A/N: WARNING serious fluff ahead. You may require and immediate teeth brushing after reading this.

I do NOT own

Reviews beget chapters. Not blackmail it just lets me know people are still interested because sometimes I need the help staying motivated. Huge thanks to all who have reviewed and favorited and followed this story. I cannot express my gratitude.

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Gibbs rushed to the hospital only to realize when he arrived that he probably wasn't going to enjoy this confrontation with Tony. He couldn't blame Tony for the he reacted. Hell it was apparent that Tony had wanted him for a long time and Gibbs was just too damn stubborn and set in his ways to acknowledge his own feelings let alone Tony's.

Hell DiNozzo I don't know what to say to you. Never thought we'd be here… Guess that's what I'll do… tell you the way it's going to be you never listen when someone gives you an out and I for damn sure am not giving you an out.

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Tony lay seething in as controlled a manner as possible, whilst Ducky paced nervously and rambled on about some friend of his in medical school.

"Anthony? Are you listening to me? I am trying to help dear boy."

"Hmmm? What? Oh, sorry Ducky I wasn't listening. I was too busy thinking of ways to punch Gibbs with my one good hand without killing myself."

Ducky nearly laughed but realized that was probably exactly what Tony had been doing.

"Well, seeing as there is no way for you to achieve that goal, I pray you will listen to some reason."

"Reason? I'll give you reason, I wasted ten years of my life pining away like an idiot for a man I thought was the bravest man ever, a man I could never have, only to find out that I could have been happy if said man weren't actually a big fat coward. And the only reason I even know this is because I am practically dying… again!"

Tony's heart rate was rising rapidly.

"Yes of course Anthony you have every reason to be angry but at this point what good will it do you? I submit, none at all."

What could Tony say to that? It would feel good to punch Gibbs or scream at him for making both their lives unnecessarily empty, but it wouldn't heal the Gibbs shaped wound in his heart. Only having Gibbs would, and as angry as Tony was he suddenly realized that he could have Gibbs, that they could be together. Did it really matter how it happened? Sure it sucked it took something so epic to make Gibbs wise up, and sure there was a chance that it would end badly, but there would be a beginning… a now, and every hope there would be a future.

"Anth—"

Ducky had watched Tony's face and seen the emotions ebb and flow from anger to acceptance, when Gibbs strode in like he was taking Normandy beach, before the ME could respond.

Gibbs walked over to the bed and pulled the chair on Tony's good side as close as he could and sat down. He leaned in so that his face was inches from Tony's.

"First of all DiNozzo you will have that surgery tomorrow morning. Secondly, I understand why you're pissed… but get over it. Third, I don't tell people I love them like I'm asking them to pass the salt so you better be prepared for what that means. And fourth you talk too damn much…"

Before Tony could respond Gibbs leaned in and gave him a kiss, a sweet gentle kiss on the cheek, one full of promise and tenderness.

"Now, when you're better, and make no mistake you will be getting better we'll talk, and then maybe I'll give you a real kiss."

Tony sat stunned his good hand just touching his cheek where Gibbs' lips had just been.

"Better not hear any more of this crap about you having hissy fits and cancelling surgeries. Got it?"

"Yes Boss…" Tony said absently.

Ducky watched the whole thing bewildered and not at all sure what exactly had happened, but knowing the process was somehow perfectly Gibbs and Tony.

"Thanks Duck, you can go home now. We'll see you in the morning before the surgery."

Ducky knew he'd been dismissed so he said his goodbyes and left still bemused by the way things had played out.

Gibbs pulled Tony's hand down from his face and held it in his. "Tony, I mean it, you will get better because we haven't had our chance yet and dammit we deserve it…after all the crap we've been through… the things we have endured…I'd say the universe owes us one…or two."

Tony was reveling in the feel of Gibbs hand encompassing his, luxuriating in the heartfelt words that wafted over him like a sweet perfume. He was home, and he knew in his soul that Gibbs was right that he would make it through the surgery, that they would have their chance. The truth of it all brought a beautiful lopsided smile to his face and his and Gibbs eyes connected. Tony whispered, "Thank you…"

Gibbs had no words, he didn't need them. He raised Tony's hand to his lips and kissed it in a perfect reply.