Disclaimer: I Do Not own NCIS, nor am I making a profit from what I'm doing in DPB's sandbox. If I was making a profit my name would be Thom E. Gemcity and I'd be world famous.

Authors Note: When I started "El Viejo" I was going to try and stay back in the day with Mike and Gibbs. Didn't work. USA Network (damn them) showed "Faking It" the other day. You know me, can't resist a tag. Sooo, this is my take on where Mike went after he walked away from Gibbs in front of the El Ejecutivo Hotel…. The bit of business between Gibbs and Mike is from the show. The quote from Gunny Hartman is from Full Metal Jacket.

Spoilers: "Faking It" Season 4 Episode 4

"To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to die."- Thomas Campbell

"Marines die, that's what we're here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means YOU live forever."- Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, Full Metal Jacket

In Front of the El Ejecutivo Hotel, Late Afternoon

Mike Franks was walking away from the hotel when Gibbs' voice stopped him.

"Hey, you got that audio tape?"

Franks turned back and handed over the tape.

"Beer's gettin' warm."

Mike pivoted back the way he'd been going and moved off smartly. The tape had been the object of the last half of the case.

Franks hoped Gibbs wouldn't be too disappointed when the "evidence" on the tape turned out to be mariachi music. Evidence that was supposed to be used against Arkady Kobach's arms dealing.

That was the bad news. The good news was, that at this very moment Arkady Kobach was rapidly assuming room temperature courtesy of two rounds from Mike's .45

Kobach's right hand man, Nikolai Puchenko was sitting in an NCIS holding cell for killing former Petty Officer Jack T. Vale. Vale had been part of Mike's original investigation of Kobach fifteen years ago.

"Not a bad day's work." thought Mike "Now I've got to get clear before the shit hits the fan."

Once word of Kobach's death got out, people were going to be upset.

Chiefly, Roy Carver, currently Homeland Security, formerly CIA. Carver had been Kobach's case agent. Probably still was.

Roy Carver had been a thorn in Mike's side fifteen years ago. He almost had been again, but Franks had outmaneuvered him.

By implying he had evidence that could nail Kobach, Mike had gotten himself placed in protective custody. He then "kidnapped" himself. In the process he had had to knock out Tony DiNozzo. Mike felt bad about that.

The "kidnapping" had set in motion the events that culminated with Mike now walking away from the El Ejecutivo with a "cat that ate the canary" grin on his face.

Several hours later, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Mike Franks walked along the Memorial. Destination, Panel 14 East. The eastern arm of the Memorial pointed towards the Washington Monument. The western arm towards the Lincoln Memorial.

There was the usual amount of tourists today. Also there were a lot of guys and gals like Mike, eyes searching, looking for the names of friends long gone.

As he reached Panel 14E the memories came flooding back like a slide show.

Twelve year olds, Mike Franks and Davey Wayne fishing in one of the many bayous around Alexandria, LA…during school hours.

Mike's dad giving the 12 year old a choice, a grounding (which means no Davey) or a whipping for the fishing stunt. Mike takes the whipping.

High School. State baseball championships. Davey and Mike executing a double steal in the bottom of the ninth with one out. Steal successful. Man at the plate smacks a single scoring both Davey and Mike, winning the game and the championship.

After High School. Davey fresh out of jump school. Paratrooper boots, jump wings and Screaming Eagle patch. Ready to ship out. Hand shake, Ah Hell, hug. "Watch your ass, Davey."

Funeral. Flag draped closed casket, with Davey's jump school graduation picture. Closed casket, because the booby trapped dud 105mm round hadn't left much of Davey, his El-Tee and the radioman.

Mike shook off the memories and moved closer to the Wall. Yup, there it was. DAVID WAYNE. Every time he came, he hoped it wouldn't be there, but it always was.

He ran his fingers along the name. Closed his eyes. Took a deep breath and walked away. He had one more stop to make.

Early Evening, Charlie's Bar, Two blocks from the Navy Yard

As he pushed through the door of the bar, Mike hoped he could cross this last item off his to do list.

He was in luck. At the bar, nursing what looked like a scotch and water was Special Agent Tony DiNozzo.

"How's the head, DiNozzo." growled Mike.

His reverie broken, Tony's head snapped around.

"Hey, Mike figured you'd be halfway to Mexico by now."

"Nah, I had some personal business to wrap up."

Mike motioned to the bartender.

"Let me have a Corona, with a slice of lime. Get my son here another of whatever that is he's drinkin'."

Tony laughed at the "son" reference.

"Ya know they're kind of pissed at you back there, Mike."

DiNozzo pointed with his thumb back towards the Yard.

"By 'them' do you mean that lady Director of yours, DiNozzo?"

"Well yeah…"

"She'll get over it."

As the drinks came, Mike went to light a cigarette. He stopped when the bartender gave him the "fish eye".

"Goddam, el Norte," thought Mike "can't even smoke and drink anymore."

Finishing his beer, Mike stood and clapped Tony on the shoulder.

"Didn't mean to hit you so hard, Tony. Must be losin' my touch."

"Was that an apology, Mike?"

Franks glared at the younger man.

"Did you hear the word 'Sorry' anywhere in there, DiNozzo?"

"Ah…No"

Mike smiled and nodded.

"See ya around, hotshot."

Tony watched the older man swagger out of Charlie's, on his way to Mexico.

A/N: There are 58,261 names on the Wall. There was only one Wayne. He was an Air Force Colonel who died as a result of noncombat injury. He in no way resembles my character. No disrespect is intended or implied.