Chapter Twelve

When he reached his office, which seemed to have remained untouched during his forced absence, he sat in his chair and filed his retirement papers. That done, he looked at the dozens, perhaps hundreds of files stacked on every available surface. He thought about going through them, but he had one more thing to do first. He wrote a recommendation of promotion for Ron Sacks, to the position Tobias was currently holding or was again holding. He printed it, signed it and then walked it over to Calloway's office. He was back in his office, with a disgusted expression on his face as he looked at the mess Gehob had made of it.

He gave Fornell a warm smile when Tobias walked in. "Tobias, I'm glad you're still here. I wanted to ask you about Sacks."

Fornell smiled and handed his boss his recommendation for promotion. "Ah I see one last time great minds think alike. Could I interest you in a coffee or tea? I don't think I can stand to stay in this mess another minute."

Fornell nodded and they walked out to the closest coffee cart. The day was warm enough to sit on a bench and enjoy their beverages. Calloway started, "Tobias, I don't even know what to say about what's happened to you. When the Director of NCIS showed up on my doorstep last weekend and told me, I was horrified. I wish you'd felt that you could come to me."

"We were told you had a terminal illness and didn't want to see anyone but family, Lawrence."

"Gehob's first lie. Vance thinks he poisoned me. "

"Wouldn't be surprised. NCIS investigating?"

"Yes, I don't know how Vance arranged that, but I'm grateful he has."

"He's got SecNav's ear and interest. Davenport was infuriated when he heard that Gehob had attacked my daughter and tried to kidnap Gibbs' two youngest."

"Two youngest? I'm confused, Tobias. I thought Gibbs had no children?"

Chuckling, Fornell updated his soon to be former boss with the news about all the Gibbses.

"My word, that's a lot of change! And they successfully closed a 20 year old cold case, good for them. All these years you've been working with them and I've had to fight some battles over that, as you know. But time after time, they've been able to find the answers the Bureau hasn't. "

Fornell nodded, "Don't forget the whole Ari Haswari fiasco. That cost the life of one of Gibbs' agents. "

"Yes, another case of the Bureau and DHS having their collective head up their ass. "

Fornell smiled, he'd never heard his boss speak so freely. "You planning on going too, Lawrence?"

"Yes, I am, although I won't put in my papers until I'm completely recovered from the poisoning. Want to make sure I get Ron's promotion handled and a few other things I want to do. I'll be out of here in two or three months. Tobias, will you stay for a day or so, help me get settled back in? I know it'll be tough on you, but other than you and Ron, I'm not sure I can trust anyone here. "

"Think you have the list just about right, Lawrence, I was shunned by everyone but Ron from the first word that dropped from Gehob's lips. No loyalty, no benefit of the doubt in light of everything I've done for this agency for almost 40 years. But yeah, to help you out, I'll do my best to stick around, besides, I want to make sure my last paycheck reflects my time gone."

"It will, Tobias, I've already seen the department payroll."

"Good, thanks for getting that through so fast."

"I'd love to take the credit, but it seems once again, someone put a bug in SecNav's ear and he spoke with the DNI about it. He knew everything before the meeting yesterday."

Fornell sat in shock, he knew these people had gone to the mat for him, but to include his back pay, to go to that level of detail? Once again, he was overwhelmed and humbled by his friends' generosity. Calloway must have sensed his emotions because he reached over and patted his shoulder. "Just be grateful and if you can't pay them back in kind, do what that movie suggested, and pay it forward. I know I'm grateful they included me in this, I wouldn't have known any of this if Vance hadn't wanted my opinion of Gehob, wanted to find out why I had him transferred to our department."

"You did that? Why?"

"Because I had serious doubts about him, wanted to keep an eye on him, I'd heard a persistent rumor that he was linked to one of the mobs. I should have told you, but I already knew your history with him and didn't want to muddy the waters if the rumors were just rumors."

Fornell's mouth twitched but he remained silent. Calloway knew this meant he hadn't liked what he heard but wasn't going to say anything. He grimaced, he hoped he hadn't ended a friendship that dated back nearly 30 years. "I'm sorry, Tobias, I had no idea the man was such a sleazebag – a monster really – hell bent on taking you down. If I had, I never would have brought him to Washington."

Tobias nodded, "Don't fall on your sword, my friend, in case you haven't noticed, you were an injured party too."

Calloway nodded, "I suppose I should be grateful he only wanted to push me out of the way, not push me into the grave."

"DiNozzo, that's Gibbs' SIC, has a theory that's been pretty well proved in all the evidence. Gehob's mob buddy, Stud Diopiti, is or was a very low level underling in the Bomlundering family. He had no authority from his bosses to kill, just to harass, maim, but not outright kill. And his bosses were not involved in this, had no idea. When NCIS brought Diopiti in for questioning, a high priced lawyer showed up and the Agent In Charge asked him why he was there, said Diopiti was acting alone except for the guy he owed favors to in the FBI, that it had nothing to do with 'any other client'. The man said the lawyer made a quick phone call and got the hell out of there."

Calloway laughed, "I wonder if that's who Gehob called yesterday. He was off the phone so fast he looked stunned. Then he tried for a deal."

Fornell shook his head, "With that much evidence? Wow."

Calloway nodded. "Yes, well, I guess we should be getting back. You have a way home?"

"No, I haven't even been home yet and I left my car in Gibbs' garage before I left."

"C'mon, I'll sign an agency sedan out to you for the week. Least they can do…the very least."

Fornell huffed and followed his friend and boss back into the building. It wasn't as hard to do this time but he still didn't like it. Once he had the sedan, he left, not even bothering to turn the lights off in his office. He sketched a salute to Ron who was on the phone.

He was waiting for the elevator when his SIC caught up with him. "Tobias, how did it go with the Director?"

"Oh peachy, Ron, everything I ever dreamed of."

Ron's face fell and Tobias felt like a heel. "I'm sorry, Ron, I shouldn't be taking it out on you. It was fine, really, I just haven't missed all the bullshit while I was in hiding from a manipulative bastard of a bullshitter. "

"It's ok, I'm just glad you're back and it's all settled. "

Tobias took a breath. "You got plans for dinner tonight?"

"No, Ginny has to work."

"Ok, why don't you come by the house at 7. I've got to stop for groceries and get cleaned up, that'll give me enough time. I'll make us one of my Nona's recipes, how's that?"

"I should be taking you out!"

"Nah, you can do that some other time. Come over tonight and we'll get caught up."

"All right, if you're sure, here, let me help with the groceries."

"Thanks Ron, no, I'm fine, tell you what, how about you bring dessert."

"Ok, see you then."

Tobias sent a quick text to Calloway asking him not to release news of his pending retirement until he'd personally told Ron. Calloway acknowledged with a "No problem."

Knowing anything he had in the fridge would be inedible by now and not remembering what he had in the freezer, Tobias did a full cart shopping trip. Once he had everything in the house and put away, he took the garbage out and then opened up all the windows to bring some fresh air into the place. He took a shower, reveling in being home and then found some clean clothes of his own. He pulled a bottle of wine out of his wine closet and was just finishing cooking when Ron knocked with his unique signature, as he had since he'd come to work for Tobias nearly 10 years ago.

Ron was carefully looking Tobias over, as he'd thought earlier he seemed healthier than before he'd gone to Gibbs and tonight he was more relaxed, even more than he had been before all this started. With a start he realized he was about to lose his boss, this time to retirement. He waited until they'd had dinner and started on the lemon meringue pie he'd purchased before he brought it up. "You're leaving, aren't you, Tobias? Taking your retirement."

Tobias sat back, trust the kid to figure him out, he always could. "You know what I did today, Ron, before I left?"

Ron shook his head, he hated guessing games and Tobias knew it. The older man smiled at him, "I put in a recommendation for promotion for you, to my job."

Ron dropped his fork; that was a big promotion, not what he had been thinking at all. "You are leaving then, or you're taking Calloway's place because he's retiring or not coming back?"

"Mueller dangled the DD in front of me, but honestly, Ron, I'm done. I was thinking about it three years ago but wanted to wait for the market to improve. Now after this, not just Gehob, not just that NCIS had to pull my ass out of the fire with no help except from you, and that was great what you did, but no help from anyone else at the Bureau. After 40 years, Ron, 40years, you were the only one who stuck by me. Everyone else turned away at the first hint of trouble, hell I'm godparent to some of their kids, took them in when their marriages went south, stood them loans until payday. None of that mattered. I don't want to work at a place like that, with people like that. You know I could barely stand to walk in there today. So yeah, I'm retiring. Emily will be off to college soon enough, I'd like to enjoy whatever dad/daughter time we have left. And you're ready, Ron, you stay on the West Coast, if things are serious with Ginny maybe she can transfer, NCIS has a strong presence out there. Build your team as you've been doing, work on bringing Krieger up to having her own team under you, then work with Jackson, do the same thing. You've got the talent, the knowledge and the people skills, you'll be great."

"Say this happens, why should I stay on the West Coast?"

"To make your bones, Ron, away from the politics at Hoover and DC in general. Focus on your work, your cases, your team, continue building your own reputation, and yeah, establish connections, keep developing the ones you have, always have your name out there and then in a few years, you'll know when the time's right, make the move back to DC. You have roots here, so don't let those go, keep them healthy, they'll stand you in good stead when you're ready. And Ron, if you can figure out a way to make friends or at least have a peaceful coexistence with DiNozzo, do so. Gibbs will be retiring in a few years and DiNozzo will probably take over his team. You two can help each other out, as Jethro and I have done. Another one, maybe even more important is Tim McGee. Vance has his eye on him for the big chair one of these days, and he's a good man, good soul. Not to mention he's Jethro's son!"

Ron gave him a half-hearted smile, "Sounds good, but I'm still getting used to the idea of you being permanently gone."

"Not dying, son. I'll be here in DC for a few years - until Emily leaves for college. Don't know where I'll go then, someplace with less snow and humidity, that's for sure."

"Florida?"

"Ahh, never been a big fan of Florida, too flat and even more humid than here, if that's possible. I'm thinking more New Mexico, maybe California or Arizona. Don't worry, I'm not going to fall off the map!"

Ron chuckled at that. "When are they going to announce it?"

"When I give Calloway the go-ahead. I thought we'd have a video meet with your team tomorrow or Thursday, let them know. I'd rather let the team know and then just take off before the general announcement; these people here are big enough hypocrites now as it is! "

"It's really your team, Tobias, you brought them together."

"Some of them, yeah, Ron, but you brought the last three in and they're eager to go. I've considered it your team for a long time now."

They talked until close to midnight, Tobias helping Ron plan for his promotion and his team. He was proud of this young man, he'd trained many young agents in his time at the Bureau, but Ron had been the most promising and had lived up to that promise.

After Ron left, Tobias fell into bed and had the best sleep he'd had in several years.

Wednesday morning he forced himself back to the Hoover and was glad to see Ron already hard at work. Good, one face he could look at without feeling sick. He had a message from him that the video meet was set for 11: 00 AM Eastern, so Ron's entire team would be available. Tobias called Calloway and asked for a few minutes. He just wanted permission to announce Ron's promotion and Calloway happily gave it to him, having done the approval paperwork as soon as Tobias had given him the recommendation. The promotion was a done deal, there was no way Mueller would have the gall to question Tobias' recommendation.

The morning went surprisingly fast, considering Tobias was sorting files. Now that he knew Ron would be taking over his spot, he was more interested in leaving things in order. Shortly before 11, Ron came for him and they headed for the room reserved for their meeting. The West Coast folks were already online and gave Tobias a standing ovation as they saw him enter the room. He smiled back at them and eventually the clamor died down.

"Good Morning, thanks for that welcome, can't tell you how much it means to me. And folks, be extra kind to your counterparts at NCIS, they're the ones who saved my butt on this one, brought Gehob to justice. Now, Ron and I have two things we want to talk about. First, I'm very happy and pleased to announce Ron's promotion, effective immediately. He's stepping into my shoes with my full confidence and blessing, as a matter of fact, I'm the one that recommended him. So let's have a round of applause for your new AIC! "

Ron acknowledged the applause, "Thanks everyone, I'm really looking forward to this. I'll be telling you soon about my plans for the team, will be back out there within a week or so. I do however, have some news for which I have mixed feelings. And that is that our fearless leader, Special Agent in Charge Tobias Fornell, is retiring. I'm happy for him that he will have more time to spend with his family, that's always a good thing, but I'm saddened personally because he's come to mean a lot to me over the years and I'm going to miss him personally as well as professionally. However, I'm not allowed to get all mushy, we are FBI agents after all…" he paused for the laughter, "so I hope you'll join me in another round of applause for Tobias' well earned retirement after 40 illustrious years with the Bureau."

Ron reached over and pulled Tobias into a hug, a first for the two men as the team let loose with more thunderous applause. Tobias pulled out of the hug gracefully and patted the younger man on the back. "Thanks Ron, thanks everyone. I appreciate your well wishes and as I said, I have every confidence in Ron's leadership and in every one of you. So, that's it, I'm going to get out of here before word gets out and… you people need to get to work …go get the bad guys!" He winked at them as the feed was disconnected.

He'd already turned in the agency sedan and made arrangements for a ride, so he handed the keys to his desk over to Ron, got a last congratulatory handshake from Calloway and was out of the Hoover by 1:00 PM. Jethro met him at a nearby restaurant they both liked, they had lunch and talked about the barbecue that weekend. Jethro was amused by the plans his kids were making, as far as he was concerned, he was just going to throw some burgers and dogs on the grill and have big bowls of chips available, with beer and maybe some sodas. Simple. But Sarah was worried about vegetarians, so different foods would be served for any of those who might show up. Ziva wanted to cook, so she was making something. Tony wanted pizza but had been turned down. Rob thought they should have pies for dessert. Geordie thought watermelon would be fine. By the time Jethro had gone through the whole family, Tobias was in stitches, laughing harder than he had in a very long time.

When he could finally speak again, he asked, "What about Tim? You haven't mentioned him."

"Tim, he's my boy. He wants burgers, dogs and chips. He did throw in lemonade though as sodas are still bothering him and he's not allowed alcohol with the pain meds he's still taking."

"He's still on pain meds?"

"Yeah, his back still hurts when he overdoes it. Yesterday he went up and down the stairs at home one too many times and had to take a pill. Had to nearly force it down his throat, but he felt better after."

"Oh yeah, he's just like you. Stubborn, feisty, determined, won't listen to anyone."

"Hey!…well, yeah. He listens to Ziva and me, usually."

"And Geordie?"

"Sometimes Tim listens to him; sometimes he just gets that stubborn look."

"What? The one you see in the mirror every morning when you're shaving?"

Gibbs laughed. "So what are you going to do with your time, Tobias?"

"Emily has first claim, then I don't know, putter, maybe start playing tennis again, I used to be pretty decent at it."

"Going to stay around here?"

"Yeah, until Em goes off to college."

"Good, not ready for you to leave. Going to miss working with you, that's for sure. Vance is going to talk with you on Saturday about doing some consulting work with us."

"Huh, I'll have to think about that."

"Calloway didn't ask you?"

"No, because he's a smart man and knew what the answer would be. And he knew I needed to get out of there."

"Hell of a way to go, Tobs."

"I know, Jethro, but there was no way I could work with any of those bastards."

"Yeah, got that."

The two finished their lunches and Gibbs drove Tobias home, although he protested, saying he needed his car. Jethro just smiled at him and told him to remember he was the one with all the big strapping boys at home looking for things to do.

When they reached Tobias' house, he started laughing. His car sat proudly in the driveway, every inch shining in the afternoon sun. The cracked taillight he'd been meaning to take care of was gone, the little chip in the windshield had been polished out and the car had been detailed within an inch of its life.

Gibbs nodded, "Geordie and Tim brought it over while we were at lunch, Rob followed them and they took Tim to PT and then they were going off somewhere. The keys should be under the mat. I didn't think anyone would dare steal it with that glow to it."

"You weren't kidding about big strapping boys, were you?"

"Nope, Damon and Geordie worked on the taillight and the chip in your windshield. Damon changed the oil and rotated the tires; Rob and Geordie did the polishing and detailing and I might have helped them a little bit. Tim supervised and inspected and man, he is hard to please!"

Fornell shook his head, "Ducky was right, they're all so generous, you're all so generous. After what happened…"

"Thought Tim got you to promise to never bring that up again."

"He told you that, huh? Yeah, I did. He's something else, Jethro. I know you didn't raise him, but you have every right to be damn proud of him."

"Thanks, Tobs. I am. Proud of him and all my boys and girls."

I've lost count, how many?"

"Seven."

"Wow, Christmas is going to be fun this year, or will Geordie still be home? I forgot he's on emergency leave."

"He's staying, he's transferred out of SPF, just got word he's posted to Quantico, as a trainer."

"Perfect!"

"Yep, hoping he'll stay with me for awhile, with everything going on we still haven't spent that much time together."

"And Werth?"

"He's working at Elaine's! Started last Friday, loves it."

"So what's he doing there? That's a relatively small diner, Jethro."

"He's the morning shift cook. He's bounced from job to job since he left the Corps, wasn't till he was staying at my place and started cooking that someone suggested he do it for a living. I was going to call Elaine to put in a word for him, but by the time I got to it, he'd already had his interview and when I called, Elaine said she was about to offer him the job."

"He still at your place?"

"Yeah, for awhile, until he gets on his feet financially."

"You do have a house full!"

"Yeah, these last few days, since Tim got home from the hospital, we've been pretty close to bursting at the seams. Sarah got us all organized though, made sure we all have some sort of bed. Doc works a lot of nights, so that helps. "

"Tim and Ziva, how long they going to stay on?"

"Probably until Geordie reports in at Quantico, three weeks. By then, Tim will be ready for desk duty and won't be home alone, bored out of his mind. Also helps to have Geordie close by to drive him to and from PT. And I think Ziva is enjoying really being part of the family, she lost her mother and sister when she was still at home, so it's been a long time since she's been really part of a family. She actually had an argument with Sarah the other day. "

"Yeah, who won?"

"Smart enough not to ask that question, Tobias! I gotta get back to work, man, you ok here? "

"Yeah, Jethro, I'm good, I'm really good. Go get some bad guys!" Gibbs smiled, climbed back in the car, turned the key, buckled up and hit the gas pedal; the sedan squealed out into the street as he headed back to the Navy Yard. Tobias, looking after him, thought of the old Lone Ranger TV show from his childhood and smiling to himself, said, "Hi Ho Silver and Away!"

Just the Epilogue to go and we'll say goodbye for now to the Gibbses and their extended family.