Disclaimer:- I own nothing. Not even the naked Toby in this story. I am, however, pretty sure he owns me. ;-)

Chapter One

Gibbs didn't stop sanding the rib of his boat when he heard his front door open and close or when he heard the steps through his kitchen, heading toward the basement.

He'd heard the car pull into the drive and recognised it instantly. The slight kick of the exhaust when it came to a stop was something he'd gotten used to over the last few years.

The footsteps continued down the basement steps, slower than normal but still he didn't look up. What finally made him take notice was one word, uttered more quietly than he'd ever heard it before.

"Boss?"

Finally sparing a glance, Gibbs dropped the sanding block and strode the two steps necessary to catch DiNozzo just as the younger man's legs gave out from under him.

Carefully, he steadied his senior field agent and led him to the rickety stool on the other side of the boat, where there was also more light. It also meant he finally got a good look at him.

Tony's left cheek was covered in a disturbing purple bruise and there was a small cut, obviously made by somebody's ring. His lip was split but already scabbing over and he held his right arm tightly wrapped around his ribs.

"Aww hell, DiNozzo! What have you gotten yourself into now?"

The younger man gave him his best innocent grin.

"How come you always assume it's my fault, boss?"

Gibbs only had to raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah, okay" Tony continued. "So it's normally my fault. But not this time. I swear."

Heading over to his workbench, the older man pulled down two mugs and poured some of his good bourbon into them. Something in his gut telling him this was going to be a good stuff kind of night.

Passing off one of the mugs, he gave Tony a customary once over, ascertaining for himself if his young friend was going to be okay or if a call to Ducky was in order. He forgot DiNozzo could read his mind.

"Nothing's broken. Not even cracked. The one thing I'm careful of is my lungs. If I thought it was a possibility, I'd have called him myself. Just gonna have another pretty bruise in the morning is all."

"And that's not enough, DiNozzo?" Gibbs growled. "At least tell me the other guy looks worse."

Tony's shoulders slumped.

"Yeah, boss."

Waiting for more and realising he wouldn't get it without pushing, the older man came to lean on the bench next to his friend.

"C'mon Tony. Out with it. You didn't come over here at 0100, all beat up for sympathy. So what's going on."

Tony took a deep breath and started playing with a frayed seam on his jeans, looking anywhere but at the piercing blue eyes now looking at him in concern, if not outright worry.

"You know... you know how me and Senior have been trying to make another go of things?" he started hesitantly. Gibbs nodded. He knew Anthony DiNozzo Snr had been conspicuously absent during his son's childhood and only there when it suited him as an adult.

"Well, the thing is, Boss, I realised suddenly that we can't build up any kind of relationship if we're not honest with each other," Tony hurried on, his voice strained as though he was trying to force the words out.

"So I told him... I told him I'm gay. And surprise, surprise, dear old dad didn't take it too well. Except he seems to have forgotten that I'm not a ten year old kid ruining his ski suit. I'm a grown federal agent who can fight back now."

Gibbs couldn't speak. He was sure there were a hundred and one questions he could - should - be asking but not a singe syllable would make it past his lips. It took him a moment to realise Tony was speaking again and the words shocked him out of his stupor.

"... so I came over here to give you your shot. I figure you've got a right to be mad. I've lied to you all these years."

His voice took on the usual jokey tone Gibbs was used to hearing from the younger man.

"But if you're gonna hit me, could you avoid the face? It's had more than enough for one night."

No matter the false bravado Tony tried to put up, Gibbs could hear that scared little boy still hiding inside. His heart ached.

"DiNozzo... Tony. God! I can't believe you think I'd hit you. I can't believe you didn't think I knew!"

Tony finally looked up. Shock clearly etched on his face.

"You knew? How?"

Gibbs chuckled.

"You've been my senior field agent for over a decade Tony. You think I didn't know that all those dates you go on and on about were just a way to deflect attention? Sure, I reckon some of them were true. At least the ones where you weren't gender specific. Not to mention that I'm a damn fine investigator. I see you check out guys when you think no-one's looking."

The younger man shook his head.

"How come you never said anything?"

"You never said anything to me either." Gibbs pointed out.

"I learned a long time ago that it's not a good idea to be openly gay around a police department. Throw in the military..." Tony laughed falsely.

Taking a moment to refill their mugs, Gibbs tried to figure out how to get across exactly what he wanted to say.

"I'm not good at this shit, Tony." he finally started, his voice soft and uncharacteristically hesitant. "But you do know you're more than just an agent to me right?"

Moving to the younger man, he cupped his face gently and tilted it up to face him.

"Your father is an asshole and he doesn't deserve the title. So I need you to know... I'm here for you. Anything you need. Any time of the day or night. You understand... Son?"

Green eyes glistened with emotion as they held the blue of the man in front of him. Hoping he'd got the intentions right, he smiled softly.

"Thanks... Dad."

Gibbs pulled his surrogate son into s hug until he felt him relax and finally let go of the tension he'd been holding throughout their conversation.

Pulling away, a thought crossed his mind.

"I get that you feel you had to be honest with Senior, but the only reason I can think of that made coming to me a pressing issue, is if you've met someone. Someone special. Is that it, Tony?"

An emotion passed through the brunette's eyes just before he looked back down at the floor and started fiddling with that damn seam again. It was a look Gibbs recognised.

"Oh, Tony." he sighed. "Whoever it is, he was an idiot to turn you down."

Tony chuckled.

"He hasn't exactly turned me down. I've never actually had the guts to tell him how I feel."

Gibbs was puzzled.

"Why ever not? You're not gonna sit there and tell me you're shy all of a sudden."

Tony grinned.

"Me, boss? Couldn't get that one past you if I tried."

The grin disappeared.

"Truth is, I'm certain I'm not his type. He's straight."

"You sure?" Gibbs questioned. "Chances are he thinks the same about you."

"Nah." Tony took a long sip of his drink. "I've met his ex-wife and his kid. And even if I hadn't... He thinks I'm an idiot anyways."

Ex-wife? Kid? Dear God, how Gibbs hoped he was wrong.

"Tony? Tell me I'm wrong here. Tell me you're not telling me what I think you are?"

Tony swallowed hard before looking directly at the older man.

"Dad, I'm in love with your best friend."

Well shit! The words were out there now and Gibbs had no way of pretending he hadn't heard them. But he figured he'd done enough of this feelings thing for one night.

"Don't know about you, kid but I'm just about done on this sharing we've got going on for one night."

At Tony's rapidly falling face he carried on quickly.

"I think you could do with a few hours sleep before work anyway. We'll talk more over breakfast tomorrow."