"I'm gonna go for a shower, make yourself at home," Gibbs said as he put his plate in the sink. He knew that he didn't have to tell Tony but he still felt like he should, incase Tony thought he wasn't wanted here.

"Ok," Tony replied as he watched Gibbs walk from the kitchen. He waited and listened. He heard Gibbs go into the bathroom then silence for a few seconds before he heard the water running. He felt the least he could do was tidy up a bit, though it wasn't really a thank you that he though appropriate but still it would be the thought that counts. He washed the dishes and went up stairs to make the beds. Once he'd made the beds he decided to head back down stairs but stopped just outside the bathroom door. He could hear mumbling and began to wonder if Gibbs was ok, the low mumbles sounded pained somehow. For a moment he was tempted to enter the bathroom but then he heard another sound, one which put his mind at ease, a soft, low moan. He smiled to himself and went back downstairs into the kitchen and started to make some coffee. As he boiled the kettle he listened carefully to the sounds around him. He continued to make the coffee and as if he knew when Gibbs would step through the door he turned around with cup in hand to see Gibbs walk into the kitchen.

"Coffee?" Tony said. Gibbs accepted the coffee and took a sip.

"That's good," Gibbs smiled. Tony picked up his cup and tried the coffee.
Yeah it's pretty good. Tony thought to himself, though he wasn't interested in the coffee. They headed into the living room and sat drinking coffee in silence.

"I should probably go soon," Tony said after some time. Gibbs didn't reply but wished that Tony would stay, even though they said little his presence made all the difference. "I should go now,"

"You can stay," Gibbs said.

"No, I should go, I've been in your road for too long already," Tony said as he stood up.

"You're not in the road," Gibbs said. And never will be.

"I feel like it… Thanks for letting me stay the night, and looking after me, I really appreciate it," Tony smiled.

"Any time Tony," Gibbs said as he followed Tony to the front door. Tony opened the door and stepped out. "Tony,"

"Yeah?" Tony asked turning around.

"Keys," Gibbs said as he threw Tony's keys to him.

"Thanks Boss," Tony said before turning and leaving. Gibbs longed for Tony to turn around and stay, but he didn't and Gibbs felt a stab of hurt run through him.

Is it so wrong to feel like this for him? After the way I embarrassed him about his feelings how could I possibly feel the same way? Does he realize I love him? Did I make it obvious? Did I hide it? Could he possibly still feel the same as he did yesterday?

The shrill ring of the phone snapped him from his thoughts.

"Hello?" he answered. There was silence on the other end of the line. "Hello?" he said again, this time a sharp edge in his tone. Still silence but someone must have been on the other end because there was a soft, almost inaudible hum. Then the line went dead. He stood with a look of confusion on his face for a moment before putting the phone back on the receiver and walked down to the basement.

XxxX

Tony walked into his apartment and kicked his shoes off. He threw his keys onto the small dining table and placed his jacket on the back of the couch. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
Why me? Why can't I just be strong enough to tell him how I really feel? Tell him what I want from him, tell him what I want him to do, what I want to do…

The phone rang and he looked towards it. Walking over he picked it up. "Hello," he said. There was a soft hum in the background but nobody answered. "Is there someone there?" and still there was no reply. "Don't call again," Tony snapped.

"Tony," a female voice said as he was about to hang up.

"Yes?" he said warily. There was silence again. "Listen, I'm not in the mood for this shit!" and slammed the phone down. He wondered why everything had to be a mystery for him. He was always getting hurt through lies and mysteries and it just didn't seem fair. He sat at the dining table and stared at the lacquered wood table top. The voice sounded so familiar yet so strange. Several minutes passed as Tony sat in silence. Suddenly he heard a knock on the door. He stood from the table and walked to the door and upon opening it he found nobody there, but at his feet was an envelope, upside down. He picked it up and walked back inside. He flipped it to the front and gasped. He could recognize that handwriting anywhere, any day. He opened the envelope carefully, as if it was the most precious thing he had handled. He took a deep, shaky breath and took the contents from the envelope. There was a piece of paper, folded and scented with a soft rose smell. A smaller envelope was placed with the piece of paper. Tony sat back down at the table and put everything down. Slowly he lifted the small envelope and opened it and pulled out photos. With shaky hands he reached for his phone and dialed the only number he could think of.

"Hello,"

"I need you to come over," Tony said in a panicked voice.