Divergence/Convergence
Disclaimer: All characters property of CBS, not mine, alas.
Thanks to the reviewers who have left kind words; I'm glad you're enjoying it and I hope you continue to do so! I appreciate any constructive criticism you have to offer. For those whose only comment was that they don't like Ziva/Tiva/etc and who had nothing constructive to offer, I'm not forcing you to read this. You know where the back button is and how to close a tab. Don't like, don't read – it's that simple. There are other fics out there. Or write your own.
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Chapter 2: Announcement
Still surprised at how early he was the following morning, Tony strode into the squadroom with coffee and doughnuts for the entire team, including Abby, Palmer and Ducky. He had taken care not to mention the job offer to anyone besides the ME, having told Bishop and McGee that his meeting with Vance was simply to confirm that they had closed their case.
Bishop was already at her desk, so Tony waltzed up to her and placed a cup of coffee and a doughnut in front of her. Startled, the movement drawing her away from her computer screen, her head shot up, and she reached for the coffee – then paused, hand in mid-air, eyeing Tony suspiciously. "What's wrong with them?"
Tony feigned hurt. "What do you mean, Probie? Can't I just be nice for once?"
"I know you, DiNozzo. You're never 'just nice'. What did you do to them? What prank are you pulling on us this time?"
"Nothing! Why don't you believe me?"
"Because last time you bought her coffee you put chillies in it, DiNozzo," answered Gibbs from behind him.
"I swear I didn't do anything this time!"
"'This time'? So you admit that the chilli thing was you?" Bishop pulled her hand back from the offering.
Tony narrowed his eyes at Gibbs before offering the coffee tray to him. "The one with the G is yours, Boss. You know I wouldn't mess with your coffee. Rule Twenty-Three and all that."
Gibbs removed the proffered cup and took a cautious sip, his eyes never leaving Tony's face. "It's fine," he assured Bishop, selecting a doughnut.
"Told you," Tony couldn't resist throwing in Bishop's direction. She stuck her tongue out at him.
"So what's the occasion?" asked Gibbs, cocking his head on one side.
"Can't I just be nice?"
Gibbs arched an eyebrow and walked away, leaving the other two agents to do…whatever it was they were doing.
Tony was about to direct a snarky comment towards Bishop when he caught sight of Vance, who was surveying the squadroom, his own coffee in hand; the agent bit back the comment, put his offerings on his desk, asked Bishop to tell the others about them and hurried up the staircase. She gave him a confused look but shrugged and went back to her emails.
Hearing the agent's approach, the director turned to face him. "Good morning, Agent DiNozzo."
"Good morning, sir." Tony took a moment to catch his breath from the stair-dash.
"Something I can do for you?"
"Yeah, actually, there is."
"Want some privacy?" asked Vance, regarding him closely.
After checking there was nobody within earshot, Tony shook his head. "No need. I want to take the job."
Vance arched an eyebrow. "You sure? It's a big change."
"Absolutely." He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this sure about anything.
"Very well." Vance smiled in satisfaction. "I had a feeling you'd take it. It's a good opportunity, one you won't get elsewhere for a while."
"I know."
The director's smile broadened and he held out his hand. "Congratulations, Agent DiNozzo. Come see me at two this afternoon and we'll work out the details."
Tony shook the hand. "I'll be there. I'd better go tell Ducky I've made my decision."
"You do that."
Extracting his hand from the director's, Tony made his way down to Autopsy, a light bounce in his step now the weight of the decision had lifted from his shoulders.
As the doors swished open, Ducky looked up from his mug of tea and arched an eyebrow when he saw who it was. There was no sign of Palmer. "You seem…unencumbered," the ME observed.
"I decided."
"And?"
"I'm going. I'm taking the job," Tony said.
"I thought you would." Ducky smiled sadly. "I'll miss you, Anthony. We all will."
"I know, Ducky. And I'll miss you guys. But I realised last night that this is a rare opportunity and that I've gotta go where my heart is, and…well…"
"Your heart is wherever Ms David is," Ducky finished for him.
His expression a little bashful, Tony nodded. "I've got to at least try. Like you said, if I don't, I'll spend the rest of my life wondering what-if. If it doesn't work out, Tel Aviv's a big enough city and the possibility this job offers is amazing. And if the worst comes to the worst, I could come back to DC."
"Exactly, my lad. I'm proud of you for realising that and for taking that leap into the unknown." Ducky patted his arm.
"I'm seeing Vance this afternoon to sort out all the details." He ran his hand through his hair.
"Just promise me you'll keep in touch."
"It'll be like I never left."
Ducky chuckled. "I hope so, my lad. I hope so."
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At two o'clock sharp, Tony reported to Vance's office and was immediately ushered inside by the secretary. The director was standing by the window and he gestured to the chair in which Tony had sat the previous day, a smile on his face. "Please, sit."
Obligingly, Tony did so, pulling the chair close to the desk.
"You ready for this?"
Tony replied with a firm nod. "Yes. Yes I am."
"Good." Vance began laying out various documents on the desk. "I've spoken to the office in Tel Aviv. Hawkes retires on the twelfth of next month, so you've got five weeks to get things organised. I'll want you starting at seven am on the fifteenth. You've got a bit of leeway about when you finish here but I would advise against any later than the fifth. We can sort you out with an apartment if you want us to, same for a car."
"That would make things easier, yeah. I'll take you up on that," said Tony. "Thanks."
Vance tapped a closed folder. "This contains information on the agents who'll be working for you. There are five in total. They're good people.
"Here's the paperwork for your transfer; I'll need a few signatures from you. I also need you to be discreet about this outside of the agency – your father, for instance, can know you're in Israel, but not where. National security, nothing personal, but I don't trust him to accidentally let slip, especially when he's had a couple of drinks."
"I wouldn't trust him either, sir."
The paperwork was more intensive than Tony had anticipated and it kept him in the director's office for a good half-hour. When he had finished, he sat back in the chair and exhaled loudly. "Man, that's a lot of paperwork."
"Sorry about that. New offices can have that effect," replied Vance, gathering up the documents. "You can go tell the others now, if you want."
Recognising the dismissal, Tony stood up, shook Vance's hand and left the office. He paused at the top of the stairs, watching his colleagues – not just his team, but also the other agents – go about their work, committing it to memory. A wave of sadness washed over him: this place held so many memories, good and bad, and had been his life for a decade and a half. It was gut-wrenching to leave all this, his family in so many ways, but he knew he had made the right choice. It was time to move on, time for a change, and perhaps finally – if she would let him – build a life with the woman he now realised was his soulmate.
The thought triggered a past conversation with her:
"Do you ever think about soulmates?"
"They were on Decca, right? Big hit, mid-Seventies? Sort of a disco thing? Sing a few bars, I'll get it."
"You'll never get it." And she had stalked off in a huff.
He took a deep breath and descended into the squadroom. McGee was typing away furiously on his keyboard, no doubt finalising his report on their current case; Bishop was on the phone, a smile on her face as she made girl plans with Abby for the weekend. Gibbs was near the wall, scrutinising the Most Wanted with a cup of coffee. Tony skirted their team's area and approached his team leader. "Boss?"
Gibbs turned to face him and arched one eyebrow.
"I, uh – I need to talk to you. Everyone. I, uh, I've got an announcement. Abby's lab?"
Nodding, Gibbs gestured towards the other two agents in their team with his coffee cup; Tony got the message and headed over to the others. McGee was too focused on his task to notice; Bishop, sensing the mood, told Abby she would call her back and put the phone down. "What's up?" asked their most junior agent.
"Group meeting. Abby's lab. McFocused, get Ducky and Palmer," ordered Tony.
"What?" McGee raised his head, his face reflecting his confusion. Tony repeated the instructions and McGee, realising he was serious, picked up his desk phone to call Autopsy. Bishop and Gibbs headed to the lift, Tony and McGee behind them.
They were met by Abby, a little baffled at the sudden influx, who nevertheless welcomed them with her usual enthusiasm and loud music. "Is there a party?" She made a sad face at Bishop. Why didn't you tell me? I could have brought cake. And snacks. You need snacks for a party."
Bishop held up her hands, palms facing upwards. "If there is a party nobody told me." She pointed at Tony. "He just said he had an announcement and ordered us down here."
"Oh. Gibbs?" Her question was met by a shrug and shake of the former Marine's head. "Tony?"
Tony shook his head. "We're not all here yet."
"O – kay…" Abby pouted, arms crossed sulkily over her chest. The music volume shot up. Tony yelped; Abby smirked. Tony pulled a childish face at her; McGee and Bishop caught each other's eyes and rolled their eyes at each other.
"Abigail, is this racket absolutely necessary?" demanded Ducky from the doorway. Behind him, Palmer had his hands over his ears and a screwed-up face.
Abby dropped the volume and only then did Ducky enter the lab. "Sorry, Ducky."
"Hm." The ME still looked disgruntled and remained by the doorway, Palmer stepping in beside him. "So to what do we owe this gathering?"
All eyes turned to Tony, who cleared his throat, stood up straighter and stepped forwards. "Thank you for all coming here at such short notice –"
"It's not like we had to come very far," pointed out McGee. He let out a small squawk as Abby elbowed him in the ribs and glared at him.
"Anyway," continued Tony, shooting a dirty look at the other agent, "I have something to tell you all and I wanted to do it just the once." He paused for dramatic effect. "I've been here at NCIS for quite a long time. Some might even say I've become a legend whose reputation precedes him –"
"Not always in the way you'd like," heckled McGee, earning himself another glare while Bishop and Abby giggled, Ducky chuckled, Palmer laughed and even Gibbs snorted.
Tony clasped his hands together in front of his chest. "There does, however, come a point in a person's life when something comes along, an offer they simply can't refuse."
Sensing a shift in his tone, Abby narrowed her eyes at him. "What's going on? This sounds like change. I don't like change. Is this change?"
Tony took a deep breath. "Yeah, Abby, I'm afraid it is."
"Are you going to make us guess?" asked Bishop, her tone impatient. "I don't really want to do that, just so you know."
"The director offered me a job. Team leader and basically running the entire field office."
"Field office?" asked McGee suspiciously.
"That sounds like not here," Abby challenged Tony. "Is it not here?"
Tony nodded. "It's not here."
"Then where is it? It's not Hawaii, is it? Because that's, like, way too far away."
He shook his head, knowing that she was going to hate the next part. "It's not in the US."
Silence. Abby muted her music.
McGee blinked. Bishop wrinkled her forehead. Palmer took a step away from the forensic scientist, dreading and anticipating the fallout. Ducky gave Tony a nervous look.
"It's the field office in Tel Aviv. I'm moving to Israel."
There was a clatter of plastic as Abby dropped the remote. "What?"
Bishop and McGee shot each other nervous looks and as a single unit retreated behind Gibbs. Palmer sidled behind Ducky. All awaited the imminent explosion.
"What. The hell. Are. You. Thinking?" Abby took a platform-boot-heavy step towards Tony, who recoiled. "Why the hell are you leaving us? What have we done to deserve this? After everything we've been through together you're going to just walk away? We're a family here, Tony, or have you forgotten that? You don't just walk out on family."
He resented that. "I'm not 'just walking away'. Yeah, you guys are my family. You always will be. And this won't change that. It'll be like I've gone away to college. I'll come back when I can for visits but I'm moving on to a new stage in my life."
"I'm not doing your laundry for you, DiNozzo," Gibbs warned, deadpan; his comment made everyone laugh, though it was a little strained.
"Why now?" pressed Abby.
"Agent Hawkes is retiring and Vance wants someone out there who he can trust. I got first pick," explained Tony. "I love you guys, I love DC, I love the Navy Yard, but things have changed a lot for me in the last few years and I really, really want this opportunity." He met Abby's angry eyes with an earnest look. "This is my chance to prove myself as a leader, to develop and grow and all that. Can't you be happy for me?"
Her response was silence, with hostility and betrayal exuding from her body.
McGee stepped forwards. "I guess there's nothing we can do or say to keep you here?"
Tony shook his head. "I need to do this, Probie. I want to, I need to and it's the right thing for me."
McGee nodded slowly. "I figured. Believe it or not, I think I'll actually miss you."
"I'm honoured that you think so highly of me."
"I'm still not writing that report for you."
"Damnit," muttered Tony, just loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Bishop snorted, then sobered. "Congratulations on the new job."
"Yeah, congrats," chipped in Palmer. "It won't be the same around here without you."
"I'll visit," promised Tony. "It'll be like I never left."
Gibbs arched one eyebrow at him, then his face softened and he held out his hand. "Go do me proud, DiNozzo."
"On it, Boss," Tony assured him, taking the hand and shaking it. He glanced over to Abby, who was by now visibly less hostile and angry. "Abby?"
She gave him a sad smile. "You're really leaving?" she asked tremulously.
"Yeah, Abs. I'm really leaving." A moment later he let out an "Oof!" as she flung her arms around him and squeezed so tightly he wheezed. "Abs…Air…"
"Sorry!" She hastily released him. "You'll keep in touch?"
"I promise."
"You'll visit?"
"As often as I can."
"Good." She hugged him again, though more gently this time. "I'm gonna really really really miss you."
"I know." Over her shoulder, Tony caught Gibbs' eyes; the older man nodded and offered a hint of a smile before slipping out of the lab.
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At eight o'clock that evening, Gibbs looked up from the boat he was working on as he heard footsteps at the top of the basement stairs. Without so much of a glance up towards them, he said, "Evening, DiNozzo."
"Hey, Boss." The beers in one hand, Tony descended and nodded towards the boat. "What's this one gonna be called?"
"Can't decide between Ned and Dorney." Gibbs continued his work.
Tony smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" He handed over one of the beers and sat down on the stool.
"When do you start?" asked Gibbs, taking the outstretched beer.
"Just over a month."
"Excited?"
"Very."
"Scared?"
Tony chuckled. "More than I'd ever admit to the others."
"Oh, they know." He paused and scrutinised his senior field agent. "You gonna try to find her?"
He didn't have to ask who Gibbs meant. "I dunno." He truly didn't; it was the one thing that he was struggling with.
"That why you came here tonight?"
"What do you mean?"
"To talk about it." Gibbs took a swig from his beer and resumed his work.
Tony crossed his ankles and stretched out his beer-wielding arm. "I haven't heard from her since I left. If she wanted anything to do with me, she'd've gotten in touch, right? It's not like I'm hard to find. Hell, I haven't even changed my cell number or email or anything. The ball's in her court, it's her move. So her not getting in contact – that probably means she doesn't want me in her life. If I suddenly waltz up, what's gonna happen?"
"What's the worst that could happen if you find her?"
Tony shrugged. "It'd be awkward being so close to her and knowing she didn't want anything to do with me. Israel's not exactly a big country." He ran his free hand through his hair.
"What if she's too scared to make that move? What if she's scared of being hurt again? Of being let down and abandoned again?" Gibbs put down his tool and leaned against the boat, facing Tony. "What would you say if you did find her?"
Tony sighed. "I don't want to repeat the past. I don't want to lose her again."
"How about what you do want? Which is what, by the way? And be honest."
Tony was silent while he attempted to bring some kind of order to his chaotic thoughts and string them into coherent sentences. It was difficult – they were feeling- and emotion-oriented and evading definition. "I guess…" He took a swig of beer; that momentary pause and distraction brought clarity and he sat up straight, uncrossing his ankles. "I want to be with her. I don't feel right without her; it's like a piece of me is missing." He was taken aback with how open he was being with Gibbs, but he suspected that his boss already knew a lot of what he was saying.
"Can't live without her?" supplied Gibbs, face and posture unreadable.
Tony stared at him, his words from almost seven years ago catching him off-guard. "Uh…" he spluttered.
Gibbs visibly softened. "You don't have to pretend."
"I just – I don't know what I'd do if I found her and then it turned out she was in love with some other guy," admitted Tony. It felt good, finally identifying and acknowledging that fear. "What about if she and Adam have hooked up again?"
"What about it? Think that's likely?"
"I moved on – well, I thought I had – so why shouldn't she do the same?"
Gibbs shrugged. "Only one way to find out: talk to her. I know you, Tony – this'll eat at you until you find out one way or the other."
Tony nodded. He knew Gibbs was right; the problem was mustering up the guts to actually do it.
"You gonna help me or what?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Tony put down his beer, picked up the nearby sanding tool and joined his boss by the boat.
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TBC