The first day of school arrived and it was a major day for all the DiNozzo's. Annalyse was starting second grade, Jack four year old pre-school, and Tali would be starting at daycare. Tony had technically started his job three days before. When he attended a faculty meeting and set up his first few weeks as coach. This would be his first official day as coach. This would be the day he first met his students and was called coach. He yearned for his new life. Knowing this was just the kick he needed to truly move on.

"You excited for your first day?" Gibbs asked.

"Extremely" Tony confirmed.

"I wish you luck." Gibbs replied.

"You OK with Tali doing daycare? I would ask you but this is the center that Jack attended and they are excellent." Tony explained.

"It is fine it will be nice to have the house to myself for a few hours." Gibbs explained.

"I bet" Tony laughed.

"That being said if the kids are ever sick or if it doesn't work out with daycare. Just let me know and I would be glad to step up." Gibbs explained.

"I thought you were pulling out." Tony commented.

"I am pulling back. I will still gladly be the children's grandpa and your dad. That being said I am not going to raise them, so you can wallow in self pity. It was hard for me to cut you off but Tony you had to start living." Gibbs explained.

"I did that OK?" Tony asked.

"You are doing great." Gibbs assured.

The elementary school gym was really a multi purpose room. There was orientation the first hour of the day and classes the second hour. After most occasion Tony and the other two coaches would be tasked with breaking down the chairs and moving them to storage. If the assembly had two parts gym would automatically be outside. If weather were bad a video on health or hygiene would be shown. Today however was only the first day and gym class would just be a brief explanation the course. What was expected, proper attire, safety, and rules. Tony only had about half an hour of talk and each class was forty-five minutes. He was planning on letting his students have free play in the final fifteen minutes. That should kill a little of their energy. Tony was lucky to live and teach in a district that had held recess but little kids needed any opportunity to let out energy.

"Daddy!" Annalyse cried.

"Hey baby girl. How you liking your first day so far?" Tony asked.

"It is great! My teacher is awesome and I already made four new friends!" Annalyse cried.

"I am so proud of you Annalyse." Tony replied.

"Thank you Tony! And I am super proud of you!" Annalyse cried.

Tony greatly enjoyed his first day of work and all the students seemed to like him. Same went for his fellow coaches and the rest of the faculty. Even still he was filled with anxiety when the principal wanted to meet with him at the end of the day. He had only had this job for one day. Surely he had not screwed up that badly already. He could not afford to lose his new career. He knew he could go back to the store but he wanted his career. He wanted his future.

"You wanted to see me Mr. Davis?" Tony asked.

"I did" Mr. Davis replied.

"Did I mess up? Am I fired?" Tony asked.

"Not even close. Tony you are doing amazing. I have heard only good things. I just wanted to hear how you felt your first day went." Mr. Davis explained.

"I think I did pretty good. I mean I just read a few rules and handed out appropriate length shorts. It really wasn't a big deal." Tony explained.

"I understand you let the students have free play? What was that about?" Mr. Davis asked.

"I just thought it was a good idea. Especially for the kindergartners. I won't let it happen again. I am sorry." Tony apologized.

"No. No I am impressed. That was really smart and the teachers all appreciated it." Mr. Davis replied.

"OK. Is there anything else?" Tony asked.

"I understand you are an Ohio State alumni." Mr. Davis commented.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Tony asked.

"Nothing just be warned Mrs. Hill is a devout Michigan alumni. We do allow staff to wear Jersey's on casual Friday but if there is one single fight you have to wear the opposing teams colors and singing the fight song over the loud speaker." Mr. Davis explained.

"Seriously?" Tony laughed.

"Anything to prevent fights." Mr. Davis replied.

Tony was walking on air. For the first time since Ziva died he had a real career and he was actually doing well. After school let out Annalyse went on and on about her first day. He had never heard another human being talk so much. He was so distracted the drive to Jack's school seemed to last only a matter of seconds.

"It was so great!" Annalyse cried.

"I know you told me and I am glad." Tony replied.

"Oh! How was your day?" Annalyse asked.

"It was the best and I will tell you all about it after we get Jack and meet Gibbs and Charlie." Tony explained.

Later on the older children were playing in Gibbs' backyard. While Tony sat on the step with baby Tali on his chest. Tony had told the children and Gibbs about his first day. The good parts anyway. Now that he was alone. He was expressing his true feelings.

"It was really good but it was also extremely hard." Tony explained.

"How so?" Gibbs asked.

"It is hard to live again. After everything I have been through. I want to live and I am trying but I miss the old days. I miss NCIS and I miss Ziva. God how I miss Ziva." Tony explained.

"But you did it and that is the best thing I have heard in a long time you are recovering. It is the longest process you can go through but you are working at it. That is all you can do in your situation. I wish I could just make it go away but if I could do that. I would have done it months ago." Gibbs explained.

A/N: I'd say Tony is settling in well. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.