You all know the drill I make no money just lovely reviews. I do promise to put them back when I am done. As for this final chapter in this series, well it was time; I give you fair warning some of you aren't going to like it. This one is not beta'd, I think I broke her sending so many stories to her. So I'm giving her a rest.

Gibbs looks at Tony's empty desk for the third time in as many weeks and cursed the man for leaving without a word to anyone. All he knew was that he was ordered to go undercover. No one would tell him anything and even with all of McGee, and Abby's hacking nothing was found as to his whereabouts.

Tossing his empty coffee cup into the trash he reaches for the next file on his desk only to be interrupted by his desk phone ringing.

"Gibbs." He says in his usual gruff manor.

"Come to my office I have something for you."

"On my way Director." He says then hangs up the phone.

"Have a seat Gibbs." Leon orders turning from the wet bar. He places a tumbler with two fingers worth of an amber colored liquid in front a seated Gibbs.

Only then does he hand Gibbs a sealed envelope.

Gibbs recognizes the writing, only one man other than Ducky has penmanship that refined. A firm hand something that was learned years ago and was truly beautiful a lost art. He looks back up at Vance and glares at the man.

He opens then envelope and takes out two pages of plain white paper on NCIS letterhead no less.

Boss,

First of all stop glaring at Vance it's not his fault he had no idea. He was kept out of the loop as well. All he was told was that I was being sent on a need to know mission, and he didn't need to know.

Secondly if you are reading this then I'm dead. I died the way I wanted, doing my job. I always knew that I would die in the line of duty. So did you, admit it.

Let's get down to the nitty gritty of things. Before I left I saw Brad he told me that I had maybe six months if I was lucky. Seems my friend, that lovely Y-Pestis has reared its ugly head and is slowly destroying my organs one by one. Nothing can be done it's inevitable that I will die a slow agonizing death. No thank you, not if I can help it.

So it was a godsend when I was summoned by the powers that be to do a little job for them and well. . . need to know and all that. You know how it is.

As you have all ready guessed the mission was not sanctioned, I knew this going in. And I was fine with it. They needed my skill set that's why I was asked to go.

Enough about that I'm sure you will hear about what happened somewhere along the line. Just so you know no body will be coming back to you, unsanctioned remember, don't look for me. If you must light a candle for me when you light one for your girls.

I need you to do a few things for me, please. They won't be hard and you only have to do three things.

Hand McGee the spare keys to my place, well his place now. I sort of forged his signature on some forms when I added his name to the deed to my condo. Now he and Delilah have a place they can call home.

Help Jimmy move the piano to his place I want him to have it. He plays very well and it really should go to someone that will actually use it.

Lastly call Steve he'll know what to do with the rest of my things. That's it.

You know Gibbs not a day has gone by that I'm not grateful that I followed you to NCIS.

You gave me something that I never truly had before stability and a home, a real home.

I won't get mushy it's just not something that neither one of us do.

You're the best partner that I ever had, head slaps and all.

I won't be there to watch your six, but don't be surprised it I don't find a way to make my presence known to you. Maybe a ghostly head slap of my own, I might even spill your coffee. On second thought that might not be such a good idea, I wouldn't put it past you to head slap even if I am a ghost.

Carpe diem, Tony.

He picks up the drink and sees that Vance is holding one of his own. "Was the missions successful?"

" Yes."

The two men raise their glasses, in a wordless toast, then quickly toss them down.

Gibbs hands the letter to Vance, "I'd like it back after you've read it." He turns and start to walk towards the door, only to stop when Vance call out to him.

"Gibbs, Jethro. Do you want me to tell the rest of the team."

"I'll tell them, don't worry I'll think of something."

To say he was exhausted when he got home would be an understatement. He kept it simple that Tony died in an undercover mission and his body was all ready buried.

Abby and Ellie went to the nuns to say a prayer and light a candle. Tim held the keys in his hand and held his emotions in check as silent tears went unshed.

Ducky poured out a wee dram and they shared a drink in Tony's memory. He looked back at his friend he could swear the elder M.E. looked older than he had just a few moment before.

Once home after locking his weapon away he rubbed his hand over his face. He was frozen in place not really knowing what to do. He needed to eat something what he really wanted to do was drink until he could forget.

Hearing his front door open he was surprised to see Fornell standing there with a bottle of 400 dollar bourbon and a bag from top of the line butcher.

"Jethro, it seems like the kid took care of everything. I got a call from his lawyer he left me some money and this bottle. With a note telling me what to do. So cowboy steaks and bourbon? I have a bottle of that beer you both liked to cook your steak in."

"I'll get the iron pan. You get the plates." Gibbs replies then turns to start the fire.

"What I want to know is how he knew?" Tobias asks as they sipped their drink long after the meal was over and the embers of the fire were slowly dying.

"Drove me crazy more than once, he would never say either. Just smile, that smile of his. Tony always knew."