"Temporary Arrangement"- Chapter 5

A/N: Last chapter! But not the last story- I have one more left in my little series. I can't thank you enough for the reviews, favorite alerts, and subscriptions! However, seeing as this is the last chapter- I'd love some more! Enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Come in," Director Leon Vance called out, after he heard a knock on his door. "Agent Bernard. I was wondering if you had forgotten about your deadline."

"Almost," she admitted, "But I have an answer for you, sir."

"Would you care to sit?" he asked, noticing how nervous she was.

"Oh, sure," she replied. "Thank you, sir."

"So," Vance said, "Let's hear it."

"Well, before I give you my decision, I just wanted to thank you again for the opportunity you me gave to work in the field," Charity began. "It was an extremely valuable and educational experience. It's something that I will carry with me until I retire from NCIS…"

Vance let out an exasperated sigh. He, like Special Agent Jethro Gibbs, had a very low tolerance for rambling. Unlike the former Marine, however, Vance used words, not head slaps, to articulate his intolerance. "Charity, please."

"Oh, sorry," she blushed. "I, uh, I decided that I would like to go back to Linguistics," she finally said.

"How is it that you can to your decision?" he asked.

"I'll admit, I enjoyed learning how to process a crime scene, and doing background on the victims and suspects," she admitted, "but when it came to the autopsies, well… I had trouble with that."

"I see," he replied. "Many agents can't deal with the dead bodies at first. You learn to deal with that fear, though."

"The other thing is, I was attacked by a suspect earlier today- he injured my wrist," she explained. "I don't know if that's a common thing during investigations, but I don't deal well with injuries, sir. I would be much better off staying in my little office, in the safe harbor of the Navy Yard, doing what I love- translating."

"I understand," he said. "Did you have any problems with the team since the last time we spoke?"

"I had a, uh, minor issue with Tony," she answered, "But we resolved it. I have the utmost respect for everyone on that team, sir. I just know where I'm meant to be from now on."

"Very well," Vance said. "Effective Monday, you are to go back to your old position. Your fellow translators have expressed how much they miss you, and will be glad to have you back."

"Yes, sir," she replied. "Thank you." She stood up to leave, and he gathered his belongings.

"And Charity?"

"Yes?" She turned to face him again.

"Take tomorrow off," he ordered. "See a doctor about that wrist."

She smiled. "Sure, Director."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was late in the evening, and the whole team was in the squad room, discussing their plans after work, when they noticed Charity exiting Director Vance's office.

"Hey, Charity," Special Agent Timothy McGee called out, as she came down the stairs, "What did the director want?"

"Actually," she said, "I went up there to see him."

"About?" Forensic Scientist Abby Sciuto wanted to know.

"Well, if I may, I would like to tell you all at once," she told the young Goth.

"No problem," Abby said. "Tony, Ziva, Ducky, Jimmy, Gibbs! Come here!"

Charity let out a sigh as everyone gathered around her.

"What were you going to tell us?" McGee asked.

She cleared her throat, and nervously addressed her attentive audience. "Vance has been waiting for me to tell him whether or not I wanted to pursue field work full time, or go back to Linguistics. I gave him my answer tonight."

"What did you tell him, my dear?" Ducky asked.

"I told him that, even though I enjoyed my experience with you all, and learned a lot…," she paused, "I told him I would like to go back to Linguistics. It's what I truly love."

"You're going back to just translating?" Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo asked.

"Yes, Tony," she replied. "You guys were great. I miss my old job so much, though. I don't want to take that for granted."

"One never knows what they have until they do not have it anymore," Ziva said.

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side," Palmer added.

"The 'grass' was fine, J.P.," she explained. "This experience taught me on which side of the grass I belong. So, effective Monday, I'm going back to my old office- apparently they've missed me."

"Of course they did!" Abby said, hugging her. "You're awesome, Charity!"

"Abs, I'm not resigning- you'll still see me," Charity said, touched by the display of affection. "We can have lunch together, and stuff. And who knows? You might need to bring me in to translate again in the future."

"Maybe," McGee said sadly.

"Hey, can we have a going away party for you?" Tony asked.

"No!" she exclaimed. "I don't want you guys to make a big fuss. Besides, I have some paperwork to complete before I transfer back on Monday. You guys go do… whatever."

"Okay," Abby said. "Come on, guys, let's let her finish her paperwork."

"Have a goodnight, Charity," Palmer said.

"Night, Charity," McGee said as he walked out with Abby.

Ducky tipped his hat towards Charity. "Have a good evening, my dear girl."

"I guess we will see you later," Ziva said. "Tony's bringing me over to watch a movie. Is that okay?"

"Sure," Charity told the young Israeli. "Don't stay up too late."

Tony handed Ziva her coat, and smiled. "We won't. Do zobaczenia później, Charity."

Charity chuckled. "You worked hard on that, didn't you Tony?"

"Yep," he admitted. "Did I get it right?"

"You nailed it. I'll see you guys in a while," she told them.

She logged on to her computer, and began typing. It wasn't until twenty minutes later that she realized Gibbs was still there.

"You haven't let yet, Boss?" she asked, then corrected herself. "I mean, temporary Boss?"

His blue eyes crinkled into the hint of a smile. "Nowhere I need to be, Bernard."

She printed out her paperwork. "Oh," she replied as she put on her coat. "Well, have a good night, Gibbs."

"Charity," he started to say.

"Yes?" she had rarely heard him use her first name the whole time she worked under him.

"You were a good student," he complimented.

Shocked, she replied, "I had a good teacher."

"Yeah…, have a goodnight, kid." He headed towards the elevator.

She folded up the papers, placed each one in an envelope, and stuck them in her purse. As she exited the squad room, she smiled. She had a plan for those envelopes.

Since she was given Saturday off, Charity decided that she should get something special for each person on the team- a little token of appreciation. After she spent the day scouring various shops and super-stores for these gifts, she brought them home, to wrap. Charity timed her exit perfectly, knowing precisely when Tony would come back from work. She left a note for him, saying she had an errand to run, but would be back soon. She went to the Navy Yard, which was luckily deserted at the time, and left her presents with each envelope at each team member's desk. She placed two by the computer in Autopsy, then placed one in the Forensics Lab as well.

I can't wait to see their faces when they come in Monday, she thought to her herself as she stepped into the elevator.

*THE END*