To everyone who has read and reviewed this fic…here's the moment I've been working towards (and hopefully you've been waiting for)…the final chapter. I hope you enjoy…and it doesn't disappoint you!

Chapter 26 – The Choice

One week later…the bullpen

Ziva was sitting at her desk, typing on her computer keyboard. There had been no new cases so the last few days had been spent doing paperwork. She quickly glanced over at Gibbs and McGee's desk. They were also busy with their paperwork. Then she looked over at Tony's desk; her eyes resting there. It was empty, as it had been for the last week.

She sighed and pondered phoning him, but what was the point? He had ignored her previous 68 phone calls and messages. Yes, she had counted them; each missed call or ignored message hurting her more.

She had turned in to work the day after Valentines Day, blindly hoping that everything could return to the way it was. Tony however, had not turned up for work. Gibbs had informed her and McGee that Tony had decided to finally take the holiday time that had built up over the years.

She glanced over at Gibbs, who was staring at his computer screen with intent. He had obviously done something to cause an error but was too proud to ask McGee for help. She could tell that he blamed her for Tony's absence. He hadn't said anything but she could see it in his eyes.

Her cell phone began to vibrate along her desk. She quickly glanced at caller I.D. as she picked up the phone. She stood up and headed towards the bathroom.

"Hey Ziva, Abby just I. me." McGee started saying as she passed him. "She thinks you're avoiding her. She has a few ideas for the wedding…"

"Not now Tim." She muttered, heading straight towards the bathroom. She had asked Abby to be her bridesmaid a few days ago and had regretted it ever since. Abby was determined to have Ziva dressed in purple on her wedding day and have a 'Brain Matter' song as her first dance with Warner.

She entered the female bathroom and slipped into a cubicle. She finally answered the phone. "What took you so long?" Rishon's familiar voice asked.

"Sorry but I had to slip away." Ziva answered. "It has been one of those days."

"Yeah tell me about it." Rishon muttered. "Have you something to tell me Ziva?"

"I…I do not know." She answered honestly as she sat down on a toilet, with a closed toilet lid.

"Nothing big has happened in the last oh…4 weeks since I saw you?" Rishon asked. "Something to do with this Warner guy?"

"Oh yeah…I um got engaged." Ziva simply replied.

"Yeah I kinda figured that when you father started giving me hell for cheating on you and breaking your heart." Rishon retorted. "He didn't even act like that when I actually broke your heart all those years ago. He isn't exactly happy with you for marrying a non-Jewish guy, especially one he didn't even know about."

"Yeah he's not the only one." Ziva sighed, leaning her head against the cubicle wall. Warner's mother was not best pleased with their engagement either.

"I mean seriously Zee, have you really thought this through?" Rishon asked. "I mean, what has Tony got to say about this?"

At that, Ziva said nothing; instead, she began to sob uncontrollably. "Oh shit Zee." Rishon said. "Don't cry. You never cry. I don't know what to do when you cry."

"I'm sorry it's just…" Ziva managed to spit out between sobs. "Tony he…he won't talk to me. He told me he doesn't like Warner or the fact I'm dating him and I went ahead and told him I was going to marry Warner. Now Tony won't come to work and I can tell that Gibbs blames me." She began sobbing again. "I just don't know what to do."

"Ziva, do you really want to marry this Warner guy?" Rishon asked.

"I thought I did." She sobbed. "I know he loves me…and I know he could make me happy if I let him. I just…I want the person I love to actually love me back and Warner does. He was willing to change for me."

"And Tony won't." Rishon concluded.

"I just…I just want Tony to come back to work." Ziva sighed, her sobbing subsiding.

"And how are you going to make that happen Zee?" Rishon asked. "After everything you and Tony shared…those feelings are out there now. Do you really think you can move on?"

"Maybe…if I were to leave NCIS." Ziva answered. "Maybe that would be the best for everyone." She could hear Rishon sigh on the other end.

"I guess it's your call Zee." He retorted.

A hour later…Ziva's apartment

Ziva had stayed in the ladies bathroom for another twenty odd minutes after the phone call had ended, hoping to disguise any signs of crying. When she finally emerged back in the bullpen, she made out she had a stomach bug and Gibbs let her go home. Now she was back home.

She slipped her key into her lock and pushed open the door to find Warner on her couch. "Hey sweetie." He said, putting down the magazine he was flicking through.

"Hey." She replied, half-heartedly. She tossed her belongings on the floor and collapsed on the sofa beside him.

"Aw baby, did you have a tough day at work?" Warner asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"You could say that." Ziva sighed, a single tear rolling down her cheek. She let herself relax in his arms.

"Aw baby, I know all this wedding stuff is getting to you." Warner said. Ziva just grunted in response. "And so Abby is a little eager…"

Ziva sat up and looked him in the eye. He had no idea how eager Abby was to plan the wedding. He didn't have to work with her. "She emailed me a few 'Brain Matter' songs to consider for our first dance and she gave me the name of a tailor who specialises in blood red morning suits." Warner answered, as if reading her mind.

Ziva fell back into his arms. Okay, he did have an idea about how eager Abby was. "But I think I have a solution." Warner stated.

"What? You've created a parallel universe were there's only you and me?" Ziva asked, her voice filled with hope. "No Abby…and no disapproving parents?"

"Well no but I have the next best thing." Warner stated. He handed Ziva an envelope. She opened it.

"Plane tickets?" She observed, emptying out the contents of the envelope. She looked at Warner, questioning him.

"Not just plane tickets…plane tickets to Las Vegas." Warner stated. "We leave in two days…if you say yes."

"Oh." Ziva sighed and sunk into the couch.

"Look, I can tell you're a little overwhelmed." Warner said. "So I'll leave you to think things through and if you want to elope…you can meet me at the airport."

"Okay." She sighed. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, lifted one set of plane tickets and left the apartment.

As the door to the apartment closed, Ziva sat forward and lifted the set of tickets left for her. She sunk back into the couch again, her fingers grazing the tickets, her eyes studying them with intent.

The next morning…the bullpen…0657

Ziva sat at her desk, her fingers feverishly typing on her keyboard, trying to catch up on the paperwork she missed yesterday. She could hear the ding of the elevator and braced herself for the arrival of Gibbs or McGee.

"Morning Ziva." McGee stated as he passed her on his way to the desk.

"Ziver." Gibbs grunted his hello, coffee in hand.

"Morning Tim…boss." Ziva answered warily, her eyes watching Gibbs as his eyes rested on the sealed white envelope on his desk with the simple word 'Gibbs' scribbled on it, in Ziva's handwriting.

She continued typing, watching from the corner of her eye as he opened the envelope and read the contents. "Ziva, my office, now!" He grunted, storming towards the elevator, with the coffee in one hand and the letter in the other.

McGee looked at Ziva, in total shock. Ziva gave him a small smile in return, trying to reassure him, before following Gibbs.

She stepped into the elevator, where Gibbs was waiting. "What the hell is this?" He barked, waving the letter in the air, not even waiting for the elevator doors to close.

"It's my resignation." Ziva simply answered.

"What? Why?" Gibbs asked, completely confused.

"I'm doing it for the good of the team." Ziva answered.

"Zee, there is no team without you." Gibbs stated.

"No…there is no team without Tony and we both know he isn't going to come back if I'm still here." Ziva retorted.

She watched Gibbs. His lips twitched as if preparing a comeback. Then, they stopped. He began to pace up and down the elevator. "This is Rule Number 12's fault, isn't it?" He snapped.

"Look, I know what you went through with Jenny…I helped her pick up the pieces." Ziva softly said. At the mention of Jenny, Gibbs spun around to face her. "She was broken-hearted but she made her choice…she picked her career."

"She wanted more than I could give her Ziver." Gibbs said, in a rare moment of honesty.

"I know…and on paper, rule number 12 sounded great, especially after what I went through with Rishon." Ziva agreed. "But in reality, no matter how much respect we pay to your rules Gibbs, the human heart doesn't want to listen. I tried not to feel the way I do…did for Tony…and I know Tony felt something for me too. I know it. But your rule…well, it gave him a chance to hid from his commitment fears and now, I'm done, I can't wait anymore…I can't feel like this anymore."

"Zee…" Gibbs began, feeling the guilt from the rule he created to save his team's pain, only to see the pain it caused.

"Warner gave me a way out and I'm taking it." Ziva continued, ignoring Gibbs. "We're leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow and then I'm taking any holiday time I have built up. There should be enough to cover my notice. My father has set up a job at the Israeli embassy. He was happy to do it when he realised a job at the embassy will give him ample opportunity to check up on Warner and I."

"Ziva, are you sure?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah, I am." Ziva replied.

"You know Ziva, when Warner came to me to ask for your hand, I only agreed because I thought you were happy…I thought he was your first choice." Gibbs stated. "Lately, you haven't seemed so happy."

"I know." Ziva agreed. "But I will be happy…someday." She stepped out of the elevator, preparing to break the news of her resignation to McGee, Abby and Ducky.

Gibbs watched her go, his eyes filled with troubled pain.

A few hours later…Tony's apartment

Abby furiously banged her fists against Tony's front door. "C'mon Tony, I know you're in there!" She cried, continuing the banging. "You wouldn't go on holiday without sending me a postcard." She stopped the banging and leaned her head against the door. "C'mon Tony it's really important."

Within 30 seconds, the door opened. Tony stood before her, wearing only his boxers and a full week of facial growth. "Geez Tony, did you forget what a shower is for?" Abby asked, stepping into the apartment. She looked around her. The place was littered with empty take away cartons and beer bottles. "And the trash can and vacuum?"

"Abs, you said this was important." Tony said, not attempting to make any excuses for the state of himself or his apartment.

"It is and since you won't answer your phone…"Abby began to rant.

"Abs!" Tony groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Fine." Abby sighed. "I just thought you would like to know that today, Ziva handed in her resignation. She's leaving NCIS." Abby watched Tony, trying to gauge the reaction. She didn't have to be a trained investigator to recognise the shock in his eyes.

"So?" He asked, trying to pretend he didn't care.

"So?" Abby squeaked before Gibbs' slapping the back of Tony's head.

"Abs!" Tony cried, clutching the back of his head. "You hit me harder than Gibbs ever does."

"Yeah, well you deserved it!" Abby exclaimed. "Didn't you hear me? Ziva is leaving NCIS…your partner is leaving…YOUR Ziva is leaving."

"She's not MY Ziva…she's perfect Warner's Ziva." Tony retorted sarcastically.

"Ugh Tony!" Abby squealed in frustration.

"I'm sorry Abs but what did you expect me to do?" Tony asked. "She made her choice."

"What choice Tony? You didn't give her one!" Abby exclaimed. "Tony, I know Ziva. She'll stay if you ask her to…give her a choice."

"I'm sorry Abby but it's not that simple." Tony softly said.

"But it can be." Abby argued. "Look Tony, I love Warner…he's a great guy but I love you more."

"Gee, thanks." Tony muttered sarcastically.

"And as much as Ziva wants to believe she loves Warner, I know deep in my heart she loves you more…she wants you…all you have to do it say it." Abby stated.

"I'm sorry Abby but I can't give Ziva what she wants." Tony replied. "Now if you don't mind…" He pulled open his door, indicating he wanted her to leave.

"Fine, I'll go." Abby said, giving up the fight. She turned to face Tony. "But before I do, I think you should also know that tomorrow, Warner and Ziva are planning to fly to Las Vegas to get married so this time tomorrow, it'll be too late to say something…Ziva will have that ring on her finger."

"Goodnight Abs." Tony said.

Abby shook her head. "I really thought you'd fight for her Tony." She sighed and left the apartment.

Tony closed the door behind her and rested his forehead against the back of the door. He banged his head against the door and closed his eyes, trying to overcome the wave of emotions washing over him.

The next morning…Ziva's apartment…0943

Ziva walked out of her bedroom, dressed in dark wide leg jeans with a white short sleeved button down shirt tuck in to her jeans, with black high heeled shoe boots. Her long dark hair was hanging down in loose, bouncy curls, mainly tossed to her left side. Her make up was minimal, as was her jewellery, making the most of her natural beauty.

She pulled a small black suitcase behind her. She wasn't sure what she should pack but she had decided anything she needed but hadn't packed, she could buy when she got there. She did however pack her white linen sundress. It was her favourite white dress…the one she wanted to wear when she said 'I do'.

She grabbed her keys and her plane ticket from the breakfast bar as she headed towards the door. She had booked her taxi for 0950, to make her flight at 1120. As she was about to pull open the door, she noticed the small white envelope that was slid under her door during the night, with the simple words 'For Ziva's eyes only'. She smiled as she recognised the handwriting…it was Tony's.

Warner stood at Gate 14, the departure gate for flight UA183 to Las Vegas. He glanced at his watch. It was 0955. If Ziva was coming, she would have needed to have left her apartment by now. He pulled out his cell phone and pressed speed dial 1. The phone rang 5 times before switching to the answer phone. He didn't bother leaving a message; he just closed over his cell and smiled. She was coming.

Ziva sat in the back of the taxi, heading towards the airport. The words of Tony's letter replaying in her mind over and over again. She shook her head, in a lame attempt to forget them. It was typical of Tony to play these mind games…especially when she already had her mind set to do something.

She sighed and pulled the letter out of her purse. She unfolded the letter and began to read it again, even though every word was etched in her mind.

To my ninja,

I had a visitor today…Abby. She came to break the news of your resignation. She was under the impression that I could make you stay but I reminded her that you had already made your choice. Then I realised, you didn't have a choice…I didn't give one…but I will now.

So here is the choice you have to make…option number 1 is the ever perfect Warner Smith…offering you love, marriage, the white picket fence, 2.4 children, a dog, a cat…I could go on but I think you get the picture.

Or, here's option number 2…me, Tony Dinozzo, your partner, offering my love and possibly a drawer from my dresser, well half a drawer…actually, a glass beside the bathroom sink for your toothbrush. Hey…I'm trying here.

The most important thing is I love you. Yes, I said it…and I mean it.

Love always,

Your hairy butt.

XXX

Ziva folded the letter over and wiped the few tears that had escaped from her eyes away.

"Lady, are you alright?" The taxi cab driver asked, looking at her through his rear view mirror.

Ziva paused before answering, not sure how to answer such a simple question.

Warner stood at Gate 14. He glanced at his watch. It was 1113 and Ziva was still wasn't there. "Final boarding call for flight UA183 to Las Vegas. Please head to gate 14. Final boarding call for flight UA183 to Las Vegas" blasted around the airport over the intercom.

He felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He spun around, a smile fixed on his lips. "You're cutting it…"He began to say, until he came face to face with the airline check in girl. "Oh."

"Mr Smith?" The girl asked. Warner nodded. "Um, there was a phone call for you…they left this message." The girl handed him a slip of white paper, folded over and rushed off.

He didn't have to look at the slip of paper. The girl's eyes had said it all. She wasn't coming; Ziva wasn't coming. It was all over. Done.

Warner scrunched up the slip and tossed it in the bin beside him. He could tell the check in girl was watching him from a distance, feeling some sort of pity.

Warner swallowed hard, hoping to deflate the lump building in his throat and stepped towards the gate. So what if Ziva David wasn't coming? He could still head to Las Vegas and have some fun. Yes, it was time for the old Warner Smith to return. He boarded the plane, swearing to never fall in love again.

Tony's apartment…1119

Ziva stood in front of Tony's door, clutching a toothbrush into her chest, resting it beside the 'Star of David' with the eight diamonds around her neck.

She paused for a moment, thinking of Warner. The flight to Las Vegas would be taking off just about now. She hated breaking up with him via phone message but she couldn't do what she was thinking of doing without breaking it off with him first.

She brought her knuckles to Tony's door and gently tapped them against the wood. She stopped breathing momentarily, as she waited for a response.

The door opened, before she collapsed, revealing a freshly showered and shaven Tony. He was dressed in jeans and a crisp white and blue short sleeved checked buttoned down shirt. The apartment had also received a spring clean.

"I brought my toothbrush." She simply said, a small smile on her lips.

"And I got your glass right here." Tony replied, holding up a glass, a small smirk spreading across his mouth.

He put down the glass on the side table as Ziva stepped towards him. She placed the toothbrush in the glass and then she gently draped an arm around his neck, her fingers playing with the single curl on the nape of his neck. Tony wrapped one arm around Ziva's slender waist pulling her close.

They stared into each other's eyes, almost afraid to move. Then suddenly, their lips crashed together with as much hunger and passion that they could muster; the months…years of hidden desire finally coming to the surface.

Tony's hands framed Ziva's face, his fingers tangled in her dark curls as his tongue explored her mouth. Ziva's fingers gripped Tony's shirt as she purred in his mouth.

"Wait!" She sighed breathlessly, pulling away. "I resigned…I left NCIS."

"I'm sure Gibbs didn't take you seriously." Tony replied before hungrily crashing his lips against hers again. "Wait." Now it was his turn to pull away. "What about rule number 12? Gibbs will be so pissed he might not reinstate you."

Ziva smiled, remembering the look in Gibbs' eyes during their discussion in the elevator. He regretted making the rule. "Oh I don't think it will be a problem." She replied, wrapping her arms around Tony's neck.

Tony looked at her questionably, before letting himself fall back into the moment again. Their lips crashed together again, more softly and loving than before.

Tony pulled back and stroked Ziva's cheek. He looked her straight in the eye. "I really do love you Ziva David." He stated, still caressing her cheek.

"Ditto." Ziva replied, a smile fixed on her lips. Tony smiled too, remember the only other time he heard Ziva utter that word. It was the morning after they had broken rule number 12; after they had found out they were being reassigned.

He gave a small laugh and scooped Ziva into his arms. Ziva giggled and pressed her lips against his; their lips never breaking contact as he carried her into the bedroom.

The End! So, there we have it, it's the end of the story. I hope you enjoyed the story and were satisfied by the ending. Please review and tell me your thoughts and feelings.

Thanks again for all the reviews and support over the last 26 chapters. I really appreciate it.