A/N: Okay, I swear I did not intend on turning Stan into a complete psycho-stalker! My muse went much darker than I planned, but who am I to argue? I apologize in advance to any Stan fans out there!
A special thank you goes out to "Coach" Amy H for her encouragement to not be afraid of 'the dark'!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. I am making no money and no copyright infringement intended.
Ch 10
No one walking past the bullpen Monday morning would have any idea that anything out of the ordinary had transpired among the members of the MCRT over the weekend. Gibbs was up in Vance's office with the other team leaders for their regular Monday morning status conference leaving the rest of his team ostensibly working on current case reports or reviewing cold cases. More often than not, however, the team would use the time out from under Gibbs' watchful eye to get caught up on more important things, like paper ball wars. Ziva rarely got involved in Tony and McGee's juvenile antics and usually served as lookout from her vantage point facing the stairs leading up to MTAC and Vance's office. If a call came in from dispatch, the games ceased immediately and they shifted into work mode. Tony would take the call and have McGee send the information to Gibbs while en route to the scene.
Tony was a consummate professional on the job and wasn't nearly as shallow as many people thought. McGee fully understood that the McNicknames, stupid jokes, movie references, and pranks, of which he was more often than not the chosen victim, were just Tony's way of coping with stress and battling his insecurities. He admired Tony's tenacity to seek justice for crime victims and their families and the team's impressive solve rate was due in large part to Tony's ability to put the disjointed pieces of a case together. McGee had been stunned but also incredibly honored to be the first person Tony confided in years ago about his long-held feelings for Gibbs, and over the years they had developed a brotherly sort of relationship. They fought like brothers at times but they also trusted each other like only brothers could.
Instead of their usual Monday routine, this morning found the team quietly finishing up the paperwork from their last case and getting the files and evidence ready to be couriered over to JAG. Tony was doing his best to function normally on only two hours of sleep and it showed. Now that he was involved with Gibbs, any teasing about his sexual exploits keeping him up late on a school night was ill-advised at best and suicidal at worst. Tony wouldn't appreciate anyone making light of their new found relationship, and Gibbs would probably smack him into next week for discussing the details of his personal life.
McGee settled for stealing coverts assessing sideways glances at Tony. Looking across the bullpen he noticed that Ziva was also eyeing him warily. Tony had been relaxed and appeared to be having a good time yesterday during the football game, but today something was definitely off with him.
"Hey Tony, you okay man," McGee finally asked. "You're not looking so hot."
Tony rolled his eyes then leaned back in this chair and sighed. "M'fine Probie. Just a little tired. I didn't get much sleep last night. And before you ask it is not for the reason you think," he said, staring McGee down and making him blush at the mere implication of Tony and Gibbs having hot, wild sex all night. "Got a strange phone call last night that kind of freaked me out, that's all."
Knowing that Tony would come to him if he needed to talk about it, McGee nodded his acceptance of the explanation and got back to work.
Tony put his hands behind his head, closed his eyes, and thought back to the talk he had with Gibbs just a few short hours ago. They talked into the wee hours of the morning trying to figure out the best way to deal with Stan. Gibbs nearly blew a gasket when Tony again suggested meeting Stan alone to tell him about them and hopefully put an end to it once and for all. That had been the original idea, but that was before Stan showed up in Gibbs' basement with thinly veiled threats. After voicing their individual concerns a compromise was reached: Tony would go alone to meet Stan, but it would be in a very public setting where Gibbs could observe from a distance undetected.
"Tony, I can't promise that if he even so much as lays a hand on you I won't run over and beat the shit out of him," Gibbs declared.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Tony couldn't help but smile coyly and bat his eyelashes at Gibbs. "My hero," he swooned in his best imitation of a Southern belle. The sight of Gibbs' hand involuntarily twitching, a well-known precursor to a powerful head slap, was the only thing that kept Tony from channelling Melanie Wilkes from "Gone With The Wind" and reciting a speech about bravery and gallantry.
Since Stan would hopefully only be in D.C. for a few more days they surmised that he would likely call later that day. Tony promised to let Gibbs know the second he did, and Gibbs made him further promise not to go out anywhere alone.
After an exaggerated eye roll Tony protested tiredly, "Jethro, I am an armed federal agent. I'm not some princess locked up in a tower needing to be rescued. I'm a big boy now, and I think I can take care of myself."
"I know that Tony, but …," Gibbs paused and he looked away as his voice hitched and softened. "I-I-dammit DiNozzo, I can't lose you-not now!"
Touched by Gibbs' apparent need to assert his role as his protector, Tony relented and held up his right hand making the Boy Scout sign. "You're not gonna lose me, but okay. If you're not around I promise to take McGeek or the little ninja with me wherever I go, except to the men's room! I'm tired of Ziva following me in there all the time as it is," Tony exclaimed while trying to hold back a smirk. Gibbs rolled his eyes then took Tony's face in his hands and kissed him.
With their foreheads touching, Gibbs said softly, "Thank you, Tony. I know I'm probably overreacting, but I don't know what Stan is capable of right now. I've never seen him like he was at my house tonight. He seemed-desperate, and I just want to know that you're safe."
Answering just as softly, Tony replied, "I know you do, and I love you for it."
Deciding there was nothing they could do until Stan contacted Tony again they finally fell into bed around 3:30 a.m. Tony's brain would not shut off as he wondered why after nearly two damn decades Stan was suddenly so determined to get him back. "For crying out loud, it was only two months," he thought to himself. It didn't make any sense and quite frankly it bordered on insanity. Gibbs wrapped a restless Tony up in his arms and held him, murmuring over and over that he would keep him safe. Tony placed a kiss right over Gibbs' heart then curled into his side with an arm thrown across him, and within minutes they were both fast asleep.
The typically hour-long meeting with Vance ran late, thanks to Agent Mike Matthews' whiny and long-winded diatribe about being stuck in Cyber Crimes, leaving Gibbs impatient and a bit cranky. He was over-tired and under-caffeinated, which was a dangerous combination on a good day. After the other team leaders finally left Gibbs stood in front of Vance's desk and silently stared down at him.
Vance looked up and with raised eyebrows returned the stare for a moment. "Something I can help you with, Gibbs," Vance asked nonchalantly as he reached for a toothpick from the small holder on his desk and motioned for Gibbs to take a seat.
Gibbs dropped down into one of the arm chairs in front of Vance's desk. "Stan Burley paid me a visit this weekend. He's on liberty while the Reagan is in port this week. He wanted me to talk to you about a transfer. Thinks he's been afloat too long. He wanted me to ask you about a field position here, in D.C.," Gibbs stated matter-of-factly, trying not to let his voice betray his feelings on the matter.
Vance chewed on his toothpick and locked his eyes on Gibbs'. "But you don't think that's a good idea. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me why."
Gibbs simply shrugged and replied, "He's a good investigator, Leon, but he's been out of the field a long time. It's not the same on a ship."
Vance stood and came around to lean against the front of his desk. "Well, since you worked with him before I could temporarily reassign him to your team. Might be a good way for him to transition back into the field."
Vance flinched when Gibbs suddenly stood and barked, "No way! Leon, do whatever you want with him, but I do not want him back on my team! He left my team years ago for a reason."
Holding his hands up in surrender, Vance said, "Okay Gibbs, just relax. I'll review his file and see if he'll fit in somewhere else. May not be here in D.C., but I'll see what I can do. Gonna have to find someone to replace him too, maybe I can trade Matthews for him and get him out of my hair. Tell you what, have Burley come in and see me before the Reagan is scheduled to deploy."
As Gibbs turned to leave, Vance called out, "Hey Gibbs, any particular reason why you don't want him back on your team? Is there something I should know?"
Gibbs took a deep breath and stated, "Let's just say he left for personal reasons and leave it at that." Setting his jaw he nodded curtly and quickly left Vance's office. "God I need coffee," he thought to himself as he pulled out his cell phone and called Tony from the mezzanine outside of MTAC. "DiNozzo, coffee!"
Down in the bullpen, Tony chuckled as he flipped his phone shut. "I've been summoned by the bossman for a coffee run. You guys want anything?"
Ten minutes later Tony caught up with Gibbs outside at the coffee kiosk on the grounds of the Navy Yard. Gibbs turned and handed a large perfectly doctored hazelnut coffee to Tony earning a dazzling smile. "Awww, thanks Boss," Tony chirped. Gibbs half smirked in return.
They casually strolled over to a picnic table located under a large sycamore tree. Tony went to sit next to Gibbs then thought better of it and sat on the bench seat across from him instead. Not sure he could resist holding Gibbs' hand under the table Tony thought it best to keep a bit of distance between them.
"So, how'd it go with Vance," Tony asked before taking a sip of his coffee, sighing as the hazelnut flavor danced on his tongue.
Gibbs rolled his eyes and replied, "Same bullshit, different day. Nothing major to report. Matthews is still champing at the bit to take some of our cases. I guess fighting cyber-terrorism isn't exciting enough for him. There's a good reason that idiot hasn't spent a single day in the field in the last five years."
Tony chuckled then turning serious asked, "You talk to Vance about Stan wanting a transfer?"
"Yep. Son of a bitch actually suggested transferring him to our team temporarily and sending Mike Matthews to replace him!" Tony's jaw dropped open, but before he could utter a single word of protest Gibbs held up a hand. "I told him no way did I want him on my team. He didn't push. Said it was just an idea to ease him back into the field. I'm supposed to have Stan stop in to meet with him before he ships out."
"I personally don't give a shit where he ends up as long as it's far away from you and me," Tony growled through clenched teeth, not wanting to make a scene. Unknown to Gibbs, Tony was just as concerned for his safety as Gibbs was for his. If Stan truly was desperate Gibbs as his rival could very well be in danger.
They sat and chatted for a few more minutes just enjoying the opportunity to spend a little down time in each other's company. Gibbs found himself struggling with a need to touch Tony so he abruptly stood and finished off the last of his coffee. "We better get back in case we get a call."
Tony smirked and together they walked back to the kiosk to get Gibbs a refill and to get coffees for McGee and Ziva. "Yeah, McGee might get the idea that we are off fooling around in a closet somewhere," Tony teased with a low whisper directly into Gibbs' ear. The head slap and stern look of disapproval that followed were not wholly unexpected.
Gibbs stopped and bought a Caf-Pow for Abby in the lobby before heading for the stairwell leading down to her lab. He usually made a point of visiting her first thing on Monday morning, but after crashing at Tony's he had to run home and change for work, barely making it to the office in time for his meeting. Tony stepped into the elevator and made sure the coast was clear before winking at Gibbs just as the doors closed.
With no call from dispatch, Gibbs and the team spent the afternoon discussing a couple of possible leads in a two-year old cold case. McGee rambled on for several minutes about algorithms, firewalls, and the various levels of encryption he had to break through to hack into an FBI database.
"McGee," Gibbs barked, "Is there a point to all this mumbo-jumbo?" Tony couldn't stop a snicker from escaping and earned his second head slap of the day. McGee and Ziva both grinned as Tony frowned and rubbed the back of his head causing Gibbs to glare at both of them. Tony's announcement at McGee's house the day before that nothing would change at work was most definitely holding true.
After dropping what Tony referred to as the "McGeek Speak", McGee summarized his findings about a current FBI investigation that may be tied to their cold case.
"Way to go McHacker," Tony exclaimed proudly.
Gibbs was impressed by McGee's ability to tie the two cases together. He didn't have a clue how he did it, and probably didn't want to know, but he was pleased that McGee had taken the initiative. The downside was that Gibbs would have to call Fornell and figure out a way to explain how they got the FBI's information without McGee being arrested. Offering to let the Feebs take credit for solving both cases usually did the trick, so Gibbs wasn't overly concerned.
Gibbs clasped a firm hand on McGee's shoulder then checked his watch and said, "That's good work, McGee. Okay, we'll pick this up first thing tomorrow. Back here at 0700." McGee puffed up and beamed with pride at getting an 'attaboy' from Gibbs and began gathering up his stuff.
It they were deeply involved in an active case Gibbs would have demanded that everyone stay and keep working. However, it was a cold case that could wait one more day. Besides, Gibbs was looking forward to getting Tony alone. He smiled as he powered down his computer.
"Hot dates tonight my darling probies?" Tony inquired cheerfully.
Ziva slung her backpack on her shoulder then stepped right into Tony's personal space and said, "Why yes Tony. As a matter of fact I do have a date, with a very good-looking man I met Saturday night."
"Ooooooh," Tony and McGee exclaimed playfully in unison before high-fiving above her head.
"What about you, McProbster? Big plans with the lovely Abby tonight," Tony asked, daring McGee to say something about her in front of Gibbs. He may have given his tacit blessing to them, but Gibbs sure as hell did not want to hear details about any private aspect of their relationship.
McGee rolled his eyes then shook his head. "Nope, it's Monday Tony. Abby's bowling night with the nuns, remember? I'm gonna enjoy the peace and quiet at home and work on my new book."
"Ooooooh," rang out again, this time from Tony and Ziva.
"DINOZZO!" Gibbs barked out of habit putting an end to it. "If you all want to keep hanging around here I can find work for you to do. Otherwise, GO HOME!"
Tony hung around after McGee and Ziva called out their good-nights as they scurried to catch the elevator. He sauntered over to Gibbs' desk and looked around to make sure they were alone before asking conspiratorially, "We still on for dinner? I got my special marinara sauce thawing out?"
Gibbs narrowed his eyes and leaned in to whisper, "And I've got my overnight bag in my car."
Tony waggled his eyebrows then headed back to his desk to gather up his backpack, gun, and badge. He was about to sling the back pack onto his shoulder when his desk phone rang. He groaned at the thought of dispatch calling now. He picked up the receiver, but before he had a chance to say anything the caller hung up. Tony replaced the receiver and shrugged.
Tony loved to cook and being a proud Italian he would never dream of cutting corners by using sauce from a jar or boxed pasta. He preferred making fresh pasta when time allowed, but in a pinch he would make do with a bag of homemade pasta from the little authentic Italian grocery he found while out exploring his new neighborhood. All of his recipes made way too much, even when he cut them in half, so his freezer was typically filled with freezer bags of leftover sauces and a variety of single-serve containers of pasta dishes he could reheat in the microwave.
Tony whistled as he kept an eye on the boiling pan of penne pasta and stirred the marinara sauce, adding more oregano, sweet basil, and garlic to suit his taste while Gibbs spread garlic butter on a sliced up loaf of French bread.
While the garlic bread toasted in the oven, Gibbs threw together a salad and Tony set the table after retrieving a couple of long-stemmed wine glasses from the bar in the living room. Gibbs had surprised him by picking up a bottle of his favorite red from a popular local winery. It was a full-bodied apple-grape blend that would go perfectly with their meal.
When the penne was al dente to his liking, Tony drained and rinsed it in a colander then poured the pasta into a large Corning serving dish. He poured the marinara sauce over the top, added a handful of fresh grated parmesan for presentation, and carried the serving dish over and placed it on the table. The garlic bread followed a few minutes later in a bamboo basket lined with a large dark purple linen napkin.
Tony picked up the stereo remote from where it sat on the breakfast bar and selected a smooth jazz station. "This okay," Tony asked, not really knowing Gibbs' taste in music.
"Anything but opera," was Gibbs' reply as he used his Marine Corp Zippo to light the two ivory candles ensconced in sterling silver candle holders placed in the center of the table. "That shit gives me a headache."
Tony shook his head and chuckled as he filled both of their wine glasses. Gibbs brought the salad over and after a chaste kiss both of them sat down and dug in.
"Damn, Tony! This is really good," Gibbs said appreciatively after a few bites before taking a sip of wine. He wasn't much of a wine drinker, usually sticking with bourbon or beer, but he did enjoy an occasional glass now and then.
Tony beamed across the table. "Grazie! All Italians are born knowing how to cook. You made a great choice on the wine, by the way. This is one of my favorites," Tony said as he raised his glass in a salute, which Gibbs returned with a wink.
Not wanting to let any mention of Stan ruin what was turning into quite a romantic evening, they kept the conversation focused on neutral subjects like favorite movies, books, and music. To Tony's surprise Gibbs knew more about movies than he ever let on. While Tony could and would watch just about anything, Gibbs preferred old classics and all westerns. They found that they both liked to read about history; Tony about far away and long-lost cultures, and Gibbs about world military history. When it came to music, they both agreed that they could handle just about anything except the noise usually blaring in Abby's lab. Tony garnered a great deal of sympathy when he told Gibbs about Abby dragging him off to see one of her friend's bands and how his ears rang for two days afterward.
Dinner was relaxing and both of them were stuffed after two servings each. Tony stifled a burp with the back of his hand before getting up to take their plates to the sink. Gibbs chipped in and rinsed the dishes while Tony loaded the dishwasher. Tony sent Gibbs out to the living room with the rest of the wine and told him to get comfy then set to work storing the leftovers and hand-washing the few pots and pans he had used, leaving them to air dry next to the sink. After a quick wiping down of the cooktop, table, and counters, Tony found Gibbs relaxing on the couch where a refilled glass of wine was waiting for him on the coffee table.
"Come with me. I wanna show you something," Tony said as he picked up his glass and headed for the patio doors. Gibbs grabbed his glass and dutifully followed him out into the balmy evening air.
Gibbs' eyes went wide as he took in Tony's little bit of paradise. "Wow! Tony, this is beautiful!"
Tony beamed proudly. "Thanks. I love it out here. Cost me a damn fortune, but it was totally worth it. Here, sit with me," Tony suggested as he stretched out on the large double chaise lounge by the fountain. He took Gibbs' wine glass and sat it with his on the small glass-topped table to his right before pulling Gibbs down next to him.
They got comfortably situated and looked up at the few stars visible in the night sky. The sound of the babbling fountain was relaxing as they held hands then turned to lie facing each other as they got down to a bit of good old-fashioned making out. They kept their kisses and caresses light not wanting to move things too far too fast.
Tony pulled back and smiled as he stared at Gibbs, who grew uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny. "What," he barked after a couple of minutes.
"Nothing," Tony said behind a grin. "Just like looking at you, now that I can do that any time I want. And I gotta tell you Jethro, you are one handsome man and pretty damn sexy too!"
Gibbs snorted. "Sexy? I don't think so! Attractive or handsome maybe, but I'm way too old to be sexy."
Tony leered purposefully up and down the length of Gibbs' body then leaned in until their lips were almost touching and fully dilated green eyes bore into their matching blue counterparts. "Bullshit. Let's go to bed so I can show you exactly how sexy I think you are," Tony teased using his very best bedroom voice.
Gibbs was not at all surprised to see that Tony's bedroom was as elegantly decorated as the rest of his condo. A solid oak four-poster queen size bed was centered between two large windows and was covered with a deep blue duvet over steel gray sheets. A blue and gray striped occasional chair with a small oak table and small lamp resided in the corner to the right of the bedroom door, and a long oak mirrored dresser was placed against the wall on the left side of the room. Two doors led from the room: One to the left of the dresser was open into the en suite bathroom, and Gibbs deduced that the door to the right was to an enormous walk-in closet.
Tony came in and saw Gibbs just standing there with his hands on his hips. He walked over and wrapped his arms around Gibbs from behind and resting his chin on Gibbs' shoulder asked, "What'cha thinkin', Jethro?"
Gibbs shrugged and said softly, "Just wondering what the hell you want with a guy like me."
Tony turned Gibbs around and scowled when he saw a hint of despair in his eyes. "You mean a hot, sexy, brave, caring, loving, badass, Marine like you?"
Gibbs looked into Tony's eyes and shook his head. "No. I mean a guy who comes from a different world than you," he replied waving a hand around the room. "I can't compete with this, Tony. I'm a simple man, always have been, but you are young and gorgeous and you appreciate expensive clothes, cars and everything else that goes along with having a lot of money. Why the hell would you settle for a guy like me?"
Tony gave Gibbs his first ever but well-deserved head slap. When Gibbs looked at him with murderous glare, Tony shouted, "Because I love you, you idiot" He kissed Gibbs gently then said softly, "I have for years! Gibbs, none of this material shit matters. Hell, most of this shit is stuff I inherited from various relatives over the years. None of it matters to me, Jethro. Yeah, it's what I grew up with, but it's not who I am. I love you, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and everything single thing about you. I don't know how much money you have and I really don't care. It's not important to me-you, however, are."
Gibbs saw, heard and felt Tony's sincerity and replied with a relieved nod before pulling Tony into a crushing hug.
When he was finally released, Tony smiled and with his arms draped over Gibbs shoulders said, "Okay, that's settled! Now, will you please take me to bed? I want you to make love to me all (kiss) night (kiss) long (kiss)."