Chapter 4
Gibbs was half way to Stillwater, Pennsylvania to pick up his father Jack to bring him back to D.C. for the week of Christmas. Jackson Gibbs was pretty spry for a man his age, but Gibbs didn't want him making the four-hour plus drive on snow covered roads. It was Tuesday, and he had taken the day off from work, much to the team's shock, to make the 210-mile trip leaving Tony in charge.
He pulled off on an exit after seeing a sign for a truck stop and convenience store. Not only did he need to gas the car, he needed coffee. He climbed out of the car and pulled the collar of his coat up around his neck to ward of the blast of arctic air that was blowing in from the northwest. A major snow storm had been forecast for the D.C. metro area for tomorrow evening and was expected to drop upwards of a foot of heavy wet snow on the area.
Once the gas tank was full, Gibbs headed into the store to use the restroom and grab a snack for the road. The store sold big thermal travel mugs, so he picked one of those up and filled it to the brim with fresh coffee. After paying at the counter, Gibbs took his coffee and a bag of chips he bought back to the company sedan he "borrowed" for the trip. He didn't want to take a chance on driving the Challenger in case the storm hit earlier than expected. A car with its wide tires, horsepower and torque was pretty much worthless on slick or snowy roads.
Two more hours on the road and he would be pulling up to his father's general store on Main Street, which meant he had two hours to figure out how to tell his dad about him and Tony. He knew that Jack was fond of Tony; they had hit it off immediately when Tony showed up during a case that took the team to Stillwater. In fact, for some unknown reason, Jack had given Tony a cream colored cable knit cardigan sweater, which Tony still wore when it was chilly.
Gibbs knew his father wasn't a bigot and was generally pretty open minded. He had after all named his only son after his best friend Leroy Jethro Morse, a black man he had known all his life and who was also his business partner when the store first opened. However, the subject of same-sex relationships had never come up before; it was never an issue because until Jethro met and fell for Tony he was the straightest man on earth!
Gibbs walked into the store to find Jack giving last minute instructions to a couple of hometown boys he trusted to mind the store while he was gone. Both had worked for Jack part-time after school and on weekends for a couple of years and were glad to help out whenever they could. Jackson Gibbs may not be the wealthiest man in town, but he was the most loved and respected man in Stillwater.
Less than an hour later Gibbs pulled out his phone and called Tony as he slowly pulled the sedan away from the curb. "DiNozzo, just wanted to let you know we just left Stillwater and should be back in D.C. by 1700," he said flatly, not giving anything away to his passenger.
Tony chuckled on the other end of the line. "Got it Boss! I take it you haven't told Jack yet. You don't think he'll try and jump out of a moving car do you," Tony teased, though not knowing how Jack would take the news had him on edge and nervous all day.
"No, DiNozzo, I don't," Gibbs chuckled in reply. "We're about to reach the highway. What's the latest weather report?"
Tony called up the local weather radar on his computer and after a few moments humming said, "You should be good. Light snow north and west, but you should stay ahead of it." Tony turned his chair so that he was facing the back partition of his cubicle and said softly, "Just don't drive like an idiot please? Promise?"
Unable to stop himself, Gibbs smiled and replied affectionately, "I promise, Tony. I'll call when we get close to D.C." Gibbs flipped his phone shut and tossed it in the never used ashtray in the center console. He didn't notice Jack smirking at him from the passenger seat as he pulled his travel mug from the cup holder and took a big gulp of coffee. He was setting it back in the holder when he heard Jack snickering.
Gibbs glanced over to see his father grinning at him and shaking his head and barked, "What?"
"You think you're fooling me, Leroy? You may be a federal investigator son, but I'm pretty damn good at reading people myself. You got something going on with Tony, don't you," Jack asked with a mischievous smirk. "Oh, don't bother trying to deny it, Leroy! That boy is all you talk about, and I see the looks between the two of you when you think no one's lookin'."
Gibbs had to force himself to keep his eyes on the road instead of staring and gaping at Jack. He held the steering wheel tightly with both hands as he chanced at quick glance at Jack, who was still grinning at him. "And if I was, you'd be okay with that," Gibbs asked nervously.
"Have you ever known me to be a bigot or narrow-minded? I figured something was going on about a year ago." Jack paused for a moment before asking, "Have you told anyone else about the two of you? "
Gibbs sighed and flashed his famous half smile at Jack. "Okay Dad, you're right. Tony and I have been together for a while … just over six months. The team knows and probably most of the people at NCIS, and so far everyone from the Director on down has been supportive. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to do it over the phone."
Jack slapped his knee and declared, "Well damn, I'm happy for you, son! You've been alone too damn long!"
"Thanks, Dad," was all Jethro could get past the lump in his throat.
"I know it's none of my business, Leroy, but have you always liked men," Jackson asked with a hint of a blush blooming on his cheeks.
Jethro chuckled and shook his head. "Nope, Tony's the one and only. The idea of being with a man never crossed my mind until he breezed into my life."
"What about all the women Tony brags about," Jack asked skeptically. "He got some men mixed up in there too?"
"Nope, just me," Gibbs declared proudly.
They spent rest of the drive to D.C. talking about cases, politics, and even the latest small town scandal rocking Stillwater. Jackson asked about the team and their plans for the holiday. He was looking forward to spending some time with the people closest to Jethro. He and Ducky had hit it off the last time he was in D.C., and Jack was looking forward to the two of them sitting by the fire with a couple of snifters of brandy and sharing new stories.
Gibbs saw the sign for the exit that would take them into D.C. and toward Alexandria, so he pulled out his phone to call Tony. He gave Jack a wicked grin and said, "Hit 1 for Tony's number. Tell him we're twenty minutes out."
Jack chuckled as he pressed the button and held the phone to his year. He laughed when Tony answered on the second ring with, "Where the hell are you? You almost home yet?"
"Now calm down, Tony. We're twenty minutes away. Just took the Alexandria turnoff," Jack stated laughing again when Tony shrieked.
"Jack! Man, that's not funny! You scared the hell out of me," Tony squeaked before regaining his composure enough to announce, "I'm starving over here. I'm ordering in. I'm thinking Chinese. That okay with you, Jack?"
Jack chuckled again and said, "That's fine Tony. Orange duck for me. I'm sure you already know what Leroy likes."
Tony swallowed hard and managed to stammer, "Uh, um, yeah. Uh, Jack, um, I'll see you guys soon."
Jack flipped the phone closed and shook his head. "He sure makes me laugh, Leroy. I like him and I'm happy to welcome him into the family."
Ten minutes later Gibbs pulled the Charger into the driveway and popped the trunk release. "You go on in and I'll bring in your bags," he said with a nod toward the front door. He waited a few moments and watched as his dad slowly climbed the few steps up to the front door. He saw that Tony looked nervous as he opened the door and stepped aside so Jack could enter. Tony left the door open for Gibbs, who stepped inside a couple of minutes later.
He couldn't contain a smile when he saw Jack hugging Tony for all he was worth, nearly squeezing the breath out of him. His smile got even bigger when he heard his dad say, "Welcome to the family, Tony … son."
Gibbs broke the spell by dropping Jack's bags on the floor by the stairs. He walked over and managed to pry Tony away from Jack and give him a brief but loving hug of his own. Jack smiled at them and turned toward the kitchen where he knew a fresh pot of coffee would be waiting.
Gibbs held Tony's face in his hands and kissed him. "You okay, babe," he asked affectionately as he searched the deep green eyes he loved so much.
"I'm great now that you're home. I take it Jack is okay, I mean, with us?" Tears suddenly started spilling from Tony's eyes and he managed to whisper, "He called me son!" Gibbs pulled him close and held him as Tony cried softly, overwhelmed by the love and acceptance he received from Jack since his own father never gave a damn about him.
Jack cleared his throat as a warning before coming back into the living room and carefully sitting down in Gibbs's recliner. He took a few sips of coffee before finally demanding in his usual no nonsense manner, "Okay, enough with the crying already. Good Lord! So when the heck is dinner getting here, anyway? Leroy wouldn't stop on the way here and I haven't eaten since breakfast. I sure hope you ordered extra Tony, because I have seen you eat!"
Tony looked at Jack's combined amused and exasperated expression and suddenly doubled over with laughter. "DiNozzo!" Gibbs barked, following up with a firm head slap, "snap out of it!"
As expected, Tony immediately stopped laughing and quickly sobered as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry, but your dad cracks me up!" Within seconds Tony and Jack both burst out with the giggles causing Jethro to roll his eyes at both of them.
"Thank God," Jethro muttered in relief when the doorbell rang signaling the arrival of the food Tony had ordered. He paid the delivery driver and gave him a generous tip before taking three bags from him and closing the door with his foot. "Christ, DiNozzo! Did you order the whole damn menu, or did you invite half the neighborhood for dinner and forget to tell me," he asked as he set the three heavy bags on the kitchen counter.
Jack sat at the table and chuckled as Tony smiled innocently at Gibbs as he pulled plates from the cupboard. "I'm still a growing boy, and my boss is a hard ass bastard so I have to keep up my strength." Tony's eyes went wide in mock fear and he quickly stepped away when he saw Gibbs's right hand start to twitch, which was a well-known warning sign that another head slap was imminent.
Tony took Jack upstairs after dinner and helped get him set up in the guest room. He was still a bit nervous about sleeping with Gibbs while Jack was staying there. Sensing that Tony was uncomfortable, Jack stepped up and grabbed Tony by his shoulders and looking him dead in the eye said, "I want you to listen to me, son. I've liked you since the day you and that little Abby showed up in my store and now I like you even more. You make Leroy happy. He's told me a lot about you, and I know he loves you very much. If you love him half as much, well then you two are truly blessed."
Tony swallowed past the lump in his throat. He took a deep breath and managed to say softly, "I've never truly loved anyone but him, Jack."
Jack chuckled and patted Tony's arms. "Well good! Now maybe you can stop being so dang nervous around me. Now go. I'm gonna turn in and give you and Leroy some quiet time. I'll see you boys in the morning. Good night, son," he finished with a wink.
Tony smiled fondly and replied, "Night Jack. I'm really glad you're here."
With a smile firmly in place, Tony left and closed the door behind him. He looked up and was startled seeing Gibbs leaning against the wall outside the door. As they headed for the stairs Gibbs said, "He's right you know. I do love you very much."
Jack was used to getting up at the crack of dawn, and today was no different. He headed downstairs to find freshly brewed coffee. He found the coffee mugs and pulled one down and poured himself a cup. Like Gibbs he took his coffee strong and black as tar. He sat the mug on the kitchen table before shuffling to the front door to retrieve the morning newspaper from the front step. "Damn weatherman," he grumbled seeing that it was already snowing heavily much earlier than forecasted.
Jack settled in drinking his coffee and reading the paper. After about an hour, and two more cups, he decided to treat the boys to a hearty breakfast. He rummaged through the refrigerator and found everything he needed. He found a skillet and emptied a package of bacon into it and set it on the burner. After a brief search he found a large bowl and broke several eggs into it. Deciding to make French toast, he added milk and cinnamon and used a fork to whip it all together. He found a bag of potatoes in the pantry and set about washing and chopping them.
Jack was whistling a Christmas tune as he worked unaware that he now had an audience. When he stopped whistling for a moment Tony began to clap. Jack turned and was greeted by Gibbs and Tony standing in the doorway grinning at him.
"Morning boys," he greeted with a chuckle and a hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Have a seat you two. I'll have breakfast on the table in a minute."
"Jack," Tony protested as he walked over to the stove, "you didn't have to do all this! Tony pulled down Jethro's favorite Marine Corp coffee mug and filled it almost to the brim. He handed it off to Jethro with a smile before preparing a cup for himself using copious amounts of hazelnut creamer, earning a headshake and chuckle from Jack. Ignoring the apparent criticism from yet another Gibbs man about his coffee preferences, he poured the last tiny remnants down the drain and started a fresh pot.
Tony pulled clean plates out of the dishwasher while Gibbs helped carry over all of the food Jack had cooked over to the table. The three men loaded up their plates and dug in with gusto. "Damn Jack, this is really good," Tony said around a mouthful of fried potatoes.
They ate in companionable silence for several minutes before Jack broke the silence. "Your weatherman is an idiot, Leroy," Jack announced between bites. "Thought this storm wasn't coming in until later tonight. It's already coming down out there."
Gibbs pulled back the curtain on one of the windows in the dining room and frowned at the sight of what looked like three inches of snow already covering everything as far as the eye could see. "Better eat up, DiNozzo. Looks like we're gonna be doing some serious shoveling."
While Jack washed up the breakfast dishes, Gibbs and Tony rummaged through the coat closet for their warmest down coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots. They made their way out to the garage, and satisfied that Tony was properly bundled up against the cold Jethro thrust a shovel into his hand. He hit the button to raise the garage door and nodded at the sizable drift that had already formed in the driveway.
"You know, a smart person would buy a damn snow blower, Jethro," Tony grumbled after several minutes of scooping up the heavy wet snow, "because this really sucks!" The answer to that comment was a well aimed snowball to the back of his head. Tony turned and glared at Gibbs who grinned innocently at him, but then laughed when he saw Jack standing at the front window watching them and shaking his head ruefully at their antics.
While Tony worked to clear the pathway leading to the front porch, Gibbs retrieved a big bag of salt from the garage and sprinkled a liberal amount onto the now snow-free driveway, sidewalks and the front steps. With the job done, at least for the time being, Gibbs and Tony stomped the snow off in the garage before coming in to find that Jack had started a fire in the fireplace. Jack was in the kitchen waiting for them and ordered the two of them to drop their wet clothes in the laundry room and then to go sit by the fire to warm up. He came out a few minutes later with a cup of coffee for Gibbs and a steaming mug of homemade hot chocolate for Tony.
"Wow, thanks Jack. You even found the little marshmallows," Tony said grinning around the rim of the mug as he blew across it to cool it off before taking a tentative sip. "Mmmm … perfect!"
Jack went back and retrieved hot chocolate for himself and sat in the recliner watching his son and Tony as they sat facing each other on the hearth. Gibbs smiled warmly at Tony and reached a hand up to run through the soft hair at his temple. Tony smiled back and took Gibbs's hand in his and entwined their fingers.
Jack watched the intimate display before clearing his throat to break the spell. "Well, here's to you two," he said with a bright smile while saluting Jethro and Tony with his mug.