The Annual Conference of Law Enforcement Agencies, even though it was originally only meant to be a cover for their plot, had been an absolute hit. All the participants were enthusiastic and wanted to really make it a yearly happening.

"Director Shepard, I hope we can count with you and your people next year as well." – Said the director of MI5, shaking Jenny's hand warmly. – "It's always a pleasure to get to know our counterparts."

"Of course, Director General. We wouldn't miss it for anything."

The directors of the Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Greiningardeild Ríkislögreglustjóra (National Security Agency of Iceland) all nodded in agreement.

Even if it hadn't been intended, they really seemed to have created tradition…

NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS

By the time they arrived in Rota, Spain, everyone was tired and moody. From London, they had taken the Eurostar to Paris, from where they'd had to change to other trains – namely three – and eventually to a bus to get to Rota. It all had taken close to 20 hours and none of them had slept much during this time except for Ducky and Ziva who had loudly snored throughout nearly the whole travel and Gibbs who could probably sleep anytime anywhere.

"I officially hate trains." – Complained Tim, stretching his back as they were walking towards the hotel. They would take a shower, rest and change before going to take a look around and prepare for tomorrow's party.

"I had a wonderful time traveling." – Said Ziva in a sing-sang voice, happily bouncing next to her grumping teammate. – "I'm perfectly backfreshed."

"That's 'refreshed' Ziva, and that's because you were sleeping the whole time. Never mind that nobody else could catch some shuteye because of your snoring." – Muttered McGee under his breath, still feeling sore.

"What was that, Timmy?"

"Nothing."

"This city is wonderful! Look at these adorable narrow streets! Oh, and the beach, look!" – Abby exclaimed enthusiastically as they neared their destination. – "I wish we could swim…"

"But it's freezing, Abby…"

"I know, Jimmy. And I think it's a pity. Just imagine what this place can be like during summer!"

"I love palm trees." – Said Fornell, walking next to Ducky. – "They always make me feel like I'm on vacation."

"Sadly, that's not what we're here for, Agent Fornell." – Reminded him the ME gently, checking the map for the tenth time in two minutes. – "I don't get it; maybe we should have turned left back there where we turned right…"

"No, we're walking completely in the wrong direction, Doctor Mallard. We should have gone north, not south to begin with."

"That's not true. We were fine until that last turn."

"I'm telling you, Doctor, it's not right…"

The two continued to bicker, while Ziva, Abby, Tim and Jimmy just enjoyed walking around, taking everything in. Jenny and Gibbs followed a bit farther behind them, talking softly among themselves.

"What do you think? Is Tony here? Will we find him…?" – Asked Jenny the question that had been bugging her the entire time since they had left DC.

Gibbs sighed.

"You know he said in that last encrypted message he'd be here, wearing a Dracula costume. Or, at least, Jimmy swears that's what that article about the 27 species of bat in Spain meant. We'll just have to take his word for it, I'm afraid."

"It's incredible you can use codes in newspapers to communicate. I always thought nobody did that nowadays anymore…"

"I wouldn't have believed it either. But it's Tony we're talking about. He's never been average…"

"That's definitely true." – She smiled. – "He plays this easy-going college frat boy but in reality, he's one of the best agents we have."

Gibbs nodded in agreement.

"I think he wears that mask so that people will underestimate him. That can always come in handy. Pity it didn't work with CIA…"

"Why do you think they were interested in him? He's a great agent, I know, but still: doesn't CIA have their own people to work with?"

"I wish I knew… But I intend to find out eventually."

"We will, Jethro. Will see him tomorrow! I'm confident we will."

NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS

The great hall of the Naval Station was crowded with party guests all wearing different frightening (or in some cases ridiculous) costumes. Gibbs, Shepard and Fornell had their dress uniforms on, since they had volunteered to help ensure the safety of attendants. Also, this way, Tony had more of a chance to recoznize them.

"Is he here, Gibbs? Have you seen him?"

"If I had, you'd already know, Abbs. Patience. He'll come."

The young Goth sighed and fidgeted in her Wicked Witch of the West costume

"How do you know?"

"I just do."

The team was scattered around the room, trying to look for any 'vampires' roaming but it was already nearly midnight and still, they hadn't seen anyone who could pass for Tony DiNozzo.

A few meters away, Ziva tried to pull her Toy Story's Jesse pants a bit higher as the jeans kept sliding off her hips.

"I do not understand these silly American traditions. I mean: what's the point!? We all look like jesters."

"Clowns, Ziva. We look like clowns." – Sighed McGee, adjusting his pirate's hat. – "And it's for Tony, so we need to suck it up."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But why couldn't I get something more normal than this… abomination?"

"Hey! I'll have you know that Toy Story is one of the most successful animated movies in history!"

At the other end of the hall, Ducky was giving a lecture to Jimmy.

"Sherlock Holmes is the first and only consulting detective, Mr. Palmer. His observation skills are so unique that he can spot a criminal from just seeing the cuffs of a man! And these items…" – He said, pointing at the deerstalker hat, the matching scarf and long caped duster coat he was wearing, while waving around a long, crooked pipe with the other hand. – "… are his most distinctive features.

"How exactly does that deduction-thing work, Doctor?" – Jimmy, dressed as a gremlin, asked.

"Oh, details can be very telling, Mr. Palmer. Very telling indeed. So, for example in one of the stories…"

Jenny and Fornell were doing their third round when the director stopped dead in her tracks and pointed towards the entrance where a dark-haired man with a long black cape and an elegant tuxedo underneath had just entered.

"Ducky…" – She breathed.

"I can see him, director."

Having given their prearranged sign to the others, she nodded to Tony to follow them inconspicuously. In the end, the group found shelter in an abandoned smaller room that probably usually served as storage for old case files and other documents.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Abby squeaked and jumped into Tony's arms, having had a hard times restraining herself for so long.

"Oh, my God, my God, my God! Tony! I knew you can't be dead! I just knew!" – She chanted, sobbing uncontrollable on her friend's shoulder. – "Don't you dare do this to us ever again, mister!"

"Sorry, Abbs… But I can't breathe…"

"Oh…" – She disentangled herself from him but refused to leave his side. Also, she didn't seem to be able to stop crying, causing her green make up to get smeared and sticky.

"You wouldn't believe how glad I am to see you guys!" – Tony said, looking each of them into the eyes.

"Of course we can, DiNozzo. We feel the same." – Gibbs shook hands with his senior field agent, wanting to make sure he was really there and well.

"Thanks, Boss. Ziva, you look… interesting. Toy Story?"

"Shut up!" – But she was smiling and after just one second hesitation, she hugged him. – "Anyway: this is all your fault, of course." – She said, before wiping her eyes furiously. – "Damn dust…" – She muttered.

"Of course, the dust... McHook? Was it time to make your childhood dream come true?"

"You know what, Tony? I'd have never thought I'd ever miss your insults. But as funny as it might sound: I did miss it."

"My autopsy gremlin; always said you'd make a happy little elf one day!"

"Yeah, well. I chose not to fight it anymore but rather to embrace my inner goblin!"

"And what have we here? The great Sherlock Holmes himself. Though you're nothing like Benedict Cumberbatch. More like-"

"There are novels and short stories, Anthony, not only the TV series and old movies!"

"I bet there are."

"DiNutso!"

"Hey, Fornell!" – Tony was very surprised to be pulled into a bear hug by the older man.

"I'm glad you're alive!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, well… khm…" – The FBI agent suddenly looked somewhat uncomfortable. – "Jethro was getting unbearable without you deflecting his ire."

Jenny, who until that point had stayed close to the door as if guarding it, now stepped up to Tony and placed her hands on his shoulders, looking him over; checking for sings of injury.

"Tony. How are you? What happened?"

The senior field agent turned somber, knowing full well that it was time to tell them everything.

AN: First of all: thank you all for every review, comment, kudos, favoriting, following etc. It means the world to me that you're reading and enjoying my story!

I'll by going away for next week, so update will take a bit longer than normally, but don't worry; I'm not abandoning the fic! I'm having entirely too much fun with it to do that.