And here we have the final chapter! I hope you liked this short little story, and that you enjoy this last bit.
Chapter 6:
"Boss, I think we've got something," McGee's voice called over the phone, the sound of keyboards tapping incessantly in the background. Gibbs, Fornell, and Eli had gone for a coffee run at the hospital's cafeteria when the phone rang, usually a sign that someone had made a breakthrough on the case.
Gibbs was already on the move, Fornell and Eli following closely behind. "On my way," he said to McGee before snapping the phone shut. The three were about to get on the elevator when Gibbs suddenly span around, causing Eli to almost run into him.
"What?" Eli said, "We have a lead, yes?"
Gibbs held out his hand to keep Eli back, shaking his head. "You stay with Ziva. We've got it from here." Before Eli had a chance to argue, Gibbs and Fornell entered the elevator and slammed the door close button, effectively shutting the Director of Mossad out.
Eli huffed and made his way back to Tony's room, smiling as he saw his daughter's head resting on the agent's shoulder. Both had fallen asleep, though the movie that was playing did not seem to be lacking in action.
Thoughts of future grandchildren filled his mind as he observed the couple, so peaceful and content. How many children would they have? Just one? Four? The more, the merrier.
What would they be like? Would they love him? Fear him? He hoped it would be the first. It would be up to Tony and Ziva, what they told their children about him, but he would prefer if they left out the more shameful details of his past. Those things should stay buried, to protect the innocence of the children. Perhaps they would learn of his mistakes when they were older.
If he had the chance, he would dote on his grandchildren like a good grandfather should. He would offer them piggy back rides, spoil their dinner with cookies and candy, and, oh, the books he would read them before bedtime. Hebrew children's books like the ones he used to read his own kids.
Who knows, he might even sing a Hebrew lullaby to them. He hadn't sung since Tali had died, and even then, it was a rare occasion. Yes, her talent and love for the opera came from him, but by that point he was already slipping into a lifestyle not compatible with raising a family. It had been so long, he wasn't sure if he would remember how anymore.
Visions of dark-haired, green-eyed children danced in his head as he, too, drifted off into a restful sleep.
-.-.-
"Whaddaya got?" Gibbs called as he entered the bullpen, finding McGee working diligently at his desk, Abby standing closely behind him.
"Gibbs!" she said excitedly as McGee put some information up on the big screen. "We found where Yaniv is! Or, well, where he's gonna be…"
"Kazmi's flight was originally scheduled to leave in a few hours in Iran," McGee continued, drawing the attention of both Gibbs and Fornell. "As far as we know, Yaniv still believes this to be the case, although he may expect an increase in security."
Abby took over, then, pulling up several documents on the plasma. "There has been an increase in diamond transactions in and around Iran in the past few days. We think Yaniv is financing his travels with illegal diamonds—"
"And planning on killing Kazmi before he can leave the country," McGee finished.
Fornell sprung into action, immediately placing calls to FBI operatives in the Middle East and ordering a team to apprehend Yaniv before any more damage could be done. Gibbs rushed up the stairs to Vance's office to inform him of the situation and to get ahold of Kazmi to warn him of imminent danger. They only had a few hours to get a plan in action, and this was their best shot at putting an end to the situation before foreign relations were compromised.
Soon, Gibbs, Fornell, McGee, Abby, and Vance were seated in MTAC, watching the screen closely as a team of FBI forces closed in on Kazmi's private jet and got in position. Everyone was frozen, hardly daring to take a breath as they waited in silence for a glimpse of Ilan Bodnar's brother.
Kazmi was walking across the tarmac, practically being used as live bait, when it happened. From the shadows of the airplane hangar, Yaniv emerged, gun in hand and murderous grin on his face.
He raised his arm, aiming the gun, and nearly a dozen American agents swarmed the area, all shouting for him to put down his weapon. Yaniv was caught off guard.
Back at MTAC, everyone let out a collective breath, relieved that their plan had worked. Yaniv knew there was nothing he could accomplish against a group of American operatives that size. Kazmi had already been rushed to safety. Accepting defeat, he placed his firearm on the ground and allowed the agents to arrest him.
Abby was smiling and hugging McGee, and Vance even shook Gibbs' hand. "Crisis averted," Fornell announced with slight sarcasm in his voice. "I suppose we should tell the others. I know how much your team hates being restricted by a security detail."
Gibbs let out a chuckle, already picking up the phone as everyone left MTAC.
-.-.-
"So, when are you going back?" Ziva asked, sounding like her young self again asking about her father's travels with naïve hope in her eyes.
Eli sent a quick meaningful glance to Tony before turning his eyes back to his daughter and grabbing her hand in his own. "Well," he said, a smile gracing his face, "Arash and I still have much to discuss. He is on his way here as we speak." Ziva nodded, slight disappointment falling across her face. Eli patted her hand comfortingly, drawing her attention back to him. "Of course, I plan on spending more time with my daughter, if she will have me."
The look on Ziva's face was priceless. The ninja tried to conceal her happy tears, but Tony could have spotted them from a mile away. She rushed forward to give her father a hug, and Tony smiled as he looked on.
"Where will you be staying?" Ziva asked after pulling away from the hug.
Eli breathed in a sigh, smiling as he said, "I have purchased some property in Virginia."
Ziva's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "But you are rarely in the United States. You would hardly ever use it."
Eli placed a kiss on Ziva's forehead, sending another glance toward Tony. "I hope to be able to visit more often in the future," he said in reply, "perhaps I can stay a little longer." In truth, his time at Mossad was coming to an end. He had known for a while. Mossad had been his life for so long, but in recent years, he could see that it was time for him to let go. He had been so blind, for so many years, that he had let what was most important to him get away. It was time to make amends.
Tony smiled, knowing full well why Eli would want to be nearer in the coming years. It made him happy to see the gap between Ziva and her father shrinking every day. They had made so much progress, and part of him wanted to pat himself on the back for that, though it wasn't entirely his doing. To think that only a few days ago, Eli had been the stubborn, selfish man that everyone had hated.
-.-.-
Only a week and a half after being hospitalized, Tony had finally been released from the hospital. He wasn't cleared for field work yet, but desk duty suited him just fine as long as he got to sit across from his beautiful girlfriend every day.
One morning, as they were coming into work, Tony flipped the switch in the elevator to stop it, sending them into semi-darkness. Only a pale blue light illuminated the small metal box, reminding both agents of the time they had spent in that very space less than a year ago.
"Ziva," Tony said, his eyes meeting hers as he knelt down on one knee, pulling the small velvet box from his pocket.
Ziva's eyes were already welling up with tears as she took in the sight before her. This elevator held so many memories for her. Memories of head slaps and secret meetings, a comforting embrace and her return from Somalia. So many important parts of her life could be connected to this one tiny corner of the world, and now here Tony was, down on one knee with tears glistening in his eyes.
"I would have asked you this a lot sooner, but I had a few people to talk to first," he said, fiddling with the box in his hands.
Ziva let out a tearful laugh. So that was why Tony was in Israel. She had to admit, it was a very noble, brave thing to do, considering the way her father usually acted. Come to think of it, that also explained her father's changed behavior in the past few weeks.
"You are the most incredible woman I have ever known. You are strong, smart, brave, and you know me even better than I know myself, I think." A tear traced its way down Tony's cheek as he pulled her hands into his own. "I love you, Ziva David. And I know I could never live without you, so," he opened the box to reveal the beautiful ring, which seemed to light up the dim elevator, "Will you marry me?"
Ziva choked back a sob and nodded. "Yes, Tony, of course." Tony grinned and stood back up, instantly wrapping his arms around her and bringing his lips to hers for a tearful kiss, so full of love and happiness. When they broke apart, Tony slid the ring onto Ziva's finger. A perfect fit.
Tony flicked the switch to start the elevator up again. Ziva placed another kiss on Tony's lips, a smile firmly planting itself on her face, not likely to disappear any time soon. When the doors opened, Abby, McGee, and Palmer nearly fell through, excited looks on their faces.
"Well?" Abby asked eagerly, bouncing up and down with excitement.
Ziva held up her left hand and Tony all but shouted "She said yes!" People all over the office clapped, probably relieved that they wouldn't have to listen to tension-filled banter anymore, but also happy for the couple that they had secretly rooted for all these years. As Ziva exited the elevator, she was met with balloons and streamers and Abby with a confetti cannon, spraying confetti all over the bullpen. The Hallelujah Chorus played on the surround sound speakers that McGee had installed.
"What if I had said no," Ziva laughed, her playful brown eyes meeting Tony's green ones.
Tony raised his eyebrows. "Well, we would have had a very awkward situation and a very devastated Abby," he posited, the smile never leaving his face. Ziva laughed and they walked hand-in-hand to the center of the bullpen, where Ziva was surprised to see her father.
"Congratulations, my Ziva," Eli said, placing a kiss on his daughter's cheek.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she pulled him into another embrace, which he savored every moment of. "Thank you, Abba," Ziva whispered, so glad that for once, things seemed to be working out for her.
Eli shook Tony's hand and beamed happily, proud of how far his daughter had come, and how far he, himself, had come.
'If only you could see her now, Rivka,' he thought, taking in the sheer number of people celebrating Tony and Ziva's engagement, 'our daughter has come a long way.'
She had made a life for herself, despite the challenges she had faced. She was strong, confident, and surrounded by people that loved her.
It was everything a father could hope for.
Thank you so much for reading! The response has been great. Keep reviewing, I need the inspiration as finals week approaches.
Y'all are awesome.
~NCIS Obsession