A/N: And once again, thanks for reading and reviewing! :) Can't say how much I appreciate your feedback!

Chapter Ten: Promised

Early the next morning, Tony had the sudden distinct feeling that if he moved, he would fall off the couch. He opened his eyes, slightly startled that he was staring directly into Gibbs' face. He usually hated sleeping like that, the other's breath on his face, but he had apparently turned around sometime in the night. They were still cuddled up, though, and the older man's arm was tightly wrapped around him and that was probably the reason why Tony hadn't fallen off the couch after all. They had been watching some ancient western movie in lack of any other options late last night and Tony couldn't quite remember whether or not he had seen the end of it. He had been too busy savoring in the other man's tender embrace to pay close attention to what was happening on the screen in front of them.

He now tried to get more comfortable, but as soon as he had moved as much as an inch, Gibbs stirred, too, opening his eyes. Blearily, he looked at him before a small smile appeared on his face as he leaned closer and gave him a chaste kiss. Tony hummed in response and then reluctantly got up, only now realizing that his back was hurting a lot. He groaned as he stretched himself, earning himself a confused look from Gibbs.

"What's wrong?"

"Back hurts like hell. Sleeping on the couch wasn't probably the best idea we've ever had."

Shrugging, Gibbs sat up and rubbed a hand over his face. "I always sleep here."

"I know," Tony replied, carefully sitting down on the coffee table, so that he was on the same level than the older man. "But if you want me to stay the night from time to time, we have to think about another option. Or you're paying for my chiropractor. Your choice."

Gibbs let out a laugh and gently cuffed the back of Tony's head before he became serious again, running a tired hand through his hair. He looked at him again, his glance not quite fixed on him, but on something in the distance as he finally answered.

"Didn't think, I would ever have to use the bed again."

"Why aren't you using it?" Tony asked carefully, his voice quiet as he wasn't entirely sure whether he was even allowed to ask that particular question.

"It's always weird sleeping there," Gibbs shrugged again and finally looked him in the eye again. "Too much space for one person."

Tony gave him a small smile as he leaned a bit closer, placing a hand on the older man's knee. He looked at him for a moment longer, trying to decide whether he really wanted to approach that particular topic. But he knew that he would have to at some point and maybe it was even the right thing to do at the beginning of their relationship. Was that was it was, a relationship? Tony subtly shook his head, trying not to think about that for the time being as it would only make him even more nervous about everything.

"Would you mind sleeping there again?"

Gibbs stiffened visibly for a moment before he almost forcefully relaxed again and looked into Tony's face again. Still remaining silent, he tilted his head as if he could watch him closer that way and sighed before he finally answered.

"I always thought that this was it, you know. No more sharing a bed with anyone here. I simply didn't want to anymore. After…," he trailed off now, averting his glance from Tony, who felt his heart sink.

"After Shannon," he continued for him, his voice quiet again, knowing that the other man wasn't exactly keen on talking about her.

"Yeah, it never felt quite right, you know. I mean the other wives were there of course, but it was never what I once had."

"Okay," Tony answered slowly, slightly freaked out about the route that conversation had taken. "Don't worry, I'll be fine with the couch, too," he finally continued, trying to give him his most sincere smile. "But we'll have to talk about that chiropractor, then."

Gibbs snorted, but shook his head, once again rubbing his hand over his face before he took Tony's hand that had still been lying on his knee in his own.

"I didn't mean it like that. Just wanted to let you know that it would be a big step for me, okay?"

"I get it," Tony replied, slightly surprised that Gibbs had opened up to him after all. "And really, it's no problem. We can still stay at my place. Or each at their own places."

"That's not an option," Gibbs answered and seeming out of nowhere, a grin spread on his face.

"Oh," Tony said, leaning forward so that their noses were all but touching. "Isn't it?"

"Nope. I've gotten used to have you there in the mornings."

"Good to hear I'm not the only one," Tony just whispered and then stole a soft kiss.

-x-

A couple of hours later, they were standing in Abby's lab, listening to her rambling about a new assistant that Vance had insisted she had to work with.

"… and really, Gibbs, you know how the last one turned out. I'm good on my own, in fact, I'm the best on my own. I don't need anyone."

"I know that, Abs," Gibbs replied softly, trying to soothe her. "I'll talk to the director."

"You'd do that? That would be so great. Tony told me you had that little wink-wink-nudge-nudge-thing going on. You think you can talk some sense into him?"

"I don't know," Gibbs shrugged. "I can try, though."

"And when Gibbs tries anything, he'll get his way. You know that," Tony joined the conversation, promptly earning himself another head-slap.

Abby grinned at the two of them and seemingly wanted to go back to work as she suddenly appeared to remember something and turned to look at Tony again, fixing him with a stare that easily matched Gibbs'.

"So, tell me. How was your date yesterday?"

Glancing sideways at Gibbs, who was staring at him with an unreadable expression on his face, Tony gulped and then answered.

"It was good, but I think we have to go back to work now."

"Oh," Abby replied, grabbing his forearm just as he was about to turn around. "You can't fob me off with a 'good'. I need more information, Tony-Boy."

Tony turned around again, still determined not to tell her anything. She was staring at him all puppy-eyed and he sighed, knowing that if he wouldn't get out of her lab in the next ten seconds, he was doomed.

"What do you mean, you need more information?" he asked, grinning at her. "It's not like you're running a Who-Is-Tony-Dating-At-The-Moment-Barometer." He paused for a moment as Abby just continued to grin broadly at him, her eyes never leaving his. "Or do you?"

Abby giggled and playfully punched him on the shoulder before she suddenly became all serious as she scrutinized him from head to toe.

"No, I'm not. Besides these days, it's rather like 'Wow, he's finally dating again.'"

"Hey," Tony exclaimed, playfully upset, even though he knew that she did have a point, he hadn't been on a date in what seemed like ages. "I could get plenty of dates if I wanted to! But again, I don't think that's any of your business," he gave her a fake smile, knowing that she wouldn't be offended. "And I don't think Gibbs is all that interested in my dating-life, so I'll spare him the details."

Abby stared at him with a wary expression on her face before she turned to look at Gibbs, who had been strikingly silent during their exchange. He eyed him, too, and grinned ever so slightly, when the older man met his glance for a split of a second.

"Tony," Abby had turned towards him again, an evil grin on her face. "Just give me something! Please? I mean, this woman must be really special if you refuse to talk about her. Is she? Special? Because that would be so awesome, I can't even begin to tell you. I was getting worried about you, you know. Thought you might never find someone and end up alone."

Tony stared at her for a moment, furrowing a brow, realizing that Abby had just voiced his deepest and darkest worries that he usually preferred to keep locked in a place where even his own thoughts wouldn't reach them. Had Abby really thought about him that much? He knew that she was very perceptive, of course, knew that she cared a lot about them all, but he hadn't realized just how much she cared. He gave her a smile and quickly glanced at Gibbs who was now intently watching the exchange between them.

"Well," Tony finally started to answer, knowing that he owed her at least some kind an honest answer. "This is different, I guess."

"Good different or bad different?" Abby inquired, her expression back to being merely interested.

"Oh, definitely good."

A broad smile spread on her face now as she took a step forward and threw her arms around him. He let her, slightly gasping for air as she once again all but crushed his rips. He chanced a glance at Gibbs, who was sporting an odd expression at the moment. He had his brows furrowed in confusion, but still gave him an almost soft half-smile. Abby finally let go of him, but kept her hands on Tony's shoulders as she stared at him with determination.

"Then don't mess it up, you hear me? If she's so different, maybe it is exactly what you need."

"I won't mess it up," he smiled at her before he quickly looked at his boss again as he continued. "I promise."

"Good boy," Abby grinned and patted his shoulder before she turned towards Gibbs. "And you tell the director that I don't need that new assistant, please?"

"I will, Abs," Gibbs replied, placing a kiss on her forehead and eyed Tony for a short moment. "I promise."

"Good, thanks. And now, shoo, I have work to do. I can't talk to you two chatterboxes all day."

Letting out a laugh, Tony waved at her and then followed Gibbs out of the lab and into the elevator. The doors had barely closed behind them when the older man flicked the emergency switch.

"Well, that was smooth."

"Sorry," Tony grinned. "But you know that once she's looking at you all puppy-eyed, you don't have any other choice but to tell her at least something. Besides, it's not like I have told her anything."

"I know, Tony," Gibbs replied, giving him that fully grown smile again and Tony felt himself relax instantly as he realized that the other man wasn't really mad at him. "But you do realize that she's going to pester you about meeting your different woman from now on, right?"

"Yeah, I'm aware of that," Tony replied thoughtfully, suddenly realizing that at some point the team would catch up on the fact that something was going on between Gibbs and him.

"Don't sweat it," the older man continued to talk, apparently having read Tony's thoughts. "We'll figure it out when we need to, okay?"

"Okay," Tony just said, knowing that he had just found another topic that he would obsess over late at night, when sleep wouldn't have him.

"Relax, it'll be okay," Gibbs assured him and then, to Tony's utter surprise, leaned in to kiss him.

"And here I thought we have to be professional at work."

"We do. But you needed it," Gibbs grinned ever so slightly as he turned the elevator back on. "You free tonight?"

"Yup. Can I interest you in Chinese and a movie at my place, eight o'clock?"

"Sounds good, but make it eight-thirty. I have something to do after work."

"Dealio," Tony just replied and smiled at him, just in time with the doors opening up to the bullpen.

-x-

"So, what was so important that you were late getting here?" Tony asked, comfortably seated on his couch, his feet up on the coffee table and his left arm resting on the backrest.

"Can't tell you," Gibbs mumbled, busy eyeing the contents of the carton in his hands as he figured out what to eat first.

"Why not?"

"Surprise," he grinned and shoved a piece of fried chicken into his mouth.

"I like surprises," Tony declared as he reached for the remote to turn on the movie. "But only for so long. When will I know what it is?"

"Oh, I don't know," Gibbs leaned back against Tony's arm and snuggled closer towards him. "If you behave, maybe tomorrow evening."

"Me? Behaving?" Smirking at him, Tony leaned in and placed a kiss on Gibbs' temple as the other man let out a laugh.

"New concept for you, I know."

"Hey, I'm not that bad," Tony grinned and pinched his shoulder. "Besides, you don't seem to mind too much."

"Never said, I do."

"Good," Tony laughed and drew him even closer towards himself. "So, you're ready for the best movie of all times?"

"I'm not sure. Will you talk all the way through it?"

"Nah. I'll be quiet at the best scenes, I promise. I will, however, reserve the right to point out some useful trivia throughout the movie."

"Okay, I guess, I can live with that," Gibbs just replied, kissing him for a moment before he drew his attention towards the screen in front of them to watch The Godfather.

"Good," Tony whispered and laid his head upon the other man's, fervently wishing that he could pause this moment just as easily as a movie because he wanted to stay like that forever. He knew that despite all the randomness that Abby was usually rambling about, she had been right about one thing: he really wanted this to work and really wanted this to be different for once.

A/N: Would love to hear your thoughts about this one :)