A/N: Dang you guys are so cool. 286 reviews? I can't believe it. I never thought I'd get more than like, 50.
So, thank you.
Today's chapter faces something that's been neglected for a while at the mercy of Gibbs: Rule Twelve. Enjoy!
2 chapters left. The next one is extremely short, but the one after that… Oh dang.
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The days seemed to go by quickly now. Things were more normal than before, but every time they talked, they both felt the air of unspoken words that needed to be said. They hadn't had a serious conversation since the day at the crime scene near the park, but they were finally able to work together again, in the way they used to. Even the banter between the entire team had come back, and Gibbs was giving away headslaps once more. Things were better, but not the best.
Gibbs sat at his desk, working through a stack of paperwork Vance had given him three weeks ago. As good as an investigator he was, he felt it wasn't his job to go through job applications, but it was either that or cold cases for a month. Ziva and McGee were out grabbing lunch and coffee respectively, and Tony was left at his desk, unwillingly sharing in Gibbs' paperwork.
Tony glanced at his boss who was squinting at the papers below him. Tony looked over at Ziva's desk and smiled at what he saw there. He stood and picked it up and walked over to Gibbs, handing him what he found.
"Your glasses, Boss,"
"Thanks," Gibbs murmured. Tony stood there, unsure about asking what he needed to ask. "You need somethin', DiNozzo?" He said, not looking up.
"I have a question," Tony said.
Jethro sighed and set down his pen. "McGee got over this two years ago. You've been doing this job for how long?"
Tony smiled, then moved on. "When I handed you my badge and gun and ID… You just let me go. You fought everyone else who's ever tried to quit. Why not me?"
Gibbs stood and walked around to the other side of his desk to meet Tony. "You've worked for me for seven years,"
"Eight," Tony corrected.
"I knew you knew what you were doing. I didn't blame you. I mighta done the same thing if I was in your place,"
"Really, Boss?" Gibbs nodded a little. "How'd you know I wasn't gonna go do something stupid and get myself killed?"
" 'Cause you're not stupid," He said.
"Thanks, Boss,"
"Welcome. Now go finish that paperwork," He said.
"Oh, and Boss," He said turning around once more. Gibbs looked up expectantly. "About Ziva--"
"I've got rules, DiNozzo,"
"Rule Twelve: Never date a co-worker,"
"Yeah," Gibbs confirmed.
"You never said anything about falling in love with one," Tony said.
Gibbs set his glasses down on his desk. "I know,"
"So…"
"I've got another rule though,"
"Which is…?" Tony said, almost afraid of the answer.
"Never break your partner's heart," He said, staring Tony straight in the eye, reading his every move, and almost every thought. "Rule fifty,"
"I won't,"
Ziva walked into the squadroom just then. "Won't what?"
"Won't forget to finish my paperwork before I leave," Tony grinned at her as she squinted at him, wondering if it was a lie or not.
"Hm," She smiled a little as she sat down at her desk. Tony and Gibbs followed suit as McGee walked in, a tray full of coffee in his hands. Gibbs looked across at Tony. Tony nodded at him ever so slightly, making a silent promise.
