Previously:
"As I said, there are others," the director continued unperturbed, "One set of papers relieving her of duty as Mossad officer." Vance paused, giving Gibbs the time to absorb this new information as the eyes of the gray-haired agent darted to the female Israeli sitting across from him.
"Furthermore there are ..."
"... documents banishing her from going back to Israel, including visits and even contacting any persons there or persons belonging to Mossad."
Gibbs looked confused, "Exile? Why would her father.."
"He's .. dead," whispered Ziva as she interrupted Gibbs. Not needing to raise her eyes from the table to know that her former boss was staring at her. "former... I will really miss them," She thought sadly.
"Those documents also hold a more or less detailed report of a successful assassination attempt on the Director of Mossad, his Deputy and some Officers belonging to the 'inner circle'," reported Vance further, taking a breath, "The fact that they sent Ziva a report, leaves the assumption that they don't want her to ask any further questions."
"Since Eli was anticipating an attempt on his life for a few months," he told them, raising his voice as he saw that Gibbs was about to interrupt him again.
Frustrated, Gibbs stood up. "This is a mess," he exclaimed as his eyes focused on Ziva again, who still had her eyes fixed on the table in front of her. "No wonder you act like this," Gibbs thought.
"Ziva," The Director turned to her, "Your father feared an attempt on your life too. Therefore a contract was set up a few months ago. Making sure that you were protected by it."
"What kind of contract Leon?" Gibbs demanded, his eyes momentarily leaving Ziva to look at the director.
"One that makes sure that Ziva is under NCIS jurisdiction. So no one would attempt anything," Vance told them, not noticing Ziva flinch at his words.
"And I don't plan to change this," the director added as he went to his desk, coming back with Ziva's former SIG and NCIS Badges along with a folder, putting it all on the table in front of her.
"You just need to sign these documents and you'll be a full NCIS Agent," Vance told her.
"I.." Ziva tried to respond. Gesticulating with her hands, "need.. fresh air," she pressed through gritted teeth, fighting hard to keep her emotions under control.
"Ziva," Vance called out to her as she made her way to the door, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss. Please consider the offer. You got a place here." Giving her an encouraging smile as she nodded over her shoulder and left.
Vance turned to Gibbs, who was still standing near the table. However, before Vance got the chance to speak again, Gibbs beat him to it, "Her work visa was bounded to her liaison position. How... "
"She got US Citizenship when she married an American Air Force Officer in 2000," Vance cut the other agent off. This time Gibbs couldn't hide his shocked expression. "She never told me anything about this."
"As far as I know he died in a car accident soon after," Vance offered, seeing Gibbs' expression.
"How do you know this?" Gibbs asked as he picked up one of the badges from the table.
"Her father. We had a good connection and like I said before, he asked me to make sure she stayed alive," the director stated, observing the agent.
"I already have someone starting on the paperwork. The US Citizenship was never mentioned in official papers. So different papers needs to be changed now: ID, driver's license, passport, Social Security number and all other things."
"Lot of work, another friend of yours?" Gibbs huffed. "I wonder how far Vance's connections really go..."
"Yes," Vance curtly replied, "Only problem we have at the moment is the proof of current residency, since her rental agreement is expired."
"No problem there, she's staying with me," Gibbs stated.
"Good, I'll pass your address to the relevant person."
"How long?" Gibbs asked, now standing near the door. The folder, badges and SIG in hand, ready to leave.
"Changing those documents? End of this week," Vance replied. Halfway through the door, Gibbs just nodded.
"Your team is off the roster this week," Vance said just as Gibbs closed the door from outside, not acknowledging to have heard Vance's words.
(Meanwhile NCIS Headquarter after Ziva left Vance's Office – 03:50 pm)
After having come back from Abby's lab and ordering McGee to bring Abby her desired Caf-POW, Tony had unsuccessfully tried to get some work done, before he went back to playing with his mobile phone.
Only to have a worrying uneasiness creep upon him once again, so he started pacing around between the team's desks, consistently shooting looks upstairs.
Then he saw her, her face completely blank as she came down the stairs, wearing her 'Mossad-mask' as he liked to call it.
"Where's she going to..." Tony wondered as he quietly started to follow her. Lost in thought for a short time he snapped back to reality, finding Ziva gone from his view.
"Damn... okay think.. People are still waiting for the elevator, so she didn't use it. Restrooms are too far away... The stairs!"
Slightly changing direction he cautiously opened the door leading to the stairs. As he stepped into the dim lit area he stopped to listen. "Up or down..." Tony mused.
Upon hearing a noise coming from downstairs he silently walked to it. Looking around, it didn't take him long to find his partner, sitting two flights of stairs down on the wall. Sighing he sat down next to her, knees slightly touching as he studied her for a moment. "She looks like she has been crying."
"Hey," he gently said, causing her to jump.
"Tony you scared me deadly," muttered Ziva as she whipped her face with the sleeve of her shirt.
"Scared to death, Sweet Cheeks," Tony corrected her, pausing he slightly grinned, "I sneaked up on you." He didn't receive any reaction.
After a while Ziva quietly asked him, "Have you ever felt alone even though there were lots of people around you," her voice only a whisper.
"Yea, I guess I have," he answered, "Why do you ask?"
"No reason."
"No, there is something," probed Tony.
Looking at him briefly she stayed silent. "Alright..." Tony said, "You don't have to tell me."
"yet," he added in thought as he put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close to him.
When Gibbs came out of Director Vance's office he stopped briefly at the top of the stairs to look down at the area where his team normally sat. He frowned as he saw it completely deserted of said agents.
Feeling the items in his hands, he was reminded of the last few minutes as he went downstairs in order to put them on his desk.
"You looking for your agents Gibbs?" asked Agent Spencer over the cubicle walls, which divided his and Gibbs Team.
"Yea."
"McGee finally took a break. That guy didn't even stop working when the others came and bugged him," Spencer reported.
"You spying on my team Ralph?" Gibbs asked, only half serious.
"Nah, just a dull day with no cases."
"DiNozzo and David?"
"DiNozzo followed Ziva towards the staircase. What's up with her? Doesn't seem to be herself today," Spencer said.
"Not now," replied Gibbs as he strode towards the stairs.
Having entered the staircase Gibbs heard shuffling from downstairs. As he followed the sound he found his agents sitting next to each other.
"Hey Boss," Tony greeted him.
"Tony, find McGee, tell him we got the week off," the older agent promptly said.
Reluctantly Tony stood up and made his way upstairs after he had squeezed Ziva's shoulder one last time.
"Come on," Gibbs said as he pulled Ziva up and led her to the next floor. Going straight for the elevator.
Once having made it inside said elevator it didn't take him long to switch it's power off.
Inside, Ziva only stood there, not looking at Gibbs, while he studied her. Eventually making the decision to just engulf the young woman into one of his hugs.
But instead of relaxing into the hug, like she did after coming back to DC after those 4 months of separation, she remained stiff and unresponsive.
"You know, you don't always have to be the strong one," said Gibbs into her ear. Trying to break through her defensive walls.
"I just don't want to be difficult," muttered Ziva into his shoulder after what seemed like an endless time.
This got Gibbs. Pulling her slightly away from him, he looked at her, "Ziver, where did u get that from?" appalled at her answer.
"You," she said, still not meeting his eyes.
"Ziver," realization dawned on him. Lifting her chin with his finger so that she was forced to look at him, he continued, "I was frustrated with the situation itself," hugging her to him again, "I didn't mean it that way."
"You are allowed to show emotion," he continued, slightly rocking her while she slowly began to relax.
"Emotions are a sign of weakness," she said after a while.
"No. Apologizing is a sign of weakness," Gibbs reminded her.
"I was taught otherwise," replied Ziva, her voice choked up.
"Sometimes you need to forget what you are taught in order to learn something new," Gibbs sternly said as he drew soothing circles on her back.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence Ziva had managed to regain her composure.
"I..." She started but was cut off by Gibbs, "You don't have to say anything till you are ready to do so."
"Todah," Ziva replied, grateful not to have to talk about the current events yet.
"Let's get Tony and then go home," Gibbs stated, which earned him a curious look.
Finding Tony wasn't difficult since he was once again in the Bullpen. This time packing his bag, albeit very slowly.
"McGee gone?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes," answered the senior field agent.
"Good, pick up something to eat, pack your bag and then meet us at my house," the gray-haired agent said as he and Ziva headed off to the elevator.
"Huh?" Tony thought in surprise before he hurriedly took off. His mood brightened at the prospect of being able to spend some time with his female partner.
(Gibbs' House – 05:20 pm)
When Tony arrived at his boss' house he found Ziva sitting on the couch in the living room, Gucci on her lap.
"I got us some movies," He cheerfully said as he waved the bag containing the DVDs in front of her.
"Of course you did," She stated, giving him a look that told him that she hadn't thought any different of him.
"Where's Gibbs?" Tony asked after having placed the bag near the TV.
"Kitchen," grimaced Ziva, already anticipating what the gray haired agent was up to.
Confused Tony went over to Gibbs, "I thought I should get food, Boss."
"Food's for us, this," pointing at some goo in front of him, "is for Ziva," smirked Gibbs.
"Yuk," was Tony's only reply.
"Smile," growled Gibbs to Tony as he went with the 'goo' plus straw over to Ziva.
"Here," he said, handing the glass over to the young female.
"Gibbs..." she started to protest but was cut off by Gibbs.
"Doctor's order. Everything else would upset your stomach. And you don't want to spend the night in the bathroom, would you?" sending the young woman a glare.
"Fine," huffed Ziva, accepting the glass with disgust.
Meanwhile Tony had busied himself with connecting Gibbs' DVD player and setting the first movie up. Once done he tried hard not to laugh as he saw that Ziva's cat had abandoned her for Gibbs.
"Forgot to feed the cat, DiNozzo?" The older agent asked as he tried to hold his food away from the intrusive tomcat.
Blinking twice Tony took the cat from Gibbs and hurried off to the kitchen, "On it boss!"
"Don't think you're getting off easily. After you're done we're gonna put the ointment on your cuts," Gibbs smugly told Ziva, effectively erasing the smirk off her face. Which caused Gibbs to smirk even more smugly in return, "I still got it."
( Gibbs' House - Later during the night – 09:50 pm)
Sometime during the latest movie Ziva ended up in Tony's arms. Tony only registered this fully when the credits started to roll. "Oh no, Gibbs!" screamed Tony inwardly.
Looking at the arm chair in which Gibbs was sitting, Tony found him looking at them.
"Ehm... Boss..." he started.
"Forget it," Gibbs said, standing up to fetch a glass of water along with Ziva's medicine.
"La Bonita, wake up," the senior field agent nudged his sleeping companion awake, causing her to blink multiple times as Gibbs came back into the living room.
"Here," The older agent said, as he handed the water and medicine over.
"Why don't you go to bed," offered Gibbs afterwards, seeing that Ziva was nearly falling asleep again.
Nodding Ziva mumbled a short "Laila tov" before she slowly went upstairs to sleep.
With Ziva asleep Tony saw his opportunity to finally voice what had been bothering him since earlier that day.
"Boss? Do you know what's going on?"
Sighing, his boss stood up and left for the kitchen. Momentarily leaving the senior agent alone with his unanswered questions and thoughts running through his head.
"Why won't he tell me," mused Tony angrily, when Gibbs reappeared in his view, placing Bourbon and two glasses on the table.
"Mossad is under new administration," reported Gibbs as he filled the Bourbon into the glasses and handing Tony one of them.
"A new administration which doesn't want Ziva being part of Mossad," he continued.
"I don't..." stuttered Tony, mulling the new information over, while Gibbs sipped from his own glass.
"They're not going to send someone after her are they?" Tony finally asked, fearing for his partner's life.
"No, they just relieved her of duty," Gibbs shook his head, not thinking of mentioning the exile yet.
"Why... her father... Does that mean she's leaving us?" Tony asked, confused by all the new information.
"Director David was killed along with the Deputy Director and some other Officers."
"Her father's dead?" Shock and disbelief showing on Tony's face.
"And she's not leaving. Not when I can help it. Obviously David and Vance came up with a contract in case anything would happen to her father, effectively handing her over to NCIS," Gibbs added, having seen the face of his agent.
"So she's NCIS now??" Tony suddenly felt much happier.
"She hasn't signed anything yet," insinuated Gibbs. "Give her time Tony," the team-leader said as he finished his drink off.
Nodding his understanding, Tony felt exhausted all of the sudden, "Boss, do you mind," pointing at the couch, only wanting to sleep.
"Not at all. Get some sleep. You know where the covers are. I'll see you in the morning," Gibbs answered.
(Gibbs' House - Tuesday Night – 03:00 am)
Gibbs was down in his basement, working on his boat when he heard the door creak open. He didn't need to look up to know who was coming downstairs.
"Couldn't sleep?" He asked the young Israeli.
"No, I feel like I have slept all day."
"Not surprising," he stated before summoning her over to where he was sanding his boat. "Come here," he coaxed, giving her one of the sandpaper sheets. "Always with the grain of the wood."
They were working for some time before Ziva broke the comfortable silence which had settled over them.
"He told me months ago, I did not think that it would happen. It took me by surprise." Her voice was so quiet that Gibbs needed to strain his ears to hear her.
"I should have known better than to let the possibility slip my mind," she said, looking at Gibbs.
"You're only human Ziva," the agent replied as he looked up from what he was doing. Meeting her eyes he continued, "The death of your father will hurt for a long time and never really go away. As it will continue to hurt to be exiled."
Seeing her eyes leaving his, he swiftly went on with determination, "But you still got us. Never forget that."
"You cannot promise to be there forever," Ziva quietly offered.
"Oh, I plan to hang around for a long time to come. And so do the others," the agent replied, smirking slightly.
"So, you think I should just sign this contract and go on from there?" she asked after a few moments of thinking about Gibbs words.
"You're good at what you do," said the gray-haired agent.
"I'm tired," stated Ziva after having worked on the boat a bit more. Depositing the sandpaper on the workbench, she bid her goodnight, "Laila tov, Gibbs."
"Good night Ziver."
While he hadn't really answered her question, he knew she understood when he saw her smiling as she went upstairs.
Unbeknown to Gibbs, Ziva didn't want to sleep in her own bed, but instead opted for the couch, where she sneaked under the covers with Tony, who was totally oblivious to his new sleeping partner.
TBC...
A/N: I hate bureaucratic affairs... I really tried to do it right ^^ if I made some major mistakes with it, pls tell me^^
Okay... so I was planning a different storyline... but then I saw the finale... so... some ppl might seem nice but they aren't. Hang on and you'll find out what I mean. *grins*
People keep telling me this story gets better the more it progresses, like a good wine… You know what? I'm starting to believe them *grins*
Another 3k word chapter YAY!
Hope you will like it. Pls review =)
Who wants Tiva fluff?
(Thanks to the season finale I already got most of the end of this story written up *lol*)