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.
Vignette Nine- "Hello, Goodbye"- Prologue
NCIS- Three Months Later
So far, Acting Director Craig had made the rounds and was out and about a little bit more than Vance, but unobtrusive. They all knew when he first started; he was getting the lay of the land, and people watching to figure out personalities.
He had settled in nicely and Gibbs had developed a cordial working relationship with him.
Gibbs had been right regarding Agent Eric Patrick: A respected Psychiatrist entered his opinion that Agent Patrick was not only mentally unstable and should not be held accountable for his actions, but also would not be able to stand trial.
The Federal Judge threw out the Defense motion. Because some of the testimony could be considered in the realm of "National Security," mostly the issue that the daughter of the Director of Mossad had been shot; the court case was closed and there was no jury.
Agent Eric Patrick was convicted on First-Degree Murder, Intent to Commit First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Second-degree Assault on a Federal Agent with a deadly weapon.
Because of his mental status, he was sentenced to Life in a Federal Prison, with no chance for Parole.
Despite Leon Vance being home with his wife and children, Jackie Vance could not forgive herself that she had killed an innocent child, accidental or not.
Having to stand witness for the Prosecution had been a harrowing ordeal, having to relive it all over again, and she fell into a deep depression. A failed suicide attempt caused Director Vance to tender his resignation, needing to support and help his wife as she received therapy and psychological support.
Tony sat as his desk, every once in a while glancing up at the desk across from his. Ziva had been able to return to work after being out for almost a month.
Ziva had continued to improve and had been discharged after being in the hospital for three weeks. Right now, they were living in Tony's apartment. They were planning to go house hunting this coming weekend.
"I'm starved! Let's go find some lunch." Tony declared.
Ziva smiled. She walked up to Tony, who was already standing. "Want to join us, McGee?" She asked.
Tim shook his head. "No, thanks. You two go ahead." He didn't say that he already had plans with Abby.
"Hey, Ziver." Gibbs walked up.
Ziva gave him a big smile. "We are just going to get some lunch. You are welcome to join us."
Gibbs smiled, remembering the tough, abrasive and tactless young woman he met eight years ago, and marveling at the soft, thoughtful, caring woman she had become.
Oh, she was still tough, and he would rather have her at his back than most of the Marines he had known through the years. But her being with them, and especially with Tony, had mellowed this beautiful girl.
Gibbs remembered what Abby had shared with him after that awful kidnapping case that resulted in the death of the Navy Captain and the father of a young girl.
Abby had overheard Lydia, the young girl; she had asked Ziva if the death of a loved one was hard to get over. Ziva had responded by saying that "one gets over the loss of a wallet, or a watch. But a loved one? They never leave you. You never get over; you only get through, by leaning on others, by comfort of friends…"
Every once in a while he would catch a glimpse between them, a lingering sadness that would never leave them. He knew that they would never get over the loss of their child, but they were getting through it. Maybe one day…
Gibbs shook his head. He knew their relationship was progressing, but he wasn't ready to go there yet.
He was so proud of her, and he was proud of how Tony had stepped up to the plate when it mattered most.
"Nah, go have fun. You don't need me."
Ziva came up to him and whispered in his ear, "I will always need you, Gibbs." She placed her hand on his cheek.
"Well, maybe you can bring me back a Reuben." He decided.
"On it, Boss!" Tony took Ziva's hand and they headed toward the elevator.
Gibbs shook his head. Three months ago, he would have slapped them both silly for walking around holding hands. Now he was sure that Tim and Abby were seeing each other again, although neither had said anything.
Gibbs sat back down at his desk and looked around. He was by himself.
His team was whole again, and they were happy. He would give them the news about Vance later today.
Gibbs looked up and saw the new Director of NCIS standing on the upper level, a woman at his side. Gibbs recognized her as one of the European Liaisons, and took a stab in the dark that she was also Director Craig's wife.
Change was definitely in the air, and Gibbs wondered fleetingly if he was up to it. He still had quite a few years left in him yet. Maybe when DiNozzo finally took the step and announced he was ready for his own team…
Until then, Gibbs would lead his "kids" through hell or high water, and meet head one whatever was thrown at them. They were survivors, and Gibbs wouldn't trade one of them.
He looked around the empty bullpen until he heard the laughter of his returning agents. He smiled to himself, shaking his head. Once they got back, he put his Gibbs face back on.
"Ok, party's over. McGee: what's the status of McLaren's phone and bank records? DiNozzo: did you ever get back to the PI that had been hired to follow the Petty Officer?"
"David! Where are those security camera photos?"
"On it, Boss!" "Still waiting to hear back, Boss!" "Got them right here, Gibbs!"
Gibbs hid his smile. "All right, up on the plasma. Show me what you've got."
Finis. Hope you enjoyed this Vignette. It was a tougher one for me to write but I hope I didn't screw up too much. Your reviews have been amazing and I can't thank you enough for supporting this series.
When I see a new spoiler I want to write about, that will be the next Vignette. I can't tell you when that will be, as the spoiler or promo has to move me in some way to want to write about it. Hopefully, there are more stories out there yet to tell.