San Diego International Airport, 48hrs later.

"I don't think this is going to work you know." Paula said looking straight ahead, "I think I'll go. This….." as she suddenly stood.

"Sit Paula," Tony replied pulling her back down, "We went through this yesterday."

"Tell me again."

"Ok, I spoke to Gibbs, who spoke to Vance, who spoke to SecNav, who spoke to Director of Homeland Security, who spoke to head of ICE who spoke to your Boss…"

"That Tony sounds, like that poem by A.A. Milne, the Kings Breakfast, you know, The King asked,the Queen, and the Queen asked the Dairymaid: The Dairymaid Said, "Certainly, I'll go and tell the cow." as Paula looked at Tony and laughed.

"Ok my girl, what are you going to call yourself, Cassandra or Paula?" Tony asked her as he sat back and placed his hands behind his head.

"Well I'm Cassandra Paul, until such time as I can get my passport fixed." She answered sitting back, "But which sounds better to you?"

"Let me think, Paula, Pauley, Cassandra…Cassie…like Cassie, go with that." Tony laughed, as they heard the flight to Washington DC being called.

-oOo-

The cab ride from Dulles to the Navy Yard was quiet, they both had their own thoughts, Tony knew it was going to be a slow progress; Paula had refused "I am not going back to what I had, I can't hold a team…..I don't want to have the responsibility."

"Fine," Tony had replied, "But the Boss knows best."

"Yeah right." She answered.

They arrived at the gate. "Ready?" as Tony held her hand.

"Nope, but I've come this far haven't I?"

Tony paid the driver, and took Paula's bag from the trunk, they walked to the door hand in hand, and Tony wasn't going to lose her this time. He signed her in and they made their way up to the bullpen.

"Cassidy." Ziva nodded.

"Daavid," Paula replied, pronouncing her surname correctly this time, smiling.

"Hi, but are you Paula, or are you Cassandra?" Tim asked.

They didn't see Gibbs and the Director at the top of the stair looking over the railing.

"Better get her up here to my office, the high heid yins need to talk to her." Vance replied.

"Hey Leon, you been talking to Ducky?" Gibbs laughed, as he made his way down the stairs and faced Paula.

"Directors office, please." As he looked at Cassidy and Tony, "Now." as he turned and walked up the stairs. Tony and Paula took deep breaths and
Tony squeezed her hand reassuring her, as they followed Gibbs up to Leon's office. They saw SecNav sitting at the table, as well as the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who stood to welcome Paula.

"Please Agent Paul, Agent DiNozzo take a seat, this is going to be very informal, and I assure you, you, have nothing to fear." as he indicated a chair, before sitting down, and opening the file he had in-front of him. Gibbs and Director Vance stood back at the window.

"Now, I see from your file, that the retired Deputy Director Morrow, and the late Director Shepard, assisted in your "demise" so to speak. I see you have had an exemplary work record with us. But why at this stage do you wish to…."

"Come in from the cold," SecNav added.

"Sirs, could I just say something here, since we seem to be onto film titles," Tony began to say, "There's only one law in this game."

"To which may I reply, "People who play this game take risks." Director Vance added looking at Tony and Paula.

"Does that make me, gentlemen," Paula began to say "A sad, sympathetic portrait of a woman who has lived by lies and subterfuge for so long, she's forgotten how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong, I was protecting my family…..and my extended family,…..people I loved….people I still love."

"Very well put Agent Paul, or are you reverting to Ms Cassidy?" The Director of ICE now enquired.

"Sirs, I would rather resign from ICE, a job I love, than be treated like a criminal. My only crime was love. Love of my job. Love of friends. If there was an opening here in Washington DC I would take it, but since you all seem to have decided my fate…" as Paula stood to go.

"And where do you intend to go now Agent Paul? Die again?" The Director of ICE asked.

"I have no idea but…." Paula began to say.

"But…..there will be no more death, no more disappearing…Paula, has agreed to be my wife." Tony now added holding Paula's hand tight.

"Have I?" she whispered looking at Tony.

"Yes. You said something in your sleep last night, so," as Tony stood and took a box from his pocket and opened to reveal a solitaire diamond, and slipping it on her finger, "Don't say no Cassie, please."

"How did you get my ring size?" Paula now enquired smiling, looking down at the perfect fit.

"Let's just say, McGee and David, are good investigators. That and Abby and your finger size."

All Paula could do was to hug Tony.

"Good since we seem to have reached a conclusion to this," Director of ICE now added, "I expect you to appear for work at Nebraska Avenue on Monday morning 08.00 sharp. Do I make myself clear Agent Cassandra Paul?"

"Quite sir," as she watched the Director collate his papers and bundle them together.

"Well Leon, you seem to have still lost an agent. But I realize you and your team," now looking at Gibbs, "Will have a few things to sort out. So Good afternoon gentlemen, Agent Paul," as he left the room with the SecNav.

The remaining people looked at each other.

"Welcome home Cassidy or should I say Cassie DiNozzo." Gibbs smiled, "Yes, I like the sound of that too," as he looked at Tony, "It's got quite a ring to it, doesn't it?" as he looked down at Paula's ring finger and smiled.

The End,