Title: When Two Worlds Collide
Rating: PG-13
Category: Case fic
Genre: Gen
Pairing: None currently
Summary: Gibbs is due to retire but first he has to get through one last case.
Disclaimer: The characters herein belong to DPB, CBS, Paramount, et al. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: This is the penultimate part, so thank you for sticking with me!

The next morning both Ziva and Gibbs made use of the shower at the hospital before changing into the clothes DiNozzo had thoughtfully sent in for them. Gibbs waited patiently as Ziva underwent one final examination before signing her discharge papers and heading to the pharmacy to pick up the painkillers she had been prescribed. He walked with her out to the car McGee had dropped off the night before; he ignored her protests and helped her ease into the passenger seat before he walked around to the driver's side and slid into the car himself.

They quickly navigated their way through the late morning traffic and made their way to the Navy Yard. He pulled into a parking space and Ziva stepped out of the car waving away his offers of assistance, "It's just a couple of broken ribs Gibbs"

He rolled his eyes and walked with her into the building. Stepping in the elevator he turned to her, "You do realise we're about to be pounced upon…"

She looked up at him, "Abby?"

He nodded and watched as the numbers on the display rise until they reached their floor. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as the doors opened and they stepped out into the bullpen.

Abby was pacing impatiently up and down the space between the team's desk, hearing the ping of the elevator she looked up her eyes brightening as she saw them. She quickly ran to them tightly hugging Gibbs before very tenderly cuddling Ziva, "I was so worried about the pair of you!"

Ziva smiled as she slowly detached herself from her friend's grasp, "We're both fine Abby… I've been injured worse in a sparring match…"

Abby frowned, "Don't play down what you did! You saved everyone! You're a hero!"

McGee smiled as he came over and gently directed her away from Ziva; allowing Gibbs to lead Ziva over to his desk and sit her in his chair. They began filling in the piles of paperwork that accompanied the end of the case. Working quietly as one by one the agents found themselves being called in by Director Vance to give their accounts of the incident.

Ziva looked up as she heard footsteps coming to a stop in front of her and found Agent Whyte standing into front of her desk, "Director David I want to thank you for the part you played in bringing me home safely yesterday."

Ziva smiled, "I am sorry that my cousin pulled you into his game. You did not deserve that…"

Jen smiled and held her hand out, shaking Ziva's hand as she offered it to her, "I hope one day to have half the courage you do. Agent Gibbs is right; you are one of a kind… Maybe one day I will get the opportunity to work with you again…"

Ziva nodded and rose as Director Vance requested her presence. "I hope so Agent Whyte…"

Just over an hour later Ziva found herself back in the bullpen waiting for Gibbs to return from his meeting with Vance. Smiling as she spotted him she gingerly rose from her seat and met him at the bottom of the stairs, "The others have already gone to the bar, I said we would meet them there."

He smiled and grabbed his coat, "Let's get going then… It's not much of a get together if the guest of honour is missing Director David… They all want to spend some time with you before you leave again …"

She nodded, "I know, Agent Gibbs…"

He shook his head, "Not anymore, they've officially retired me…"

"I must say I never thought I would see the day that you would give up your badge quietly…"

He laughed, "I wouldn't exactly say that this last week has been me going quietly…"

She smiled, "Perhaps not…"

She took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly before slowly leading him out of the building and over to the car, slipping into the passenger side she leant back against the headrest, closing her eyes and drifting into a light slumber as Gibbs made the short journey between the Navy Yard and the bar they once frequented. He found a parking space and gently rested his hand on her knee, "Ziva?"

She stirred blinking at him, "Did I fall asleep?"

He smiled and nodded, "We're here now…"

Walking into the bar together they smiled as they saw the familiar faces all sitting round a booth together. DiNozzo spotted them and slid out of the booth walking towards them and meeting them by the bar, "What are you drinking then? You two are not to pay for a thing tonight…"

Ziva smiled, "Just an orange juice for me, I'm on these stupid painkillers… Though I'm sure he'll have bourbon as always…"

Gibbs laughed before accepting the drink and crossing back to the booth with DiNozzo, the team all bunched up to make room for them and Ziva sat enjoying the familiar banter that had once been commonplace in her life. As the hours passed the group slowly thinned; first to leave were Ducky and Abby, both hugging Ziva and wishing her the best as they went; next to leave was McGee and finally DiNozzo stood, "I'd better get going, some of us have work in the morning…"

Gibbs stood and clipped the back of his head before pulling him into a hug, "You'll do DiNozzo… Just don't forget the rules."

He nodded, "Of course not Boss…"

Ziva stood and hugged him tightly, "Thank you for everything Tony…"

He gently rubbed her back, "My pleasure Zee-vah" his hand began to snake down her back and she twisted out of his grasp, ignoring the pain in her ribs and she pinned his arm behind his back.

"Nice try DiNozzo…" She released his arm and walked around him gently kissing his cheek, "Don't ever change Tony…"

"Never Zee-vah…"

She smiled and watched as he walked out before she turned to Gibbs; he smiled at her, "Have you got time to get some dinner?"

She nodded, "My plane doesn't leave until lunchtime tomorrow…"

Gibbs helped her on with her coat and led her out to the car. She held her hand out for his keys, "You've had a drink, I'm driving…"

He nodded, "Why don't we go back to mine, I'll cook…"

She smirked, "Ooh Leroy Jethro Gibbs offers to cook for me for a second time in less than a week… This must be some sort of a record…"

He laughed, "Just drive before I change my mind David…"