A/N: Woah, I was overwhelmed with how popular this was. Thanks to everyone who alerted or favourited this story, and a special thanks to everyone who took the time to review :) you seriously made my day. It also inspired me to continue this, even if it's only for this next chapter. I'm totally winging this, so a follow-up chapter will come when I have an idea of where to take this. I haven't exactly left Gibbs very… accepting, and I'd like to change that.

Anywho, enjoy!

-/

Gibbs came home in an explosion of danger and rescue and time constraints. Save Ziva. The white knight riding in to save the damsel in distress. Tony felt ashamed at the spike of envy he felt towards Ziva for that. I wasn't enough to make him stay, yet you can bring him back? In his head he knew it was a totally different situation. Ziva was in genuine danger. She could die. Gibbs would come back to save a life.

He just wasn't prepared to stay so he could live his own.

Ignore it. Tony repeated these words in his head like a mantra. The surge of raw emotion upon hearing his rough voice on the phone. Ignore it. The urge to flash a devilish smirk and flirtingly tease him about that awful moustache, all the while thinking about how it would change the way his kiss would feel. Ignore it. The urge, the need to drag him to dark, lonely room and scream at him, yelling until his throat was raw, and then slamming him into the wall and kissing him so hard he couldn't think straight.

God dammit. Ignore it. For God's sake, please, give me the strength to ignore it.

Tony might not have been able to do so, had he not seen Gibbs face. When he'd first got back there had been no time or opportunity for Tony to speak to him alone, talk things through. Not that Gibbs would want to. That was clear as soon as he set eyes on him, for the first time after that night. His expression was all too clear.

It happened, but it's the past. Move on. Forget it.

So Tony tried, even though it nearly killed him. It was almost two months after Gibbs returned that the topic of that night was finally brought up; the one thing they both refused to mention.

-/

It had been a long case. Witnesses had been liars, evidence had been lacking, forensics had been unhelpful, suspects had been few and far between. A taxing, draining case for everyone involved. But the bastard responsible had been caught and all that was left to do was file the reports.

The bullpen was empty except for Gibbs and Tony. Everyone else had finally given up the fight against sleep, having rubbed at their eyes for the hundredth time, packed up and gone home. It was nearing midnight.

With a sigh Tony stood up, cracked his weary back and headed over to Gibbs desk, throwing a bundle of papers in front of him. "My report. I think that's everything."

Gibbs nodded his approval.

"I could stay and go over it, if you want. I haven't proof-read it yet and I know you hate it when a report is full of typos."

Gibbs gave him the once over, taking in his ruffled clothes and tired expression. Without thinking he said, "Go home Tony."

They both froze. The words echoed around them, reverberating from that night. A totally different situation, but said with the same weariness. Tony's hand tightened into a fist at his side and he didn't breathe for a painfully long minute, refusing to look up at Gibbs.

When he finally did, Gibbs face showed the same shock that he felt. As if a bolt of electricity had struck him.

Tony took an involuntary step back.

Gibbs stood up quickly and raised his hands, as if unsure of what to do with them. "That's not what I-" He paused. "I didn't mean to bring that up."

"No, no. I get it." Tony backed up, moving towards his desk. He sounded unconvincing even to himself. His voice was too high, too wobbly, his movement too awkward and erratic. "You know, it is late and I am tired. It's probably a good idea if I just head on home." He was babbling. He never babbled. Damn emotions, coursing through him causing him to forget how to shut up. A cascade of memories, sharper in his mind than he wanted. Gibbs hand reaching for him, the look of conflict in his eyes. Ignore it. Ignore it.

"Tony-"

"No, it's okay. I'll just grab my stuff." He picked up his coat and rucksack and walked hurriedly towards the elevator, turning halfway back to say "I'll see you tomorrow Boss."

"Tony, don't run away."

He froze.

Anger shot through him like poison and he slowly, oh so slowly, turned back to face Gibbs. His shoulders tightened, his chest heaved and his eyes bred thunder. "Don't you dare," he spat, "tell me not to run away." He threw his coat and bag on the floor and stormed over to Gibbs, getting right up in his face, palm pushing against his chest. He could feel his heart beating, even faster than his own. "After the stunt you pulled, you have no right."

"You think I wanted to leave?" Gibbs rage burned against Tony's skin.

"No but I sure as hell think you were too much of a coward to stay!" They were both shouting now, yelling with uncontrolled volume, tone spitting venom.

"Well maybe I am a coward! Maybe I am scared! So what the hell does that make you? Looking up to someone who can't even face their own fears!"

"Admit you're scared, that's good! So am I Gibbs! Ever stop to think that this isn't just you here?" Tony snarled, heart pounding. He drew a deep breath and stared into Gibbs eyes, his own rage and lust and heat reflected back at him. "But here I am. I'm done running." He paused, catching his own ragged breath, feeling Gibbs heart race beneath his fingers. "How about you?"

Gibbs stared at Tony for a long moment, chest heaving with angry breaths. His eyes, fierce and bright, his whole body singing with adrenaline. With a vicious growl, he suddenly grabbed the back of Tony's neck by the scruff of his hair and crushed his lips to his.

At first the shock stopped Tony from responding, but it didn't take long until he fought back with equal ferocity, vying for dominance in the kiss. He pushed him away, and clawed him closer. Gibbs ran a hand up his shirt, and dug his nails into his back, drawing a moan from Tony. He kissed his way down his neck, biting and leaving angry red marks along his skin.

Gibbs pushed forwards and Tony's legs slammed into the desk. He barely noticed, and continued trying to breathe in everything that was Gibbs, who fought back with a raging violent passion, overflowing with lust and need and desperation and denial.

With a crash they collapsed to floor, burning alive in each other's clawing, desperate arms.

-/

The next morning was like every other morning. No outward sign that last night they'd shared more than just a moment, more than just a late night at work. Not even a knowing look, or a gaze held just that bit too long. For the entire world to see, they were working normally. Co-workers, friends, nothing more.

Only the angry red scratch marks down his back let Tony know it wasn't a dream.

-/

Not exactly a happy ending, but we're getting there. Reviews = love.