AN: Here is Chapter One of a Series of TAGS to Last Man Standing. This series will be done weekly with each new episode and will stem from a quote or scene within the ep. I for one thought this premiere was fantastic; and am looking forward to next week. I will be posting more chapters throughout the week, stay tuned and Enjoy! And yes, spoilers for sure!

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Leon: Langer, made the jump to NCIS 8 months ago from the FBI

Gibbs: He got no special treatment

Leon: But you did recommend him

Gibbs: He called me

Leon: You endorsed him

--

Maybe it is possible. It wasn't the first time; and it wouldn't be last. Leroy Jethro Gibbs' gut was wrong. And it hurt.

"You okay?" Abby approached Gibbs desk some time after everyone had gone home for the night.

He looked up and managed a smile. "If you're referring to DiNozzo still being gone, don't worry, I'm working on it."

"I meant about Langer; I know he was one of your Agents and…"

Gibbs quieted her by putting his hand up. "Abs, I'm fine. Now, go home. I still got 12 days to get the third musketeer…"

She crossed her arms and remained still. "You're not okay. You're sad."

He shook his head; and slowly stood up. "I was wrong; it's happened before, it'll happen again."

"But you weren't wrong, you just didn't know. No one did."

"Not knowing is the same as being wrong. Result is the same."

She read his expression. "It wasn't your fault, you know that right?"

He reached for his jacket. "Good night Abs."

"Oh come on; you know it wasn't your fault…right?"

He placed a soft kiss on her cheek as he passed. "Good night."

He watched her expression as long as the elevator doors allowed him to. It wasn't long before it descended and he changed its course. He entered the dark autopsy room and stared aimlessly at the black body bag.

"Damnit." He spoke into the air; part of him wishing he wasn't alone. How could he not know? Could losing his team really have shaken him up bad enough; that he would miss something so big as an all out betrayal? That he would miss being used by a very person he taught and mentored? He closed his eyes as his own fury stirred up within him… "Damnit!" His decibel had gotten substantially louder and he found himself with his hand resting on the zipper of the body bag when his mind catapulted him back in time…

"She was dying Jethro…this may have been more merciful…"

He opened his eyes and swallowed hard. That was it. That was the moment. The moment he'd changed. It was then he did what he couldn't do before; he unzipped the bag and revealed the eyes of the Agent who'd betrayed him. As he stared into his eyes he realized something…

He was wrong.

After all it wasn't the first time; and it wouldn't the last.