Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or the characters portrayed on television. The story is mine.
Summary: Tony gives Tim and Kate a surprise test. Will they pass? What's it on? This story does not follow canon and there is some OOC. Not sure if this story should be considered bashing or just some attitude adjustment. Either way you have been warned.
A/N: First, my regular beta is very busy and I wanted to get this posted. So if you see any mistakes please let me know so I can fix them. Thanks. Second, if you have come here to leave flames just leave this story now. I won't tolerate childish ranting about my being mean to Kate or McGee when I have given fair warning that they won't be portrayed in the best light.
Tests
Tony had a little surprise, well maybe a big surprise for the two junior agents. He was getting tired of Kate's superior attitude and belief that she didn't have to take orders from him when Gibbs was not around. And now Tim was beginning to emulate her. It's not that they outright refused his orders but would question them or push to have him do the "probie" work.
Kate had claimed he wasn't her boss when they were South of the Boarder but he'd reminded her that he was the boss when Gibbs wasn't there. To keep an argument from erupting he reminded her that even though she wasn't a probationary agent any more she was still a junior agent on the team and he was the senior agent as well as being Gibbs' Senior Field Agent, making him Gibbs' Second.
DiNozzo was aware that the Team Lead had spoken to her. It seemed that as time had passed she was falling back into old habits. The young man was becoming concerned that any hesitance in following his orders could lead to someone getting hurt during a dangerous situation. So he'd come up with a plan and went to see Gibbs the night before about putting it into action. He needed the backing of the Marine to pull it off and the older man would have to make sure that the team was off rotation for a couple of days. The former detective smiled thinking of the conversation the two men had over cowboy steaks the night before.
Flashback
Tony entered Gibbs house carrying a six pack of beer. He'd been debating how to approach his mentor with his plan when he looked up to see the man in question standing in front of his desk nearly giving him a heart attack. He'd been so deep in thought he missed the older man's approach. Despite what others might think Anthony was almost always aware when someone approached him.
"Be at my place at 18:00 DiNozzo. Bring beer, I'm out." The Marine smirked before heading to the elevator.
How did that man always know when Tony needed to talk to him? He sighed internally; he hoped that in time he would become half the agent his mentor already was now.
Taking a deep breath he could smell the wonderful odor of the older man's one of a kind cowboy steaks. "Hey Boss." The younger agent said in greeting while heading for the fridge to put all but two beers away.
"DiNozzo. Steaks are done. Grab the butter while you're in the fridge." The silver haired man pulled the steaks off the fire putting them on the waiting plates along with a couple of potatoes wrapped in foil.
Tony sat on "his" side of the sofa placing the butter and a beer for his friend on the coffee table. He accepted the plate, "Potatoes too? Awesome. Thanks Boss."
The only answer was a nodded acknowledgement.
The two men cut their steak and ate quietly. Once both men were finished eating the younger agent looked at Gibbs to see the 'what's on your mind' look. It was a good thing that he'd gotten so good at reading his mentor's facial expressions.
Anthony sighed quietly before answering. "Tim and Kate are beginning to give me some real problems when you're not around Boss. Kate has always had some issues with me because she thinks that her education and experience in the Secret Service make her a better agent than a former cop with a degree in gym. I thought it would stop after you'd spoken to her and it did for awhile. Now she makes some of the most inappropriate remarks about me, my social life, and my lack of a 'real' degree. I know that I push the boundary of being inappropriate but I have never crossed it."
"I really don't think she ever changed her mind about my intelligence or ability as an agent. She bided her time until she found an ally in McGee. I can't tell you how many times he's thrown his MIT and John's Hopkins degree in my face insinuating that I have nothing to teach him. After all, I have a degree in Gym, unlike the two of them who have degrees in something important." He paused needing a moment to find the right words to continue.
"You've never cared about what people think about your background before. Why is it a problem now?"
The younger man shrugged, "I don't care but it's gone beyond remarks about my education. Lately Kate has begun questioning my orders or directions when you're not around and McGee has been following her lead."
Gibbs sat up turning to gaze at him intently while demanding, "Are you telling me that those two are not following your orders? How long has this been going on and what have you done about it?"
Tony ran a hand through his hair as he tried to recall when he first noticed the problem, "I think it's been a couple of weeks, might be more. It just became more obvious two weeks ago when Mr. MIT started doing it too. I spoke to both of them individually reminding them that I'm the Senior Field Agent and that I am in charge when you're not around. The first time I spoke to them they behaved for a few days before the questions started again. I spoke to Kate yesterday." He shook his head still shocked at her attitude, "and she just scoffed saying that she didn't understand why I was the Senior Field Agent when she was the better candidate. I reminded her that it didn't matter what she thought, you're the Boss and it's your decision who's the Senior Field Agent not hers. I said that if she had problems with your choice to see you. She just shook her head at me and walked away."
DiNozzo waited for the imminent explosion. It didn't take long. "They won't question your orders when I get through with the two of them! You're their superior no matter what they think. When they question you they question me! If they can't get past their issues with my choice of Senior Field Agent they don't belong on my team!"
Despite knowing the Marine would explode, the younger man was shocked at the vehemence of Gibbs' defense and pleased with the praise. The man was not one to hand out praise very often or lightly. "Thanks Boss."
Gibbs turned and looked him straight in the eye, "I meant it." He tilted his head before smirking, "You have an idea."
Smiling he laid out his plan getting a laugh out of the older man.
Growing serious Tony looked at his friend as he brought up something he felt may upset the older man but needed to be addressed. "Boss, I understand that the head slaps are your way of letting me know you're paying attention to me, and to get me to focus, but Kate and McGee may not see it that way. Either you need to make that clear or you need to stop."
He received a nod of acknowledgement.
DiNozzo continued with some trepidation; he knew the older man wasn't going to like what he said next. "You also need to start treating me like I'm your Senior Field Agent instead of just another agent on the team. The constant competition, angling to get your attention and look good in your eyes is counterproductive when you don't make a real distinction between McGee, Kate and me."
"They believe that they're my equal since I have to compete for your attention and approval just like them. I know you use it to get answers faster and make us better at our jobs. The problem is that you don't make any distinction between the three of us. You don't allow me to do the things that are part of a Senior Field Agent's Job accept the paperwork."
"You need to start treating me like your Second. If you don't, why should they? It will become a matter of do as I say and not as I do if you don't and I don't know if I can continue as your Second if the junior agents can't respect me." He stopped not knowing what else to say. He watched different emotions flicker across Gibbs face while he waited for the older man to speak.
xxxxxx
Gibbs' first reaction was to tell DiNozzo he was full of it. His methods worked to close cases…he forcefully stopped that train of thought. There was a problem with the team and it needed to be fixed. He trusted the young man sitting next to him; he was training him to be his replacement when he retired so it was time to listen and to think about what he'd been told.
The Marine pondered Tony's words carefully. He came to the realization that the younger man had a point. He really didn't treat the three agents differently despite DiNozzo being his Senior Field Agent since before Kate joined the team*. It had never occurred to him that two agents who did well at FLETC would not understand the chain of command. Nor had he considered his method of using competition to make them better agents would give them the idea that it was okay ignore the fact that Anthony DiNozzo was the Senior Field Agent as was to be respected and orders followed.
Caitlin Todd came to the team with a chip on her shoulder that included over confidence that her background gave her some advantages that his protégé didn't have because he'd been 'just a cop'. Despite being a talented profiler she hasn't noticed that DiNozzo was a master at keeping people from seeing the real Anthony DiNozzo. You had to work at becoming his friend; Tony didn't trust others easily and used the Frat Boy to keep people at arms length. It was aggravating that such a smart woman was so blind. She assumed that her first impression of her teammate was accurate and never bothered to reevaluate her conclusions.
He cleared his throat gaining the younger man's attention. "I'll figure out something to keep the competition from interfering with your position on the team. I'll stop using the head slaps if it becomes necessary. There is a condition, no more protecting those two from punishment unless you make sure that their behavior or mistake is corrected yourself. If you really screw up, we'll discuss it in private instead of in front of them." It was as close to an apology that he was able to make. His young friend was worth the effort to apologize if needed, he was sorry that his methods caused problems for his Second.
DiNozzo ducked his head with a shy smile. "Thanks Boss."
Good, his non apology was heard and accepted.
"Let's get the details of your plan worked out before I call Morrow to request we be taken off call tomorrow." The two men spent about half an hour hammering out the details. Once they were done they headed to the basement to work on the boat. Over the last year Gibbs had started teaching Tony how to work with wood. He hoped that it would help to make up for his friend's lack of father/son interaction while growing up. Besides, he enjoyed spending time with the gregarious man.
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Tony looked up when he heard the elevator ding to see his victims…er…fellow team members entering the bullpen. He then turned to see Gibbs watching him from the balcony. They nodded at each other smirking. Time for phase one.
"Morning, Probie, Katie. Have a good night?"
Kate answered as she put her things away. "It was fine. I finished reading Certain Prey by John Sanford. Excellent story but I'm sure you wouldn't be interested since it's not published in Playboy. What did you do Tim?"
McGee looked up from turning his computer on, "Uh, fixed a friend's computer. It had a nasty virus."
DiNozzo had internally reeled at the remark about the book that was really low. Time to adjust some attitudes, but first he decided to address her remark about the book. "Well, I hate to disappoint you Kate but I've read all of John Sanford's books and enjoyed them. However I prefer John Grisham." He enjoyed her stunned look for a moment before standing up and grabbing two packets of paper sitting on his desk and headed for Kate's desk. "Now that we've settled that I can read more than just Playboy articles, you have a little test to take."
"Test?" Kate asks in an incredulous voice looking at the paper she'd been handed. "Gibbs didn't say anything about a test. I'm not a probationary agent anymore, why do I have to take a test?"
The Senior Field Agent raised an eyebrow at her questions, especially at her tone.
He didn't get a chance to respond due to Gibbs barking as he strode around the corner coffee in hand, "What are you waiting for Todd, McGee? Get to work."
Tony turned back to his desk hiding a smile when the junior and probationary agents looked like they would've jumped into orbit if it was physically possible at the older man's bark. They hurried to do as instructed once they'd gotten over the shock. He sat in his chair waiting for Kate to react to the first question on the test. She might even glance through the rest of them before opening her mouth.
*What are the educational requirements to become a Senior Field Agent?
*How many years of experience in law enforcement are required to become a Senior Field Agent?
*What are the main duties of a Senior Field Agent?
*What are the duties of junior agents?
*What is the chain of command on the MCRT?
*and more.
He didn't have to wait long. "Is this some kind of joke?" Todd asked in an incredulous tone.
DiNozzo watched with interest as Gibbs glared at the female agent. "Do you have a question about the test, Agent Todd?" He asked in a deceptively mild voice. Uh-oh, the Marine used the voice that was a just a warning of the imminent arrival of former Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs if the questions persisted.
The Senior Field Agent smirked watching as her mouth opened and shut a couple of time before she found her voice. "I don't understand why we're being tested on the requirements for a Senior Field Agent. Unless I'm being considered for the position?" His smirk disappeared at her faux pas.
xxxxx
Gibbs stared intently at Kate until she appeared to realize she said something wrong. "You're taking a test because you don't seem to understand what it takes to be a Senior Field Agent. Can you answer any of those questions Todd? Or did you break rule #8 and assume you knew what it takes without checking the facts?" The older man asked with venom.
He watched as she tried to come up with an answer that wouldn't piss him off more. She was failing. He turned to McGee to see a look of shame.
The Probationary Agent spoke without being asked. "I—I'm sorry Boss. I can't answer the questions. I d-didn't check the requirements for a Senior Field Agent only a Field Agent."
Gibbs nodded at the young man who was looking him in the eyes despite his obvious discomfort. "Your honesty just saved some of your ass McGee." He stood up grabbing two books as he headed around his desk first handing one to McGee before tossing the other to Todd who struggled to catch it before it smacked her in the face. "These are copies of the duties and requirements of each position on the MCRT. I expect both of you to read them and answer the questions that DiNozzo gave you. I'll be grading you." He paused to let that sink in.
He moved so he stood by DiNozzo's desk so he could look at the junior agents easily before continuing. "DiNozzo and I came up with this to show you what it takes to do his job as well as your own." The Supervisory Agent turned to glare at Kate Todd, "You're not being considered for the position Todd because you don't even know what it takes to be a Senior Field Agent never mind being qualified to be one."
The Marine paused to look back and forth between the two junior agents. "I know you've shown disrespect to DiNozzo by questioning his orders. He is my Senior Field Agent because he's the best man for the job. By questioning his orders you ignore the chain of command. This is not the way to show that you're ready to become a Senior Agent on a team never mind a Senior Field Agent."
His glare increased when she opened her mouth to say something, "DiNozzo came to me about your attitude. You have ignored reminders from both of us that he is your superior giving him no choice but to report the problem to me. If you don't take this test I'll place a formal reprimand in your file and transfer you to another team. Care to tell me why you think you're more qualified than him, when you can't even tell us what the requirements are for the position Agent Todd."
The older man watched various expressions flit across her face as she seemed to struggle to respond to his accusations without digging her current hole any deeper. She appeared to gather herself with a deep breath before speaking, "Tony only has a degree in Phys. Ed. while mine is in psychology. I'm an experienced profiler while he was just a cop."
She stopped as he stalked to her desk to slam his hand down right in front of her saying angrily, "You need to read this before you say any more. You need to remember that you are the junior agent and DiNozzo's the senior agent even if he wasn't my Senior Field Agent, his status at this agency is higher than yours and not just because he's been here longer. He has more experience as an investigator than you." He struggled not to yell the last few words; he didn't want to be heard in Autopsy.
He took a deep breath before continuing, "By disrespecting him you're disrespecting me and my choice of Senior Field Agent. If you continue after today you'll be off my team. Is that clear Agent Todd?"
He waited until the shock showing on her face cleared and she nodded with obvious reluctance and responded, "Yes sir."
Gibbs ignored the dig at being called sir turning and walking to his desk. "Get to work; we're off call for the day. DiNozzo, get me some coffee." He hadn't missed the look the profiler gave his partner and wanted to remove the distraction so she'd actually start reading.
"On it Boss!" DiNozzo hopped up and left the bullpen with a bounce in his step.
Gibbs smiled internally seeing the bounce as he sat down to work on the waiting paperwork. "Get to work Todd," he barked again when he noticed that Todd was glaring at Tony's back.
TBC
* I always thought it was odd that Tony was "promoted" to SFA after Tim had joined the team. It seems to me that he was always the SFA. At the very least next to Gibbs he's the most senior agent on the team and therefore above Kate and Tim all along.