— The story and any possible original characters are mine. NCIS, its own characters and canon aren't. —

To make things easier for you, this is the order of the stories in the series:

Intro: "He's A Good Boy"

Part 1: "Ghost Games"

Part 2: "Ghosts Chasing Me"

Part 3: "Ghosts From The Past"

Leo

Two months of forced vacation. Normally the very thought would've been too much for Tony to bear and it was, at first. The former Detective was not good with the whole 'just relax for two months and do nothing '. For once he had done as told, but it was only thanks to his Italian relatives, who forced him to rest and recover just as the doctor had ordered. Thankfully, they also made sure he was never bored. Plus, a month of being surrounded by nothing but Italian language was a great way to refresh his own skills.

Only one month, because as soon as he was well enough, he decided to spend that last month traveling around Europe. He even went to climbing once. What Ducky didn't know, couldn't hurt him. Now he was finally back home with a healthy tan and healthy glow on him as a souvenir, which he was very much aware he'd been without for years. He had needed that vacation desperately, but there was nothing and no one who could make him admit it. It was his secret to keep.

"Hey, Tony. You're back, and looking good. I can see why the Director started the war just to send you away."

Tony rolled his eyes. He was standing in the bullpen and looking at the time every once in a while. Tom Morrow had ordered him there, saying they needed to talk, which usually wasn't a good sign, but after the long vacation he was feeling too good to be nervous. "I looked perfectly fine before, Chris."

Chris Pacci looked highly amused. "Sure. Like the Death himself was standing right behind you the whole time."

"You're only saying that because you were there when Langer decided to use me as his punching bag."

"Whatever makes you feel better."

Tony had a mock look of hurt on his face, but he didn't bother holding it up for too long. Again, he had to admit that the vacation had done him wonders and he'd been having the time of his life, especially when climbing on those mountains. For the first time since becoming a cop, he hadn't even once thought about work and all that came with it. The good and the bad. "So, what are you doing here this early?"

Chris pointed at the stack of files on his desk. "I decided to leave the paperwork for Monday. Felt like a good idea at the time."

Tony winced. "Ouch. That's gonna hurt." He'd made the same mistake only few times, until he realized that it was not a good idea when you were a cop in a place where the work load was so much worse. Ever since then, he'd created his own system to go through and finish them fast, but never sloppily. When asked how he did it, he never revealed his secret, just gave people his infuriating trademark answer 'work smarter, not harder '.

"It already does. So why are you here so early? Can't wait to get back to work? I'd be glad to share, you know." Chris smirked and then pointed at his stack of papers again.

"Ha-ha. No. The Director told me to come."

"Ah. I hope it's nothing serious, and has nothing to do with the bear in the bullpen."

"The bear... What did he do?"

"What didn't he do? Honestly, I'm impressed Vivian hasn't quit yet. I didn't think she had it in her. Although, I'm not sure how much longer she will be able to take it. There's been several missing children cases they've had to work with lately so Gibbs went from bad to worse and the other day from worse to a full meltdown. I'd say he went from a pissed off bear to a fire breathing dragon, in a matter of hours."

Tony shook his head. "I can't really blame him. Although, he really should find other ways to show off his temper. So much wasted potential there... And he's never going to keep any agents with him long enough."

"Oh yeah, guess how many of the new agents he's been scaring off in the last two months."

"I'd say a few, but with that look on your face, I'm guessing it's a lot more than that."

"Nine. Nine perfectly fine agents who came here strong and full of potential, but ended up leaving weak and terrified for their lives, or at least thinking that Gibbs holds a whole lot more power than he actually does. The Director isn't being very happy and threatened to find the perfect punishment for Gibbs if he doesn't change his ways. I have to admit I'm kind of looking forward to that, especially knowing how good any punishments usually work on the old bastard. I feel sorry for you, getting him as your boss."

Tony could feel his good and happy energy starting to fade away, going down the drain until he was starting to feel, well, drained.

"Already regretting taking the job?" Chris looked sympathetic.

"No. Not that. I'm just wondering if the vacation was worth it."

The elevator opened and Tom Morrow stepped in the bullpen. Tony could be mistaken, but for a moment he thought the man looked relieved, and not just 'good to have you back and looking healthier ' relieved. It was more like 'thank God, you're finally back! '

Chris greeted the Director and stared after the two with curiosity as they disappeared toward the Director's office. He was pretty sure even Gibbs didn't know yet that Tony was back, or else he might not have even left work yesterday. That was the other curious thing. The Director had ordered Gibbs and Vivian home early and to not return until Tuesday. It was almost as if Morrow had done it on purpose, so that Gibbs wouldn't be here when Tony was.

Inside the office, Tom told the young man to sit down and then he observed him for a moment, before sitting behind his desk. "I'm glad to see you looking much healthier since the last time I saw you. I hope you will keep it that way. I don't want my agents passing out in my office when they fail to take care of themselves properly and especially not get killed in the field because of it."

"Sir..."

"In your defense, you were not officially my Agent then. But I don't want a repeat of that. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." Tony had to keep still, to not squirm on his seat. This Director made him feel like a naughty schoolboy, facing the principal.

"Good. Now, on a more positive note... Before your vacation, you passed your requirements with flying colors. I'm impressed. You've jumped ranks so fast that I think only one other person in the agency has done the same."

"Howard," Tony spoke softly and Tom looked surprised.

"Yes. How did you know?"

"He was my brother."

"Really? There is no mention of that in your files."

"Distant relatives. And he was more like a surrogate brother. We were really close."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's been ten years now, sir. Plenty of time to grieve."

Tom hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "Well, with your experience, you would be ready to be a Senior Field Agent."

Tony flinched. "Sir, with all respect... All you know is what's on the paper. You don't know how good I am from your own experience; no one in this place knows it. I need to first get used to the differences between being a cop and being a federal agent. Once you have seen yourself that I am good enough and you think I deserve it, then I'll be fine with it... My only wish would be to not be treated like a complete rookie or probie as you call it. I've already done my time as one, many years ago." And that didn't even count in all the usual hazing every time he moved to someplace new, and not to mention those special cases like Bolton and his goons who were flat out cruel and dangerous.

Tom Morrow was pleased. He had actually planned finishing his sentence with, 'but it would be a little too soon for that just yet '. He knew from experience that many lesser men would have jumped into an opportunity to move forward as fast as they could, to reach whatever ambitious career paths they had chosen. Very few of them succeeded in the long run, unless they had someone doing the work and setting things up for them. Most knew how to talk the talk, but that was it. They had very little to offer. "Very well. That's what we will do then. Don't worry, your new boss knows you're not a probie. I made sure of that."

"You told Gibbs that?" Tony was surprised.

Tom looked guilty. "Actually, he won't be your boss."

"I thought..."

"We all thought that, but as I am sure Agent Pacci already told you, there's been some trouble lately because of Agent Gibbs. I told him that I have a punishment waiting for him, if he did not at least try to behave and keep his grown man tantrums outside work. We can't afford to keep losing good agents because of one man. He's not that good. And being someone from the older generation of agents and no longer as sought-after as they used to be, I can't protect him forever."

"Well, that's... ouch."

"He didn't take heed and instead of talking a criminal into surrendering, Gibbs provoked the man to give him an excuse to shoot, which he did, and doctor Mallard got himself another guest. The guy was a pedophile, the lowest of the lowest scum there is, so I didn't mind cleaning up the mess this time, but I'm sure you understand that this type of behavior should not be tolerated. Sure, he is good at his job, when he wants to be, but I can't punish others while I let him keep going as he's been able to so far. I don't practice favoritism and I need to make sure my agents understand that."

Tony frowned. Hearing all that was a little overwhelming, but not really that shocking. "And what do I have to do with this?"

"Well, you see, Agent DiNozzo..." Tom leaned forward on his crossed arms. "Gibbs seems to hold you in a very high place in his eyes. He chose you himself and practically bullied me into accepting you, when he didn't even have to since I had already accepted you. A little speech from Abigal Sciuto, and seeing your files, were enough to convince me. He made the mistake of mentioning to me just how much he can't wait when you finally return and he gets a partner worthy of his time, as he puts it. In his own very arrogant way of course. So I decided to hit him where it hurts the most."

"By putting me in another team?"

"What you don't know is just how much he needs and wants you in his team. Tomorrow, when he comes to work, you will be working in the field while I will give him my take it or leave it offer. He must earn you. If he can keep even one new Agent in his team for a year, willingly and not bullied into, then he can have you back. If he can first convince you that you would much rather work with him than your current boss. Talking about your boss... He just transferred, so you'll meet him tomorrow." Tom stopped talking and obviously waited for Tony to say something.

"Wow."

Tom hesitated. "If you truly are against this and only came to work here because of Gibbs, then maybe..."

"Oh, no. I think this sounds amusing. So who's my new boss then?" Tony looked dead serious, but with a twinkle in his eyes and Tom laughed, trying to not look too relieved.

By the time Tony was back in the bullpen, he had shared the high points with Chris. For some odd reason, ever since that first phone call, the men had become close enough to share more than a 'hello' whenever they saw each other. And Tony trusted his gut feeling, that he could trust Chris to not spread this information, even if Tom had never said it was a secret.

Needless to say, Chris Pacci was surprised, but not unpleasantly so. "Well, this ought to be interesting. You've been at work for what, an hour at most? Where have you been hiding all my life?"

Tony laughed. While he was a little worried how big of an explosion Gibbs was going to be, he couldn't wait to put his skills to test as an NCIS Agent.

"Your boss won't be here for another day and you look like you've got nothing to do with your time, so... You still not gonna help me out with my paperwork? You know, a friend in need is a friend—"

"My new boss might not like if you borrow me and get the credit for it, so only in your dreams." Tony smirked and Chris sighed dramatically.