Chapter 1

Departure

Tony sat alone in the bullpen finishing the paperwork that lay in his inbox typing furiously away as he sorted through his thoughts of Gibbs return and the rest of the team. Clearly McGee thought he was a bad team leader as his words drifted back to Tony from earlier today.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?"
Tony looked down "There's no one else in the squad room."
"Well, I thought I heard you say probie. And since Agent Lee has been reassigned to the legal department, I wasn't exactly sure who you were referring to."
Tony laughed "Haha. I get it. You don't like called probie anymore?"
"Things change."
" Yes, I know. I used to be team leader, Pro-o-o-bie."
" Temporary team leader Tony. And that was only because Gibbs quit."
Tony worked to control his anger "You don't think I rate my own team?"
"You wouldn't be here now if you did, would you, Dinozzo?"

Thinking again about the plush assignment awaiting him in Rota as it compared to again being stuck in reverse in his career suddenly didn't seem like such a hard decision. All the comments of the last 4 months drifted back to him, all of the "You're not Gibbs" and the continual "That's not the way Gibbs would do it". The more he thought the angrier he got.

And finally there was Ziva, his feelings for her were ever present but always carefully hidden under a smirk or a tasteless joke. Tony didn't know how to feel about his partner outside of the office, obviously in the office she was a quite capable agent and always seemed to have his back. But outside, that was something completely different. Ziva had been coming over to Tony's apartment lately to watch movies together, ever Wednesday night since Gibbs had left. That had been their coping mechanism, how they dealt with the tension of the workplace and Gibbs gaping absence. But since Gibbs return Ziva hadn't as so much as replied to a text from Tony. Not once.

Was he just a replacement for Gibbs? Did she not want to hang out anymore; was their slow courtship already over just because Gibbs had returned? Was she just using him to feel less lonely since Gibbs had left for Mexico?

All these thoughts continuously beat inside his brain as he tried to grasp hold of what he wanted to do. He looked at the time. 10:13pm. Ducky would still be in autopsy working to prepare the Marines body for tomorrow so it could be turned over the mortician. Quickly walking to the elevator Tony passed by Gibbs desk and couldn't believe how fast Gibbs had already reclaimed his space. Tony had simply gone out for coffee earlier and returned to find all his stuff at his old desk in boxes. Shaking his head Tony hit the button for the bottom floor.

As Tony stepped out of the elevator and walked in to autopsy Gibbs walked out and right past Tony. Ducky was sitting at his desk with a large file open filling in forms.

"Ah my dear Anthony I wondered when you would seek me" Ducky asked while not looking up.

"Hey Duck how goes it?" Tony asked perching on the side of the desk.

"Very well Anthony, much better than my dear fellow on the table behind me. So tell me what troubles you?"

"I was offered my own team out of the country, I'm considering it. I'm not sure there's anything left for me here." Tony answered while looking back at the hallway.

"Why do you believe nothing remains for you here Anthony?" Ducky asked while setting his pen down and focusing on the young man before him.

"The team wanted Gibbs back; they have him back now I'm mostly superfluous."

"Ah yes, I have noticed how quickly they have seem to respond to having Jethro back in their lives. It pains me to see all your efforts of the previous months simply discounted. I'm sure Jethro in his own way appreciates your efforts." Ducky replied.

"I don't think so Ducky, he had me moved back to my old roles in minutes this morning, the team instantly has reverted back to his and I'm once again back in the role of goofy tension reliever. I don't want to do it anymore Duck, I've had enough of being the filter for Gibbs."

"Well Anthony I would attempt to talk you out of your own team but the point remains that expecting you to be demoted after handling your promotion so well seems counterproductive. Turning down the offer could come back to haunt you by limiting your chances at advancement."

"I know Duck, what would you do? Should I keep working under Gibbs and let McGee and Ziva walk all over me again and just chuckle along like before or should I move on?"

"Anthony you will have to make your decision but I will support you with whatever you decide. You're a fine agent Anthony never believe for a moment otherwise."

"Thanks Ducky, I've got to get back and finish up those reports. Ziva and McGee both skipped out with Abby tonight to go to some welcome back party for Gibbs."

"Why did you not join them?"

"I wasn't invited Duck. Have a good evening" Tony called as he reached the elevator.

As Tony reached his desk he noticed several new pieces of paper had been placed on it. Glancing over at Gibbs desk he noticed the light was off and computer had been shut down. So Gibbs had left to join the team and have a few drinks most likely. Sighing as he sat down he picked up the new paperwork to read it over. On top was a transfer request for Agent Lee, Gibbs wanted Tony to fill out the paperwork to have her removed from the team and get it filled. That was aggravating; personnel would give him hell for it and would take several hours of forms and other red tape aggravations to get that accomplished. The 2nd form was a demotion form for Tony.

Tony stared for several minutes at it. Gibbs had dropped it off and wanted Tony to fill it out. Gibbs expected Tony to demote himself, and fill it out as well? Anger coursed through Tony as he couldn't believe the arrogance of Gibbs. He seriously expected a person to fill out their own demotion just because he couldn't be bothered to do the paperwork of a team leader?

Tony ripped the paper up and through it back at Gibbs desk. He grabbed the transfer request for Agent Lee and tossed it back on Gibbs desk and walked up the stairs towards the Director's office. Knocking lightly on the door he heard a muffled "Come in".

Director Sheppard's sat inside drinking from her mug as she had several files spread out before her on her small conference table. "Ah Tony I was hoping you'd stop by tonight. So have you decided anything?"

"Jenny I want it, I can't work for him anymore and the rest of the team doesn't want me or respect me either I think I need to move on." Tony reply.

Jenny sat silently for several minutes then motioned Tony to have a seat at the far end of the table. She withdrew a folder and tapped her fingers on top of it while she thought quietly. "Are you sure Tony, you have been a part of Agent Gibbs team for a long time, and Agent McGee and David both respect you."

"I don't think so Jenny; they have made it clear they don't think I'm capable of being a good agent. They wanted Gibbs back for the past 4 months and now they have him. I'm tired of being used I can't deal with it anymore."

"Well if you're sure, here is your new team." Jenny slid the folder over towards Tony. "You would have a smaller team obviously; just you and a senior agent would be full time in Rota. The port is often host to fleets as they transit in and out of the Med and you'll have far less homicide and far more drunk and disorderly calls. That said there is much to be done in Spain and I might have something else for you in a few months also."

"When can I leave?"

"How fast would you like to leave Tony? Can you get your affairs in order quickly?"

"Is tomorrow too soon Jenny?"

"Has something happened on your current team I'm unaware of? You seem in quite the rush to depart."

"Nothing that hasn't happened before." Tony answered as he waved his hand.

"Explain please Tony"

"Just the usual, team getting together without me. At least last time they pretended to forget about inviting me until the last moment before the left. I didn't even warrant that much this time."

"I see." Jenny answered while a frown creased her mouth.

"So anyway, my affairs are simple, anything I can't handle I'm sure Palmer would help me out with. He's become a pretty decent friend over the past few months."

"Well its Friday evening, take Monday off then be prepared for some paperwork Tuesday and I have a transport arranged for Wedneday. Does that work for you?"

"Thank you Jenny, I won't let you down over there."

"I know you won't Tony, or I wouldn't have offered you the job."

Tony got up and walked back to the bullpen. Shutting off his computer and grabbing his backpack he walked to the elevator and took a long look behind him. He would miss this surely but they didn't want him. He smirked as he stepped into the elevator; at least Agent Lee would get to stay on as the doors closed behind him.