This is it boys and girls. I've run out of ideas and it really is time to let go of this. I hope you enjoy this last chapter. It has been fun taking this trip with you. My many thanks to WmGeorge for all the work she's done in making this a better read for all of you.

Vance walked into the bullpen and stopped in front of Gibbs' desk. "Gibbs I need to see you in my office."

Gibbs looked down at the paperwork on his desk and nodded. "Five minutes, Director?"

"That will be fine, Gibbs."

A few minutes later, Gibbs stood and huffed slightly as he looked at the empty desk of his SFA. Tony was once again off doing God knew what for the SECNAV.

As was his wont, Gibbs barged into Vance's office without knocking, a cup of coffee in each hand. He gave one to Vance and sipped at the other while he waited to see what the director wanted.

Finally he sighed. "Is there something I can help you with, Leon?"

Vance gave him a white embossed envelope and waited for the inevitable fallout. He saw the sour expression on Gibbs face and knew he had to say something to smooth things over.

"Sorry Gibbs, orders are orders. SECNAV ordered me to be at this reception, as well as the lead agent from MCRT. And that's you."

"What about my team? They should be there too, at least Tony should. He's just as important, and he's one of the best agents we have."

"Orders state just you. Suck it up marine. And wear a suit. You'll want to look sharp next to your counterparts."

Gibbs stepped out of his yellow charger and handed his keys to the marine who opened the door for him.

The marine snapped off a perfect salute. "No worries Gunny. We were told to take extra care with your car."

Gibbs nodded, grunted, and followed the rest of the people into the reception hall.

In the sea of guests, the men were dressed in suits of dark blue or black. The women wore dark colors as well, but they varied between green, blue, black, and even dark purple. Everyone had dressed to the nines for the SECNAV's soiree.

Gibbs was surprised by two groups of men in dress whites. The men stood out among the dark colors as they worked the room. They traveled from guest to guest, stopping to chat for a few moments and then moving on.

By the time Gibbs made it to the SECNAV to formally announce his presence, the men in white were standing beside their host.

The Secretary of the Navy smiled at him. "Ah, Agent Gibbs, thank you for accepting my invitation."

Gibbs tipped his head slightly. He knew better than to get snarky with the man. "Thank you for inviting me, sir."

SECNAV gestured to the men surrounding him. "I'd like you to meet my favorite SEAL team. These are the men I send out when I want something done quickly and without any fallout. They're my in and out specialists."

The first man shook hands with Gibbs, saying it was an honor to meet him. Gibbs felt something slipped into the palm of his hand as soon as the SEAL touched it.

When the man pulled his hand away Gibbs glanced down and saw a small blue ceramic man wearing a white stocking hat. He looked at the SEAL with a slightly raised eyebrow. "The honor is mine, son." He slipped the small figure into his pocket.

One by one the SEAL team shook his hand, each leaving behind a tiny figurine. Gibbs nodded as each man moved on, making room for the next. He'd collected thirteen little statues by the time the last SEAL shook his hand. In a strange way he felt he was part of the group, as if they had let him in on their secret. Although he didn't know what that secret was.

The SECNAV looked at the SEAL closest to him, a man with shaggy hair and black rimmed glasses. "Where is your commander, Petty Officer?"

"Behind Agent Gibbs, sir."

Gibbs hated to be caught unaware like that, but he placed the blame solely on himself. He'd let his guard down while he was being introduced to the SEALs. Still, he had to know who had managed to sneak up on him. He turned quickly and froze. Standing there in the white dress uniform of a SEAL was none other than his senior field agent, Anthony DiNozzo.

"Pleasure to meet you agent Gibbs, I've heard a lot of good things about you." Tony nodded and shook his hand, handing him another ceramic figure.

Gibbs tipped his head. "Commander. Nice team you have here."

"I think so. We've been together a while, now." There was a wicked gleam in DiNozzo's green eyes.

The SECNAV looked at the men and smiled as he turned to Gibbs. "So how do you like my favorite SEALs?"

"They're good men. They must work very well together."

"They do." SECNAV sighed and scratched his chin. "Gibbs, before you start in on my commander, his enlistment and various deployments were need to know. However, Commander DiNozzo has urged me for quite some time to end the secrecy. Last week he flat told me it was past time to read you in. He said you really needed to know why he disappeared now and again."

"Yes sir, thank you for telling me."

Gibbs turned back to the men only to find that they were gone. Not one white dress uniform could be seen anywhere. Gibbs managed to make himself stay two more hours, talking with other agents and his counterparts from other agencies, before he felt he'd done his duty and left.

Gibbs wasted no time on the drive home. He wanted coffee, and to talk to Tony. He understood about need to know, but he wished that Tony could have at least dropped a hint about what he was up to. "Well, hell, DiNozzo. Guess you had no choice." He sighed as he got out of the car and entered his house.

He closed the door and made his way to the fireplace. Soon, the mantel was covered with the small, blue, ceramic men. He shook his head as he walked to the kitchen, remembering the cartoon his daughter had loved.

Grabbing the coffee to make a pot of his favorite blend, he saw a small box sitting next to the coffee machine. He smiled at what was inside - a small helicopter and a little man dressed in a flight suit kneeling down to fill a bowl inscribed with the name Billy. Lastly, a little blue man with a red hat. He clutched the blue man and held it tightly next to his heart as he walked back to the fireplace to add the new pieces to the collection on the mantel.

He was still gazing at the figurines when the front door opened, allowing the men he'd met at the SECNAV's party to enter.

"We brought food, and beer. Go change while we get set up, Papa Smurf." A big man spoke softly as he patted Gibbs on the shoulder in passing. DiNozzo just grinned as he closed the door, shutting out the rest of the world.

Gibbs nodded at his second, the corner of his mouth curling up. Yes, it felt good to belong, as if once again he had a real family.