Everyone, this is my first NCIS fic and I'm kinda excited about it. It's more of a What if? than an AU, but it's going to go in a bunch of differnt directions. I hope you enjoy it. Please R &R (they make me feel all warm and fuzzy).

Chapter One:

The elevator seemed to be taking its sweet time that morning, moving at an unbearable pace. Or maybe it was the coffee. It was, in fact, his third or maybe fourth cup. And that was only since he had arrived at worked. He used to hate coffee. Actually, he had loathed it. But he had began to view it as an ally as of late. The blessed ding, signaling that he had finally arrived on his floor, allowed Tony to let out an agitated breath and dawn his game face as the doors slowly opened and he stepped out into the busy fray of NCIS headquarters.

It had been three years since Gibbs had been forced by the Director to either take a promotion to Assistant Director or retire. Director Vance had made it a no brainer decision for Gibbs. He had bluntly told Gibbs, with no uncertainty, that if he decided to retire, again, that there was no way in hell that he was ever going to be coming back. Of course, Gibbs was preparing to head back to Mexico, but a very extensive campaign, waged by Abby, McGee, and, of course, Ducky, had convinced him to stay on to keep an eye on things. So, Tony was promptly put in charge of Gibbs' team.

Things had been a whirlwind since then, but, although it had been three years, every once in a while, but not as often anymore, Tony would find himself unconsciously moving to his old desk, which of course was now occupied by his senior agent. Maren Haverty glanced up from her magazine at Tony as he stopped briefly in front of her desk before moving on to his own. As he sunk into he chair, he was reminded once again why Gibbs had rarely ever been seen sitting in it. It was truly an uncomfortable place to be, and not just in the physical sense.

It didn't help that he was still getting used to his new team. Well, not exactly new. Haverty had been put in place five years earlier, only weeks after he and Gibbs had left the Tel Aviv airstrip minus one. She was highly capable if not a little mouthy. Even Gibbs had a hard time reigning her in, but eventually broke her. Once Tony had been put in charge, she had immediately began testing his authority. It had taken a little time, but Tony had finally strong armed her into submission, for the most part. Gibbs loved to remind him that she was a lot like Tony when he had first joined NCIS. Tony would vehemently deny it, but couldn't help but enjoy the attitude that she brought to the team.

When McGee had decided to leave only a year after Tony's promotion (he insisted that it had nothing to do with Tony's leadership abilities), Lance Dawson had been brought in as the new techi. Only twenty-four years old, calling Dawson a probie didn't even do the kid justice. For all the flack that Tony gave McGee, even Tim could not have ever been as green as Dawson. For reasons unknown to the rest of NCIS, but known to Tony, Gibbs had personally vouched for the newbie as a favor for an ex-Marine buddy. Dawson was caught hacking into the NCIS mainframe on a dare and was on his way to prison. Actually he did spend three days behind bars before Gibbs had agreed to help. Tony still had a hard time figuring out how the skinny geek had made it three days in the big house unscathed.

Finally, there was Ryan Spencer. Besides Tony, he was the most seasoned agent on the team. He had actually been the Senior Agent on another NCIS team until he and his partner decided that the sexual tension was too much to bare any longer and unleashed their lustful fury in the broom closet on the third floor. Tony had eyed that same closet at one time. It was at the end of the hall, with very few offices in the vicinity. Of course, Tony had always had a fear that had he acted on those impulses with a certain person that he more than likely would have ended up with a broken arm...or something worse. At any rate, after being caught in flagrante delicto Ryan had been transferred to Tony's team. He had taken to Tony well enough, but was often at odds with Haverty when she tried to pull rank on him, which was often.

"DiNozzo!"

Instinctively, Tony jumped to his feet, knocking his chair backward to crash into the nearby filing cabinet. "Yeah, Boss." It amazed Tony that after five years of being the team's "boss" that just the sound of Gibbs voice could still rattle him.

"My office, now."

"On my way." He paused only long enough to glance at Haverty who had a knowing smirk on her face. She knew as well as he did the affect that Gibbs' authority had on Tony. "Going to the Principle's office again?" He narrowed his eyes at her and started towards the stairs.

He watched Gibbs as he ascended the stairs and noticed that the older man looked tired. Gibbs' position of Assistant Director was more title than anything else since he acted mostly in a advisory capacity. Tony suspected that Vance kept the Marine around to keep Tony in line. He chuckled at the thought. Today, however, Gibbs looked tired. Something was up. Without a word, Gibbs turned and led Tony down the corridor toward his office.

Tony unconsciously straightened his shoulders as he entered the room and saw Director Vance sitting in a chair in front of Gibbs' desk. Tony took the seat next to him as Gibbs took his own behind the desk. He looked from one boss to the other. Clearly there was something amiss.

Vance spoke first. "We're sending you and your team to Israel."

"Excuse me?"

"Our Mossad brethren," Vance continued. "have asked us for a favor."

Tony swallowed hard and looked to Gibbs. "Ziva?"

Gibbs watched him without expression. "Her husband actually."

Tony nodded. It was common knowledge that Ziva had married Barak Tal, one of her father's top officers. Tony had met him briefly in Tel Aviv when he had defended himself to the Mossad for the death of Michael Rivkin. It had been Barak who had rescued Ziva from Somalia. She had married him a year later after returning to Israel. The year after that Eli David had died from cancer, and suddenly Ziva and Barak were in control of Mossad.

"And what kind of help could they need from us?" DiNozzo folded his arms across his chest defiantly.

The two superiors paused, and Tony was sure that they were doing it on purpose to add to the suspense. After a moment, Gibbs answered his question. "In the past three weeks, they have been received a number death threats. They would like us to investigate."

Another dramatic pause as Tony absorbed the information. He swallowed hard. More to force down the unbidden emotions that threatened to emerge than to actually lubricate his suddenly dry throat. He shifted in his seat. He would show nothing to Gibbs and Vance. "Surely that's nothing new. I mean, the Mossad has a lot of enemies."

"A paricular pattern has emerged as of late. Director Tal thinks that it's an internal threat." Vance informed him.

Tony furrowed his brow. "One of their own?"

"They want us to check it out. As a favor." Gibbs said. "You specifically."

Tony snorted. "And whose bright idea was that?"

Vance gave him the briefest of smiles. "Actually, I think you can thank your old pal McGee for this one."

"McGee?"

"He contacted us from Tel Aviv." Gibbs started. "He said that you're the only one that Ziva will trust to head up the investigation."

Now it took all he had in him not to laugh out loud. After the Rivkin debacle, Ziva had made it perfectly clear that Tony was the last person that she would trust. It had to be McGee. He had somehow convinced her that it was a good idea to send Tony in to help. Tony had been more than just a little miffed when Vance had offered McGee the title of NCIS liaison to the Mossad and shipped him off to Israel. On the other hand, it had given him the opportunity to keep an eye on Ziva. Besides, it wasn't as if Tony was going to just up and move half way across the world. Tony, under no uncertain terms, trusted no one in the Mossad. Yes, it had to be McGee who convinced her to ask NCIS for help. Which meant that Tim thought that it was serious.

"When do we leave?"

Gibbs and Vance watched him, clearly surprised at his sudden haste. "First thing in the morning." Gibbs said. "0530."

"Great." DiNozzo stood suddenly. "I'll have Spencer work up the intel. We can review it on the plane." He started for he door then paused and turned around. "Was there anything else?"

After a glance at Gibbs, Vance stood and moved to stand in front of him. "Things are not the same as they were five years ago. Director Tal is not as tolerant as Ziva's father was."

This time Tony did laugh. "Tolerant? That's not how I would describe Eli David, Director, but I'd love to hear your take on Hitler." Vance's solemn silence told Tony that his sarcasm was not appreciated.

"We're still allies of the Mossad, but I don't have the pull that I once did. Watch your back, DiNozzo."

Glancing past him, Tony made eye contact with Gibbs who nodded his agreement. Suddenly, all humor was gone. Tony nodded his understanding to his superiors and quietly left the room.

When they were alone, Vance looked to Gibbs. "You think he can handle this."

Gibbs nodded. "He's probably the only one who can."