Devotion Chapter Three

Joe Alvarez introduced Tony and Gibbs to D.C. Metro M.E. Sara Jacobs. Dr. Jacobs shook both men's hands and advised them Riley Spencer was the only body in autopsy at that time. She was about to begin the autopsy when she got the call from Joe, so Spence's body was still clothed and lying on an autopsy table.

Tony asked if he and Gibbs could be alone with Spence. Dr. Jacobs and Joe agreed. They decided to go for coffee leaving the men to their sad task.

Metro's autopsy was much smaller than NCIS. The room was half the size and there were only two tables and about 4 cold storage lockers. It was very cold but both men already knew it would be. Tony was shivering and Gibbs knew it was more than just the temperature.

Tony approached Spence with hesitation. Gibbs held back watching Tony's actions carefully. He knew that Tony had seen a lot of death and was witness to how ugly humanity could really be. The crime scene that morning was the worst but it was one of many they had seen over the years. Tony would use humor to deal with that kind of ugly. This situation was too close to home. Gibbs knew Tony had lost his mother at an early age but had never lost anyone as close to him as Spence had been.

He watched as Tony looked down at Spence and just stared at him. Tony reached out to touch Spence's face but he withdrew his hand without making contact. Tony couldn't yet face that what he was seeing was real. When he finally touched Spence a sob caught in his throat. It was primal and filled with grief.

Tony ran his hand through Spence's hair. Tony leaned down and whispered something and kissed Spence, first on his forehead and then on the lips. Tony picked up Spence's hand and held it close to his chest. As Tony closed his eyes, trapped in his own thoughts, Gibbs thought about the day he had first met Spence and the day he first introduced Tony to Spence.

It was Gibbs first day of boot camp that he met Riley Spencer.

They were in the same unit for training. The men had to introduce themselves and say where they were from. When Gibbs said his full name and town and state he was annoyed to hear Riley Spencer snigger and say "Jethro? You a hillbilly, Jethro? Got a cee-ment pond?"

That comment made the other men roar with laughter.

Gibbs studied Riley Spencer, formulating how to respond. Spence was a good two inches taller than Gibbs. He was a good looking man with sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He was obviously very athletic and he had a wonderful smile. Gibbs liked him immediately.

Gibbs merely smirked at Riley Spencer. He had heard it before and it didn't faze him. Spence appreciated Gibbs ability to be the butt of the joke and they became fast friends. Gibbs learned that Riley Spencer was from a very old family in Virginia. His mother was a Riley and as his parent's oldest child, he was christened Riley Spencer. He hated the name Riley and only answered to Spence.

Spence learned that Jethro preferred Gibbs.

Gibbs was Spence's best man when he married Linda Marshall. Spence stood up for Gibbs when he married Shannon. Spence was Kelly's Godfather and helped Gibbs the best he could when Shannon and Kelly were murdered. Gibbs stepped up when Spence and Linda separated. Gibbs was Godfather to Spence's two sons but Linda kept the boys away from both men for several years. She eventually rebuilt a civil relationship with Spence but the kids were estranged from Spence and Gibbs didn't know them at all. It was sad for all parties.

Spence dallied with relationships with men but could never truly find the right person. He and Gibbs talked a lot about that over cowboy steaks and beer. Spence knew Gibbs wanted to find the right person as well but he had watched his friend marry again and again. He finally told Gibbs "Quit trying to replace Shannon! You need to find the right guy this time!"

They use to joke it would be so much easier if they were attracted to each other.

Gibbs had mentioned Tony to Spence on many occasions. What usually came up was how much their personalities were alike. Gibbs never told Spence his true feelings for Tony. Gibbs usually denied the feelings to himself.

When he finally realized Tony reciprocated those feelings Gibbs couldn't get past their working relationship. He decided to be self-sacrificing for his best friend and SFA. He invited them both over for dinner and had mixed feelings as the sparks began to fly between them.

Tony had been the first to leave that night but not before plans were in place to get together with Spence the following week for dinner and a movie. As Spence helped Gibbs cleanup he shook his head and said "Jesus Gibbs. Thank you so much for tonight. I can't believe you are letting an opportunity like Tony get away from you! I can tell he has deep feelings for you. You sure you two have never….?"

"I'm Tony's boss, Spence. I care for Tony as I care for you. If something happens between the two of you then I will be happy for you both." Gibbs knew he was lying as he said it.

Gibbs did convince himself he was truly happy for Tony and Spence when the two moved in together less than 6 months into their relationship. Both Tony and Spence credited Gibbs for their happiness but Gibbs couldn't help but feel like the third wheel as Tony and Spence became each other's world. Gibbs could see Tony was content and happy. Spence grounded Tony and Tony did the same for Spence. Gibbs shoved any romantic feelings he had for Tony far away.

Those feelings exploded to the surface seeing Tony in so much pain.

Gibbs watched as Tony lowered Spence's hand. Tony looked at Gibbs and without having to say a word Tony left the autopsy room. Gibbs stepped up to Spence and caressed his friends face. He bent down and kissed Spence on his temple.

"I will watch out for him Spence."

It was a promise Gibbs was determined to keep.