Turning Point
At 2:00pm on that fateful day that Gibbs received the message about his daughter he paced in front of the door to the director's office. Finally he got up the nerve to knock on the door. "Come in." Jen said through the door. Gibbs entered. "Jen we have to talk…" he began to say. "What's wrong Jethro? You look as though you have just seen a ghost." Jen asked. "My ex-wife and daughter were in an accident. My daughter Erica is fine, but her mother, it doesn't look like she's going to make it." Gibbs said feeling sick. "What are you going to do?" Jen asked. "They are in California, I have to go there. It's the only thing I can do. I'm going to bring Erica back here to Washington D.C. The thing is Jen it's going to take some time." Gibbs began to say. "Take as much time as you need." Jen replied. "I want Tony to be left in charge of the team." Gibbs said. "Are you really sure you want to leave him in charge?" Jen asked. "No but McGee isn't ready and Kate, who I think would be best in that position, well it just wouldn't work out with her. She needs more time with her boys than she would get with that job." Gibbs replied. "So does Tony." Jen countered. "If Tony wants the job give it to him, I don't want you to bring in anyone if you don't have to." Gibbs said. "Okay and where does that leave us?" Jen asked. "Come by tonight, I won't be leaving until tomorrow." Gibbs replied. "I'll get the team together so you can tell them. It will mean more coming from you." Jen said.
The whole team Tony, Kate, McGee, Abby, and Ducky all waited for Gibbs around his desk. It wasn't long before Gibbs approached them followed by the director. "What's going on Gibbs?" Abby asked. "Well I'm glad you asked Abby because I don't really know where to begin. I'm going to be going away for awhile, I don't know for how long." Gibbs said. "Where are you going, if you don't mind me asking?" Kate asked. "I'm going to California to get my daughter and bring her home." Gibbs replied. "Good for you Gibbs." Abby said. "There is one more matter of business, Tony and Kate, come with me." Gibbs ordered. They followed him to a conference room. "What's up boss?" Tony asked. "Tony while I'm gone I want you to be in charge of the team. I don't know how long I'm going to be gone but I want you in charge. On one condition and that is you don't let it interfere with your family. Kate, Aidan, and Ethan come first. Don't make the same mistakes I did." Gibbs said. "I won't, my family means everything to me." Tony replied. "Well than as far as I'm concerned the job is yours." Gibbs said. "Thank-you Gibbs" Tony said. "Don't make me regret this Dinozzo." Gibbs said as he left the room and it wasn't long before he left the NCIS headquarters and was on his way home.