"You shouldn't do it."

The elevator pinged as the doors opened. Even that simple sound was forlorn.

"They just lost their boss."

Silently, the team exited the elevator. Not a word was said, for once.

"Their leader."

They headed to their respective desks. Though they tried, they each took a glance, one, painful glance, at Gibbs empty desk.

"Their friend."

Ziva was the quickest. Even through years of being a member of the team, her difficulty putting down roots kept her from keeping all but non-work related materials in her desk.

"Keep them together."

Next came McGee. His clean nature made him put all personal belongings into only a few places. The only difficulty was unplugging and carefully placing his high-tech gadgets in the box.

"Let DiNozzo lead them."

Tony was last. He allowed his work to become his life. He kept many of his personal effects everywhere. And he was the most reluctant to leave. He slowly and sadly placed Mighty Mouse stapler in the box.

"Let them be each-other's rock."

They slowly made their way back to the elevator. They each took a look, one last glance, at their dead boss's desk.

"They'll bounce back."

As the elevator door closed one last time. It would be the last time they saw the orange walls of home for a long, long time.

Director Vance looked at his friend. Miles North was a retired Army Tank commander, who also spent some of his career in Psychological Warfare. When he spoke, it had a low, deep, gravelly sound to it.

"The team is traumatized," Vance declared, "They are too different to work together under normal circumstances. Hell, under normal circumstances they would be antisocial troublemakers. Gibbs put them under an iron collar, made them work."

"No he didn't," North replied, "I seen em'. They enjoyed working under Gibbs. They weren't his slaves."

"I didn't say that," Vance countered, "But he was special."

"And your friend," North said, uncontested, "DiNozzo did a good job keeping them together when he 'retired'."

"And look what has happened since then," Vance said. North had no reply.

"That doesn't explain why you're sending them... there." North said.

"It is where they are most needed."

And so, one by one, Ducky was retired, Jimmy transferred to San Diego, Abby to Rota, and the team...

At a different time, at a different place for each, Miles North looked them in the eye and said,

"Welcome, to the Covert Intelligence Unit."

In honor of those who had fallen in the defense of our country.