Title: I didn't realize you could be so romantic
Genre: Slash Gibbs/DiNozzo
Summary: Gibb's knows how Tony feels but where will that information lead.
Feedback: Any feed is welcome, in fact please let me know if you like it or not
I have more chapters to post. I just wanted to post this first section to see if there was any interested. Obviously the steamy bits are a little further in the story.
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"I am going to enjoy killing you Special Agent Gibbs, you have put many of my friends behind bars and killing you will move me up in the world."
Gibbs didn't respond. He was on his knees, hands tied behind his back, which in turn were tied to his bound feet. Two men stood before him, one holding a glock pointed at his head, the other holding a semi-automatic weapon casting glances around the abandoned warehouse. It was his own fault. He'd forgotten rule eight; never take anything for granted. Well he hadn't forgotten the rule simply over looked it. When the Intel had come in at one am that one of the suspects from the case had said the drug dealers use to use an old abandon warehouse for running some of their merchandize Gibbs decided to check it out. He had assumed "used to use" was exactly that. Unfortunately, he had walked in as two other suspects in the case were getting ready to move some of the goods.
"What world is that? Didn't realize scum could move up in the world. Scum is always scum."
The glock hit him across the face and lip, Gibbs felt blood pool in his mouth. Shaking his head he pushed the pain aside and spit, spraying the blood on the floor in front of him. The man with the glock simply smiled as he leaned down to speak in Gibbs ear. "I'm going to make it quick, only because I have better thing to do tonight."
The man stepped back and took aim. "So long Special Agent Gibbs." The gun was cocked and a shot rang out followed by two more. As soon as the glock fired the man seemed to step back then crumble to his knees on the floor. The other man with the semi-automatic looked confused, until he saw a man running towards the bound agent. As he raised his gun to fire another shot rang out and he fell to the floor screaming in pain. Agent David emerged running towards him.
Tony had already reached Gibbs who was lying on his side, his grey shirt covered in blood. Using his knife, Rule nine, Tony cut the rope that held the senior agent. With trembling hands Tony pulled Gibbs into his lap. "Boss, you with me boss." The blood had Tony concerned. He looked at Gibbs' chest then ran his hands over it down to the waist of his jeans feeling for any sign of a gunshot. Then Tony's hands were holding Gibbs' head looking again for any sign of a gunshot wound. Again nothing. Now his arms, to his hips. "Boss?" The word was more choked now and Tony could feel the fear rising in his chest.
"Dinozzo." The word was lower than Gibbs normal speech and still held all the authority and command as if Gibbs had screamed it.
"Yeah Boss?" Dinozzo managed to say a wave of relief washing over him at hearing Gibbs voice.
"Stop groping me like I'm some cheerleader in the back of your car. Wound. Neck." Gibbs said as he felt the pain rip through him again.
"Right, Boss. No groping, neck got it." Tony looked at Gibbs' neck the bullet had hit him but he couldn't tell how bad it was. Tony somehow managed to pull off his jacket, rip a strip away and place the piece over the wound as he applied pressure to stop the bleeding. Gibbs eyes closed.
"Boss, you stay with me boss." Tony was shaking him trying to keep him awake, keep him alive.
Ziva had cuffed the other suspect who would not be walking anywhere for quite some time. She watched as Tony spoke to Gibbs. She somehow couldn't interrupt the scene that was before her so she simply stood a few feet away watching and waiting for the bus.
The pain and fear was clearly visible on Tony's face. Tony was Gibbs' number two and Gibbs was Tony's number one. Having your six met something to them and although Gibbs had willfully come here without backup she knew Tony still felt responsible.
"Come on Boss, help me out here. Don't make me head slap you!" Tony's voice was shaky, but held a promise that he just might.
Gibbs didn't open his eyes as he spoke, "You do and you'll be doing desk work for the rest of your career."
Tony smiled, that smile that only Anthony Dinozzo could smile and as if sensing it Gibbs eyes flutter open.
"Hi Boss, you're gonna be okay."
Gibbs gave his half smirk as he looked up at Dinozzo, "I know. I knew you had my six." And with that Gibbs' eyes shut again as the sound of the Ambulance pulling up filled the air.
##########
The waiting room outside of Gibbs room was alive with the sound of muffled chatter. Abby being held by Tim as tears rolled down her face, always fearing the worse. Ducky and Ziva talking about what could have possible happened and then there was Tony. He was sitting silently in a chair along the back of the waiting room. His head back against the wall staring up at the ceiling. He was still covered in Gibbs' blood.
Too close he thought to himself. He and Ziva almost hadn't made it, had just reached their positions when the gun shot went off. It was only because of their keen ability to know each other's thoughts when it came to something like this that Ziva had placed a bullet in the man's head and he in the heart. It made it easier that way, no way to know which agent had actually delivered the kill shot. He'd known Ziva would take out the other man, knew she would understand that he had to help Gibbs. He was Gibbs number two and that came with certain privileges, you always get to help the boss man when he may be dying. Hell, he'd fought several times to make sure Gibbs stayed alive, and he would until his own life had ended. Tony knew that for certain.
"Gibbs!" The screech from Abby was almost deafening as she ran towards him, halted suddenly by the doctor who stepping in front of her from Gibbs side. If looks could have killed, everyone knew that the doctor would have fallen down dead under Abby's stare.
"Please be careful." The baritone doctor's voice spoke. "I didn't even want him out of bed."
Gibbs smirked. "It's alright doc."
The doctor turned momentarily back to Gibbs.
"She'll be careful I promise."
The doctor didn't seem very reassured but something in Gibbs' voice and manner made him step out of the way.
Abby's arms immediately went around Gibbs although exuberant it was tender and restrained. "Don't ever do that again, I was scare to death."
Gibbs kissed the top of her head. "Yeah I know Abs."
The others had all gathered round, except for one. Abby finally released her grip on Gibbs still eyeing him with suspicion.
Ducky spoke next. "Jethro you do have a way of frightening us all."
"Yeah, well like to keep everyone on their toes." That Gibbs half smirk again.
"I wanted to keep him at least overnight but he refuses." The doctor said. He turned to Gibbs "Gunny if it was anyone but you I would have restrained them and made them stay."
Gibbs nodded. "I know Sam, I know."
Sam looked around the room. "Plus it seems you have plenty of people who want to look after you."
The group nodded and said yes, almost in unison.
"Thanks Sam." Gibbs held out his hand and Sam shook it.
"So you're okay?" Ducky asked.
Gibbs nodded. "Clipped some artery or something, stitches, lost some blood. I'll live."
Even as his friends were gathered around him, Gibbs saw Tony watching from his position at the back of the room.
"I'll stay with you tonight Gibbs." Abby spoke quickly. "I'll take care of you."
Gibbs smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm good Abs."
"Jethro you really should-" Ducky cut himself off when he saw the look he received from his friend. "Yes will I suppose all you will do is sleep."
Gibbs nodded. Then he stared directly at Dinozzo as if somehow compelling the man to come to him. For a moment Gibbs though he had lost his touch, until Tony silently rose and made his way slowly towards him.
As if the move had been choreographed everyone around Gibbs parted as Gibbs met Tony half way. In what seemed like hours, but was in reality was only seconds, the two simply stared at each other. It seemed as if Tony might hug Gibbs or slap him but he simply continued to stare.
"You did a damn good job Dinozzo." Gibbs smirked.
Tony nodded back. "Thanks Boss."
"Although we will talk about you threatening to head slap me."
Again Tony nodded. "Gotcha Boss."
And then Tony simple stepped forward and hugged Gibbs. It was gentle but forceful aware of the injury and avoiding it. Gibbs patted Tony's back in a gesture that showed his understanding but still managed to keep the vibrato about him. Gibbs was the first to step away and he turned back to the group looking at Ziva.
"You too Ziva."
Ziva nodded accepting his compliment on her work as well.
Turning back to his number two Gibbs smirked. "You look like hell Dinozzo."
Tony who was still staring at Gibbs intensely forced a smile. "Yeah being covered in your boss' blood tends to do that to you."
Without warning Gibbs smacked the back of Dinozzo's head.
"What was that for boss?"
"Just showing you I still care Dinozzo." He turned around. "Just showing you I still care."
This time a real smile played across Tony's face. "Yeah I know boss, I know."
##########
Ducky pulled up outside Jethro's house and put the car in park. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay, or have one of the-"
"Ducky, I'll be fine. I'll sleep that's all." Gibbs said again cutting him off.
"Yes, well you are stubborn, but if you need anything."
"I'll call Duck."
As Jethro stepped out of the car, Ducky watched until he got inside. He turned the car out of the drive and preceded down the road a block stopping when he reached a young man in a parked car. He pulled up alongside rolling down his window. Tony followed suit from inside his car.
"Tony my dear boy, did you draw the short straw. I would have thought you needed to go home and get some rest." Ducky said concern evident.
"No volunteered Ducky. I cleaned up at the office. I'll be fine. I'll keep an eye on everything," Tony nodded farther down in the other direction, "McGee is further do the other block."
"Is this really necessary? Do you really think he is in any danger?"
"There's still one more suspect out there, a major player in the drug ring can't take the chance."
Ducky nodded. "I understand, but Antony you really do need to get some sle-"
"I'm good Ducky, agents will relief us at 1600."
That boy was as stubborn as Jethro in his own right. With that Tony rolled up the window, Ducky did the same and disappeared.
##########
Tony stared fixated on Gibbs' house. There had been no movement since Gibbs had arrived home last night. The bathroom light had went on momentarily, then the bedroom light, and finally darkness. He hoped Gibbs was actually sleeping. Prayed he was resting, recovering, healing and not being the macho Marine and laying there in pain. Sometimes he hated the Marine in Gibbs, not often but sometimes. Yet being a Marine is what had saved Gibbs life tonight, he knew how to move to make sure a bullet didn't hit a vital organ. Although he and Ziva had taken down the bad guys so to speak, Gibbs had really saved his own life.
As much as Tony loved his job watching the people he cared about be put in harm's way, or put themselves in harm's way, had made him think about walking away more than once. Walking away was no longer an option, he'd realized that years ago. As long as Gibbs wanted him watching his six, he would. He would watch his six, his eight, his eleven, his twelve, and the whole damn clock if he needed to. They say love makes you do crazy things, for Tony it had made him a better agent. Loving the man you are there to protect has a tendency to make your senses overly heightened, makes you more aware of everything around you and makes you suspicious of everything and everyone. And it made you work harder on not allowing anyone or anything within a 100 mile radius that could cause Gibbs harm when in the field.
Yet on the flip side, in the bullpen love made him overtly aware of when, where, and how he looked at Gibbs, how he touched Gibbs and well just acutely away of Gibbs. There was this constant nagging at him of don't look at him to long, don't touch him in any way other than a macho hug here and there, don't show how you feel, don't laugh to loud at his jokes, well if he ever told a joke. And most importantly never ever let him know how you feel. Gibbs was good at his job and damn good at reading people, but Tony had learned at an early age how to hide his true emotion, false vibrato always worked. It had been working for Tony for years. Tonight had been hard, seeing Gibbs go down, not knowing if he was alive or dead. More than once the mask had almost dropped away. Then the groping me like a cheerleader in the back of your car comment; that had hit a little too close to home. Tony wasn't groping him. Not really, he was checking for wounds, where to apply pressure. Tony had been too overwhelmed with fear to enjoy the freedom of touching the man he loved. Freedom he never received.
"Dinozzo!" The rapping on the window broke through Tony's thoughts like a jack hammer. He knew without looking who it was.
Putting on the mask he smiled as he rolled down the window.
"Hey boss, beautiful morning huh?"
"Get your ass out of the car and in the house!" Gibbs said and turned starting to walk away.
"But Boss I'm-"
"NOW Dinozzo!"
"Right Boss."
Tony walked in just a few steps behind Gibbs the smell of coffee assaulting his nose.
"Coffee is in the pot." Gibbs said as he grabbed his own already filled mug and sat down at the table.
"Right boss."
After fixing a cup of coffee, adding almost six scoops of sugar and half a gallon of milk, knowing how horrify the coffee would taste otherwise, he sat down across the table from his boss.
"So who decided I needed two babysitters for the night?" Gibbs asked.
"Well um, it was one of those…you know hurt and all-"
Gibbs slammed his hand on the table. "DINOZZO!"
"Director Vance, there is still a suspect out there, one that could be very pissed that you are still alive and his buddies are dead."
"Any news on where this suspect is?"
"Um." Tony was trying to speak without worrying about Gibbs wrath that could follow at having been "babysat" as he called it. "Ziva and the LEO's are following up on a lead now boss. Just got the call about it thirty minutes ago."
Gibbs pointed a finger at Tony. "You ever get asked to babysit me again you call me."
"Got it Boss. In the memory bank Boss."
##########
Gibbs was back to work a day later, although the last suspect hadn't been caught, there were no more babysitters. The team sat in the bull pen, McGee, Tony and Ziva all sneaking glances at the clock as the last five minutes of the day ticked away.
"Hot date tonight Tony?" Ziva asked as she saw Tony stare at the clock for the tenth time in less than a minute.
"Don't I always Ziva." He grinned.
Ziva shook her head and stared at her computer screen.
Tony stole a glance at Gibbs hoping the man had heard the conversation. Keeping up appearances was everything. If Gibbs heard the comment he paid it no mind.
Then Gibbs phone rang. "Ah hum, where, how long ago? On the way."
Gibbs was up and on the move.
"Case boss?" Tony asked.
"Nope, interrogation in twenty. They caught the last suspect. LEO's are bringing him in now. You and me Dinozzo, Ziva you're behind the glass."
Gibbs stopped in front of Tony's desk leaning down with his trademark Gibbs half smirk.
"Sorry Dinozzo guess I'm your hot date tonight."
Tony tried not to swallow hard, tried not to think of those words in a different context. "Right boss, cancelling any plans tonight."
"Um boss?" Tim stood up.
Gibbs paused before stepping into the elevator. "Behind the glass McGee or go home." He stepped into the elevator and disappeared.
The interrogation was straight forward and far too easy for Gibbs liking or Tony's.
"Why'd he give it up so easy?" Tony said more as a statement than a question as he followed his boss to the elevator. "I don't think this is our guy boss."
They stepped in the elevator and headed to the bullpen, Ziva and McGee to follow shortly.
"I don't think this is our guy either Dinozzo." The elevator travelled its short distance to the bullpen and the doors opened. Gibbs saw the figure standing in the shadows as he stepped out and drew his gun. Seeing the movement Tony grabbed his weapon as he heard the barrel of the gun across the room cock.
"Gibbs!" Tony cried out as he pushed the man aside. Tony fired two shots and they rang out then a satisfying oomph as the intruder hit the ground. The stairwell door open as McGee and Ziva made their way inside guns drawn. Ziva made her way cautiously to the man on the floor and seeing the two bullet holes in his chest realized checking for a pulse was unnecessary.
Gibbs was now on his feet gun still in hand after Tony has shoved him out of the way. Ziva and McGee had cleared the area while Tony stood by Gibbs ready should any other threat appear.
"Clear." Ziva called out followed by McGee.
"You two okay?" McGee asked as the four of them now stood in front of the elevator.
"I think that was our guy Boss, coming over for the grand hurray." Tony said holstering his gun.
He turned to Gibbs who was staring at him with a mix of anger and sheer madness. Ziva and McGee looked on not understanding the exchange taking place. Momentarily, pulling his stare from Tony, Gibbs barked out orders.
"Ziva, go to security see how this guy was allowed in here. McGee, camera's I wanna know where this guy came from and where he has been in this building."
"On it boss." They both replied.
As they ran to fulfill his orders Gibbs turned his gaze back to Tony that same anger and madness still in his eyes. "And you." He grabbed Tony by the back of his coat. "Elevator now."
They stepped inside and immediately Gibbs smashed his fist against the emergency stop. He walked up to Tony forcing the man back against the side wall of the elevator. Gibbs was now invading his personal space, nose to nose, anger fuming from every part of his body and then he yelled. "What the hell did you think you were doing Dinozzo?" It wasn't a question, but Tony felt like he needed to answer.
"I was protect-" Tony was cut off.
"I had my weapon drawn and was about to fire. I could have shot you."
"Boss I was just-" Again Tony was cut off.
"I know what you were doing Dinozzo!" The anger was still there but some of the madness had left Gibbs' eyes only to flare again. "If you ever-" He punctuated every word with a poke to Tony's chest, "Ever let your personal feelings for me interfere with a situation like that again I will take your badge. Do I make myself clear?"
Tony felt the statement like a punch to the stomach, "personal feelings for me." Gibbs knew. Jesus Christ he knew. And Gibbs was right Tony had screwed up. Gibbs had the shot could have just as easily taken him down. But Tony's feeling for the man had made him step in, protect him and that was something an agent never did.
"DINOZZO, DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND. ME?" Gibbs said making every word a sentence.
"Understood Boss." Tony couldn't hold his gaze, couldn't do anything but look at his shoes and pray that this was some horrible dream. "I screwed up."
"Damn straight you screwed up and you will never let it happen again." Gibbs voice was still laced with anger. "Dinozzo."
Somehow Tony found the courage to look up at Gibbs needing to understand, how he knew, when he realized and what the hell happened now. Gibbs had stepped back a few paces but was still staring intently at Tony.
When Tony finally met his gaze he simply asked. "How long have you know." The words came out cold, detached as if he was asking about the weather.
"A while. I'm not blind or stupid" Gibbs' answer was plain and simple.
"What's a while?" Tony pushed further. "Days, months, years?"
"Years?" Gibbs ran hand over his face. "God Tony, has this been going on that long?"
Tony sighed. "Evidently longer than you though."
Neither man spoke. The silence seemed filled with an electrical charge.
It was Gibbs that broke the silence. "Dinozzo." He paused changing his approach. "Tony, I don't care how long it's been going on. That's not what I mean, I mean-" This was not coming out right. "I mean I care but-" Gibbs let out a long breath. "Jesus, Tony a little help here. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say."
"There is nothing that you have to say. It's my issue and I'll deal with it. It hasn't affected my job in the past, until today. And I will not let it affect my job in the future I promise you that."
Gibbs stared at him, knowing without question Tony would stand by his word. "I know."
Tony nodded.
Another silence and then Gibbs laughed hitting the button to start the elevator back up. "I'm a grumpy old bastard Dinozzo why the hell would you want to fall for me?"
Gibbs stepped out of the elevator and McGee and Ziva immediately looked away, having been standing at the elevator since they returned from their prospected orders from Gibbs. Tony followed not far behind.
As Gibbs made his way to his desk he spoke. "What yeah got?"
Ziva was the first to speak. "Security did not see the guy he came in another way, which I think McGee-"
"Stowed away in a delivery van, camera's show him getting out about ten minutes after the van parked. His only stop was here boss."
"What the hell was being delivered at this time of night?" Gibbs asked confused.
"UPS" McGee answered.
Tony having made his way to his desk shared almost the same confused look as Gibbs.
"UPS, brown uniforms, packages, that UPS?"
McGee nodded. "They delivery to government offices early morning because drop offs are quicker."
"Let me guess." Gibbs sighed leaning back in his chair. "He was inside a package."
Again a nod from McGee. "That's what we think."
Ziva picked up from there. "The truck is on the way back here from FBI, which was their next drop off. We will interview the driver and have Abby check out the truck."
"Go home all of you." Gibbs said.
"But boss." It rang out in unison from the three of them.
"Go. home." Gibbs said again. "I'll have someone from another team interview the driver."
He looked at his watch, almost 0600 already. "Abs will be in, in an hour. Go home get a shower, change and be back here at 0900." When no one moved Gibbs shouted. "GO"
Ziva and McGee were already at the elevator and looked back at Tony.
"You coming?" McGee questioned.
"Yes, maybe you could spend a few hours with that hot date you had?" Ziva grinned.
Tony smiled and was about to say something but stopped when he saw Gibbs look at him as if waiting for an answer.
"Yeah Dinozzo what is she blond, brunette, or maybe you like those older gray haired types." Gibbs smirked.
Tony felt his face flush not sure how to take Gibbs teasing.
McGee and Ziva both fought to hide a laugh, laughing simply from the amusement of it, not understanding the context behind it.
"HA, Ha very funny. I'll have you know I've dated many a distinguished lady." Tony said with a glimmer in his eye.
"Time to go, I do not want to hear about this." Ziva said shaking her head as the elevator doors parted and McGee pushed her in.
When the doors were closed, Gibbs stood up and started to make his way to the lounge. He turned around walking backwards. "Hey Dinozzo?"
Tony look up from his desk. "Yeah boss?"
"Don't think I won't know if you're staring at my ass as I walk away." With that Gibbs turned back around.
Tony made a face and faked laughter. "Ha ha. So this is how it's gonna be now? Every time Ziva and McGee aren't around you gonna harass me?"
Gibbs smirked to himself as he answered just before entering the lounge. "It's only harassment if you don't like it Dinozzo."
##########
Tony sat in his apartment still confused and bewildered by what had happened. Gibbs knew and wasn't angry. Well he had been angry but that was about the job. And Gibbs had been right, Tony had let his personal feeling get in the way, but having seen Gibbs shot once this week he couldn't take another. Still Gibbs had the shot and had Tony not stepped in he would have made it, there was no doubt in his mind.
Still Gibbs knew, knew for a while, not years Tony had gathered but still and it didn't bother him. He still trusted Tony to have his six and Tony always would. But then the jokes. That had unnerved Tony. The jokes didn't bother him it was the fact that Gibbs had made a joke about Tony staring at his ass. Is that what had given Tony away? There had been several times, when Tony thought he was being discrete that he had watched the older man walk away admiring his form as he went. Had Gibbs picked up on that somehow? Tony fought hard to remember, had Gibbs ever glanced back and caught him looking. No, Tony was careful. Was he giving off some vibe? Oh God leave it to me to give off some vibe Tony groaned to himself.
Yet everyone else seemed oblivious. It was probably just Gibbs way of dealing with the stress of the day, a little joke to lighten the mood and make Tony feel okay about everything that had happened. In some odd way it did help that Gibbs could joke about it, that he was comfortable with his own sexuality enough to tease Tony about his sexual feeling for him. Something most ex-marines would probably not be able to handle. But Gibbs was Gibbs. Tony knew he wasn't a bigot in any way shape or form but still having your number two admit he has feeling for you should be a little more unnerving. Shouldn't it? Tony rubbed his hands over his face and sighed "What the hell is going on?"
##########
Gibbs stood sanding a beam on the boat, it was coming along nicely. He still hadn't named it yet, that would come later. It always did. Naming a boat is like naming a child chose wrong and the damn thing is cursed for life. He reached over taking another long drag from the Bourbon glass beside him. As he went to set it down he stopped bringing the glass back up to his mouth and finishing the drink. It had been a long day.
"Haven't seen you empty a glass like that in a long time. Must have been one hell of a day, or maybe week from what I'm hearing."
Gibbs smiled as the familiar voice filling the silent basement.
"And what are you hearing?" He asked as he made his way over to the work bench, emptied out one of the containers of nails, and wiping it off. Grabbing the Bourbon and the container he made his way back over to his cup and filled both vessels.
"That you tried to get yourself killed again." The smiling female answered.
"Death doesn't seem to want me." He said handing her the glass.
"Like that statement heaven won't take me and hell is afraid I'll take over."
Gibbs laughed. A laugh that he needed. She could always make him laugh.
"Something like that." He smiled
Gibbs finally looked at her since for the first time since her arrival. She was still in uniform. Must have come straight from work, must have been a late night. She took a small sip of the Bourbon that had been handed to her. Jethro in turn swallowed his in one swift motion.
She eyed him for a moment with a raised brow. "This is not about almost dying, that doesn't frighten you nor does an attack within your own office. Something else happen Jethro?" There was concern in her voice.
"There is always something else Hollis, comes with the job." Gibbs picked the plane back up and started sanding.
"Um hum, so not work related." She had ruled that out. "Maybe a new lover-" She paused. That had hit the nail on the head. Very few would have seen it, it was so slight, the brief pause of the plane as she had said lover. Blink and you would have missed it.
"Jethro I'm happy for you." There was no animosity in her voice no jealousy. They had parted as friends and she did not begrudge him happiness, she wanted that for him. She was just not the one that could give him that happiness.
"No new lover Holly, although can't say I don't have some takers." He paused in his action filling his glass again. This time taking a smaller swig of the liquid before returning to his work
"Ah so this is about should I, shouldn't I." She grinned. "Must involve breaking some of those rules you have."
He chuckled. "A couple."
"Someone close to you. Someone that you would have to risk a lot for and vice versa." She acted as if she was going through a list of people. "Please tell me it's not McGee." Holly and Jethro were friends and he trusted her, trusted her enough to know that it would not surprise her if her ex-lover were involved with a man.
"MCGEE!" He stopped what he was doing the name coming out gruffer and louder than he had intended, then he looked at her puzzled. "What's wrong with McGee?" He had no interest in McGee but he didn't understand why that bothered her so.
"Jethro really. He's a good agent, damn fine agent, but really he can barely hold his own in a conversation with you let alone in bed."
Gibbs smirked and shook his head going back to his work. "It's not McGee."
She nodded her head. "Good." Walking over to Jethro she pushed his head to one side looking at his still bandaged neck then up at him. "Cut it a little close there didn't we Jethro." She let go of his head and smiled. "You'll work it out. You always do." She kissed his cheek and took a few steps out of his personal space. "One thing though."
"What!" It came out harsher than he had intended and he tried to calm himself, get his center back.
She folded her arms across her chest. "He'll want more than just sex Jethro."
He looked at her surprised and confused. "He?"
She rolled her eye. "Dinozzo's loved you for a long time and he doesn't want sex Jethro."
Gibbs raised an eyebrow.
She sighed and shook her head. "Of course he wants sex, but he wants you, lock stock and bastard."
"When-how?" Gibbs was off center again he hated that.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I knew the moment I met him."
"Come on Holly!" It was Gibbs turn to roll his eyes.
"I did whether you like it or not. Okay maybe not the moment I met him but the moment I saw him interact with you." She paused, "And the how. Jethro he looks at you like some pagan god he wants to sacrifice himself to."
"He does not!" Gibbs said throwing the planer across the room and hearing it crash against the wall.
She didn't jump, she knew it was coming. Jethro Gibbs did not like when other people saw something he had obviously missed for a very, very long time.
Again he fought to center himself then decided more Bourbon would help and took his glass draining it in one gulp.
"Are you disturbed that Tony is gay or bi or whatever?"
"No, of course not. I don't care what anyone does in the privacy of their own bedroom. But Dinozzo, me."
"You don't honestly believe all those sexual escapades he pretends to brag about do you?" She half chuckled.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course not. I'm a Marine and an agent and a man. Half of what men tell people about their sexual escapades is a crock of shit."
She put her hand over her heart as if feeling the effects of a heart attack. "What! You mean men lie about their sex life."
Gibbs shook his head.
"Then what is bothering you is it simply that it's you that he wants."
"No, it's not. It's..." The statement trailed off as if lost somewhere in the recesses of Gibbs mind as he stared at the boat beam in front of him
Holly took a small step towards him. "Or is it that it isn't about sex. It's about wanting a relationship, love...like maybe something you had with Shannon."
Gibbs looked at her his eyes glassy, pupils dilated and he didn't speak.
She rolled her eyes. "Sex with a man is okay as long as that is all it is, just sex. Sex with no emotion and certainly no love. But a relationship, now that is what makes the different. A straight man can have sex with another man without love and he is still straight. Add love into that equation and he's gay." She touched Jethro on the arm. "Sorry to burst your bubble Marine but there are more shades than black and white. There are a lot of grays in their Jethro, no matter what the service tells you or me."
She let her hand trail off his arm and finished the last swig of her drink. "No one can tell you what you feel Jethro, or what you want. Hell I'm an active participant in this conversation and I have no idea if you even reciprocate Tony's feelings at all."
"Holly-"
She held up her hands. "And I'm not asking." Making her way to the stairs she paused half way up. "What I will tell you is there is no half way with him Jethro. He doesn't want to be your play thing that you take out now and then for a joy ride. If you don't want to be with him then let it go. Dinozzo is a good agent. This won't affect his job performance. In fact, he is probably a better agent for it. You've already seen what he will do to protect you."
She started back up the stairs again pausing at the top. "And if you want a relationship with him. Then do it right this time. Because if you fuck it up you'll lose your best agent and one of your best friends." As she was leaving she smirked. "And you can't afford an ex-husband along with all those ex-wives."