A/N: Short one shot based on "Flesh and Blood." Loved the episode, loved learning about Senior. As I've written in a few reviews Senior seems to be out Tony, but without the heart or conscious. This has an established Gibbs/DiNozzo relationship, but is separate from the "Taken" universe.

Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Gibbs and Tony, Flesh and Blood

Tony sighed against Gibbs' chest, the older man pulling him close, a hand absently stroking Tony's hair. "He said he loved me," Tony said softly.

Gibbs hand stilled for a second, waiting for Tony to continue.

"I never thought he did, you know. I always thought I was a disappointment to him. The last time he was even remotely interested in my life was when I was at Ohio State, and he could brag to his friends about his football star son. Then my knee blew, and poof."

Gibbs resumed his petting of Tony.

"We also talked about my career. Said he was proud of it and the work I do."

Gibbs heard the doubt in his voice. "You don't believe him?"

Tony shrugged. "It's hard, ya know?"

Gibbs did know, having just reconnected with his own father. He refrained from speaking, knowing Tony needed time to figure it all out.

"But yeah, today I actually did feel he does love me, that he is proud of me." Tony turned a bit, wrapping an arm around Gibbs' waist.

"You know I didn't really take him to the armory, right?" Gibbs confessed.

Tony chuckled. "Kinda figured that, Boss."

"He was very surprised to learn you almost died," Gibbs revealed. "I understand now, though. That you couldn't take the chance of him not caring."

Tony kept silent for a moment. "I had you, Boss."

"Still do."

Tony tightened of his arm around Gibbs.

"You're less like him than you think you are, Tony," Gibbs added. "And I'm glad you didn't confront him about the money thing."

"It may still happen," Tony allowed. "But on his terms, not mine."

"That's what makes you a good man."

Tony closed his eyes, basking in Gibbs' words. His relationship with Gibbs might be as confused and convoluted as his relationship with his father. He strived to make Gibbs proud of him, but unlike his father, he knew immediately when Gibbs was pleased or displeased by his actions. The search for acceptance by Gibbs as a father figure may seems strange to some, especially considering they also had a physical relationship, but Tony didn't care. He needed both emotions from Gibbs, the paternal love and the physical love. Tony never got the two confused.

After a while, Gibbs pulled a bit on Tony's hair. "I can't say I'm too disappointed about you missing the frat boy cruise." Gibbs would never admit it, but he absolutely loathed the idea of Tony on that cruise. Every time he thought of his young lover with his jock peers on a boat filled with inebriated women and men, his gut twisted.

"To tell you the truth, the more I thought about it the more I wasn't that keen on it, either," Tony conceded. "Too much like being afloat," he said with a shudder. He also didn't really want to leave Gibbs, he admitted to himself. Gibbs, alone, for over a week? Tony would probably come back and find some red head installed here, eagerly helping Gibbs with the boat. Every time he watched women and the way they looked at Gibbs his gut twisted.

"You can help me more on the boat, you know. When she's finished, I'll take you for a sail," Gibbs suggested.

Tony looked up into Gibbs face. "Yeah?"

Gibbs nodded. "Yeah. I figure another six to eight months and she'll be seaworthy."

Six to eight months.

That sounded suspiciously like a future.

Tony rested his head back onto Gibbs chest and closed his eyes, the tensions of the day leaving him, thoughts of his father dissipating as thoughts of a future with Gibbs took over.