His death would be a slow painful death, full of emotion. The look on Gibbs' face told Tony that this was hurting him just as much. He realised that he had been so selfish to think that he was the only one who was getting hurt when clearly it was hurting everyone around him, especially Gibbs. He swore he had lost his mind as he reached out for Gibbs. One minute he was so angry with this man and now he was longing for him to be near. As Gibbs sat on the bed Tony moved closer and pressed himself into the older man's side. He felt Gibbs wrap strong, protective arms around him and they stayed like that for some time.

"Don't leave," Gibbs whispered. Tony didn't move, didn't say anything. He didn't know what he wanted to do. It was one of the spur of the moment decisions when anger takes over and so he'd said he was quitting. His mind was clouded with everything that had happened today and it wasn't even lunch time. How was he supposed to decide if he wanted to leave or stay when his thinking changed every time Gibbs was near. Then he started to think how nice this would be to come home after a long day at work and just cuddle up to someone who loved him. To come home to a smiling face and a tender kiss on the lips before he took a shower and came out to dinner been served. Then afterwards they would settle on the couch and share ice cream while watching a movie, and after the movie they would go to bed, holding each other as they made passionate love. He imagined how good it would be took wake up to the smell of saw dust and coffee every single day, how they would shower together, eat breakfast together, spending every single minute together, making up for what he had lost, what he needed so badly right now. Then he realised what his thinking had turned from anyone, to someone. He pulled away from Gibbs and stared into his eyes for a moment before leaning in and kissing him. He wrapped his arms around Gibbs' neck, deepening the kiss. Gibbs grabbed his waist and pulled him onto his lap. Tony pushed himself closer to Gibbs' chest and finally Gibbs fell back, Tony lying on top of him.

"I love you," Tony whispered. It was one of those moments when he thought the words and unconsciously said them. Instantly he realised what he had said. He shut his eyes tight and mentally kicked himself. Gibbs didn't reply with words, instead he pulled Tony a bit closer, held him a bit tighter and prayed that this wasn't just Tony when his mind was clouded by other thoughts. The silence between them seemed louder than anything they had said. Tony slowly pulled away from Gibbs' touch and sat beside him. Putting his head in his hands he sighed. He knew, like in any situation, things got worse before they got better. Then he felt Gibbs' hand rub his thigh reassuringly and felt something inside of him swell up. He got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom. He braced himself on the sink and splashed his face with cold water before looking at himself in the mirror.

What are you doing Tony? You need to make up your mind... He thought. Gibbs appeared behind him, his arms wrapping around his waist.

"Tell me," Gibbs started. "How do you feel?"

"About what?" Tony asked, looking at Gibbs through the mirror.

"Everything...What happened today, yesterday, Friday...About how you feel about Ziva's reaction, Abby's reaction...About me," Gibbs replied.

"My feelings about today, yesterday and Friday...I think it's pretty self explanatory, I'm here, with you, your arms wrapped around me...Ziva and Abby...I'm grateful that they are so...Accepting...And you...Well..." Tony stopped and turned around. He let a small smile appear on his face. "I think I'm ready to admit that...that...I'm gay, that I love you,"

"Tony you..." Gibbs didn't know what to say exactly. He was just happy to see Tony finally admit something so difficult to face up to.

"...But...I don't think I'm ready to admit it to everyone...Just you," Tony said.

"Ok...I understand," Gibbs smiled.