The two people who reviewed this story both asked for an epilogue. So here it is!

Contains Tiva, McAbby, and a some fluff along with a few bittersweet memories.

(Five Years Later)

Before she even parked her car, she could see him leaning against a tree at the end of the parking lot. Instantly, a smile spread across her face. As always, just seeing him made her feel happy.

Climbing rapidly out of the car, she brushed her thick brown curls away from her forehead and approached him. He came to meet her. Without any hesitation, they embraced.

"Tony." she murmured in his ear.

"Ziva." He stroked her hair before pulling away. "Look at you! You haven't changed a bit! Now return the compliment!"

Ziva laughed out loud. "Oh, Tony, you haven't changed either!"

He smiled broadly. "Ha! I've got some grey now." He smoothed back his hair self-consciously, only to have Ziva muss it up a moment later. "Ready to take a walk?"

"Just let me get the flowers I brought." A minute later, arm in arm, they walked off across the green grass and gentle slopes of the graveyard.

"Tell me about everyone." Ziva begged Tony as they meandered among the memorial stones and ornamental trees.

Tony took a deep breath. "Well, where shall I begin?"

"Wherever you like."

"Let's see…Ducky. He's still puffing along, but he retired from NCIS after Gibbs…Well, he lives with the Palmers now, and is a doting grandfather to their four children; three girls and a boy."

"Is he still his old self?"

"He forgets some things, and he's not as spry as he used to be…But he's still the same old Ducky, always with a story to tell. Jimmy took over his job; our little Autopsy Gremlin now works as the NCIS Medical Examiner and has two assistants of his own."

"That's good. He must be getting quite independent. And I can't wait to see Ducky again…Now, tell me about Abby and McGee!"

"Abby managed to survive losing Gibbs; mostly because Tim never left her side. About a year after the funeral, he popped the question. He claims she said yes before he could finish his proposal! Poor McGeek; he probably had it written out and memorized."

Ziva chuckled. "I was so happy to hear that they got together…They were made for each other. And where are they now?"

"New York City. McGee got a job with FBI Cyber security, and Abby got a job in a FBI crime lab. They both had recommendations from Director Vance and Tobias Fornell…Vance is still director of NCIS and Fornell retired two years ago…Of course, Abby doesn't work as much anymore. Not since the babies came."

"So she really had twins?"

"Leroy Anthony and Jethro Timothy. Hard to believe they're already two years old…And if the rumors are true, there's another little Scuito-McGee on the way. They're hoping for a girl this time."

"I'm so looking forward to seeing them all…And what about you, Tony?"

Tony took a while to answer. In his head, he went over the aftermath of Gibbs' death; the painful funeral, the stinging arguments afterward, the splintering of the team. He recalled the awful night he'd stumbled down into Gibbs' basement, lain under the ribs of the unfinished boat, and sobbed for hours. There had been so many nights spent sitting at bar counters drinking far to much alcohol. And then there was the day when Ducky handed in his resignation…And that was just the beginning. McGee and Abby had left for NYC. Bishop had gone back to NSA. And Tony himself…He'd tried to hang on. But there wasn't much point, without the team there.

At last, he knew he could put of Ziva no longer.

"You're looking at a full-fledged plainclothes detective. I couldn't bear to stay at NCIS alone. So I joined Metro PD. I bought Gibbs' house…probably a mistake, the place feels like the inside of an iceberg most of the time…but I finally managed to finish that boat he was working on. I named it The Special Agent. I figured he'd like that."

Ziva smiled. "Yes, I believe he would." Abruptly, she said, "You heard I left Mossad?"

"Yes." Just then, they came to a sudden halt. They had reached the spot. Ziva turned to Tony.

"Do you want me to stay here? With you?"

"Yes, I do. With all my heart, Zee-vah."

She leaned up and kissed him gently. "No more Rule Twelve?"

"Nah, we're not coworkers anymore." Tony glanced skyward as Ziva knelt and gently placed the flowers she carried on the grave. "So don't head slap me from Heaven, Boss." Tony added once she'd stood up again.

They both laughed. Then, joining hands, they turned and walked away from the white marble headstone; on which was engraved:

Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Father, Mentor, and Friend

Semper Fi

"Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names." Proverb

Not as fluffy as I originally thought, but sweet.

I can't believe that I posted my first fan fiction story last night, and already I've got three up and almost twenty reviews (altogether) and goodness knows how many readers! It's all kind of surreal! I know a lot of you probably think it's not much, but it's a big deal for me.

Thank you for reading and have a very Happy New Year!