A/N: I was watching Grace Period and it brought me to tears at the end. So I had to write a story about it. Now I'm not much of a shipper. But here goes
I Love You is more than words
Tony looked at Jeanne's door a long time before knocking. Paula Cassidy was right, she had proven that fact with her own death. Life was too short to be scared to hide feelings. Tony knocked on the door slowly. The platinum bracelet glistened in the well lit hallway. It was almost acting as a sign. A sign saying that what he was doing was right. And there she was. Jeanne stood there and waited for me to say something.
Saying 'I love you' didn't come easy for Tony. He had never heard it as a kid. He didn't hear it as an adult. How was he supposed to say it? In that point of time, Tony and Jeanne studied each other intently. There was no undercover op, this wasn't what Tony DiNardo was thinking. This was all Tony DiNozzo. He was about to unleash his vulnerability to the woman he loved.
"I love you Jeanne," Tony said solemnly.
She smiled in return. Tony didn't need her to say anything. He already knew how she felt. They kissed a few times, he felt relieved to finally show that he was alive inside. He was a real person with real feelings. Why did it take so long? Why did it take the death of someone to make him finally realize it? Tony felt a tear run down his cheek as they embraced.
"Thanks," Tony said eventually. He needed the hug, the warmth and the love. "Can I come inside?" He asked. There was no way he wanted to be alone.
"You say you love me and think you'll get some action tonight?" Jeanne asked as they released each other. She saw the watery line coming from Tony's eye. "Sorry Tony. Come inside," Jeanne said.
Tony silently followed. A lump had been forming in his throat, fighting to burst through to full fledged tears for the loss. There was a long pause. Tony played with his hands in anticipation. "What's wrong?" Jeanne asked. She had never seen Tony so quiet… So withdrawn.
"A good friend of mine died today," Tony lowered his head. "It took someone to die for me to realize that I must tell you how I feel," Tony chuckled flatly. "She told me that life was too short to leave things unsaid," he explained the reason.
Jeanne snaked her arm around Tony's shoulders. "I'm so sorry Tony. I think you should come and sit down," she told him.
"I shouldn't have come here," Tony said but wasn't making any attempt to pull away. "I do love you… I should've never told you like this," he couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Why couldn't he have told her right away?
"I know you do mean it… You don't say it everyday. But when you say it, it really means something… Coming from you, it's more than words," Jeanne tried to ease the trembling man in her arms.
Tony rested his head on her lap and quietly sobbed. It was what he had always dreamed of, coming home after a horrid day and finding comfort in a loved one's arms. It was so easy to lose him self in the lie and be in a loving relationship. "Hold me," Tony said. He could feel Jeanne's arm on him.
"I love you Tony," Jeanne said into his ear. That was the last thing Tony heard before succumbing to a mentally exhausted sleep.