Title: The End

Summary: A single sheet of paper will bring about the end of an era and a new beginning.

Disclaimer: NCIS is not mine. I'm just borrowing the concepts and characters for a little while.

Spoilers: None in this chapter…

A/N: This story came about through a series of emails. In one reply, I intended only a summary paragraph of what I thought would happen given a particular scenario, but ended up putting in more and more details and dialogue as I went along. I decided to expand and polish up what I wrote then and share it with you now. Enjoy!

Thanks GibbsRules for the beta! All remaining mistakes are mine.

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Chapter One: The Letter

As a director of a government agency, the amount of paperwork that I have to deal with on a daily basis still sometimes surprises me. Reports to analyze, operations and budgets to approve – everything both begins and ends here in this office.

This morning a single sheet of paper was sitting on my desk. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely shocked to read its contents. I never thought this end would come while I was still Director of NCIS. I never thought that I'd be the one to have to deal with the fallout this one piece of paper would generate. This normally innocuous item currently in my hands with its one paragraph of text will be the catalyst for many changes and even more paperwork.

All day while I've been doing my regular and not-so-regular work, my mind has kept straying to that short paragraph and to the precise signature below it. I've probably looked at it and reread it more than a dozen times today.

I never thought it would be me. I always thought I'd be long gone before this document ever crossed the Director of NCIS' desk.

And yet, here it is.

I've also been waiting all day for the person behind this letter to barge into my office, but he has yet to do so. This letter will bring about change and always before change comes decisions to be made. I'm absolutely certain that the letter's author will accept only one of several possible scenarios that could happen based on this paper's contents.

When I really think about how things have been set up, whether intentionally or not, there really is only one logical solution to the immediate dilemma that this document brings about. And yet, I find myself resisting the idea.

Do I allow the obvious, logical outcome or do I risk creating what many would consider calling a scandal if I went against what everyone thinks should happen in this scenario. Even five years ago, I would have balked at the author of this letter's ideal outcome. But now, even though I still have some doubts, I find that I'm on board with the desired outcome.

I actually think it might even be the best outcome – and the most deserving one.

I really think I could live with—

Suddenly there's a knock on my door. Surely it's not…

"Come in."

I could probably count on one hand the number of times my visitor has knocked before entering my office. I watch him gently close my office door and quickly walk up to my desk.

My visitor doesn't say anything and is content to wait for me to begin the necessary conversation. I could try changing his mind, but I know that this time the decision was carefully considered and unrushed.

Still, as I take the letter out of the folder on my desk, I feel I need to confirm its contents. Letter in hand, I quickly scan its contents once again. My visitor has remained silent, not moving much except to shift into a more comfortable stance.

His eyes have yet to stop their appraisal of every movement I make. Looking up from the letter in my hands, I ask, "Are you sure?"

Without hesitation, the person standing in front of my desk says, "It's time," before falling silent once more.

I can see the questions in his eyes, and I know the answers he wants. The question is: Do I let him have what he wants? Is this what is best for the agency? Is there anyone more deserving or worthy?

The man in front of my desk is more than stubborn though and won't break down to ask his questions.

Realizing I'd already made my decision several hours ago, I lean back in my chair and give the man in front of me my smuggest smile before I simply and without preamble say:

"Do you want to tell him?"

My visitor softly snorts before smirking and then finally, quietly saying, "Thank you, Leon."

He then turns on his heel abruptly leaves my office walking in an almost carefree manner. If I didn't know better, I'd almost think I'd just seen the guy look genuinely happy for a moment. It's something I'd never seen before, and I'm certain I'll never see it again.

I can't help but smile myself until I remember all the paperwork I'm going to have to do or sign to make sure everything turns out the way it's supposed to happen.

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To be concluded on Monday…

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A/N: This is the first time I've written Vance. I hope I did his character justice. Does anyone want to guess what's going on?

Thanks for reading!