Tony arrived at work the next day early enough to get some of the requisition forms done for the month. He decided he would get as far ahead in paperwork as he could before the classwork picked up. He had a list of the classes he had to take per semester and what textbooks are needed for this semester. He also picked a variety of thesis topics and narrowed it down to Gender Bias in Eyewitnesses, National Security Laws, Restorative Justice Process, and Gang Culture. He has witnessed and worked with each and every single one of them but is most comfortable with Gang Culture due to his time undercover with the mob. He wanted to write it as gang culture from the perspective on the inside, both the members and his undercover persona.
He worked until it was time for his meeting where he walked up to the director's office. He walked up the stairs in the middle of the bullpen until he got to the outer office. He greeted Cynthia and had a seat to talk to her until he was able to go into the office. He waited about ten minutes before Tom Morrow, Director of NCIS, opened the door to welcome him in. He walked into the office where he took a seat behind the dark wood desk while Morrow went back behind his desk.
"Good morning Special Agent DiNozzo. How are you this morning?" Tom asked.
"Good morning Director. I'm doing good today, how are you?" Tony asked, leaning back in his chair.
"I am good. Curious about what exactly you wanted a meeting about exactly." Morrow said.
"I just wanted to let you know that I applied for a program to get my Masters of Arts in Criminology from George Washington University. I was accepted into the program yesterday and talked with my academic advisor to set it up to work around my schedule. That being said, I will need to take some time off for exams and my graduation in a couple of years." Tony said showing the paperwork he printed that listed the time frame, classes, and requirements so that the director can know.
"Then I think congratulations are in order. I look forward to seeing how you can improve yourself, your team, and the agency with the skills learned in this program. You will be able to take the time off for exams pending emergencies." Tom said. He took the paper and looked it over before putting it on his desk to file later. "When you are able to achieve your goal make sure you update your files in HR."
We talked for a little while about what classes he would take and what his thesis ideas are. Director Morrow agreed that looking at gang culture from the inside, especially as an undercover, would be an interesting topic to research and present. He gave Tony a couple of names in NCIS who he could talk with about their experience after he told Tom about his idea to talk with the organized crime unit at NCIS.
Tony decided that he would tell Ducky as he was my primary care provider and would need to know about what he have to do in his free time that added a lot of stress. Especially after having had the plague. Ducky as always was extremely supportive and agreed to keep it private for now. Tony wanted to be able to do this all on his own but he was not afraid to ask for help if he needed it.
A few weeks later the semster started, leading Tony to be even busier than ever. Luckily Gibbs let Tony work on assignments if he finished his paperwork and would let him off for exams. His classes were hybrid so when he was available to go in person he would but if not he could watch the lecture virtually and complete the assignments. It took about a month to get into a regular schedule. Twice a week he would try to go to class in person and on the weekends Tony wasn't working he would go to the campus and meet with a study group formed of other law enforcement officials in his classes. He spent at least one or two nights a week with Gibbs to destress and either help with the boat or watch a movie together.
Work became extremely busy when the terrorist Ari Haswari was creating problems. Tony was stressed but his professor gave him an extension on a paper the week when Cate was held captive and Ducky's assistant Gerald got shot. He was able to get back on track in classes when even more troubles at work started. He was pulling all nighters while working on as many papers as he could in the down time between evidence. He was able to write assignments ahead and found a day off to take multiple exams. He was stressed and tired but feeling good about all that he accomplished.
The day he watched his partner get shot right in front of him he was not able to do anything for a week or two. He had emailed his professors who understood and gave him some time to grieve and seek help if he needed it. He was able to find a new resolve with the kill of Ari in Gibbs basement. He was going to do the best he could in school to make Cate proud. He was also not stupid when it came to who shot Ari. He knew it could not have been Gibbs based on the angle of the shot but did not say anything. Something about Ziva David did not sit right with him. She was Ari's handler and knew about who to target.
He sat down with Gibbs after to discuss his concerns and update him on his classes. He had finals in two weeks and would need the day off to take them. He was able to write the final papers required for his classes and got A's on his exams. He completed his first semester with a 4.0 gpa and celebrated with Gibbs and Ducky. He had emailed Tom Morrow at his new position over at Homeland to let him know. He did not think the new Director Jenny Shepard knew anything about it.