The next morning Tony strolled into the squad room with a buzz cut.
"Tony!" exclaimed Ziva. "What happened to all your hair?" She stood on her toes and ran her hand over his head. "It's so soft!"
"I'm joining the Navy," Tony said seriously.
"Yeah, right," McGee said skeptically.
"DiNozzo's going undercover for the DEA," Gibbs said, blowing past them, heading for his desk.
"Drugs?" McGee asked.
"Well, it is the Drug Enforcement Agency, McGee," Gibbs said sarcastically.
"Right, Boss."
"And he has to impersonate a sailor to do this?" Ziva asked. She had followed Tony to his desk and was running her hand over his head, almost mesmerized.
"Are you finished petting DiNozzo, Officer David?" Gibbs asked pointedly.
"Mmmm, no," she replied distractedly. "It really is very soft."
"If we had the time," Tony began.
"Enough," interrupted Gibbs. Ziva pulled her hand back quickly and returned to her desk.
"The DEA has asked for our help in breaking up a major drug cartel," Gibbs said, nodding at Tony to continue. The younger agent pulled up some photos on the plasma.
"The Escobar cartel has a multi-billion dollar operation based in Columbia," Tony said. "They deal in everything: drugs, guns, people. They've recruited Navy personnel to run meth labs and use them to smuggle the drugs onto ships to sell onboard and at various ports."
"DEA needs someone to go undercover for them, someone who understands the operations on a ship and who can fit in. They had an agent go through training, but he was killed and they needed someone to go in quickly," Gibbs continued.
"How was he killed?" Ziva asked.
"He was in an accident," Tony replied. "It wasn't related to the case. "
"Are you sure?" Ziva looked unconvinced. "I know how Gibbs feels about coincidences."
"We're not sure," Gibbs said, grimly, "but the DEA believes it was an accident, and our director agrees. She recommended DiNozzo for the job. He'll pose as a petty officer transferring in from Camp Pendleton."
"Wait a minute," Tony stared at Gibbs for a moment. "Why is your hair so short?"
"I'm going under too," Gibbs replied shortly.
"Why, to keep an eye on me?" Tony's voice rose slightly.
"There are two angles to follow on this case, DiNozzo," Gibbs said calmly. "I'm going to hit the officers, you're going for the guys doing the grunt work."
"Since when?"
"Since now. You got a problem with that?" Tony glared at the older agent, started to say something, then opted to keep his mouth shut.
"Good, that's settled. You'll report to Captain O'Hara on the USS Monterey immediately. He and his XO, Lieutenant Commander Hathaway, will be the only ones who'll know who you are. I'll report to Captain Deaver at the Norfolk Naval Station and get myself established in the Port Operations Department."
"What's your cover going to be?" McGee asked.
"I'll transfer in from a unit just coming back from Iraq. I'll be a Warrant Officer, busted down from Chief Warrant Officer for fighting with another officer. The story will be because of my exemplary combat duty they busted me down in rank instead of kicking me out with a dishonorable discharge. I'll have enough resentment toward the Navy to make me seem a likely candidate to fall in with these guys.," Gibbs explained.
"What's the objective of this operation?" Ziva asked.
"The goal is to set up a meeting with some of the higher-ups in the drug cartel and bring them down," Tony said, still glaring at Gibbs, who ignored the vicious stare.
"That could take awhile," Ziva said doubtfully.
"It'll take as long as it takes," Gibbs replied. "DiNozzo, get going."