Note: This was originally written years ago during the 'Tony treated badly by team and leaves NCIS' trend, thought I might get it out after I unearthed it from an old drive. I hope there's still people interested in this type of story. All feedbacks are welcome and appreciated.

Chapter 1 - Fall Out

Agent DiNozzo was sitting in the back of the van with Agent McGee beside him. Their boss Agent Gibbs drove the vehicle like a crazed man possessed, Agent David riding shotgun beside the older man. Going out on a mission with his trusted teammates should be exciting and reassuring, except Tony DiNozzo hasn't felt any of those positive emotions about his team for a long time.

The two younger agents had always thrown snarky comments at DiNozzo in response to his teasing words. But for the last couple of months, their comments gradually turned sharp and insulting. They started directly criticizing his personality, saying what they would do was the better solution, and implying Tony was incompetent and under-qualified for Senior Field Agent's position.

Just recently Tony felt the two agents' attitudes toward him were borderline hostile, which just made going into work every day close to suffering. What was worse, Jethro Gibbs, his boss slash mentor not only ignored all the cruel words thrown at his SFA, sometimes he even added a few of his own. Tony couldn't figure out his boss' motive, but he also couldn't bring himself to confront the older man about it. The added pressures from the man he trusted the most only made Tony's life more difficult than it already was.

Getting closer to their destination, Tony let out a silent sigh. He just hoped nothing went wrong today and he wouldn't somehow screw up and gave his teammates more ammunition against him.

NCISNCISNCIS

It was a simple takedown, nothing complicated. Four no-name drug dealers murdered a petty officer on a hit and run, not the brightest idea Tony added mentally. They had located the four-men group in a secluded warehouse. Go in, subdued the bad guys, get out. Just another normal day at work.

Team Gibbs broke into the warehouse and a brief gunfight took place, the team was split up in the process. Three gunmen were easily subdued, McGee was in the process of cuffing a criminal Tony had shot in the shoulder, so he didn't notice the fourth man sneaking up from a dark corner with a raised gun, but DiNozzo did. Seeing the man's gun was already leveled at Tim's head, Tony didn't waste time shouting a warning, instead leaped forward and tackled the man in one fluid motion.

The pair fell to the ground with a grunt. Tony quickly relieved the man of his weapon but it seemed he got the short straw of which dirtbag to deal with today. The man was a big mass of solid muscle, thrashing around with all his might. Tony was doing all he could to pin the man on the ground and not get shaken off. An elbow caught his cheek and Tony had had enough, he slammed the squirming head roughly into the ground. "Damnit knock it off already!"

Tony heard a snap of metal before looking up, seeing McGee securing a set of cuffs around the wrists of the man beneath him. He managed to mutter a 'Thanks probie.' before the other two team members joined them.

"You done sitting on your ass DiNozzo? Stop straddling the criminal and get them out of here." Gibbs came over with two other cuffed men in tow, Ziva trailing behind him. "Well, at least Tim got some work done." The female agent smirked at Tony, before sending an approving look at McGee.

Ok, that stung a little, but it wasn't unusual from them nowadays. McGee and Ziva had already established Tony was not fit for team lead years ago after Gibbs' hiatus. During his unwanted leadership, McGee and Ziva refused to recognize DiNozzo as team lead and question every moves he made, doubting his judgment and ability all the time. Gibbs had eventually returned, but the two junior agents' attitudes and impressions about Tony seemed to stay in place ever since.

But Tony just couldn't figure out when had Gibbs somehow joined the Screw DiNozzo Club. He had stopped asking for Tony's input during an investigation, giving him nuisance works that were usually reserved for the probationary agent, and generally treated him like the man didn't even want to tolerate DiNozzo's presence. Tony couldn't even remember when had it started.

As Tony got up from the cuffed man, the other three were already walking out of the warehouse. Gibbs placed a gentle hand on McGee's shoulder. "Good job Tim." Then McGee was grinning stupidly like he just got the best Christmas present.

What the hell? When had the second B for bastard Gibbs started causally giving compliments anyway? And to the probie with so much proud, who merely put the handcuff on the man. While Tony, who did the hard work taking the man down, and probably saved McGee's life in the process, got the cold shoulder and snide comments?

Watching the cuffed gunmen got taken away, Tony DiNozzo once again asked himself the question that's been plaguing his head for months.

"Just what am I still doing here?"

NCISNCISNCIS

The team had being back in the bullpen for half an hour, finishing up their reports after the raid. All three agents were typing silently on their computers when Gibbs stood up and announced.

"Coffee break. McGee, with me."

And that damn smug look returned to McGee's face. What is up with him and Gibbs today anyway? With a cheery 'Yes Boss.' McGee quickly got up and followed the lead agent out.

"Wow is today your birthday McGoodBoy? Sorry I didn't bring you any present." Tony couldn't help but throw in his sarcastic comment. Did Gibbs suddenly felt like Tim should be his second instead of him now? To Tony's further annoyance, McGee didn't take the bait and shoot his smug comment back.

"That's alright Tony, I've already got something better than anything you could ever give me anyway. Let's go Boss." The probie even had the tendency to look proud of himself. All McGee did today was putting cuffs on downed criminals and he's acting like he just received a damn medal! Tony was ready to return to the banter when surprisingly, Gibbs chimed in.

"Stop harassing your teammate DiNozzo and finish your report. Or you gonna slack off like in the warehouse?"

What the hell? Where did that one come from? They were split up in the warehouse, but why would Gibbs ever think his SFA was slacking off during a raid? Tony realized the only time Gibbs saw him was of him getting up from the downed dirtbag McGee was cuffing. Despite that, why would Gibbs assume something like that about him? Tony just couldn't stomach the comment and he decided to let some truth out.

"I was slacking off? McGeek's brain would be spilled on that warehouse floor right now if I hadn't tackled that dirtbag you know?"

That stopped the two agents on their way to the elevator. Tony waited for McGee to send him a 'Thanks Tony.' or even a 'Good job DiNozzo.' from his boss. To his shock, all Tony received was a slap to the back of his head. A hard one. Tony winced at the force behind the attack as he looked up at the fuming man who had delivered it.

"You think your teammate's life is a joke, DiNozzo?" Now the look on Gibbs's face was pure fury with McGee snickering behind him. Wait, a joke? they thought he made it up as a joke? What the hell were they thinking?

"Wow Tony, that's a twisted one even from you. You sure you aren't just making this up because you're jealous Boss gave me a Good Job Tim?"

"The hell? You guys think I would make something like this up? For what?" Tony asked incredulously. Doubting his ability at work was one thing, but to think he would make a joke about his teammate's death? Is that what they think of him now? Of all the people, Gibbs should know him better than that, shouldn't he?

"To seek attention of course, Tony. That is what you are always doing, is it not? Gibbs and I apprehended our people while you just sat on the floor. And that was a rude thing to say about Tim." Ziva just had to get her word in somehow. The female agent had moved closer when she saw things were getting tense and just had to add her comment to make DiNozzo more miserable. Before Tony could sputter an indignant reply, Ziva stepped up beside Gibbs and asked the older man.

"Do you mind if I tag along, Gibbs? I could use a cup of drink as well." Ziva let the words out smoothly while throwing a mocking smile at the Senior Field Agent.

She hadn't even finished her reports and she's asking for a coffee break? DiNozzo would get his head slapped off if he tried that. To Tony's surprise, Gibbs grunted then nodded his head toward the elevator, and that was as close to an agreement as one can get in Gibbs Behavior 101. Seriously? They would all leave him behind just like this?

"Get back to work DiNozzo. You better have those reports on my desk before we're back, or don't bother coming in tomorrow." That's the word Gibbs left him as he headed for the elevator, McGee and Ziva followed as they threw cocky grins at Tony's way.

And comes the 'Do as I so or you're gone.' line again. Of all the abusive words he took every day, this one irritated Tony the most. Not waiting for the remaining agent's reaction, the trio disappeared behind the closed elevator door. Tony just stared at the spot he last saw his teammates unbelievably. They had left for a brief celebration of a job well done, leaving the man who had ensured his friend wasn't injured on the raid today behind.

This was too much, has been for way too long. Tony kept lying to himself that things would get better, he just had to keep doing his job and one day the others would realize how unfair they've been treating him. But now he simply ran out of the capacity to believe in that fairytale. He was no longer recognized as a team member. An unwanted outsider, that's what Agent DiNozzo was now. No matter what he did, he'll always be the butt of the joke, and none of his supposed teammates trust, respect, or care about him anymore. Sure he acted childishly and goof around occasionally, but he still put all he had into the job of being an agent. Did he really deserve all the disrespect and unfair put-down thrown his way on daily basis?

McGee and Ziva both had their specialties, they were younger and more sure about themselves, Tony could see how they thought they could just walk all over him despite he was technically their superior. But Gibbs, the man that had brought him in and taught him so much over the years started despising him as well? That was one thing Tony just couldn't handle. Deep down he had come up with a theory for Gibbs' behavior, but he really didn't want that reason to be true.

Something has to change. Tony DiNozzo already has lots of self-worth issues thanks to his own father, now he was being stripped apart every day by the people who were once his friends. He had to do something before they destroy the last of his dignity for good.

Decision made, Tony sat back at his desk. Giving a grateful nod to a few agents who were sending him sympathetic looks, he opened a new file and started typing. He had some paper to fill out after all.

NCISNCISNCIS

The three agents came back from their coffee break about 30 minutes later, but DiNozzo was nowhere in sight when they stepped out of the elevator.

McGee looked around, hoping Tony already had the paperwork ready on Gibbs' desk so he wouldn't need to endure another round of the older man's wrath. Tim had felt a little bad about the comment he threw at the Senior Field Agent before they left. He knew Tony was the one holding the gunman down and he simply applied the handcuff, but to say he had tackled the man and saved McGee's life? that's just DiNozzo's various ways to bait attention and reaction. Besides it wasn't every day he got a compliment from the lead agent, so McGee didn't dwell too long on the subject and went back to his desk.

Ziva had thought Tony's behavior was a bit out of place. Normally the man would fight finger and hair to tag along, or was it tooth and nails? Anyway, the way DiNozzo just quiet down and not try to follow them just made Ziva a bit uneasy, but it didn't bother her too much. After all, it's time for that man to start acting like an adult instead of a needy child anyway. With that brief thought gone, Ziva also sat down and started back on her half-finished report.

Grunting at DiNozzo's desk, which was suspiciously clean and empty. Gibbs simply walked past and toward his own. Just as Gibbs reached his destination he saw a familiar-looking box and a stack of paper sitting on his desk. As Gibbs picked up the first page, Tony walked down from the stairs back to the bullpen.

That's the moment all hell broke loose.

"DiNozzo! What in the hell is this!"

The sudden bark startled the two junior agents. But Tony, who was usually the most reactive one to the lead agent's mood, just calmly walked down and stared emotionlessly at the older man.

"My resignation, effective immediately. The Director got a copy as well. Is there a problem Agent Gibbs?"

McGee and Ziva's startled eyes shot toward the man, what kind of prank Tony was playing to piss Gibbs off now? But Tony's green eyes just looked dull and lifeless without their usual mischief. Wait, was DiNozzo being serious now?

Throwing the paper back onto his desk, Gibbs strode purposefully toward the younger man. Any lesser man would've backed away in terror from the Marine's advance, but Tony didn't so much as blink for once.

"You better got a good reason for this. What? Not been invited on a coffee run hurt your feeling?"

Tony should be hurt by the comment, but he's just completely numb now. Just a little longer Gibbs' opinion wouldn't mean anything to him anymore.

"No Agent Gibbs, my feeling is none of your concern. I feel like there's nothing more I could contribute to the team, so I figured it's my time to leave, that's all."

"Who I want or not want on my team is for me to decide, DiNozzo. Explain yourself now before I make you." Again with the threatening, which only made Tony more sure about his decision of leaving. It seemed the only emotions Gibbs was capable to show him nowadays were anger and frustration. It would only result in his own destruction if he stayed any longer.

"I think you'd rather we take this conversation to your office, Agent Gibbs."

"No DiNozzo. You got something to say, you do it right here. Got a problem with that?" The challenge was obvious in Gibbs' clipped tone. Well, it wasn't his face Tony was trying to save, but his former boss' anyway. If he wanted to do it publicly, who was Tony to hold back on him, right?

"No problem at all, Agent Gibbs. I'll tell you exactly what I want to say. First of all, I am not your property. You don't get to chain me here like a damn dog.

Secondly, I've finally figured you out. Some undetermined time ago, somewhere along the way, you realized Agent DiNozzo had become nothing but a liability for you. You ignored any opinion he had, gave him the lowest job you could think of, overlook any contribution he made in the case. Treating him like you didn't even want him as a damn probie. But why is that, the man was your Senior Field Agent wasn't he?"

Tony's voice started to rise uncontrollably, he knew by now all eyes in the bullpen were on them, but he couldn't stop the flood once the dam broke. He took a step forward, walking right into the older man's personal space. To Tony's surprise, Gibbs took a half step back at his advance. Without giving a chance for the other to speak, Tony carried on his monologue.

"Don't answer that, we all know words aren't your strong point. I have figured it out anyway. Apparently, The Great Jethro Gibbs could never be wrong. So me, being your first hand-picked team member must worth something, right? But no, you've finally realized DiNozzo was a mistake, so you gotta find a way to get rid of that waste of space. But obviously, you couldn't actively fire me, cause that would show everyone you made an error of judgment bringing me in.

Those two supposedly teammates already thought of me as lower than them for years, all you had to do was treat me as much like a piece of turd as possible. If you all made me feel worthless enough, eventually I would just quit myself and you get to keep your never-made-a-mistake reputation. Is my theory correct, Agent Gibbs?"

The whole bullpen was deathly quiet. Tony could hear every heavy breathe Gibbs was taking and the blood pounding in his ears. C'mon Boss, tell me how wrong I am. He waited for a reaction, for Gibbs to deny all he said, gave a gruff 'Good, you finally catch up', or wrap his hands around his neck for daring to talk him off in the middle of the bullpen. Anything.

But nothing came. Gibbs just stood his ground, silently glaring at Tony with a foreign expression he had never seen before. The realization hit Tony like a kick to the gut. Now that he had figured it out, Gibbs wasn't going to waste another breath on him. He's just waiting for DiNozzo to get out of his sight.

So this is it then. This is how we end.

A part of him had desperately hope Gibbs would give him a head slap, told him to stop being an idiot and get back to work. But apparently, that's not the case. Coming to those conclusions had hurt enough, but getting his mentor's silent confirmation felt like getting his heart ripped out and stomped just for good measure. Wordlessly, Tony backed off from the older man, going back to his former desk and tossed the backpack over his shoulder, before picking up a cardboard box filled with his personal belongings underneath the desk.

"Well congratulation Gibbs, you win. I'm getting out of your hair. McGenius here finally got to be the Senior Field Agent he thought he deserved for so long." Tony spat out as he threw his badge into the stunned McGee's chest. The object clanged to the floor, echoing loudly through the bullpen. "And Miss Mossad here can go break whatever protocol she wants just because she can." He moved toward the other desk, slapping his gun down in front of the female agent.

"What is the meaning of that…" But Tony wasn't going to let Ziva have the last word. Ignoring her protest, Tony went on.

"And you Agent Gibbs, can finally lose this sorry excuse of an SFA and have your perfect dream team. Hooray. See? happily ever after for everyone." With that said, Tony turned around and walked toward the elevator, leaving the stunned crowd staring behind him. Everyone was waiting for Agents Gibbs' response, but the silver-haired man seemed nailed on the spot, his eyes downcast and fists clenched as the now-former Special Agent walked away from them.

McGee was looking at him with wide eyes and gaping mouth, Ziva was glaring at him with a complex expression. But none of their reactions bothered Tony anymore, they were probably cheering inside anyway. But Tony was finally free, now it's time to leave this toxic place behind and start his new life.

"Oh, and Director, you can finally give Agent Gibbs that folder you've been holding on. I'm sure you've waited for this moment long enough."

That's when everyone noticed Director Vance was silently observing the scene from the staircase. The suited man didn't make a comment, simply glance at Gibbs' way before walking back to his office.

When Tim and Ziva looked back at the place Tony was last seen, the man was already gone.

That day, which was supposed to be a normal Monday. Was the day former Special Agent DiNozzo walked out of NCIS without looking back.

TBC