Gibbs was working on his boat. It was nice and calming. Just what he needed after the last few days. First, the thing with the director. Officially, he had resigned due to personal reasons. Not even his team knew the truth.

Then there had been the conference. It had been to late to cancel it. They had nearly lost Eli David to terrorists. On his watch. That would have been embarrassing. And a diplomatic nightmare.

Now, a week later, the post of director was still empty, scuttlebutt was going crazy and everyone was worried about the future.

"You know, you should really put in a decent security system in your house. Anyone could come in."

Gibbs nearly dropped a hammer on his foot. How could Archangel walk so silently with that cane? Gibbs knew his hearing was perfect.

"I just might, to keep you out." Gibbs griped.

"Oh, that would only slow me down a bit. I'm really good at what I am doing." Archangel replied amusedly.

"If you are so great, can you tell me who is going to be our next director?" Gibbs asked.

"Right now, there are a few candidates on the short list. Each has strong support. There is a lot of politicking going on." Archangel answered.

"Who is the most promising?" Gibbs wanted to know.

"SecNav is pushing for a candidate with contacts in high places. Contacts that give the CIA, FBI and the rest of that alphabet soup a headache." Gibbs got a sinking feeling.

"You don't like them either." It was more of a statement, than a question.

"I despise amateurs." Gibbs new that feeling.

"So who is that candidate?" Gibbs asked.

"You." Archangel replied.

"Me. What kind of contacts am I supposed to have?" Gibbs was confused.

"That would be me." Archangel answered while buffing his nails.

"Rather full of yourself, aren't you?" Gibbs said acidly.

"Oh, always. But I am that good. And I have some influence on the Committee. I could be persuaded to use it on the behalf of NCIS." Archangel replied.

"For a price, of course." Gibbs said.

"Naturally." Archangel answered.

"What would that price be?" Gibbs asked.

"Information, mostly. And help with some operations. A word here or there in the right ear." Archangel replied.

"Ah. If I refuse, you wouldn't do anything for us either. What stops me from giving out your number?" Gibbs wondered.

"Nothing at all. But I know who is calling me. And if it isn't you, the caller would find themselves connected to the most interesting services." Archangel answered.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Gibbs asked.

"Forewarned is forearmed, they say. If they offer you the job, you can make demands of your own. That usually works better if you had time to think about them." Archangel replied.

"What would happen, if I refuse?" Gibbs asked.

"They wouldn't let you. Take the job, or retirement." Archangel answered.

"Damned if I do, damned if I don't." Gibbs said.

"Precisely." Archangel replied.

Another week later, Gibbs was offered the job.