So sorry it has taken so long for this. one more chapter and it will be finished. As always I make no money as I own nothing but the idea.
Tony straightened his tie as he rode up in the elevator. Thinking back over the passed year he was grateful that everything was finally going well for him and his closest friends.
And to think it all started with Morgan getting shot. His Baby girl, as Morgan likes to call her, came the closest Tony had ever seen to falling apart. From everything that Brad had told him by the time Penelope reached Texas she had most of her emotions reigned in, worried yes, afraid of course, but in no way was she the hysterical female that is offended expected when hearing that your husband has been shot.
It had taken Morgan almost six months to recover from the bullets that entered his body. He was lucky, a man not as physically fit wouldn't have come out as easily. No longer a man in his twenties, or thirties, it had taken him time to recover and build up his strength.
Penelope stood by him every step of the way. Making sure he ate well and didn't overdo it. One step at a time, in the end it served them both well as a couple they were always close. Morgan getting injured brought them even closer together, if that was even possible. It also led to a unexpected surprise.
Tony knew the risks of being inactive from that kind of confinement. You start to have self-doubt about yourself and your chosen career. So he took advantage of his friend and his injury in a round about way, he postponed his taking of the BAR exam and studied with Derek when ever he could. It worked two fold getting ready for the BAR exam for Tony and brushing up on forgotten points of the law for Derek.
Vance had kept his promise to Tony as well to Gibbs that he would keep his knowledge of Tony's goal to finish law school and eventually joining the legal department. Tony and Lisa had talked about him staying at NCIS or leaving to join the FBI after Gibbs retired. Tony had lots of friend in all of the department at NCIS, he could help them with the minefield of paperwork whenever the courts or other lawyers became involved. If he left to work with the FBI he would be starting from scratch with the only people knowing anything about him would be the agents in the BAU. Not a bad thing, a great thing in fact having an elite group of agents as friends in strange surroundings. But in the end they decided he would stay with NCIS.
What made the difference was Gibbs, simple as that his friend the adopted grandfather of his three children. That and to be a royal pain in the butt to both Tim and Ziva for any paper work the submitted that was wrong. He knew for a fact that the legal department always sent back any errors to him or to Gibbs that Tim or Ziva sent them, it was just easier than to have to deal with their attitude.
He had been gone for two weeks getting the required classes to work in the legal department for a federal agency. Vance let it be know that he was working for him on assignment.
So here he was about to step out of the elevator late Friday morning with three files in his hand.
"I will be so glad when Tony comes back to work. Then he can do his own paperwork again." Tim moans.
"I agree. I am quite sure Vance could have found someone better suited than Tony for the assignment that he was given." Ziva adds.
"An over the hill frat boy who still likes to play the jokester. Even though he is married and has three children. His poor wife, I feel so bad for her." Tony says upon entering the bullpen. "That is what you both said last week. Wasn't it?"
"Tony." Tim starts to say.
While Ziva stands her ground and glares before she says anything. "So you have returned. I hope your mission was a success and that nothing went wrong as it tends to do when you are involved."
Gibbs stands and looks at the three agents making them fall silent. "DiNozzo?"
"Uh Gibbs, did you miss me?" He asks with his best winning smile.
"I heard you were back agent DiNozzo, you weren't expected until Monday." Vance says as he walks into the bullpen.
"Director, I just came into get a head start on the paperwork."
"Yes I imagine there is a lot of it. Do you like your office?"
"Yes thank you it's great and Dr. Pitts is happy there is a spot for my nebulizer."
Hearing this Vance nods his head smiles slightly. "Good I'll let you all get back to work. Oh by the way Tony congratulations on passing the BAR. It's will make things smoother down there in legal having an agent who knows the ins and outs of field work."
"Thank you Director." Tony replies with a real smile.
"Gibbs there are some problems with the requests that were submitted by your team."
Tony hands two of the files over to him and schools his face of all expression as Tim and Ziva come closer. He knows they want an explanation of what is going on. But he will not be answering any of their questions at all.
"What is in the third folder DiNozzo?"
"Well sorry Boss that one is yours you made one mistake."
"Never happened DiNozzo I've been filling out those forms since the time you were playing ball at Ohio State. Give me that." Gibbs says snatching the file from his hand.
Huffing Gibbs opens the file and reads it looking for the error that Tony says is there. Scowling he goes over the file twice finding not one thing wrong he closes it and starts to hand it back only to see a impish smile on Tony's face that reaches his eyes. "Um Boss you forgot to sign it." Tony tells him as he hands him a pen.
Holding back his own smile or worse chuckle Gibbs smiles then hands back the file to his former agent after he signs it. "That all DiNozzo?"
"From me, yes. Crayon says to tell you that the coals will be ready for your use at one thirty sharp. That they will have all the food and beer ready, so don't be late and to bring Ducky. I think she is trying to save on parking spots."
"She having lots of people over?"
"Some out of town guests and some people from overseas."
"We'll be there at noon to help with set up."
"What is going on Tony?" Tim asks as Tony turns around.
"Yes we have the right to know what is going on with our team, yes?" Ziva adds.
"I am no longer a member of this team. Any question that you have ask Gibbs. As for any rights you have about being informed about me, and mine. You never had the right in the first place. See you Saturday Boss."
Looking at the expressions of anger on Ziva's face and of confusion on Tim's face. Gibbs shakes his head. "Well what did you expect? You treated him no better than dirt on the bottom of your shoes. Fix the paperwork that you sent down to legal and do it right next time. I'm sure he had better things to do than clean up after you two. Oh yes I forgot that is all he is good for as far as you two think isn't it." Gibbs tells them before he leaves in search of a fresh cup of coffee.
