Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own NCIS.


I remember the day like it was only yesterday. I remember the day so visibly because it was the most horrible day of my life. You might think I'm over exaggerating but believe me, I've had my fair share of bad days and it was. It was worse than my mother passing away and my father disowning me. Worse than the first time I got shot and Kate being sniped. Worse than Paula and Jenny's death. Hell! It was worse than Gibbs' short retirement!

You're probably wondering what could've happened to make that day more terrible than all those. I guess I would too...if I wasn't there. It was the day Vance, Gibbs, Ziva, and I were suppose to come back to D.C from Tel Aviv. We were one person short that to say the least. McGee, Abby, Palmer, and I were pretty stunned. Gibbs seemed to be also. I never did anything about it though. Maybe because I was...well am too proud to admit that I had feelings for her. I still do.

Nine Years Later

Supervisory Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo stepped off the lift and into the unflattering orange colored squad room. Years ago the man would have put word in with the Director about it. Currently he didn't think it mattered. Right now, he had a large cup of freshly brewed coffee (two packs of sugar and a teaspoon of Jack) and his group of young agents to look after. Closing into the bullpen, Tony slowed his stride to listen in on their conversation.

"I'm telling you the man's got to have a weakness!" DiNozzo heard his senior field agent exclaim.

"Boss does seem to live off coffee. Maybe that's it." The junior one concluded. There was a hint of annoyance in her tone. This discussion must have been going on for quite awhile.

"You've been here the longest Dom. Do you know? The senior and junior agents looked to the englishman at his desk. His neutral expression was unfazed and he turned his head slightly to his teammates.

"I know many things you don't know Dave." He quipped, a shadow of a smile appearing on his lips. DiNozzo chuckled inwardly. He had to admit that was a good one. The Hispanic agent frowned.

" I mean about Boss. Maybe it's a woman!" The assumption sent a twinge of pain to Tony's heart. It was time to intervene. DiNozzo entered the bullpen behind his charge and head slapped him.

"Ouch! Good morning Boss."

"What did I tell you about assuming Cotto?" DiNozzo growled as he reached Gi-his desk.

"To... not to?"

"Rule number four, never assume." Julia, the junior field agent, recited. Their team leader nodded curtly to her in recognition. The rest of the day was quiet and peaceful seeing as there wasn't a case going on. Across from his desk where his probie used to sit was their British Liaison agent Dominic Williamson from the British Intelligence Agency. He majored in phycology which caught Gibbs' attention to fill in Tony's partner position. Tony spent a year with him as his partner before Gibbs retired for good.

In his hold desk sat his charge, David Cotto. The young man reminded The Italian a lot of himself... nine and a half years ago. Since McGee resigned from his field agent position, DiNozzo knew he needed a computer tech. Tim recommended he check out some MIT graduates and Gibbs told him him of a couple of his FLETC students that he should check out. Cotto was one of the best in DiNozzo's eyes.

Across from Cotto was the newbie, Special Agent Julia Neehan, an ex baltimore detective. During a joint investigation (that sent back memories of when him and Gibbs had first met) DiNozzo noticed Julia's sketching and yearning for more. She made a nice addition to the team. Tony's lip twitched almost into a smile at how proud he was of his hand picked team. Though Tony hadn't smiled since she left. The team leader was resurrected from his reverie however, when his desk phone rang.

"DiNozzo." He answered. His team's eyes practically bored into him. He hung up without saying goodbye and stood.

"Got a case Boss?" Cotto asked, his hand hovering over his bag.

"No. Just the director." Tony replied while climbing up the staircase.

~Director's Office~

"Good morning Agent DiNozzo." greeted the director's assistant coyly from her desk.

"Good morning Mary. The Director wanted to speak to me?" Feeling once again rejected, Mary sighed.

"Yes he is. You may go in." DiNozzo nodded tersely. When he opened the door he saw a exhausted looking McGee. Tony concluded that Tim either

A) Had a fight with some agency director he pissed off

B) Had a fight with Abby or

C) Had really bad news.

So DiNozzo though it best to close the door behind him.

"Tony. How's the team?" McGee asked once he heard the door shut.

"They're fine." Was his reply. There was a few minutes of pure silence before DiNozzo spoke again.

"Something tells me you didn't send me up to chat about my agents' well being." McGee exhaled a stressful sigh and shook his head.

"Do you remember when we had that lock down eight years ago? And the case had to go cold?" Tony nodded curtly. He remembered when Vance had told them that they had to admit defeat and turn it into the cold files. Gibbs handed DiNozzo his sig and badge two days later. Everyone knew that it was either loose him later of let him leave then. Abby wasn't as upset as she was before. She understood.

"The case is now reopened." McGee announced, handing him a folder. Tony did nothing to hide his surprise.

"Why now?"

"Because I got a call for a lead." Gibbs' voice rang out from behind him. Tony's spun around quickly. His Sig aimed at his old mentor out of reflex.

"It's not me. I'm innocent." Chatised the man. DiNozzo lowered his gun.

"When did you get here?" He gave his ex-boss a glare.

"Right after you. I've got to say that that was a pretty good head slap you gave Cotto." He grinned.

"Learned from the best." All three of the men laughed dryly.

"How did you find a lead?" Interrogated DiNozzo, shifting into agent mode.

"I was having coffee with Jordan and Ducky. Around 1100 my cellphone rang. I was surprised to hear the voice on the other end.

"Who was it?" Gibbs found Tony's hard, cold green eyes and kept hold of them.

"It was Ziva."

A/N: Ok Review, tell me what you think. Suggestions are welcome as well. I Won't put up another chapter until I get at least 5 reviews. Thanks for reading!