A/N: Thanks so much for your awesome reviews!

Chapter Ten

"Oh, Abba," Tali sighed as she gave him a hug. "That sounds tough."

"I was stupid," Tony replied, shrugging. "I was freaked out about a lot of things."

"Not exactly easy thinking about that when you're so old," Tali said sagely, earning herself a soft head slap.

"Hey! I'll have you know I'm not old."

"You know what I meant."

"I do, kiddo," Tony grinned. "And you're right. It was hard but not for the obvious reason. I just couldn't imagine taking that step with Jethro of all people. Boss, friend… it was all complicated enough."

"So what helped?"

"I did," Jethro's voice traveled towards them from where he was leaning against the doorframe.

Tony looked up, smiling at him. "Didn't hear you come in."

"Hi Papa," Tali greeted him. "How long have you been standing there?"

"A while," Gibbs grinned as he walked over, limping ever so slightly, dropped a kiss on Tali's head and then planted one on Tony's lips. "Can I join story time?"

"Absolutely," Tony nodded as Gibbs sat down on the other side of the couch. "We were at the point where I was freaking out."

"That could be anywhere," Gibbs quipped, earning himself a poke on the shoulder from his daughter.

"Meanie," she said.

"Bastard," Tony mumbled which caused Tali to point to their "Bad Word Jar" that stood on a nearby shelf.

"The second 'b' ain't for nothing, kiddo."

"Just keep going," Tali ordered and Tony was just about to open his mouth when Gibbs beat him to talking.

"May I?"

*JT*

Gibbs caught himself watching Tony more than usually. He had always liked to watch him, either at work, especially when he had concentrated so hard on solving a case that he forgot to goof off, or now at home whenever he took care of Tali.

At home. Weird how Tony's apartment had become just that. It was where the people he loved were after all, never mind the boat or his own house. He didn't even miss the quiet in his basement. Maybe he was getting soft with age but every time he just looked at Tali, his heart started to beat a fraction quicker. It was as if he had gotten part of Kelly back. Not that Tali was a substitute for her, not by a long shot, but he had gotten part of his fatherhood back and it felt exactly like it had back then. He loved the girl with all he had, loved her smile, loved the way she laughed when Tony told a joke or the way she would grab Gibbs' hand when they were going for a walk. He just loved her. It was as simple as that.

Just as simple as he was in love with her father. The thought had first struck him as odd when he had realized he might have feelings for Tony but now it seemed to be completely normal. It had never freaked him out, he had dated other man before after all, but it had still been weird because he had never even thought about that particular possibility. It had literally taken him months to realize and then another month to decide whether or not to act on it, but then that fateful team dinner had happened and he had no idea now if he should do something about it or let Tony figure it out himself.

He had decided to go against his better instincts and just be patient even though all he wanted to do was kiss the guy, hold him until he realized that Gibbs was the one for him. But he did no such thing, knowing that Tony was obsessing over it enough as it was.

Instead, he had refrained to just watching him. Tony's behavior hadn't changed ever since that night, not obviously at least. Sometimes it seemed like Tony was thinking hard about it and the next day he seemed to be completely carefree. He was still normal Daddy-Tony to Tali and still normal Friend-Tony to Gibbs. Just sometimes when Tali was already sound asleep, it seemed like Tony was drawing himself away from him. It was as if he was afraid of Gibbs just attacking him or of merely talking to him about stuff he didn't want to talk about. And yet, at times, it seemed like he just wanted to lean in, like he just wanted to be hugged, like he just wanted to say something – but he never did. It was frustrating but Gibbs had sworn to himself that he wouldn't take the first step, not when Tony obviously wasn't done thinking yet.

*JT*

A few weeks had already passed since that dinner and while Gibbs had tried to be patient, his patience was wearing thinner with every day that passed with Tony showing no sign of having come to a decision. If he wasn't interested in Gibbs that way, it would be okay, nothing would change between them but it was the not knowing that drove Gibbs crazy.

*JT*

He had just whispered a good night to Tali one night, having read her favorite bedtime story to her when he heard Tony talk on the phone in the living room.

"Abby," he was saying quietly. "I know, okay? It's just too complicated right now. What if it doesn't work? Tali's already lost her mother, I don't want her to lose her papa, too."

Gibbs stood still in the hallway as he listened intently to the silence that followed when Abby answered him. He heard Tony sigh before he answered.

"You know I do," he then said. "It's just… he hasn't said anything. I'm not even sure he's still interested."

"I am," Gibbs said, stepping into the living room where Tony was sitting in front of the piano, his cell phone attached to his ear.

They younger man turned so fast that he nearly let the phone fall from his hand. He was turning slightly red in the face as he saw Gibbs standing there and the older man had to smile at the sudden shyness radiating from the man in front of him.

"Abby," he stuttered out, speaking into the receiver. "I got to go. I'll call you tomorrow."

He ended the call and threw the cell onto the couch, still staring at Gibbs who was suddenly growing a bit anxious at the insecurity that was written all across Tony's face. He hurried to move towards him, sensing that this might be his only chance to broach the subject.

"Tony," he started quietly. "Of course I'm still interested."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because you told me you needed time to think and I was giving you just that. Time."

"Okay," Tony let out a sigh, running a tired hand through his hair. "Okay."

"And did you?" Gibbs went into it. "Think?"

"Every single second," Tony conceded. "Every single fucking second."

"And?"

Tony remained silent for a few moments and Gibbs felt himself get itchy. He knew that Tony had basically told Abby that he liked him over the phone just now but the younger man had started to look confused again and it suddenly unnerved Gibbs to no end. He knew that he could do this friendship thing and could still be Tali's papa but suddenly it wasn't nearly enough. Not when he finally saw the least bit of a chance. He just needed Tony to confess it.

"What's the hold-up, Tony?" He finally started again when Tony still didn't say anything. "Tali?"

"Yes and no," Tony shrugged, suddenly looking lost. "What if this doesn't work?"

"I'll still be Tali's papa. I promise. She doesn't have anything to do with us."

"You mean that?" Tony spoke up, finally looking him straight in the eye.

"Of course," Gibbs hurried to continue. "She was here," he put a hand over his own heart, "long before the other thing."

Tony nodded mutely and then ran a hand through his hair again, this time messing it up big time. Gibbs itched to run his own hand through it to straighten it but knew that it was hardly the time now. He waited till Tony finally let out a sigh and looked at him once more, his green eyes still seemingly confused.

"I don't know if I can do this, Jethro," he finally whispered and Gibbs felt his heart sink.

"Why?" he answered just as quietly. "You just told Abby that there's… something."

"You heard that, huh?" Tony sighed once again. "I don't know, Jethro. Wouldn't it be weird? You've been my boss for so long, my friend."

"Not much weirder than me being papa to that little girl over there," Gibbs replied softly.

Again, Tony remained silent but at least he was still looking at him this time, so Gibbs took a deep breath, making up his mind.

"Okay, listen. How about we go on a date some time? We'll have Senior or Jimmy babysit Tali and we'll go out to dinner, maybe a movie."

"Test the water, you mean?"

"Yeah," Gibbs shrugged, his heart feeling lighter at the brightening that could be seen in Tony's expression.

"A date."

"Yup."

"Okay," Tony finally answered with such force that it seemed like he was giving himself a pep talk. "A date is fine. I can do a date."

"Good," Gibbs beamed at him.

They stared awkwardly at each other for a few moments before Tony loudly cleared his throat and averted his eyes.

"Want to watch the game?" he asked and Gibbs nearly laughed out loud at the non-sequitur.

"Sure," he shrugged again and then followed Tony to the couch, idly wondering why the awkwardness was gone as suddenly as it had come.

Everything was back to normal and yet, Jethro couldn't help but feel the hope inside of him blossom that he'd sit a tiny bit closer to Tony in the future.