Leon Vance was behind his desk looking through a very thick file. He sighed. He wasn't looking forward to doing this, but word came down from Secretary Jarvis, who seemed to be intent on stirring things up. Life wasn't easy when Davenport was SecNav, but at least he let NCIS operate independently and rarely interfered unless absolutely necessary, and definitely didn't try to cause trouble. Maybe this was just Javis' way of making his mark, but he suspected it was something worse.
As Vance was still lost in his thoughts trying to find a way to change SecNav's mind, Gibbs walked in the open office door and closed the door behind him. In a passive-aggressive move by Vance, when he knew Agent Gibbs was expected at his office, he always left the door open, not giving the agent the opportunity to walk in without knocking. Vance looked up at the Agent standing at his desk. He closed the file he had been reading, "Thanks for coming Agent Gibbs," Vance began.
"Interesting reading material?" Gibbs asked as he nodded toward the file Vance had under his hands. The file had Gibbs' name on it.
"It reads more like fiction than a biography," Vance retorted back.
Gibbs smirked. "Well, I didn't write that, you guys in suits did."
"And it seems another guy in a suit wants to add to it." Vance responded. "SecNav has noticed that you haven't passed a Full Scope polygraph, ever." Vance rose from his seated position, turned and looked out his window, putting his back to Gibbs, he continued talking to the window "Secretary Jarvis has ordered that you must pass a full scope polygraph to retain your TS/SCI clearance." Vance remained looking out the window, not really wanting to see Gibbs reaction.
After Vance finished speaking, Gibbs face went from astonishment to surprise to annoyance to anger within a few seconds. Finally Gibbs spoke, "He wants me to do what?" The words dripped with the anger that was also visible on Gibbs face. "Has he read my file, Leon? If he has, he knows I am exempt!" Gibbs exclaimed with more excitement in his voice than Vance had ever heard.
Vance turned from the window to face the questioning agent. "He said he has, and I'm not about to call him a liar, but we both know that if he really did he would honor your exemption." Vance paused, and walked around his desk to stand face to face with the agent, "Unless he has some hidden agenda that we don't know about. Gibbs, both you and I know why you are exempt from taking a polygraph for your clearance based on, ah, certain circumstances."
Gibbs just stared at Vance, gave him a smirk and canted his head just a tad, somewhat amused by the diplomatic words Vance used to describe his exemption. "Leon, I don't like how Secretary Jarvis used and manipulated Tony. I know he is an old friend Leon, but honestly, I don't trust the guy! He's been trying to pit you and me against each other from the day he was sworn in. I know the position you're in. Hell, I know the position I'm in! If I fail the polygraph, I'm out of a job!" Gibbs paused to think about that for a little bit. Vance just looked at him waiting for him to continue. Finally Gibbs did go on, "I think right now all we can do is go with it."
"I knew him well a while ago, Gibbs. Not sure if he is the same man." Vance acknowledged. He walked back to the other side of his desk. " Let's go with it then. Can you handle it Gibbs?" Vance looked at Gibbs with his normal deadpan stare, giving nothing away.
"Won't be a problem, director. I'm more worried about what SecNav is gonna try next. Can you handle that, Leon?" Gibbs asked the director.
"Don't worry about me, Gibbs, just worry about that polygraph. You need to pass it!" Vance ordered.
Gibbs smiled, "as I said, not a problem. Just tell me when and where."
Vance handed Gibbs an envelope, "all the information you need to know is in here. SecNav's office arranged the time and place. Do whatever you need to do. Contact anyone you need to contact to get this squashed if necessary."
Gibbs took the envelope, an amused smirk was on his face. "I'll make a call, but it seems like SecNav has his mind made up." He turned and headed for the door.
"Hey Gibbs!" Vance called after him.
Before he went through the door, Gibbs stopped and turned to face Vance again.
"Good Luck, Agent Gibbs."
Gibbs waved the envelope at Vance in a gesture that was meant to mean 'thanks'. Both men understood the unspoken action.
..TBC..
