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Not betaed, mistakes are mine.
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Gibbs stepped out of the Master Bedroom in sweats and a t-shirt, heading for the kitchen. Jess was already there, drying her hands after doing dishes and looked at him shaking her head.
"You look like hell." She chuckled. "Did you get any sleep?"
"Few hours." Gibbs answered pouring a cup of coffee.
"I'm sure Tony's visit down on the beach didn't help you sleep any."
He glanced over at her, leaning back against the counter. "Were you spying on me?"
"No." She shook her head. "His room is next to mine. I heard him come out, figured he went to talk to you."
"Um hum." Gibbs didn't quite believe her.
"Really Jethro." She grinned, tossing the towel on the counter. "I have better things to do than spy on you and the pretty boy."
Gibbs rolled his eyes.
"Everything okay with you two now?"
He nodded.
"You plan to actually talk to him today?"
Another eye roll.
"Whatever." She waved her hand at him. "Swimming today?"
"Sure."
"Can you handle that?"
He looked at her puzzled.
"Tony in nothing but swim trunks."
"Jess!" He barked.
"Just saying." She shrugged. It was just too easy teasing him.
"Please tell me there is coffee." Stephan came shuffling into the kitchen, his hair sticking up everywhere.
"There is." Jess snickered looking at the sight before her. "I forgot how funny you look in the morning."
Stephan just shook his head as he poured a cup of coffee and glanced over at Gibbs."You get any sleep?"
"Some."
"Doesn't look like it." Stephan leaned forward looking towards the Master bedroom, surprised when the door was open. "Thought maybe you had company in there last night Gunney."
Jesus not him too. Gibbs thought to himself.
"Really are you going to act clueless? Stephan scratched at his stubbly chin.
Jess tried to hide her laughter. Seemed she wasn't the only one that could see it.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Gibbs snapped.
"Jethro I saw the way you looked at him yesterday, when he wasn't paying attention." Stephan rolled his eyes. "Jesus just jump him already and get it over with."
Gibbs almost spit out his mouthful of coffee. He forced himself to swallow and went to speak.
"Don't open your mouth and deny it." Stephan glared at him. "Seriously Jethro, I could give a shit less who you screw or want to screw."
Gibbs closed his mouth, gritting his teeth.
"We're not in the service anymore." Stephan added. "But I am surprised by one thing."
Gibbs stared at him waiting for the smart ass comment he knew was coming.
"Never figured you would go for the pretty boy type." Stephan smirked. "Aren't they a lot of work?"
Jess couldn't help it. She laughed, smacking her hand over her mouth after it started.
"I'm done with this conversation."
"Jethro come on." Stephan slapped Gibbs on the shoulder. "You have to admit it's funny."
Gibbs paused and glared at him.
"You Mr. Three ex-wives, Marine, suddenly all hot and bothered over some good looking frat boy." Stephan shrugged. "It's amusing."
"Glad I can amuse you two." Gibbs said leaving the kitchen.
After hearing the patio door open and close, Stephan asked. "It is funny right?" He looked at Jess for confirmation.
"Yeah but-"
"God I know. Jethro all serious and brooding." Stephan groaned. "He's going to be like this all week isn't he?"
"Oh yeah. Unless something changes with him and Tony."
"So are we getting involved in this?" Stephan asked.
"No way." Jess waved her hands in front of her. "I'm staying out of that. I don't know what Tony is thinking or if either of them really has a clue what is going on."
Stephan's eyes narrowed. "Think Jethro's ever been with a man?"
"I thought all you Marines had." She grinned not wanting to break the confidence she had with Jethro. "Out there all alone, no women in sight."
"Some did." Stephan shrugged. "Not sure about Jethro."
"And you?" She smirked.
"No." He chuckled. "Not my cup of tea."
"What's not your cup of tea?" Tony asked walking in wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
Jess and Stephan both turned and stared at him, a surprised look on their faces.
"What?" Tony's eyes darted back and forth between them. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No." They said in unison.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Again in unison.
Tony shook his head. "It's too early for this."
"Coffee?" Jess smiled
"Yeah." Tony sighed.
"Cups are above the coffee maker."
"Thanks." Tony said as he grabbed a mug, poured a cup, almost emptying the pot.
"I'll make more." She took the pot from him, thankful to have something to do.
"Gibbs up yet?" Tony asked.
Jess and Stephan exchanged another glance.
"He's on the patio." Stephan smiled. "I'm sure he'd love some company."
Tony stared at him. "Okay."
They both smiled at Tony.
"Seriously do I have drool on my face or something?" Tony said wiping at his chin. "Or is my hair a complete mess."
"No." In unison.
"You two always speak in unison?" Tony scowled.
"No." Unison again.
"Um I'm going on the patio." Tony gave them both one last glance and headed towards the patio doors.
Once he was gone they looked at each other.
"What the hell!" Jess slapped Stephan's arm.
"Me! What about you?" Stephan snapped.
Stepping out onto the patio, Gibbs looked back and furrowed his brow when he saw the odd expression on Tony's face.
"What's wrong?"
Tony shook his head. "Jess and Stephan."
Gibbs smirked. "What about them?"
Sitting down next to Gibbs, Tony sighed. "I don't even know. They were just acting weird in the kitchen."
"Don't worry about it." He knew exactly why they were acting weird. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, actually like a rock." Tony stretched out his legs. "I um, felt better after we talked last night."
"Good." Gibbs wished he felt better.
"So what's the plan for today?"
"Jess said something about a swim." Gibbs paused. "Just whatever everyone feels like."
"Swim sounds good."
"Jess and Alexis will probably want to lay on the beach and read for awhile."
"You and Stephan?" Tony asked.
"Stephan will probably want to work on his golf swing." Gibbs chuckled.
"So what you just sit up here and stare at the view?"
"Sometimes."
"Do you at least swim?"
"He does." Jess said making her way onto the patio followed by Stephan and Alexis.
"Good Morning." Tony smiled at everyone.
"It's getting there." Alexis sighed taking another sip of her coffee.
"Jethro swims just so he can throw Alexis and I around in the water." Jess smirked as she sat down across from Tony.
"Ah one of those." Tony grinned.
"Stephan does the same thing." Alexis added. "They throw us back and forth like rag dolls."
"Of course they do." Tony laughed.
"So what are we waiting for." Stephan grinned. "Let's get changed and go."
"I'll put the coffee in the thermos and take it with us." Jess smiled.
"What is taking them so long." Jess sighed looking back and forth between Stephan and Gibbs.
"I told you pretty boy." Stephan smirked glancing over at Gibbs. "Lots of work."
"Come on you two." Gibbs shouted down the hall, ignoring Stephan's comment.
Alexis finally walked out of her room in a bikini similar to Jess's only a different color.
"Alright." She sighed. "You don't have to yell."
Tony walked out behind her. "Didn't mean to hold everyone up."
Jess and Stephan both quickly looked over at Gibbs, seeing the immediate reaction on his face.
Tony looked good, wearing blue trunks that fit him perfectly, hugging him in all the right places. Gibbs eyes skimmed down Tony's body, then back up. He swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. Then just as quickly he looked away.
"Can we go now." Gibbs grumbled.
"Let's hit the water." Jess smiled then said a silent prayer that Jethro would survive this week. Hell the week, she hoped he survived the day.
Jess and Alexis stood at the edge of the water letting the waves wash up over their ankles and calves. Gibbs chuckled as he looked at them, they did the same thing every time.
"I think you two should go help them along." Stephan smirked
Tony looked at Gibbs. "I'll take Alexis you get Jess."
"Why not." Gibbs shrugged.
Calmly, Gibbs and Tony walked towards the two woman acting as if they were just approaching for a casual chat. When they had just about reached them, the two men looked at each other then ran up and grabbed the two women.
"NO!" They were both screamed as they were carried into the water then tossed out into the waves.
As both women came up from the water they were trying to look angry but both were laughing.
"Great another one." Jess groaned splashing water at Tony "And here I was hoping you would be on our side."
"I'm on my side." Tony smirked.
Alexis and Jess exchanged glances, then nodded. The action was so quick Tony couldn't react as both women were on him, pushing him under the water.
"Should we help him." Stephan asked watching the scene as he walked into the water by Gibbs.
"Nah." Gibbs shook his head. "Maybe if they get it out of their system with Tony they'll leave us alone."
"Good thought." Stephan laughed.
"Hey some help!" Tony yelled towards the two other men as he resurfaced.
They both just shook their heads at him.
"Thanks!" Tony snapped as he was again pushed under the water.
"He's a good guy." Stephan said watching Tony being pushed and pulled under the water.
"Stephan." Gibbs wanted everyone to just let this go.
"I'm just saying." Stephan shrugged. "He fits in."
"That's not an issue." Gibbs watched as Tony surfaced and was instantly pulled back under the water. "Tony can fit in anywhere."
"I get that about him."
Suddenly Gibbs was jerked under the water.
"Jethro!" Stephan looked shocked until he felt himself pulled down by hands one his legs. When he resurfaced he saw Gibbs' head pop up again.
Gibbs quickly glanced at Stephan
"This is war." Stephan managed to say just before being pulled under again.
Gibbs followed Stephan under for a second time. He could tell the hands around his ankles were not female. He struggled to free himself, only to have the hands release his ankles and clutch at his hips. Tony and Gibbs surfaced at the same time.
Tony grinned. "I agreed to help the ladies just this once."
"Pay backs a bitch." Gibbs smirked.
"Bring it on."
Gibbs playfulness suddenly faded as he realized Tony was still holding his hips, their bodies painfully close.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked suddenly concerned at the pained expression on Gibbs' face.
"Nothing." Gibbs shook his head pulling himself from Tony's grip.
"Gibbs." Tony said the name as if requesting a further explanation.
Then a sly smirk crossed Gibbs' face. "I told you pay backs are a bitch."
Tony swung around, Stephan, Jess and Alexis suddenly surrounding him. "N-" The word was swallowed by the water as he was tugged down by all three of them. When he finally popped back up his eyes immediately locked on Gibbs.
"You're the leader of the pack everywhere aren't you?" Tony brushed his hair off his forehead. "Maybe I should usurp your power!"
"Hey!" Jess scoffed. "That makes us the pack."
Stephan looked over at Gibbs. "You know he does look pretty smug over there."
The other three looked at Gibbs.
"Yeah he does." Jess scowled.
Instantly like a pack hunting prey, they turned on Gibbs.
"Hey co-" It was all he was able to get out before being dragged under the water. As Gibbs fought back to the surface he took a deep breath. "What the hell traitors." He chuckled. Tony popped up in front of him. Gibbs looked around for the others and saw nothing.
"Over there." Tony nodded towards the beach.
Gibbs turned around to see his three friends grinning out at them from the beach.
"You two wanna be alpha dog so bad fight it out amongst yourselves." Jess shouted towards them. "The pack doesn't care who wins."
Gibbs shook his and turned back to Tony.
"I already know who the alpha dog is." Tony said with a coy smiled. "I wouldn't even attempt to challenge that."
Gibbs rolled his eyes.
"But if you want to put on a show for them I'll go down fighting." Tony grinned.
"No."
"You want me to win?" Tony raised an eyebrow. "Want me to be alpha dog?"
"Sometimes." The word came out before Gibbs could think about what he was saying.
Tony's green eyes smiled. "Fine with me."
Gibbs searched Tony's eyes trying to find out if Tony really understood what he had been eluding to.
"Their leaving." Tony said seeing the others walking back to the house.
"They get bored easily. Evidently we're not that entertaining."
Tony drifted closer to Gibbs. "Nice to see this side of you."
"What side is that?"
"Relaxed, fun Gibbs." Tony smiled. "Letting your defenses down a little."
"We've all been friends a long time." Gibbs shrugged. "It's different, with them."
"I noticed." Tony's brow furrowed. "Are you different with me, then you are with most people?"
"Yeah."
"Gibbs?"
"What?"
"Relax." Tony grinned as he pounced on Gibbs' shoulders shoving him under the water.
Caught off guard, Gibbs couldn't stop the attack, instead he waited for Tony to release him and resurfaced taking a deep breath.
Popping up in front of him, Tony smirked. "Gotcha." The smirk suddenly fading when he saw Gibbs expression, the glare of the boss firmly in place.
"I was just kidding around, I didn't-" Tony stammered suddenly feeling as if he was at work and was about to be head slapped.
Bridging the gap between them, Gibbs stood before Tony completely stone faced, then dropped down and disappeared under the water.
Walking in a circle, Tony looked down into the murky water around him searching for Gibbs form. A moment later, Tony felt the tug at his leg, then another as he was yanked down under the surfaced.
A few seconds later, they emerged, Tony laughing. "I so fell for that whole boss routine!"
"Yes you did." Gibbs smirked lost in the moment.
"Never again." Tony grinned mere inches from Gibbs. "You're not the boss here. So remember that."
Gibbs nodded. God the last thing he wanted to be right now was Tony's boss.
"We're just two friends." Tony paused draping his arms over Gibbs' shoulders. "Enjoying each other's company."
Another nod as Gibbs tried to make sense of Tony's actions.
"Can you handle that?" Tony smiled. "Us enjoying each other's company."
"Yeah." Gibbs gaze locked on Tony's. "And Tony."
"What?"
"I've always been different with you." Gibbs took a needed breath. "You know that right?"
Tony nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you knew it." Tony floated away and made his way towards shore.
Gibbs watched Tony reach the sand and head back to the house. He shook his head then dropped down into the water. What the hell?
Ten minutes later Gibbs stepped into the house finding everyone sitting in the living room plates of random food on the coffee table. Alexis was on the floor leaning back against the oversized chair that Jess was sitting in. Stephan was in the other large chair and Tony was on the couch, his back against the arm his legs taking up most of the rest of it.
"We decided to have an odds and ends brunch." Alexis grinned.
There were plates of cheese, meats, fruits and vegetables, and a bottle of wine already half gone.
"Hungry?" Jess asked looking up at Gibbs.
"Yeah." Gibbs saw Tony pull his legs up and smile, offering him the other end of the couch. Reluctantly, he sat down, wishing he could put more distance between himself and the younger man.
"Finish the story." Tony said taking a sip of his wine and looking at Jess.
"Well in the end the guy ends up rushing off and leaving me holding this enormous purse."
Everyone started laughing, even Gibbs. He had heard the story countless times.
The conversation ended up being countless stories of the group, Stephan and Jess thrilled to have someone new to tell their stories to. Tony slid down on the couch, resting his head on the arm and laying his feet unceremoniously in Gibbs' lap.
Gibbs glanced at Tony's feet, then up at Tony. The younger man smiled and shrugged as if it was something that occurred every day.
"Oh but we really should tell Tony a Jethro story." Jess grinned.
Gibbs shook his head.
"Oh how about the one where Jethro fell off the dock trying to reel in what he thought was a fish." Stephan started laughing.
"Oh but it was a tire instead." Alexis started laughing with Stephan. Which made Jess start laughing.
"No ,what about when Jethro and you were trying to pick up those twins at the bar." Jess nudged Alexis and again they all started laughing.
"Oh I wanna hear that." Tony grinned.
"Okay." Jess reigned in her laughter. "We all go to this bar down at the pier and these twins keep smiling over at Jethro and Stephan."
Gibbs almost jumped when Tony's foot moved slightly and brushed against his cock. That had to be an accident he told himself, but accident or not Gibbs had to fight his body's natural response.
"Well after they exchanged smiles for ten minutes or something. These two." Jess rolled her eyes. "Decide to go talk to them. So Alexis and I just sit there and wait for the disaster to happen."
"Did this happen when you were already married?" Tony smirked.
"I wasn't going to do anything." Stephan grinned innocently.
"Anyway, Stephan comes walking back all sad and pouting." Jess laughed then raised an eyebrow. "Turns out they both wanted Jethro."
"Really!" Tony glanced down at Gibbs with a grin.
Gibbs smirked and shrugged.
"Yes." Jess grins. "So we think of course Jethro's going to go for it. I mean isn't that every man's dream, two women, twins no less."
"Most men would jump at the chance." Tony chuckled.
"I'm sure you would have." Gibbs looked at Tony.
Tony ignored the comment.
"So we wait and we see them talking and talking and the one girl has her hand running up and down Jethro's arm." Jess tried to contain her laughter. "I mean the whole time Stephan is looking more and more disappointed. Then after like twenty minutes Jethro walks back to the bar orders a Bourbon and sits down."
Tony looked puzzled.
"Turns out." Jess was laughing now as were Stephan and Alexis. "They weren't twins, weren't even sisters."
Tony's eyebrows went up.
"They were lovers looking for a man to-" Jess couldn't contain her laughter. "To come back to their place and make a deposit so they could have a kid."
The room broke out in laughter. Tony joining in. "Wow. Flattering but disappointing." Tony looked at Gibbs.
"Oh god it was hilarious." Alexis laughed. "I don't know who was more shocked Jethro or Stephan."
"Jethro." Stephan nodded. "Hell I'd have gladly given them my sperm as long as I could have watched."
Alexis and Jess just rolled their eyes.
"That's part of the reason they wanted Jethro and not you I'm sure." Alexis said.
"You not the sit back and watch type?" Tony smirked his green eyes smiling down at Gibbs.
"Guess it depends." Gibbs shrugged. "On what I'm watching."
Jess tried to hide her grin. Seriously, did they both not see it!
"How about another swim?" Jess asked jumping up from her chair.
"Sure." Alexis agree.
"I'll grab my driver and work on my swing." Stephan headed toward his room.
"How about you two?" Jess smiled.
"I wanna grab a beer." Gibbs paused. "I'll be down in a little bit."
"Me too." Tony smiled.
"Okay we'll see you down there." Alexis grinned.
"All set." Stephan said club in hand.
The three of them walked out the patio door and looked at each other and laughed.
"Really!" Stephan smirked.
Once the three of them disappeared from view Gibbs looked at Tony.
"Getting awfully comfortable aren't you?" Gibbs asked.
Tony looked at him puzzled. "My feet? Didn't realize it would bother you." Pulling his feet from Gibbs' lap, Tony stood up. "I'll know for next time."
"Is there going to be a next time?" Gibbs' eyes settled on Tony's.
"Not if it bothers you."
"It doesn't bother me." Gibbs practically whispered.
Tony smiled."I'm gonna grab a towel and head down to the water.
Gibbs nodded watching as Tony disappeared down the hall. Hearing the door shut, he ran his hands down his face. Seriously, was this some test of his resolve?
Gibbs grabbed a beer and headed towards the beach.
"Where's Tony?" Alexis asked as Gibbs approached.
"He'll be here in a minute." Gibbs twisted the beer bottle down into the sand. "I'm going to hit the water."
Jess shook her head as she watched Gibbs walk into the cold water without flinching.
"What the hell is it with them anyway?" Alexis rolled her eyes. "If they both want it what the hell is the problem?"
"Jethro's stubborn." Jess sighed. "And Tony is playing it all coy."
"Yeah, feet in the lap!" Alexis grinned.
"Tony swing that way?" Stephan asked Alexis.
"Think you should ask Tony that." Alexis grinned. "I have no idea."
"Ask me what?" Tony walked up to the group.
"Um nothing." Stephan stood up. "Think I'll join Jethro in the water. My gold swing can wait."
"Me too." Alexis jumped up and the two of them headed towards the waves.
"Okay what am I missing?" Tony dropped down next to Jess.
Jess shrugged. "Not sure."
Tony looked out at the water watching as Alexis splashed Gibbs and he dragged her under.
"Can I ask you something?" Tony glanced at Jess.
"As long as I can take the fifth if need be." She grinned.
"You know don't you?"
"I know you both need to be head slapped if that's what you mean." Jess answered staring out at her friends. As much as she didn't really want to get involved, something had to be done.
"That's probably more of an admission than I'll get out of him." Tony laughed.
"Well Jethro is stubborn, thick headed and oblivious to the facts right in front of his face." Jess put her chin on her shoulder and looked over at Tony. "What's your excuse?"
"Some of the same reasons." Tony sighed. "And a few more."
She nodded. "Jethro is a lot of things, but first and foremost, he's a good man, made mistakes, a lot of them. But he could never accept you being one of them."
Tony didn't respond.
"So make sure you know exactly what you want before you push this any further." She turned back looking out over the water. "And be honest with him."
"Yeah." Tony watched Gibbs in the water. Watched the way he laughed as he threw Alexis into the waves that crashed around them, watched how his chest glistened in the sun, watched how he brushed his hair back out of his eyes.
Jess shook her head seeing the look in Tony's eyes as he gazed at Gibbs. She chuckled. "Oh you got it bad!"
Tony let his gaze fall to the sand.
"That's why you've been hanging around the basement more." She had heard all about Tony spending more time at the house. Showing up three or four times a week, staying for hours.
"He told you about that?" Tony ran his fingers through the sand.
"He did." She leaned back on her hands. "And even with that he still hasn't put the pieces together."
"Part of him has." Staring out at the older man, Tony sighed. "He just doesn't wanna see it."
She grinned. "Jethro may be good at reading people when it comes to most things, but when it's this important and this close to him...he can be blind."
"Maybe." If Tony was honest with himself, he knew something had changed between them but hadn't been about to put the pieces together either. Even after he thought he knew what was going on, he still never did or said anything about it. Which is why they were in this situation right now. Uncomfortable denial.
She stared at him a moment then groaned. "Oh good lord." Jess dropped her head back. "That's why you're playing this all coy?"
"What?" He looked at her puzzled.
"You know what?" Jess was almost as good at reading people as Gibbs. "That's why you haven't approached him about this."
What the hell was she talking about.
"You sure about this?" There was a seriousness to her question.
"Yes." Tony nodded.
Jess laughed and shook her head. "You better be. Because I can guarantee you, you're not Jethro's first."
Tony felt his stomach clench. Taking a deep breath he forced a smile. "Think I can't handle him?"
"I think you're in for a wild ride." She shrugged.
"Talking from personal experience?" Part of Tony still believed something hadn't happened between Gibbs and Jess.
"No." Jess chuckled. "But I know how he feels."
"How does he feel?" Tony's stare locked on Jess.
"Oh no." Jess shook her head. "That's between you two. Once you both pull your heads out of your asses."
Tony laughed. "Can you tell Gibbs that one?"
"No." Jess sighed. "Jethro never hears about this conversation."
"Yeah probably a good idea." Tony stood up and wiped the sand off the back of his legs and butt. "I think I'm gonna head back to the house."
"Okay." Jess nodded knowing Tony need time to think.
"And Jess."
She looked back at him.
"Thanks." He smiled.
"Where'd Tony go?" Gibbs asked as the three of them came back to the beach.
"The house."
Gibbs searched Jess's face, knowing full well Tony and Jess had been talking earlier.
"Don't even!" Jess glared at him knowing he wanted to ask.
"What's for lunch or dinner?" Stephan asked.
"Food." Jess rolled her eyes as she stood up.
"Then let's go." Stephan said running towards the house, Alexis on his heels.
"Come on." Jess grinned at Gibbs. "Race you."
She took off running.
"Hey." Gibbs scoffed taking off after her. He made it to the back patio, just a few steps ahead of Jess.
"You cheated!" She panted trying to catch her breath.
"How?" Gibbs laughed.
"You chase after bad guys for a living." She smiled. "And shouldn't you let a lady win?"
"Where's there a lady?"
She smacked him on the chest. "Ass!"
Picking her up he tossed her over his shoulder.
"Jethro put me down." She squealed.
"I'll carry you into the house, let you catch your breath." Gibbs said as he slid open the back patio door and carried her inside, tossing her down on the sofa.
"I swear your an animal like all the other men I know." She stuck out her tongue at him.
"What did you expect?" Gibbs smirked.
They both started laughing, then heard someone clear their throat. Gibbs and Jess turned seeing Tony leaning against the wall by the hallway.
"Hey Tony." Jess smiled.
"Hey." Tony forced a smile glancing from Jess to Gibbs.
"Jethro was just being annoying." She threw a pillow at him. "As usual."
"Right." Gibbs smacked the pillow away before it head him in the face. "You started it."
"I'm going to go change." She said getting up from the couch and heading down the hallway. "Jethro why don't you start the grill."
"Sure." Gibbs smiled over at Tony. "Wanna help?"
Tony nodded.
Tony leaned against the railing, staring at Gibbs as he turned the steaks on the grill.
"Just say whatever is it you need to say or ask." Gibbs sighed.
"You mean you don't already know?" Tony sounded more annoyed than he intended.
"I do." Gibbs flipped one of the steaks. "Just not sure why you even care."
Tony folded his arms across his chest.
Gibbs stopped and took a deep breath. "Nothing is going on with Jess and I."
"Why?"
Gibbs slammed the spatula down on the grill and glared at Tony. "Because I'm not interested in Jess, never have been, never will be. Is that good enough?"
Tony's eyebrow went up. "Why aren't you interested? She's your type, red head, beautiful, strong, an amazing woman."
"I gave up on red heads a long time ago."
"So what's your type now?" Tony questioned.
"Not red heads." Gibbs answered quickly turning back to the steaks not willing or wanting to offer any more information.
"Didn't mean to push." Tony paused. "You just have a different relationship with her. Comfortable, caring, close, completely at ease."
Gibbs nodded. "Yeah, I do."
Tony took a step closer. "I'm kinda jealous."
Gibbs' gaze shot up staring into those amazing green eyes, surprised at Tony's admission.
"But it's none of my business I know." Tony sighed.
"I care about you, you know that right?" Gibbs tried to keep his voice from shaking.
"Sometimes." Tony shrugged.
"Our relationship is different than what I have with Jess, or Stephan, or Alexis." Gibbs paused. "But it means just as much."
Tony smiled. "Can you just let me know that it means something to you, sometimes."
"You want me to pick you up and throw you on the couch now and then?" Gibbs chuckled not realizing how it sounded until it crossed his lips.
"Maybe we should start with something small." Tony smiled giving Gibbs' hand a squeeze.
Gibbs swallowed hard and nodded.
Leaning towards Gibbs, Tony whispered. "Now watch the steaks I'm not eating a burnt one."
Tony let his hand drift from Gibbs.
"Right." Gibbs turned back to the grill and took a deep breath.
"Gibbs?" Tony paused before opening the patio door.
"Yeah." Gibbs looked at Tony.
"Eventually I'd like you to throw me on the couch." Tony smiled, then disappeared inside.
Gibbs head dropped back. "Shit!"