Leon: Is it gonna be a problem for you to sit this out Agent Gibbs
Gibbs: It's your case, Director.
--
"Just so we're clear on a few things…" Vance closed his office door behind him after ushering Gibbs inside. "I did ask you to stay out of it."
"I heard you."
"Did you now? Because it sure seemed like I wasn't clear enough."
Gibbs glanced at the door as if contemplating a quick escape. "I did what I should've done in the past."
"And what's that."
"Stopped you from making the same mistakes Jenny did."
Leon took a seat behind his desk. "Director Sheppard isn't here."
Gibbs chest constricted a bit at the statement. "Thanks for the history lesson…may I go now?"
"Since when do you ask for permission to do anything?"
"You implying something Leon?"
He nodded slowly. "Its no secret you parade around this agency like it's your own private fiefdom…"
"If it gets the job done."
Leon shook his head. "And its that justification that has earned you those awards stashed in DiNozzo's desk…but one of these days its bound to bite you in the…"
Gibbs stood up before he could finish. "I really can't leave my team down there alone for too long…they get restless…"
"They're not the only ones." He stated simply. "But before you rush for that door, answer me one question…at what point did an upstanding marine as yourself start to question every order he receives?"
Gibbs went silent for a moment then answered truthfully. "When those orders tried to stand in the way of justice."
"Whose justice? Yours?"
Gibbs nodded without a response and turned towards the door.
"There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience…"
Gibbs turned back. "And how's your conscience Director?"
But the only sound that was heard was his office door closing shut.