I know what's going to happen in the next chapter! I have foresight! I better write it down though. I forget things. Seriously. Like important things. Apparently it's a side effect of my headache medication that doesn't make headaches go away but has caused me to lose ten pounds. Win some lose some I guess.
Anyway, forgetting. It really concerns my best friend. She thinks I'm going to forgot something big and then get hit by a car. I'm unsure how those will correspond, but I'm not an arguer. Ill let her have it.

I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can!

Also, I love Mary Oliver! She is my all time favorite poet. If you want an incredible poem by her, Look up "In Blackwater Woods". It's my favorite and I always read it when I'm upset. It's just beautiful.

~Renee

"Boss, I just think you shouldn't be so-"

Gibbs rounded on McGee, his eyes bright. "So what, McGee? I get letter after letter from you, Ziva and Abby telling me to come home, that DiNozzo can't handle the responsibility, and the moment I get here you want to take it all back?"

Tim opened his hands, trying to find the words. "No, it's just… maybe we weren't… maybe we were wrong."

"Maybe you were wrong. Well that's just perfect. Maybe you were, but that doesn't answer the question of where the hell Ziva is and why DiNozzo's desk looks like human resources vomited all over it."

"That's not-"

"Gibbs!"

Ziva came rushing down the hall, brushing past other agents to greet him.

Gibbs embraced her and gripped her shoulder. "Ziver. Where have you been? You all right?"

"I'm fine, I was just taking care of something. What are you doing here?"

"Been getting some interesting reports, needed to see if everything was all right."

Ziva frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Oh Gibbs, we are anything but okay."

xxx

The glass clinked against the crystal glass as the waiter poured Jeanne another glass of wine.

"It's good then?" Tony asked with a shy smile.

She laughed and tipped the glass towards him. "It's wonderful. Are you sure you don't want to try any?"

He shook his head pointed to his iced tea. "I'm fine. One of us has to be able to drive home."

She rolled her eyes and dark hair was flung over her shoulder. "One glass will keep you from driving? I didn't know you were a lightweight."

He grinned and soft laughter tumbled from his mouth. "I'm not, I just don't want to take the chance. Besides, maybe I just want to get you drunk."

Jeanne choked on the mouthful of wine, pressing a napkin to her lips to stop the giggling.

"Right, because I would choose a Chardonnay to ensure I get laid."

His smile grew and he rested his chin on his hand, leaning towards her. "Only the best."

She raised one eyebrow and set the glass down. "Chardonnay is the best you could get?"

He jokingly raised his hands in the air. "There's just no pleasing you. I could have gotten you a Henri Jayer Richebourg Grand Cru. Would that have been acceptable?"

She sucked her lips in, trying to hold back the smile. "Possibly, if I knew what that was."

Tony reached across the table, a bit of chocolate on the edge of his fork. "Tell me I did good and you get the chocolate."

"We've resorted to bribery?" She smiled and leaned forward, her face only inches from Tony's. Her eyes widened slightly, framed by the longest lashes he had ever seen and she whispered. "You did good Tony."

He pressed the chocolate to her lips and felt something in his chest shudder when she closed her eyes in satisfaction.

His fingers brushed over the hair that was falling into her face, carefully tucking it behind her ear. Her eyes met his and they froze, Tony's hand still on the side of her face.

"Tony."

"Yes Jeanne?"

"I-"

Tony pulled away abruptly. He knew what she was going to say.

And he hated it.

She couldn't...shouldn't.

This was wrong. This was so so wrong.

"Tony? Are you alright?"

You can't do this now. You knew what this would entail. Focus. Just…just do it DiNozzo.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and grinned widely.

"Of course, I'm fine. Just thought I saw someone I knew."

She smiled back hesitantly with the slightest bit of teasing at the corners. "Old girlfriend?"

He broke off another piece of the cake and pushed it into her mouth, his face bright and laughing. "And she's gorgeous, now hush and eat your chocolate."

Xxx

"He disappears for hours, insists on these ridiculous 'campfires', and leaves us to do the majority of the case work. He is a lazy hobo."

McGee rubbed his forehead. "Lazy bum," he corrected.

Ziva waved her arm towards him. "See, McGee agrees with me."

"No, that's not what I-"

"Agent Gibbs." The three turned to the balcony to see the director staring down at them.

Gibbs raised an eyebrow. "Just Gibbs. I'm retired."

She grinned and turned back to her office.

"You sure about that Jethro?"

Gibbs' nose twitched and he walked away from his former teammates, jogging up the stairs.

Catching up easily with the director, he pushed his hands into his pockets. "You know something I don't Jenny?"

"Oh quite a few things." she looked at his posture with amusement. "I wonder, is another habit he picked up from you, or is this one of the rare ones you stole from him?"

Gibbs tilted his head back in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"You walk like Tony."

Gibbs snorted and rolled his eyes. "Right. What's this about, what's happened to my team?"

Jenny pushed open the door to her office and leaned on her desk. "Your team? I thought you were retired?"

"They're still mine."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sure. Your team is fine. The closure rate hasn't dropped and no member has been admitted for emergency care since you left. If anything, they're doing better now than they were with you."

"Really? Then why am I here?"

Jenny pressed her lips together tightly before answering. "That is an excellent question. Why are you here Jethro?"

Gibbs glanced back at the door, thinking about the agents downstairs. "They needed me."

"And you came rushing back. Again, I ask why? What did they tell you to make you come back so quickly and with such rage? You seemed to be rather focused on DiNozzo's part in this."

Gibbs growled. "I trusted him to take care of them. To handle things like an adult."

"And you think he hasn't." Jenny began to laugh quietly, which only increased at the confused look on Gibbs' face.

"Want to share the joke?"

"Just… irony. That infamous gut and the dynamic duo. So funny how things change." Gibbs came towards her, but she only raised a hand. "Look at the facts Gibbs, and then look beneath them. You might be surprised by what you find."

Gibbs drew his eyebrows together and nodded, deep in thought. He opened the door but stopped before he left.

"Jenny, I am retired. Aren't I?"

She ran a finger over the edge of her desk, letting it trace the old wood before it met her form still resting on the surface. She tapped her hip twice and smiled.

"Not exactly."

Gibbs' mouth opened slightly before he shut it back with a snap and pushed the door firmly closed.

"Then what, exactly, am I?"

She pushed herself off the desk and walked around it, waking up her computer.
"You're on… vacation."

"Excuse me." His voice dropped low. Dangerous.

"Don't give me that Jethro. I remember listing you as retired. Done. But I checked a couple weeks after you left, needing to make sure… of something, and you were registered as vacation. Which, to be honest, works. You have nearly a year of paid vacation time piled up, something I wasn't aware of and frankly shouldn't even be allowed and… you're listed as retainer."

"Retainer. As in, you call, I come and work and leave again? That retainer?"

"I call, you come. I like that." She grinned.

"Jenny."

She rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "Don't give me that Gibbs. I had nothing to do with it. But it's there, marked with your approval. I don't know how, but it is. Besides, we had no real way of getting a hold of you, so did it really matter?"

Gibbs frowned. "Yeah actually. It does."

Xxx

Tobias paced the hallway, clenching and releasing his fists. He glanced up at the clock for the fifth time in as many minutes and growled deep in his throat.

It was late.

Well...it was nine.

How late did people stay out on dates? Was there a normal time frame?

He knew Tony wouldn't bring her back to his place, there was too much he wouldn't be able to explain. The framed degrees and certifications on the wall. The complete and utter lack of food in the fridge. The pictures scattered on various pieces of tables and shelves; the team gathered around the bullpen laughing, Tony and Abby in the crime lab, and one that he stood and stared at for nearly three straight minutes. It was Tony and Gibbs, Gibbs sitting behind his desk and Tony sitting on top of it, his hands in the air, obviously describing something he found hilarious as his eyes were bright and lips were laughing even as they were open telling the story. What caught him the most though was Gibbs. The older agent was leaning forward on his desk, laughing openly at Tony's depiction, one hand extended as if to grab Tony's waving arm.

Tobias sighed and turned away.

No, Tony wouldn't be bringing her back here.

So here he was. Waiting.

Maybe Tony would go back to her place.

Maybe. But that didn't seem right either.

Tony would be back here. Eventually.

And he would wait.

He continued pacing, ignoring the ever present buzz of his phone after ensuring it wasn't Tony.

Gibbs.

Again.

The man had tried to chase down Tobias after he had barged out of the directors office, muttering threats regarding abuse of power and FBI job offers.

The calls had started about an hour ago.

He wasn't answering. If Gibbs wanted to know what happened while he was gone, then he could either change his attitude and pull his head out of his ass or he could find it out himself, use some of that famed Gibbs gut to see that thing aren't as they seem.

And if he couldn't do that, than fine. Tony would come to the FBI.

He was done with this shit and he doubted it would be difficult to get Tony to follow him back to the bureau.

Hell, at this point all it probably would take is the promise of backup and he'd be signing the paperwork.

Xxx

McGee wrung his hands and thought frantically. He didn't do this. Breaking into the CIA was one thing, his own boss was another. He wasn't stupid.

"Boss, I- Gibbs. I didn't do it. I didn't hack the director's computer and neither did Abby. I don't know how it happened, but it wasn't us!"

Gibbs made a noise in frustration and started down the hall. McGee hesitated and then chased after him.

"On the bright side, if you decide to come back, it'll be a lot shorted transfer. And your vacation is paid. Technically."

Gibbs didn't turn around but rolled his eyes. Yes whoever had decided to change his status had done him a big favor. He had noticed that his bank account seemed a bit more padded than it should have been. That was one mystery solved. NCIS was still paying him. To do nothing.

"It wasn't Abby?"

McGee shook his head. "No boss. Um… Gibbs. I promise."

But who the hell would have broken into the director's computer just to ensure he had the option of coming back and a little extra cash on hand?

Gibbs looked down at his phone. Tobias hadn't called him back yet, and he had the distinct feeling that the FBI agent would be able to shed some light on the situation.

He turned on his heel and started to the lab.

He couldn't force Tobias to answer the phone, but he could still track him down.

He was getting his answers damn it.

Something around here wasn't making sense.

Xxx

Tony opened the door for Jeanne, allowing her to step out on the sidewalk, her dark hair glowing in the streetlights.

"Coming handsome?"

He linked arms with her and began to walk slowly down the street.

"So you wouldn't believe what happened today. Doctor York just vanished, right out of the pharmacy. Then some government agency shows up and demands our security footage claiming that Doctor York was involved in a murder! So-"

Tony nodded in all the right places and felt himself begin to zone out, keeping one hear turned to Jeanne's voice and retreating inside his mind.

No Benoit. The man hadn't arrived at dinner, which was something he had been fearing. Of course if he had, then he would have been one step closer to wrapping this damned assignment. But still. The last thing he needed was to face The Frog when he could barely keep his thoughts moving in a straight line. Or his vision. Everything blurred momentarily into a grew blur. He winced at the pounding in his temples and carefully drew in a breath to ease his tightening lungs.

I'm thinking this is more than a simple cold. Damn it.

As soon as he got Jeanne back to her apartment, he was calling Ducky.

The man wouldn't be all that pleased with the late hour, but he would understand.

In fact he'd probably be pissed he hadn't come to him earlier. Or maybe he'd put two and two together and realize why he had stopped by earlier.

Maybe he shouldn't call him at all. A guilty Ducky was almost as distracted as an angry Ducky.

Palmer?

Palmer would help him. He'd give him a call when he got home. The gremlin would understand.

"-shaking?"

Tony blinked and realized that they were outside Jeanne's apartment and she was looking at him strangely.

"What?"

She curled her lips in and rested a hand on his forearm. "You're shaking. Are you okay?"

Tony looked down at his arm and saw a slight tremor rocking through it. In fact all of him was shuddering.

Well shit.

He smiled brightly and grabbed the hand laying on his arm. "I'm perfectly fine. Do you remember the agency?"

"What?"

Tony interlaced their fingers, focusing down on their hands as he spoke. "The people who came and got Doctor York? Do you remember who they were?"

"FBI, I think."

Tony started to laugh. Of course. Because no one ever remembered NCIS.

"Why is that funny?"

He pulled her closer to him through the laughter and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Looks like I arrived at just the right time."

Tony looked up and two yards away, there he was.

Benoit.

The man smiled widely as Jeanne rushed into his arms. "Dad! You're early."

Of course he is.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her close. "Hello my dear. I thought I would surprise you."

Freaking wonderful.

Jeanne all but glowed as she reached out for Tony and pulled him closer. "Dad this is Tony DiNardo. My… my boyfriend," she said proudly as she straightened.

Tony relaxed, slipping easily into the role he needed to be. "Nice to meet you Mr. Benoit. Jeanne has told me all about you."

The man smiled disarmingly. "Not everything I hope."

Tony shook his hand. "Oh you'd be surprised."

Benoit continued to smile at him, but there was something in his eyes. Something unpleasant. "Well how about we all go inside and chat? I'd love to know more about you Professor DiNardo."

I didn't tell him I was a teacher.

Jeanne could have.

She probably did.

I still don't like this.

Something's wrong.

Jenny's going to kill me for this.

"I would, but I have to get going. Maybe tomorrow?"

Tomorrow, after he had gotten some medical attention and regrouped himself.

"Nonsense," the man leaned forward and murmured quietly so his daughter wouldn't hear. "You don't want to disappoint Jeanne do you?"

Tony swallowed and smiled. "Of course not."

"Wonderful. Come on then!"

Benoit led them into the house, his arm wrapped around his daughter and Jeanne's hand holding Tony's.

It's okay. This is what is supposed to happen. Get in, get situated. Become… become what he needs. Step two. I can do this.

Tony started to settle on the couch but stopped when he saw Jeanne move to the kitchen to make some coffee.

"Hold on honey, I'll get that. Talk to your dad."

She smiled gratefully at him and he slipped past her, nearly to the kitchen when Benoit called him back. "Wait up Anthony. I'll help you."

Tony tried not to shudder at the use of his full name. Nobody used his full name. Unless he was in trouble. And oh did he hope wasn't in trouble.

"Don't you want to see Jeanne, Mr. Benoit?"

He waved his hand and helped scoop the coffee. "Of course, but I do believe she wants us to, what is the term, bond? You mean quite a bit to her. And Please, call me René"

"All right... René. Jeanne means to world to me."

Benoit looked at him with dark eyes. "As she should. I'm curious though, Anthony, what else matters to you?"

Xxx

Tobias sat on the couch, elbows on knees and his head in his hands.

Tony was fine. It was only… ten thirty.

Right. That was fine.

Was that still early?

Tobias tapped his foot impatiently on the carpet.

He was too old for this.

His phone buzzed once more.

And once more it wasn't Tony.

Tobias pushed it to the floor and stood, walking back down the hall to pace.

Something crashed against the door.

He spun, his hand on his hip, gripping the handle of his weapon.

Someone was trying to get in.

Tony. Undercover. Benoit. Danger.

His thoughts scattered and he moved slowly to the door.

If it wasn't Tony, they were going to have a rude welcome.

He pulled his gun from his holster and looked through the peep hole.

"Damn it." He jerked the door open and stared irately at Gibbs. "What the hell do want?"

Gibbs looked tired. Frustrated. And oddly enough… lost.

Something about him just looked so very wrong.

"I need to understand. I think I made a mistake."