Gibbs shook his head. "Tony, and I, found out Ziva was pregnant when the surgeon first spoke to us after she came out of surgery. Tony had to tell Ziva that she had been pregnant and that they lost the baby, all at the same time."
"No wonder they won't see us. Leon, I am a terrible person! How can I…How will I…?" Gibbs stood up and left the room, leaving the Director to take care of his wife.
He called Tony. "Ok, it's done. You don't need to worry about anything, just keep Ziva calm so she can heal and get out of there."
Vignette Nine- "Hello, Goodbye"- Part Thirteen
Gibbs went to the hospital after lunch to speak with Tony and Ziva regarding the charges that had been brought against Mrs. Vance.
Neither had much to say about it, although Ziva did express that she was glad she would not be sent to prison.
"What about Patrick?" Tony demanded. "He may not have been the one to pull the trigger, but what had happened to Ziva was ultimately all his fault."
Gibbs looked tired. "Secretary Jarvis agreed that Agent Patrick would have to undergo a Psychiatric evaluation. He also agreed to the charges Fornell informed Patrick that he would be charged with."
"Tony." Gibbs grabbed his arm. "Agent Patrick will not get a 'pass' if some sob-story Psychiatrist determines that he was insane and therefore cannot be held accountable for his actions. He admitted to his crimes on recorded testimony."
Gibbs made Tony look him in the eye. "It's not going to happen, DiNozzo. I can promise you. You weren't in that room with Jarvis and Fornell."
"Patrick is going to be put away, probably for life. Agent Riley died this morning. The charge of 'attempted murder' will be changed to 'First-degree Murder of Agent Joseph Riley.' He's not going to get out of this." Gibbs stared Tony down.
"He better not, Boss, or 'First Degree Murder Charges' will be sought against me, for murdering Agent Eric Patrick."
Gibbs pulled Tony from the room. "I get it, Tony. Take a place in that long line." He let Tony digest that. "Don't let it eat at you, DiNozzo."
"Don't let your anger destroy you. You need to focus on Ziva, and yourself, and trying to heal as best as you can from this…tragedy."
"Once Ziva has become more herself, you will need to be there to help her deal with her anger. You almost lost her. Don't lose her again by letting her give in to revenge."
Tony nodded mutely. Gibbs had his hand on Tony's shoulder, lightly putting pressure on it. He was free with the hugs for Abby and Ziva, but hugging Tony and McGee was something he was not comfortable with.
He got past that and pulled Tony into a slight hug. He was surprised that Tony held on tighter. "I'm gonna' need your help, Boss." He whispered.
"Ziva and I will always have your back, Tony; just as you and I will always have Ziva's back. Let's go back in there before she gets upset." Tony nodded, and surprised Gibbs by wiping tears off of his cheek.
They headed back in. Gibbs was right, Ziva had been crying. Tony rushed to her side. "I'm sorry, Ziva. I lost my temper. I didn't mean to upset you." He stroked her hair.
Gibbs was not quite comfortable witnessing the intimacy between his two agents, but it is what it is.
Ziva leaned into Tony's hand. "Do not do anything stupid, Tony. We have already lost too much…" Tony wiped a tear away from her face with his thumb.
"I won't. I promise." Tony looked deeply into her eyes to make sure she understood and believed him. An imperceptible nod indicated she did.
Tony placed a light kiss on her lips and straightened up. He turned back to Gibbs. "How did Vance take all of this?"
Gibbs hadn't gotten to Director Vance yet. "Regarding the sentence? They were grateful. However, Vance has been put on a mandatory Leave of Absence to spend time with his family, and to diffuse any fallout that probably will occur at NCIS. Deputy Director Jerome Craig will be stepping in as Acting Director."
"Deputy Director Jerome Craig? About Vance's height, older than me?" Tony asked.
Gibbs looked surprised. "You know him?"
Tony shook his head. "Not personally, but I make it my business to know who the hierarchy are, and what they look like."
Gibbs smiled. He knew what Tony was saying was that he didn't want to get caught doing something stupid in front of a superior, present company excepted.
He nodded. "One in the same. Jarvis called him in after he told Vance of his unplanned Leave of Absence. I only spent about a minute with him; I have a meeting with him in about…" Gibbs checked his watch. "Two hours."
Tony thought about this new information. He was grateful he wouldn't have to deal with Vance for a while, maybe even never; but breaking in a new Director was always a painful process.
"How much does this new guy know?" Tony asked hesitantly.
Gibbs looked at his Agents. "He was not present at the 'sentencing', if that's what you want to call it; I am sure he has all of our files."
"I will talk to him about you two. If he has a problem with it, I will go over his head to the SecNav. Jarvis was sympathetic."
"And while you, Tony, were not identified as the father, it was understood; at least by Fornell."
"Well, if he splits us up, I'll go to another team. If he tries to send me to Timbuktu, then I will quit NCIS."
"Tony!" Ziva gasped. "I cannot let you quit."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let me talk to the Deputy Director and get a feel for him." Gibbs responded.
"If he's smart, he's not going to rip the team apart after what it's just been through." Gibbs finished.
"I guess that's the million dollar question, isn't it?" Tony asked.
Gibbs looked at Ziva. "Ziver, there has been no decision regarding your father and telling him who exactly shot you. I think this ball is in Leon's court, but we are going to have to deal with the fallout while he is gone."
"I will tell him." Ziva said quietly. Gibbs and Tony looked at Ziva in shock.
"No, it will be best coming from me. I will have to lie to him about the circumstances; I will say the gun went off accidently."
"Twice?" Gibbs questioned.
"Yes, I will say she was struggling with Agent Patrick when I came in. I was shot before I was able to draw my gun. He then took her with him to protect himself, believing I was dead."
Gibbs and Tony sat silently, looking at each other.
"Do you really think you can pull that off?" Tony asked, concerned.
Ziva nodded. "I will tell him my memory is no longer fogged up."
"Well, let me know before you tell him this story, so I can tell Leon. He will call Leon right away to verify it. I don't want him caught with his pants down."
"Horrible image, Boss." Tony replied.
"Ziva, when you get your strength back, head slap him for me, will you?"
That got a smile out of Ziva.
Gibbs thought for a while. "Getting back to your 'story', Ziva; it's plausible, and since Vance wasn't there when it happened, he would not have known his wife was involved in the shooting."
"And as long as the recordings of the shooting never find their way into Eli's hands, he will see Mrs. Vance as an innocent victim, along with Ziva. Hopefully." Tony added.
"The recording is safe." Gibbs said, sending a mental note to himself for Tim to destroy any copies he made.
"I gotta' go." He went over and kissed Ziva. "Get to work, Agent David, and get your ass out of this hospital!"
Ziva smiled. "Yes, Gibbs." He glared at her. "I promise!" She added.
They watched him leave. Ziva looked at Tony, with sadness. "Tony, you would not really murder Agent Patrick if he was set free would you?"
Tony smiled grimly. "No. You and I would beat him to a pulp to within an inch of his life, leaving grisly scars to remind him every day of his sins."
Ziva sucked in her breath. "I think I am washing off too much on you, Tony."
"That's 'rubbing' off, Ziva. And maybe you are. But you are definitely a positive influence and I'd like to think that I am having at least a small positive influence on you."
She held out her arms. Tony sat on the bed. "Help me sit up." She asked.
Tony looked surprised. "Are you sure?"
"You heard Gibbs. I am to get my 'ass' out of this hospital. I guess I have some work to do, yes?" She looked deeply into Tony's eyes.
"I will be with you every step of the way." Tony murmured and kissed her deeply.
"Ok, ready to try to stand? Here we go. Whoa…little wobbly there. Take your time." Tony gave Ziva time to get her equilibrium, then got on her right side and put his arm around her left side.
"You just tell me where. 'Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go.'"
Ziva looked at Tony in shock. "You just quoted the Old Testament."
Tony smiled sadly. "I know, the Book of Ruth. It was my mother's favorite."
They stared into each other's eyes, feeling instinctively that their relationship had just taken a huge step forward.
Ziva kissed his lips, and then smiled shyly. "Well, for now, you get to follow me to the bathroom." Tony threw back his head and laughed; his first real laugh since the horrific events of the past few days.
NCIS
Gibbs sat as his desk, waiting for the meeting with Craig. On his way to the Navy Yard he called Vance, telling him what Ziva planned to tell her father.
Once again, Vance was speechless at Ziva's actions and tried to convey that to Gibbs, but he cut him off. "Save it, Leon. Maybe someday you will be able to tell Ziva herself." He hung up.
McGee and Abby were excited by Ziva's progress and planned to visit her again that night. They had not been informed of the charges against Mrs. Vance, in accordance with the wishes of the SecNav.
Gibbs felt they had the right to know, and would tell them eventually, but not at work. He pulled Tim aside. "McGee, do you still have copies of the recordings of the shooting?"
Tim frowned. "Of'course, Boss. Is there a problem?"
"Yeah." Gibbs replied. "Erase it, shred it, and burn it. I want them all gone."
Tim looked confused, but nodded. "On it, Boss."
He walked over to Abby. "I know you kept your own copy of the recordings of the shooting. I want it, now." Abby looked at Gibbs with huge eyes, and then went down to her lab.
She returned ten minutes later and handed over the thumb drive. "It was safe, Gibbs." She explained.
"Uh, huh. McGee!" He handed the thumb drive to him. "This too."
Finally, unable to wait any longer, Gibbs headed upstairs and sat in the outer office of the new Acting Director, waiting to be summoned.
At the precise time of the appointment, he was asked to enter. Craig rose from his chair and shook hands with Gibbs again.
"Please, Special Agent Gibbs, sit." Craig pointed to the chair that was opposite the big desk.
Gibbs sat down. Craig looked at Gibbs. "First of all, I want to say that I empathize with what your team has been put through the past few days. I sincerely hope that Agent David recovers completely and is able to return to duty as soon as the doctors allow."
He flipped through some papers. "I have read the transcript of the meeting that occurred this morning and found it quite interesting. I am of'course in full accord with the decision of Secretary Jarvis."
"I am hoping this will truly be a temporary assignment, but I do understand and agree that Director Vance needs to have some distance from this, for a while."
"I am here to assist you and your team in any way I can, to get them through this ordeal. Especially," He looked at his file. "Agent Anthony DiNozzo and Agent David."
Gibbs shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Sir?"
Craig smiled. "Relax Agent Gibbs. I'm not going to punish Agents DiNozzo or David for developing a personal relationship, and I certainly am not going to split them up."
Gibbs relaxed visibly at that. "They have been partners for…eight years. It is not uncommon for work partners to develop feelings for each other. That's how I met my wife."
Gibbs raised an eyebrow at that, but said nothing.
"NCIS does not have a rule against employees dating each other or even being married to each other. From what I've heard, that has been your rule."
Gibbs cocked his head. "I have a lot of rules." He replied.
Craig smiled. "I've heard that as well. So what rule are you going to enforce regarding this situation, Gibbs?"
"Rule No. 51." He replied without hesitation.
Craig was taken aback, that Gibbs had that many rules. "Number fifty-one? And which rule is that?"
Gibbs smiled slightly. "Sometimes you're wrong."
Craig chuckled at that. "Will Director Vance back you on that?"
"Does it matter?" Gibbs asked.
"I only asked because I fully expect him to return to this seat and once again oversee your team. So I will ask again; will Director Vance back you on that?"
Gibbs looked Jerome Craig in the eye. "Damn straight he will."
Craig nodded. "As will I. Go take care of your team. If there is fallout from Eli David and Mossad, we will talk again." He stood again and held out his hand.
"Thank you for your time, Gibbs."
"Thank you, Director Craig." Gibbs walked out of the office.
Maryland Shock Trauma
Tony and Ziva talked for a while and then she made her call to her father. He quizzed her relentlessly; shocked that Leon's wife could be involved in her shooting.
But Ziva was strong and held to her story, and he actually cried for his friend Leon. He did not cry for his own daughter, but…Ziva decided not to share this information with Tony.
She did not tell him about the baby, but she did tell him that she and Tony had decided to move in together; once she got out of the hospital. He sputtered a bit, but in the end, he knew his daughter's heart.
"Very well, if that is what you wish." Eli conceded.
"It is, Abba. It is what we both want." Ziva asserted.
"Let me speak to Agent DiNozzo."
"Abba!" Ziva warned.
He chuckled. "Do not worry about your 'Tony', Ziva."
Silently, she handed her phone over to Tony. Tony looked scared and mouthed "me?"
Reluctantly, he took her phone. "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo."
"Please, I think there is no need for such formality anymore, in light of what my daughter has just told me."
"Okay, I guess not. So, what? DiNozzo? Anthony? Tony?" Tony was shaking.
"Whatever your preference is, of'course." Eli David countered.
"Tony it is then. Boy, that's a relief, whew!"
"I know you hide behind what you call, humor, 'Tony', but there is nothing humorous about my daughter's heart."
Tony felt properly chastised. "No Sir, there isn't. She is everything to me and I will always love and take care of her. Too bad her Father can't make that same claim."
Ziva sucked in her breath, and shot Tony a warning look.
Eli David sighed. "You think I have no business expressing concern about the welfare of my daughter, yes?"
Tony didn't hesitate. "Yes. Perhaps I would feel differently if you had expressed said concern for her welfare prior to…today."
Eli David smiled. He was beginning to like Anthony DiNozzo. He was not a clown in a Feds suit. He was smart, devious and savvy. He was very good at his job. And he clearly was not afraid to admit to the Director of Mossad that he loved his daughter. Only a man such as this was worthy of Ziva.
"Tony, please. I do not deny my past. But we are talking about the future now, are we not? I would love my daughter dearly, despite my actions or inactions."
"Well then, in that case, Sir," Tony had not been given permission to call him anything intimate; "Ziva and I look forward to you making an effort of being a positive part of her life. Shalom." Tony handed the phone back to Ziva, who was stunned.
"Abba?" She asked, afraid of the fallout from the conversation she had just overheard.
"I was wrong, Ziva." She heard her father say.
"What do you mean, Abba?" Ziva asked, afraid of the answer.
"I was wrong about Agent…Tony. He is the perfect man for you. I trust him to take care of you. Shalom, Ziva."
"Shalom, Abba." Ziva hung up and stared at her phone.
"So, is he putting a hit out on me?" Tony tried to keep his tone light.
Ziva looked up at him. "No, Tony. He has given you, us, his blessing."
Tony stared at her for a moment, and then sat down. "Well, I'll be damned, and I seriously hope that we aren't damned by this…'blessing.' Are you sure you heard him right?"
Ziva nodded, then smiled; the first real genuine smile Tony had seen in days. He got up and sat on her bed. "I will make sure he never regrets his decision." Tony kissed Ziva as passionately as he thought appropriate considering her physical injuries.
Later that Night
Gibbs sat with Tim and Abby at his house. He carefully explained what had transpired and the end result. He stressed that they were not to mention this conversation to anyone.
He told them that Acting Director Craig said he was not going to split the team up because of Tony and Ziva's relationship. He hoped he wasn't just giving Gibbs what he wanted to hear.
Gibbs also wanted to know how they felt about working with them, knowing they were "together."
Abby piped up first, raising her hand like she was in school. "I always knew something was going on, even when it wasn't. I feel horrible about the baby."
"Gibbs, they are going to need our friendship and support. We are all going to be there for them, aren't we McGee?" Abby's remark was almost a dare.
Tim looked at Abby, then back at Gibbs. "I'm a little surprised, but I guess that's how good they are at keeping it out of the office. But since we all now know, I agree with Abby; we need to stand behind them."
Gibbs nodded, pleased with his team. Gibbs knew that he himself was going to have to make a major attitude adjustment, allowing Tony and Ziva to remain together on the team while they were seeing each other.
He didn't tell McGee and Abby what they had told him when he called them back after speaking with Director Craig. "If Tony and Ziva want them to know they are moving in together, they should be the ones to tell them, not me." Gibbs thought.
He also didn't tell them about the reaction of Ziva's father regarding their relationship, just to what Ziva told him how she got shot. Again, it was none of their business as far as he was concerned, unless or until Mossad decided to stick its nose into the shooting. Ziva seemed convinced that her father believed her story of how it happened.
"What about Vance, Boss?" Tim asked. "When do you think he'll be back?" Gibbs looked at McGee. "I think the question is 'if' McGee, not when."
McGee opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it.
We're almost done here. Thank you so much for the support and encouragement you have given me while writing this Vignette.
Your reviews and comments have been thoughtful and insightful. Thank you for taking the time to review my little stories. One last short chapter and this Vignette will be done.