Tuesday being an office first day, they all showed up at NCIS-Navy Yard at 0900.

Gibbs, Cosmo, Dean and Remy arrived first with Tim and Tony one elevator ride behind. Jimmy and Ducky were in the morgue, a quick call from Jimmy to Tony confirmed this.

Gibbs, Tim and Tony checked email while Cosmo and Dean sat down to a pile of cold cases. Remy wandered up to MTAC to make a call down to SEAL CenCom; his work was still top secret but Tony had found out that they weren't in line for the op he was working on. The Tactical Center needed a few last bits put together, so Remy was still on the assignment.

Tony grumbled a bit but settled in soon enough; cold cases always made him restless.

He wasn't restless long. Remy trotted down the stairs and saluted sharply. Tony looked up, startled.

"Sir! Permission to speak, sir!"

Tony stood up saluted back and replied, "Permission granted."

Remy dropped into At Ease at Tony's permission to speak. "I need a ride down to CenCom in Yorktown, sir."

Tony sighed. "What the fuck?"

"Don't know, sir. My orders from Command are to get there soonest. Sir." Remy kept his eyes on a point just to the left of Tony's eyes.

"Okay, get the stick out of your butt and come on. I'll fire up the RotorWay Jet Exec, down Port-side. Let's go." Tony glowered at Remy. "And for god's sake, as you were."

The trotted off to get out the chopper, Tony calling over his shoulder, "Sorry, Boss, no idea how long this is going to take."

Gibbs just hollered back, "Fly safe, Navy."

Tony and Remy disappeared into the elevator. Gibbs eyed his phone with disfavor. "McGee. You got a number for Belt?"

Tim sighed. "No, but I do have one for one of the computer techs I met. If he's on duty, he'll give me all he's permitted."

Gibbs nodded. "That'll do. Call and see if he knows how long Tony'll be."

Cosmo interrupted, "I'd wait at least two hours. Give someone time to actually know something."

Gibbs glanced at him then allowed, "Probably right."

Tim silently sighed his relief. He didn't mind making that sort of call, except when it was too soon. Nothing shut down the information pipeline like a pissed off informant.

Gibbs figured it out, after consulting with Dean, that the top speed of the chopper was about 100mph. Since the distance was right at 160 mi. it was going to take about 2 hrs to make the trip. About half what it would take by road.

Tony flew fast, the air was clear and the weather cooperative. He made good time, taking just under the projected time. He landed in a parking lot that had been cleared for that purpose.

Remy waited until the rotors wound down then hopped out. Tony took his time with post-flight checks then followed him.

They met with Belt and Captain McKinley in the small conference room off McKinley's office. The news was good and bad. Good in that Tony's team didn't have to go deal. Bad in that the team on site had found nothing worth reporting. This meant that their tango was still in the wind. And, for all they knew, headed their way.

Tony spent an hour going over all the intel. Remy went over it all again. They didn't see anything new but sent it to an analysis team for a third look over. They all hoped the team might find something they'd missed.

Belt glanced at his watch then said, "Might as well head out. You won't be flying over to deal. We've got a team in place, just waiting for something to break. If there's anything going on over here, you'll be in place to deal. Go home, get some rest. Do not go back to NCIS and spend hours angsting over this. Land at Quantico if you have to."

Tony just saluted and left, Remy at his heels.

The ride back was even faster, as they had a tail wind most of the way.

Tony landed at the Yard, right in front of his hanger. He got Remy to help him fold the rotor and strap it to the tail, then they pushed the small chopper into the hanger, locked the door and left.

Remy sighed. "I got a bad feeling about this. Something's gonna blow."

Tony nodded. "Me too. I just hope the destruction doesn't include innocent civilians."

"So, enlisted aren't innocent?" Remy bopped Tony on the shoulder.

"Yes. Yes, they are. But they're in the service, it's different. Can't say exactly how, but it is." Tony unlocked his vehicle then asked, "Ride?"

"Na. I got wheels. Gibbs left me a company car." Remy jingled the keys.

"Okay. See you in the morning. Gym." Tony snickered as he drove away.

Remy gave Tony's retreating tail lights the finger then left too.

.

When Tony arrived at his apartment the lights were on. He entered and called, "Tim?"

"In here." Tim's voice came from the kitchen. "I'm making stew. It's about done and the bread is heat and eat. I was hoping you'd be home soon. I'm starved."

Tony put his gun and badge away, dropped his coat onto the door-side chair and stripped out of his boots. He padded into the kitchen to sit down at the table and wait.

He didn't have to wait long, Tim shoved a cup of coffee his way first thing. "Bread should be hot in about five minutes. Butter?"

Tony sipped appreciatively. "Yeah, that's the stuff. Butter's good."

Tim grinned, a sly look in his eye. "Like having a house-husband, do you?"

Tony promptly choked on his coffee. He coughed and sputtered for a minute then griped, "Asshole. Shit like that should be illegal. I'll get you back, just you wait and see."

Tim rolled his eyes. "Okay, you do that. Next time you spend three hours flying that dragonfly chopper of yours, don't come whining to me that you're starved." He plonked a bowl of stew in front of Tony. "Here. Bread will be ready as soon as it's sliced." He finished prep by slicing the bread and dishing himself a bowl of the savory stew.

They settled in to eat the stew, hot buttery bread and drink the whole pot of coffee. They talked idly of this and that, Tim carefully avoiding any mention of the reason for the trip to Yorktown. They cleaned up the kitchen, squabbling absently about who should do what.

After cleaning the kitchen they sat down and made their lists out.

.

The next week went by quickly. The whole group gathered for exercise then split to their various jobs. Team Gibbs worked cold cases, as Tony still wasn't released. The SEALs all had nothing to do so they also worked cold cases. NCIS didn't have any rules about TADs from outside sources, only that they had to be qualified to carry in order to go into the field. Anyone who thought that three veteran SEALs weren't qualified was plain blind stupid.

They were all a bit relieved to find that it was Friday, 1700 and time to go home.

When Tim asked Tony what they were doing on Saturday, he winked in a mysterious way and said they'd find out when they found out.

Gibbs, already aware of what was going on, just made a face and kept his silence.

The group met up at Quantico with their go bags in hand. Much to Tim and Jimmy's astonishment, they boarded a plane and flew for about two hours. They landed in Connecticut.

They were met by a young Petty Officer named Porter, who cheerfully asked who they'd offended that they were 'working a boat'. Tony went stone faced and said, "That'd be me." PO Porter paled, shut up and drove them to a sandy beach.

On the way Dean hissed, "AJ, damnit, make him piss himself, why don'cha?"

Tony replied, "I'm just getting a bit tired of all the disrespect. Just because I'm easy going, doesn't mean I want people walking all over me."

Cosmo nodded. "No. No, you don't. I don't understand why you put up with as much as you do."

"Because being an idiot frat boy was part of my cover. It's blown now. Thank God. And I'm done. Now. Boat exercise, log, and surf. Bitch now or forever hold your peace." He smirked at the group.

Gibbs hadn't done boat exercise, that being a specifically SEAL thing. But he'd done log and surf, both of which he remembered with disfavor, to be polite.

Jimmy, all innocent cheerfulness, announced, "Oh, man, I love boats and surfing. I've never managed to actually surf before, the board rent is too expensive for me. But ... this is going to be fun."

Tim, however, voiced his concerns. "Um ... guys, AJ? You know I get seasick. I don't think a boat is such a good idea."

Cosmo replied, rather grimly. "You have no idea. But don't worry about getting seasick. You won't."

The PO drove them onto the beach, handed out boonie hats and pointed down toward the surf. "There's your Zodiac and the log is that way about a half mile." He pointed north then clambered into the truck and started it back up. He shouted, "Pick up'll come when you call," and drove off.

Tony took his hat, pulled a shemagh out of his pocket, folded it and tucked it into the top of the hat. The rest of his SEAL team did the same. Gibbs followed suit, only with a bandana handkerchief. He knew he was going to have a headache in about three hours, but he didn't own a shemagh. He was pleased when Tony tossed one into his face. "Thanks, AJ." Tony's grin had him smiling back.

The rest of the team copied Tony, Cosmo helped Jimmy while Dean gave Tim a hand.

Tony then led them down to the Zodiac. "Gentlemen and SEALs. You SEALs know exactly what this is, the rest of you will learn quickly. This is your best friend. You will take him everywhere with you. You will not put him down until I say. You will eat with him. You will march with him. You will treat him like he holds your life in his hands. Because he does."

Dean, Cosmo and Remy all groaned. Gibbs kept silent. One thing he'd learned early and well, 'If a DI wants your opinion, he will either beat it out of you or give it to you.'

Tony pointed to loops of rope along the sides of the Zodiac as he called names. He walked down the port side. "Dean! Cosmo! Remy!" Then up the starboard. "Tim! Jimmy! Gibbs!" He eyed them for a moment. "And don't think my bit is any easier. I've got to keep an eye on all you lugnuts to make sure you don't kill yourselves."

When Tony barked, "Up!" Everyone grabbed a loop and lifted. The command of, "On top!" confused Tim and Jimmy. But when Cosmo, Dean and Remy put the Zodiac on top of their heads, they went along. Gibbs had an idea what was expected and managed to do what he was supposed to do. The idea that the shorter men would have less of a load was soon changed. The boat was floppy enough that everyone was carrying the same weight. On top of their heads. At a hard jog trot.

Tony didn't have it any easier, he'd taken the bow of the boat by himself.

He led them down the beach to the log. "Down." They put the Zodiac down in the soft, dry sand. Everyone groaned when Tony pointed, "Surf."

The SEALs immediately waded into the surf up to their knees, they then lay down in it, arms linked together and began to do sit ups. Tim and Jimmy stared but Gibbs linked arms with Dean and joined in.

Tony got right behind Tim and Jimmy and yelled, "Well? What the fucking hell are you two lugnuts waiting for? Engraved invitations? Get down in the damn water and get to work."

Jimmy made a sound like a stepped on mouse while Tim darted to Gibbs and added himself to the chain. Jimmy started when Tony goosed him and scurried to the other end of the line with Tony right behind him.

Tony's command of "Rest!" left the SEALs bitching and moaning.

Tim grumbled, "At least he's letting us rest." He was soon realizing why every SEAL was unhappy. The water was a bit chilly at about 50 degrees and had felt good at first. But the longer they lay in it the colder they got, until they were all shivering.

When he was as cold as he could stand, Tony ordered, "Out." They all stood up and followed Tony to the soft sand, and the log.

Again, Tony and Remy held the log until everyone was laying down in a row then they walked the log onto their chests. At the order "Up!" they pushed the log up in a companion dead lift and held it until Tony and Remy were on each end of the line. Then they did alternating 'bench' presses and weighted sit ups, in unison. They were soon hot again. And their clothing was full of sand.

Tony finally ordered them to put the log down, over head, and not just drop it either.

The next part was sit ups again. But they were accompanied with leg lifts, a combination exercise that was done by doing a sit up, then a leg lift, then touching the elbows to their bent knees.

When everyone was panting, Tony had them get up and 'love' their boat. In other words, hoist the heavy thing onto their heads and jog. He pointed out a finger of rocks that jutted into the sea. "There's the food. Let's go."

When they made it to the rocks, Gibbs started to put the boat down. Tony yelled, "SEALs don't just drop something because they want to, Marine. You wait until you get an order before you crap. Got me?"

Gibbs shouted, "Sir! Yes, Sir!"

"Good. We'll turn you into a SEAL yet." He handed out MRE/s.

This was when Tim, Jimmy and Gibbs learned that they didn't get to put the boat down to eat. They balanced it on their heads. And they weren't allowed to feed themselves, they were buddied up with the man across the boat from them and had to take turns feeding each other. Tony was the only man not buddied up. Remy was buddies with Jimmy for the drill. He gobbled his MRE as fast as he could, keeping an eye on the rest while he did. He decided to have mercy, such as it was, on them and let them eat two meals. He took Remy's place and let him hand out the second serving. He fed Jimmy while Jimmy fed him.

The next chore was to run back to the log. But Tony didn't let them take the hard, damp sand near the sea, they ran in the soft sand, making the chore twice as difficult.

Another revolution of surf and log, saw them all shivering and half frozen. Tim saw the sun start down behind the horizon and he started to put the boat down, assuming that they were done for the day. Dean stopped him before Tony noticed, "NO! Man, this is a 48 hour exercise. Do not do anything without orders."

Tony did notice but, since Dean had stopped Tim from actually doing anything, he let it slide.

The next order was a bit odd to Tim, Jimmy and Gibbs, but all the SEALs had been through it.

"Ok, ladies, let's wave the sun good night." Tony had them all line up and wave to the sun as it set.

While they waved he walked the line. "That's right, wave good night. Think of the hot shower and warm bed that we could have been in. Only we, poor souls that we are, decided to be SEALs. SEALs don't need warm beds, or hot showers. We live on gun powder and lead. We march until we want to drop, then we march some more. We do so that others don't have to. We sacrifice so that others stay safe. Now ..." he watched as the last thin bit of sun disappeared. "Pick up that damn boat and get going. We'll sleep at the rocks."

Tony watched the last of the sunset, just as exhausted as his men, and knew that he was going to have to set an alarm, if he was to be up in 45 minutes. That's all the sleep he was going to get, or allow his men.

When the alarm in his watch went off, right in his ear, Tony woke everyone up by the simple expedient of yelling at them until they were on their feet. The sleep hadn't helped that much and it was now full dark. But that didn't make any difference, they continued the exercise.

They alternately roasted, sweating from exertion, and froze in the surf. They sat up, ran, and did as ordered. Not that Tony had it any easier, he did twice the work as he checked his men, helped carry the boat and joined in on the surf and log exercises.

Tim gritted his teeth and stuck with it. Gibbs was grimly silent and managed to help Tim here and there. Jimmy cried a bit, but no one said anything. They all gripped, groaned and swore.

Every trip to the ridge of rock resulted in a meal, every meal let to another run in the loose, dry sand.

On one trip Jimmy showed his mettle. "Tony, we're stopping."

Tony got in his face. "And why would we stop? Tired, Gremlin? Suck it up."

"Yes, I'm tired. But that's not why we're stopping. I want to do a hydration check. I don't think we're drinking enough." Jimmy met Tony's glower with a level gaze of his own.

Tony eyed him for a moment, then barked, "Boat down. Mark time."

Jimmy did his health check while everyone marched in place, even Tony.

"Not drinking enough. I want everyone to drink at least 12 oz within the next fifteen minutes and that much more every hour." He checked where they were. "If we go back to the rocks, we can get more to drink. I know we're supposed to be at the log but I don't want to drop out because I pass out."

Tony nodded. "Boat up!" He led the group back to the rocks and had them, finally, put the boat down. He helped Jimmy pass out drinks. The exhausted men gratefully stood and drank the extra fluids; the respite from carrying the boat was more than welcome.

Tony took the time to look everyone over carefully. Dean, Cosmo and Remy were no more miserable than he'd expected. Gibbs was stoic, but the grim set of his mouth and shoulders told Tony that he was at the edge. Tim looked like he'd fall down at any moment. Jimmy was a surprise, he was doing very well. He was tired and his hands shook just a bit but he didn't look worse off than Gibbs.

Dean sighed softly. "Man, thanks, Gremlin. You doin' okay?"

Jimmy shrugged. "No worse than a double rotation in ER followed by a day at NCIS. I'd really like something hot to drink but I'll be okay."

Tony mentally smacked himself in the head. Jimmy was just off his final rotation as an intern. He was used to long sleepless nights. He was not, however, used to constant physical exercise, lying in freezing water nor having his clothing full of chafing sand.

Gibbs was miserable in a way he hadn't been since Scout Sniper training. He was cold, hungry, thirsty and exhausted. He knew that they all had another 12 to 18 hours of this to look forward to. He wondered if he was going to make it, then hardened himself. He was a Marine, he'd be damned if some squid was going to out-do him in anything.

They did six more rotations from log to rock ridge and back, sweating, swearing, freezing and miserable. Tony dropped out once for a few minutes, the unmistakable sound of puking told them all what was wrong. He returned to the group without comment. Jimmy told him to drink plain water for a while. He acknowledged that with a grunt of, " 'Kay," and went right on snapping and snarling at them all.

Tim fell out long enough to puke on the next round, but he managed to wade out into the surf knee deep before 'feeding fish'. Tony's wry, "Well, glad the tide's going out," brought weak laughter from the rest of the group.

When the sun began to lighten the horizon, sometime between 0500 and 0600, Tony barked, "Boat down!" and they dropped the boat into the sand. At the command of "Attention!" They all braced, the SEALs turned to the rising sun followed by Tim, Tony and Gibbs. The second order of 'Salute!' got them all saluting the rising sun. They held the salute until the sun was up. As that took about 3 minutes, it wasn't that long. But to the exhausted, shivering men it seemed like forever.

The next 24 hours were a repeat of the last, except that everyone was now staggering with weariness. At noon, Tony knew that he was nearly at the end of his rope so he made the call he'd planned on having to make. Someone on the other end was waiting for the call.

The next cycle found a DI waiting for them. He took over for Tony and kept them moving. Tony fell into the back of the line of SEALs, taking over the middle of the stern. The new DI was just as bad as Tony, only he was fresh. He kept them moving until they were working on muscle memory and autopilot. They ran, walked, did situps in the surf, worked the log, ate and drank by the numbers.

Everyone was surprised when the DI barked, "Boat down. Salute."

They turned to see the sun rising out of the sea like a sign from heaven.

They held attention until the DI barked, "Well? What the hell are you dipsticks waiting for? Fall out."

They all promptly dropped to the sand, groaning like they were dying.

The DI, well aware that none of them were now capable of coherent thought, got the clean-up crew in gear. They were glad to deal with this group, their usual patients had been doing this for 5 days with only two hours, total, of sleep. Some of them were hallucinating, all of them were so tired that they had to be carried to their rack. This group would be fine, once they were warm and had some sleep.

This was easily accomplished as the 'nurse' squad simply pitched a tent, set up racks and dumped the barely responsive men into them. They then set up a mess tent and started cooking.