The next day was Saturday and the MCRT was not on duty. Gibbs half expected to get a visit from Tony but it seemed, for the moment at least, that Tony's need to talk was at an end.

Monday morning saw a breakthrough in the cold case for which Abby had supplied a lead. McGee's search of the FBI's DNA database showed a match to a Spencer Sullivan who had served time for armed robbery and had been released around the time of an assault on a retired Marine and his wife.

"Got a home address," announced McGee.

"And I've got the address where he works," Tony chipped in.

"What does he do?" asked Gibbs.

"Tends bar at a place in Logan Circle," replied Tony.

Gibbs looked at his watch, "We'll try there first. Probably at work this time of day."

It should have been straightforward, and most days would have been, but on this occasion it turned out that a customer in the bar recognised Tony from a bust in Baltimore and gave the alarm. Sullivan made a run for it leading to a chase through the back streets. McGee and Tony followed him on foot while Gibbs raced for the agency sedan with the intention of doing his legendary blocking of the fugitive's escape.

Tony and McGee split up when it wasn't clear which one of two possible routes Sullivan had taken. Tony spoke to Gibbs on the earwig to alert him to their location. Gibbs parked across the alleyway and began to make his way towards them. As he got near Gibbs saw Sullivan about to get the drop on an oblivious Tony.

"DiNozzo!" shouted Gibbs, "Your 3o'clock!"

Tony turned instinctively at Gibbs' words and launched himself at Sullivan. Gibbs ran towards the struggling pair but as he got within his own launching distance he saw Tony manage to get to his weapon and point it at Sullivan,

"Freeze!" said Gibbs and Tony in unison and Sullivan sulkily stood down.

"Good work, DiNozzo!" praised Gibbs.

"Good work yourself, Boss," said Tony.

McGee came running up at that moment having heard the shouts,

"You got him!" he said.

"You think?" said Gibbs as he handcuffed Sullivan's hands behind his back.

"Uh, yes, Boss," said McGee. "Tony, you OK?"

Gibbs spun around at the sound of concern in Tim's voice.

"I'm fine," said Tony a little wanly.

Gibbs and Tim both stared at him, "You want to try that again?" asked Gibbs.

"What?" asked Tony.

"Tony, you're bleeding," said Tim.

"I am?" Tony looked at his arm, "I am!" he confirmed as the colour left his face and he sat down hurriedly.

"McGee, call an ambulance," ordered Gibbs, "And then take care of this clown," he added pointing to their captive. He walked towards Tony and saw a broken bottle lying on the ground covered with what he assumed was Tony's blood. "Take it easy, Tony," he said gently. "You'll be fine."

Tony looked up blearily, "Am I dying?"

"No, you're not dying! Why, are you hurt somewhere else?"

Tony heaved what seemed like a sigh of relief, "No. It's just that you're being nice to me. I usually have to be dying before you're nice."

Gibbs settled for a pat on the head rather than the slap.

NCISNCIS

A couple of hours later, Tony was sitting on a gurney in hospital waiting to be discharged. His arm had been stitched, bandaged and put in a sling. The doctor had threatened to attach handcuffs as well to ensure that the injured limb remained in the sling for the specified number of days so Tony was feeling both glum and sore. Gibbs sat by the gurney watching in grim amusement.

"Thanks, Boss," said Tony. "I didn't see him there."

"No problem," said Gibbs, "Always got your six, you know that."

Tony frowned.

"Hey," said Gibbs, "you do know that, don't you?"

"Oh, yeah, of course, Boss. I know that," replied Tony.

"You want to try that again?" suggested Gibbs, "With a bit more conviction."

"Gibbs, I know you've got my six in the field," said Tony, "It's just …"

Gibbs sighed, "Is this still about me giving me McGee point in the other case?"

"Kinda," said Tony. "You remember when I came to see you? I asked if you'd done it as a joke?"

"I didn't."

"Or it was a way of giving Tim a boost?"

"I told you it wasn't."

"Or it was because you were feeling off kilter 'cos of your Pops being around?"

"And I told you that it was nothing to do with any of that."

"I remember. You said you did it because you could. Your team, your rules."

"You'd make a good witness," said Gibbs. "Good recall."

"But there was another possibility. Another reason you might have done it …" said Tony a little hesitantly.

"What?"

"That you did it because you didn't think I was up to the job. That you were thinking of putting Tim in charge."

"I didn't," said Gibbs firmly. "You know that I trust you. I've told you that before. I'm not looking to replace you."

"I know that you've said it before," said Tony, "But …"

"But what?"

"You never say it in front of witnesses," said Tony. "It's kinda like a secret between the two of us. And I think if I ever told anyone else they wouldn't believe me."

"Why not?" asked Gibbs blankly.

"The way you treat me the rest of the time," said Tony simply.

"I don't coddle," said Gibbs.

"God knows I don't want coddling," shuddered Tony, "But Ziva once asked you, early on, whether it was too much to ask for respect …"

"I remember," said Gibbs softly.

"And you said it wasn't too much to ask. Well, I guess I never got around to asking on my own behalf," said Tony.

"I've always respected you, Tony," said Gibbs uncomfortably.

"I want to believe that, Gibbs. But, you know, a functional mute's actions need to speak louder than words. And your actions … well, they don't say much about respect for me."

"You really worried about this?" asked Gibbs.

"Like I said. Things are changing. Ziva going. Knowing there'll be a new team member when you get around to it. Makes me think."

"And talking to your support group?"

"I guess. I've been seeing things afresh. I want to be sure that a new team member knows what the team structure is. That chain of command means something."

Gibbs stared at Tony for a few seconds and then seemed to come to a decision as he saw that Tony was serious about this. Perhaps the thought that if Sullivan's aim had been different or if he'd had a gun then Gibbs wouldn't be having this conversation made him realise Tony's importance, "Fair enough," he said, "I guess I can do that."

"I mean, I know sometimes McGee will take the lead if the case demands it but we shouldn't be wasting time arguing over who does what," said Tony.

"I agree," said Gibbs.

"You do?" asked Tony sceptically.

"Sure."

"Then why did you give Tim point?"

"I don't know," said Gibbs. "Maybe you're right and I was off my game because of my Dad being around. Maybe I just like to keep you all on your toes. Make sure you know who's Boss."

"Gibbs," said Tony sincerely, "Believe me, we all know you're Boss."

Gibbs nodded. "We good then?"

Tony nodded back but then took a deep breath before saying, "For now."

"For now? What does that mean?" demanded Gibbs.

"You know, Gibbs …."

"No, I don't know. When did you decide it was a good idea to start talking in riddles, DiNozzo?"

"Sorry, Boss. But be realistic, I've worked at NCIS 13 years. Been your Senior Field Agent for a lot of those years …"

"So?"

"The time's coming … "

"What time?"

"The time for me to leave. Don't get me wrong, I respect the hell out of you, Boss and you've taught me a lot. But I feel …"

"What?"

"It's coming full circle. I still love the job, being on the team … most of the time … but perhaps it's gonna be time soon to move on … new challenges."

"You'd leave?"

"Not yet, but some day, yes."

"But not yet?" asked Gibbs.

"No, not yet, but you might want to bear it in mind."

"What do you mean?"

"When you're looking to replace me – which obviously will be impossible because I'm such a Very Special Agent …"

"Yeah, yeah," said Gibbs with a grin.

"It'll be easier to slot someone in if there's a clear team structure. If you know what you expect each member to do. Just saying …"

"And it'd make you … happier too?" asked Gibbs.

"Yes, it would," said Tony sincerely. "And it would make rule 15 easier."

"Always work as a team?"

"I always get the rules right," said Tony smugly, "Teams work better when they know how they're meant to work."

Gibbs grunted, "OK, you've made your point. I'll go chase up that doctor to get you discharged."

As he got up to go, Director Vance peered around the cubicle curtain,

"Agent DiNozzo, I'm glad to see you sitting up."

"Thank you, Sir," said Tony. "I'd have been in worse shape if it hadn't been for the Boss."

"Glad to hear it," said Vance a little sternly. "Still, good work – both of you – in arresting Sullivan."

"Thank you, Sir," said Tony. Gibbs simply nodded.

"How are you getting home?" asked Vance gesturing towards Tony's right arm in its sling.

Tony looked puzzled for a moment but Gibbs answered,

"I'm bringing him back to my place. Agent McGee's going to DiNozzo's apartment to pick up some stuff. DiNozzo won't be able to manage on his own till he can stop wearing the sling."

Tony and the Director looked at Gibbs in some surprise while Gibbs looked back innocently.

"Thanks, Boss," said Tony deciding that he was weary both from the day's activities and the conversation with Gibbs. The thought of being in Gibbs' house with the possibility of cowboy style steak was suddenly very attractive: he'd won the most important battle and reckoned he could let a dispute over where he should recuperate wait for another day.

NCISNCIS

Two weeks later, Tony got the all clear to go back into the field.

"Agent DiNozzo," said Director Vance when he arrived to work that morning, "I understand you're cleared for full duty today?"

"Yes, Sir," said Tony waving his arm to demonstrate its fitness.

"Good. I have a case for the MCRT," he handed a file with a note attached to Tony. Tony looked at the note and then at the Director who added blandly, "Send Agent Gibbs to my office when he comes in."

Tony nodded and the Director made his customary stately progress up the stairs to his office. He didn't have long to wait before Storm Gibbs made landfall,

"What the hell you doing, Leon?" he thundered.

"And good morning to you, Special Agent Gibbs," replied Vance.

"You put DiNozzo in charge?"

"Yes, I gave him point on this case," agreed Vance amiably.

"Why? It's my team! I choose what my people do."

Vance's voice hardened, "No, Special Agent Gibbs, it's my team. And I choose to put DiNozzo in charge."

"Why? It doesn't make sense. Is it a case that DiNozzo's worked on before?"

"No."

"You doing it because he needs some sort of boost? Because you're trying him out for another job?"

"Those would be both good reasons," agreed Vance, "But no, not in this case."

"Is it because you don't think I'm doing a good enough job?" asked Gibbs menacingly.

Vance seemed to consider this option before saying, "No, I'm satisfied with your job performance … for the moment."

Gibbs was baffled, "Then it's a joke?"

"I'm not known for my sense of humour, Agent Gibbs," said Vance.

"Then why?" asked Gibbs.

"Because I can," replied the Director.

"What?"

"I heard what DiNozzo said to you."

"What are you talking about?"

"At the hospital. I listened to what you and DiNozzo were talking about."

"You eavesdropped?" said Gibbs.

"Yes," said Vance completely unperturbed by the accusation, "It's not illegal. No electronic devices were used; I didn't need a warrant. And yes, when I hear something that disturbs me, I listen."

"And this makes you put DiNozzo in charge?" asked Gibbs.

"Yes. How does it feel, Gibbs for someone to ignore your position on the team?"

Gibbs glared at the Director who found he was bracing himself.

"Huh!" huffed Gibbs. A grin reluctantly dawned on his face, "Huh, guess I'd better go and see what my Boss wants me to do."

The Director relaxed as he saw Gibbs stride to the door. Gibbs paused at the door and turned to look at Vance, "My temporary Boss," he said.

AN: the end! Thank you to everyone who's taken an interest in this story. I know some of you hoped that Tony would leave – but I've done that before and I wanted something different this time. And I know some of you wanted Gibbs to get in a lot more trouble but I was feeling benevolent this time!