Thank you for all the kind words and comments. Also thank you for all the follows, alerts and favorites. I can't believe how well this story has been received. I said by Wednesday and here it is. If it is not enough Ziva for you let me know. I have more in store for her later (evil chuckle).
Alex couldn't make Tony dinner Friday night. One of the MRCT's needed an attorney for warrants and Article 31 rights. She didn't leave NCIS until after midnight. The next time she talked to Tony it was in the morning when she picked him up for class on Saturday. Alex pulled up next to Tony's front door and was surprised to see him waiting for her. "I thought I would be knocking on your door this morning."
Tony laughed as he got into the car. "I actually thought I would be calling you to wake you up this morning. I figured you would still be asleep after the long night you had."
"Actually, Matt's team did a great job. It was just complicated because of the duel suspects, but otherwise pretty straight forward case. Matt's team is actually really good. I was impressed by his SFA Sam Lockwood. She was really prepared and very good." Alex smiled at Tony. "She reminded me of another SFA. Sam did ask about you. She saw that I drove you home Thursday night."
"Yeah, Sammie's really good at her job. She was a cop in San Diego before she started working for NCIS. Her husband is Navy and works out of Norfolk so she got a job here. She was a homicide cop and had a great closure rate. We actually have four SFAs with police experience. I think, I know, that is why we all do so well. Even Michael Soul who works in cold cases, is really good at closing cases."
Alex quickly looked at Tony before looking back to the road. "How do the rotations work for the MCRTs? I just work and I know that most of you are here until you solve a case so how do you work your time?"
"Yeah, it can get complicated. We each take a month and work that shift. Morning, afternoon/evening, and overnight. Simon's team pretty much works what shift they need to close cases. I think that is worse for them because they can do nothing but nights for weeks especially if they have a case that happens at night."
"I know that you worked Baltimore homicide, where else did you work?"
"I worked Peoria when I started. Stayed about two years. Then worked Philly, most of that was undercover. That was tough. I helped take down a mafia family there; then was Baltimore." Tony paused thinking about his old partner in Baltimore. "Remind me one day to tell you about Baltimore." Alex looked at Tony when he said that; he seemed so sad. She reached over and squeeze his hand.
"Anyway, as I said we have a great team of SFAs. It helps when you need help on a case or just someone to talk to about a case. All four of us are cops, like I said, so we see things very different that most. Like McGee, for example, he never walked a beat, never had to deal with domestic violence, riots, anything like a regular cop has to. It makes a difference."
"Is that why you are so good and seeing connections between points in an investigation?"
"Well, sometimes I think that is something you are born with. I see things differently than most. For example, I walk into a room and I can tell you where everything is when I walk out again. I can tell you when something has been moved. Ziva can do that too, but she got her's through her training as an assassin. I can just do it. I always have been able to. It helps when you walk into a crime scene and see what is out of place."
Alex was pulling into a parking space at the law school at George Mason. Tony had been talking and hadn't realized that they were already there. "Wow, that was fast," he laughed. "I wasn't paying any attention."
Alex smiled and said, "Give me your bag and let's get to class." They were on time for class and sat down at their usual places. They settled it and waited for the professor to get started. After class the professor approached Tony and asked for some time. "Of course Professor, how may I help you." Alex got ready to excuse herself, Tony reached for her hand and squeezed to indicate to stay.
"Mr. DiNozzo, I received your completed report from last weekend. I am sorry you had to leave early, so thank you for finishing the report on time."
"No, thank you Professor for all your help and understanding. I really needed to be there. If it helps at all we solved the murder and the appropriate people were arrested."
"That's good. Just so you know, before you sign up for the next semester's class, we will need to talk about your dissertation and what you want to base it on. I know that you get class credit for the work you do so I want to make sure that you are on the right tract."
"Yes sir, I am trying to decide now what I want to do now. I am discussing it with a couple of people so I hope to have an answer for you by the end of the semester."
"That works, just keep informed." Tony put out his hand to thank the professor. "Thanks, I promise I will."
Alex and Tony walked out of class. "How many hours do you get since you are in law enforcement?"
Tony looked at Alex as they walked and said, "About half of what I need. Some of the classes there is no point of me being in them considering I could teach them. They give me credit, so instead of spending three years I only need about two years of classes. Of course, it will still take about five years all together considering I can only take one class at a time. The only way it would work is if I took a leave of absence and I really don't want to do that right now."
Alex nodded again. "I understand that. When I went to law school I had a decision to make as well. I could either continue working in Navel Intelligence or go to school. It would have taken me forever to get my degree with how I worked, so I finally decided to go to Gonzaga. It helped that I had been injured so I couldn't go out into the field anymore without risking other people so that decision was easy."
Tony stopped and looked at Alex. "Alex, you didn't tell me that is why you quit. Will you tell me that story one day please. I would really like to hear it."
Alex took Tony's hand to walk to the car. "I promise, one day I will tell you all about my sordid past in Navel Intelligence." She smiled when she said that. It would be quite a story. Probably every bit as good as Tony's.
They again spend the weekend together at Alex's home like they had the weekend before. But unlike the weekend before, they spend most of Sunday on Alex's couch, curled close together sharing kisses as they watched one movie after the other. At one point both were laid out on the couch with Tony behind Alex, his arms wrapped around her sleeping on the rainy Sunday afternoon.
(Tony the Elephant, sitting on the arm of the couch, was very happy.)
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Monday came again and both were at work bright and early. They kissed in the elevator and went to their respected areas. Tony had not discussed what he was going to do about Ziva today. He didn't want it ruining their weekend together. The only thing that Alex had told Tony was "if you need to talk about it you know where to find me". He really appreciated her, more everyday.
Tony was sitting at his desk when Ziva walked into the office. She looked at Tony and sat down. Ziva realized Tony was not going to talk to her so she went over to his desk. "Tony" she started.
Tony raised his finger to her and it stopped her from talking. He looked up at her from his sitting position. "Give me a reason why I shouldn't write you up for insubordination. You could have gotten us killed last week. You completely ignored my orders. I really don't know what to do anymore to get you to listen." Tony paused before going on. "This is what I decided. I am not going to report you, but you are going to answer Gibbs truthfully when he asks you what happen. If you don't then I will take action, maybe this will teach you to follow orders. I don't give them just to hear myself speak you know, I do it because I don't want anyone to get hurt. I know that you don't think I am worthy of being the SFA and I get that. Things changed after Gibbs came back in September, but I am still the SFA and I expect my orders to be followed. It's not like I ask a lot of you to begin with. I never ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself. Think about that the next time you don't follow my instructions." Tony looked down at his desk again and then up at Ziva. "You can leave now." Ziva looked at Tony and then turned away.
Later that morning, Gibbs walked up to Tony and asked him to walk with him to get coffee. Tony looked up at Gibbs completely surprised. It had been a long time since Gibbs had asked him to go for coffee. Tony got up from his desk and followed Gibbs out. "I talked to Ziva this morning. She told me what she did. What do you want to do?" Gibbs asked Tony.
To say Tony was surprised was an understatement. The last thing he expected was to have Gibbs ask him anything regarding Ziva, regardless of what happened in the field. Tony looked at Gibbs as they walked up to the coffee cart and they both placed their order. Once they received their coffee they walked together over to the bench and sat down. Tony still wasn't certain how it was going to go over if he told the truth. "I don't know what to do. I don't know if a reprimand will really help. She doesn't understand chain of command unless it comes from you. She constantly questions my authority and my skills. Usually I can just ignore it, but not when it could get someone hurt. She still thinks I just got a graze not something that needed eleven stitches. I don't care that she doesn't invite me to dinner, I don't care that she doesn't take me seriously, but what I do care about is that I don't want to be killed and I don't want to see someone else killed because of her negligence."
Gibbs looked at Tony and was realizing that he had not been treating Tony like the competent SFA that he was; he was realizing that he was still missing something about their relationship and needed more information, but was sure that they would not solve the tension between the two of them sitting on the bench. "DiNozzo, I am slowly realizing that I am not treating you with the respect you deserve and if I am not, then the team is not. I have been watching how you work with the rest of the team and I am beginning to see that you stand between me and the rest," Gibbs paused, "and not just the team, but almost everyone we have to work with. You are the one everyone talks to, you are the one people want; they see me coming and run in the opposite direction. I can see how people are treating you. I don't remember how we used to work together, but I know that you deserve to be the Senior Field Agent."
Tony just looked at Gibbs stunned. That had to be the most he had said to Tony in the last six month. Tony couldn't decide if he should say anything or not, so he just decided to fall back on habit. "Wow, Gibbs, that is the most you have said to me in six months. I may have to see if we're going steady." Gibbs chuckled.
"DiNozzo, be patient with me. I am trying to remember all I forgot."
"I know Gibbs, now that I know that you are trying, it will be easier." Tony looked Gibbs directly in the eyes and said very seriously, "You know that you can trust me right? I promise I have your six. Just like I have had for almost seven years."
"Yeah, I know DiNozzo. Just be patient. I'll get there." Gibbs and Tony got up from the bench and walked back to the office. "I'll take care of Ziva. I have an idea." Gibbs described his idea to Tony on the way back to the office. Tony thought it was a really good idea.
Gibbs and Tony walked back into the bullpen. Gibbs walked up to Ziva and said, "This is what we are going to do. Instead of writing you up for insubordination, I am sending you to FLETC. You never attended. You came in as Mossad and you are a Mossad officer, but you don't know how to work a crime scene and obviously don't understand chain of commend. FLETC will teach you if you pay attention. Failure to pass any of the classes will result in a written reprimand and discussion if you should remain on this team. I will not have ANYONE putting another agent's life in danger. Do you understand me?"
Ziva looked at Gibbs and couldn't believe she was having to attend FLETC. "If I don't want to attend, what happens next?"
"I will ask for your removal from this team and NCIS. I don't care if it was Tony or another Senior Field Agent from another team that gave that order. The fact that you disobeyed it, is the problem. So chose your next step carefully."
Ziva looked at Gibbs and then looked over at Tony. Tony was standing by his desk looking very serious. Ziva realized that a lot of the agents were waiting to see what she would do. Most of the agents had been around for a long time and knew Tony well. They were not happy that she had put Tony's life in danger by not following orders. Ziva looked back to Gibbs. "I will attend the classes. When do I go?" she asked.
"You start next Monday. In the mean time you are working on cold cases and won't go out into the field." Ziva nodded and sat down.
Tony was still stunned by what Gibbs had done. He really didn't think Gibbs had been paying attention over the last few months. Maybe things would get better after this. Tony looked over to McGee's desk and wondered what would happen when McGee found out what happened. Tim hadn't been much better than Ziva so Tony guessed he would see.
The week passed quickly and Tony and Alex didn't get to see each other much. A quick lunch or a very late dinner but that was it. Tony saw Alex for about 10 minutes in the break room on Friday and said under his breath, "will see you on Saturday". Alex brushed her hand against his arm and walked out.
At one point during the week, Ducky told Tony to remember to head down to have the stitches taken out of his arm. Late Friday night Tony made his way to autopsy and found Jimmy waiting for him. "Hi, Jimmy, how are you tonight."
Jimmy smiled at Tony. He hadn't seen his friend in a while. They had become really good friends when Gibbs had left and Tony had used Jimmy as his confidant. Tony was still not sure what he would have done without Jimmy being there. The men had decided to keep their budding friendship quiet and after Gibbs got back, they didn't see any reason to change that.
"I need my stitches taken out please Dr. Palmer, can you help me out?"
"It is still not Dr. Palmer yet, Tony, but Dr. Mallard said I could if you made it down here and he was gone." At Tony's questioning look, Jimmy answered, "Dr. Mallard is at dinner with his mother. He will be back in about an hour."
"That's fine. Please take them out for me. I am so ready."
"So," Jimmy drawled out, "how's Alex doing?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Please," said Jimmy. "I saw how you looked at each other when you got hurt. She was worried about you and more than just attorney to agent. Beside Dr. Mallard seems very familiar with her and that doesn't happen here. There hasn't been time."
Tony looked at Jimmy while he was talking and taking the stitches out of his arm. "Jimmy, you are to observant for your own good. I will tell you that I met her first in class at George Mason. I didn't even realize she was an attorney much less a Marine until she showed up here." Tony paused, took a deep breath and said, "Jimmy I really like her, like seriously like her. I never expected to have anyone in my life after Jeanne. I didn't think I deserved it. I just know that I don't want to screw this up."
Jimmy finished the last of the stitches, cleaned the area and put the instruments he was using down. "Tony, I don't know anyone who deserves it more. I think it is great you have met someone that treats you well and you like to be with. If you want another opinion we can go out to dinner with Dr. Mallard, I know that he would be happy to do that."
Tony laughed. "I already took her to Ducky's a couple of Sunday's ago to meet his mother and spend time with Ducky. She had tea and she had a great time. I actually want to take her to meet Ernie at some point, I know that she would love him and I haven't seen him in the last few weekends."
"I think that would be a great idea. Ernie misses you. I went by his home a couple of weeks ago, he seems better now that he is involved in that senior group."
Tony got up from the table, patted Jimmy on the back. "Good, I am glad to know that. Jimmy, I appreciate the help. Tell Ducky I said hi and if needs to see me I will be available."
"Tony," said Jimmy, "keep you head up. Let me know if you need anything." Tony nodded his thanks and went upstairs.
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Time passed very quickly. Tony and Alex finished their class and Tony was meeting with his advisor on a regular basis as he worked out his dissertation. Over the last couple of weeks Tony and Alex had been steadily dating. Tony still had not told his team that they were dating, but it didn't stop some people from noticing. Mostly the other SFAs from the other three teams. The three of them, Sammy, Adam and Michael were very happy to see Tony happy with someone so they did their best to help them.
Tony had called Alex on Friday night and asked if she would go to his friend's home on Sunday. Alex said she didn't have any plans so she would love to. She had been working the last two Sundays so she was off this one. Although she would have loved to talk to Tony more, she was still at the office had to go. Michael was waiting for her, the SFA from the cold case unit. Tony said goodbye and said he would see her Sunday morning.
Michael looked at Alex as she hung up the phone. Biting his tongue, he asked her, "DiNozzo?" Alex looked up at the SFA and did something very silly. She stuck out her tongue at him and shooed him out of her office. He laughed all the way down the hall. Alex had learned over the last few weeks that the SFAs were the best at what they did and had her and Tony's back. Something she was very grateful for.
Tony picked up Alex on Sunday morning around 11am. He got out of the car and opened her door as she walked out of her apartment. He leaned down to kiss her hello. What started as a short kissed turned into a long, slow, hot, wet kiss. Tony and Alex wrapped their arms around each other for several long minutes. Finally they broke apart and Tony rested his forehead against Alex's forehead. "Wow, are you sure we need to be somewhere?" asked Tony.
Alex chuckled. "This was your idea." Tony took a deep breath.
"Yeah, we need to go. I promised Ernie and I haven't been able to go in the last few weeks. I miss him." Tony helped Alex into the car, walked around and got in; he started the car and started driving. "It won't take long to get there."
"Where are we going and who are we meeting?" Alex asked Tony. She was very curious about Ernie.
"Ok, I am going to tell you a story. Almost four years ago a retired marine walked into our offices with a very old 45, told Gibbs that he had killed a fellow marine. Gibbs brought him upstairs to talk about the dead marine and put him into my care. I didn't know him at all I am ashamed to say." Tony paused at that point and looked at Alex. "You will understand in a second. I was sitting across from him and was helping him with his shoes and he was going through his wallet." Tony laughed remembering this point. "He tried to give me his metro card. He didn't need it anymore. We continued to talk and then he told me he could fly anywhere for free, but he didn't have any where to go. I still didn't understand at that point and then he took it out of his pocket." Tony stopped talking and look at Alex. She could see the memories swirling in his eyes. "Kate didn't know how the award is earned. Gibbs had to explained it to her, 'for Conspicuous Gallantry Above and Beyond in the Line of Duty'."
Tony picked up the conversation again after going through the stop sign. "He talked about Guadalcanel and Iwo. Showed me a picture of Dorothy." He looked at Alex, "Dorothy was hot." Tony stopped talking again. "Ernie danced with Kate and sang to her, not long after Kate was dead. I can still see them dancing."
Alex knew who he was talking about. "You are talking about Ernest Yost, Medal of Honor recipient, aren't you?"
"Yes I am. I was the one that took him home that night and stayed with him. He woke me up with reveille and feed me a sandwich. He told me about Dorothy and played me music."
"You all cleared him didn't you? I remember that case. By the time it was over, every marine who was working in the area knew that story. I think one of the local units started going over to see him. They were asking for volunteers to visit. I couldn't go because I was on my way overseas." Alex looked stunned. She looked at Tony. "I was on my way over to get him for the SecNav. I was part of the detail because he wanted marines who where highly decorated, but my plans changed. I was TDA'd overseas again. Just before I went back to school."
Tony stopped at the light and looked over at Alex. Alex turned her head and met Tony's gaze. They were both thinking the same thing. What if? Would it, they, mean this much to each other then as now? Alex didn't think so. While they didn't meet then, she was very happy they had met now.
Tony pulled up into the driveway of a modest house in Arlington. He walked around and opened Alex's door and helped her out. "Nicely done Anthony. Someone taught you manners," came a voice from the wrap around porch. Tony took Alex's hand and walked her to introduce her to a very special friend.
"Hi Ernie, I want you to meet a friend of mine. Ernest Yost, I would like to you meet Major Alexandra Flores. Alex, this is Corporal Ernest Yost, retired." Tony watched as Alex walked up to Ernie, stood to attention and saluted; she held the salute until he nodded to her.
"Well, Major, it is very nice to meet you." Ernie's eyes twinkled at Alex, "I don't remember Major's being as pretty as you were when I was in the service."
Tony laughed, Alex grinned. "Sir, it is so nice to meet you. I am truly honored." Ernie held out his hand to Alex and Alex reached out as well. Once Ernie finished greeting Alex he turned to Tony, gave him a rough hug and told them to come in.
Tony looked around the house and realized nothing had changed. "You doing ok Ernie? You getting around well enough?"
Ernie laughed. "Are you kidding me? Since I met you and the people at NCIS I am hardly ever by myself. There is always something to do or someone to see." He grinned at Alex. "I am even flying now. I reconnected with family members of my old unit and they had a reunion of sorts down in Florida. I went and had a great time. Some of the grandsons are marines now and they include me in all sorts of things."
Ernie, Alex and Tony had a lovely afternoon together. Tony asked if he wanted to go out for lunch or if he wanted him to cook. "Tony's a great cook Alex, as he cooked for you yet?"
"Not yet Ernie, but I hope he will soon." Alex laughed at Tony.
"You are not helping me Ernie."
Ernie laughed at Tony. "Cook here today, that way I have leftovers. You can impress your girl and I get good food. Also, this way I can keep her company without you distracting us." Tony rolled his eyes, Alex was thoroughly charmed; she knew she couldn't lose today.
They spent the day with Ernie and were sorry to see it end. "Alex," said Ernie, "you come see me at any time do you hear? You don' have to wait for Tony to come. I will even take you dancing." Alex smiled and kissed Ernie on the cheek.
"Ernie, I would love to go dancing with you. In fact, I may have a party I need an escort for. Tony is not going to be in town so I wasn't going to go. I need to check, but do you think you would like to attend with me?"
Ernie smiled at Tony, elbowed him and said, "I have a hot date again. I get all the girls." Tony looked at Ernie, turned to look at Alex, and started to laugh. "Figures, just try not to steal her Ernie, I like this one." Ernie patted Tony on the arm and held out his hand to Alex to escort her out the door.
Once they said goodbye to Ernie and drove off. Alex turned to Tony with tears in her eyes. "Thank you for inviting me, thank you for sharing Ernie. I will NEVER forget this moment. Not ever." Alex took Tony's hand and held on for the ride home.
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A/N - We lost the GREAT Charles Durning on 12/24/12. One of my all time favorite episodes is "Call of Silence". Between the dancing scene and Tony in Ernie's home, this was an insanely great. I always intended to included Ernie Yost in my story so I should tell you that he will be seen again.
And I hope Gibbs reaction was hard enough for you. I promise Ziva will suffer more later. I still need to include Abby.
My next one will be out by end of the week. I found a beta and we need to get started. Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful reviews and especially the encouragement, when I started this I never thought I would received such a great reception. My thanks again.
I don't own and all mistakes are mine.