The next day, after their session in the gym, Tony took them into a conference room,

"Stan, I want you to give us a rundown on what it was like to be a Senator's aide."

"What?" asked Gibbs and Stan simultaneously.

"I want you to give us a rundown on what it was like to be a Senator's aide," repeated Tony.

"Er … why?" asked Stan.

"Director Morrow put you on the team for a reason," said Tony, "You've got a rare insight into the workings of politics in DC. It seems a safe bet that we'll be running into senators and congressmen at some point. I'd like your take on how we should deal with them."

Gibbs muttered something under his breath.

"And no, Agent Gibbs, we can't shoot them," said Tony: he hadn't quite heard what Gibbs had said but he had a good idea of what it was.

Gibbs grinned at him and shrugged.

"Go on," said Tony, "start off by telling us what your job involved. Build from there."

"Well," said Stan, "It depended on what the Senator was doing. Sometimes it was meeting people from his State, attending committee hearings, meeting with his staff …"

After a hesitant beginning, Stan warmed to his theme. Tony, and finally Gibbs, threw in the occasional question and they ended up having a lively discussion about DC politics.

"Why did you go to work as an aide?" asked Gibbs. The implication was clear: Stan seemed a sensible guy so why sup with the devil?

"I was always interested in politics," said Stan lifting his chin in defiance of Gibbs' still jaundiced view of politicians. "How things get done. Why things got done. Why some things don't get done. I wanted to learn more and being an aide seemed a good way."

"So why move on to NCIS?" asked Gibbs.

"Guess I found out how and why things get done," said Stan, "And I decided I wanted to do something more practical. My Senator had an interest in the Navy so I got to go to hearings and meetings about it. My grandfather was a cop in Los Angeles so I guess it's in the blood somewhere. Navy cop seemed a good mix."

"Good enough," said Tony. "Lunch time. I've asked Dr Mallard and Miss Scuito to join us."

"You have?" asked Gibbs.

"My treat," said Tony, "Consider it compensation for me hijacking your lunchtime."

"I just wondered why," said Gibbs.

"Autopsy and Forensics will be important to us. Our cases will have priority over teams. I want to make sure we build a good working relationship with them."

"I already know Ducky and Abby," said Gibbs mildly.

"Then you can do the introductions," said Tony easily.

"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs," said Abby happily when the MCRT members joined her and Ducky in the break room. She ran up to him and hugged him. She then seemed to think this was impolite and hugged a startled Stan and appreciative Tony as well.

"Abs, Duck," said Gibbs, "this is Tony DiNozzo and Stan Burley."

"I know," said Abby brightly, "I mean I know Tony from his days at the Navy Yard before. And I guessed that this is Stan. Hi, guys!"

"Miss Scuito," said Burley politely.

"Abby," said Abby firmly, "if you're on Gibbs' team you're a friend. And friends call me Abby."

"Oh. Yes. Abby. Uh, nice to meet you, Abby," said Stan.

"Anthony," said Ducky, "it is wonderful to see you again. I have missed our discussions about movies. We will have to reinstate them now that you are returned to our midst. You must come and visit. Mother will be delighted to see her Italian gigolo once more!"

"Italian gigolo?" asked Stan.

"You didn't tell us about that when you gave us your career résumé," said Gibbs drily.

Tony blushed, "Mrs Mallard got the wrong end of the stick the first time I visited," he said.

"Why Italian gigolo?" asked Stan.

Tony looked at him, "You suggesting that the gigolo bit doesn't need explaining?" he demanded.

"No! No," said Stan as he realised what he'd suggested, "No, of course not, Sir. I didn't mean to imply that … although you are very good looking so you may not have any … I mean," he ground to a halt. "Actually, I'm not sure what I meant now. I'm sorry, Sir."

"Don't apologise," said Tony. Gibbs' ears pricked up as it appeared that Tony was about to show that he adhered to another of Gibbs' rules. "Or rather, only apologise if you've done something that needs forgiveness. And if you're really sorry."

"Yes, Sir," said Stan, "And believe me, I am really sorry."

Tony grinned. "To answer your question," he said, "Italian gigolo because my great grandparents came from Italy. Where did you think the name DiNozzo came from?"

"You speak Italian?" asked Gibbs intervening before Stan could launch into another involved explanation.

"Some," said Tony with an exaggerated shrug which seemed designed to indicate a Latin ancestry.

"His Spanish is better," broke in Abby. "He knows loads of cuss words!"

"I was about to say that I learnt it from our housekeeper," said Tony, "But that would give you the wrong impression of Consuela."

"When did you work at the Navy Yard the first time?" asked Gibbs.

"It was my first posting. I was on Chris Pacci's team for my first year," said Tony.

Gibbs nodded approvingly. Chris Pacci was one of the best agents working for NCIS and had a good reputation for training new agents.

"What did you do after that?" asked Stan.

"I moved around a lot," said Tony vaguely, "TAD in San Diego. Senior Field Agent in Hawaii. Spell as Agent Afloat."

"Anthony has lots of tee-shirts," pronounced Ducky.

Four pairs of eyes focussed on the doctor in puzzlement.

"You know," said Ducky, "Been there, got the tee-shirt."

"Right," said Tony after the moment of silence due Ducky's unexpected comment, "Let's eat. I'll run through some proposals I have for Ducky and Abby. I suggest that we each spend a half day watching Abby and Ducky work. Not necessarily an autopsy," Tony added quickly as he saw a grimace on Stan's face, "I know we've all had to watch one of those as part of our training. No, I want us to get an idea about how we can best interact with Ducky and Abby – how not to get in their way, how best to present evidence to them, how long their reports will take."

"That sounds splendid," said Ducky, "Although, of course, you are always welcome in my domain, I do confess that a modicum of order and respect would be welcome as I prefer to maintain a seemly and solemn aspect in autopsy. And I would be happy to draw a list of suggested behaviours. I recognise that there will be occasions …"

"Thank you, Ducky," interrupted Tony, "Perhaps I should be your first visitor and you can brief me on those proposals. Abby, are you happy for us to spend some time with you?"

Abby's face lit up. "I would love for you to come and spend time with me and Bert."

"Bert's her hippo," said Tony in an aside to Stan, "Her farting hippo."

Stan looked at Tony in bemusement.

"Her stuffed farting hippo," Tony added and then realising that Stan was still dazed by this revelation, continued, "Her stuffed farting toy hippo."

Stan nodded, still puzzled but relieved that Abby's lab wasn't dominated by a life size hippo.

"Send me times that would suit," requested Tony, "And we'll arrange something. And, when MCRT is on rotation, I'd like you both to come and spend time watching what we do. What our pressures are."

"That would be so cool," beamed Abby.

"That would be a most worthwhile use of my time," said Ducky more moderately.

Abby and Ducky left soon afterwards and Stan got called away to fill out more forms for HR.

"What's the idea about sessions with Ducky and Abby?" asked Gibbs.

"Partly for Stan," said Tony, "I don't want to waste time once we're up and running with him learning how to cope with Ducky and Abby. You'll admit they take some adjusting to."

"You said partly," queried Gibbs, "What's the other part?"

"It's been a while since you worked here," said Tony, "Things may have changed. I think it would be good to get up to speed. And it's more than two years since I was based here so the same applies to me. And it's no hardship to spend time with Abby and Ducky, is it?"

Gibbs didn't answer but took another mouthful of sandwich instead. He guessed he was going to have to come to terms with working with someone who believed in the benefits of talking things through.

NCISNCIS

The next day, after the PT session, Tony took his team to the garage.

"We gonna learn how to drive now?" asked Gibbs.

"I've read your file, Agent Gibbs," said Tony, "I know about your driving. Hell, the whole of the Navy Yard knows about your driving!"

"I don't," offered Stan.

"Don't be in a hurry to find out," suggested Tony. "Although you're young enough that losing a few years off your life won't matter so much to you."

Stan looked at Gibbs for explanation but his co-worker simply shrugged and looked innocent.

"I wanted to introduce you," said Tony.

"Someone else joining the team?" asked Stan.

"In a manner of speaking," said Tony, "Look!" He pointed to a vehicle parked in a corner of the garage. "It's our MCRT truck."

"We get a truck?" asked Gibbs with a smile.

"Sure do. First visit to a crime scene we'll need plenty of gear. Easier to take it all in the truck. I want us to get used to driving it. And getting to know where all the gear is stowed. Stan, it'll be your job to keep it stocked. OK?"

Stan nodded enthusiastically.

"Today we're going to go out driving in the truck. We'll take it in turns but, and it's a big but, I warn you that I get carsick when the driving's not smooth. I don't intend to spend my working day drugged up on Dramamine so you'd better learn how to drive properly."

Gibbs and Stan looked at each other speculatively and Tony wondered if they were thinking what it would be like to have him permanently on drugs. He decided to spare them the information about his reactions to medicines but provided another clincher to his argument,

"And if I get motion sickness when you're driving – well, you clean up after me. OK, I'm driving first!"

His co-workers were almost relieved to hear that after his threats and made their way to the passenger door. Stan acknowledged his position in the team hierarchy by taking the seat in the middle.

"Where we going?" asked Gibbs.

"We're going to make sure we know the way to key sites," said Tony, "Quantico, Pax River, Annapolis … and we'll head to Norfolk one day. We'll go at different times of day – get to know traffic patterns, work out alternate routes. Oh, and we'll go to Rock Creek Park."

"Why?" asked Stan, "There isn't a navy base there, is there?"

"Gibbs?" said Tony, "Care to explain."

"Stan," said Gibbs, "You'll find out. For some reason sailors seem to end up dead in Rock Creek Park all the time. Say," he continued, "We should test out Shenandoah as well. Unless things have changed since I've been away."

"Good thought," said Tony.

"You're kidding," said Stan twisting his head to look at both of them, "Aren't you?"

"Oh, Stan," sighed Tony, "Oh, to be as innocent as a new Probie!"

The new MCRT didn't go to Rock Creek Park that day so Stan was unable to test out Gibbs and Tony's statement but he did get a chance to drive the truck and was relieved that he didn't make Tony carsick. Stan also couldn't understand Tony's veiled hints about Gibbs' driving as the older man had driven the truck in an exemplary manner. Tony's contented expression at the end of the day was proof that he hadn't had to break out the Dramamine.

"We're going to look at some old case files tomorrow," he announced, "Get a feel for some real-life action."

NCISNCIS

Gibbs was surprised when he got to the Navy Yard the next morning and found Tony dressed in a smart charcoal grey suit. So far, his new Boss had continued to favour jeans and casual tops.

"Didn't tell us to dress up," Gibbs commented.

"What?" asked Tony.

"Suit," said Gibbs, "And tie."

"Oh," said Tony as he smoothed down the dark blue tie. "Yeah, I'm going to have to leave you with the case files this morning."

Gibbs was about to ask why when he was interrupted.

"Hey, nice suit," said Stan, "Were we supposed to be dressing up today?"

"What is it," grumbled Tony, "I come to work in a suit and it's all you can talk about."

"Oh," said Stan, "It's just …"

"That so far you've looked as if you're allergic to ties," Gibbs finished for him.

Tony smoothed the tie again, "I'll have you know that, according to Ducky, I can be very dapper when the occasion calls for it."

"Dapper?" said Gibbs and Stan together.

Tony looked at them sourly, "Good to see the team building's working," he said, "we just need to extend it in my direction too."

Gibbs and Stan continued to show solidarity and stared at Tony.

"OK. I'm in court today. This is my court suit."

"Why are you in court?" asked Stan anxiously, perhaps thinking it was something to do with being a gigolo.

"I'm giving evidence," said Tony a little coolly, "In one of my cases. It's one of the things that happens when you're an NCIS agent, Agent Burley."

"Ah," said Stan, "Yes, that makes more sense."

"More sense than what?" asked Tony a little dangerously.

"Than nothing," said Stan.

Tony stared at him a little longer to make his point and then spoke, "I'll be gone most of the morning. I want you to look at these old cases and evaluate the evidence, the reports … see what you think is good and what could have been done better. Write it up and we'll discuss them tomorrow."

Stan and Gibbs looked a little forlornly at the heap of folders. Tony sighed as he realised how, unexpectedly, his two agents were similar in many ways.

"Couldn't we come too?" asked Stan who definitely seemed to be losing his diffidence.

"What?" said Tony.

"Couldn't we come too? To watch," said Stan, "I haven't seen an agent giving evidence before." He turned big eyes on Tony not realising that he was increasing his resemblance to the Labrador puppy.

"Not a bad idea," contributed Gibbs who also didn't relish a morning with old files. "I remember my first time in court. Made me nervous."

"I find that hard to believe, Agent Gibbs," said Tony sceptically. "Oh, all right, come on. I'll fill you in on the case as we go. Richard Connolly is accused of …"

Tony turned to pick up his briefcase. Stan gave Gibbs a thumbs up as Tony's back was turned and was rewarded by the ghost of a wink.

NCISNCIS

"That was impressive, wasn't it?" said Stan as he and Gibbs drove back to the Navy Yard later that morning. Tony had remained at the court in case he was needed again.

"How so?" asked Gibbs.

"Agent DiNozzo was so calm. Didn't allow the defence lawyer to rile him but wasn't patronising or anything. I'd have believed him."

"I hope you don't think NCIS agents would stand up and lie on oath," said Gibbs severely.

"No, of course not," said Stan. "And especially Agent DiNozzo. Of course not. But if I was a juror and didn't know that NCIS agents always speak the truth, I'd have believed him."

"Glad to hear it," said Gibbs drily.

"I think I'll ask him where he got the suit."

"What?" asked Gibbs.

"It was a trustworthy suit."

"What?" repeated Gibbs. "What the hell does that mean?"

"I don't know," admitted Stan, "but it made him look trustworthy. Upstanding. I think it's a look I may need."

"I don't know about the suit," said Gibbs, "But you're right. He did well. That defence lawyer got more and more frustrated and DiNozzo just got calmer and calmer. Good tactic."

"Do you think the defendant will be found guilty?"

"Can never tell. Lot hinges on NCIS testimony."

"Slam dunk then," said Stan, "The testimony was great. And then there's the suit …"

NCISNCIS

Gibbs was sitting with Ducky later that afternoon. He and Stan had finished going through the old cases but Tony hadn't joined them, the prosecution lawyer wanted him on hand in case he was called again.

"May I ask how are you enjoying your new team, Jethro?" asked Ducky.

"Burley seems a good kid," said Gibbs, "Bright, willing, eager."

"Like so many Probies who have gone before," reflected Ducky wistfully, "I hope the shine doesn't come off him too soon. Stanley reminds me of a young lad in my village in Scotland. The son of the Factor at the big house," Ducky sighed.

"And?" asked Gibbs waiting for a tragic punchline.

"And?" replied Ducky coming out of his reverie, "Oh. And nothing. He just reminds me of him. Nothing more. They have the same colour hair. And the same expression."

"Like a Labrador," suggested Gibbs.

"More like a Dandie Dinmont Terrier," countered the Scottish patriot, "But I see what you mean. And what about Special Agent DiNozzo?"

"What about him? You mean what sort of dog is he like?"

"No," said Ducky crossly, "That isn't what I mean – as you well know. Although I believe there is an Italian Greyhound which is a rather elegant breed … But you are not going to distract me. What do you think of Anthony?"

Gibbs was about to open when his cell rang. He lifted a finger to ask Ducky to wait and answered,

"Gibbs."

"Agent Gibbs, Agent Burley here. Stan. I think there's something wrong."

"What's wrong, Stan?"

"I think I've just seen Agent DiNozzo being forced into a car by a couple of men. One of them looked like someone who was in court this morning …"