Inevitable showdown

Tony was glancing angrily at Gibbs, sitting next to him in the jeep. This fool! 'Our Case, our suspect. I'm coming with you!' He shook his head about this stubborn fool. He wished Gibbs had stayed behind. Safe and sound in the camp but as always there was no winning an argument with Gibbs.

"Don't start worrying about me now, DiNozzo!" The older muttered so only Tony could hear.

"I always worry about you, boss." His anger fought with a warm feeling caused by the fact his former boss could still read him like he used to. But the older snorted scornfully and his anger and fear won again. "You're really an ass!" The younger pressed out through gritted teeth.

"I'm the ass?!" The aggression in Gibbs voice was clearly audible. Tony was about to answer, as the driver let him know they reached their destination in five minutes. He increased his grip on his rifle. Looking out of the window to get focused on the op as he struggled with his emotions.

As the jeep got to a halt, he side-glanced towards Gibbs. Checking the equipment the older wore. The bullet-proof vest was in it's place but the helmet didn't look tight enough. As the older was about to get out, Tony held him back, placing his hand on his arm. The younger was sure he saw sadness crossing the other's face for a brief moment before it went hard again. Gibbs was gazing angrily first at his hand then into his eyes. Tony's heart cramped as he reached for the chinstrap and the older backed away but he just went on, pulling Gibbs closer on the strap to tighten the helmet. Moron! His eyes still fixed on the older's, he whispered, "If you die, I bring you back only to kill you again. Understood?!"

He was out of the SUV and in full solider mode before Gibbs could replay anything.

*/*

Gibbs watched Tony, as the younger checked his boys' equipment briefly, before he was leading his unit towards the houses at the far end of the street. He still felt a tickle where the fingers had slightly brushed his skin as Tony had fixed his helmet. The voice of the 1st Lt., not his SFA, over the intercom let his hair stood on end. The clear, strict orders he heard were in such contrast to the juvenile attitude of the Tony he had once known. It oddly aroused him, though.

"Gibbs, Rodriguez with me!" Tony ordered, as they reached the targeted house and Gibbs hid his smile. He knew Tony wanted him close to make sure he was safe but it just suited him for the same reason. Even though he had decided to simply deny his feelings for Tony and forget them as soon as he was home, his heart ached at the thought of Tony getting hurt.

He pushed his anger, frustration and unfortunately longing away, concentrating fully on the op. They got silently and slowly into the house from the side entrance as the other boys loudly stormed through the front door. He heard the soldiers yell and an armed Iraqi came running from the left into the room, aiming at them. A precise shot of Gibbs sent him to the floor.

Tony was meanwhile concentrated on the passage in front of them and Rodriguez was taking care of the right side as coordinated before. Slowly they moved on. The 1st Lt. was the first to enter the next room.

Another rebel dropped dead on the floor. Gibbs felt his heart racing. All his senses on high alert. A movement caught his eyes and he signaled Tony to follow him into the room to their left.

As they entered Nolan was hastily stuffing things in a bag. The young woman from the photo was doing the same.

"Freeze, Nolan!" Tony shouted. "There is no way out!"

More shots could be heard in different parts of the house. The older's ears were filled with shouts over the intercom and he heard different screams of pain.

Nolan was not moving just staring at them. It seemed as if he was considering his options.

"C'mon, Nolan! Give up!" Tony pressed. Gibbs could see the change in the Private's eyes and aimed on his forehead.

As he had suspected, Nolan suddenly pulled a gun but before Gibbs could pull the trigger, Tony had left a bloody hole in his head. Gibbs was impressed by the reflexes of the younger.

Focused on the crying girlfriend kneeling on the ground next to the dead body, Gibbs saw a movement out of the corner of his eye but before he could react Tony had shot and another rebel was sent to the ground. This distraction gave the girl the opportunity to grab Nolan's gun and fire away.

The older heard Tony yelp in pain as he took aim at her forehead. As she sacked to the floor next to her lover, Gibbs rushed to check on the younger. A short glance from Tony in his direction then he was already back on tracks and yelled commands over the intercom, checking the situation. The pain and worry about Tony broke his way through his body and mind. He had been scared to death as he had heard the noise of pain and now this fool was going on like nothing had happened. Even though he was bleeding. All his pent-up emotions gathered together and formed a volcano of rage.

"Me, jeep!" He pressed out to let the 1st Lt. know and vanished out of the house, not caring that this, of course, was Tony's duty, not caring about the danger he himself could be in walking along the street, not caring about the fact that he would have done the same and had no right to be this furious. Not caring about anything.

*/*

The pain in his arm let him struggle less than the look on Gibbs face. It was plain fear as he had hurried towards him, but Tony couldn't react to it. He had been in the middle of the op and his boy's could be in danger, injured or dead.

He tried to focus on the voices on the intercom as he asked the different units for a status report. He was still clearing the rooms with Rodriguez, while he listened.

The pain in his shoulder was bearable, the worry about Gibbs wasn't. He shouldn't have let him go but his men were still in battle and he would never leave them behind.

It took another 20 minutes to clear the house completely. He ordered his boys back to the cars and contacted command center to make sure the mess they had made would be taken care of.

He left last, making sure all of his soldiers were out of the house.

As he arrived at the jeeps, the Marines lined up as best as they could and he inspected them and the injuries, as he always did.

Thank god, no one of them died and the wounds weren't that bad, mostly. The worst ones already being treated by the medic.

"Good boys, saddle!" And the soldiers climbed into the SUV's.

Tony found Gibbs glancing briefly at him before the older stared out of the side window. He got into the car and growled, "If you ever do that again-"

"Shut up, Troops!" Gibbs interrupted him with a dangerous voice. Tony lost his train of thoughts over the word 'Troops'. The older had never used his nickname and he hadn't expected him to do, ever. He remained silent but the anger about Gibbs behavior slowly rose under his skin.

*/*

Gibbs stormed out of the SUV, his blood still boiling. He was so enraged. This fucking idiot could go to hell. Could go die, could get lost forever. He knew he didn't mean it but he just wasn't able to stand it anymore.

Deep down he knew, he just couldn't cope with the fear of losing Tony or the other emotions the younger caused within him.

He yelled at Jackson to pack. Not going to stay longer than necessary.

"What is your problem, boss?!" Tony was approaching him holding his arm and ignoring Richards' order to go to the hospital.

"You!" Growling, he stared at the red stains on the brownish uniform.

"Oh, well, I just saved your life! You're welcome. By the way!" Tony's face went hard.

"I didn't ask you to do so." He stared into the green eyes, feeling the anger radiating from the younger and giving it back.

"I alway have your six." Gibbs just snorted about this. "I don't get it! I took every thing you dished out. And, yes, I deserved it. I took the blow, I took your anger, I took your attitude. I tried my best to make it up to you. But all you do is stubbornly adhere to your anger. Fuck you, boss! Just fuck you!"

"You're damn right, you deserve all of it." He was shaking with anger now.

"Yeah, I left the NCIS. It has been two years on the 16th of february. It is time to get over it!" Tony turned and walked into his quarter. Not letting him of the hook so easily, he followed him in.

"You left without a word, just the stupid resignation letter on my desk. Two years and no hint of you. One day sitting on my couch, next day gone for good."

"My decision! I wanted to leave this all behind and you shouldn't get the opportunity to make me stay." Tony turned to angrily stare at him.

"I see how you have gotten over this. How you have left the NCIS behind, you even know the fucking date you left. You're still calling me boss, working, thinking like I teached you." Gibbs saw Tony's blood rushing down to his fingers. Fear mixed into his anger. "Fuck, you became a Marine. Tell me, do you have a death wish? Was our work not dangerous enough for you? Or did it remind you of me? Making you feel close to me? Is Richards a good surrogate for me?" He knew his last sentences were born out of jealousy but couldn't hold them back, anyway.

"What is your fucking problem. You hop on the next plane and never see me again." Tony's voice was shaking as he fumbled with gauze. He had turned his back to him and dressed his own wound.

"Why did you leave me, DiNozzo?" Gibbs roared turning him back again.

"BECAUSE I COULDN'T STAND IT ANY MORE!" Tony shouted back in resignation, as he forcefully smacked some tape on his arm to hold the messy dress in place. "I couldn't stand to see you every day and not be allowed to touch you. I couldn't stand to see you flirting with Cait or all the other women. I didn't want to see you jumping in the stupid convertibles, anymore. I couldn't stay." Tony's voice was low now and he had sat down on the edge of a desk, letting his head fall down. Absolutely avoiding his eyes.

Gibbs racing mind stuttered to a halt. He stared blankly at the younger in front of him.

Did Tony just… All his anger vanished into nothingness, replaced by plain disbelief and helplessness. He had had no idea he was the reason the younger had left. And even it was the truth, was Tony still into him?

What was he supposed to do now? What should he do? What did he want to do? What?

Slowly, with fumbling fingers he reached out to undress the wound. Tony had just placed the bandage over his uniform. Gibbs could still see blood seeping out of the graze in the younger's arm. He pulled the vest over Tony's head and opened the buttons of the other's uniform to get rid of it for a closer look to the injury. Tony didn't move, just breathed faster. He was still avoiding his eyes. As Gibbs saw the rather deep graze, he felt a mix of concern and care.

Snatching a sterile dress from a box next to Tony he dressed it neatly, this time.

Letting his finger linger on the skin right under the bandage he said slowly and low, " You should really go to the hospital. It might need stitches."

Tony's head snapped up and Gibbs saw disbelieve in his eyes. "This is all?" Gibbs eyed him, waiting for more. "All you have to say now is 'go to the hospital'?" The younger got up and walked passed him. "Fine, Gibbs. I'll go. I hope you have a safe journey home." His voice was sad but calm.

The older cursed himself. Now or never. Move!

Gibbs reached out and grabbed the younger's hand stopping him from walking away. He saw him tense. The older let his thumb caress the back of the hand, as Tony didn't turn. Still not able to gather a single important thought, he desperately hoped he would understand. As the still disbelieving, green eyes settled shyly on his, he felt his heart pound in his throat.

The older closed the distance and placed his other hand on the small of his back. The younger turned completely and Gibbs let his hand rest on Tony's waist. He slowly caressed up his good arm to his neck. The older gazed into the green eyes, trying to make them understand what he couldn't say.

A small smile tugged on Tony's lips and Gibbs knew he did understand. He leaned in and let his lips softly touch the smiling ones in front of him. Waves of shivers ran over his back as Tony closed his arms around the older and sighed. He let his hand wander to the back of the younger's head, stroking the thumb over the curve of his ear. Tony started to nibble on his lips and suddenly the image of Tony kissing the Major popped up in his mind and he involuntarily pulled his head away.

"Richards?" His eyes darkened with jealousy and he saw a amused twinkle in the other's.

"Never was a surrogate for you." Gibbs narrowed his eyes as Tony pressed a short kiss on his mouth. "Not thinking about him, like this, even one moment."

"Just a friend?"

"Just a friend!"

In wild passion, Gibbs conquered Tony's mouth again and the younger willingly gave in to him. His tongue explored the other's mouth and danced along soft tissue.

As he felt the trained body in his arms vibrate, he saw the half naked Tony working out in the morning light in his mind's eye and this time he allowed himself to be affected. His cock grew quickly by the pictures combined with the real feeling. He couldn't resist to let his fingers slide up his waist and then over his still shirt-covered abs and moaned into the kiss.

Tony pulled him closer and he could feel the arousal of the other press against his groin. The younger slipped his hand between them and cupped his hard member, rubbing it through his pants. Gibbs groaned deeply at the feeling. He backed away to breath and Tony looked dreamily into his eyes. He moved his hand to the younger's bulge as he sucked on the soft skin of his neck.

"God, mark me Gibbs, please." Tony moaned, pressing his erection into his palm and Gibbs obeyed with pleasure. Sucking way harder, he opened the other's trousers and, without wasting any time, freed his cock. He stroked the hard length slowly, loving the groans he coaxed from Tony.

Finally, the younger released his shaft too and brought both twitching cocks together. Moving Gibbs' hand away and replacing it with his own, stroking both. The slick tip of the other's length sliding along Gibbs hard flesh, made him moan loudly. Just then he noticed he was still sucking on Tony's neck. He soothed the already black mark with his tongue.

The rhythmically moving hand, combined with the soft skin of the other cock quickly brought him close. Their foreheads were resting against each other as they were panting hart.

"Not gonna… soon!" Was all he could bring out but he was sure the younger understood.

Tony increased the pace as he kissed him. The need coiled in his groin and as the younger's tongue danced over his, he went over the edge. The waves of pleasure ran through him and his brain got foggy. The strokes on his sensible length let him ride higher and higher into the clouds of ecstasy and he totally lost it.

Twitching and shaking, he slowly came down just in time to feel Tony falling apart in his arms. Catching their breaths, Tony kissed him softly before he let his forehead rest against his again.

The moment lasted way too short for his liking as Tony moved to clean the mess they made. With a sigh Gibbs joined, helping him.

"I know. But here you are never alone for long." Tony smiled apologetically and he nodded remembering his time at the corps.

As they had done the last bits, Gibbs pulled Tony close again examining his mark.

"Fuck. I think I got carried away a bit." He placed a kiss on the bruise. "This will stay for longer."

"Good!" Gibbs looked at the younger and his heart broke. The sadness in his eyes was so intense, it nearly choked him. He pulled him even closer and lovingly kissed him for long minutes until they heard a knock on the door.

"Troops? Are you alright?" Richards' voice wavered through the metal door. Gibbs sighed in annoyance, still holding a huge dislike for the man even though he hadn't touched Tony.

The younger placed a swift kiss on him then grabbed a bandana from a shelf near by and wrapped it around his neck before he stepped through the door.

*/*

Tony was still a bit dizzy after that encounter. If he had just known this was be a possibility.

"Everything okay?" Ben repeated his earlier question. Tony just nodded.

"What did Trapper say?" The Major asked nodding to his arm. The 1st Lt. smirked about the nickname he had given the doctor because he looked exactly like Elliott Gould in MASH.

"Didn't talk to him." Only now he noticed the pain in his arm, the adrenalin and endorphins had let him completely forget about it.

"Didn't I order you to go to Trapper?" Ben was so furious, he could tell. But apparently the other thing had been more important and surely had a bigger effect on his health. He smirked again about this thought.

"You think this is funny, First Lieutenant?"

"Sir, no Sir!" He came to attention automatically and winced as he saluted and the pain stabbed through him. "Okay I'll go now but, Ben, may I bring the NCIS guys to the plane?"

Richards was scrutinizing him but then nodded. "Next flight in two hours."

"Thanks. I'm off to the MASH." Tony winked and made his way through the camp, hearing Richards muttering something about 'pain in the ass'.

Trapper was leaning at the front desk, flirting with a nurse and smiling at him as he entered the building. Tony was still grinning like a child on christmas.

"Troops! Soon you have to pay the corps by the cost of your treatment." Trap joked.

"Not my fault! There was a young girl trying to hit on me." He smiled.

"I know. The rest of you were here already. Nothing serious though. But some of them will have some spare time ahead. Why are you so late?"

"Didn't want to come. Is not pretty serious either. Richards made me." Tony rubbed the back of his neck.

"Did someone hit you there?" Trapper touched his mark. Fuck. He pulled his bandana tight again.

"Uhm… no just bumped into my shelf." Tony couldn't suppress a smile as the doctor started to laugh. "The last time I heard that excuse my teen sister tried to reason her love bite. So who is it, Troops?"

"Oh, shut up and just take care of my arm, Trap!" He shoot back, giggling.

"Well then. Let's have a look." The two entered the examination room and Trapper eyed the bandage after Tony sat down. "Good work. You didn't do it on yourself, did you?"

"No an old friend of mine did it." Tony flinched as the gauze came of.

"A nurse?" The doctor asked and the 1st Lieutenant knew it was not only the question after the one who dressed his graze.

"No but he gets shot so often, he does this on a regular basis." He grinned again.

"Mhh… it needs stitches." As Trapper saw him making a face, he added, "Just a few, don't worry brave soldier."

"But no sedation or painkillers. You know..."

"Yeah, yeah…"

Tony concentrated on the pictures in his mind as Trap started to tread him. Gibbs looking hopefully at him. Gibbs kissing him, Gibbs touching him, Gibbs taking him in his arms, Gibbs jealous, Gibbs… He was thinking about the past with him and the team. If he had known. But he was doing good here. He saved more than one life and he was a Marine, now. Once Marine, always Marine. Gibbs would understand. Especially Gibbs. Semper fi. There was no way.

"Done!" The 1st Lieutenant twitched in surprise.

"That's it? Uhm… Thanks." He really had lost himself in his dream world.

"Man, tell her to not bite you again." Trap laughed again as he examined the mark closely.

"Won't happen again, I swear." Sadness colored his voice slightly and shadowed his mind full force. He gazed at his watch. "God. I gotta go, Trap! Thanks!" He jumped up and rushed back to the shack for visitors.

In front of the barrack was already a SUV and a waiting Corporal.

"I'll bring our guest back to the air base, Corporal. Dismissed."

"Sir, yes, Sir!" The Corporal disappeared.

Tony leaned against the jeep letting his thoughts wander again. Jumping from one thought to another but none clear enough to grab it. He felt happy and sad. Excited and calm. He loved the encounter and regretted it at the same time. He was going to miss Gibbs badly but on the other hand he had missed him anyway. Every single black strong coffee, sniper and Gunny had reminded him. Even Ben sometimes.

"Tony?" Gibbs voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Ready to go?" He asked slightly bitter as he saw the two men, packed with bags.

"You alright?" He could see concern on the older's face.

"Yeah, just a little spaced out." He tried to convince Gibbs with his usual fake smile. With no luck. "Sure?"

"Yeah, all fine." Tony looked at Johnson's bewildered face directed towards his boss and knew he hadn't seen the caring Gibbs at all. If he really was this hurt that Tony had left him, he must have been the grinch. Maybe the young agent was in for a surprise, now.

He watched Dan packing the jeep. Gibbs very close next to Tony, letting their hands touch discreetly. Secretly, he cursed the fact that he couldn't say goodbye to him like he wanted, Tony got into the SUV as Dan was ready. Waiting until everyone was settled, his gut protested. He drove off the base and through the desert. He thought about taking Gibbs' hands but didn't dare because of Johnson in the back.

The drive was silent most of the time until Dan suddenly spoke, "They miss you, DiNozzo."

Tony turned to look briefly at him. "Who?"

"The team at home." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he spoke. Tony was perplex.

"Do you mean at the Yard?"

"Yeah, I shall tell you they miss you… even though Abby made clear she is also angry." The 1st Lieutenant laughed sadly. "So they know I'm here?"

"They do now." Tony wasn't sure why Dan was so uncomfortable.

"Tell them I miss them badly... always have...always will… and I'm sorry!" He glanced at Gibbs, trying to tell him the same. He saw the blue shortly flicker at him and then back to the street. "One day they might understand. One day I'm might be able to explain." He couldn't force the blues out of his voice or mind.

Gibbs took his hand and squeezed it shortly, saying, "They will. I do.". Then he let go to resume looking out of the side window.

Johnson looked puzzled at him again. Seemingly trying to process something and Tony let him.

His gut still protested as they arrived at the air base. The plane was supposed to leave in 20 and the staff was running around busy.

Gibbs and Johnson gathered their bags and stuff and walked towards the plane. He watched them disappear into it, smashed by the huge lack of goodbye.

He started to fumble at the thing in his pocket. It always soothed him. He sighed, looking over one last time. He turned away just about to climb back into the SUV as Gibbs called after him. His heart jumped and he walked over to him.

"Semper fi, old friend." He smiled bitter as he shook the older's hand, slipping his challenge coin in it. The coin was given to him by his Commander after his first mission as his SIC and became his steady companion. It soothed his nerves and gave him strength. And now maybe it would remind Gibbs of him.

"Semper fi, Tony." Gibbs pulled him into a hard embrace before he went into the plane, not showing any emotions. Tony's heart clenched as he saw the older walking away. No gaze back, no sign of affection other than the embrace.

"Remember me, Jethro!" The 1st Lieutenant whispered as the plane left the ground.


A/N: If you don't know what a challenge coin is, read here: wiki/Challenge_coin