Another week passed and the team were once more gathered round McGee's desk waiting to discover the contents of the latest package from the UK.

Hey McGoo

Decided to give the West Country a miss. Getting lost and/or blown up on Dartmoor lost its appeal. Thought you might all like pictures from a Navy dockyard so came to Portsmouth on the South Coast. They have this huge tower here and I knew you'd like this postcard of the view from the top. There's a glass floor to walk on. You'd love it … assuming you'd booked the hypnotherapy height phobia thing. You really should think about doing that, you know – it would help you enjoy any trips to the UK, lots of high things to climb here.

Here's a book which will help you tie yourself on if you do decide to climb more than five feet from the ground. Webelos might like it anyway!

Ciao

Tony

Tim winced to see yet another panoramic view postcard but smiled when he saw that his gift was a book about knots.

"So, no visit to Dartmouth College," observed Ducky, "what a shame. I'm sure he would have enjoyed it but Portsmouth is a very fine naval city. I remember …"

"This is for you, Ducky," said McGee deciding to prevent another Ducky stream of consciousness.

"Thank you, Timothy," said Ducky with a slightly stern look.

Dear Ducky

Portsmouth is full of history. Went to see the Tudor ship, the Mary Rose. Here's a picture of a Tudor surgeon's mallet. Don't really want to think what it was used for. Ugh! I expect Jimmy and Tim will enjoy hearing you tell them.

Hope these cuff links go with the bow ties.

Tony

Tim shuddered at the thought of a lecture on the use of surgeons' mallets so hastened to ask, "What are the cuff links like, Ducky?"

Ducky displayed a pair of enamel cuff links shaped like little sailing boats, "they are really most charming," he said with pleasure.

"What has he sent me?" asked Abby.

"Here," said Tim.

Hi Abby

Managed to tear myself away from London Zoo! Did you know that they have a VIP gate for people to use who want to avoid publicity? Uncle Charles and I used it when I visited the second time. Not because I'm a VIP, of course, but Charles is! Portsmouth made me feel a bit homesick – all those boats.

Hope you like the present. You're the only person I know who would like them.

Love you

Tony

The card showed a skull and crossbones flag but it was the gift that made Abby really smile.

"Look," she said, "model head lice and fleas! It says they found some on the Mary Rose. They're so cool!"

The others looked at her in shock and tried to resist the sudden urge to scratch. To take his mind off surgeons' mallets and Tudor fleas, Jimmy asked diffidently,

"Is there anything for me?"

"Sure," said Tim.

Jimster

Not sure what this is a picture of but I think it's some other gruesome medical thingy from Tudor times. Enjoy!

Saw these socks and thought they might help with the navigation!

Tony.

"What do you have, Mr Palmer?" asked Ducky.

Jimmy showed them a pair of socks. One marked port and the other starboard.

"Splendid," said Ducky, "just remember to put them on the correct feet and all will be well."

Jimmy looked momentarily stricken and it was clear that he was trying to remember which foot was port and which starboard.

"Here you are, Boss," said Tim.

Hey, Boss.

You'd like it here. There's an Historic Boat Workshop here – loads of old little boats.

Was going to send you a card of the Mary Rose but it was a failure, sank in the Solent. Thought you'd prefer a picture of HMS Victory. One of the greatest ships of the British Navy and flagship of Lord Nelson, one of her finest admirals. Gotta love those British admirals!

Semper fi

DiNozzo

Gibbs nodded approvingly.

"I'm so pleased Tony didn't go to Dartmoor," said Abby, "and now I know why I didn't pick him up on the CCTV at London Zoo. We didn't need to worry after all! And Bert and Captain Tony will love the fleas and head lice."

Ducky, Tim and Jimmy all scratched their heads. Gibbs had iron control but silently did give thanks for his short haircut.

"What did Tony send you?" asked Abby.

"A mug. It's got all the International Code Flags on," he said.

"How interesting," said Ducky, "it reminds me of when I was a Sea Scout in my youth …"

"And what's the other thing?" asked Tim quickly.

Gibbs gave a half grin and showed them a magnet which read, Talk is Dangerous.

"Your motto, Jethro," said Ducky distracted from the flags.

The Director came into view and Gibbs called out, "doesn't look as if DiNozzo's been to any more boxing matches!"

Leon nodded approvingly and carried on walking.

"Come on, Ducky," said Abby, "you can tell me all about Tudor fleas … and the old medical instruments." And then turning round said, "Timmy. You have to come too. Tony told Ducky to tell you and Jimmy all about the mallet!"

Tim looked beseechingly at Gibbs, hoping to be denied permission but Gibbs just jerked his head in the direction of Abby's lab and Tim reluctantly departed.

Gibbs was only alone for a few minutes. The Director came and stood by his desk.

"DiNozzo coming back soon?" asked Gibbs.

"His assignment is nearly over," said Vance carefully.

"Hmm," said Gibbs, was it successful?"

The Director gave a sudden smile, "I think you know the answer to that, Gibbs." He nodded and left.

Gibbs grinned and looked at his HMS Victory card with Tony's praise of British admirals. He thought back to his last meeting with a British admiral.

FLASHBACK

"Come in, Agent Gibbs," said Lady Caroline when she had recovered from her surprise. "Tony isn't here, you know."

"But I'm guessing you know where he is," said Gibbs.

"Come into the kitchen," said Caroline, "I'll make you some coffee. My husband will be back soon. I think you should talk to him."

Gibbs followed her into an old fashioned country kitchen where he was told to sit at a long pine table. He was soon given a mug of strong coffee. Tony's aunt sat down opposite him.

"Is Ware-Paddington with DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.

"My nephew?" asked Caroline, "possibly. I don't know."

Gibbs took a gulp of his coffee and considered his next move. Before he could say anything, Caroline continued.

"Do you know the Paddington family motto?"

Gibbs shook his head,

"To serve is honour. To my husband's generation that usually meant military service. To the younger generation it often means service of another kind."

Gibbs nodded.

"Tony may carry the name of DiNozzo but he is a true Paddington. And I am very proud of both my nephews. They hold to our motto."

Gibbs nodded again,

"Ah," said Caroline, "here is Charles. Charles, we have a visitor."

Gibbs stood up as Sir Charles came into the kitchen,

"Good Lord," the admiral said, "what are you doing here, Agent Gibbs?"

"Looking for DiNozzo."

"How did you get here?"

"Caught a ride to RAF Lakenheath. Borrowed a motorbike and came here."

"Are you in this country illegally, Agent Gibbs?"

"No, Sir. Quietly, but not illegally."

"And when are you going back?"

"Depends on what you tell me, Sir. It's the weekend. I can be back at my desk on Monday and my team won't know I've left the country."

"What do you want to know?"

"What DiNozzo's been up to."

"What makes you think he's been 'up to something'?"

"He seems to have been charging round the country having a good time," said Gibbs, "our Director doesn't think highly enough of him to let him do that. Cryptic messages to Vance. Accident playing pooh sticks. Non-existent visits to tourist places."

"That doesn't seem very much," said Charles, "anything else?"

"My gut," said Gibbs, "is DiNozzo OK?"

Sir Charles gave him a measuring look, "Tony is safe."

Gibbs' gut settled a bit, "and well?"

The reply this time was a bit more hesitant, "getting there. He will be fine."

"Dartmoor?" asked Gibbs.

"Yes. That didn't go quite to plan."

"And what was the plan?"

"I can't tell you, Agent Gibbs. It is classified. And sanctioned by your Secretary of the Navy."

"What can you tell me, Admiral?"

"I believe you once told my brother in law that Tony hides behind the face of a clown?"

Gibbs nodded.

"That proved a useful smokescreen for … er … flushing out some undesirable elements."

"Boxing matches?"

"Yes."

"And the boxing, the fighting is over?" asked Gibbs.

"Oh no, Agent Gibbs. I don't believe the fighting will ever be over. But we know our enemy a bit better now. An enemy of your country and of mine."

"And was one of the boxers responsible for DiNozzo's accident when he was staying with you?"

"You're most astute, Agent Gibbs. Yes, we thought the cover story was absurd enough to fool most people."

"And Dartmoor? What happened there?"

"I cannot tell you. Suffice to say that my nephews 'admitted' to miscalculating the timing of the live firing testing and said they made a foolish mistake."

"So Crispian was involved with this?"

"I expect my wife has told you of the Paddington family motto," said Charles cryptically.

"Tony and Crispian don't like each other," said Gibbs.

"A useful fiction," observed Sir Charles.

"And Crispian is a multi-millionaire."

"Do you think money disqualifies someone from serving their country? I would not have thought you would hold that view."

"I don't, Sir. Where is Tony now?"

Charles hesitated, "he is with Cris, he is being cared for."

"I'll take him back with me," said Gibbs.

"That will not be possible, Agent Gibbs."

"Why not?"

"He needs to recover a little before he returns to the United States. We don't want anyone to think that anything untoward happened in his absence. As far as anyone knows, Special Agent DiNozzo carried out an assignment to examine security protocols and also took the opportunity to visit many of this country's tourist spots. Nothing more, nothing less."

"And the second batch of London postcards? We checked the CCTV footage. We know he didn't pay a second visit."

"After Dartmoor, we had to re-arrange the timetable. Tony had had the forethought to purchase extra postcards so that they could be dispatched if necessary. They all came through the Embassy so we did not have to concern ourselves with post marks."

"You had it all worked out," said Gibbs bitterly.

"Tony has a talent for this," said Sir Charles, "I am very proud of him. And you should be too. And now, I think you should leave, Agent Gibbs."

"I want to see DiNozzo."

"That will not be possible, Cris's house in Henley is being watched. Your arrival would ruin the story we have fashioned."

Gibbs opened his mouth to argue further but the Admiral swept on, "I understand your concern, Agent Gibbs, but believe me, we have Tony's best interests at heart. He is recovering well. Indeed, he is undertaking another expedition to a tourist spot in the next couple of days. We thought it best that he sends your team some more cards and gifts."

Gibbs stood up and stared at the Admiral, trying to gauge if he could be trusted. Sir Charles returned the gaze and finally Gibbs decided that, although he didn't like it, he was being told the truth.

"Will you tell Tony that I came?" he asked.

"Possibly," said Sir Charles, "I expect Tony will find a way to let you know if I do."

He held out his hand and Gibbs shook it, "Look after him, Sir Charles," said Gibbs, "I want my agent back."

END FLASHBACK

So Gibbs had returned to the US and the team did not know that he had flown to England. Now, as he looked at the HMS Victory card, he decided that the Admiral had told Tony of his visit and that DiNozzo was letting him know that all was well.

Gibbs smiled and looked at his new mug. He decided to go and fill it with coffee. Then he looked at the magnet with its warning Talk is Dangerous and knew he was being warned not to speak of what he had found out.

"Not much chance of that!" he said to himself as he left the squad room.

AN: just an epilogue to come, I think.

And you really can buy 'toy' head lice and fleas from the Mary Rose museum. I think Abby is the only person who would enjoy them!