N/B Thank you to Syn for betaing. Readers on Fanfiction. Last year and the start of this has had a lot of problems with reviews and PM's. I did reply to all of them, but it doesn't seem as they have gone through. I will go and reply again. I haven't ignored anyone. If there are more problems you can find my stories on A03 as wereleopard58. Sónia a very belated happy birthday ;-). Remember it's also an AU to a point. 'Childhood Friends' has been handwritten. I need to type it up. It is also the last chapter. Thank you for all your patience. I am finally finishing of my WIPs.

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Tony smiled as he put the last finishing touch to a on his report. He loved the larger scale investigation. He admittedly missed being out in the field, but this was the next best thing and he wouldn't endanger any team members. He glanced across at his trainees, with the chance to train and to show them how to think outside of the box in an investigation felt like an accomplishment, an amazing hope for a better future.

Ellie Bishop was great at thinking of what could possibly happen, but that was only with countrywide problems. She had to learn how to use that within a crime scene. The areas she need extra help was her fitness and firearms, those however were fixable. So far Ellie had been taken everything on board and was growing by leaps and bounds.

Ned Dorneget, Tony had to grin at the thought of him and the crush the other man had on him. Ned came across as a little clumsy, but a lot of it was to do with self confidence. He needed to take a deep breath and do one thing at a time. While he didn't stand out in any particular way, he did have skills and was a team player. A guy who could be the backbone, who would help anyone and not look for the limelight. His efforts would make a team succeed.

Courtney Krieger, she had joined them from the F.B.I. If they hadn't worked together, she probably wouldn't have heard of NCIS. Fornell had thought that she had a lot of potential, but unfortunately he had given her to Slacks -Sacks- to train. That selfish asshole had ripped into her, and stole any good idea she had. Her self-esteem had plummeted because of him. Fornell found out too late and realised she would no longer trust the organisation. He still believed in her and passed her info onto Gibbs. Sacks had been written up for his treatment of her, he would never be in that position of handling new agents.

"Tony thanks for the email." Chad called out. "I'll be back if I need any more suggestions for being Gibbs' SFA."

"Good luck Dunham, you're going to need it." Tony joked, he did actually think that Gibbs and his new SIC would work well together.

XXXXX

"Hey Gibbs." Stan smiled as he sat down. "I'm glad things were sorted and we're working again together. I think Vance gets our relationship more than Jenny did." He lowered his eyes and glanced up flirtingly.

Gibbs just shook his head, he wasn't going to play these kinds of games with him. "Listen Burley, and understand this, I am seeing Tony. Vance knows this he also knows about this obsessive attitude you seemed to have towards me. You don't seem to understand that when I say I'm not interested you don't listen to. You're only on this team because I need an experienced agent who has worked with me. Dunham is learning more about being my SFA. Once again I am going to tell you, I am not interested. Hell, I don't want to work with you, but I don't have a choice. Remember this though, one mistake, one inappropriate comment, anything that happens because your mind isn't on your job, but on a non existant relationship you think we have and you're gone and can easily be replaced."

"I, of course Gibbs." Stan played with the label on the bottle of water held in his hand.

Gibbs sighed as Stan headed towards DiNozzo's old desk. "Not there, that's for Dunham, you can sit where McGee use to. I'm going for coffee, also I'm waiting for a call from the F.B.I. We're trying to find out if they have some similar cold cases on file. Answer the phone if it rings."

While staring at Gibbs ass before the elevator closed the phone on Ziva's old desk started to ring. He stared at the phone for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and returning to his paperwork. It was going to be one of the probationary agents desk and he wasn't anyone's secretary.

XXXXX

Balboa looked over and frowned as Burley ignored the phone as it continued to ring. He grabbed his cell as he walked away and called Gibbs. The other agent had asked him to keep an eye on his team during this transistion stage and also because there was a spy somewhere around.

XXXX

"Did my phone call come in?" Gibbs watched Burley carefully.

"No Gibbs."

"So, no phone rang?"

"Uhh, well the one at Ziva's desk did."

"So, why didn't you answer it?"

"Well, it's the desk of one of the new probies. I'm more senior than then. I was twice your senior field agent and well the uhh connection we have."

"Firstly, no one is currently sitting there. Secondly, as a team we all work together. Information comes in here all the time. Information we need to solve cases. You never know who is on the other end of the phone. Jesus, Burley don't you listen to anything I say. I hope you're not like this when having sex with someone. You do understand that no means no, right?"

"I only meant the professional relationship we have."

"Of course you did." With that Gibbs turned and walked away. He pulled out his cell so he could call Vance. He didn't want to go up there and give Burley a chance to make up some kind of excuse. He knew that this was never going to work.

XXXXX

Vance rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Yes Gibbs, we knew it wouldn't work, but had to give it a go. His feelings for you and being a former SFA is obviously a problem. It seems he doesn't seem to get that he has to change how he acts. What if we move him to Borin's team? He doesn't have a history with her. We can bring your new recruits to you early. We can just call it training, DiNozzo can come with them so he'll be on hand for questions and training. He'll also be there for Dunham and the added bonus extra eyes to keep an eye on Lee. I'll let you tell him."

Burley and McGee had both become nightmares within the agency. He wasn't looking forward to Ziva coming back, things were just going to get worse. Their arrogance wasn't something he wanted his agents to have. That had become one of the problems with the F.B.I and how their reputation had gone down hill because of people like Sacks. Vance would stomp it out before it became worse. No one was irreplaceable, especially not if they become a danger to others.

XXXXX

"Burley, I've spoken to Vance, you're being transferred to a team where you don't have any history with the team lead. It's obvious you can't do that working for me."

"Of course I can Gibbs, I just need time to prove it."

"Time, you worked as my SFA for years, and I gave you ulcers. You came back when Tony was unable to stay a field agent and now this time. You've been given more than enough chances. You're being put with Abigail Borin and you aren't her senior field agent."

"But I want to work with you." It came out as more than a whine than anything.

"I only worked with you this time because it was Vance's decision. We're federal agents. If you don't like who you work with talk to Vance or resign those are your choices. Borin's at the firing range waiting for you." With that Gibbs walked over to his desk, sat down and opened a file. He never glanced again at his former team member as the man walked away.

XXXXX

Borin walked towards her desk. She had chosen ones that were near a monitor and not right next door to Gibbs' team, that would just cause no end of problems. She didn't want two of her members to be too distracted by him. These few days would see how they would mesh together and what things needed to be worked out. Richard Owen's had come back from his stint in Hawaii. They had sat down and talked about how they wanted things. So far, it seemed that they had the same kind of styles and ideas. Hopefully, with a little time they would blend so their command system would run smoothly. She was glad that he was her senior field agent. He had experience, but apart from that one case with Gibbs he hadn.t worked here for years.

The information she had received from DiNozzo about Ned were positive. He looked like a good man, and a great team player. He was someone who was eager to learn and wanted to do well. The two she knew she was going to have problems with were McGee and Burley. Anything she heard hadn't come from Gibbs or DiNozzo unless she asked them specifically. Even then they pointed out the positive as well as the negative. It was everyone else, especially when it came to McGee and his attitude. The rules were simple to start off with, they followed her and Richard's lead, if they didn't and ignored any legal warnings they were gone. They weren't getting any extra chances. They weren't probies, they didn't get the leeway that Ned would have being a new agent. She wasn't going to take crap from any of them and Borin didn't care how Gibbs did things, they were different kinds of people and how they dealt with others. Being tough with them was the only way to get through, if she could in fact get through. The mumble of voices brought her out of her thoughts as her team slowly started to arrive.

XXXXX

Gibbs looked around at his current team, some of which would remain with him. He watched as they settled into work. He glanced over and smiled at Tony. It was great to have him working at his side again, even if it was only temporary. DiNozzo winked at him quickly before he looked down at the file he'd been going over.

XXXXX

McGee glared across the office floor at Gibbs' team and watched as their new trainee Molly, or Sally, something like that, laughed with DiNozzo. He couldn't believe that, he of all people, was on probation. He should not only have a permanent position, but with his education and experience should be a senior field agent by now, or even a team lead. He'd always been far ahead of everyone else at the universities he went too. He needed to make sure that there was a position for him. He already tried to 'disuade' Ned from continuing this career path. It was a dangerous job after all and it wasn't right for everyone. He would wait and see if his 'advice' was listened to.

"McGee, I'm doing some follow up calls and chasing some possible witnesses whereabouts. Could you go and talk to this elderly lady. She knew the victim quite well." Burley asked as he continued to type.

"Do I look like I'm here to serve you? You're not my SFA, you aren't one at all. You were demoted because you couldn't handle the job remember. You weren't good enough, so don't assume you can tell me what to do. You panting after Gibbs was just embarrassing, everyone could see he wasn't interested in you." With that he turned back to carry on with what he'd been doing and that was stare at the other team.

"Me, what about you whining that everyone else is jealous of your skill and that is why they won't talk to you. You think NCIS would collapse if you weren't around. You're a jerk, no one speaks to you or wants to work with you because people hate you. McGee if you weren't around people would talk with each other, they wouldn't have to worry that it would end up in one of your crappy books. Just a warning if anything remotely resembles me ends up in one, I am going to sue you for every penny you have." Stan snapped.

"Okay, both of you knock it off. You do remember you're a team and what that entails, right? You both have to learn to work together. No one is irreplaceable. I will not go out on a case with either of you at the moment. I don't believe you would have my back let alone each others. You both worked with DiNozzo, he stepped down because he was afraid that his health would stop him from helping a team mate, you should both understand." Owens watched as their faces fell at the other agents name. He would rather have two probies at the moment than these two.

XXXXX

"Abby can we talk?" McGee asked Borin and watched as her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Uhhh ma'am, Boss?"

"Borin's fine for now McGee, what is it?"

"Well, it's Agent Burley he's been giving orders, but he's not your SFA. He's not a very good team mate, its hard to trust him with that kind of attitude"

"And are you a good team mate? Do you have a better attitude?" Her voice was deceptively calm.

"Of course I am, I'm always there for my team."

"So they way you treated and talked about DiNozzo, that was you being a good team mate?"

"Tony's–."

"Just jealous, yes I've heard and no it wasn't from him. He's been very respectful about you. Everyone else here has mentioned it. What DiNozzo did mention were your little words of 'advice'' to Dorneget." She watched as he paled and the way his eyes flicked around the room she definitely knew it was true. Borin already believed Tony, but this was the extra proof. "How dare you talk to him like that. His leaving or staying will have nothing to do with what happens to you. If I feel you both need to stay or go that is MY choice. This your first verbal warning is that clear."

"Yes Agent Borin." He'd been told by numerous people he'd been lucky not to have more than one warning by now, he never believed them. It seemed that things worked different in this team, and he would have to be a little more careful.

"I heard about your disagreement with Burey. I've spoken to him and Richard. It didn't sound like he was ordering you, just asking as he was busy. You just happen to be staring at Gibbs and his team. If David had asked you, would you have had the same reaction or done it because you were working together, as a team? The two of you need to sort it out, if you can't then I will transfer one of you, both if I have to. We're all here to do a job, to solve crimes. Oh and never have that kind of argument again. If you need to make sure it is out of hours and off work premises. Oh and one last thing-."

"What now?" He snapped. "Sorry, uhhh please carry on."

"If you have a problem with a team mate you are to go to Owens. The only times you come to me, is if my SFA has ignored it or he is the one you are having a probem with. Follow the chain of command. I know you might have problems with that, Gibbs did say you, at times, a lot of times, very disrespectful to DiNozzo."

"Tony's been lying again."

"That's Agent DiNozzo and did you miss the part where I told you it came from Gibbs. Whatever special relationship you and Burley think you share with Gibbs its not happening. He can't and doesn't want to work with either of you for various reasons. No one really wants to work with you. McGee its up to you to show them they're wrong. This team, me, we're your last chance. If this fails you will be out of a job and I doubt any other federal agency would hire you."

Before he had a chance to reply, she turned and marched away.

XXXXX

"Gibbs." Borin called out to him as he left the coffee shop.

He turned to her and smiled. "How are things going?" He laughed at her facial expression. "That good huh?"

"What the hell happened to McGee? I can't believe it's the same guy."

"I guess it's a mixture of things; a lot of it is from arrogance, those damn novels of his. We should have sued him as soon as we found out." Gibbs grumbled.

"I've read them, they aren't that great. Does he still believe that people think they aren't based on you and your former team?"

"I guess because we didn't sue him in his mind it was because we couldn't win and not that he was a team mate we cared about. I was a huge problem in bringing along his attitude. I didn't step in when the comments to Tony became nasty, and even as my SFA I got him to do some crappy jobs. Ziva and her nasty little personality just added fuel to the fire."

"Dare I ask about Burley?"

"I have no idea where that came from, it was out of the blue to me. I'm not exactly Mr Approachable at the best of times. I gave the guy a permanent ulcer. I couldn't keep any team with me until DiNozzo joined."

"Well, you are a sexy man, your gruff attitude and nice ass can be a bit of a turn on." She laughed at him. "I don't think you needed to do anything more than be yourself. I'm just wondering how you managed with McGee and Ziva, I would have killed them if they both had these kind of attitudes."

"I had DiNozzo; he stopped my anger towards them, and hid their whining so I wouldn't hear it. I've said this a lot recently, but he truly is the best young agent I have ever worked with and that has nothing to do with how I feel about him. I've always thought it."

"Do you think I could get him to work for my team if I promise no field work?"

"If that was an option he would still be working with me." Gibbs smirked.

"No, he wouldn't; not with you sexing him up."

Gibbs just shook his head and walked away, her laughter following him. She was right though, if he had a choice to have Tony on his team or in his personal life, personal life would win everytime. If people had a problem with it and tried to split them up he would just retire. For once in a very long time he was actually happy.

XXXXX

Ziva smiled as she walked back into the Navy Yard. Things would go back to how they were once Gibbs saw her. They had a connection, she killed her brother and she'd become like a daughter to him. They were a family and that was something special. She froze as her gaze landed on her former desk. There was now a blonde woman there. Ziva dug her nails into the palm of her hands. No one should have been allowed to sit there, it was hers and she was special. It didn't matter that when she arrived and told them to stop treating that desk as a like shrine to their fallen friend and team mate Kate. It was a different matter when it came to her. She watched as DiNozzo laid a hand on Gibbs shoulder. This wasn't supposed to happen. She should've been missed, they weren't supposed to manage without her. Ziva knew that she was the most important member of the team, apart from Gibbs of course.

If people had persuaded him to think differently about her, she would get him to see how well they worked together.

XXXXX

Pauline rarely saw Tony these days, he ignored her emails and text messages. How she going to get him to go out with her? She went back to the place she last saw him with the two other men in hope he would come back. Her gaze froze as it landed on a man and woman. She had recognised him from last time. He had watched Tony as well. Her gut screamed at her, there was something off about this. It was too much of a coincidence, she grabbed her cell and snapped a photo and sent it immediately to Tony, with an urgent message attached. Pauline hoped that he would look at it. As she looked up the two of them were stared back at her. She turned and walked away and hoped to make it look casual and that they thought it was only a coincidence.

XXXXX

"I'll talk to her and find out what she's up to." Svetlana smiled at Stan.

"If you're sure." He replied doubtfully.

"Trust me, my handsome one."

"Okay." A blush covered his face and he watched as she stood, walked out and as she did so pulled out her cell.

XXXXX

The police office looked over the dead body of an attractive blonde woman. Her federal badge open in his hand. It seemed she worked for NCIS.

XXXXX

"What's going on Tony?" Gibbs asked as soon as the younger man walked into Vance's office.

"You know that agent that was killed last night?" He waited for them to nod. "She's been trying to get a date with me for ages. I generally ignore messages from her. I received an image and message from her last night."

"Last night?"" Vance leaned forward, he wanted to know what it contained.

"I spoke to Ducky and he puts the time of the message around the TOD. I have no idea how she got this, or why sent it to me…"

DiNozzo handed the phone to Gibbs, who's mouth fell open and then handed it to the Director.

"That's Svetlana with Burley. So do we now think it's Burley and not Lee?" Vance wanted to know.

"I'm not 100%, I think we should hold off confronting either of them before we know more. We definitely need to find out if Michelle has any contact with her. We know Stan does." Tony spoke out.

"I agree, let's keep this between us for now. I'm glad that DiNozzo is currently working with your team. There's extra eyes and protection. Gibbs just in case don't go anywhere alone with either of our suspects." Vance needed to make sure that his agent was a safe as he could be.

"Okay." Gibbs agreed grudgingly.

"We'll leave things there for now. I want you both to keep me updated. You both have my cell, use it." As director he wanted to make sure with one or two spies didn't get away with anything.

XXXXX

Tony was so thankful that he'd be moved back to be near Gibbs so he had a reason to be around. It had been just brilliant luck that he'd been on the mezzanine thinking about the old days with just him and Gibbs, then Kate. He noticed that Michelle pulled out her cell looked around briefly. It was times like this he was glad of her inexperience as she only glanced around the immediate area and he did have excellent eyesight. It was then she pulled out a second cell and typed in a quick text message. Now he needed to get hold of that phone. It was going to be a burner. He was smiled, it was time for a training exercise. Ellie and Courtney would be perfect, Tony smiled as he went of in search of his little probettes.

XXXXX

"Ladies follow me." DiNozzo grinned at their confused looks and joined him in the conferene room. It was an actual room and not Gibbs' version of one. Once they were there and the door was locked. "Okay today's surprise training exercise is bluffing."

"Bluffing?" Ellie repeated.

"Yes, I want to see how convincing you are. It's going to be here as you're not ready to be out and about yet. So, that means it will have to be a team mate."

Courtney paled. "You want us to bluff Gibbs?"

"Ahh, no my young padawan, Gibbs is too strong with the force and you are not ready to deal with him." Tony didn't add that he couldn't lie convincingly to the older man either.

"So, if its either Keating or Michelle?" Ellie tried to figure out which one would be easier.

"Michelle is going to be your target. I want you to get her down to Abby and ask her questions. She is going to think that she is training you. It doesn't matter if you do or do not know the answer. You have to convince her it is all new to you. I want you to see how long you can keep it going for. I won't be with you as it would be too suspicious. I will ask Abby to see how you both came across, she also won't know what you are up to. If she gets suspicious then you have failed."

"Okay so we should talk about–."

"Nope, you don't pre-plan. It can sound to rehearsed and put you off it something goes off script. Remember you're safe, there is no danger. Just relax and go with the flow." Tony had already spoke to Balboa, he hadn't gone into details, but the other man didn't care and trusted him. If Michelle left to quickly he would step in and give Tony some time to finish what he had to do.

XXXXX

Tony had hid in the stairwell and waited to be contacted. Ellie was going to send him a text as soon as they reached Abby's floor. Just then his cell beeped. He quickly made his way to Michelle's desk and to her bag. He dug through it and found the cell. He took a photo of the contact list, and any number that had been text. Tony put everything back in its place and headed down to cyber. He couldn't go to McGee or Keating, but he did have a secret weapon, Steven Williams. They had become friends many years ago, they both had high clearance. If there was anything done that needed to be a complete secret Steven is the man he would go to.

XXXXX

Vance stared down at the copy of the text messages. It seemed as Svetlana wasn't taking any chances and had two spies in NCIS and were working closely with Gibbs.

"I'll get Cynthia to call them both up here. With this evidence they have no other choice but to tell us the truth. We want this to end before anyone else dies and to make sure nothing happens to you, Gibbs." Vance pressed the intercom button. "Can you get Stan Burley and Michelle Lee up here now please Cynthia and let them come straight in."

"Yes director, right away." Her voice crackled through the electronic device.

Gibbs could feel the worry flood off Tony. He walked so he stood beside him and placed a hand on the base of his back.

The office door opened and in walked the two agents. Stan looked confused as he glanced at Vance, then Gibbs and DiNozzo. He had originally thought his complaints about the younger man had been listened too, but that didn't explain why Lee was there. He looked over at her as she looked down at her clasped hands.

"You wanted to see me Director?" Stan finally asked when no one had said anything.

Vance nodded at DiNozzo, who then pulled out his cell phone walked over to Stan and showed him the photo.

"This is you, correct?"

"Sir, just because Agent DiNozzo is jealous of me, he has no right to follow me."

"Wait!" DiNozzo stopped any arguments. "You don't know who this is, do you?"

"Yes, its Amelia we met in LA." Stan glanced around confused.

"Agent Burley this woman is called Svetlana Chernitskaya. She had the former director killed, as well as William Decker. Its revenge for the death of Antaoly Zhokuv. She's now here to kill Gibbs."

"No, you're wrong. You're making it all up to cause problems for me."

"Jesus Burley, not everything revolves around you and I have nothing to be jealous off. Are you aware of the agent who was murdered last night?"

"I'd heard something about it. What does that have to do with this?"

"What kind of investigator are you?" Tony sighed. "Pauline died after taking this photo of you. She managed to send it to be before she was murdered." Stan's face suddenly became white, he wavered ever so slightly on his feet as it started to dawn on him.

"She was a blonde woman. I recognised her from when I was…keeping an eye on Gibbs to make sure he was safe."

"Stalking is the word you're looking for." Tony snapped.

"Amelia, uhh Svetlana said she was going to talk to her. Just to find out what she, uhh Pauline was following her, us for."

"You never found that to be suspicious?" Vance asked incredulously.

"Why would I?"

"What have you told her?" The Director couldn't get his mind around what a useless investigator Burley actually was. How the hell had he managed five years with Gibbs was beyond him.

"It was just about Gibbs and his relationship with DiNozzo."

Gibbs turned to Tony, "you don't think..?"

"Yeah," Tony sighed, "she'll come after me."

Vance nodded in agreement. "We'll add extra security on DiNozzo as well as you Gibbs. No arguments, we're not taking any chances."

"Why would they go after him?" Burley asked mystified at what was going on.

"Her fiancé was the one that was killed. She's going to want me to feel the same way by taking away the person I lo...care about."

"Oh." Burley suddenly deflated when he realised what Gibbs had almost said. The incandescent smile that graced Tony's face showed that he knew what word was about to be spoken as well. He hoped that Vance would have a problem with this, but the director just looked fondly at the two men.

"She threatened my sister." Michelle suddenly spoke out. "She's the only family I have. I didn't feel as if I had a choice. Her safety was my only concern when this started." Vance rubbed his forehead. "I'll do anything you ask and accept any punishment if you can make sure she's safe."

"We have to end this before more people die." Gibbs glanced over at Tony, he felt for Michelle. He would do anything to keep the man he loved alive. He lost everything once before, he couldn't do it again.

XXXXX

Svetlana knew something was up, both Michelle and Stan seemed to be a little off. It had her alarm bells ringing. It was a good thing for her that they didn't excel at undercover work. It could be that Michelle was getting second thoughts and maybe Stan was finally getting a clue. He was a little slow on the uptake. If it hadn't been for that nosey woman, she would have been able to string him along for years. He was so gullible, which had shocked her considering the things he must have investigated during his career. It didn't matter and Svetlana wasn't going to wait around to find out if they were going to betray her. She was going to get rid of Burley first, there was still some leverage when it came to Michelle.

XXXXX

Stan had too somehow deal with the problem at hand. He had to show Vance and Gibbs that he could be trusted. He would bring Svetlana in himself and it would solve everything.

"Stan!" A female voice full of fear yelled out.

A loud bang echoed at the same times as he was pushed heavily to the ground. From the corner of his eye he saw a man approach him with a gun in his hand. Burley pulled out his weapon and fired before the assassin could take him out. It had been obvious that the killer had wanted to make sure he or the both of them were dead. He turned his head and saw the woman.

"Michelle." The blood poured from the gunshot wound. "I'll get an ambulance."

She reached out and touched his shoulder. A sad smile on her face. "I knew what you were going to do, but I also know her. She wouldn't have come herself. I couldn't let you die. I already have to live with the fact I killed Langer. I…can you tell my sister that I did something right at the end, everything I did was for her, to make sure she was safe."

"I will Michelle and we'll make sure she's safe." Stan watched as she took her last breath. He pulled out his cell and called Gibbs. He had no idea how much Borin knew about this situation.

XXXXX

Keating couldn't believe that Michelle had been the mole and that she had murdered Langer to keep her secret. After this he was going back to Cyber, being a field agent wasn't for him. First he was going to find and help stop this woman that had caused all these problems. He'd set up a programme to let him know when anyone rang or texted with that number. A beep suddenly came from his machine and it made him jump.

"Sir, uh Gibbs, boss." He stuttered. "That phone is being used." He wrote down the address and handed it to Gibbs.

"DiNozzo, you up for one more field assignment?"

"On your six boss." Tony replied with an evil smile.

XXXXX

Svetlana sat there and waited she knew it was coming to an end finally, after all these years. Gibbs was going to pay. If he had been with Jenny it would have been so much easier. But then she wouldn't have found out about his new relationship. Then it happened, everything was in place. She grabbed her cell and dialed then waited for it to be answered. As soon as it was she clicked the button on her Bluetooth ear piece.

"This dance of ours is coming to an end Gibbs. I'm going to show you what its like to lose everything, to lose the person you love. When I think you've suffered enough, you'll be praying for me to end it." She looked through the scope of the sniper rifle, the exact one that he had used. It was also the same model that had killed his former team member Caitlin Todd. Anthony DiNozzo Jr stood there and waited for her to take his life, not that he knew that.

"You're too late I already know what its like to lose the people you love."Gibbs said from near her.

"Then its time for you to have that feeling again." Svetlana went to squeeze the trigger if she was going to die, then that toyboy would be with her.

XXXXX

Gibbs didn't even think before he reacted. He saw her finger go to fire and he squeezed his own. "DiNozzo." He asked as soon as he clicked his earpiece. He needed to hear the other man's voice.

"I'm fine Jethro." Gibbs walked over, his gun still in his hand and checked her pulse. She was dead, it was over.

XXXXX

Stan looked around the office before he packed the last of his things up. With everything that had happened to do with Gibbs and how he had acted it was clear that they had to fire him. The Svetlana thing was the last nail in the coffin. He was lucky it had just been that, after being thoroughly interviewed it seemed that he'd given away more information than he had first thought. The data he had given her had put a lot of lives at risk. Everything seemed different to him now. Michelle had given up her life to save his. Stan was going to take some time off and figure out what he wanted, to somehow get over or just live with how he felt about Gibbs. The first thing he was going to do was to visit Michelle's sister, that was a promise he would keep. He glanced over at McGee. "McGee do yourself a favour and lose the attitude. If you're not careful you're going to get someone killed. Didn't your books already nearly do that?"

Tim glared at him. "Why would I need to listen to you? To a man who sold out the people he worked with?"

"Isn't that what you've done with your writing?" Burley just shook his head, grabbed his box filled with crap he collected and left.

XXXXX

"Gibbs." Ziva called out as she rushed over to him. He sighed all he wanted to do was go home to where Tony waited for him.

"Yes, Ziva?" She took an automatic step back at the tone of his voice.

"I was just checking to see how you were and to also let you know I was back." It was clear that she had expected him to look her out as soon as she had arrived in the building.

"I'm fine, other agents lost their lives and DiNozzo nearly died as well." His jaw tightened at the look of indifference that passed across her face at the danger her former team mate had been in.

"I was hoping that we could meet up and talk, alone."

"Why?" He wasn't in the mood to play these little Mossad spy games where everything had to be done in secret.

"We shouldn't really talk about it here."

"Ziva, unless it's something top secret that you need clearance for you can tell me know, if not I'm leaving."

"Because Tony is waiting for you, is that correct?"

"Yes he is, and…" "Fine." She snapped. "It's aout this new position of mine, if we go together and talk to Vance–."

Gibbs held up his hand. "Stop right there. I told the director I didn't want you on my team. I finally saw what we were in a new light, including myself and I didn't like it. Whatever connection you think you felt is gone. I think subconsciously I talked myself into trusting you through guilt. You shouldn't have been put on my team in the first place. Ziva, you have no investigative experience, you don't know the rules and regulations. I don't think you even bothered to learn them afterwards. Your loyalties when anything Mossad or your father came up were divided. With all that has happened it would be a mistake to put someone like you anywhere with a security clearance. "

"But Gibbs, I wouldn't do that." She protested

"Really, you wouldn't? How many times have you lied about things when they're connected to Mossad or your family? What information, even unintentionally have you already given your father when you talk to him? As Burley found out the smallest thing can be used. No matter what you want Ziva it isn't going to happen, you and I will never work on a team together. Go back home to Israel and Mossad. Get all the attention you think you deserve being the director's daughter." With that he turned and walked away from her.

XXXXX

"Gibbs." McGee called out. "What the hell, I just want to get home." He sighed.

"What is it McGee?"

"Look, boss–."

"I'm not your boss anymore, that's Borin."

"That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. I know a lot has gone on, but we worked well together and I know you need me and my skills." He smiled arrogantly.

"McGee, listen to me and listen carefully, I managed a lot of years without you on my team. We have a whole Cyber Unit I can call on for help. You aren't as special as you think you are. After the way you and Ziva treated Tony, I wouldn't want to work with you again."

"But we followed your lead?"

"Yes, you did, but I realised my mistake and made it right. You've continued to think that you're better than everyone. Confidence is a good thing to have, but when it crosses into arrogance that's a problem. One that could get people killed. You maybe great behind a keyboard, but the rest you're mediocre. I would pick Tony over you anyday, especially to work in an 'investigative' team."

"It's only because you're fucking him." McGee smirked.

"Be very careful what you say. Go and check on your FLETC records against his, I bet the only courses you beat him on are the computer ones. When it comes to everything else you'll always be runner-up. You're lucky we're not on duty otherwise I would've had you written up. Tony has earnt your respect time and time again. The fact you don't think so is disgraceful. Don't come to me about us working together. Oh and if DiNozzo or anything that recently happened ends up in your books, I will come and have a word with you." He threatened. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?" He didn't want to do anything that would cause him and Tony problems.

"Yes sir." McGee winced and waited for the normal reply. Gibbs said nothing and walked away. Tim knew that talking did in fact mean violence. It wasn't something he wanted to put to the test.

XXXXX

Tony stood up as Gibbs walked into the house. As soon as he was close enough he pulled the older man into a hug.

"Tough day."

"Yeah, but it had its good moments, you're alive for one. I also think I finally may have got through to McGee and Ziva. Hopefully they finally understand I want nothing to do with them if I can help it. I don't care what they do now. Everything I want and need is here in my arms. I love you Tony."

"I love you too Jethro."

They gently kissed each other, this finally felt the moment that was the start of their lifetime together. It wouldn't run smoothly and they would have arguments, but they would work through them all and become stronger because of it.

The End