Warning: This is a build up SLASH! If you don't like it, then don't read. Thank you.
Pairings: Gibbs/Tony (Tibbs)
Rating: T for safety and language
Category: General/Friendship/Romance/Humor
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. Merely my fanfics including the characters.
Author's Note: THIS STORY WAS NOT BETA READ. Any and all mistakes are mine and mine alone. If someone wishes to Beta this or/and any other of my stories, please send me a PM and let me know. Thank you so much. Enjoy.
Author's Note 2: I apologize for the wait and for how short this chapter ended up being. Hopefully the chapters to come will be longer.
Author's Note 3: I had a review of someone complaining on how this story is going to be a TIVA fanfic and not a TIBBS and that they didn't like how I had Tony and Ziva in bed together at the beginning of my story. Obviously, I had either not made it clear, or they simply did not read my pairing. This story is SLASH and the couple this story is about is TIBBS (Gibbs/Tony), not Tony/Ziva. And they were NOT in bed together. They were in the bullpen. Please, everyone, READ the warnings and everything else. Thank you for your time.
The crackling sounds of a fire and the delicious smell of sizzling steaks met Tony's senses as he stepped in through the front door of Gibbs' home. Smiling faintly, the young agent walked into the kitchen and opened up the fridge, stuffing a few beers on one of the shelves, grabbing the last two cold bottles that were already in there. Taking a couple plates and forks from the cupboards and drawer the brunet went into the living room, glancing at Gibbs as the man rotates the steaks over the fire as he sets everything down on the coffee table.
The two sat in silence while the steaks cooked in the fireplace. When they were done to the men's liking, Tony brought the plates over, holding them out as Gibbs put a large piece of meat on each one. The two then sat down on the couch, placing their food on the coffee table in front of them, next to their beers, each pulling out their knifes and started to eat. For over thirty minutes not a word was passed between the two.
Once they both had finished, Tony took the plates back into the kitchen, rising them off in the sink and placing them into the nearly empty dishwasher. Grabbing two more beers, Tony flopped back onto the couch, handing a bottle to Gibbs who grunted in gratitude. Silence settles over them yet again, one waiting for the other to start speaking, the other trying to figure out where to start.
Finally, Tony decided he had put it off long enough. "When I was in military school my father married some woman he met at one of his business parties. Gabriel was almost sixteen when his mom and my dad got together and moved into the house. He was what I could never be and what my dad always wanted me to become."
Gibbs watched Tony closely, noting how his eyes faded into a far off look, his brows drawn slightly together, bags slowly beginning to appear underneath dull green orbs. The day has obviously taken a toll on the young man, no doubt because of Gabriel's appearance. In fact, Gibbs would put money on it that was the reason. The older agent's eyes narrowed a bit. He didn't like this Gabriel guy. The man was playing with his Senior Agent. Nobody messed with what was his. Period. And DiNozzo was definitely his, even if the man didn't know it just yet.
Gibbs blinked out of his thoughts as Tony continued. "Turns out, my father's not good with kids, be it they're his own or not. I think he pushed Gabriel too hard or something, I can't say for sure, because the next thing we know, he's getting arrested for drugs. Apparently he had joined a small gang and turned it into some kind of mafia. One of the lower level members gave him up. I was the one he gave the report to. The guy was found dead five days later. The court had enough evidence to put Gabriel away. I haven't heard word from or about him since." Tony closed his eyes, buried memories beginning to resurface unwillingly. "I had no choice, but to bring Gabriel in and charge him."
Tony sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion. No matter how many times he's said it, it never gets any easier to talk about his brother. He had barely kept it together at NCIS when Ziva and McGee asked too many questions he wasn't willing to answer.
~* Three hours ago at the bullpen*~
A tense silence had fallen over the bullpen at Tony's response. Three pairs of inquiring eyes were trained on the tense agent. The quiet was soon broken.
"Your brother? You have a brother?" Ziva asked her tone and look incredulous.
"Why didn't you tell us, Tony?" Said man glanced at the two, his green eyes conflicted.
"My half brother. And I didn't tell you 'cause it's something I'd rather not talk about." Without another word said Tony turned back to the plasma.
Knowing that his agent was trying to hold himself together Gibbs quickly took charge. "McGee, check airline and train records, I want to know how he got to DC. Ziva, start calling up anyone who Gabriel might have contacted. DiNozzo, office." Instantly both McGee and Ziva went to their desks to do what they were asked. Gibbs walked around his desk, making his way to the elevator, Tony on his six. When the doors opened the two men stepped into the lift. Gibbs waited until the doors shut and the cart start to move before flipping the switch, stopping the lift on its tracks.
Turning to face his agent Gibbs' eyes looked Tony over, noting his clenched fists, rigid shoulders and gritted teeth. Growing concerned for the other man Gibbs tried to meet Tony's eyes. "You okay?"
Letting out a huffed laugh, Tony met Gibbs' eyes. "You really need to ask that, Boss?" Taking a deep breath the brunet let it out with a groan as he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, massaging the tense muscles. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just can't believe he's back, you know?"
Gibbs nod his head, knowing full well what it was like to have past demons come back to haunt you. Turning the elevator lift back on, the older man faced the doors once more. "Tonight, come by. I'll have steak cooking."
Smiling at the invite, Tony glanced at the other from the corner of his eye. "I'll bring the beer then."
The soothing sounds of sandpaper against wood filled the basement as Tony watched Gibbs work on his latest boat, another beer in his hand. It was late at night now, close to midnight no doubt, but Tony's mind just seemed to not want to settle down long enough for him to rest. His thoughts kept circling around why Gabriel was here and why he came back.
Stifling a yawn the young male rubbed at his eyes, trying to shake off the sleep that was slowly creeping up on him. Gibbs saw the motion and shook his head fondly. Putting the sander down on the workbench, he wiped his hands on his jeans as he stepped up to his weary agent. "Come on, DiNozzo. Off to bed."
Knowing there was no way he could argue with the older agent, Tony stood as he let out a dull groan. The two made their way up the stairs and into the living room before making their way up to the second floor. Steering a nearly asleep DiNozzo into the guest room, Gibbs chuckled as Tony deposited himself on the bed gracelessly on his front. Kneeling down Gibbs untied the sleeping man's shoes before tugging them off and setting them by the nightstand. Leaving the man to his dreams the older male then went to his own room and climbed into his bed after changing into more comfortable sleep wear.
Turning off the bedside light Gibbs settled under his covers, his body aching slightly from the rough day. No doubt going to be worse tomorrow. With that last thought the man drifted into a light slumber.
