AN: this is AU so won't follow canon!

Spoilers for early season episodes: 'One Shot, One Kill', 'Chained', 'Split Decision', 'Missing' and 'SWAK'.

"Assistant Director Vance, thank you for agreeing to do this."

"It's a pleasure, Mr Under Secretary," came the reply.

Niceties observed, the Under Secretary of the Navy Michael Mabey, gestured to Leon Vance to take a seat. "Director Sheppard has agreed that we may use her office for this meeting," said Mabey.

Vance nodded in the stately manner he had cultivated as a way of indicating he was in control even when, as in this case, he was not entirely sure what he was doing. He helped himself to a drink of water and, with another elegant gesture, suggested he pour one for the Under Secretary: this he felt was helpful without appearing obsequious.

"He'll be here in a moment or two," said Mabey. "Do you know the team? The MCRT?"

"I know Gibbs," said Vance. "We worked together at one time."

"Huh. And the rest of his team?"

"By reputation only."

"So, you don't know his Senior Field Agent?"

"Again, by reputation only. I'm based in San Diego. Don't get to DC that often."

"Huh," said Mabey again. "Doesn't seem that he's got off to a good start with the new Director."

"Yes?" said Vance, trying not to sound insanely curious about how this had happened.

Mabey leaned forward conspiratorially, "I think she thinks he's something of a womaniser. Doubts his commitment."

"Ah," said Vance, noncommittally. "I see."

There was a tap on the door at that moment, "Enter!" called Mabey. "Tony," he said when Gibbs' SFA walked in. "You don't mind if I call you Tony?"

"Of course not, Sir," came the polite reply. "Assistant Director Vance," he continued with a courteous nod.

Leon replied with a nod of his own.

Mabey cleared his throat, "Now, as you know, Director Sheppard has asked that we review a number of the cases in which you have been involved during your … what … two years' service with NCIS?"

"26 months, Sir," said Tony.

"Indeed. That's right," said the Under Secretary as he looked at the personnel file in front of him. He coughed again, "I expect you are aware that Director Sheppard is looking at some of the … staffing … of her DC teams. To make sure that the teams have a proper balance of skills and aptitudes and experience." He looked up hopefully at Tony.

"Yes, Sir," said Tony. "I'm aware of that." Something in his eyes suggested that he was also all too aware of the new Director's opinion of him.

"The MCRT is a high-profile team. SecNav takes a deep interest in its cases and so, as the MCRT is under review, he wanted to be involved in any decisions that may be made." Mabey looked puzzled for a moment or two, "But he was unable to be here personally, so he asked me to be part of the review. And he suggested that Assistant Director Vance should also be present as a subject expert, so to speak, but also as someone outside your chain of command."

"I understand, Sir," said Tony. His eyes flickered as if he was wondering just how neutral Vance would be. If Sheppard was reviewing staffing, her Assistant Director might want to make sure his own posting wasn't under review.

"Right. Director Sheppard has selected five cases where she is not satisfied that the work of the MCRT was allocated in the most … effective … way," said Mabey.

"Yes, Sir," said Tony.

"The first case concerns the serial killer who was targeting Marine Corps recruitment offices," said Mabey. "Perhaps you could explain the case, Tony?"

"NCIS was investigating a sniper who had shot two sergeants at recruiting offices. With no leads on his identity it was decided that the best way to capture him would be to lure him to target a particular office and hope to catch him in the act," said Tony.

"And it was decided that Agent Gibbs should pose as a recruitment sergeant?" asked Vance.

"Yes, Sir."

"I'm surprised," said Vance.

"Sir?" asked Tony.

"Can't imagine the Gibbs I knew to want to sit behind a desk."

"He was the person in the team who looks most like a recruitment officer," suggested Tony.

"Still," mused Vance, "I would have expected him to want to be outside, ready to act if there was an attack. Didn't he suggest that someone else take on that role?"

"I don't think Agent Todd would have fit the part," said Tony. "She was a better fit for being an officer in the background."

"And what about you?" pressed Vance, "I'd have thought you could have stepped up."

Tony shifted in his seat uneasily and swept a hand over his well-kept hair, "It would have meant some … changes, Sir," he offered.

FLASHBACK

Gibbs swept into the squad room,

"Listen up! Director just agreed that we go in as Marine recruiters. Office is being set up. Tony!"

"Boss?"

"Go get that hair cut!"

Kate stifled a laugh.

"Excuse me?" said Tony.

"You think the Corps would have a Marine with a haircut like that?" demanded Gibbs.

"You want me to go in as a recruiter?" asked Tony.

"Sure."

"But … but what will you be doing?"

"I'll be making sure the FBI don't screw things up. Abby says she's got some technobabble stuff which means she'll be able to pinpoint where any shot comes from. She'll trace it and I'll go find the bastard!"

Tony ran a hand over his hair anxiously. "You'll be out there on your own?" he asked.

"Sure. I'll take my rifle."

Tony patted his hair again, "So you want me to sit and wait to be shot at?" he asked with a hint of a whine.

"You'll be fine," said Gibbs. "New glass is being fitted. Bullet proof."

Tony didn't look reassured, "Abby says there's no such thing … you want me to sit and be shot at?"

Gibbs directed a piercing look at his agent, "You afraid?" he demanded.

Tony stood his ground, "Like any normal human being would be!"

"Oh, dammit," said Gibbs, "OK, I'll be the sitting duck. You can be outside."

"My hair thanks you," said Tony. "Er, I'll go see Abby. Find out about the technobabble stuff …"

END FLASHBACK

"Your hair would've grown back," said Vance sternly.

Tony touched his hair again in a protective manner, "I guess," he said.

"The window was replaced, wasn't it?" asked Mabey, "With bullet proof glass."

"Bullet resistant," corrected Tony, "But you're right, we expected that it would stand up to any shot."

"And it did?" asked Vance.

"Yes, it did."

"So, Jethro didn't insist that you take his place?"

"No, Sir. We … agreed … that he and Agent Todd should be in the office while I co-ordinated from outside. We had sensors in place to help us identify where any shots came from. The idea was that I should go to the place where the shot originated from and try to apprehend the shooter … with help from the FBI," Tony added as an afterthought.

"And Gibbs was happy with that arrangement?" demanded Vance. "That he should be a target and someone else should confront the attacker?"

"We … er … discussed the assignments," said Tony. "And he agreed … he decided that being the target was the more dangerous one, so he took it."

"And it meant that you didn't have to get your hair cut," observed Vance blandly.

Tony swept a caressing hand over his hair once more, "That's right."

Mabey looked between the two men, "And there was a satisfactory outcome?"

"Yes, Sir," said Tony. "Ms Scuito's apparatus worked and I ended up shooting the sniper. Agents Gibbs and Todd arrived shortly afterwards."

"Any more questions, Assistant Director Vance?" asked Mabey.

Vance stared at Tony for a few moments before shaking his head, "No, Sir. Thank you."

"Very well," said Mabey. "The next case involves the Iraqi antiquities … I believe you went undercover, Tony?"

"Yes, Sir. We suspected that Jeffrey White was involved with theft of Iraqi treasures along with his partner Lane Danielson. White had been arrested after a traffic violation and we figured he was the weak link of the partnership. It was decided that he should be allowed to escape but that he would be chained to a NCIS agent who would try and get him to talk."

"And you were the agent," said Vance.

"Yes, Sir."

"And Agent Gibbs was happy with this?"

"Sir?"

"Would've thought he'd want to be hands-on," said Vance, "Be the one trying to gain the guy's confidence."

FLASHBACK

"We got approval," said Gibbs as he came back from a coffee break.

"For what?" asked Tony.

"Jeffrey White's about to stage a prison break," said Gibbs.

"What?" asked Kate.

"He's got a court hearing. He's gonna escape on the way."

"And we know this, how?" asked Tony.

Gibbs grinned ferally, "'Cos I'm going to be helping him along."

"You!" said Tony.

"Sure. It's all set up. I'm going to be chained to White. Driver's going to stage a diversion and I'll attack the Marshal. White won't have any choice but to go with me."

"And what's going to happen then?" asked Kate.

"I'll get him to tell me where Danielson is," said Gibbs confidently.

"And how's that going to help?" asked Tony.

"Abby's working out how to put a tracker on me. And we'll seed some places on the way," said Gibbs.

"Boss, this sounds crazy!" objected Tony. "What if the tracker doesn't work?"

"That's why we're going to have these other places on the way," said Gibbs.

"What makes you think White will talk to you?" asked Tony. "You know you can't beat him up or anything … the courts tend to frown on that sort of thing."

"I know," said Gibbs crossly, "Don't try and teach me to suck eggs! He'll open up to me … why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well, with all due respect, Boss," said Tony, "I'm not sure you're the right person. Kate, what do you think? From a profiling point of view …"

"Well," said Kate, "It's not that you can't be sympathetic …" she trailed off.

"What's she's trying to say is that you might not be the best person, Gibbs," said Tony. "Career criminal like White … and someone who's been in the system for years … well, he might not trust you."

"Tony's right," said Kate, "You can't help but come over as an authority figure … confident and sure. I'm not sure White will tell you anything."

"From what we know, he's got a bad family history," said Tony, "Father figure might not work with him. He needs someone to blindside him a bit. You know, jolly him along, be a friend. Don't think he'll have much of a better side to appeal to. I think the idea's a bust, Boss. Too much can go wrong, and you'd be on your own out there."

"Hmm," said Gibbs, "You might be right."

"Good," said Tony, "We'll think of something else."

"Didn't say that," said Gibbs, "You're right it shouldn't be me …"

"You're not going to send Kate, are you, Boss?" asked Tony nervously.

"Nope. You! He won't be expecting someone like you to be a cop. And you can play the absent father card if need be. Good thinking, Tony!"

"But …" said Tony, "What if the technology fails? What about backup?"

"You'll have Kate and me," said Gibbs, "And McGee. We'll have your six."

"You're serious?" said Tony.

"You ever know me make a joke, Tony?"

"No, Boss. I guess I'd better go see Abby."

"You do that. And, by the way, she's talking about putting the tracker in a suppository!"

"Great," said Tony gloomily, "Looking forward to it already!"

END FLASHBACK

"Gibbs did think of being the one chained to White", said Tony, "But Agent Todd didn't think he was the right person. So, it ended up being me."

"And what did you think of that?" asked Vance.

"I could see the merits of the plan," said Tony. "And once we'd decided that Gibbs wasn't the right person … well, that just left me. Couldn't send Agent Todd. Agent McGee was a probationary agent, couldn't send him either."

"And the plan worked?" asked Mabey.

Tony winced, "There were a few … difficulties but Gibbs and Kate tried to keep track of me. And we got White … although we didn't realise until right at the end that he was a murderer and the mastermind behind the whole deal."

"And what did Gibbs say about it?" asked Vance.

"Sir?"

"About how the assignment got away from you … about how White had you all fooled?"

"I don't remember," said Tony vaguely, "We got the outcome we wanted – that's usually enough for Agent Gibbs."

"Ahem," said Mabey, "Now, let's look at the next case. Ah, yes … the case with the stolen weapons being sold … I see you went undercover again, Tony."

Tony pulled the case file towards him, "Yes, Sir. We had reason to believe that the weapons were being sold through a pawnshop that was being temporarily being run by the owner's daughter. Gibbs and I agreed that we should set up a meet to pretend to sell her weapons."

"And Gibbs suggested that you go in?" asked Vance.

"No, Sir. He thought he should go in," said Tony.

"Hah!" said Vance, "That sounds more like the Gibbs I knew. So, what happened?"

"I suggested that I would be a better bet."

"You volunteered?" asked Vance sceptically.

Tony looked shifty for a moment, "The daughter was young and attractive …"

"Ahh," said Vance as he understood the motivation.

"And I suggested that an arms dealer would be … well … a sleazy scum ball …"

Vance nodded with alarming alacrity, "And you fit the profile?"

"Well … yes. Well, no – but I figured that I fit it better than Gibbs would."

"And it worked?" asked Mabey, "This woman bought into the sleazy scum ball persona?"

"Sure did," said Tony with a hint of pride, "But it turned out that she was undercover … she was ATF."

"And you and the team set up a joint op – to lure out the big boys?"

"Yes, Sir."

"But you didn't go undercover this time?" observed Vance.

FLASHBACK

"OK," said Gibbs, "We'll set the sting up for tonight. Tony, we'll send you in. No point in getting another legend set up."

"Me, Boss?" asked Tony.

"Sure."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Why not? If this was real, you'd be more believable as a heavy weight gun dealer …" Tony trailed off as Gibbs raised an eyebrow "… not that I think you're fat, I didn't mean that sort of heavyweight, Boss. Never. No, I just think you would handle the weapons more realistically. And Abby loves creating legends … shame to deprive her."

"Hmm, and what would you do?"

"Well, you know … there'll be stuff to do outside. Looking out in case any more bad guys show up. We can't be sure how big this is. And it could get hairy inside where you are …"

Gibbs sighed, "OK. I'll go in … you run point outside."

END FLASHBACK

"So, Gibbs went in undercover this time?" asked Vance.

"Yes. We didn't know how dangerous it would be inside," said Tony.

Mabey looked puzzled, "But everyone else in the meet, apart from the ATF agent, was in on it. It was all a trap to catch … what was her name … Agent Stone. I don't see what the danger was inside."

Tony winced, "We didn't know what Stone had planned. Yeah, we had tabs on the other people involved … Gibbs was surrounded by other ATF agents all the time but still … things like that are unpredictable.

"And you all decided that Agent Gibbs was better placed to deal with all that than you were?" asked Vance.

Tony beamed with pleasure at the Assistant Director's understanding.

"Hmm," said Vance, "I see."

"Very well," said Mabey. "Next case. Ah yes, this is the one where a Gunnery Sergeant – Bill Atlas – had gone missing and it was then discovered that Marines had been killed over a number of years without anyone realising. A Major Sacco was your main suspect?"

"I guess," agreed Tony cautiously. "Or it was possible he'd be the next victim … seeing as he'd been the murdered Marines' platoon commander at one point."

"And what was the plan?" asked Vance.

"Plan? Not sure we had one … it was at that stage when you're just grasping at straws. Gibbs was … keen … to get a result," said Tony.

Vance laughed, "Now that I remember! I'm guessing he was hard to live with?"

Tony joined in the laughter, "You could say that!"

"And I'm guessing you wanted out of the office … to get away from him?"

"Well, I suppose so."

"So, you came up with the idea of trailing after Sacco?"

"Turned out it was a good idea," said Tony defensively, "Led to finding out that it was a girlfriend of one of the Marines who'd turned on them."

"And you nearly got killed in the process," pointed out Mabey.

"But I wasn't," Tony pointed out brightly. "And I got Atlas out."

Vance coughed, it wasn't an encouraging cough.

"Last one," said Mabey, "Ah, a more recent one … the case where the bubonic plague …"

"Pneumonic, Sir," corrected Tony.

"Yes, the pneumonic plague got sent through the mail," said Mabey.

"Yes, I opened the letter," said Tony, "And ended up going down with plague. I'm not sure why Director Sheppard wanted this one included?"

"Agent Gibbs stated that you didn't follow protocol … that you should have allowed Agent McGee to pass the envelope to him," said Vance coolly.

"Why did you snatch it from Agent McGee?" asked Mabey.

Tony grinned shamefacedly, "I saw the SWAK … uh, sealed-with-a-kiss – mark on the envelope. I was … intrigued."

"I see," said Vance even more coolly. "I don't think there's anything more to discuss, Mr Under Secretary."

"I agree," said Mabey. "You can leave us now, Tony."

Shortly after this, the MCRT had a new Senior Field Agent and Tony was reassigned.