[Knock Knock]
Ellie headed from where she was packing up her apartment, to see an all to familiar figure at her door
"Tony...what are..." she huffed as he hugged her tightly, making it hard for her to breathe. He moved them closer into the apartment before kicking the door behind him, never loosening his grip on his pseudo little sister
"Tim called, told me everything. What's going on with you Bishop, cause I know you didn't leak those documents." She hesitated pulling back from his grasp, giving him a better look at her facial expressions.
"Ohhh.....you set up the leaked documents.why tho?"
She hesitated trying to word her thoughts "I'm going on a long term undercover OP with Odette" she spoke as the confused look laced Tony's features
"Why not tell anyone why lie to your family"
"Because. It's hard to say goodbye and...it hurts. It hurt when you said goodbye – even if I hadn't been around as long as Tim or Abby or any of the rest of the team. But I was still heartbroken when you left. I was losing a friend, a best friend, a brother, a partner and...dare I say it...a mentor. Gibbs never had the patience to teach me anything but you, Tony, you taught me how to be an investigator. To not analyze and over-think things, to just act sometimes. Trust my instincts. That's invaluable to me." She spoke honestly before being hugged again
"You know I didn't want to leave so soon, but Tali needed me, just like your family especially Nick needs you" he spoke as confusion now laced Ellie's features
"How....."
"Ziva told me all about him and you,when she came home said you guys reminded her of a younger us. Take it from me bishop, don't waste a chance on love just because you're scared. I wasted so much time with Ziva because of both our fears. Don't let Nick and you become us."
She let the words sink in before hugging her pseudo big brother again and grabbing her keys
"Where are you going Bish"
"Theirs something's I need to clear up, thanks for the advice Tony" she kissed his cheek before he spoke back "Anytime bishop anytime" before walking out of her apartment with her.
A week later,Tony felt his phone vibrate with a simple text message, "thanks again for the advice, Tony" which was sent with a picture of her with the team.
