Tony stood in the middle of Gibbs' basement, next to a nearly finished boat, glaring at the 20 or so boxes next to the wall, opposite the work bench..."Man, I have a lot of crap."

"And that crap wants to go home, DiNozzo."...Gibbs said, moving down the stairs, holding a cup of coffee.

"I've been thinking, Gibbs."...Tony softly spoke, looking his boxes up and down.

"Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?"

Tony swung his head toward Gibbs..."Huh? Oh...well, maybe I should buy a house, I lost my apartment and it was piece of crap, the boiler kept exploding and umm, it would nice to settle down and not have to worry about disturbing your neighbors because your "girlfriend is too loud" and believe it or not, I miss mowing the grass."

Gibbs took a drink of his coffee..."You can cut mine if you want."...He smirked.

"Heh."...Tony flashes Gibbs a smile.

"About you and Ziva."

Tony gritted his teeth..."Yeah, Boss?"

"As long as I don't see it or hear it or catch you doing it...it's okay."

Tony does a double take towards Gibbs..."Really?"

Gibbs takes another drink of coffee..."Good luck and honestly, DiNozzo, do you need so many clothes? You have more suits than I've had wives."

--

Tony stood across from Director Vance, he was seated in his chair, behind his desk, a file was spread out in front of him.

Tony was silent, wearing a gray Ermenegildo Zegna suit perfectly, not a wrinkle in it. His red tie, snug around his neck.

"You discharged your firearm three times as an agent afloat aboard the Reagan...that's a record, including twice on separate ocassions on the same day, yet another record and because of that, you were moved to the Seahawk."...Vance looked up at Tony..."These are not the kind of records we at NCIS like to achieve Special Agent DiNozzo, although, in those cases, it was determined they were all good shooting and excellent work on the Jenkins murder investigation, by the way."

Tony remained stoic, not moving a muscle.

"Do you know how to speak?"

"Yes, Sir."...Tony answered.

"Good...do you know why I sent you to the Reagan, Agent DiNozzo?"

"Because of what happened with Jen...Director Shepard?"

Vance's eyes rose from the file he was reading..."Do you blame yourself for her death?"

"I...I was the highest ranking agent assigned to her, I was the head of her protection detail. It was my job to keep her safe. I and I alone failed her, NCIS and myself. Officer David went along with my orders."

"As did you, Agent DiNozzo. You followed Director Shepard's orders."...Vance stood..."Orders are orders, you did the right thing."

Tony cleared his throat..."Then why..."

"Why did I send you to Reagan?"...Vance interrupted..."Because I needed to take control of this team. I am the boss, not Gibbs. You weren't being punished, Agent DiNozzo. Agent Gibbs was."

Tony shook his head, confused, angry.

"What, didn't like my decision? Tough. It's not all about Gibbs and his team. There are other agents in his agency, Agent DiNozzo, remember that."

"May I go, Director?"...Tony asked.

"Not yet."...Vance sat back down..."In the future, when you are being presented with a medal, you will be there, do you understand?"

"I had more important things to do with my time, Sir."

Vance sat back, letting out a small laugh..."Wow, you really are Gibbs' right hand man, are't you?"

"I just finally see it, understand it."

"And what would that be, Agent DiNozzo?"

"It's not about awards or fame or money."

"Then what is it about? Enlighten me."

"Helping people."...Tony declared.

Vance leaned up, gripping the edge of his desk with his hands..."And what if that wasn't good enough? What other excuses did you have planned? Agent Gibbs would've had a few extra."

"Sir?"

"Go on, show me, if you have any."

Tony reaches into his pocket, pulling out a folded up piece of paper, he unfolds it and extends it towards Director Vance. He takes it from Tony and looks at it..."A doctor's note?"...Vance questioned.

"Yes, Sir. Signed by a Commander Dr. Brad Pitt, Bethesda Naval Hospital."

Vance tilted his head, looking up at Tony..."And where exactly did you get this, Agent DiNozzo?"

"Do I have to answer that, Director?"

"No, that is all...you can go."...Tony turned, moving to the door and leaves.

Vance looks at the doctor's note and read from it..."Complications from Y. Pestis?"...He smirks..."That's a first."

--

Tony moved towards the stairs coming out of Vance's office. Gibbs stood at the top of the stairs, drinking his coffee..."Everything okay?"

"Yeah."...Tony lowered his head..."I'm sorry about last night."

"Ah, don't be...it was just politicians looking for a photo op."

"I'm sorry, because I stood you up as well."

Gibbs finished off his coffee, he looked at Tony and smiled..."How many times have you picked up awards for me?"

Tony shrugs..."Six times."

"We're even then."

"6 to 1 is even, Boss?"

"I had to wear a tux."...Gibbs hurries down the stairs.

"Heh."...Tony scanned over the squad room, Ziva and McGee were both sitting at their desks, his eyes moved to his desk just as Gibbs passed by it, his stare then traveled north, Ziva smiled at him, giving him a tiny wave.

"Gear up!"...Gibbs yelled.

"Home sweet home."...Tony smiled as he made his way down the stairs.