A/N: So Gibbs may seem a little bit out of character, but I figured he might be a bit more affectionate considering the circumstances.

A/N 2: If anyone has a story that they really want written or a challenge or anything, feel free to PM me, as I would love some ideas and it's harder to find time now that I'm dealing with finals and all that crap…

xxxx

Vance sat despondently in his office, elbows propped up on his desk, head cradled in his hands. The intensity of his feelings was unsettling. Sure, he had never wanted anything to happen to DiNozzo despite their less than stellar relationship, but the concern and (though he would never admit it) sadness he felt was surprising.

He'd grown fond of the mischievous, usually immature, often irritating, regularly brilliant man. Much as he hated to acknowledge it, DiNozzo was a crack investigator, great in interrogation, and highly respected by the other members of Gibbs' team. In fact, Vance had just grown to realize that the team simply did not function very well without him. DiNozzo's upbeat attitude, constant teasing, and role as buffer between Gibbs and the other agents created an atmosphere that Vance found lacking in other teams, a unique family feel that Vance couldn't imagine surviving without him.

Sighing loudly, Vance scrubbed tiredly at his eyes, frustrated with the situation and the decisions he would be forced to make. A loud knock at the door startled him from his wallowing, and he knew before it opened who would be standing on the other side.

"Gibbs. Come in," he said, waving a hand at the silver haired agent. Gibbs walked in silently, sitting in the chair across from Vance's without an invitation.

"What's going on, Gibbs?" Vance asked, fairly certain that it would have something to do with DiNozzo. He was more than surprised when Gibbs slid a white envelope across the desk. He stared at it for a minute, eyebrows raised and mouth slightly open.

"I'm retiring, Leon." Vance blinked, shooting a look up at Gibbs.

"Like hell you are," he said, and Gibbs chuckled. He slid another envelope, this one bigger, to Vance, nodding at it.

Vance slowly sifted through the paperwork, occasionally looking up at Gibbs.

"You think McGee should be senior agent?" Vance couldn't keep the incredulity out of his voice. Much as he liked Tim, he was surprised that Gibbs would choose him to replace DiNozzo.

"I do. He's grown up a lot lately, Vance. He may not have the intuition that Tony has, but he's smart and methodical, and he knows his way around all the technological mumbo-jumbo we need. You give him a few years as senior agent, and I think he could be team lead in a few years."

"And Ziva?"

"She knows what she's doing. Great in interrogation and out in the field."

"And who's this? Michael Orwell?"

"I looked over the files I had of applicants. He'd make a good probie."

"And team lead?"

Gibbs smiled. "That's your call, Leon." Vance shook his head, filtering absently through the papers again.

"So you're really doing this, Gibbs?" Gibbs nodded once, pushing his chair back from the table.

"I've already tried retiring once, figured it's time."

"And DiNozzo?"

"He's gonna need a lot of help, Vance. I'm going to be there to give it to him." Vance studied the man in front of him, yet again surprised by him. He knew that Gibbs had grown fond of DiNozzo, maybe even considered him like a son, but he couldn't have predicted this. Not by a long shot.

"Okay. I wish you the best of luck, Gibbs. And I know we've had our differences but…It's been an honor working with you." Gibbs nodded and stood, and Vance mimicked his movements, sticking his hand out.

"DiNozzo was a damn fine agent as well. Sorry to see him go."

"Yeah, me too," Gibbs answered, grasping the outstretched hand firmly. "See ya around, Leon."

xxxx

Gibbs' team had been so obliterated of late that for the time being, at least, they were off-duty. It meant that Gibbs' announcement would be made even more personal, done one at a time.

Ziva was first, finishing up the last bit of paperwork related to the accident, looking up and smiling tiredly.

"Gibbs. I was not expecting you." Gibbs didn't respond, instead sitting in the chair across from Ziva, sitting with his elbows draped over his knees.

"Ziva." He was a bit uncertain of where to begin, finally decided to just get it out there. "I won't be coming back, Ziva." Ziva maintained eye contact before looking down, blinking rapidly.

"So we are losing both you and Tony," she whispered, and Gibbs nodded, placing a hand on her knee. "I am glad to have worked with you, Gibbs."

"The feeling is mutual, Ziva. I'm proud of you." Ziva stood, wiping her eyes, and wrapped her arms around Gibbs.

"Take care of him, Gibbs," she murmured. Stepping back, she smiled sadly at him, sniffling quietly.

"I will, Ziva. Take care."

xxxx

Ducky reacted about as Gibbs expected him to.

"Oh, Jethro. I believe that you're making the best decision you could in this situation, and Anthony certainly needs it, but I will surely miss you."

"Thanks, Duck. It's been a long time. Things won't seem the same without seeing you every day."

"The feeling is mutual, my friend, but I have never felt such pride in you as I do today. I wish you luck."

xxxx

Abby cried. Gibbs wasn't surprised, wasn't even really taken aback by how passionate she was in her cries, but he still felt bad, gently stroking her hair and recognizing that no amount of Caff-Pows would make this better.

"B-but I'm l-losing you and T-Tony! What am I g-going to d-do?"

"You're going to do what you always do, Abs. Kick forensic ass and take names." Abby sniffed loudly, looking up from Gibbs' shoulder where she had buried her face.

"I can still come to your house, right? I can still come see you and Tony?"

"Of course, Abby. I'm retiring, not cutting myself off from you."

"Okay. As soon as Tony's out of the hospital, I'll come over and cook dinner. And we'll marathon some of Tony's favorite movies."

"Sounds great, Abs." There was a comfortable silence in which they just stood quietly, Abby still wrapped up in Gibbs' embrace.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," she whispered again, and Gibbs kissed her head gently.

"You're going to do just fine, Abs."

xxxx

McGee didn't say anything at first, just laid in the hospital bed, head turned away from Gibbs and clearly trying to hold back tears.

"Tim-"

"This is my fault, Gibbs. I shouldn't have taken Tony and I should've had his six and now he's gone and you're gone and it's all a big shitty mess," he gasped, the words tumbling out of him in a river that he couldn't seem to stop.

"McGee, listen to me. Yeah, maybe not the best call, but that was DiNozzo's decision too, and chances are it wouldn't have been too long before we found out about the extent of the damage one way or another. You can't keep blaming yourself for this, Tim." McGee nodded, blinking rapidly in an obvious attempt to keep himself from crying.

"I recommended you for senior agent." Tim looked up with tear bright eyes, expression blatantly surprised.

"Me? You think I'm ready?"

"Would I say so if I didn't? You've grown up a lot, McGee. Still got a lot to learn, but you'll get there."

"Thanks, Gibbs," McGee said quietly, but it was clear that it wasn't sitting entirely well with him.

"McGee. I'm only saying this once, so pay attention, you understand?" He continued when he noticed Tim's tentative nod. "You did not cause this. Shit happens. You have to accept it and you have to move on."

"I know," McGee said, lower lip trembling. "It's just- it won't be the same without you and Tony. I don't know-" Tim trailed off uncertainly, picking absently at the blanket draped over his legs.

"It won't be the same, McGee. But it couldn't stay the same way forever, you know that. You're going to be fine. Better than fine. You've got a lot ahead of you, Tim. Chin up."

"Thanks Gibbs. Make sure-make sure you keep him in line."

"I will."

xxxx

Tony, already weak and exhausted, broke down so completely that Gibbs was somewhat taken aback. It wasn't the violence of Abby's reaction and it wasn't the awkwardness of McGee's. It was quiet sobs that wracked his whole body, it was a refusal to make eye contact, it was biting his lip until a small trickle of blood ran down his chin.

"Tony-"

"No. You can't do this." His voice was hoarse and broken, but firm.

"Yes I can, DiNozzo. Since when do I take orders from you?"

"No Gibbs. Please, not-not like this." Gibbs was silent, quietly inspecting the man in front of him. Tony had yet to regain his normal coloring and still looked too gray, a bandage swathed across his chest, an oxygen cannula in his nose. There were dark rings under his eyes, a slightly irregular heartbeat beeping its rhythm behind him.

"Tony. You know that I've tried to retire once already. I'm not as young as I once was, and the time's come, DiNozzo. Besides, you gotta have somebody to cover your ass. Might as well be me."

"No Gibbs. No. Please, no-"

"Tony! Tony, it's okay. It's going to be okay."

Holding onto Tony's shivering body as he sobbed, Gibbs knew without a doubt that he was where he needed to be. They might not know what the future held, but it would be okay, because it would be together.

xxxx

The day Tony was scheduled to be released from the hospital, Gibbs returned to the office for the last time, gently packing up DiNozzo's things, shaking his head with a slight smile when he found all of his medals in Tony's drawer. When the box was full and Tony's desk was empty, he moved on to his own, tossing his things carelessly into his box. When he was done, he stood for a moment, looking back at the place he'd called home for years, then stepped on the elevator with the boxes tucked under his arm, and headed forward to Tony and to a new future.