Moving On

Early the next morning Tony entered the bullpen. It was no surprise to him that he was one of the only ones there as it was early even by NCIS standards and none of his team was there either. Just the way he wanted it to be, he decided. He dumped his bag by his desk and ascended the stairs towards the Directors office. Smiling at the Director's secretary, Cynthia, he asked her if the director was available. Cynthia checked her schedule and told Tony to go through. Taking a deep breath he entered the room.

"Good morning Director", Tony said. "I wondered if I could speak to you for a moment"

Tom Morrow looked up to see Special Agent Gibbs' SFA standing before him looking serious. He may not have had many dealings with him but Morrow had heard good things about Tony from many different people, from the security at the front of the building to the janitor. Tony was known to ask about people's families and give gifts for young children of the staff when he knew it was their birthdays. His interest in their lives, not just professionally, made him popular amongst all the staff. "What can I do for you Agent Dinozzo?" Director Morrow asked.

"I would like to be transferred to another team within NCIS if that is possible, please, sir", Tony asked.

"Why?" Tom asked. "I though you were doing well on Gibbs' team."

"I feel I would be better off on another team and would be able to work more efficiently in a different environment," came Tony's stiff answer as though he was trying to get though this as quickly as he could. Tom could tell there was something he was holding back, though.

"Has anything happened that I should know about Agent Dinozzo? I noticed you sleeping at your desk last week."

"No sir, I just feel it is time to move on. Are there any positions open at the moment? I can move immediately."

"Well I have been looking for a new team leader for a team in the middle east to be able to move around the world to tackle big cases and represent NCIS at crime scenes. You have been with us for two years and in those two years the solve rate for your team has risen to 97% and remained there and everyone has a good word to say about you so I feel you are ready for this."

It was true. The solve rate had risen significantly since Tony had joined and the Director was convinced it had something to do with the SFA stood in front of him. Giving him a promotion like this could be considered odd but he wanted a good agent he trusted on the job and Tony fit the bill more than any other agent he had considered and Tom was sure he would flourish in the job.

"Are you sure sir? Shouldn't you assign a more experienced agent?"

"Yes, maybe I should, but I feel like you are better suited to it than any other agent than I have considered. It is my decision, as director, to offer the job to anyone I think would do a good job and I think that person is you. The role is yours if you want it. You would leave the day after tomorrow and accommodation would be provided for you there."

"Thank you Director, I will take the role if you feel I could do it. I can clear my apartment out tomorrow and be gone the day after." Tony didn't even have to think about it. It was an incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity that he wasn't about to pass up, especially as he seemed to have the director's vote of confidence. That was a sign of approval if he had ever seen one and he was going to take it. Gibbs never showed confidence in him like that anymore so it was very welcomed from Gibbs' boss.

"Take the day off tomorrow to pack everything you need. Finish up your paperwork today and clear out your desk. You can leave your badge and gun with me this evening and you will be assigned with your new service revolver and badge when you land in the middle east. Would you like me to notify Agent Gibbs for you tomorrow as I feel he won't be best pleased?"

"That would be good thank you director. If you could tell Agent Gibbs tomorrow that would be great thanks. I should get back to work before he gets in now. I will bring my gun and badge to you this evening after the rest of the team have left." Tony began to make his way to the door, thankful that Tom had offered to inform Gibbs. Tony was glad he wasn't going to be around for that conversation; he had a feeling the news wouldn't go down well at all!

"Ok, see you this evening Agent Dinozzo", Director Morrow said. He realised something must have been wrong for Dinozzo to want to leave so quickly but it was to his advantage. Dinozzo would be a good leader for the team and he would deal well with the other agencies which would hopefully improve relations and make his life easier.

Tony left the Director's office in shock. He had just been offered his own team after being with the agency for only two years and it was a great chance for him to travel and be in the field for longer. This was his dream job. He would miss D.C. and the few friends he had in the city. He looked down over the bullpen where a few agents were beginning to trickle in. Chris Pacci was sat at his desk and Tony gave him a thumbs up. Chris's smile widened when he realised his friend was free of his team but he was sad that he probably wouldn't be able to see his friend as often.

Tony descended the stairs into the bullpen and made his way to his desk. He sat down and fired up his computer. While waiting for it to start up he looked around him, just observing the office that he wouldn't work in again. He had a few personal items on his desk but it wouldn't take long to pack them up and move on. While he was staring into space, he didn't notice Gibbs and Kate walking into the bullpen. Gibbs came up behind Dinozzo and slapped the back of his head hard. Tony felt his head burning from the slap and his vision blacked out for a moment. Kate laughed as she walked by and left Gibbs a cup of coffee on his desk while taking her own to her desk and sitting down.

"Pay attention Dinozzo and stop staring into space. You have reports to complete and I want all of them done today", Gibbs demanded.

Tony stared at his screen and replied, "Yes Boss". He had already finished two thirds of the reports and had printed them off ready to give to Gibbs but he wasn't going to argue with him over this as he didn't want another head slap. He got to work on his reports and had them finished by lunchtime. Gibbs told Kate and Tony to take an hour for lunch and Kate rushed off to eat hers with Abby in her lab. Tony watched her leave wondering why she wasn't acknowledging him. Chris Pacci came up behind him and invited him to lunch to tell him how the meeting had gone.

Chris and Tony made their way to a restaurant down the road and ordered their lunches. They came quickly and Chris decided to ask Tony about his new job. "So, how did the meeting with the Director go? What is your new job going to be?"

"He asked me to become the new team leader for a team in the middle east which is able to travel the world and represent NCIS at big crime scenes and help tackle terrorism", Tony replied still in shock at the new job he had been offered. Chris stared at his friend in shock. He had just been offered an amazing job.

"That's amazing Tony, I'm so happy for you! When do you leave?"

"I have tomorrow off work to pack up my apartment and then I leave the day after. It's all going to happen so quickly. Do you know anyone who will want to rent out my apartment and keep some of my furniture there?"

"My apartment lease will be up soon. I could rent it from you and when you are back in D.C. you can stay there if that is ok with you."

"That would be great if you want. I will try and keep in touch while I am away. I will miss you but I hope I will be able to come back and see you at some time."

"Yes, I hope we can keep in touch and meet up at some point soon. We should be getting back or else Gibbs will hit you again."

Tony and Chris paid for their meals and made there way back to the NCIS bullpen to get back to work. Tony made it back just in time and sat down to start his paperwork for his transfer. He left all the previous paperwork on Gibbs' desk ready for him. It took Tony all afternoon and part of the evening to get the work done and he when he looked up he realised that everyone had left without even saying goodnight to him. Collecting up all the paperwork, his gun and badge he went back up to the Director's office and left all of it on his desk. With a smile Tony left for the evening and collected up all his belongings from the desk. With one final look back at the bullpen he had worked in for the last two years, he left.