AN: I'm getting sad that this story is almost over. I kinda freaking love it.
MN: For once, she and I are in complete agreement.
McGee was waiting outside for them as they approached the main entrance to NCIS. He was pacing nervously but stilled when he saw them. "Hey guys. I just talked to Abby. Gibbs never went home this weekend, but he's not in Vance's office right now. And he's still not answering his cell."
Somehow, that knowledge calmed Ziva's nerves slightly. "I'd rather talk to Vance first anyway."
"Me too." Tony reached over to squeeze her hand. They had deliberately avoided talking about this meeting since their conversation Friday night, but she knew he was still feeling torn.
McGee checked his watch and took a deep breath. "Are we ready?"
Tony and Ziva nodded and the trio moved toward the building. They remained quiet as they were processed through security and waited for their escort.
It only took a couple of minutes before Dorneget arrived, flanked by a pair of young agents that Ziva didn't recognize. "Hey guys! When I heard that Gibbs was back and The Director was calling you in I volunteered to be your escort. Do you think they're going to give you your jobs back? Because we could really use you guys around here!"
McGee cleared his throat and Dorneget stopped rambling. "We're not sure what's going to happen. We are playing things by ear."
The half-dozen of them got into the elevator and silence settled back over them. When they entered Vance's outer office, his assistant immediately stood to open the door to The Director's inner sanctum. "He's waiting for you." She allowed Tony, Ziva, and McGee to pass but blocked the other three agents from following, closing the door.
Vance was waiting for them. "David, DiNozzo, McGee. It's good to see you. Have a seat."
None of them made any move toward the chairs he had indicated. Ziva could feel Tony bristle beside her. He was definitely on edge. "If it's all the same, I think we'd prefer to stand."
The older man nodded curtly. "Alright. I plan on making this brief anyway. As I'm sure you know, Agent Gibbs has returned from special assignment. As a result of that investigation, all charges and inquiries into the four of you have been dropped." He opened a desk drawer and pulled out three badges, placing them on the desk before him. "I'd like to offer all three of you your positions back effective immediately including back pay and benefits."
McGee hesitated for only a moment before reaching out to grasp his badge. "Thank you, sir."
"No, thank you." Vance turned his gaze expectantly on the other two former agents. "Well?"
Ziva reached out to touch her badge, but didn't pick it up. "I think I need some time to think about it. Things have changed since we left. I have a new job."
Vance nodded. "I understand. And of course we could work things out in order to allow you to give your current employer proper notice. Take all the time you need. For now, there is some paperwork that has to be filed to allow for your back pay. And I'm sure you guys would like to stop by and see a few people. Come back by and see me before you leave."
Tony was the first one to escape from the office. Their escort wasn't waiting for them and they took it as a sign that it was no longer being required and exited into the hall by themselves. They stood grouped together in silence for a moment before McGee glanced down the hall. "I should probably go fill Abby in."
Ziva nodded. "I would like to stop by and see Ducky." She looked at Tony. "Do you want to come with?"
He shook his head. "I think I'm going to go for a walk. Clear my head. Can I meet you guys in HR in like half an hour?"
She nodded. "Alright. If you need more time, let me know."
Ziva tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the elevator. She had lost track of time talking to Ducky and Jimmy and was late to meet Tony and McGee in Human Resources. The elevator finally arrived and she got on, pushing the button for the appropriate floor. The car stopped on the very next floor, however. When the doors opened, her chest tightened painfully as Gibbs stepped on next to her.
"Hey Ziver."
She avoided making eye contact with him as he pressed the button for the bullpen and the doors closed. "Gibbs."
As soon as the car started moving again he reached out and hit the emergency stop button. "Want to tell me why you and Tony left your badges sitting on Vance's desk?"
She spun on him, suddenly angrier than she could ever remember being at the man who had become like a father to her. "Because we've had enough. The only reason Tony has stayed as long as he has is because of you. He should have moved up or moved on years ago but he didn't out of loyalty to you. He's finally realized that this place has weighed down his life. He does not want to give that up."
He quirked an eyebrow up. "Okay. So why is your badge still there too?"
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Because I deserve more than the life I've been leading for eight years as well. I have a job that I love going to every day and doesn't make me feel like I'm playing a part in someone's game. And even if I did want to come back, I won't make that choice until Tony makes his. I won't let him take his job here back because of me. He needs to make this choice for himself, not out of loyalty to you, McGee, me, or anyone else."
Gibbs stood for a long minute studying her before speaking again. "When?"
She didn't need to ask what he wanted to know and she looked away, suddenly feeling like a rebuked child. "Two months ago."
"Took that long?"
That was something she hadn't been expecting and her gaze snapped back up to his face. "Yes. Things got very…complicated between us over the last few years. It took time to sort it all out. We had to figure out who we were without NCIS."
Gibbs stepped closer to her. "And who are you, Ziva?"
She shook her head. "Someone who knows they have to lead their own life."
They stared at one another for a long moment before her suddenly stepped back, turning to restart the elevator. They rode in silence until the elevator reached her floor. She exited quickly, hurrying down the hall to the Human Resources office.
Tony and McGee were both waiting outside the door for her. Her partner seemed to recognize that she was upset and caught her arm before she could follow their friend through the door. "Everything okay?"
She nodded. "Yes. We can talk about it later. For now, let's get this taken care of so we can get out of here. I would like to make it into the office by lunch."
He studied her for a few seconds before dropping his hand. "Yeah. I could use some work right now too."
"I'm not going back." She hadn't meant to blurt it out to him, but she couldn't hold it back any longer. It was Wednesday night and they still hadn't discussed NCIS at all. She had fully intended to wait until he had made his choice to tell him hers, but she needed to get it off her chest.
Tony's surprise was clear as he turned away from the sink to face her. "Okay?"
She took a deep breath. "It's not who I want to be anymore. I'm not going back."
He took two steps toward her, coming close but not touching. "You're sure? I don't want you making this choice because of me…"
Ziva cut him off. "I'm making this choice because it is right for me and for us." She waited to give him a chance to process what she'd said. "Have you decided?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I think I'm already right where I need to be." He reached out and pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
"We can stop by and tell Vance tomorrow before work." Ziva felt him nod, his chin brushing against her hair.
"I need to go have another conversation first." He pulled back to look her in the eye. "I won't let him change my mind, but I do owe him enough to tell him to his face."
She nodded. "I understand. Do you want me to come with?"
He heaved a sigh and shook his head. "No. I need to do this by myself. But it is going to make it easier knowing that when it's done I get to come home to you."
"Always."
AN: So I think all that's left is the epilogue. Anything more would just be dragging it out and I hate to do that. Going to get Seams finished up before I start anything else, but feel free to PM me any ideas or requests!
