A/N: NO TISSUES NEEDED FOR THIS CHAPTER!!!!!!
We ask that you read the following in the spirit of the fiction story for which it is written.
It is not meant to be official.
We do not own NCIS or any of its' characters or storylines. We only have a whole lotta fun with it.
Again, I must thank my co-author, Shelbylou.
Having said that, for this chapter we both extend our appreciation to the following people for their support, cooperation and agreement for the 'use' of their rules. We extend acknowledgement with full respect for the authorship of each one of them.
Embololia RedMoonSky Vanessa Sgroi & BenquashaFraser.
"We all know that "Gibbs Rules" are Legendary.
When reading through this list (Put together solely for the purpose of serving this story)
we ask that you, the reader remember the following facts:
1. Only 22 of the '50' have been officially declared a rule and assigned a number. NCIS has, in three instances, given the same number to two different rules on this list.
2. For the sake of our story we have re-designated the 2nd rule in each case, to a different number. For the sake of our story, the yet to be disclosed rules have been unofficially filled in; either by things said on NCIS or by the writings of other writers
(borrowed with their permission and recognition of their authorship)
3. For the sake of our story, we're only using the "Umbrella Rule" that was officially quoted, in regard to the "lawyer" statement "There are 7 rules about lawyers" For this story's purpose, we have decided that Tony's statement was an exaggeration to try to impress the tad, Wilson..
4. Gibbs said "There are about 50 of them" (emphasis, ours)
For the purpose of our story, we've decided, with creative license, that there are in fact, 56; a few with subsections to ask for your indulgence, in the event that you do not agree with our choices.
AND NOW:
THE RULES
Rule #1: Never screw over your partner. (Blowback, 4.14)
Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene. (Yankee White, 1.01)
Rule #3: Don't believe what you're told. Double check. (Yankee White, 1.01)
Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best. (Blowback, 4.14)
Rule #5: Never let suspects stay together. (Yankee White, 1.01) (Redelegated from 2nd #1)
Rule #6 Never work the system when you can work the people (Unofficial rule Gibbs told Kate this)
Rule #7: Always be specific when you lie. (Reveille, 1.23)
Rule #8: Never take anything for granted. (Probie, 3.10)
Rule #9: Never go anywhere without a knife. (One Shot, One Kill, 1.13 ; Missing, 1.20)
Rule #10: Never be unreachable. (Deception, 3.13) (Redelegated from 2nd #3 )
Rule #11: When the job is done, walk away. (Semper Fidelis, 6.24)
Rule #12: Never date a coworker. (Enigma, 1.15)
Rule #13: Never, ever involve a lawyer.(Collateral Damage, 6.07)
Rule 14: Never hide an injury from Gibbs. (Rule # and Rule borrowed from Vanessa Sgroi)
Rule #15: Always work as a team. (Leap of Faith, 5.05)
Unofficial addendum: Be willing to take on for the team because there is no I in team.
Rule #16: Don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness. (Unless it's to a friend – Smoked, 4.6 – unofficial #)
Rule #17: If You're gonna regret It, don't do it. (Borrowed from Embolalia)
Rule #18: It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission. (Silver War, 3.04)
Rule #19: Teams don't keep secrets (Unofficial Rule from "Jane Doe")
Rule # 20: Failure is not an option (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule 21: If one of your team is in trouble - it is your duty to protect them. If they ask for help, give it to them immediately. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #22: Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation. (Smoked, 4.10)
Rule#23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live. (Forced Entry, 2.09)
Rule #23 A: Live By The Marine Code .(made it up/the umbrella rule for the Marine Rules)
Rule #23B: Semper Fi. -"Always Faithful" in Latin –
Rule #23 C: Once a Marine always a Marine, there are no "former" or "ex" Marines.
Rule #23 D: We Don't Leave Our People Behind
Rule #23 E. We Take Care of Our Own
Rule #23 F: You rat, you fry.
Rule #24: Don't explain the process to Gibbs or speak geekspeak. Just give him the bottom line, in English.(unofficially enforced)
Rule #25:. Always keep a spare (unofficially stated twice,)
Rule #26: Never lie to Gibbs (unless ordered to by higher ups) (Unofficial Rule)
Rule #27: Two ways to follow: First way they never notice you, second way they only notice you. (Jack Knife, 7.15) If you wanna find something, then you follow it (Gibbs told Mike he learned that from him)
Rule #28: Always go through the chain of command (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #29: Trust is earned not given. (Stated by Gibbs at least 1x)
Rule #30: Always Listen to your gut (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #31: "Always watch your partner's back
Rule #32: Listen to all the facts before you judge.(made it up by your authors)
Rule #33: Take no stupid risks (borrowed from Embolalia)
Rule #34: Do it right or not at all (borrowed from Embolalia)
Rule #35: Recognize your limitations, and work to improve on them. (borrowed in part from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #36: never let the bad guy get away (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #37: Never trust an undercover agent unless it's one of your own. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #38: Your case, your lead. (Bounce, 6.16)
Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence. But there is such thing as luck (unofficial Rule, one Gibbs (and his team) lives by)
Rule #40: Excuses are for school kids, the CIA and the FBI. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #41: Keep Looking for answers until you're satisfied (unofficial rule - Gibbs said it to Tim in one episode)
Rule #42: Your team is your family - never take it for granted. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #43: Only your best is good enough. . never accept anything less from your team or yourself (borrowed in part from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #44: The bodies belong to Ducky. If you want to touch them, you have to ask him. (Unofficial Rule the Agents live by)
Rule #45: Never show weakness in front of your team - it would scare them. . (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #46: NEVER let a case go cold. . (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #47: You're Not Allowed To Die (rule # and principal borrowed from Red Moon Sky)
Rule #48: Respect your team and earn their respect. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #49: If you think the boss is wrong make sure you get evidence to back you up. .(borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #50: Never underestimate your opponent. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #51. Loyalty is a powerful motivator - earn it from your team. . (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #52: Always carry a notepad and pen with you. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #53. : Know how to do every job your underlings can do. (created by Shelbylou)
Rule #54: If you haven't got the evidence – bluff.. (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)
Rule #55: The Evidence does not lie (unofficial rule)
Rule 56: These rules should never be written - it is the job of every team leader to teach them to their team. . (borrowed from BenquashaFraser)