Gibbs sat on the hood of the car. He was parked on the hill across from the cemetery He tugged at the collar of his suit. It was the hottest day of the year so far. If it weren't for Tony he would probably be spending his one day off in his workshop with a bottle of bourbon and a new project. The gate to the cemetery opened and Tony walked out donning a blue and gray robe.

"You make your peace?" Gibbs asked.

"As best as I could." Tony replied.

"Tony it was two years ago and it was a tragic mistake. A mistake that you paid for with your career and very nearly your life." Gibbs explained.

"Yeah but Keely lost her life. She was just a kid. Only eight years old." Tony replied.

"I know that is a hard thing to live with but I have talked with Gus a few times since and he said that she was never the same after her mother's death. He was always afraid to leave her alone. To be self-destructive at that age." Gibbs explained.

"How is he doing?" Tony asked.

"I last spoke with him about four months ago and he had just gotten engaged. He still misses his girls but thankfully his sister had already gotten him a therapist and signed him up for group counseling." Gibbs explained.

"You think he'd talk to me?" Tony asked.

"He is pretty busy with his job and life in general but I am sure he will talk to you. He never blamed you. I can give you his number when we get back to the house." Gibbs replied.

"Thanks" Tony replied.

"Well we better get going." Gibbs said.

"You're right." Tony replied.


Two years had passed since the tragic accident that had cost Tony his career and very nearly his life. Even with Gibbs's kidney. It was two months before he was well enough to come home. For the first two weeks he drifted in and out of consciousness and fought a nasty infection. The next two weeks he was watched and rebuilt strength. Afterwards he spent a month in a rehab hospital regaining muscle mass he had lost lying in bed so long and losing the slight limp he had as a result of the crash. After finally beating the infection. He began to grow restless. It was Jimmy who recommended that he take a class online to pass the time. His original plan was to simply renew his physical education certificate. He ended up liking the idea of working with kids and making a difference in children's lives so much. That he decided to get a his elementary education degree. Between him already having a degree in physical education and taking all his classes online. He was able to get his certificate in only two years. He spent so many months having to stay in bed and only allowed minimal activity. That he breezed through all his classes in no time. He had already secured a job teaching third grade at Stillwater Elementary. He and Gibbs had ended up moving to Stillwater after he was released from the hospital. Jack had invited Gibbs and him to stay with him while Tony recovered and the moved ended up being permeate. It wasn't long before the whole team had joined them. Ziva moved out two months later. Followed quickly by Abby and McGee. Jimmy and Breena were the last to join after Jimmy had a close call in the field. Ducky retired shortly after Jimmy's incident but he decided that he wanted to travel. Naturally he had a room in the homes of Gibbs, Abby and McGee, Tony and Ziva, and the Palmer's. Jack and LJ Moore retired not long after Tony left the hospital. Unfortunately Jack had a massive stroke three months after Tony's accident. He now lives in nursing home outside Stillwater. LJ however traveled the world. He and Ducky ended up becoming friends and frequently traveled together. Gibbs took over the general store. Along with his former agents. He and Ziva ran the store full-time. While McGee and Tony were only part-time employees. McGee published two more Deep Six novels and had begun a series of children's books about a high school's safety patrol. The characters were based on younger versions of the team. Abby found a job at a crime lab in Philadelphia. Which she commuted to using the train. Jimmy and Breena now run the Stillwater Funeral Home. Abby and McGee were engaged and planning a July wedding in New Orléans. Tony and Ziva had been dating for a year and a half but Tony was planning to change that. Jimmy and Breena adopted a five month old boy named Dylan a little over a year ago. Gibbs found a therapist for him and Tony about an hour away from Stillwater. She had told him what Gibbs had suspected all along. It was for the best that he could no longer go into the field. His reaction to Keely's death was completely inappropriate and for the sake of his mental health retirement was for the best. She had also helped Tony make peace with his guilt and find the courage to finally ask Ziva out.


Today however everybody had returned to DC to attend Tony's graduation from Georgetown University. Jack's health was too poor for him to attend but he was going to watch a live feed from his nursing home.

"Anthony Dimitri DiNozzo!"

"WOO YEAH TONY!" The team and LJ cried in unison while applauding.

"Presenting Georgetown University's class of 2015!"

"WOO TONY!" McGee cried.

"YAY TONY!" Abby cried.

"WAY TO GO SON!" Gibbs yelled.

"FANTASTIC JOB ANTHONY!" Ducky shouted

"ALRIGHT DINOZZO!" Vance yelled.

"GO TONY!" Jimmy cried.

"GREAT JOB TONY!" LJ Moore screamed.


The team stood around their old bullpen. It was hard to believe they had not been federal agents in two years. As much as they all missed it. They missed being a family even more. So the move to Stillwater was an easy choice. Breena and LJ had hopped on a train right after the ceremony but everybody else was going to remain in DC overnight.

"Ziva can I ask you something?" Tony questioned.

"Of course what is it?" Ziva asked.

"Will you marry me?" Tony asked bending down on one knee.

"Yes!" Ziva cried jumping into his arms.


A/N: What do you think did the ending do the story justice? I kind of raced through it. Thanks to everyone who read, followed, favorited, and reviewed. Please review.