Title: You Notice Everything Chapter 7

Slash/Mature: Don't like, don't read.

Summary: At the Reception for Delilah and Tim, a surprise guest shows up. Like always, Gibbs notices everything.

Includes some spoilers for Episode 23 "Something Blue."

All mistakes are mine, this has not been proofed.

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When the elevator dinged, the three people in the bullpen looked up. McGee was the first to react standing up when the two of them walked off the elevator. "I didn't know you two were stopping by today?"

"We thought it would be a nice surprise." Tony smiled as he and Tali walked into the bullpen.

"Hi Tali." McGee smiled as he stepped out from behind the desk and squatted down. Without hesitation the little girl let go of Tony's hand and ran over and hugged McGee.

Tony watched as the smile on McGee's face widened as he hugged the little girl.

"I saw allegators and frogs and snakes." Tali started to babble on about the zoo. "I want a snake."

McGee's eyebrow went up and he glanced up at Tony.

"We went to the zoo yesterday." Tony explained.

"Ah." McGee chuckled. "Sounds like you had fun."

Tali nodded. "And stingrays and starfish."

"Wow that sounds awesome."

She nodded again.

Bishop had made her way over and Tali looked up at her.

"Tali this is Ellie." McGee introduced the woman.

"Hi." Tali said staying close to McGee.

"She's friends with me and Aunt Abby."

Tali smiled. "Aunt Abby."

McGee snickered. "Just like Gibbs, Abby's your favorite."

"Would you like to see Aunt Abby?" Bishop asked.

Tali nodded excitedly.

"Is that okay?" Bishop asked smiling at Tony.

"That would be great if you would take her." Tony smiled then looked down at Tali. "Ellie will take you to see aunt Abby. Sound good."

Tali nodded.

"Maybe we can all get a drink one night." Bishop suggested. "Get to know you better. Although feels like I know you already with all the stories we've heard."

"Not sure if that's a good or bad thing." Tony chuckled.

"Good, I swear." Bishop extended her hand to the little girl. "Should we go surprise aunt Abby?"

"Yes!" Tali looked to her dad.

"You go with Ellie and see Aunt Abby." Tony reassured the little girl.

Tali took Bishop's hand and the two of them headed off towards the back elevator.

Tony watched until they disappeared from view.

"Bishop's great, you'll like her."

"I'm sure I will."

"And don't worry about Tali."

Tony shook his head. "If this team trusts Bishop, I trust her." He glanced around. "Gibbs in MTAC?"

McGee shook his head. "No, he took the day off." He saw Tony's head go back in shock. "I know, but he does that now and then."

"Wow."

"He's changed." McGee held up his hands. "He's still a functioning mute as you liked to say, but he'd definitely changed subtlety."

"Yeah, I'm getting that." Tony sighed.

"You two disappeared the other day."

"Sorry about that." Tony shook his head. "I was just jet lagged."

"I understand and I think Bishop's right, we should try to get everyone to go out for a drink."

"Sure." Tony nodded. His eyebrow went up. "So do you know why Gibbs took the day off?"

McGee shook his head. "No. He's still not Mr. Share when it comes to his personal life."

"I'm sure he's not." Tony snickered. He patted McGee's shoulder. "I'm really happy for you and Delilah."

"Thanks Tony."

"You're gonna be a great dad."

"It was scary as well when I first heard, but now…it's even scarier."

Tony laughed. "Believe me, I'm scared every day worrying about Tali, but when she smiles at me, hugs me, kisses my cheek, it makes all the worry worth it."

"You've done amazing with her."

Tony nodded. "I try."

"You have plenty of babysitters while you're here. Delilah and I would love to babysit." McGee grinned. "And Abby well..."

"I know." Tony glanced over at Gibbs empty desk. "I'm going to say hi to a few people then take Tali for some lunch."

"But we will plan for everyone getting together one night, right?"

"We will." Tony let out a sigh. "I've missed you Tim."

McGee was surprised and moved by Tony's genuine show of emotion. "I've missed you too Tony, Facetime isn't the same as being here."

"It definitely isn't."

The somber tone in Tony's voice made McGee's brow furrow. "You okay?"

"Fine." Tony put on his best smile. "Tired that's all. Just wait you'll find out when your little one gets here."

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Pulling up behind the truck parked in front of the house, Tony turned off the car and looked at the truck puzzled. Gibbs never parked the truck on the road out front it was always in the driveway. Climbing out of the car, he closed the door and started up the sidewalk to the front steps, that's when he heard the clanking of metal on metal coming from towards the back of the house. He turned and headed towards the driveway as soon as he made the turn he saw the car up on ramps just outside the open garage door. The car hood was up and someone was at the side leaning in towards the engine. It definitely wasn't Gibbs, to tall and thin to be Gibbs.

"Think that did it."

Tony could hear the muffled voice coming from under the car then a sliding of wheels on concrete. A second later Gibbs popped up from under the car.

Gibbs pushed the dolly from under the car and stood up; he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and looked down the driveway.

Seeing Gibbs' attention had been pulled elsewhere, the young man standing next to the car glanced down the driveway. "Someone you know?"

"Yeah."

The young man's eyebrow went up. "Please tell me that's not Tony?"

Gibbs glanced over at the young man. "It is."

The young man started to chuckled. "Figured if you switched teams it would be someone a little more outdoorsy."

Gibbs rolled his eyes as he picked up a rag, wiped his hands and stepped around to the side of the car. "Didn't expect to see you today."

"I stopped at NCIS to see everyone they told me you took the day off." Tony glanced over at the young man then back at Gibbs. "I was surprised. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

The young man cleared his throat.

Gibbs shook his head. "Tony this is Ryan."

Tony stepped forward and extended a hand. The man was young; probably twenties, slim, but toned. He was easily six foot and his brown hair was cropped short, almost military style and his eyes were deep haunting blue.

"Nice to meet you Tony." Ryan wiped his hands on his jeans trying to clean away some of the grease. "I won't be offended if you'd prefer to avoid the grease." Ryan smiled as he put his hand out.

"It's fine." Tony shook Ryan's hand. "If I had known this was shop day I'd have dressed for it."

Ryan chuckled as he took in the obvious expensive suit Tony was wearing.

"I'm helping Ryan finish up his project car."

"The car?" Tony asked taking a closer look at the car. "Barracuda." He took a step towards the car. "71?"

"You know you're cars." Ryan looked impressed.

"Know them yes, able to fix them no." Tony chuckled. "I use to have a 1966 Ford Mustang."

"Nice car."

"It was." Tony looked at Gibbs then back at Ryan. "Well I should let you two get back at it."

"You should stay." Ryan quickly chirped. "We're almost done."

"Ummmm." Tony drew the word out as he waited to see if Gibbs would offer.

"Stay." Gibbs steely blue eyes locked on green. "There's coffee inside."

"Another thirty minutes, we should be done." Ryan smiled. "Then he's all yours."

Gibbs glared over his shoulder at the younger man then turned back to Tony. "Grab some coffee."

"Thanks I will." Tony made his way to the back door.

Gibbs waited till the back door closed then he walked back over to the car. As he passed Ryan he gave the young man a quick head slap. "Smart ass."

Ryan grinned. "Come on, he wanted to stay, you wanted to offer, I just gave you a push."

Rolling his eyes, Gibbs picked up a rag, then a wrench and wiped the grease off the tool.

"You deserve some happiness." Ryan tried not to smirk. "And getting laid couldn't hurt."

Gibbs gave the young man a glare.

"I'm just saying." Ryan shrugged. "You've given me advice, now I'm giving you some."

Gibbs rolled his eyes.

"I might be young but I've had more relationships with guys than you have." Ryan shot him a look.

Gibbs paused in his action a moment then nodded. "I'll give you that."

"He's obviously into you and I think he's a little jealous." Ryan grinned.

"Yeah, he is."

"He doesn't realize how-"

"He doesn't."

Ryan laughed. "You gonna tell him when I leave?"

Gibbs nodded.

"I'd love to see that reaction." Ryan leaned over and tightened a bolt. "You two will have to come for dinner, mom would love it."

Gibbs chuckled. "Don't think we're quite ready for dinners with friends yet."

Ryan paused and stood up. "Is he not sure?"

"He's cautious, a little afraid."

"Really?" Ryan stared at Gibbs a moment then shook his head. "You two haven't really talked have you?"

Gibbs shook his head. "He's afraid to talk, afraid to hear the whole truth."

"Because he knows what you want."

"Yeah."

"And he's not sure?"

"He knows he wants me, but he's not sure how that want translates into a relationship." Gibbs sighed. "Plus he's worried about Tali, leaving Paris, building a new life. He's trying to figure out what's best for her but that also lets him be happy." Gibbs smiled. "Kids make you realize there's something more important than yourself."

"I get that but you can't live your life just making your kid happy."

"It's all about finding the balance." Gibbs paused. "But Tony had a difficult childhood and he doesn't want Tali to ever feel the way he did growing up."

"Mom says you always want your kids to have it better than you did."

"You do."

""Well sounds like you two have a lot to talk about."

"Yeah. We do." Gibbs tossed the wrench into the toolbox. "When he's ready."

"Maybe that's why he's here, because he's ready."

Gibbs shook his head. "He really was concerned that I wasn't working."

"Oh come on it's not just that." Ryan gave Gibbs an ornery grin.

"It's not just that."

"I get it."

"Get what?" Gibbs brow furrowed.

"Come on." Ryan chuckled and shook his head. "Again young, not stupid."

Gibbs looked at Ryan.

"The sexual tension between you two is obvious." Ryan chuckled as he walked around the front of the car. "Even I can see that." He closed the hood of the car. "And Tony being jealous of me, just because I'm here spending time with you says a lot." He chuckled. "I always thought you would be the jealous one." Ryan leaned towards Gibbs. "You do realize he's been watching us from the kitchen window since he went inside?"

Gibbs nodded.

"Well hope you two talk and realize you both want the same thing." Ryan smiled at Gibbs. "I know you've loved him a long time."

"Yes I have." Gibbs sighed.

"The cars almost done, we'll work on it next week if you're free." Ryan stuck out his hand.

Gibbs took the extended hand then pulled Ryan to him giving the young man a hug. "Your dad would be so proud of the man you've become."

Ryan hugged Gibbs back. "Thanks." There was somberness in the young man's voice.

Stepping back, Gibbs nodded.

Climbing into the car, Ryan revived the engine. With a quick wave, he back out of the drive and disappeared down the road.

Heading towards the house, Gibbs opened the back door and stepped in. Tony was standing by the coffee pot refilling his cup.

"Want a cup?" Tony asked. Receiving a nod he pulled down a cup and filled it for Gibbs.

Taking the cup, Gibbs leaned back against the counter by the sink and took a sip. "There's no reason to be jealous of Ryan."

Tony's brow furrowed then he laughed. "Jealous? What makes you think I'm jealous?"

Gibbs shrugged. "Maybe you watching us out the kitchen window for fifteen minutes had something to do with it." He watched as Tony's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

Blowing out a breath Tony shook his head. "Stupid I know, but he kinda looks at you how I did when I started at NCIS."

"With admiration, adoration, like he wants to soak up all the knowledge you have."

"He looks at me like a father and he's realizing I don't have all the answers." Gibbs took another swig of coffee and sat the cup down on the counter. "Ryan's dad was a friend and he died in Iraq when Ryan was thirteen, five years ago."

Tony's eyes went wide. "He's only eighteen?"

"He'll be eighteen next month, when he graduates." Gibbs grinned. "So no reason to be jealous."

Tony groaned. "Now I feel really stupid."

Gibbs spoke with conviction. "There could be a hundred gorgeous men and women parade through here and I wouldn't notice one of them, because you're the one I want…the only one I want."

Biting at his lower lip, Tony finally just asked the question. "Have you ever been with a man?"

Gibbs folded his arms across his chest. "Once a very long time ago."

"And your body language says it didn't end well." It wasn't just the arms across the chest, but it was the tension that came to Gibbs body and the tightening of his jaw.

"It didn't even start well."

"Was it just sex?" Tony already knew the answer but for some reason he wanted to hear it from Gibbs.

"Yes." Gibbs let some of the tension leave his body. "And it didn't last long."

"Do you regret it?"

Gibbs nodded. "But not because he was a man. I've had the same experience with women and I regretted it too."

Tony went quiet.

"Tony you can ask me anything." Gibbs let his arms slip from his chest. "I'll tell you the truth even if I don't think you'll like the answer."

"I could ask you a thousand questions and it wouldn't change what I already know." Tony gazed into the steely blue eyes.

"And what is it you think you already know." Gibbs

Tony swallowed hard then said it. "I know you're in love with me."

Gibbs shook his head and chuckled. "Master of the obvious."

"Ha, ha, funny" Tony said with a snarky voice. "I know you want me to stay in DC and not go back to Paris."

"Again, seems pretty obvious if I'm in love with you I'd want you in DC and not half way across the world."

"Are you going to be a smart ass about this?" Tony snapped.

"I'm not trying to be a smart ass." Gibbs snapped back. "I'm trying to make you see the depth of what I want and you're either oblivious to it or afraid to admit it."

"I'm not as skilled at reading people as you are and reading you is even harder." Tony sat his coffee cup down and scrutinized the older man's face. The set of his jaw, the way he held his lips, the lines across his forehead and the blue eyes that always seemed to say so much. Yet Tony couldn't get a sense of anything, or maybe Gibbs was right and he was afraid to see it.

Taking a few steps towards Tony, Gibbs stopped just as he entered Tony's personal space.

Compelled by some unseen force, Tony's hand came up and his fingers touched Gibbs temple then traced a line across his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, then down his jawline as if trying to read the man's face in braille.

Gibbs' eyes closed momentarily then shot open as he took Tony's hand and pressed it palm flat against his chest. His steel blue eyes locked on Tony's and he felt the hand on his chest press down harder. When he spoke his voice was steady and spilled out with the depth of emotion he'd hidden for so long. "I am in love with you and have been for years, longer than you probably imagined. And you're right I want you in DC, but not just in DC…I want you here, with me, in my life, in this house that we make a home." He inched closer. "In my bed, our bed where we will make love until our bodies and minds are spent and we fall asleep from exhaustion only to wake up and start all over again." The hand holding Tony's gently squeezed. "I want to build a home and be a family for Tali. I want you and she to know that I will love and protect her as if was my own. I wanna grow old with you, be there for the good and bad, and watch Tali because the amazing woman I know she will be…I want us…all of you and-" Soft lips crashed against his. It was demanding filled with raw emotion expressed in a passionate kiss. The hand a Gibbs' chest crawled upward wrapping around his neck deepening the kiss. His hand now free, his arm snaked around Tony's waist drawing the man against him. He wanted it to last forever, wanted it to mark their decent into madness together where they would crumble to the floor and make love right here in the kitchen. Instead Gibbs drew back as Tony's lips chased his desperately trying to hold on, but Gibbs needed to speak needed to say those last few words. When he finally ripped their lips apart they were both gasping for breath.

"Gibbs." The name came out as a breathless prayer as Tony tried to capture Gibbs' lips again only to have the older man jerk his head away. Dilated green eyes gazed longingly into blue.

Pushing down the desire, Gibbs took a deep breath. "I can't have you for a day, a week, even a year…I want forever and what scares me about all this…I'm not sure you're ready for that and if you're not, even there's even a doubt we need to deal with that before this goes any further." Licking his suddenly dry lips, Gibbs shook his head. "I would love nothing more than to take you right here right now, but I can't make love to you then watch you walk away…I've lost a love like this before and I can't do it again."

The words, the look in Gibbs' eyes, and the depth of the emotions made Tony want to lie. He wanted to say that was everything he wanted too, that there were no doubts no hesitation, but he couldn't. He knew Gibbs could already see it on his face, read it in the micro-expressions that he had no control over and a second later the arm slipped from his waist and Gibbs took a step back. The hurt look on Gibbs' face felt like Tony had been punched in the gut and the bile rise in his throat and he thought for a moment he might vomit. He watched as Gibbs took a step back, then two more putting distance between them. Tony opened his mouth to speak then closed it again unable to come up with the right words to say.

"You should go." Gibbs ran his face down his face then took a deep breath.

"I need to explain."

"Yes, you do." Gibbs shook his head. "But not right now."

"Gibbs please." Tony's words were a plea as he tried to put a coherent thought together to explain what he was feeling, but at this point he felt it would fall on deaf ears.