Disclaimer- Yep I Still owns nothing.
Tony will be going through some of Gibbs' book collection. Based on my book collection.
I'm adding some character elements to Gibbs or at least sides you'd never see of Gibbs on TV. He'll have some history and past to deal with. That wouldn't have come to light with the explosion that sent him to Mexico. It would be before Shannon and Kelly. But he'll still have his second b for Bastard moments. Anything in Italics- Is flashback, Dream or someone reading a letter or something.
It took Tony a few minuets longer to pull into Gibbs' driveway than usual. He didn't want to bounce his sleeping charge around needlessly by speeding. Looking over to wake Gibbs up, "Gibbs…we're here", "Boss time to wake up now". He just received grunt from the lead agent and silence ensued once more. Tony decided to get out of the car and go around to Gibb's side. Opening the door he called Gibbs once more with a slight shake.
"Come on Big Guy, time to go inside"
"Hmmm go away, comfy"
"Can't do that boss"
"Nozzo"
"Boss"
"Sleepy"
"Alright…I know there's a nice comfy bed inside!"
"You can sleep in it until the cows come home"
Tony received the faintest of head slaps from the lead agent. It really was more like a tiny tap and a hushed "I don't have anything to come home to me". At the crestfallen look on Gibbs' face a part of Tony's heart tugged. For a brief moment, Tony saw clear behind the stoic mask of Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
"Come on Boss, let's get you inside"
"Kay"
Tony shrugged under one of his arms and all but hauled the agent out the car. Once he was sure he had his charge upright and secured, kicked the door closed and beeped the remote to lock the doors. They made slow work of the walk up to Gibbs' front door. Depositing his boss on the couch he headed for the master to turn down the covers.
Looking at the bed, he had to shake his head. It really was true you could take the man out of the Marines, but you couldn't take the Marine out of the man. Tony couldn't resist and he took a quarter out and bounced it off the bed. Turning down the covers turned out to be a nice little challenge in itself. Hospital corners were one thing. Whatever the hell his boss did was on some other level itself. With that out of the way Tony flopped gracefully on to the bed and took a small breather before going to collect his boss.
Ten minuets later they had made it up the stairs with no real help from Gibbs. Gibbs was sat on the bed while Tony headed for the dresser.
"Want your P.J Pants?" Tony called over his shoulder
"……….."
"Boss?"
Tony cast a look over his shoulder only to see Gibbs legs. Walking over to the footboard he couldn't help the small twitch in his lips. The lead agent was down for the count once more. Tony noticed his hair was pointing in twenty different directions at once and his current position probably wouldn't do anything for his bad knee. Grabbing Gibbs by the under arms and kneeling on the bed. Tony pulled him up to the pillows and made quick work of his jacket and shirt. He got off the bed, removed his shoes and tucked him in. He'd never been tucked in before and it felt oddly nice tucking in the man he'd come to love and respect.
Tony was back downstairs and desperately looking for something to amuse himself. Gibbs only had one TV in the house which served no use to Tony and it wasn't like the man had cable. He'd walked aimlessly through the house and settled on the bookshelf. "Let's see what you've got Boss". He thumbed across the spines reading the titles out loud to himself.
"Seamanship Secrets, The Modern Cruising Sailboat, Hal Roth's handling Storms at Sea, This Old Boat Second Addition, George Washington's Secret Navy, Handbook of Marine Surveying"
"Think you got enough books about Boats?"
"Marine Sniper Carlos Hatchcock, Phase Line Green, No yelling, Marine! The Life of Chesty Puller"
"Haven't you heard of James Bond boss?"
"Playboy from the 70s, wonder how many ex-wives found this"
"Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea! Finally something I can read"
Tony took the book over to the couch and sat down. Kicking his feet up onto the table and flipping the cover open, he read the inscription
Leroy:
I've never seen a little boy with such a fascination with the sea or anyone with such a love for boats. I hope you enjoy this book
Happy 8th birthday
Uncle L.J
"I think he has L.J" Tony mused to himself and started reading. Tony woke with a start at the sound of something crashing to the ground. Jumping from the couch and bolting to the master bedroom came automatically. Finding an empty bed, he let out a mild curse and doubled back to the couch. Getting up to check the bathroom retching brought his attention to the basement door. What the hell is he doing in the basement Tony wondered? Only to chastise himself for being stupid of course Gibbs would wake up and work on that damn boat.
A split second later another retching heave snapped Tony into action. He grabbed his water bottle from his pack in one switch motion and came bolting down the stairs. Narrowly dodging the puke, he was at Gibbs' side in mere seconds. The lead agent was down on his hands and knees launching up his guts for all he was worth. Tony started to run a soothing hand over his trembling back. He'd never seen his boss so vulnerable before. Handing the bottle over when he was all puked out. Tony told him to rinse and drink and then slowly guided him over to sit on the steps. Once his charge seemed to be ok, Tony finally snapped.
"What the Hell do you think you were doing?"
"Sanding my boat!"
At Tony's expression that clearly read continue, he went on.
"Working on my boat sooths me"
"So does vapor rub and cough medicine" Tony said bluntly
"But"
"No, buts! Your sick and you could have been hurt."
" DiNozzo"
"I'm not done yet! You know what went through my mind when you were not in bed?"
"I couldn't find you, I didn't know wether you where hurt. For all I knew you coulda been kidnapped. "
"Only found you because you where throwing your guts up in the basement"
"You know what forget it! Just stay out of the basement and go upstairs"
"Sorry Tony" with that Gibbs hung his head and went up the stairs. The site of Gibbs bowed head and retreating back. Left Tony feeling two feet tall he didn't know what to think. Thankful for basements with drains Tony washed the puke down and just sat on the stairs thinking. While Gibbs climbed into bed and started at the wall. The unshed tears at the back of his eyes were stinging. He wasn't allowed to be a sick. His first drill sergeant at basic taught him that. He closed his eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.
