NB: I don't own anything of NCIS :(
Thank you so much to my amazing beta reader, USA123.
Thank you to all my readers who still read, review and favorite this story :)
I'd like to reassure ziva/tiva/mote lovers, who get upset anytime they read the truth about this trio. Don't worry, people who do not like them (just this and no haters) have a life and, to be happy, we do not need to idolize and idealize an abusive relationship and a very bad example of woman. But anyway thanks for your concern ;)
BTW, you've been warned over and over again that this story is NOT for people who love ziva/tiva/mote, so why read and leave insulting reviews? It's childish and it doesn't make any sense.
Now back to serious things. Back to the story :)
"Choice & Consequences"
Chapter 11
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Special Agent Gibbs entered NCIS Field Office in Hawaii and asked for Special Agent DiNozzo.
The secretary at the entrance told him that Special Agent DiNozzo was in the office and offered to bring Gibbs to him, but the older man gently told her that he knew where the office was.
As Gibbs entered the main office, he immediately spotted Tony. He could see him just from behind, but immediately noticed that his former SFA had changed.
Tony was slimmer and more muscular. He was wearing a blue button down that emphasized his broad shoulders and back.
"What did I tell you?" Tony said. "If a man is murdered, the first suspect is..."
His wife, Gibbs thought grinning.
"His wife," all the agents around him said.
"Very good, my Padawans," he patted the back of the man on his right.
Padawans? Only you, DiNozzo. Gibbs thought shaking his head.
All people around Tony laughed and Gibbs felt his heart aching. He really missed that kind of banter.
"Okay, team. Time to close the case, arrest Mrs. Fryce and go home," Tony ordered as he walked towards his desk.
"What about our reports, boss?" a young woman asked.
"They can wait, Jo. It's been a long investigation and we haven't left this office for days," the team leader answered with a gentle smile.
His eyes shifted just a bit and the smile died on his lips.
The four agents in the central bullpen stared at Tony and then at the man on the other side of the office.
They all could sense that the light atmosphere had suddenly changed. It seemed that the temperature in the office had drastically dropped in a second.
Without taking his eyes off the newcomer, Tony ordered, "Walker, you and Moore bring Mrs. Fryce in and lock her up." Then with a mischievous grin he added, "I'm having an old friend for dinner."
Agent Walker shook his head grinning as well, as he recognized a "Silence of The Lambs" quote.
"Boss, you sure you don't need us?" Jo asked sotto voce.
"Positive, Jo," Tony nodded. "Go home and say hallo to your sister Mary," he smiled gently.
As soon as the agents left the office, Gibbs approached Tony's desk.
Tony was closing some folders, but stopped and looked at his former boss.
Both men stared at each other for a few very long seconds 'til the older man said, "DiNozzo."
"Gibbs," Tony replied as he closed the last file and locked then in one of the desk drawers.
He's not going to make it easy for me, Gibbs thought.
"I had some vacation and I decided to visit Hawaii." He felt the strange need to justify his presence on the island and he hated himself for it.
"Yeah. Sure," Tony nodded sarcastically.
"Don't you believe me?" Gibbs raised his eyebrows.
"No," Tony replied seriously. He took his Sig from the drawer and holstered it on his waist.
Gibbs grinned and shook his head. "So why do you think I'm here, DiNozzo?"
"I don't know," Tony answered as he rounded his desk and stopped in front of the older man. He sighed. "Gibbs, it's been a very long case and we didn't leave this office for days. I'm pretty tired and I have no desire or energy to play with you."
Gibbs nodded. "I just wanted to say hello," he took a deep breath. "Go home and get a good night sleep," he added. Then he turned and walked towards the office.
Tony looked at his former boss' slumped shoulders and, despite the fact that he was still pretty mad and he hadn't overcome the disappointment, he felt a twinge of pain.
I'm going to regret this, Tony thought just before asking, "Did you already reserve a room in a hotel?"
The grey-hair man turned and shook his head no.
Tony reached him at the office door. "I've a guest room, if you want," he offered.
"Are you sure?" Gibbs asked, hopefully and doubtfully at the same time.
Tony chuckled and shook his head. "Nope, but we'll figured it out in some way. Let's go," he gestured with his head and left the building followed by a strangely uncomfortable Gibbs.
Tony and Gibbs spent the 30-minute trip to get to Tony's place in silence, both lost in their thoughts.
Gibbs was enjoying the scenery around him, but at the same time, he kept looking at his former SFA and trying to read his expression. He had always been very good at understanding what was on Tony's mind, but this time the younger man's face was unreadable. The only visible reaction was Tony's clenched jaw and seriousness.
Tony couldn't stop wondering why he had offered Gibbs his guest bedroom. He already knew that living with Gibbs, even just for a few days, would be really hard both mentally and emotionally.
He could sense Gibbs' eyes on him and he did his best to not show his feelings. Tony didn't want to fight with his former boss again, now that he'd finally found some peace and a life he loved. DiNozzo didn't want Gibbs to ruin his new life.
DiNozzo parked his car in the driveway and both men got out. They retrieved Gibbs' suitcase from the truck and, still in silence, they entered the house.
"Nice," whispered Gibbs as soon as he saw Tony's backyard and the ocean.
"Relaxing," replied Tony, admiring the panorama. Then he moved towards the corridor. "Your room is this way."
Gibbs took his arm and asked, "Are you sure, DiNozzo? I can still go to—"
"It's okay, Gibbs," Tony nodded, though his eyes said otherwise. He showed his former boss his room and the bathroom. "My room is at the end of the hallway," he informed the other man. "Now, if you don't need anything, I really need to take a shower," he sighed.
"I'm fine, Tony. Take a shower and relax," Gibbs said.
Tony just nodded and walked toward his room. Relax... yeah, sure... with you here...
Gibbs plopped down on the bed and took a deep breath.
He felt conflicted.
The room was beautiful and the panorama out of the glass door in front of his bed was breathtaking. If he looked around, he felt at peace and finally relaxed after months... no, years.
But he couldn't ignore the fact that he was not on vacation, despite what he had told Tony. Gibbs knew he both his behavior towards Tony and his decisions as team leader had been really wrong recently.
He was way out of his comfort zone.
For a man that had always felt right about everything and anything, admitting that he had been completely wrong for years and that he had failed the only person who had been his only family after Shannon and Kelly's death, was unacceptable.
Tony's cold courtesy had really surprised him. Gibbs had expected to have a fight with his former SFA or be rejected and thrown out of the office. But Tony had offered him a room in his house and showed a maturity that he didn't expect.
Gibbs took his cell out of his pocket and made a call.
"I'm in Hawaii," he announced.
"I figured it out when I didn't see you this morning. Did you see Anthony?" Ducky asked with a sign.
"Yes." He rubbed at his aching eyes.
"How did he react?" the ME asked, worried.
"Actually, I don't know," Gibbs sighed as he walked to the glass-door and stared at the ocean.
"What don't you know, Jethro?"
"He's been kind and offered me a room in his house," the younger man explained.
"You mean that Anthony was the usual nice lad?" Ducky asked a bit surprised. I hope not!
"No," Gibbs shook his head even though his friend couldn't see him. "Tony's... I don't know, Duck. He was nice, but no jokes and, above all, no fake smiles."
"Oh, God. It's worse than I thought."
"He's more... I don't know..." Gibbs got back to the bed and sat down. "Tony looks so independent and mature, Duck."
"He's no longer your loyal St. Bernard, isn't he?"
"Nope."
"And now you've got to talk to him and treat him as an equal. He won't let you treat him like your own property again."
"I never did it!" Gibbs exclaimed angrily.
"Oh, yes. You did, Jethro," the older man replied firmly. "Where is Anthony now?"
"In the shower."
"Good. Now you take a shower as well and relax. You need it," the doctor advised.
"Yeah."
"And Jethro?"
"Yes?"
"Go slow and let Anthony lead this situation. Do not be your usual pushy self."
Gibbs nodded grinning. Ducky knew him so well... too well. "I'll try. Bye, Duck."
"Goodbye, Jethro."
The MCRT leader undressed and entered his bathroom just as he heard the water shut off on the other side of the house.
I wonder what's going to happen now... he thought as he turned on the shower and stepped under the spray.
TBC
I hope you liked this chapter. Let me know what you think, please.
See you in the next chapter :)
