Summary: Conversation after Leon Vance, Tom Morrow, A.J. Chegwidden and Captain Wayne leave the meeting with Richard Parsons in season 10 finale.

This short thing is AU, at least until episode 1 of season 11. Then we will know what really happened.

Category: General

Rating: K+

Warning: Spoilers for season 10 finale

Disclaimer: Someone else owns everything NCIS. I'm just borrowing the characters for a bit.

All mistakes are mine.

Tom Morrow, A.J. Chegwidden, Leon Vance and Captain Wayne waited until they were outside the Pentagon walls to speak about the meeting they'd just had with Richard Parsons. They were in good spirits and didn't want anyone listening to their private conversation.

Well away from the building, Vance whispered, more mouthing the words than making any sound. "Nobody got close enough to put anything in your pockets or on you?"

The men indicated they hadn't been close to anyone except each other.

"And none of us brought out anything we didn't take in."

The four men looked at each other, confirming that they believed they were clean.

"Okay."

A.J. Chegwidden chuckled, "I thought he was going to wet his pants."

Tom Morrow boasted, "He ought to be worried about what Gibbs will do to him when he gets back."

The Captain looked at the other men, suddenly confused. He addressed the Director. "You didn't tell him about your agents."

With a small smile, Leon Vance shook his head. "No, no I didn't."

Tom and A.J. cracked up laughing.

"He'll find out soon enough, but there was no reason for me to tell him that I didn't accept the resignations."

"The investigation was suspended, not called off completely. What's going to happen?"

The other three men sobered.

"Right now Parsons is looking for another way to get Gibbs," Morrow confirmed.

A.J. admitted, "Gibbs has as many enemies as he does friends."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Vance promised.

"You'll be in the cross hairs too."

"Sympathy only lasts for so long."

"And the other agents?"

Vance gave Wayne an intense look. and said, "Misconduct and unacceptable performance. Suspended for 90 days." Then he added, "Written letters of reprimand, caution and requirements. I want them placed them on a Performance Improvement Plan. Right now it's all performance based adverse action and when they come back they'll need to be on their best behavior."

Wayne knew about the military disciplinary process, but not so much the federal civilian one.

Tom saw the look on Wayne's face and volunteered, "Adverse action means suspension longer than 15 days plus possible furlough and probable downgrade."

Vance finished it. "Could be reduction in grade, reduction in pay, removal... involuntary resignation."

Wayne took it all in but still looked puzzled. "But they offered their resignations."

"Yes, they did and I suspended them. I did not accept their resignations. Doesn't mean I won't make them go at another time. They've all done some things they shouldn't have." Vance looked thoughtful. "So have I. And in the end, we all have to live with what we did."

A.J. stared at the landscape beyond the car park, thinking about the JSOC mission. "Let's hope Gibbs gets that chance."

The End

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JSOC - Joint Special Operations Command

LETTER OF CAUTION - A written warning that continued instances or patterns of unacceptable behavior or performance may lead to disciplinary action.

LETTER OF REQUIREMENT - A written work order that imposes requirements on an employee.

LETTER OF REPRIMAND - A written remedy by a supervisory official for an employee's improper conduct.