Gibbs woke up early the next morning and stretched, his bones popping and settling. Tony slept soundly beside him. Gibbs smiled a little, watching the pillowcase edge move slightly with each breath, comforted by the deep and even breaths, how still he was otherwise. He needed a good sleep. Quietly, Gibbs got up and dressed, then hit the head before going to the kitchen to make coffee. He got the paper and sat down at the table to read it. It was actually kind of nice not having to get ready for work. He could take his time, drink his coffee and relax.

He was under no delusions that he'd be content to do this forever. Once they moved, he'd be busy building furniture and taking care of their new home. He wondered if he'd ever miss chasing criminals, but somehow he doubted it. It was time to leave that job to the younger generations. He would need to take it a little easier from now on. He figured he could also consult sometimes, Vance had even mentioned that. Mostly though, he looked forward to enjoying his life with Tony.

He would miss Ducky and Abby, even Tim and Jimmy. He hoped Ducky and Abby would come around and be happy for them eventually. He knew he and Ducky would get through this, they'd been through too much not to. He wished Ducky had been happy without reservation, but he understood the reservations, too. Ducky knew as well as Tony how stubborn he could be about things but it was time for him to be a little less stubborn, and he knew it, and he was trying. He thought he'd feel embarrassed over his confessions the evening before, but strangely, he wasn't. He sensed Tony needed to hear it before he'd let himself share his own neediness. Of course, they would both deny it if anyone else said it, but one of the things he'd loved most about Shannon was his ability to let his guard down. He may not have been able to talk about what he did in the Corps, but he could share what he needed from her and she shared what she needed from him. Now, he seemed to have that with Tony. He knew Tony had more inside him that he hadn't shared, but he knew he would in time. Abby just needed to think about it for a while and realization would dawn and everything would be sunshine and black roses for her.

He smiled a little as he drank his coffee, didn't even let the bad news of the world get to him. He was on his second cup of coffee when his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and smiled. "Gibbs."

"Hey Gibbs, hope I'm not calling too early?"

"I've been awake. What's up, Abs?"

"I couldn't sleep last night."

Gibbs waited, knowing Abby would continue.

"I...I'm just worried about you. Tony has a lousy track record for relationships...and well...yours isn't the best either though I know they left you, not the other way around, so I guess your track record is better. Are you...sure about this? I mean, he's Tony."

"He's always stayed with me, Abs, even when he shouldn't have."

Abby's sigh seemed to come from deep down. "I know, I thought of that earlier, it's just...I never thought you two would consider men, let alone each other."

Gibbs snorted. "He's good for me, Abs. Always has been." Gibbs hesitated and reminded himself he was letting those who cared about him in. "Took nearly dying for me to see that he was the one I needed...and he needs me, too."

"Awwww!" Abby said and he could almost hear the tears in her eyes. "That is so sweet. You should tell him that."

"Already did."

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. You really let him in, didn't you?"

"Yeah, Abs."

"I noticed he seemed really happy last night, in a way I'd never seen him. I guess...I was just afraid you would end up broken."

"I really don't think we will."

"Are you happy, Gibbs? Like really, really happy?"

"I haven't been this happy in over 20 years."

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then he heard her sniffle. "I'm happy for you, too. Both of you. I never thought you'd ever let anyone in. This is so great."

Gibbs smiled. "Thanks, Abs. When Tony and I move, you'll have to come visit us."

"That's right, he said he was going to move. I kept hoping he'd change his mind. "Where are you moving to?"

"Not sure yet, but when we know, you'll know."

"Okay." Abby sighed happily and Gibbs could almost picture her dreamy smile as she imagined that she could see him. "I'd better get to work, but I couldn't work without asking. I won't worry so much about you. Will I see you soon?"

"Sure, we'll have dinner soon."

"Oh, I'd love that. Promise?"

"Promise."

"Okay, we'll plan it soon."

"Sounds good."

"Wait...Gibbs…?"

"Yeah, Abs?"

"You'll...take good care of Tony, won't you? I mean...he always pretends nothing bothers him and I know it actually takes a lot for stuff to get to him but once it gets him, he has a hard time letting it go. And he's had a lot of bad in his life. And he hates to admit when he's hurting and he hurts a lot more than he pretends to. I know you're hard to fool, but Tony's really good at hiding...like really good at it. Just...don't let him hide from you, okay?"

"Not a chance, Abs. He knows better than to even try."

He felt rather than heard her happiness notch up. "I knew I could count on you to take care of my Tony-bear." Gibbs smiled. "He needs you so much, Gibbs. I saw the way he looked at you yesterday."

"I know, Abs. Don't worry."

"With you on the case, I never worry! Okay, I really need to get going or I'll be late. Love you."

"Love you, too, Abs." He hung up and wiped away his own tear. It really did take so little to make her happy. He knew she'd come around, and he felt himself relax. Abby was happy again, and that would ease Tony's mind, too.