Tony leaned against his car, staring at his boss's front door. All his hopes and dreams lay beyond, but Tony didn't think he was ever going to be brave enough to take that next step. His thoughts were flying around inside his head, his lips still tingled from the merest touch of Gibbs' lips and to top it all the man he loved more than life itself had given him an open invitation. 'So what the hell is holding you back, DiNozzo?' he thought to himself.

Inside the house Jethro had heard Tony's car pull into the driveway behind his own, trying his best not to be seen, he peeked from the corner of the living room window. Tony looked petrified; his gaze locked firmly on the front door, from his position Jethro could see the slow deep breaths Tony was taking, trying to calm himself down. Gibbs knew this was now or never, he'd offered Tony what he thought they both wanted, now he just had to hope the younger man was strong enough to take that final step.

Tony took a deep breath and slowly let it out, he couldn't do this, as much as he wanted Gibbs, the guy was straight. 'What if I'm just an experiment, get it out of his system and then back to normal. Do you want to have your heart ripped out Tony, do you?' his little voice in his head called out.

Gibbs saw the change in Tony's expression, his senior agent had made a decision and it didn't look good. Before he knew it Jethro was moving, he raced to the front door, opening it he saw Tony dejectedly pulling open his car door,

"Tony, wait!" he hurriedly closed the gap between them. Tony's eyes shoot up on hearing his name. Gibbs stepped into Tony's personal space, gently taking hold of the hand that rested on the door handle,

"Please don't go, come inside I think we need to talk,"

"I don't know if I can," Tony admitted, totally thrown by Gibbs saying 'please'.

Lifting Tony's hand, Gibbs gently placed a kiss on the smooth skin and continued to caress the back with his thumb,

"Come on, please." He paused, looking directly into DiNozzos eyes he all but whispered,

"Tell me you don't want this Tony, tell me. If you can do that I'll let you walk away, but if you do, and I think you do, please come inside," Gibbs paused, he'd never been this nervous in his entire life.

Tony looked into the beautiful blue eyes before him, he knew he was lost. Stepping out from behind the car door he closed it. Jethro's eyes slid shut, the anxiety of the last few minutes draining from his body. When he opened them again he found Tony staring at him.

Tony couldn't believe what he was seeing, his boss was nervous because of him! Tony's Adams apple bobbed as he took a nervous gulp.

Gibbs tugged gently, setting them in motion heading towards his front door, he felt Tony pause as they got to the threshold, as though this last step meant no turning back.

"I meant it Tony, this isn't a game. This is for real!" and with that he pulled Tony in for a smouldering kiss..