Episode tag for "Reveille."

This is the last of the Season 1 set. I will probably start Season 2 as a new story, since the number of chapters is likely to become unwieldy otherwise. I'll call it "On It, Boss – Season 2" so it will be easy to find and will probably have the first chapter up around mid-week.

Thanks to everyone who continues to read, follow, and/or review!

Lessons and Goals

Tony noticed a few curious stares as he stepped off the elevator into the bullpen a full hour-and-a-half early for the second day in a row. He couldn't blame his coworkers. He was not known for being a morning person, though his colleagues were also mostly unaware of his habit of coming in at often strange hours of the night to catch up on work. However, while his boss had been far easier to live with since learning that his so-called "terrorist," Ari Haswari, was in reality a Mossad double agent, DiNozzo also had the distinct impression that he was, nonetheless, still frantically paddling his way out of that well-known creek he'd been in since Ari had "abducted" his partner a few days prior. Therefore, he'd been careful to be on his very best behavior ever since, and that had included being extremely early for the past couple of days.

A glance at Gibbs' desk and the fresh cup of coffee sitting there told him that his boss was already in the office, and likely would be making an appearance very soon, since the man would not allow for a separation from his coffee for any long stretch of time. True to his prediction, he heard Gibbs' distinctive gait a couple of minutes later descending the steps behind him, coming either from a visit to MTAC or to the Director's office. Clearly Gibbs would not be sneaking up behind him this morning as he often did on other occasions when he was in a more playful mood; otherwise his descent from upstairs would have been far more stealthy. The thought occurred to Tony that, for once, he may have actually welcomed being startled had it meant that the events of a few days ago had at long last been forgotten.

Gibbs regarded his agent with interest, a very slight smile forming on his lips. There was one thing he could give DiNozzo credit for: he knew when he was in trouble and, contrary perhaps to the opinions of some of his colleagues, he hated it, particularly when the person he was in trouble with was Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Tony would do just about anything to get back into his good graces, and that was what he was counting on this morning. There were just a few items they needed to discuss before things could finally go back to some semblance of what the MCRT considered to be normal. And DiNozzo's probably suffered enough. Time to let him get a good night's sleep again.

Gibbs decided to open with the direct approach, colored with just a touch of DiNozzo's version of humor. He sat down at his desk, fixed Tony with one of his lower-intensity glares, and said, "Moby Dick, DiNozzo? Or should I call you Ishmael?" to get the conversation started.

Tony looked up suddenly and Gibbs very nearly laughed out loud at the startled and slightly confused expression which briefly crossed the younger man's features. "It seemed appropriate at the time, Boss. You have to admit – you did go a little Captain Ahab on us there." Tony then made an attempt at one of his most charming and innocent mega-watt smiles.

But Gibbs didn't soften the glare, not just yet. "And you still thought I was overreacting after you found out Haswari had Kate, did you, Tony?"

"Well, n-not exactly,no. You were, of course, right, Boss. Sort of."

The glare hardened. "Sort of?"

"He's Mossad! And he didn't hurt Kate, so maybe she was right about him."

So he did know about Kate not being able to stab Haswari in autopsy. Another thing they were going to discuss, but first things first. "So, in your opinion, that makes everything okay."

"I didn't say that."

"No? Well that's good, DiNozzo. Did Kate happen to tell you about your new girlfriend's special plans for you?"

Tony's stomach sank just a bit at the reference to Marta, the beautiful Swede he had since learned had been with the Hamas cell. He'd hoped Gibbs was unaware of his brief dalliance with her, but that was unrealistic since Gibbs had a way of finding out anything and everything, particularly those things Tony really did not want him to know about. "You mean, Marta?"

"Marta? Yes, Tony, Marta planned to put a bullet in the back of your head during the little 'date' you had planned. You know, the one you wanted to keep instead of helping McGee track down Haswari's identity?" Initially Gibbs had insisted on calling him Ari, but upon finding out the man was actually with Mossad had reverted back to using his last name instead.

"But that wouldn't have happened, because Ari – uh, Haswari – was planning to thwart their plans all along."

"Yeah, DiNozzo? What if he had failed? Then what?" Gibbs fought the images from his recent nightmares that were currently assaulting his mind. It was the same dream each time, except that the identity of the person in the body bag kept changing. Most of the time it was Kate, but he'd also imagined Tony, Ducky, and even Abby in her place, each of them with a single bullet wound to the forehead.

Tony had no answer for his questions this time, so he continued. "You don't think Haswari's prepared for some 'collateral damage'? Don't think you or Kate wouldn't have been expendable. Or have you forgotten what he did to Gerald to maintain his cover?"

This time Tony answered with sincerity, "No, Boss, I can assure you I haven't forgotten."

"I'm glad to hear it, but maybe you can answer one more question for me. Why did you not see fit to tell me that Kate hesitated when she had a chance to go after Haswari in autopsy?" At least DiNozzo has the good sense to look guilty.

"I didn't think it mattered anymore. Neither one of us thought we'd ever see him again, Boss. And you were already distracted enough."

Now Gibbs felt just a small pang of guilt. Certainly he'd been right to be concerned about Haswari, but there had been times when he knew he'd let his quest get in the way of important things. He'd ignored Pacci's request for assistance and he'd stupidly sent Tony out to shadow a suspect without any backup, nearly getting him killed. He would never admit as much to the younger man, but he respected Tony's willingness to stand up to him when he thought he'd taken things too far. Still, keeping secrets like this from him was not acceptable.

The Lead Agent intentionally eased his glare and relaxed his posture. Now that he had Tony's full attention, there was something else he had been leading into, but he wanted the younger man to hear him in a less confrontational atmosphere.

"Tony, if this is going to be a four-person team, I'm eventually gonna need a Senior Field Agent. "

DiNozzo's eyes lit up at the mere mention of the term "Senior Field Agent." Ever since he'd learned that Stan Burley had held that position on Gibbs' team, he'd been wondering how to attain that status himself. "I've been here the longest, Boss. I'd love to be your Senior Field Agent," he said hopefully.

Gibbs bit back a smile at the younger man's eagerness. "I know you would, DiNozzo. But you're not quite ready yet." It was difficult to ignore the way the younger man deflated at his words, but Gibbs continued, hoping that what he had to say next would bring back at least some of the previous enthusiasm.

"I have to know that my Senior Field Agent is going to act in the best interests of the team. That means, for one thing, not keeping things from me that I need to know. Like with Kate. Even if that means your teammates temporarily don't like you for it. It's not about being liked, it's about being respected."

Tony nodded his understanding, though still wearing the same expression of disappointment.

"I also need to know that my other agents will take direction from my Senior Field Agent. I can't be everywhere. There has to be someone I can depend on to handle things when I'm not there." Tony was still nodding, but with downcast eyes and a lack of understanding as to where Gibbs was heading with this, obviously thinking the older man was simply explaining why he was rejecting him for the position.

"Tony. Look at me." A pair of green eyes slowly rose to meet his own. "I need to see that you can earn the respect of Kate and McGee, at least enough to know they'll follow your lead when I'm not around. And I need to be able to trust you to tell me what I need to know. Everything I need to know. You show me you can do those things, then we'll talk about making you Senior Field Agent. Got it?"

Understanding started to dawn on his agent's face as his eyes brightened once again, though perhaps not quite up to the level of their previous excitement. "Got it, Boss. I can do this. I won't let you down."

"Good."

There was a moment of silence before another realization hit DiNozzo. "Wait a minute, Boss. You said McGee. And a four-person team. Is there something I don't know about?"

Now Gibbs smiled openly. He'd wondered how long it was going to take the younger man to catch on. "I just met with the Director. Told him what a great job Agent McGee's been doing. Especially with helping to identify Haswari. He's trying to find room in the budget for us to add another agent to the team, probably in a few months. Meanwhile, we'll continue to use McGee's services here and there."

The news did not come as a complete surprise to Tony. After all, hadn't that sort of been the plan all along? His plan, at that. However, in spite of the confidence he had in McGee's abilities and even the personal liking he'd taken to the younger man, Tony couldn't ignore the surge of jealousy he felt at the mention of the probie agent joining their team on a permanent basis. He remembered the image of McGee sitting at Gibbs' desk, receiving a pat on the head and a "good job" a few weeks ago. And then again just days ago, receiving a "that's great work, McGee" from Gibbs after finally identifying Ari Haswari. Not to mention the image of McGee sitting at his own desk, in his place after he'd been missing, and the misfired "joke" his boss had played on him when he'd returned. No, no, no, DiNozzo. Get a grip on the stupid jealousy. You're the one that wanted McGee on the team to begin with, remember?

"There a problem, DiNozzo? Cause if there is, now's the time to bring it up." Gibbs, with his ever observant eyes and increasing ability to read the younger man's variety of expressions, didn't miss the conflicting reactions passing across Tony's face. Still with the insecurity, Tony? We're gonna have to do something about that, too.

"No, Boss, no problem. That's great news. Really." Tony tried to put as much authentic enthusiasm into the statement as possible. He truly was happy at the idea of having McGee on the team. Mostly. He tried to focus on the fun he'd have hazing the probie agent. And training him. And finally having another guy on the team to offset Kate.

Gibbs gave a brief nod of acknowledgement. "This is just between us for now, DiNozzo. It's not quite official yet. So keep it to yourself. Understood?"

"Understood, Boss." In other words, don't tell Kate or Abby or Ducky. Or anybody. Cause Gibbs needs to know he can trust me. And I'm going to prove to him that he can.

"Alright. Going to get more coffee before Kate gets here. " From the looks of DiNozzo this morning, guess I better get some for him too.

Tony watched carefully until his boss was safely in the elevator and the doors closed behind him. Then he drew out his notebook from his desk drawer. The personal one he used to make notes for himself of things he needed to remember to do or projects he'd work on when he had the time. He opened to a blank page, jotted down a few words, appraised them with satisfaction, and then returned the notebook to its home.

Anthony D. DiNozzo, Senior Field Agent, MCRT.