Tim and Cassie walked back to Tims apartment, arms wrapped around each other, neither willing to let the other go. Both were resigned to the fact that Tim was leaving the next day, or Monday at the latest. Tim had text Ric to let him know about the briefing. Ric told Tim he would be waiting for him afterwards.

Entering Tims apartment, Cassie moved to the spare room, knowing she had left clothes for sleeping in. For the first time she would sleep in Tims bed, spending as much time with the man she loved. Tim entered his bedroom, stripping down to his boxers, and putting on a plain t-shirt. Cassie walked in behind him, wearing one of Tims MIT t-shirts. Because of Tims size, the t-shirt was more like a shirt dress on Cassie. Tim and Cassie got into Tims bed, Cassie cradling herself into Tims arms, her head on his chest. Tonight, they would hold each other, both worried about what was to come. Sleep would not claim them until nearly dawn.

Ric sat in his apartment, his phone on charge, the battery nearly depleted after all the phone calls he had made. He had personally contacted each member of the team to let them know what was happening. He had also made a request of them. They had all said yes. Ric thought back to the conversation he had had earlier that night.

Flashback

"Hello." Worried what the Director wanted with him at this time of night.

"Agent Balboa, please hold for the Director." Ric panicked, thinking of his mom and brother.

"Ric, I know its late." Jen sounded defeated, thought Ric, like she's just lost a fight she been in for hours.

"Everything ok, Jen?"

"Your family are fine, its work I'm calling about." Ric was even more worried now, thinking he had been reassigned.

"Whats up?"

"Just over three hours ago, SAC Louis Powell died of a massive heart attack in California." Ric knew the name, he was the head of Special Operations at Camp Pendleton. "The SFA has only been on the job three months." Ric knew where this was going. He would have to pack.

"When do I need to be there?" Ric asked, thinking he was anticipating the Director.

"Not you, Ric. Tim has been given the post."

"What? Are you kidding me? He's the best goddamn agent the CTOC has! He deserves to stay here and be promoted to Team Leader." Ric shouted at the Director, on his feet and pacing the apartment. "Which idiot made this decision?" Not giving a thought to showing the Director the proper respect.

"The decision was made by myself, along with the deputy directors of this agency, and given SecNavs approval." Jen was taking nothing Ric said to heart.

"Then that is one of the stupidest decisions you lot have ever made. The team is going to suffer massively because of this. Have you lot given any thought to the damage you will do to the CTOC?"

"All options have been discussed."

"Then go back and discuss them again. You are making a mistake, a colossal mistake, one which will cause the CTOC disruption and heartache."

"Ric, I didn't call you to ask for your approval. This is what is going to happen."

"You didn't call for my opinion either before you started making decisions about the agents under my command. Have you any idea what transferring Tim will mean for this unit?"

"We appreciate it will cause some disruption to the team."

"Disruption? Thats what you lot call it? Disruption?" Ric couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did they really value Tims role in the team so little. "Let me spell this out for you, Director. SFA McGees transfer will cause the following issues. I have to reassign Jardine from European Liaison to Interpol. Someone will then need to take over her role. Kei will be reassigned as SFA, meaning I need a new drugs specialist. Agent McGee has been the supervising officer of Probationary Agent Freeman, he will need a new supervising officer. He has also been training Kei and Amanda Ryan as SFAs. Most of this is done in addition to his actual job. Kei is not ready to take on Tims role, neither is Amanda. Kei is not used to dealing with the other agencies as much as Tim is, and Amanda doesn't have the temperament to sit there and take the grief Tim does. This will tear the team apart. It will set back the development of these agents by months."

"Agent Balboa, I have to think of the entire agency, not just one team, or a few individual agents. The decision has been made."

"Its the wrong one." Ric shouted down the phone, not caring he was yelling at the Director of NCIS.

"Thank you for your opinion, Agent Balboa, but my orders stand. Agent McGee will be receiving his briefing at 0900 tomorrow at the Assessment Centre. He will be leaving a few hours later. If you want to say goodbye to him, then would be the time. I will reassign a new drug smuggling specialist within the next week. Goodnight, Agent Balboa."

Ric looked at his phone, not believing what was happening. He wondered why Tim was being transferred and not him. Then it came to him. He was being left behind to keep the team going. He didn't know if he could do it without Tim. He and Tim had been a team since day one of the job. He wasn't naive enough to think neither of them would leave, but he always thought it would be on their terms, not on orders from the Director.

End Flashback.

Tim opened his eyes and looked at his bedside clock. 7:43am. He had slept for more than an hour. He had had about three hours in total for the whole night. It would have been less if not for the beautiful woman looking at him. Cassie had stayed with him all night, holding him, providing him with comfort without saying a word. Tim knew this may be the only time they could do this for the next few months. He kissed Cassie on the cheek, and moved to get up. He needed coffee and a shower, deciding to forgo a morning shave. Looking back at his bed, he was amazed at Cassies beauty. Even after a bad nights sleep, in an oversized t-shirt, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. Tim wondered how they would make this work.

"I'll put some coffee on. I need a shower before going in."

"I'm coming with you. Not into the briefing, I'll end up saying something I shouldn't. I'll wait outside for you. We'll go from there." Cassie had made up her mind. She would support her man, no matter what. Yelling at Director Shepard wouldn't do anything, except make her feel better. Then she'd feel awful for yelling at the Director. Definitely not worth it.

"OK." Tim didn't have the strength to disagree. He would need all his willpower to get through the briefing without breaking down. Then he had to say goodbye to everyone. At that he would be crying, these guys were his friends, his family. Tim knew this would be one of the most difficult days of his life. He still had to tell his family.

"Tim, this is a three month reassignment for now. We know this is unexpected. The deputy directors, myself and the Office of Personnel are looking through personnel files to find a suitable replacement. It might become permanent or extended."

"Director, I serve at the pleasure of yourself, you know that. However, please note my firm objection to this posting. It is neither desired or requested by myself. I am taking this position on the orders of my superiors. I will carry out my duties to the best of my abilities. I do request a transfer to my current position and location as soon as possible." Tim was not going to let the Director think she could leave him there indefinitely.

"Tim, I appreciate your candor. I will try to get you back to the CTOC and your team as soon as possible. Is there anything else you would like to know about your new team?"

"I'll download the personnel files and mission ops before I leave, and read them on the flight."

"Thank you, Agent McGee. Deputy Director Leon Vance will meet you on Monday, 0800, at the Teams offices. Good luck."

"Thank you, Director." Shepard signed off, leaving Tim alone in the Telesuite. Cassie was waiting next door for him. Tim took a breath and moved towards the assessment centre. As the doors opened, he was greeted with a sight he was not prepared for. The whole CTOC team was waiting for him. Looking at Ric, Tim nearly cried. "My flight is at 2pm from JAX, onto Chicago, onto LAX, then a navy chopper to Camp Pendleton. I report in at 0800 tomorrow."

"Tim, I fought this." Ric was doing his best not to cry. He had a feeling he would fail.

"I know. The Director told me you shouted at her. Its a TAD for now. They need someone in the position tomorrow. The deputy head of SpecOps has only been there three months. They went someone more experienced. It was me or you."

"I will get you back, I promise, if thats what you want."

"I've told the Director the same thing." Tim looked around at the team, he hated saying goodbye. "I need to go home and pack, but first, let me say that you have been the best team I have ever worked with. I want to speak you to all, but on your own. No point in everyone watching us hug it out." No one laughed at Tims gallows humour. "Xander, you're the probie, you get to go first. After this, you can all come and help me pack."

Xander followed Tim back into the Telesuite. This would be the second hardest hour of Tims last day in Florida.