Ok I'm reposting this under a new Rating – Sequel is almost done but will start with the first chapters as soon as the reposting is done.

Summary: Tony finds himself in a difficult position - what will his decision be and how will events and people influence his decision.

Disclaimer: Do not own NCIS; Do not own the team; JUST FICTION!!!

AN: This is set after SWAK.

NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS

CHAPTER 1:

Tony walked into the room watching Gibbs sat staring out the window. For some reason there has been a tension between him and his lover and he just did not know how to approach the subject. That was one of the unspoken rules of their relationship, if that was what he could call whatever he and Gibbs has going on between them. He smiled wryly, thinking of 'Fight-club', rule number one – don't talk about this 'relationship', rule number two – don't talk about this 'relationship', rule number three – don't talk about this 'relationship'. He sighed and walked towards the kitchen, maybe he was not welcome anymore, maybe Gibbs regretted starting this 'relationship'. He might just have to cut his losses and leave before this gets too complicated and affects their working relationship and then he would have to leave everything here in DC, which was the last thing he wanted. Maybe he was putting too much pressure on Gibbs, he should give him some room. But he did not want to, he wanted nothing more than to just be with his lover. Wanting Gibbs to hold him close and tell him things will be ok. He shook his head, 'since when have you started becoming a girl, DiNozzo' he scolded himself. He was feeling more and more emotional lately and he did not know why. This was not the first time that he had been involved with someone, not the first time that things had not worked out, not even the first time that he was involved with his boss – although he would rather forget his indiscretion in Philly. He should be able to handle this better, he should be able to take the hint and leave.

Gibbs turned catching Tony's back as he walked into the kitchen, taking a deep breath he decided it might be time to come clean with his partner. The last week had been hell, and he did not know how to bring the topic into their general conversation. There was not easy way of telling him about his family, Kelly and Shannon had been a big part of his life and when they were killed it almost killed him too. And he has never shared this part of his life with anyone, not even Ducky knew about them. The only one that knew was Franks. He knew that it was time to come clean to Tony about it, their relationship has been going strong for the last six months now, since Tony's almost death with the plague. And after that so many things have happened and he just did not know he could give Tony more unexpected news. But with the anniversary of their deaths three days ago he had started to withdraw from Tony, not intentionally. But he felt guilty. Guilty that he was going on with his life, for the first time happy with the person he chose to be with while they were gone. He knew Shannon would have wanted him to be happy again, but it just did not feel right or maybe he was just a little scared to acknowledge that he was falling totally for Tony.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Boss." Tony's voice broke through his thoughts.

Looking up Gibbs saw the lost look in Tony's eyes and knew that he had to do something for the other man to stay, but for some reason he just let it be. "Yea," he said softly as he got up to walk with Tony.

Tony stopped at the door, feeling the tears threaten to fall, hating the fact that he felt so emotional. He turned around waiting for Gibbs to reach him, "Are we ok?" The uncertainty clear in his voice.

Gibbs smiled softly reaching for Tony, letting his hand cradle his cheek, "Yea, we're fine. We'll talk ok." Letting his hand go around to Tony's neck he pulled him closer so their heads touched. "I just need a bit of time to sort through things in my mind." Placing a caste kiss on his lips, "Give me time."

Tony's emotions overflowed at the soft touch and words, tears escaping his closed lids. "Yea," he said equally as soft and then pulled away, scraping the tears with the back of his hand. "See you tomorrow."

NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS

Walking into the waiting room Dr. Mallard shook his head seeing Tony passing the length of the room, "Anthony, dear boy." Ducky's took hold of Tony's shoulders, "Maybe you should sit down before you fall down."

"I'm fine Ducky," Tony tried to argue.

"No you're not!" Ducky exclaimed, "when will you learn to look after yourself, when was the last time you had a decent meal?"

Tony sighed, "Ducky don't you think you should rather worry about Jimmy, he was the one that got shot." He shrugged out of the ME's hold and continued his passing.

Ducky turned to Abby who just shook her head, "Any word?" his concern clear.

"Nothing," Abby held onto him as he took a seat next to her, "I thought we would have heard something by now."

"I'm sure they are just making sure he is stable before they come and look for us," Ducky assured her. When they had loaded his trainee in the ambulance he was conscious and although in a lot of pain did not seem in any grave danger. "The bullet did not damage any vital organs or veins, he should be ok."

"Should not have been him," Tony said as he stopped at the window looking out as the rain continued falling. "I should have seen him drawing his gun." He could not believe he got his friend shot.

"None of us thought that he had another weapon on him, Tony there was nothing any of us could do," Ducky voice was strong as he spoke trying to rid the younger man of his guilt. "What happened was out of our control, and it is not so serious. He will be out of action for a week or two and I'm sure that he would relish the time to get through some of his studies." Ducky tried to lighten the mood.

"Yes," Abby said, "if I did not know better I think that our little Gremlin might have arranged it so that he could get the time off." She winked at Ducky, but by the look that Tony gave her she knew that he did not think it was quite as funny, but before she could say anything further the doctor walked in.

"Are you here for Mr. Palmer?"

"Yes," Tony said turning to face the doctor the worry clear in his face.

"I'm sorry it took so long to come to you, but we had another emergency that most of the personnel was called to and therefore could not come and give you a report." The doctor said looking at Ducky, "It was just a superficial wound close to the shoulder and he would be out of service for a few days only due to the fact that it would be a bit uncomfortable but nothing serious. He should be able to go home tomorrow morning, we are just keeping him overnight for observation. You are welcome to check with the nurses and see him."

Tony felt a little light headed as relieve washed over him, the stress giving way to tiredness. He did not get any sleep after he left Gibbs' house and ended up back at the office trying to keep his mind of their relationship problems. The day had been dragging which made it even more difficult to get his mind of things and Gibbs' bad mood did nothing to ease his mind, and he could not wait to go home and just fall on his bed and sleep for the remainder of their weekend off. But life was not destined to give him any easy outs and they were called out to the scene just before closing time. The scene was supposed to have been cleared by the LEO's and therefore no one expected the Petty Officer that was caught at the scene to still have a backup weapon. And when Tony saw him firing he was too late to get Jimmy out of the way, his reflexes not what it should have been.

"Tony?" Abby took his arm, guiding him to a chair, "hey are you ok?"

Tony blinked a few times, trying to get Abby back in focus. "Yea, just got a bit lightheaded there." He smiled at her not wanting her to worry more, "Just been a long week."

"Maybe you should get yourself checked out," Ducky said sitting next to him, "you have not had a follow-up with Bradley in the last five months, and it might be good to just make sure you still all right."

"I'm fine Ducky, and I have my appointment with him next week anyway so you don't have to worry about that. I just did not sleep well last night and I have actually not eaten much today," Tony spoke honestly not wanting them to make a big issue of this.

Ducky was caught off guard by the open acknowledgement that he had neglected himself, Tony would never admit that he was not looking after himself, always making excuses. "Just as I said earlier my dear boy, you have to look after yourself. You need to eat a decent meal every day."

Tony smiled knowing that he had diverted the older man's worry, "It is not as if I can't do with losing a few pounds Ducky, I think I have picked up more in the time I've been with …" He stopped abruptly almost outing him and his boss in front of his friends.

"Oh I knew you were seeing someone!" Abby exclaimed happily, "Timmy owes me big time. Who is she, do we know her?"

"Not now Abby," Tony grimaced knowing that he had now opened a whole new can of worms.

"Come on Tony, you can't just spring this on us and not give us more detail. I told Timmy that you are looking a lot happier in the last few months and that there was someone special you have not told us about."

Ducky smiled, "Yes, and I have to agree with you, you have picked up a few pounds but it did you good you were way to thin for my liking."

"Well at least I'm happy that you are happy I'm getting fat!" Tony sighed, "Let's drop this and go and see Jimmy, he most probably thinks we have forgotten about him." With that he got up and headed for the door leaving Abby and Ducky to smile at each other.

NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS:NCIS

AN: So what do you think???? Please review