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Gibbs was awake early. He looked around the room, but it was still dark. He turned on the side lamp, after getting his hand into a cobweb and grabbed his watch. He squinted his eyes and saw that it was just after 5 o'clock. He sighed and turned on his back as he looked up to the ceiling. He wasn't tired, but he was somehow reluctant to move out of his bed. It wasn't new for him to be out of bed this early, but he didn't want to. Where would he go?
His mind went to the man that was sleeping downstairs. Tony had impressed him yesterday. With several things. He knew the man was street smart, but he didn't know he had that much people skills, especially when it came to himself. Tony knew so much about him, things that he didn't even know himself, but it all made sense. Then there was the surprise at how easy it really was to talk to Tony. Really talk to him. About his past, about his girls. Things he previously rather left buried. That would hurt to talk about. It still gave him a sad feeling yesterday, but somehow he felt relieved too. Shannon and Kelly, lit up his world and made everyday better. Talking about them, had a little piece of that affect. He didn't know if that was talking about them in general or just...
Another thing that confused him though, was also Tony. The man he picked out to be his partner from Baltimore was confident, cocky, cheeky and a great agent. The man who he talked to last night and the night of the Music Café incident, was a lot, but some of that. He was unsure in front of the crowd, he was modest and even a little shy about his skills as a singer/songwriter and musician. Normally at work he didn't even think about what came out of his mouth, many head-slaps were the result to that. But yesterday he seemed to be over-thinking about everything he wanted to say or ask.
The question of that time ran again in his head was, 'Did he even know his Senior Field Agent at all?' The answer to that was, 'He was beginning to...' he thought. He hoped. And more importantly, he wanted to get to know him. He frowned for a moment at that thought, but didn't think longer on it. Sleep was pulling on him again and soon enough he was back in a light sleep.
…
The next time he woke it was two and half hours later. It was still not completely light out, but enough to let him see around the room clearly. He stretches out and then pulled of the duvets off. He walked over to the sports bag with the few clothes he had thrown in there and dressed himself into a old jeans and a white T-shirt with his Red sweater over it.
He walked down downstairs and glanced into his living room. He could barely see a tuft of hair standing up from the other side of the couch. He heard the light snoring and knew that Tony was still out like a light. He shook his head and went to the kitchen.
As mentioned before the small house looked a lot like Tony's loft. Only smaller. And the kitchen on the left, wasn't totally closed up as you could look into the living room. And the dining room was smaller as was the bathroom at the end of the right side, instead of behind the kitchen, as it is in Tony's loft.
Gibbs turned on a light in the kitchen in order to see more clearly as he moved around it. He grabbed the little can, and scooped two smoothed loads into the a clean coffee filter. Closing it he added the right amount of water in the machine and then started it. The smell alone made him close his eyes.
Gibbs shuddered as a memory hit him. Like, if he turned around, that she would stand there, leaning against the archway in nothing more than a too big of a shirt, that didn't belong to her. Her red hair tussled and wild and a sleepy smile on her face. He sighed, knowing that it will never happen again. He had seen his three ex-wives doing the same, though not in this house and it never effected him like with Shannon.
He waited for the coffee to brew and then poured a cup of the amazing brew. He made his way back to the living room and was careful not to step on Tony while he went to the couch and sat down. Coffee in both hands he looked down at the Italian man. Tony lay on his stomach right arm under his head that faced him and pillow, the other arm stretched next to his body on top of the duvet. The duvet was only halfway up his body and stopped at his hips. It must have been warm. He wasn't surprised. The house may be old, but Gibbs was smart and had the house insulated.
Gibbs took a sip as he took in Tony. The man laid there not so peaceful. His face holding some worry lines in a frown and not a mask of pure happiness like he did when he was awake. Gibbs saw him sleep several times, but never really looked at Tony like he was doing now. Tony was showed showed himself completely. Gibbs wondered if Tony was dreaming. His thought were confirmed as the frown deepened on Tony's face for a moment and he made a quiet voice in the back of his throat, then mumbled something that Gibbs couldn't understand. Yes, Tony was dreaming.
Gibbs leaned forward and reached out to ran a hand through Tony's upright hair and then down the mans face. Tony sighed deeply and for a moment it looked like he leaned into the touch. Startled by the action and his own, Gibbs pulled back. The frown was less, but not gone completely and Gibbs felt like he had helped somehow.
He tried to shake off the feeling and took another sip of his coffee. He didn't know why he did it. He always did it when Kelly had a nightmare and it seemed to work with her. And it seemed to have worked with Tony a little too. Still he had startled himself by doing it without even thinking about it.
He only touched Tony with head-slaps or when the situation asked for it. But never like this. He couldn't find another word for how it felt like right now. Refusing the word that was in the front of his mind. It was just too weird to call it that.
Gibbs was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice the breathing of the other man changing.
Tony came to his senses with the feeling that someone was staring at him. He slowly opened his eyes to see a pair of legs right in front of him. He frowned for a moment, trying to remember where he was, before it hit him. He slowly looked up and saw Gibbs staring at him, but looking better, it more looked like Gibbs was staring through him. Away in his thoughts.
Tony just stared right back and waited for the Marine to acknowledge him. But it seemed to take to long. ''Gibbs'' He spoke up, his voice was filled with sleep. He saw the man blink and he seemed to come back to the present.
''Hey'' Gibbs greeted.
''You okay?'' Tony asked. He cleared his throat.
''Fine''
''Then why did you look at me like that?''
Gibbs frowned. ''Like what?'' He asked, honestly a little confused.
''Like you were examining me'' Tony stated, sitting up, running a hand over his tired face and clearing his throat.
''I was?'' Tony nodded. ''Oh. I didn't realize that'' Gibbs said honestly. ''You okay?'' He asked after a couple of seconds of silence.
''Why shouldn't I be?'' Tony frowned now too.
''It's just...'' Gibbs trailed off, shook his head and stood up. ''Never mind. You want coffee?'' He changed the subject.
Tony looked at the retreading back. ''Okay. Weird?'' He thought. ''Sure'' He stood up and made up his make shift bed, before going to the kitchen also. As he walked in he was handed a cup. ''What time did you want to go to your father?''
Gibbs tilted his head in thought. ''Around 10''
''Won't it be busy in the store at that time? It's one of the two convenience store in the whole town'' Tony pointed out, taking sip and wasn't surprised that it was just the way he liked it.
Gibbs shook his head. ''No. Back in D.C. I would say yes, but here. I would say between 8 and 9:30 is the busiest of the morning. Around ten everyone will be at work, at home getting visitors or visiting someone. It's kind of a standard thing in a small town like this''
Tony was ''Makes sense''
''Uhu, so we won't be interrupted as many times'' Gibbs added. ''Go take a shower when you're finished with that. I make sure that breakfast is finished when you come back''
Tony nodded and drank his coffee, turned to go to the bathroom, but turned back around. ''Uhm...''
''What is it?'' Gibbs asked
''I kind of forgot to bring any clothes and the clothes that I wore yesterday are the one I changed into before I drove up here. I really hadn't expected to stay for a couple of days''
''You asking if you can borrow can borrow some of mine'' Gibbs stated. ''You sure you can handle that? They aren't worth more that 50 dollars and they are not from a famous brand that cost more just because of the name''
Tony smirked. ''I don't always wear something expensive'' He looked down at the OSU T-shirt and nameless sweatpants. ''Do you really think this is from a famous brand? Besides, it's not like I know anyone here. I can wear clothes from sears''
Gibbs glared at him, but hid his amusement and resisted a chuckle. He knew that Tony was just joking and not criticizing. ''Right. My bag in upstairs. Go find something yourself'' He waved him off and turned to the stove to start making breakfast.
''Thanks, Jethro'' Tony said and disappeared out of the kitchen the other way, to go upstairs. He missed a smile that tugged at the corners of Gibbs' lips.
…
When Tony came out of the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed in Gibbs' clothes. It wasn't as bad as he thought. He wore blue jeans, that was newer than he expected and fitted him great and a plain dark green T-shirt, that was showed his body more then he though it would do.
''Hey, Jethro. We have the same size!'' He said cheerfully with a big grin on his face. The more he used the name, the easier it got. Gibbs turned around and looked at him, spatula in hand. ''Maybe you can borrow something of mine some''
''And why would I want to do that?'' Gibbs asked. ''I don't need too expensive clothes to look good'' He said almost cockily.
Tony laughed at that, but then glared. ''Are you saying I don't look good without expensive clothes?'' He mocked offended. Gibbs just smirked and turned around to turn of the old stove. ''Hey!'' Tony exclaimed.
''Grab some plates'' Gibbs ordered, waving in the direction of a cupboard, dismissing Tony's protests.
Tony huffed and went over to the cupboard. He grabbed two plates and walked over to stand next to Gibbs. He looked in the pan and saw it were pancakes with bacon. He had forgotten that they picked up stuff like his yesterday.
Gibbs put the food onto the plates and placed the pan back on the stove. He picked up his plates, grabbed a fork out of one of the drawers and went to sit at the old dining table.
Tony followed his actions and sat down across from him.
''Are you nervous'' Tony asked suddenly after a couple of comfortable silence.
''Why should I?'' Gibbs asked passively.
''Oh, I don't know. Because you're going to talk to your dad who you haven't seen in years. When was the last time anyway?''
''Shannon and Kelly's funeral'' Gibbs said quickly ''And no I'm not nervous'' He paused. ''A little apprehensive, maybe''
''Which means completely the same'' Tony chuckled. Gibbs glared at him. ''It's nothing to be ashamed about you know''
''Who says I'm ashamed of it?''
''You did. Why would you deny it otherwise?''
Gibbs hated it when Tony was right. ''You don't know my father. Though, when you see him and me talking for a while you'll understand why I left''
Tony thought about that and decided to pay good attention. ''You're not the only one who has no contact with their father''
''Not surprised there, Tony. The way you always talk about him'' Gibbs pointed out.
''I don't talk about him much''
''True, but what you say isn't that cheerful'' Gibbs said. ''So, what happened there?''
''He didn't accept that he didn't got the son he wanted and expected to have'' Tony simply said, without looking at the other man and Gibbs found the tone clearly in his voice, saying, 'I don't want to talk about it'. So he dropped it, but kept the statement in his mind.
They ate the rest of their breakfast without saying anything, but it was in a comfortable silence.
…
Jackson Gibbs was a cheerful man. Though, since two days the cheerfulness was a little gone. The younger man that had come and stayed the night, had brought back the memories and the feelings coming with it. The man that seemed to be a good friend for his son.
He hadn't seen them since as he followed the advice, that sounded more then a plea, to not go to the house and talk to Leroy yet. He looked at the clock when another costumer left the store in a hurry. Almost ten. He sighed, grabbed a broom and started to sweep the floor, because the costumers had left dirt from outside. He did it twice a day. Once now and once at the end of the workday. After he closed his store, at five O'clock.
He was just beginning at the back of the store when he heard the bell above the door letting out his chime. ''I'll be right with you!'' He called out, without looking up.
Gibbs who had just walked in, with Tony on his tail. Resisted the urge the call back. 'Take your time. I'm not in a hurry' Because really he wasn't. He was dreading this conversation, but there was no backing out now. He looked to his side, to glare at Tony, when he knew the Italian man was grinning almost in glee. He rolled his eyes and began to walk around the store, no longer able to stand still, but avoiding his fathers eyesight.
Tony stood leaning against the pay desk instead. And as he lost Gibbs out of his sight. He saw Mr. Gibbs coming to him with the broom in hand.
''Ah! You're back! Tony was it?'' Jackson greeted him light hearted. He reached out and shook Tony's hand.
Tony grinned. ''Yes, it is. Good to see you again, Mr. Gibbs''
''What have I told you? Call me Jack or Jackson if you want to be formal. But no Mr. Gibbs''
''Right'' Tony glanced over Jackson's shoulder to see Gibbs looked at them both with a expression he couldn't read.
''So I take it that you have went to see my son, but haven't told him we met each other?'' Jackson asked, leaning on the broomstick.
''I have met up with him and I have told him I met you. He wasn't to pleased, though I'm still alive so it's better then I expected'' Tony joked.
''I would say so'' Jackson laughed.
Tony glanced up again, seeing Gibbs now slowly walked to them. ''In fact. Jethro is right here'' He said pointing over the old man's shoulder.
Jackson turned around, slowly and just waited for his son to be near him. The boy... yes boy. Leroy was his boy, that would never change. The boy was just as big as he remembered, but he was matured. He was gray. But he could blame him. It ran in his family, to gray early. His buzz cut was gone and his hair was slightly longer, and remembered something similar at the girls funeral. Though, Gibbs was a marine. He looked hardened even more. Almost cold. But he could look through it.
Gibbs stood near the smaller man. He had forgotten how he was taller then his own father. Not much, but still. ''Leroy'' Jackson said quietly.
''Jack'' Gibbs said without any emotion. Without even knowing what happened his father was hugging him. Holding his too big body in a hold that meant to hold a little boy, But apparently Jackson didn't care.
Tony watched the hug. Jackson was honestly happy to see his son again, but Tony wasn't sure what Gibbs' expression meant, which had changed suddenly. His arms went around his father's body loosely as he looked back at Tony, before he closed his eyes and sighed. And Tony thought it was almost an content sigh. He had to smile.
Jackson pulled back and put his hands on both cheeks of Gibbs. He turned it to the left, right, up and down. Gibbs rolled his eyes, but let it happen. ''You have gone gray''
Gibbs couldn't help but smirked. ''You've gone white'' He retorted.
''It's good to see you, son''
Gibbs shrugged. ''You too, I guess'' He said strained. It really was good to see his father, but he couldn't help but still be angry, even after all these years.
''You got yourself a good friend'' Jackson turned to Tony and smiled. Tony's surprise was obvious on his face.
''That I have'' Gibbs said honestly, with a softened voice and a hidden smile, his blue eyes looking into Tony's.
Tony's face broke out into a bright smile, he was determined to take a tension away, at least a little bit. ''I have his six''
''I was told about that term'' Jackson said. ''Something about your partner in the Marines right, having your back, while you have his or hers?''
''Uhu'' Gibbs replied.
''That's great, son. Everyone has to have someone to do that. Otherwise the enemy would just stab you in the back''
''Yeah'' Gibbs said.
''Well'' Jackson said. ''Let me close the store until after noon, we can said in the back and talk about the years we've lost'' Without waiting for a reply he went to the door and turned the plate, that was hanging in the window, around, before locking the door.
''You okay?'' Tony mouthed to Gibbs as the elder Gibbs was with behind him. Gibbs just nodded curtly.
Jackson came back and ushered the two men to the back. ''Well, come on, then. We have a lot to talk about. I want to know everything about NCIS''
''How do you know about that?'' Gibbs turned around and looked surprised.
''Tony, told me you worked there from... '91. He didn't tell much. Boy was exhausted and almost fell asleep while he was talking about what happened that day''
Gibbs glared at Tony. He hadn't known that Tony had told his father what happened. He head-slapped the Italian man.
''Going to kill me now?'' Tony asked, though a sheepish smile was on his face.
''If he does that, kid, I would personally smack him upside the head myself'' Jackson interrupted.
Tony gasped. ''You wouldn't! Nobody I know has dared to do that!''
''He has done that millions of times Tony. Believe it or not. I used to act before thinking too'' Gibbs commented.
''Used to?'' Tony murmured quietly to himself, as the stepped into the back room.
''Have a seat, sit down. I'll make us some more coffee. I take it you still drink it that disgusting way?'' Jackson asked Gibbs.
Gibbs rolled his eyes. ''Uhu''
''I can never understand why you drink it that way. It can't be good'' Jackson said, with his back to them.
''Works for him, Mr. Gibbs. I don't think he will survive a day with me without it. I would have been dead years ago without coffee'' Tony commented.
''I'm not that bad!'' Gibbs exclaimed offended.
''Sure you are. But I will have your six even with your addiction'' Tony grinned at the man.
''You are weird'' Gibbs stated, matter-of-factly.
''Yet you keep me'' Tony couldn't help the girly voice and the grin widening. He kinds like this light Gibbs who would play along with his joking. He wondered what would happen when they were back at NCIS.
''Rule Five, DiNozzo. I don't waste good. Everything else I just have to tolerate'' Gibbs told him, in a bored Tony, but he smirked.
Jackson turned back with the cups in his hands. He placed them on the table. ''There you go. Now stop mocking each other and start telling me all about your job''
Tony noticed it as soon as Gibbs started explaining, The elder Gibbs hadn't brought up the problem of their seperation once. It was like old friends catching up. Like nothing had happened. Though, he knew Jackson felt bad for what happened and really cared for his son.
But he saw what Gibbs meant. The whole time during the conversation, when Gibbs told his father about his years at NCIS, the other man would reprimand him on everything he did wrong instead on complement him on what he did right. The sad thing was, Tony knew Jackson Gibbs wasn't aware of doing so. No, Tony would know, when a man puposely insulted his son like that.
Tony would stay quiet, but out of instict, he sometimes interrupted as Jackson would say something that Tony knew wouldn't be nice. He would say how great Gibbs had been, make a joke or simply change the subject. Doing so, he missed the gratefull glances that Gibbs sent him everytime.
Yay, another chapter! how did you like it? Good? bad? Tell me! i want to know. My mind is a wreck right now, but i got it done. I'm sorry it was less, then the others...
But honestly tell me your thoughts! I love hearing from my readers!
Update soon! -x- Leonie
