A/N: Once again, thanks so much to everyone reading and/or reviewing. I so very much appreciate your support! Sorry this chapter is a wee one, but the next 2 will be posted directly, probably wrapping up the story on the weekend. Thanks again!

Chapter Nine

Monday Morning

Vance closed the DiNozzo IA report that had arrived while his MCRT was on the U.S.S. Bush. Shaking his head and sighing, he said "There's just no accounting for family sometimes. Had some lessons on that myself lately."

The quiet huff across his desk sounded like an agreement. Leon Vance was somewhat proud at being able to decipher approximately 70% of Gibb's non-verbal communications these days.

"I wanted to get your opinion on the situation, and what could best facilitate getting Agent DiNozzo back on track after an incident of this magnitude."

Already seeing his senior agent's body language make the minimal but decisive swing into contradictory status, he continued quickly "There are several", he held up his hands, "temporary postings available. I don't know the man well, true, but I do know as an Agent he's at his best when entirely engrossed with work. Am I right?" Old trick that, getting Gibbs to at least think 'yes', even if he'd prefer to never verbally agree with the Director.

Vance continued, "Keep him busy, maybe keep his mind off this situation with his father. Earn some extra money, and having room and board paid might be advantageous too."

Gibbs was irritated, he had the situation under control, and this was the absolutely last time for Tony to be sent somewhere without his… well, his real family's support. Although… Ziva and I do need a few days off for a quick international… vacation. Maybe some extremely brief assignment, build his confidence back up and keep his mind off what Ziva and I are doing…

"Who'd you send to the Bush to do close out reports and handoff duties, since Agent Solaf was killed?"

"I sent a TAD to do the close outs, and not having been an Agent Afloat before he's having a great deal of difficulty. This was Solaf's first Agent Afloat assignment and she wasn't quite as tidy with paperwork as I might have wished. Did her job well otherwise though, a definite loss to NCIS. No handoff yet. No Agent Afloat assigned for next tour yet, one of the duties I was thinking of DiNozzo for."

"No. Do not even mention that possibility to DiNozzo. Especially not right now." Gibbs looked Vance in the eye and waited for understanding to glimmer. Vance gave a slight nod. He understood there was no way Gibbs was going to spill Tony's true mental state or difficulties right now, but leader to leader, hell, father to father, they had an understanding.

Gibbs continued thoughtfully, "But I do need to take about three days off shortly. Maybe starting this afternoon unless something hot comes up. DiNozzo's following some good leads on a cold case; a hard to find neighbor may have been involved in Petty Officer Anderson's disappearance two years ago. Neighbor has changed name and disappeared a number of times. No direct tie in yet, just very suspicious. But he could pursue that remotely, especially in conjunction with McGee. DiNozzo could take over on the Bush temporarily, maybe even have an extended handoff to the next Agent, especially if you pick another first timer."

Vance grunted as he nodded, speaking Gibbs' preferred language. Then his head dipped down as his eyebrows arched, "Three days, eh? Pining for the scenic vistas of Saudi Arabia are you? I don't suppose any of your other team members might be putting in for the same three days?"

Gibbs' slight smile accompanied his answer, "David mentioned something about her tan."

"MmmHmm. Jethro, you of course remember this is not an NCIS case and we have no jurisdiction there."

"Of course, Leon. I can just talk. You've seen me in interrogation. I can be very persuasive." And the small smile was back.

Vance was always reminded when Gibbs was like this that you can put a leash on a tiger, but there was a secret to holding onto it. "Definitely take Ziva for your backup. I'll work out the rest, get DiNozzo switched out for TAD and training detail down in Norfolk."

...Whenever possible, walk in the same direction as the tiger.

A small nod concluded their conversation.