DISCLAIMER - see chapter 1

AN - Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and follows. It is very inspiring to know that you like my story.

AN - Someone also asked if Gibbs really could actually fire anyone. The answer is yes and no. He can fire someone from his team. But he cannot fire anyone from NCIS. I even found proof that Gibbs has threatened to fire his agents before. In the Season 2 episode Pop Life, the team is in the bullpen.

Tony is texting something to Ducky,

Gibbs - You Done?

Tony - Almost

Gibbs - Done or Fired. Those are your choices!

Tony - Done

Tony immediately puts the phone away

Chapter 2

Tim and Ziva caught a cab back to the NCIS building. On the way they discussed their situation.

"Can he do that?" Ziva asked.

"Probably not." Tim shrugged. "He clearly doesn't want us on his team any longer, but he can't fire us from NCIS. We need to go see Director Vance and explain what has happened. And hopefully we can do it before Gibbs and Tony get back."

Back at the Navy Yard, Ziva and Tim were fortunate enough to get an immediate meeting with the director, who sat back in his chair, twirling a pencil on his fingers as the two agents crossed the carpet to stand in front of his desk.

"Agents, what can I do for you?" he asked with a slightly suspicious air.

Ziva and Tim exchanged a glance, and after Ziva's acknowledging nod, Tim started off.

"Director Vance, our team was investigating Petty Officer Beck. Actually an exterminator found the body and called us. We found him in a hot tub, floating in stagnant water. The tub had been red-flagged as a contaminated site under HAZMAT guidelines, and needed to be cleaned up by the appropriate personnel. Agent Gibbs was anxious to get the body back to NCIS for autopsy and decided he couldn't wait for the HAZMAT team. Agent Gibbs directed me to retrieve the body from the hot tub. I pointed out that we didn't have the proper protective gear with us, and that the only equipment available was a pair of knee-high boots which were, given the depth of water in the tub, insufficient.

In view of the dangers – we know that the hot tub has been tagged for malaria carrying mosquitoes - I argued that for the sake of my health, we ought to wait for the HAZMAT team. Agent Gibbs seemed totally to ignore my concerns and merely said 'Swim, Tim'. Out of consideration for my health and safety, I refused to get into the tub, and repeated that we should wait for a properly equipped team. Gibbs then repeated his order that I should get into the tub, and I turned around and gave him a flat 'No'.

Gibbs then told me that if I continued to disobey him that I was fired and that he would see to it that I never worked at NCIS again.

Director Vance listened to McGee with growing disbelief, "And did anyone call for a HAZMAT team?" he growled.

"I don't think so - at least not while we were there." Tim replied.

"Give me the address and I will call out a HAZMAT team." Vance picked up his cell phone and called the HAZMAT office, requesting an urgent call out to the address of the hot tub. He added that there may also be a dead body in the hot tub, and there may or may not be an NCIS team at that location. He also demanded that the HAZMAT team call him back ASAP when they were done, to advise what was happening.

"What do we do now, Director? Gibbs said he didn't want to see us again." Tim asked.

"That's just his ego talking. He didn't like the fact that two of his team members dared to say NO to him. And you were both right to say no. Your health is definitely more important than dredging for a body. I want you both to go back to your desks and start working on some cold cases. You are both still employed here. He does not have the right to fire you, although if he wants you off his team, that can certainly be arranged. If Gibbs has a problem with you still working, tell him to come see me, and I will deal with him. I will also let you know what the HAZMAT team finds out, ok?"

Tim and Ziva nodded and the tension disappeared from Tim's body as he finally relaxed. They both disappeared back to their desks and began working the cold cases. An hour later the elevator dinged and Tony and Gibbs both entered the bullpen. Seconds later a loud slam and a crash was heard as a computer monitor hit the floor and was smashed.

"What did I tell you? I told that you are fired. I said I did not want to see you again!" Gibbs screamed.

"AGENT GIBBS!" Vance yelled from his position at the top of the stairs. "MY OFFICE - NOW!"

Gibbs glared at Ziva and Tim and went upstairs.

Tony sidled up to Ziva and in a loud whisper, he asked, "What are you doing back here? You broke his rules. You talked back to Gibbs. That is a huge no-no. Boy, are you in big trouble now. He said he didn't want to see you ever again."

Ziva ignored Tony and continued with her typing. Tim just sat on his chair and did nothing. It was his monitor that Gibbs had broken. He made no attempt to clean up the mess either.

Gibbs stormed past the director, past his assistant, slammed open the director's door and stalked into the office, where he proceeded to pace up and down between the door, and the table. Director Vance paused to tell his assistant to allow no interruptions, "unless it's my wife or the SecNav," and then followed Gibbs into his office, closing the door behind him.

"What are they still doing here? I fired them, Leon. I told them I did not want to see them on NCIS property again. They were being disrespectful and rude and they refused to do what I told them to do. Is my word not law around here?"

"No Gibbs, it is NOT. MY word is the law." roared Vance. "Your word only covers your team and that is as far as it goes. You have kicked those two off your team. Fine, that's your decision. But know this - you do NOT get to ask for them back. Now you have to find two replacements.

"McGee and David are NOT being kicked out of NCIS. They are both far too valuable to let go, just like that. I have other ideas for them. I will find them desks elsewhere in the bullpen but they are still agents of this federal agency. I do NOT want to hear you or DiNozzo disparaging them in any way. If I hear any scuttlebutt that says that you and DiNozzo are hazing, teasing or physically assaulting David or McGee in any way, I will come down hard on both of you. Do you understand?"

Gibbs opened his mouth to object again.

"DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND?" Vance repeated again.

Gibbs nodded. Vance continued.

"Now I have two questions. One - Why did you not call a HAZMAT team as McGee was requesting?"

"Leon, HAZMAT teams can take hours to set up and remove the water and anything in it. I need Ducky to autopsy that body now. "

"The body can wait. Tim was right you know. His health is far more important that getting a body down to the autopsy room. My second question is. Why did you destroy McGee's computer? Do not deny it. I saw you pick it up and throw it to the flooras soon as you spotted him still sitting at his desk. I have never seen that expression on your face before - ever. The cost of that monitor WILL be coming out of your salary, Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs shrugged. He really didn't care about the cost of the computer being taken out of his salary, He was far more upset by the fact that two of his agents had had the gall to say NO to him.

Vance continued speaking. "And now that you have kicked your computer tech off your team, you will have to use one of the techs from the cybercrimes unit. I suggest you go and find a tech who might be willing to help. And tell DiNozzo that he is forbidden from hazing, teasing or physically assaulting McGee and David in any way, or he will be punished - as will you. That means NO MORE headslaps, Capiche?"

Gibbs snorted as he decided that he had had enough and headed to the door.

"I mean it Gibbs!" This last was yelled by Vance as Gibbs yanked open the door and disappeared out of the office.