During Jenny's funeral Tony couldn't look at the coffin knowing he was the reason she was in there. Feeling like he was going to be sick Tony walked to the side facing away from the others letting the sun hit his face. He felt Abby before she put an arm around him and he leaned over to rest his head against hers.

"It's not your fault Tony."

"Yeah, keep saying it and maybe eventually I'll believe it."

"You should, I know you would never hurt a fly." Tony takes a deep breath as the funeral ends and they head towards their cars. Tony climbed into the front seat with Gibbs.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just peachy." Tony didn't say anything else on the way back to NCIS. After getting his new orders Tony and the others packed up their desks as Abby and Ducky watch.

"What's going on? What are you doing?"

"Got new assignments, being shipped off as Agent Afloat tomorrow."

"What? Why?"

"The new director decided we shouldn't be a team any longer." Tony only grabbed his own things before slamming out of the office. He didn't want sympathetic looks or pity from the others. When Gibbs got home Tony was packing his bag.

"Are you okay?" Tony shot him a look and Gibbs sits on the bed. "It's not forever Tony."

"Yeah just long enough for you to move on and get a better team." Tony takes a deep breath looking around. "I texted Jimmy and he'll help me pack up the rest of my stuff."

"What? Why would you do that?" Tony doesn't say anything and keeps packing but Gibbs stops him. "Tony, what's going on? Why would you do that?"

"You finally have the chance to get rid of me. We can't get married, you get a new team, I lost you your wife and ..."

"Whoa, wait a minute there."

"I know you and Jenny married and never got legally divorced Jethro. You say you want to get married and use my dad as an excuse but you're still married. Not that it matters, Jimmy will be here soon and I'll be out of your life."

"One, the divorce did go through just not when we separated. I only asked you to marry me after it. I didn't know you knew I was married still or I would've told you. I didn't think that would go over well and I still want you. This is a good thing Tony."

"Yeah that's why I'm leaving for a year and you can get what you want." The doorbell rings and Tony zips up his bag. "There's Jimmy, hopefully he brought some boxes with him." Tony went downstairs before Gibbs could stop him and found Vance on the porch.

"Tony, can I come in?"

"Sure, it's not my house. I'm just waiting for Jimmy and then we'll be out of everyone's hair." Tony storms off as Gibbs comes downstairs.

"Leon, what can I do for you?"

"I came to speak to you and Tony but he doesn't seem to be ready to talk."

"No, I don't know what's going on with him. He's been acting weird since California and ..." Tony comes out of the kitchen.

"You want to know what's wrong?"

"Yes, that would be very helpful Tony."

"Fine, you've barely spoken to me since I told you Dir. Sheppard was dead. I know you hate me for getting her killed but I was only following orders. She told us to leave her and we tried to get there but she ..."

"I don't blame you Tony and she wouldn't want you to be in harms way. You or Ziva and from what I understand she knew exactly what she was walking into."

"Does it matter? Not only was she your love but now my family is ordering me away because of it. I know my father's behind this Uncle Leon … he always sent me away for stupid stuff growing up and this is more than just doing something stupid." Tony froze realizing what he said and they look at Gibbs.

"Uncle Leon? Okay, what did I miss because I don't recall you having an Uncle Leon much less him being your Uncle."

"I told you about my Aunt Celeste … mom's sister who died when I went off to RIMA right?"

"Yeah, they treated you like another son."

"She was married to Uncle Leon, they divorced but I was still family and I still consider him family." Vance nods,

"Ruth Ann would've scalped me if she thought I was escaping the family that easily." Tony chuckles and Vance sighs. "It's not punishment Tony and it's not because of your father. I haven't talked to him since Celeste and I broke up. He only spoke to me because he had to if we were going to take you in."

"Then why? I was following her orders and I will regret it until the day I die but why did you break up the team? He's trying to tell me he's not getting rid of me but you are."

"Do you recall the promotion Dir. Sheppard offered you?"

"She offered me my own team when Jethro came back but I didn't want it. I still don't."

"It comes with a pay raise higher then what you can make as senior field agent."

"That doesn't matter to me. Staying where I am does."

"I know the two of you are together but I assume the others don't?"

"Just Abby and Ducky. We wouldn't be allowed on the same team if they knew and Ducky walked in on us." Tony smiles,

"So did Dir. Sheppard and Jimmy knows too." Gibbs rolls his eyes and Vance smiles.

"If SecNav were to find out … he would split up the team period. Gibbs you would still be able to lead your team but you'd have to rely on McGee and Ziva and a new probie."

"And now?"

"There's a mole I'm trying to catch and the split is temporary but I would like to see you finish this assignment Tony. It means a raise in your pay and if something happens and the team is split you can automatically get assigned a new team rather than being sent to someone else's team. It means you can be in charge but you have to do this assignment first."

"If I don't want to?"

"Then you stay at where you are and if they find out you can either be fired or assigned to a new team. Dir. Sheppard was prepared to send you either way I think in case someone else took her place." Tony runs a hand over his face. "I will try and cut it short but it's only 9 months not forever."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise and I've never broken a promise to you." Tony nods and Gibbs looks at them.

"You believe him and not me?"

"I've known him since I was 3 years old. He's Uncle Leon and he's the one who got me away from my father."

"Speaking of which does he know about the two of you?" Gibbs nods,

"He wants nothing to do with him or us. I asked Tony to marry me and he doesn't want to be there."

"That doesn't surprise me. He didn't like me or anything that's not … there's a lot of prejudice from his side of the family but Elizabeth's side always treated me well and I take care of my own. Speaking of which the kids will want to hear from you."

"Tell them I'll email them from the ship. I still have to pack and get things ready … thanks Uncle Leon." Vance leaves and Gibbs sits with Tony.

"Are you okay?" Tony shrugs and then looks at him.

"Are you two really divorced?" Gibbs nods,

"I didn't know how fast you wanted to get married or how long it would take to get divorced so I asked for one. She was the hold out so I wouldn't marry someone else but I told her that I was in love with someone who I loved and was different from the others."

"Then lets get married." Gibbs smiles,

"We'll plan the ceremony for when you get back."

"Let's go now to that chapel by the yard. We have the marriage license and I'm sure Ducky and Abby will come along."

"Mrs. Mallards been acting funny but call Jimmy since he knows. I also know Abby's probably worried about you." Tony nods calling Jimmy.

"I don't know Tony … are you sure he wants me there? I thought it was a secret."

"It is at work and yes. It was going to be Ducky and Abby but he said that Mrs. Mallards acting funny." Jimmy sighs,

"Yeah he hurried home worried about something soon after you left. Okay, I'll meet you there." Tony hangs up and Gibbs watches him.

"Is Abby coming?"

"Yeah, she was putting something together for you to take with you but she'll meet us there."

"Jimmy too, he's just worried you don't want him there."

"I don't mind, he's not a bad kid." Tony chuckles and they leave meeting Jimmy and Abby who stood up for them. Nothing was mentioned about Vance or the team splitting up though Gibbs had plenty of questions for Vance. That night when they were lying together in bed Gibbs had a question. "Why didn't you ever tell me about Vance?"

"It never came up. I didn't even know you knew him but you knew Aunt Celeste married someone different."

"So you know his family?"

"Yes, they're my cousins and very accepting of me. Uncle Leon and Aunt Celeste were young and couldn't have kids so they took me in. He's the reason I stayed in school and became a cop. I'd rather have looked up to him then my father."

"There could be worse people to look up to." Tony feels Gibbs slip something over his head and sees the dog tags.

"Jethro ..."

"I want you to bring them back to me. The rings you can't exactly wear but I'll see the chain and know."

"You plan to see me?"

"Video chats to the ship … I hear they can do that on all the ships now." Tony chuckles,

"I don't have anything to leave you." Gibbs nods giving him a kiss.

"Yes you do, your heart." They fall asleep holding each other and then Gibbs takes Tony to the docks in the morning. "Wait a minute, I don't want to kiss you in front of the others."

"I don't want to hide anything."

"I know but hard to gain respect from some that way. I don't want you to start off with a black mark." They kiss then Tony gets out. "I expect to hear from you often."

"You will and I promised Abby the same thing." Tony got his bag. "See you soon." Gibbs watched Tony walk up to the person checking in people boarding the ship and sighed. When he disappeared from sight Gibbs heads to the yard. There he hoped he could trust Vance wouldn't hurt Tony and that Vance wouldn't stick him with incompetent people.