A/N: Once again, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. I am absolutely stunned by the number of favorite and following alerts I am getting! It really means a lot and helps inspire me to keep this going.
PS: I fixed military time mistakes in the previous chapters.
Okay, now where were we?
Chapter 4 – Anticipation
Gibbs pulled into the parking lot at Contadino's, which was not far from Tony's apartment. Both men climbed out of the Challenger and walked towards the door. Contadino's was known for its authentic Italian food and excellent wine selection. Gibbs and Tony arrived twenty minutes before their reservation and decided to grab a drink or two at the bar.
Tony thought that Gibbs looked way beyond hot dressed in charcoal gray chinos and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Gibbs never gave much thought to how he dressed, but he wanted to look good for Tony. Tony was wearing a pair of tight black jeans with a silky grey Zenga dress shirt. Both men were oblivious to the appreciative looks they were getting from both men and women in the bar.
For a Tuesday night, the place was pretty busy. Groups of people filled most of the booths and tables in the bar. It was a popular after work hangout for people who wanted to do a little drinking and shoot a little pool with friends after a long day. It was a typical sports bar with Nationals, Wizards, Redskins and Capitals memorabilia adorning the walls. Two red-felted pool tables were located toward the back of the bar. ESPN played on TVs bolted to the walls all around the bar. The sound was muted unless, of course, a Nationals, Wizards, Redskins or Capitals game was one. A jukebox in the corner played a mix of pop tunes.
Gibbs spotted a small table in a dark corner of the bar near the pool tables. "Hey Tony," Gibbs leaned into Tony and whispered, "Why don't you grab that table and I'll get our drinks. What are you drinking?"
Tony smiled and nodded. "I'll have a beer; whatever they have on tap." Tony turned and made his way over to the table. Gibbs couldn't stop himself from watching Tony as he walked away. There was something so sexy about the way Tony moved; a certain grace and elegance that seemed effortless to the younger man, not to mention the skin tight jeans. Gibbs mouth was suddenly dry.
Gibbs cleared his throat and ordered a beer for Tony and double bourbon for himself. He paid for the drinks and left a tip. He reached the table and sat Tony's beer down in front of him and took the seat opposite. "Thanks, boss."
"Boss?" Gibbs eyebrows shot up and he chuckled.
Tony grinned back at him. "Yeah, sorry, um, Jethro. Hard habit to break, you know? I've been calling you boss for so long it's automatic." Gibbs smiled back at Tony and shook his head.
They both sat back in their chairs and sipped their drinks; the conversation flowed easily between them. Tony shared stories about his fraternity hijinx at Ohio State. Gibbs mostly talked about his time in Desert Storm. A noisy, crowded bar was not the best place to start talking about them.
At precisely 7:30 they were led to a table in the more spacious dining area in the next room. They were seated at a table along the wall. The dimly lit room was decorated with Italian-themed artwork. Italian music played softly giving the place a decidedly romantic ambiance.
They picked up and quickly scanned their menus, both deciding on lasagna, which Tony had assured Gibbs was the best he ever had. Gibbs didn't usually drink wine, but he didn't object when Tony ordered a bottle of the house red. Their waiter returned and poured a glass for each of them. Tony watched as Gibbs took a sip. Gibbs swallowed and nodded in approval. "Not a big wine drinker, but this is pretty good." It was a bold red wine that was neither too dry nor too fruity.
Tony smiled. "I knew you'd like it."
After the waiter had taken their orders, Gibbs and Tony sat staring at each other across the table. In the dim light of the restaurant, Gibbs' eyes were a deeper shade of blue. Tony was mesmerized and gave Gibbs his best smile. "This may sound really girly Gibbs, but your eyes are amazing in this light."
Gibbs blushed and looked down smiling shyly as he was not used to compliments, especially from another man. "There is nothing girly about you, Tony. You look pretty amazing yourself." It was Tony's turn to blush.
When their food arrived, both men dug in and Tony refilled their wine glasses. Gibbs had to admit that the lasagna was pretty damn good. After several minutes, Tony cleared his throat and met Gibbs' eyes.
"So, here we are. I, um, guess we still have a lot to talk about." Tony sounded uncharacteristically nervous, so Gibbs reached out and took Tony's hand that was lying on the table. He gave it a reassuring squeeze and smiled warmly.
"Yeah, we do. You know, though, I'm not really good at talking about feelings." Tony smirked at this and Gibbs shot a glare back at him. "Look, Tony, I don't want to over-think this. We both admitted last night that we have feelings for each other. I know that I want you, more than I've wanted anyone in a long time." Gibbs swallowed hard at the wide eyed look Tony was giving him and spoke softly, almost nervously. "What is it, Tony?"
"Wow, Gibbs, I don't know what to say. How long?" Tony could not believe that Gibbs had wanted him for a long time. "I mean, you gotta know that I want you, too, more than anyone or anything." Tony frowned and became quiet for few moments. He looked down and played with the napkin on his lap. "Why me, Gibbs? I'm a trainwreck! I've probably got more baggage than anyone, and…"
"Hey," Gibbs said sharply, causing Tony's eyes to snap up to lock with his. "We both have baggage, Tony. I think we just need to get it all out in the open so we can deal with it, together. You are a young, gorgeous man, Tony. How could an old bastard like me not want you? " Gibbs smiled at Tony, hoping to convey his sincerity.
"You're pretty amazing yourself, you know. Uh, Gibbs….um…you think we can do this? I mean what about work? What about the team? You think they can handle it?" Tony didn't want anything with him and Gibbs to affect the team. "We're gonna keep this quiet, at least for now, right?"
"Yeah, for now, Tony. I want us, just you and me, to figure this out. We're both adults, and frankly I don't really give a damn what anyone else thinks. I want this to work. We can take things as slowly as you want; no pressure from me - or anyone else. We can let the others in when we're both ready."
"Sounds good to me, Jethro." Tony breathed a sigh of relief. "But you know how Abby is. She'll figure out that something is going on, and won't stop digging until she gets answers. She knows I'm bi; she found out by accident years ago. She's cool about it, but I don't know what she'll think about you and me. I'm worried that she won't think I'm good enough for you. Gibbs, you're like a father to her."
Gibbs cocked his head to the side and snorted. "Abby will be the least of our problems. I don't think she knows that I've been with men, but she won't care. In fact, I think she will be thrilled at the thought of you and me together. Besides, you are more than good enough for me. Hell, you deserve better than me."
Tony squeezed Gibbs' hand. "There is no one better for me than you, Jethro." He began to fidget looking anywhere but directly at Gibbs. "Umm, Jethro, are you about ready to get out of here?" Tony glanced around the room before leaning in to whisper across the table. "I swear; if I don't kiss you soon I'll go crazy." Tony's eyes were flashing with desire, and all Gibbs could do was let a huge grin cross his face.
Gibbs whispered back, "Hell, let's get out here, then!" They finished their meal and downed the rest of the wine. Gibbs waived to the waiter and handed over his credit card to pay the check. Tony fished out his wallet and took out enough bills to leave a generous tip.
The check taken care of, Tony and Gibbs made their way out of the restaurant. When they got to Gibbs' car, Tony asked, "So, um, your place or mine?" They stared at each other over the roof of the car for a few moments; both of them a bit flushed and grinning at each other.
"Your place is closer." Gibbs' voice dropping in register. He had to get Tony alone, and soon. His pants suddenly felt much tighter.
Tony blushed furiously. "My place it is then." Tony was barely able to get the words out at the thought of another night alone with Gibbs.
Gibbs made the ten minute drive to Tony's apartment in under seven minutes. Tony had a firm grasp on the "oh shit" handle all the way thinking Gibbs must be trying to break a land speed record. Tony mused to himself that Gibbs really should have given NASCAR a try. Gibbs pulled into the parking space he had used the night before. Before getting out of the car, Tony cleared his throat and gave Gibbs a nervous sideways glance. "Um, you staying tonight?"
Gibbs took Tony's hand in his, entwining their fingers. "I'd really like that, but only if you want me to, Tony." Gibbs blushed, finding himself suddenly nervous. "Um, I, uh, I brought my kit, just in case." He turned to face Tony and tapped under Tony's chin. Tony looked up and locked his lust-filled eyes on Gibbs'. "Hey, we don't have to do anything you want to do, Tony."
Tony smiled warmly and took a deep breath. "I know. It's just that I want you so much, but I'm a little nervous. I mean, I don't want to disappoint you."
Gibbs gave Tony a pointed look. "You could never disappoint me, Tony. Let's go up and grab a beer or two and watch one of your movies, okay?" Gibbs' ran the back of his hand down Tony's cheek. "We'll figure it out. Besides, I want – I need to know what you want. I wanted to go slow and not rush into sex, but I don't know if that's possible anymore. I mean, I want to be with you, Tony, more than anything, but I don't know your preferences, um, in the bedroom. I think we still need to talk about this."
Tony blushed all the way to his roots and smiled. "Gibbs, I trust you with my life and I'm sure I can trust you with this. I'm pretty sure I want what you want. I won't do anything you don't want, either." After a brief pause, Tony took a deep breath. "Okay then, let's go."
Gibbs grabbed his kit out the backseat and they made their way up the stairs to Tony's apartment. Both men were quiet, each wondering what the night had in store for them. As they approached the door, Tony stopped dead in his tracks.
"Holy shit, not again!" There, leaning against the door was a dozen long-stemmed red roses. Gibbs reached down and carefully picked up the plain white card he saw tucked in among them. The note simply read: Soon, my sweet. All My Love, B"
The color drained from Tony's face as he backed up to lean against the hallway wall. Gibbs looked at him with concern before again looking at the card. "Who the fuck is B?"
"I have no fucking idea." Tony giggled nervously as he ran a hand through his hair as Gibbs paced the hall. "Gibbs, this is the second time today this asshole has left me flowers."
"What?" Gibbs stopped pacing and nearly shouted in surprise. His eyes shot up and locked onto Tony's, seeing fear and confusion in those beautiful green eyes. "What do you mean the second time?"
"Yeah, well, when I got to my car at the Yard to come home there was a single red rose and a note on my windshield. Let's get inside. I tossed the rose, but I kept the note. I'll show it to you." Tony took out his keys and unlocked the door. Tony followed Gibbs into the apartment. He switched on the lights then turned the deadbolt on the door. He turned and let himself fall back against the door, a deep frown on his face. "Who the hell is doing this - and why?"
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Gibbs felt both angry and jealous that someone else apparently had their sights on HIS Tony.
Tony just shrugged as he made his way to the kitchen. "I didn't think it was a big deal. I thought maybe the flowers last night were from Greg, you know, the guy from Majestic. I saw him Saturday night, but it's obviously not him, though." Gibbs had followed Tony into the kitchen and grabbed them each a beer out of the refrigerator. Tony took a long pull on his beer as he leaned against the counter, his brow furrowed as he tried to figure out who "B" could be. "Jethro," he said quietly, "I haven't dated or been with anyone in a long time, man or woman, whose first or last name start with a B. I gotta tell ya' Jethro, this is getting a little creepy." Tony was beginning to shake slightly.
Gibbs sat his beer on the counter and pulled Tony into a warm hug. He sighed as he ran his hands up and down Tony's back while holding him close. "S'ok, Tony. We'll figure this out." After several minutes of gently rocking Tony in his arms, Gibbs asked in a low, husky voice, "Do you trust me, Tony?"
Tony wrapped his arms tighter around Gibbs' and buried his face in Gibbs' neck as he whispered, "With my life, Jethro."