Hi all!

Apologies for the first upload of the story, something went wonky when it attached to the story. Fingers crossed it works this time! Thanks to everyone who let me know!

I promise I will update Road Less Travelled soon, my muse seems to have disappeared for the story so I am having a little difficulty figuring out where I want to take the rest of the story. In the mean time this is a new one that I have had floating around in my head for the last little while. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know your thoughts, love to hear from you!

Be Happy. Be Kind!

L xo

Chapter 1

Tony sat at his desk looking over the paperwork that seemed to be piling up on the corner of his desk. It didn't seem to matter how many files he signed off on, his desk seemed to magically produce more paperwork then he could keep up with. With Gibbs having left for Mexico a few months' prior, Tony had never felt more lost. Each day that passed had him questioning his decisions not only as team leader, but to stay at NICS.

"Anthony my dear boy. What are you still doing here?"

Startled, Tony looked up and gave Ducky a small smiled, having expected the good Medical Examiner to have already gone home for the evening. Ducky stood before Tony in his usual dress shirt and red bow tie, but he sleeves were rolled up, which indicated to Tony that the Doctor had just finished up a autopsy.

"Paperwork" he said motioning to the piles of paper scattered across his desk in front of him.

"Ah, the responsibilities of being the Supervisory Special Agent." He laughed as he made his way to Tony's desk. "Now what is so interesting that it has kept you here so late."

"Just finishing up the reports from Lieutenant Cooper's case. Wanted to get as much done as I could before we caught a new case. Didn't want to have to play catch up over the weekend."

Ducky nodded, "I see." He paused as he picked up the file Tony was working on. Reading the notes Ducky began to shake his head, "My dear boy, it looks like you are re-doing all of Timothy's notes."

Tony sighed as he tried to play it off, "I would say more like fine tuning his notes."

"Anthony" He said in disbelief.

Tony shrugged, "I don't know what to say to you Ducky. I have tried to guide him in filling out these papers as the Senior Field Agent, but he doesn't want to hear it from me."

Tony sighed as he ran his hand over his face in frustration. "So I either fix them before I send them up and cover for McGee or get read the riot act by Jenny for the quality. I don't see a third option here."

Ducky shook his head in sympathy. "Oh Anthony. They are still having a hard time accepting Gibbs is gone?"

"You would think after three months they would have gotten over it, but they still see me as the screw up that was at the receiving end of Gibbs' head slaps more often than not."

"Well then, I suggest going home and getting a good night sleep, and leaving these papers till tomorrow and I will think on a way to help you with your situation."

"You don't have to do that Ducky."

"Non sense. It would be my pleasure to help you knock some sense into your two team members."

Tony smiled at Ducky appreciatively, "Thanks for having my six Ducky."

"Always my dear boy. Always."

It wasn't long after his conversation with Ducky that Tony packed it in for the night. He slowly made his way into his apartment, dragging his feet behind him, as the long work day was finally catching up to him. He left the lights off as he made his way to the kitchen letting the moonlight shining through the windows guide his way. Not sure what he was looking for, Tony opened the fridge. Scanning his almost empty fridge, he finally settled on the last Stella, which looked out of place beside the block of cheese that was now more fungus than cheese.

"Dinner of champions." He said to himself as he cracked open his beer and took a sip.

"Finally cracked under the pressure DiNutso?"

Startled, Tony nearly dropped his beer on the floor. Turning to face the hallway he just walked through Tony could see a familiar outline.

"Christ Fornell. Was that really necessary?" Tony asked, taking another sip of his beer to calm his nerves. Though Tony respected Gibbs' tenuous friendship with the FBI agent, Tony was never a big fan. He took a moment to look at Fornell, who seemed to have aged since the last time he saw him. The bags under his eyes told Tony that he wasn't here for a social visit.

"Necessary, no. Fun, yes." Fornell responded as he made his way into the kitchen, turning on the lights as he did.

"Why are you in my apartment? Uninvited I might add?

"Just checking in, see how you are handling being the big boss."

Tony looked at Fornell, "Bull." He said, not buying the excuse he was giving him.

Fornell shrugged, "Nothing gets by you, eh DiNutso."

"If you are here to insult me, the door is that way." He said, motioning to the front entrance, "Don't let it hit you on the way out."

"No need to be testy. I have a reason to be here."

"Then spit it out Fornell. It is late and I'm tired, and my patience is wearing thin."

"Your Gibbs is showing Tony." He laughed as he sat down at the kitchen table.

"Spit it out Fornell." Tony said impatiently. He wasn't sure why Fornell was here, as Tony knew he was the FBI agents least favorite person, but he couldn't help but be intrigued.

"Gibbs told me if I ever needed help I should come to you." He paused, taking a deep breath, "So here I am."

Placing his beer on the counter, Tony gave his full attention to Fornell. "I'm listening."

"You aren't going to make this easy on me are you?"

Tony smirked, "Whatever gave you that idea?"

Fornell muttered something under his breath, making Tony smile even wider, knowing he was most likely cursing his name. "Well come on Fornell, I haven't got all night."

"The FBI would like to borrow you from NCIS for an undercover operation."

Shocked Tony wasn't quite sure what to say. "Come again?"

"What could you possibly have not understood from that?"

"The part where you ask me for help!"

"Look Tony, all kidding aside, Gibbs always said you were his best undercover agent. I also pulled your records from your time on Baltimore. You are good. And right now, we need good."

Tony sighed, "Even if I were interested, with Gibbs gone, now isn't really the best time for me to leave the team."

Fornell nodded in understanding, "I get that, but I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important." He paused and made his way to stand in front of Tony, "It should only be for a couple of months."

Tony sighed, "I'll need to think about it."

Fornell nodded and took something out of his jacket pocket, "This has my personal number, give me a call with your decision."

With that Fornell turned to leave the kitchen. As he reached the door he paused, "We really need you Tony."

Tony stood stunned for a moment as he watched Fornell leave his apartment. He placed the card on the counter and took a long sip of his beer.

"I could really use some guidance Gibbs."