Chapter Nine
Their joint shower was a quick affair, but Gibbs managed to jack them both off to quick climaxes while Tony washed their bodies. It was hardly ideal, but it'd do for now, had taken the edge off their need. And groaning his climax into the other man's shoulder had been pretty damn good for Tony.
Gibbs was furious, but he was trying not to take it out on Tony, something Tony greatly appreciated. As Gibbs shaved at the bathroom mirror with an electric razor, Tony dried off quickly and popped a couple of bagels in his four-slice toaster.
He slathered two halves of one with cream cheese and strawberry jelly before bringing it back into the bathroom where Gibbs was dressing. Naked, the man exuded power, and clothed there was an even stronger allure of command. The polo shirt and blazer over chinos look was dated, but they somehow suited the man, as did the snowy white undershirt that clung to the muscled torso the polo and blazer hid.
Gibbs' mouth quirked up in the briefest of smiles as he regarded the food. "You dress and shave; I'll call my guys from DC and get them on the case. We're not leaving the hospital until they get there." His eyes flashed blue fire and he shook his head. "Amateur time is over."
Tony started shaving, watching as Gibbs first wolfed down his bagel and then snapped his phone over. Even though the other man was all business, Tony could sense his attention was directed on him, the way he moved, the way his own electric razor ran over the contours of his face.
When Tony was done, he threw aftershave and deodorant on, dressing quickly and styling his hair with minimum effort. His look was more casual, dress shirt, tie, chinos. It had become his own uniform of sorts. As Tony returned to the kitchen and his own bagel, he heard Gibbs on the phone, even though the other man was taking pains to be quiet.
"Yeah, Chris…I know….Guy I'm working with, DiNozzo. He's my right-hand guy here. Damned good, Pacci. Too damned talented to be stuck here…I hope so. Could use a guy like him on my team… Yeah, Tony DiNozzo. If you can't reach me, you talk to him…Okay, you and Balboa on the first shift and Greely and Valeo second."
Gibbs emerged from the bedroom, clipping his cell phone to his belt. He gave Tony a look Tony couldn't quite decipher and nodded. "One car, you drive. I have four NCIS agents coming up here. They'll work eight-hour shifts." He reached beyond Tony and into the fridge, where he found a bottle of milk, retrieved a glass, and poured himself some.
"We need to stop for coffee. Helps me think."
Tony nodded, finishing up his bagel. He was shocked but pleased and even a little proud that Gibbs had talked to a coworker about him in such nice terms. After a lifetime of trying to get respect, this was an unexpected change. Gibbs had shown Tony more professional respect in the last twenty-four hours than his captain had in the entire time he'd been in Baltimore.
For the first time, Tony started to seriously consider what it would be like to leave Baltimore and work with Gibbs. He didn't know much about the man's working style, but he knew what he liked and Gibbs fascinated him personally and professionally.
Tony leaned in, snagging the milk glass and draining the last inch of so, giving Gibbs a cheeky grin. He wasn't surprised when Gibbs pulled him close for a brief kiss. He tasted of jam, bagel, milk, cream cheese, and sin. Tony could have kissed him all day. Breaking away with a sheepish grin, Tony squeezed the other man's bicep. "Let's get moving then, Special Agent Gibbs. We have a criminal to catch."
It was too early for proper rush hour and they made it to the hospital in record time, winding their way through the corridors with speed and efficiency. Tony was astounded by the way Gibbs moved soundlessly, commanding attention by his mere presence. He could learn a lot from Gibbs. Commanding attention and gaining respect had never come easily to Tony.
He gave himself a mental shake of the head, knowing he had to concentrate, had to continue proving himself as well as try to make the department look better. NCIS would be well within their rights to want Jarvis moved to Bethesda.
As they approached the corridor closest to the room, Gibbs pulled Tony aside. "Bullet points on the bozos who were supposed to be guarding her."
Tony winced. "Milton Dudge, twenty years or so on the force, likes donuts and the less work he can do, the possible. But he's a good guy. Lou Palumbo, same. Didn't think they'd abandon post, Gibbs. They're both family men and lazy but generally okay guys."
"Doesn't make 'em good cops, Tony." With a single nod and a sip of his coffee, Gibbs strode ahead and Tony lingered behind, not wanting to face his fellow cops yet, knowing his disappointment would show on his face.
Gibbs had known Tony would stay behind. The fraternal bond of law enforcement and the young man's own sense of what was right had to be clashing in his head. It was probably best that Tony stayed back, giving the illusion that they'd traveled separately. It'd be easier on him in the long run.
Standing outside the room in a cluster were three men, two heavyset detectives in their forties and DiNozo's incompetent partner—Bart Madison. Bart was a round faced little turd with pale blond hair and a rodent-like look about him. Gibbs' gut screamed from the first moment he saw the guy. The last thing he wanted to do was play nice with any of these idiots.
"Sitrep!" he barked and they all blinked at him for a moment. "Report!" Gibbs said, injecting more steel into his tone.
"Who are you?" The older guy on the right asked, thrusting his square jaw in Gibbs' direction.
"Gibbs. He's the Fed. NCIS," Bart supplied. "Milton Dudge and Lou Palumbo. They had night shift guarding the vic."
"Petty Officer Jarvis," Gibbs corrected, arching a brow. "Dudge, why don't you tell me where the hell you were while you were supposed to be here." The guy who had spoken up earlier flushed, but there was a defiant look in his eyes.
"Hadda take a bathroom break. Took a while. Lou went down to get us some coffee."
"Yeah," Lou put in. "She wasn't alone more than five minutes."
"Oh?" Gibbs arched an eyebrow.
"Maybe ten to fifteen," Milt said uncomfortably, looking away.
"Maybe?" Gibbs growled. "Maybe?" he asked, raising his voice now. "Maybe doesn't cut it, Dudge! You two left her and she got attacked again! What the hell use are you?"
"Asshole," Bart muttered.
Gibbs turned his gaze on him. "Get DiNozzo and you two interview the hospital staff. Now!"
"Fuck you and DiNozzo," Bart muttered again.
"Get the hell out of here. You're off my case." Gibbs was sick of the incompetence and pissing contest. He flipped open his phone, hitting the newest entry, the one for DiNozzo. "You here yet, DiNozzo?" Gibbs snapped, hoping the younger man knew he wasn't angry at him. "Need you here to handle some interviews. My Petty Officer was attacked again while your boys were on a bathroom break."
Tony came into view. "I'm here, Gibbs."
"Good. Get your boys lost. It's you and me and my men on this one from here on out." Gibbs was aware he was laying things on the line for the Baltimore detectives, but he didn't much care. This wasn't about their egos; it was about the case and Jarvis and trying to find the dirtbag who did this.
He snapped the phone closed, glaring at the Baltimore cops. "You're not needed here. Get going. NCIS personnel will guard her. We can do our jobs right."
"Ass kisser. You're gonna get yours, DiNozzo," Bart muttered to Tony as they stormed away. Had Gibbs sealed Tony's fate and set him against the men who were supposed to have his back? The sooner he convinced Tony to leave Baltimore, the better. It could be a case of life or death.
