A/N: So I thought I would elaborate a little on my AN in chapter one. "One piece" means that Tony didn't break his heart by falling for Dr. Benoit. And this whole story is in place of the events of "Judgment Day." This chapter is more talks between Gibbs and a member of his team. I felt that somebody needed to tell Gibbs that Tony acts like him when he is Team Leader. Then I felt that somebody needed to tell Tony to be himself.

A Marine's Return

4

Tim and Tony

A few hours later Gibbs' team was still in the bullpen and the Director was still in her office going over case files. Ziva got up from her desk and handed a stack of case files to Gibbs before sitting back down on her desk and looking at her computer.

"Ziva, go home. Get some rest. And remember: my door is always open."

"Yes Gibbs; and thank you." She packs up her stuff and leaves for the elevator; feeling Gibbs' eyes on her as she leaves.

Gibbs makes sure she gets to the elevators safely then turns back to his work but before he can look at the files Ziva gave him he sees McGee shuffling through a stack; it looks like he is looking for a sheet of paper.

"You lose something McGee?" he asks gruffly.

"Ummmm, I think I left one of my note pages in Abby's Lab Boss. I'll just go get it; be back in five."

"Let's go McGee."

Both Gibbs and Tim get up from their seats and make their way to the back elevator and pushing the button for Abby's Lab. After a few floors Gibbs hits the emergency stop button and turns to McGee who flinches.

"Relax McGee I am not going to head slap you for leaving something in Abby's lab. I wanted a chance to talk to you without Tony overhearing."

"What is it Boss?"

"1: Stop calling me boss; Gibbs or Jethro; I am no longer your boss Tim. And second: don't let Tony or Ziva push you around ok? You are a very capable Agent ok. Tonight I am going to recommend to the Director that you be made Junior Field Agent. Don't be afraid to tell Tony to shove it if he needs it. And Last: Help Ducky in watching over Abby for me."

"Yes boss. . . I mean Gibbs. And thank you. Are you going to tell Tony to act like himself and not you? Any time that you are gone Tony starts acting like you and it is completely stupid because there is only one you and it's not Tony."

"Yea I'll have a talk with Dinozzo about that; don't worry. Now get that sheet and finish up your reports, then go home and get some sleep Tim." Gibbs flicks the switch and allows the elevator to complete its journey to Abby's lab. Tim gets off and enters the lab as Jethro allows the doors to close and head back up to the bullpen. Tony saw Gibbs approaching and quickly got back to work. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his boss sit down and start going through the files Ziva had placed on his desk before signing the bottom sheet and finding his report for the same case. After he added Ziva's report he place them in a pile; waiting for the rest of the team's reports.

Two minutes later McGee wondered into the bull pen and sat back down at his desk, typing away furiously on his computer. Ten minutes later he walked up to Jethro's desk and placed his completed case file reports on his desk before returning to his and packing up and saying goodnight to Tony and Gibbs, who both returned the saying. Gibbs again watched as McGee got onto the elevator before turning his attention to the case files that were just left on his desk. Like what he did with the reports Ziva left him; Jethro went over the files and signed them before placing them in the folders with his and Ziva's reports. Replacing the files in the stack he turned to Tony.

"You done yet Dinozzo?"

"Almost boss; I just have three to finish up, then I am all done."

"Give me what you have finished right now and get cracking on the rest; I don't want to be here all night and I am sure that you don't either."

Tony walks over and hands Gibbs the work that he has completed thus far then escapes to the restroom while Jethro starts reading the files Tony just handed him. When he looks up he sees Tony back at his desk working. After a few minutes he walks over to Gibbs' desk and hands him one file as he picks something up from the printer behind the desk.

"You feel up to being permanent team leader Tony?" Gibbs asks.

"Yea boss; I think I am. But are you sure that you won't be returning to NCIS after your tour is done?"

"Dinozzo I will not be returning to NCIS; too many old ghosts and demons. Besides this place could use from fresh blood. Do me a favor Tony: don't try to be me; be yourself and you'll do better. That and you won't have Ziva threatening to kill you with office supplies. Lead the team by being Anthony Dinozzo and not Jethro Gibbs."

"Got it boss!"

"Good now remember that I will be hearing from everyone on the team and if you start acting like me I will head slap you into the next decade. You can keep my rules but amend #12 to 'never date a coworker unless it's serious; no casual flings.' Got it?"

"Yes boss." Tony returns to his desk as Jethro adds the new report to the stack and waits for the last two reports. Ten minutes later Tony hands him the last of the reports and gets ready to go home.

"Tony, I know that the rest of the team has the weekend off but you might want to report to the Director to see if there is anything you should know or if you need to fill out any paperwork. So you should come in tomorrow and see Cynthia or the Director."

"You got it boss."

"As of two minutes ago its Jethro or Gibbs; not Boss. You are the boss now Tony. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Gibbs." Tony heads off for the elevators and heads home. Jethro turns his attention to the remaining two reports and places them with the rest. He then gathers them up and makes his way up the stairs to the Director's Office. He sees that Cynthia is still here though she is asleep. Smirking slightly he walks behind her desk to a set of filing drawers and reaches into the bottom drawer pulling out a worn blanket. He draped the blanket over the sleeping assistant before entering Jen's office. Closing the door softly behind him he enters her office and crosses the room to her couch; he picks up a small pillow and once again leaves the office. Gently he lifts Cynthia's had and places the pillow down on the desk before lowering her head back onto the desk.

"Easier then tucking Kel in." He whispers before going back into the office. When he enters again he looks over at the desk and spots Jen also sleep at her desk. It looked like he wasn't going home tonight.