it is us, but if you want I was wondering if you would want to move in with me?" he asked and she definitely did not expect that. She could also tell he was a little nervous about asking this. She knows he has never really been the big commitment type so this was a big step for him, for them.
She knows why he's asking her, they pretty much live with each other as it is, there's hardly a day apart. Also it's heading in that direction that they both know is inevitable so why not sooner rather than later? It's not like they don't already know each other through and through, so living together wouldn't be hard.
To be honest she knows they know each other better than some married couples out there do. She's only been at her apartment a couple of years and he's been at his a long time, so just as he had asked her if they were going to live at one of the two apartments it would be his, she wouldn't miss hers much. And she likes the idea of that, because secretly she really loves his place, she loves the style of it.
Anyone else would think it's a place that doesn't show his character at all but she knows, she knows the place has him written all over the way it's laid out. She's never really lived with anyone before, besides seven women that she shared an Army barracks with when she was seventeen, she's never stayed with anyone permanently before. Sure she's been on operations where she's stayed and lived with other agents for the mission, but that's not the same.
She knows it will be different for her, actually living with someone 24/7, and for this thing with Tony, they are looking at long term for a very long time to come. But really when she thinks about it she wants to do this, this is something she's ready for right now in her life, especially with Tony.
"Yes, I would like that very much" she answers and by the time she does he's been super silent the whole time in a ball of nerves waiting for her reply. As soon as he hears her reply she feels him move behind her and she's suddenly been rolled over onto her back so he can look down at her. He places his hands either side of her head and he's beaming a smile down at her.
"Really?" he asks, his voice she doesn't think she's ever heard this excited before.
"Yes of course" she smiles and chuckles at his excitement over this. He leans down and places a soft kiss to her lips, a kiss that made her feel every single one of his emotions right now, mainly the emotion of love.
"I've never asked anyone to move in with me" he admits, yes, he had definitely been nervous about asking, this proves it even more.
"Harder than you thought it would be?" she asked while she ran her hand up his bare chest and along his neck. He shakes his head and smiles.
"Not so much, but maybe that's because I asked the right person" he said. Sometimes he's such a romantic and she's sure he knows it. As he rolls above her and presses her into the mattress, kissing her just like a lover should she knows she can get used to this with him. Living with him was going to be good, it just feels so right. And like he said, he asked the right person.
Sure she knows he will most likely frustrate her on more than one occasion while living together but that's just him and she knows it's not true love unless they get on your nerves from time to time. She's looking forward to this new step in her life, their life together and if it's anything like they have been she'll enjoy being made love to everyday by the love of her life.
He went and spoke to Vance this morning and the older man was very pleased to hear that Tony was accepting the position. Vance had admitted to Tony that he hadn't expected an answer so fast, however once Tony had explained he had talked it over with someone he knew what his answer would be Vance had then seen something in the younger man and understood.
Tony knows it wasn't a coincidence that right after Tony mentioned 'someone' that Vance had asked if he knew if Ziva of McGee would return. Vance knows something or has seen something with him and Ziva, Tony knows, however he's going to act like he doesn't see the Directors subtle hints.
He told Vance he knows Ziva is very unsure and it will be a little while before she knows, however with McGee he doesn't know. Vance asked him to talk to them both and find out. Tony knows they are both big assets to the team and Vance knows that, it's why he wants them back. He promised he would talk to them, even if he knows Ziva won't be coming back, not right away anyways.
Vance had given Tony a stack of files containing potential new agents for the team, some who have been at the job a while, some still probies, some only just signed up to NCIS. However all have something good to show for themselves and can be made to fit in well on the MCRT if moulded correctly.
When it came to the deal on when Tony was actually to start on the job again Vance said that it was up to Tony when he was reinstated. Tony had thought about that over breakfast that morning as he watched an almost nude Ziva cook for him in her apartment. He'd asked to be reinstated right away however before he gets his team fully up and running he asked for a week off. Vance had happily accepted those terms.
After Vance had handed Tony his gun and badge back he took his new personal files and walked down into the bullpen which was the only area on this floor not buzzing with people working. Tony wonders if Vance had left their bullpen untouched because he knew at some stage he would get his people back and his MCRT team would be up and running once more.
He places the files on his desk and looks over at Ziva's desk and smiles. He can't believe in the months that they had been gone from work their relationship had blossomed so much. Later as he sits at his desk and he reads over the new potential probies a few of the agents around came over and talked to him, asking if he's back and if the rumours were true about him coming back to replace Gibbs. Some people tried to hint about maybe getting into a spot on the new team, some asked if Ziva and McGee were coming back too.
He answered the best he could and the day had been a very long one. When Vance was leaving for the night he came up to Tony's desk where he was just checking the last of his emails for the night before he was going to head home.
"You know you don't have to sit at this desk anymore? You can take his desk" Vance said motioning towards Gibbs' desk. Tony looked over at Gibbs' desk, he'd not even thought about that. He just, belongs at his own desk. However maybe it was time for a change.
The last time he took Gibbs' desk the man had returned three months later to take it back, not even once thanking Tony for taking care of the team and stepping up when the older man just up and left. Maybe he does deserve this spot that Vance had offered him more than he thinks he does. He's worked hard for it and he's finally being praised for his hard work.
"Yeah, I'll move things around in the next few days" Tony said to Vance. Tony doesn't like the idea of clearing out Gibbs' desk again however he'll do it because it's his spot now and in all end all it's what Gibbs would want. Vance then gives him one of those understanding nods Tony used to see him give Gibbs all the time.
"It's good to have you back DiNozzo, I'll see you tomorrow" Vance said bidding him a goodnight for the evening.
"Night Director" Tony replied before going back to his emails. He got halfway through an email from Vance's assistant about welcoming him back and things about what he has to do to set his new team up when his phone signalled he had a text. He pulled his phone out from his pocket and looked at the screen, as soon as he did he smiled.
How long will you be at work tonight? Z x
He quickly typed back his reply.
On my last email now before I head home. T x
He doesn't know why, maybe because they've hardly been apart in their four months off but he cannot wait to get home to see her.
Dinner will be ready when you get home x
His smile only grew, how he loved to have home cooked meals every night, especially Ziva's home cooked meals. She wasn't just gifted with looks, talent and personality, she also had great culinary skills up her sleeve. He'd seemed to have scored the whole package with Ziva. However sometimes he's not too sure he deserves how good she is to him, on some days he wonders how it was that he made her fall for him. He knows he can be a pain in the ass a lot. He doesn't know how he did it but he's glad he's got her, and now he's got her for a hopefully very long time to come.
He's a little nervous about moving in together because he knows they won't really have their own space anymore once they move in together, it will be their space. At the same time however he is really excited because this is what he wants in life. He's never really had anything extremely permanent before, he's been close, but at this stage in his life he wants nothing more than what he is growing with Ziva.
As he drives home that night with his badge and gun on his hip, he feels like his life is finally turning in all the right directions. Right now his life has reached a point where he's achieved almost everything he's ever wanted. He can only hope that things will continue to head in the same direction from here on out. He has his job to focus on, he has Ziva to love every day that he breathes and he's starting to really become happy.