Just a reminder, I make no money from this story of mine, just reviews and they mean more to me. Thank you so very much for the response for the last chapter. As for my fantastic BETA WmGeorge my many thanks you are a gem. Sorry for the delay my lovely BETA has been ill, she is on the mend. I'm sending lots of tea and good thoughts her way.

It was the ringing of his phone that pulled Tony away from spooning with Mandy. Without opening his eyes he reached for the cell. "DiNozzo."

"Agent DiNozzo a Marine's body has been found; the local police have secured the scene."

"Text me the address please, I'll alert the rest of the team."

He closed the cell and turned to place a kiss on Mandy's shoulder. He left the bed carefully, hoping he wouldn't wake her.

She spoke softly in the darkness of their bedroom. "It's too early. I thought you were off this weekend."

"It's after midnight so I'm back on duty. Go back to sleep Manilow."

Groaning at hearing the nickname, she started to get out of bed only for him to stop her.

"Stay Mandy, it's just after four. I'll pick up some coffee on the way. I love you. Tell the kids I love them too."

He called Gibbs, Tim, and Ziva then started the car. After a quick stop to get coffee he arrived at the crime scene just as the others were pulling in.

By the time they finished processing the scene it was just after eight in the morning. Having to wait for Ducky and some daylight didn't help matters any.

Everyone knew what had to be done it was just a matter of doing it. Tony had to take the evidence to the tech on duty, and restock the van. As a result, he was the last one to enter the squad room.

Looking at his desk he was never more grateful to his boss. Centered on his desk was a large cup of tea. The chill in the morning air wasn't helping his cold any. He sat down, took his medication with a few sips of tea, and took a hit off of his inhaler. He hated the damn thing it always made him jittery, just like the nebulizer did.

He glanced at his watch then he looked up at the mezzanine that led to Directors Vance's office.

"Have a seat Dr. Sciuto." Director Vance orders after Abby was led into the office.

She looked at him and smiled slightly. She knew she was the best tech they had in the agency and she wasn't too worried about her job. He wouldn't just fire her, because NCIS needed her skills. She just had to play along until things got back to normal. She was sure Gibbs would help.

"Thank you Director Vance," she replied softly.

He looked up from the file and saw the expression on her face. She might think that she was going to pull a fast one on him, but it is far past time that she was brought to task for her behavior.

"What you did yesterday was completely unacceptable. You were warned not because any more trouble for the DiNozzo Family. Instead, you once again bought into what a con-man told you. Apparently, you'd rather believe him than what you were told here by DiNozzo, Gibbs, and myself."

"But he…"

Vance held up his hand before she could go off on one of her tangents. "You were told, you were warned, and you were punished for relaying classified information. So for the good of the agency I have come to a decision. I would have liked to send you to the Middle East, as they are in desperate need of a top notch person with your skill set. But I can't, in good faith, do that. Your inability to conform to the dress code and behavior would reflect poorly on our agency and our country."

He saw her start to pout and open her mouth to argue with him, but he didn't give her a chance to say a word. "Our offices in San Diego need someone as second in command of the labs there. So you have a choice. Go there, or quit. If you decide to go you'll have two weeks to get moved. Our offices here can help you with relocation."

Abby frowned. "This is just temporary, right? I mean I'm the best you've got to work the labs here, and to process evidence for MCRT."

Vance shrugged. "I honestly can't answer that right now. Maybe being away from this office and the people who work here is what you need right now. I would strongly recommend that you get some counseling while you're there. In the meantime, I want you to go home and think about it. Come back tomorrow and let me know what you've decided, Dr. Sciuto." He pointed his finger at her. "One last thing. This is your last chance. If you so much as huff at either DiNozzo or anyone on Gibbs' team, I'll fire you. I'll also make sure you are persona non grata at every federal agency. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir, I get it." She walked to the door and opened it. "It's not fair. I was only trying to help, why can't everyone see that?" With that, she left his office.

Abby stopped once she reached the mezzanine. Her thoughts were jumbled. If she could just talk to Gibbs. That thought kept surfacing in her mind. Gibbs could fix everything. Being his favorite had its perks. Looking down into the bullpen she saw that Gibbs and the rest of them are all back from the field. She smiled. Perfect, she just needed to talk to Gibbs. Maybe pout at him a little. He'd cave to her pout and fix it all. There was no way they could make her leave if he was on her side.

She rushed down the stairs calling his name as she went. "Gibbs! Gibbs! I need your help! Vance is going to make me transfer to San Diego. You can't let him make me go, Gibbs!"

The whole team stopped and watched her approach as she was talking loud enough for everyone to hear what she was saying.

"Abby stop." He told her as she came closer.

She pouted at him. "But Gibbssssss," she whined.

"I told you I wouldn't interfere, not this time. "

She turned and saw that Tony was now standing next to his desk, with his cell in his hand. She ignored him and turned back to Gibbs. "Why? I want to stay here. I'm needed here to help you get the evidence to arrest the criminals. Please help me, make him change his mind."

"If you need any help packing Abs, let me know. For now, we have work to do and you need to leave."

She stamped her foot and groaned loudly. Turning she gritted her teeth as she walked up to Tony. "This is all your fault. First you marry that woman, when it should be Ziva who is your wife. Then you won't listen to anything about your father, he wants to make things better. But do you listen to me? No, of course not, because you know better. Well you don't, he's changed. I know how to read people. You'll feel sorry after he's gone for not making up with him. You'll see that I'm right. Those kids shouldn't be with you at all. Does the court system know what kind of person you really are? I'm going to tell them and make sure you never get those bratty kids. And that dog should be put down as a danger to society."

She took one step closer and slapped Tony hard across his face. When he didn't react she lifted her hand to strike again only to have Tony stop her, swiftly turn her around, and push her out of striking distance.

Tony glared at her. "I've never in my life hit a woman. But if you ever hit me again, you'll find yourself on the floor, cuffed, and waiting for the FBI. And I will press charges."

"That won't be necessary, Agent DiNozzo. Dr. Sciuto, you're fired." Vance came down the stairs from the mezzanine.

"Agents McGee and Simpson, take Dr. Sciuto to the lab. Watch as she gathers her things. Make sure she does not touch one piece of equipment or evidence. When she's done, hand her over to security. I'll inform them that she has been fired and is no longer allowed anywhere on the premises."

Abby started sobbing. "Gibbs, do something. I'm sorry, I just lost my temper."

He looked at her sadly before he said anything. "Ziva, go see if Ducky has a preliminary report for us. Good-bye Abby."

"Gibbs, please." Abby cried as both McGee and Simpson stood next to her.

"DiNozzo with me." Gibbs walked out, leaving Abby standing there in shock.