Team Lead

Vance's assistant waved the members of the MCRT into his office. The director was sitting at his desk, and motioned the agents to the three chairs that had been placed in front of the desk for this meeting. Tony took the seat closest to the door, raising his eyebrows slightly at the statement Vance was making by not sitting at his large table with the agents. The director met Tony's gaze with a brief nod while McGee and Ziva took seats next to each other.

"How is Gibbs doing?" Vance asked as soon as everyone was seated.

"He's good, Director," Tony said with a slight smile. "He and his daughter are reconnecting, and are very much family." Tony shifted in his chair, getting more comfortable. "They left for Stillwater this morning to break the news to Gibbs' father."

Vance nodded thoughtfully. "Any idea when they plan to be back in town?"

"Nothing definite, but Sammie did say she has to be back at work on Monday, so I assume they'll return sometime on Sunday."

Vance nodded again, his eyes searching Tony's, who had no idea what the director might be looking for.

Vance seemed to have found whatever it was; his eyes swept across all three agents. "I haven't heard from Gibbs, so I don't know when – or if – he plans to return to NCIS. Likely he doesn't know either." He looked seriously at Tony. "Special Agent DiNozzo. As I told Agent McGee, you are promoted to temporary team lead. If Gibbs chooses to retire, this will be permanent." He smiled slightly at Tony's surprise. "You've more than proven yourself, Agent DiNozzo. Only reason you haven't been promoted sooner was the lack of a suitable position… and I've assumed you wanted to take over for Gibbs someday. Am I right?"

Tony nodded.

"Good." Vance looked from McGee to Ziva and back. "Either of you have a problem following DiNozzo's orders?"

They both shook their heads. "Not at all," McGee said quickly.

"Of course not," was Ziva's response.

"Excellent." Vance fell silent, inspecting both junior field agents. McGee suppressed the urge to fidget, and Ziva sat still and straight. "There will be no repeat of your failure to respect the chain of command this time. If I have to restructure the MCRT, DiNozzo will not be the one leaving."

Vance suppressed his laughter at the three flabbergasted expressions facing him. "I've read the reports of how the team functioned after Gibbs left when the Cape Fear was destroyed. My… predecessor chose to ignore the many complaints submitted to this office by various agents on the floor, including DiNozzo's." He looked at Tony. "I assume she didn't mind adding fuel to the fire if it kept you from asking too many questions about the unsanctioned op she had you running."

Tony grimaced at the reminder and shook his head. "Director, do you have any reason to believe we aren't functioning well as a team now?"

"None at all. From what I've seen, you've all moved past those days. Just want to be sure there are no misunderstandings." Vance sat back, propping the side of his face against his fingers as he rested his elbow on the arm of his chair. "Now that's settled, what's the plan for handing this investigation into Kelly Gibbs' misidentification as Samantha Kendall?"

Tony sat forward, shifting his position to more easily look at everyone else in the room. "Based on everything we've found so far, we have three major lines of inquiry to pursue." He held up one finger. "The initial mix-up at the hospital… was it an accident, or was it on purpose?" He held up a second finger. "Mike Franks. He was lead on the case and in charge of Shannon's and Kelly's protection detail. He was the one who initially identified the bodies." A third finger went up. "Joann Fielding. She also identified Samantha Kendall as Kelly… and she made sure they were buried before Gibbs was able to get back stateside."

Vance nodded. "Where are we on these?"

Tony looked at McGee, who took the cue. "Ducky made the initial contact with the hospital, so we think he should take the lead there. He knows who to speak with, and he has the knowledge of hospital procedures, so he'll know what questions to ask."

Tony picked up the thread. "I want to head to Mexico as soon as possible, and, as you suggested to Tim, Director, with back up. Franks is slippery… he got away from me in Mexico during that business with Hernandez, so a second pair of eyes would be very helpful."

Ziva nodded. "Agreed, and I think you should take McGee."

Even though he'd already intended to do so, Tony tilted his head in inquiry, curious about Ziva's perspective. Vance spoke up. "Why?"

Ziva smiled. "Franks still refers to Gibbs as 'Probie.' He does the same to Tony. He will underestimate McGee, and that would be to his detriment." She smiled at Tim, then looked at Tony. "I would like to do what I can to help Ducky and Abby, and then if you wish I will speak to Joann Fielding. I suspect she may be more forthcoming with me than with a man, and I did not have very much interaction with her beyond an initial interview at the crime scene when she was a witness."

Tony nodded thoughtfully. "I think you're right, Ziva."

Vance abruptly stood up, leading all the others to quickly rise to their feet as well. "I'll make some calls, get the two of you on the next transport that can get you anywhere near Franks' place. There will be a car waiting. Get him back here as soon as you can."

"What about Layla and Amira?" Tony asked.

Vance raised his eyebrows. "If her mother is there, encourage them to stay with her. I suppose if they really want to come along, they can, but it might be best if they don't."

Tony nodded, glanced at his team, then headed for the door, with them following.

Campfires

As the team walked into Abby's lab, Ziva pulled McGee to one side and began talking quietly. Tony rolled his eyes and focused on Abby, who ran over and hugged him. He returned the hug with equal vigor.

"I've been looking at all my research from when we thought Sammie wasn't Kelly. We did good, Tony!"

"Yeah, we did, Abs. We actually gave Gibbs his daughter back." Tony stepped back, smiling at her.

"I really like her," Abby continued. "Not just because she's a Gibbs. How were they doing last night?"

"Really good." His eyes lit up. "Gibbs shook my hand."

Abby's eyes widened. "Wow! Last time he did that…"

"Was when I came back from the Seahawk."

Abby grinned at him. "He must be really happy."

"Yeah." He glanced over at Ziva and McGee to see them still talking and glancing back at him. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes again and waved them over. "Abs, can you call Ducky and ask him to join us?"

She nodded. "I filled Jimmy in this morning; can he come too?"

"Good move. Palmer's always welcome."

Ducky and Palmer joined them a few minutes later, and both enthusiastically congratulated Tony on his promotion. "Even though it may be temporary, dear boy, it is still an accomplishment," Ducky told him with a smile.

Tony returned it. "Let's hope it's temporary… I'd rather have Gibbs back."

"He has to come back!" Abby looked distressed.

Ducky reached over to pat her shoulder. "Abigail, I think we can all understand if Jethro decides he'd rather spend more time with his daughter. And even if he does, I can't imagine he would simply disappear from our lives."

Abby sighed and Ziva reached over to rub her arm sympathetically. "You are like a daughter to him, Abby. Even though he has Kelly back, he will not simply forget you."

Tony cleared his throat and immediately had everyone's attention. "I'll check in with Gibbs after Tim and I get back from Mexico, if not sooner. And that's what we need to talk about… next steps." He looked at Ducky. "Ducky, we need as much information as we can get about what happened at that hospital… any records they have on who brought Shannon and Kelly to the ER, who was in the area, anything that might help narrow down what happened to cause Kelly to get switched with Samantha Kendall."

Ducky frowned. "I'm more than happy to try, but it won't be easy. Security wasn't what it is now back in 1991, well before the attacks on 9/11. It's unlikely there were video cameras, and even if there were, I doubt that sort of evidence would still exist. But I do believe I can get copies of any information they may have, especially once I inform them of the mistaken identity. I'm sure they would rather avoid any bad press or even lawsuits, should such action be possible twenty years later." He turned to smile at Palmer. "And should we get a body, I believe Mr. Palmer is ready to take charge and leave me to my investigative work."

"Really?" Jimmy seemed torn between joy and apprehension.

"All we can do is try, Ducky." Tony looked at Palmer. "We all have faith in you, Black Lung." Jimmy grinned as Tony turned back to Abby. "Abs, can you look into the pile up, and any records on the accident involving the Kendalls?" She nodded, and he looked at Ziva. "Ziva, look into the Kendalls. I know we did a cursory check on them, but try a deep dive, see if there's anything about the family that might have somehow led to this switch."

Ziva nodded. "I will do that."

Tony considered her for a moment. "Once you've found all you can, find out where Joann Fielding is living these days and go see her. Check in with Vance if it requires a plane trip, assuming we're not back from Mexico yet." She nodded.

Tony's phone rang, and he answered it quickly. "DiNozzo… got it, thanks. We'll be there." He hung up and returned the phone to his belt. "Wheels up in about three hours, Tim. Go home, make whatever arrangements you need to, then get back here and we'll head to Norfolk."

McGee nodded and left quickly.

Tony hugged Abby again, smiled at Ziva, and clapped Ducky on the shoulder. "Text me some updates when you have 'em," he said. Then he looked at Palmer, grinning. "Make us proud, Gremlin!"

He headed out of the lab and toward the elevator; Ziva spoke quickly with Abby and Ducky, then ran to catch up with him. There was a short wait until the elevator arrived; they could hear Abby's music go on as they entered and Tony hit the button for their floor.

Moments later, Tony sighed as Ziva hit the stop button on the elevator. "Ziva…"

"Tony, let me say this." Ziva's fingers laced together, came apart, then intertwined again, betraying her agitation. "I wish to apologize for how I acted when Gibbs was retired."

"He wasn't retired," Tony countered, with some attempt at humor.

"That…that is not the point. I was… uncooperative. I behaved badly and I apologize."

Tony leaned against the wall of the elevator and looked at her, his expression blank. "That was years ago, Ziva. Water under the bridge."

Ziva looked confused. "There is a flood?"

Tony shook his head, a half-smile on his face. "I swear you do that on purpose. It means it's over and done with."

"What does that have to do with water and bridges?" Ziva frowned, then seemed to refocus. "Tony, please, I am serious." She took a deep breath. "When Gibbs left, I was unsure of my place on the team. I did not know where I stood with you, how to deal with you as my superior. Jenny had brought me onto your team, but she was acting strangely, and was no longer approachable the way she was when I first came to NCIS. Everything was different, and you were often missing and we were left to our own designs."

"Devices."

"What?"

"Never mind." Tony pushed off the wall and reached over to set the elevator in motion. "Look, I can safely say that is one time in my life I would just as soon forget. I gave as good as I got before Gibbs left, it's not as if I was entirely blameless. So, apology accepted, let's just move on."

Ziva nodded but still seemed uncomfortable. The elevator stopped and they stepped out onto the floor; Ziva put out her hand to take Tony's arm. "McGee will want to talk as well," she said uncertainly.

Tony raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, but we'll handle it like bros, and it will be fine."

"And that means…?"

"A much shorter conversation and he'll let it go much more easily." Tony checked the time on his phone. "Look, Zee… a lot has changed since then. I think Gibbs will be back, and we'll all be normal again, but if I'm wrong, we'll figure it out, okay?"

Ziva nodded, watching as he gave her a smile, then walked away while placing a call and raising his phone to his ear.

A few hours later, after the plane leveled off, Tony and McGee were being ignored by the Marines on the transport and were trying to get comfortable sitting on the hard benches.

"Hey, Tony?"

"Yeah, McGee?"

"About what Vance said…"

"We're good, Tim. Long time ago. Water, bridge."

"You sure?"

"Yep."

"Cool… hey, Tony?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"All good, Tim. Try to get some sleep. Gonna be a long drive after we land."

Road Trip

Gibbs smiled as he listened to Sammie singing along with some unfamiliar song as the Challenger sped along the highway. He remembered Shannon singing Disney songs with Kelly when they traveled, listening to movie soundtracks on cassette tapes.

Sammie glanced over at him, then stopped singing and turned down the volume. "Tell me about my grandfather."

Gibbs laughed. "That's a tall order. What do you want to know?"

Sammie looked out the window, thinking. "Looking at his picture made me feel happy."

Gibbs reached over and took her hand. "He adored you. Didn't get to see you as often as he would have liked. Always gave me a hard time about it."

"I wish I could remember him."

Gibbs looked at her, arching a brow. "You named your dog after him. Didn't remember my name."

Sammie grinned and poked him in the side. "Not like I had any control over that, and I didn't know why I named my dog Jack." She let go of Gibbs' hand and reached back to scratch the Aussie behind his ears. Jack was on the backseat, which was covered by an old blanket. "Abby said you and your dad didn't talk for years."

Gibbs shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah… got back in touch when we went to Stillwater for a case a few years ago."

Sammie shifted in her seat, loosening her seatbelt as she faced him. "What happened between you?"

"Not that important." He glanced at her; she raised one eyebrow. "Kelly… I don't want my issues with my dad to affect your relationship with him."

She looked at him, then nodded. "Fair enough." Then she shot him a smile. "If it was something you did, he'll probably tell me."

Gibbs shook his head. "Was something he did, and I didn't react well. And that's all I'm sayin'."

"You guys are okay now?"

"Getting there."

"Abby says he likes the team."

"He does. Gave Tony a sweater when we were in Stillwater."

"Why?"

"I actually have no idea." Gibbs hesitated a moment, then said, "You and Tony seem to get along well."

Sammie smiled. "He's been great from the beginning. He's the one who first came to Rosedale to talk to me. He didn't press me too hard, let me take some time, and has been really helpful and supportive." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I had a great time at Ducky's place with Abby and Ziva, but they could be a little pushy, wanting to know things about me, about you, even though I didn't really remember very much. Tony wasn't like that." She smiled. "And he really does give great hugs."

Gibbs shifted uncomfortably; Sammie noticed. "What's wrong?"

He cleared his throat and lifted one hand off the wheel to scratch at the back of his head. "Tony… he's the best agent I've ever worked with, and a good friend. He's got a good heart… but he's a player, Kells."

"Meaning…"

"He's not really… I mean, he's… a great guy, but, with women… he…"

Sammie laughed. "You do know I'm twenty-eight, right?"

Gibbs made a face. "Don't remind me."

She smiled. "You're trying to say he, uh, 'dates' a lot?" She used air quotes.

Gibbs sighed. "Yeah." He considered telling her about Jeanne, but decided that was Tony's business, not his.

"How do you know I don't 'date' a lot too?"

Gibbs shot her a horrified look, making her laugh. He resisted the urge to bang his forehead against the steering wheel, then rallied. "Don't think Tony would be comfortable asking you out… I'm his boss."

Sammie shot him a mischievous look. "I could always ask him out."

Gibbs stared at her until she motioned frantically for him to keep his eyes on the road. She shook her head. "And Tim said Ziva was a bad driver," she muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" Sammie looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm thinking you would have had trouble during my high school years." She caught the wounded expression on his face before he hid it, and quickly reached for his hand, grabbing it tightly. "Dad, I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to throw that at you. I wasn't thinking."

Gibbs squeezed her hand, shaking his head. "It's okay, Kells… lost all that time, and I won't pretend it doesn't hurt, but we gotta be able to talk about it." He smiled slightly. "My team wouldn't believe I'm saying that."

"Not big on talking, huh?"

He laughed. "No, not with most people." He looked at her. "With you, yes."

"I'm guessing you didn't talk with your ex-wives much."

He sighed. "No. Wasn't the only reason those relationships didn't work, but no… I wasn't great at opening up."

Sammie nodded and decided not to pursue that at the moment, no matter how curious she was. "I think I remember you and Mom talked all the time."

Gibbs smiled, a happy, open smile his team wouldn't have recognized. "Yeah… she got me to open up the way no one else could." He glanced away from the road, looking at her. "You and your mom… you both got the best part of me."

They were both quiet for a while, until Sammie spoke up again. "I think Tony would be great with the right person."

Gibbs winced, and she grinned at him. "Honestly, Dad… he's a very attractive guy. But I don't know right now if he's someone I want to date, or if he's more of a big brother. I really haven't thought about it much… been a little preoccupied, you know?"

"He's a lot older than you."

"How much older?"

Gibbs thought about it. "About twelve years, I think."

"That's not such a big difference." She caught his slightly panicked expression and decided to go easy on him. "I don't think you have anything to worry about. I'm a lot more focused on you and catching up, remembering… and there's vet school to think about… I haven't dated anyone for several months and I'm not really looking for a relationship. And I guess you'll be happy to know I really don't do casual very well."

Gibbs sighed, then reached over and ruffled Sammie's hair. "I'll try not to chase off all your prospective boyfriends."

"Better not, not if you want grandkids someday."

Gibbs eyes widened and the car drifted into the next lane as he realized that was actually a possible future for him now. Sammie yelped and he steadied the car as she suggested that perhaps she should take over driving for a while.