Much love for Kesterpan who gave this a quick run through for me! And so much love for all of the responses to the last chapter! I hope you all enjoy this one as well. I'm expecting two more after this, but don't worry- the sequel will begin by the end of summer :)
Chapter 38
Gibbs looked up from his file when he heard the elevator ding. He saw Tony emerge and he smiled, letting out a small sigh of relief. He was trying really hard not to ask Tony about his every move, and so far, he was succeeding. He'd just spent half an hour going over the forensics for the Ivert case, and he and his team had settled down to write it up. He felt his concentration drifting to eavesdrop on Tony's conversation with Critten. He didn't know it, but McGee was trying to listen, too. The noise around them made that nearly impossible, but Gibbs was able to hear enough to know that Tony was talking to Critten about the SFA paperwork.
He stopped midsentence and forced himself to continue looking at his paperwork and not over his shoulder in the direction of the discussion he shouldn't have been listening to. He'd thought Tony was going to make Parke his second, and he remembered that Vance had been pushing Tony to make Critten the SFA. He thought about it for a moment, torn between how he felt about that. He knew that Tony wouldn't have caved to the pressure, so something must have happened to help him make that decision. He thought for a moment that maybe something had happened during the case that caused Parke to get shot that Tony hadn't told him about, but then he shook it off. Tony didn't have any reason to lie to him about that, and he couldn't imagine Tony lying to him anyway. He breathed deeply and then went back to his file, his mind made up to ask Tony for the details when they were alone again.
About twenty minutes later, the elevator opened and Gibbs heard Dorneget's voice thank someone. He glanced up, and did a double take, fully sitting up and openly watching as Dorney came into the bullpen with two file boxes on top of one another. McGee glanced up and saw Gibbs staring at something, and he looked and saw Dorneget dropping his load on the empty desk in Tony's area. Ziva caught on that there was a commotion brewing, and she looked up to find out what everyone was staring at. She shot Tim a look, and they exchanged a curious glance before staring back at the scene unfolding in Tony's side of the bullpen. They watched as Critten got up to ask Dorneget something, and then smiled, patting him on the arm before sitting back down.
Gibbs suddenly cleared his throat, and the two of them dove back into their files. A few minutes later though, glances were exchanged from over their folders that indicated a promise to discuss the unexpected change later.
They had been working for a couple of hours when McGee finished his report. He started in on the paperwork that he had learned how to do when Gibbs had been in Mexico, but this case was going to require forms he hadn't ever filled out. He messaged Tony and asked if he was done with his report yet so that they could go over the forms, and he got a message back that said he would be soon.
Gibbs had gone up to run the case through with Vance, so Tim decided it was safe enough to message Abby with the latest bullpen developments.
TMcGee02: Dorney just took over the empty desk in Tony's area of the bullpen.
AScuito01: Whoa! Really? As in, he's a part of Tony's team now, or what?
TMcGee02: I don't know, but it sure looks that way. Parke's going to be out for a while, so he'll probably need the help.
AScuito01: I would so ask him right now, but he'd probably have a cow wondering if IMing on the clock is office-legal.
TMcGee02: I bet Tony breaks him of that soon. Then again… I guess everything is changing. That could be too.
AScuito01: Yeah, he's been totally focused lately. Crazy focused! I think what has me surprised the most, is that he's genuinely happy being that way. It's like he climbed out of this Tony-shell, or something. I don't know how to explain it.
TMcGee02: To me, it's like he's grown up from being the goofy big brother to- oh wait, he just IMed me. GTG. We're working on forms together. Love you.
AScuito01: Oh, okay. Love you, too. See you after work.
Tim closed that window and started typing into Tony's chat.
TMcGee02: Be right there
He locked down his computer, gathered the stack of forms and his case folders, and then went over to Tony's side of the bullpen. He pulled up a chair and Critten rolled over to meet them, his own files in hand.
"Okay, I have no idea where to begin," Critten said, looking at all of the different papers he had in his hands, a wide eyed look being cast back and forth from Tony to McGee.
McGee smiled at him. "Neither did I when Gibbs retired and I had to start with all of this stuff. That was only for a few months though."
"Wait? Gibbs retired?" Critten looked up at Tony in confusion.
"Long story. Short term. Another time." Tony's words were crisp, and Critten nodded, raising a curious eyebrow at McGee who gave him the tiniest head shake that it was a topic to stay away from.
Gibbs came out of Vance's office and looked down at the bullpen. He saw Tony huddled together with McGee and Critten, and leaned against the railing to watch, a small smile coming over his face. The three of them were laughing and throwing paper balls back and forth at one another. He had often dreamt of doing that with the forms he was working on himself, and he wondered if maybe one night, alone in the bullpen, he should wad one up and throw it over his shoulder at Tony to see what he'd do.
He chuckled to himself as he realized that was yet another thing Tony was bringing out in him that he'd forgotten about- his playful side. Tony had always managed to bring it out more than anybody else. As he thought about it, he decided it was because he knew Tony, and he knew that he was just as serious as he was playful, and twice as dedicated as any agent he'd ever met despite his goofball persona.
He admitted to himself that he was extremely grateful that McGee had gone to Tony for help with the forms. It was bad enough that he had to waste so much time doing paperwork, but to have to explain it was even further out of his range of patience that he was afraid he'd take it out on McGee. He was still surprised about how well McGee had stepped into the SFA position. He caught himself chastising himself for not letting his team's talents out of the box more. He watched Tony catch a wad of paper and then draw their focus back to the paperwork with a chuckle. Both of the younger agents' attention was immediately focused on what they were doing, and Gibbs was impressed that Tony could get them to flip the switch so easily between play and work.
Vance came out of his office and stopped as he watched Gibbs observing the group with a smile. He was still getting used to a more laid back, happier Gibbs. He took in the anomaly a moment, then came to lean on the railing with him. He saw Tony working with both McGee and Critten, and he glanced up at Gibbs, who didn't stop watching the group below them
"Everyone seems happy around here. Rare phenomenon."
Gibbs smirked and took a drink of his coffee.
"Almost makes me nervous," Vance admitted with a chuckle.
"Nah, Leon. Storm's already been through. Time to rebuild," he said, standing up straight again and nodding to Vance before heading back down to join everyone in the bullpen.
"And rebuild we are," Vance said under his breath as he headed for MTAC.
NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS
Tony and Gibbs met up with everyone in the lab at 1730. Ziva told them she would be swinging by the restaurant to pick up Dion who was there consulting with some of the designers. Abby and Tim reiterated that they were stopping by the store for snacks and beer. Gibbs and Ducky were going to go pick up a U-Haul and boxes, and Tony decided to go get a head start on packing with Critten back at the apartment.
Tony had taken a few minutes that afternoon to type up a letter to his landlord informing him of his departure. He knew that he would have to come back with movers for the piano and some of the furniture that he wasn't going to know what to do with, so he had simply said he would be fully moved out by the end of his lease. He had the letter folded into the inside pocket of his jacket, and he double checked that it was still there as he got into his car. His phone rang, and he looked at it to find that Jethro was calling.
"Hey, sexy! What's up?" he asked putting his phone on speaker, and pulling out of his spot.
"Ducky is going to drive separately after all and leave his car at the U-Haul place. He's volunteered to drop it back off for us tonight."
"That's really great of him. I'll need to make sure to thank him extra." Tony checked that Elly was following him as he pulled out of the garage.
"Thanks for doing this, Tony," Jethro said quietly. Tony smiled broadly.
"Shouldn't I be thanking you? I mean, it's your house I'm moving into, and you're picking up the truck and boxes."
Jethro rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean, and it's our house."
Tony smiled.
"I love the sound of that," he said softly.
"Me, too," Jethro echoed. They sat in happy silence for a minute.
"So, Dorneget?" Jethro asked, unable to hold in the question any longer.
"He's going to be with us for the next month or so while Parke goes through physical therapy, and then if things work, he'll continue through the summer on probationary status. And I kinda ended up spilling the beans about us. He thought when I came downstairs that it was to reprimand him for that comment he had made to McGee last year and confront him on the issue, and I kinda stuck my foot in my mouth."
"You stuck your foot in your mouth? Never heard that happen," Jethro said with a kind of light banter that made Tony giddy.
"Yeah, yeah! So, where are we putting everything?" Tony asked, changing the subject as he tried to picture where things would be able to go.
"What do you want to make sure comes with you this trip?" Jethro asked.
"All of the stuff in the kitchen, the couch, the stuff in the bedroom and livingroom… I guess that's everything, isn't it?" he said chuckling.
Jethro chuckled too. "Yeah, that sounds like everything. There's plenty of room in the kitchen cabinets for stuff, but if you need more, we can store some of it and figure it out later."
"I've got a question," Tony asked tentatively, but with that edge of charm that Jethro had learned a long time ago meant that Tony was going to ask for something. Jethro smiled and shook his head, knowing that he couldn't deny Tony anything at this point.
"Okay?"
"Can we update the kitchen?" Tony held his breath, waiting for the reaction more than the answer.
"Well, yeah, Tony. If that's something you wanna do. I kind of expected it- I've seen your kitchen." Jethro thought about the black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in Tony's kitchen, and wondered what that would translate into in their house.
Tony sighed in relief at both Jethro's nonchalance and his answer. "Awesome. Are we going to put my bed in the guest room for your dad?"
"We probably should. I figure your couch will replace the one in the livingroom, too."
Tony almost slammed on his breaks. He'd known Jethro for twelve years, and from the first time he ever walked into the house, that couch had been there. He was pretty sure that couch had been there as long as Jethro had been at NCIS and then some.
"Really?" he asked in alarm.
"Yeah, it's time for it to go. Won't be sleeping on it anymore."
"You'd better not! I have certain expectations in a marriage, and that includes my husband sharing a bed with me. And just to cover all the bases, I have the same expectation of engagements. You'd better be in bed with me while we're engaged, too. A lot. You don't have to be sleeping, though I do like when we sleep, but you know, doing other things in bed, I really enjoy the other things…"
Jethro started laughing on the other end of the line. "I have to go. We're here."
"Okay. We should be at the apartment soon."
"Sounds good. See ya in half an hour."
"See you then," Tony said, reaching out and tapping his phone to disconnect. He made sure Critten was still following him, and his adrenaline began rushing as he realized that he was about to pack up his apartment and move out of it into Jethro's house. Up until that point, it had all seemed like a fairytale, but it was really happening now.
He pulled into the parking lot behind his place, and into his spot as Elly pulled up next to him. They got out at the same time and Tony realized that Elly looked almost as excited as he did. He was glad Elly was feeling accepted by the group. Watching him joke around with Tim earlier had felt really good. They headed into the building with Tony making jokes about how much easier it must have been to follow him than Ziva.
"Greg asked me what I was up to tonight. I told him. I hope you don't mind." Tony heard the nervousness in Elly's voice, and was quick to let him know it was fine.
"I would have asked him to join us too if he was in one piece. No worries!" Tony unlocked the door to his apartment and Elly followed him in.
"Wow," Elly said, looking around. "Nice place."
"Eh, yeah. At least when the heat works. You'd think they'd spend the money for a decent boiler. It's a historic building, so there's only so much they can do to alter it, but a furnace that doesn't go out every week would be nice." Tony went to turn down the thermostat. The last time he was there, the heat had been out and he had turned it up hoping it would kick on. Now, it was a little too toasty. He cranked the front window open to let some of the heat out, then turned and looked around, thinking about how this had been his home for the last eleven years.
"What first, Boss?"
Tony shrugged off his haze, and looked at his agent.
"Cleaning out the fridge before everyone gets here and finds the spoiled food I haven't been home in three weeks to throw away."
Elly laughed, but Tony was serious. They started emptying the moldy food into the trash can, and cracked jokes about it.
"What do you think?" Tony asked as he held up a half-gallon of milk. "Do I pour it out and recycle, or throw it out and save us the torture of smelling its chunky goodness all night?"
Elly cringed, and looked at it like it was toxic waste.
"Got any enemies you wanna get even with, because that looks like it would do it."
"My enemies deserve more than curdled milk thrown at them," Tony said as he tossed the jug in the trash can with a thud.
"That bad, huh?"
"Oh, yeah," Tony said softly as he stared into the empty fridge. "That bad."
"Anything you wanna give me a head's up on?" Elly asked him cautiously as he opened the freezer.
"Um, well…" Tony startled rifling through the TV dinners as he thought. "Ziva's dad isn't so crazy about me. If I end up in a ditch somewhere, start there." Critten looked at him with a cocked eyebrow. "He's the head of Mossad."
"Whoa. What did you do to piss off the head of Israeli Intelligence?"
"He thought I was in love with Ziva, and that I had let those imaginary feelings cloud my judgment when I killed one of his agents."
Elly looked at him with wide eyes. "Uhhh…"
"It was self-defense. I had a bad feeling about him, went to check on her, and I turned out to be correct. We struggled, fought, I got my ass kicked, but he ended up dead. I guess you can say I'm a little over-protective of our little ninjette." Tony shrugged like it was nothing, but Elly was enthralled in the tale as he threw out half a bag of frozen French fries.
"Is it true that you guys went to Somalia to rescue her from a terrorist camp?"
"Yup. Me, McGee, and Jethro of course."
"It's so weird to hear you call him by his first name," Elly said as he moved from the freezer to a cabinet over the stove.
"I honestly thought it would be weird for me, too, but it actually happened pretty easily." Tony started stacking dishes on the island in the middle of the kitchen.
"Do you think-" Elly's voice stopped, and Tony looked up to watch him shake his head a little.
"Do I think what?" Tony asked before the younger man could back-pedal.
"Do you think your relationship, or at least how the two of you feel about each other, is the reason why the MCRT is so close to one another?"
Tony's eyes took in every movement that Elly made, and at the moment, he was definitely "Elly". Tony could see the sad yearning of a child looking for a place to belong in those eyes that looked down to wipe some dust out of a bowl.
"There are hundreds of reasons for why we're so close. For example, Jethro and I met during a case that outed my Baltimore PD partner as a dirty cop. Jethro was there for me. A few years later, right after McGee joined the team, I ended up contracting the plague during a biohazard attack. Then we lost our teammate, Kate, to a terrorist's sniper gun, a terrorist that Ziva killed in Jethro's basement the day the guy came to kill him. To top it all off, the terrorist was Ziva's half-brother, Ari." Elly had completely stopped everything he was doing and was staring at Tony with even wider eyes than before. "That's how Ziva ended up on the team in a way. Working closely with us gave Mossad the in that they needed to get someone on our team as a liason, and she was it. They used her, and though she knew some of what was going on, she didn't know all of it. In the end, they sent Michael, that guy I killed. She chose to go back to Mossad after that, and they sent her on a suicide mission to none other than Somalia. We went to Somalia, kicked total ass might I add, and brought her home." Elly suddenly looked down and seemed even more sad than before.
"In all honesty, Elly," Tony said, leaning forward on the counter so he was closer to him. "Despite all of the craziness we've gotten into and out of together, it's the other things that have kept us together enough to withstand all that for one another. We care a hell of a lot about each other. We have one big thing in common: we're each other's family. There's not a person amongst our group that doesn't have skeletons in the closet, and shards of a family we're still trying to pick up and put together. I met Jethro's dad and ex-wives on cases. Tim's sister? Met her on a case. Ziva's family? Well, obviously, on cases. Abby's crazy stalker ex-boyfriend? A case. We didn't become this close overnight. It's cases like this one with Shane, and the Northridge case that brought you and Greg so close together, that turns our work into a personal matter. We have come to depend on each other because we had to, but we've become family because we wanted to."
Elly nodded, still not looking convinced. Tony knew it was going to take time for it all to settle in, but he was going to work on it.
"Actually, you guys are going to fit in so well that it's kinda scary. I mean, my first week as your team leader, and I already have reason to know both of your life stories, and have, as Greg put it, shot a guy in a face to protect a family member. I think you two will fit in just fine." Elly stood there a moment in shock at the idea that Tony had just told him to expect to fit in, and Tony wondered what it would take to bring the confidence out in him. He clasped Elly's shoulder on his way past him as he headed for the pantry, and gave it a squeeze. He felt the slightest shiver under his hand as the touch caused a cold chill to go up Elly's back.
The buzzer rang for the front door, and Elly offered to go let people in. Pretty soon everyone was in the apartment, and had split up the rooms. Jethro and Abby tackled the bedroom, Tony painstakingly packed up his office and then bathroom, Ziva and Ducky worked on the living room while Tim, Dion, and Elly made box runs to the truck. Everyone made frequent stops in the kitchen for snacks and for a beer to sip on while they packed. There were constant questions for Tony to explain trinkets they found, and to ask whether or not he wanted this thing or that to go or wait.
Finally, the truck was packed. Tony couldn't believe how empty the apartment was. He also couldn't believe that both the moving truck and Jethro's pickup were packed. He didn't realize he had so much stuff. Everyone was heading for their cars, determined not to lose the urgent energy they had tapped into to get the job done before unpacking at Gibbs'.
Tony stood in the almost empty living room as he stared at the piano. He suddenly felt warm, strong, supportive arms come around his waist, and felt Jethro's chin on his shoulder.
"You sure about this?" he asked quietly in Tony's ear.
"Oh, yeah- definitely. Besides, it's a little late to ask. Can you imagine telling everyone to go unpack it and bring it all back up?" Tony smiled broadly and turned in Jethro's arms so that he could stare into his eyes. "I've never been so sure about anything as I am about wanting to spend the rest of my life making a home and making love with you."
"Mmmm…" Jethro said with a quiet groan. "I love the way that sounds."
"Funny, so do I."
Jethro chuckled and looked into Tony's shining green eyes. "Let's go get you unpacked so we can start on that before Dad gets here tomorrow."
Tony nodded, but leaned in to kiss Jethro deeply, one hand coming up behind his head.
"Uh! WOW!" They heard Abby's voice come from the front doorway. "Hotness alert! You two should seriously warn a girl before you go and start making out in front of her."
"You walked in on us Abs. I think maybe you have that a little backwards," Tony looked at her with a smirk, still holding on to Jethro.
"Abs? You need something?" Jethro asked.
"Yeah, for you guys to do that again!"
"Abs!" Jethro barked.
"Gibbs! You're ruining all my fun!" She pouted, then bounced into the room a couple of steps. "Oh, well. I was sent to find out what's holding us up."
"You mean you volunteered," Tony said with a smile.
"Well, someone had to. Really, would you have rather Timmy had walked in on that? Or Elly?"
Jethro chuckled. "We're coming, Abs."
Abby's eyebrows rose and she turned to walk out the door. "Not yet, but looks like you were getting there…" She hurried down the steps before either man could react.
"Is it just me, or is she getting…"
"Ballsier?" Jethro asked shaking his head in disbelief as he looked at the door.
"Yeah, something like that. We'd better go."
"Yeah, before she gets to the house before us and rigs a camera somewhere."
Tony burst out laughing at Jethro's comment, but knew that it was a definite possibility with their techno-goth. They rushed just a little faster to turn the lights off and head downstairs after that.
NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS
It was almost midnight when everyone had finally said good night, Tony shouting after them that he was bringing coffee and donuts the next morning. Now, the two men were standing in the middle of a transformed living room. There was a different couch where the old brown plaid couch once stood, and the TV was sitting on a stand on the book case that had been in Tony's apartment until they could mount it on the wall. Tony's framed pictures now intermingled with Jethro's on the bookshelves after Abby had made it her personal project to unpack that kind of stuff. There were still a large assortment of boxes stacked against the wall near the stairs, and the bedroom had another dozen boxes in it.
Jethro once again wrapped his arms around Tony as they looked at the incredible feat their friends had just accomplished for them.
"Welcome home, Tony."
Tony fell back into Jethro's arms, melting against his chest. His fingers entwined with Jethro's around his waist and he sighed happily. The words were perfect, the situation was perfect, and his relationship was perfect for him. He couldn't imagine ever being happier than he was in that moment.
Jethro snuck a hand from Tony's grasp, making a pitiful whine escape Tony's throat. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a little blue box identical to the one that Tony had given him. He held it up in front of Tony, and Tony gasped in excitement leaning forward. Jethro pulled him back into the embrace with a chuckle and kissed his cheek. His mouth was right next to Tony's ear as he started talking.
"You beat me to it the other night, ya know. I've been thinking about asking you for a week now, since we took our snow day. I even talked to Ducky about feelings if that tells you anything." That made both men chuckle. Tony turned around in Jethro's arms, slipping his hands around Jethro's neck as he realized that his lover was trying to explain something to him. He saw an almost shy smile on Jethro's face as his eyes looked down and then up into Tony's.
"I never thought I'd feel like this, like I was embarking on some great adventure, eager, excited, full of faith that my future was going to be bright after all. I didn't think that I would be able to feel this alive again. I figured I was resigned to being a bastard for the rest of my life, bitter, cold, and alone until the day I died. You have been keeping me alive for years, and not just by having my back in the field. You always manage to do something right when I need it to remind me that I'm not alone, and that I do have a family. You are my family.
"Tonight, having the entire team here, supporting us like they did- that blows me away, Tony, and you're the reason for that. You're why I've managed to let them all in. You've pried me open bit by bit over the years, and I'm not saying I'm not ever going to be a jerk- ask any of the ex-wives, my friends, my dad… they'll tell you I'm still going to be an ass now and then, but I am looking forward to the future now because I'm not the cold, lonely grump anymore. You've given me a family and made sure I wasn't too stupid to see what was right in front of my face.
"The most incredible part of it all, is that you love me. I never thought in a million years I'd be standing in our living room, holding you, giving you an engagement ring, but I am, and I can't believe that I'm so lucky. I love you, Tony, and I am so happy that you want to spend the rest of our lives together, because I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
Tony's lips stole Jethro's in a moist, slow, tender kiss with more depth than Jethro had ever felt in a kiss. So much was said as Tony's lips moved against his that he might as well have been speaking words straight from his soul, and the way Tony's tongue gently slid over his made his heart ache. It reminded him of a bow over a violin. He'd heard of how the Stradivarius violins were crafted with so much care, carefully etching away at the wood flake by flake, and the way that Tony kissed him felt like that, like someone was putting the masterpiece touches on a project that had taken years to complete. He was honored and humbled to be Tony's masterpiece.
As the kiss came to a close, Tony pulled back just the slightest bit to look into Jethro's eyes, which took a long moment to flutter open and reveal glazed blue orbs amid a dazed expression.
"I love you, too, Jethro."
Jethro smiled at him and held up the little blue box, which Tony reached up slowly to take. He flipped it open with one hand, and saw the same band he had gotten Jethro and smiled.
"I was kinda hoping for this," he said through his grin.
"It's not exactly the same," Jethro said, stepping out of Tony's grip to take the box and pull the ring out. He held it up to the light so Tony could see it. "My love, my life, is yours."
Tony wasn't sure what to say. Jethro smiled at him and took Tony's hand, slipping the ring over his finger. He took the ringed hand and kissed it gently before letting their clasped hands fall. They eyes were locked, and Jethro's voice was rough and quiet as he said, "Forever."
Tony nodded, his heart beating wildly in his chest. "Forever."
"Come sleep with me?" Jethro asked quietly. Tony looked a little confused. "Just sleep. Just be close." Jethro pulled Tony in closer, and rested their foreheads together. "Close enough to hear you breathe, and know you're really there."
Tony swallowed hard and nodded. Jethro led him by the hand to the dining room to flip the light switch off, then flipped off the floor lamp that was now in the living room from Tony's apartment. Finally, they headed upstairs to their room, hands still folded into one another until they got through their doorway. Jethro slid a box to the side with his foot, and Tony set the alarm on his phone. They started pulling clothes off, tossing them over boxes and furniture as they went to their separate sides of the bed.
Once down to boxers, they climbed in and under the covers, and turned towards one another as they tangled their limbs. When they were settled in, Tony's chin rested on the top of Jethro's head as he nestled into Tony's chest, arms tightly around him and a leg wedged between Tony's. Tony had one arm over Jethro's and around his back, while the other laid across the pillows above him, allowing for Tony's fingers to play with the shorter hairs as the base of Jethro's neck, making him sigh contently.
They laid there in silence for a long time, refusing to give in to sleep when being close felt so good. Tony's thoughts wandered here and there, but he would always bring them back to the way it felt to have Jethro's head snuggled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, or the way Jethro's back rose and fell slightly with his breathing. Jethro was the first to fall asleep, the thump-thump of Tony's pulse lulling him into a peaceful slumber. Tony stayed awake another ten minutes or so, just taking in how perfect he felt. He tried not to question it or over think it, and when he finally let go and let it be what it was, he slipped into dreams with Jethro.
NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS
Tony woke up to Jethro running his thumb over the ring on Tony's hand as it lay on his chest. He smiled in his sleepy daze and looked up at Jethro's face to find a concerned and thoughtful expression.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked quietly.
Jethro smiled brightly at him, and Tony was relieved to see it was a genuine smile.
"Nothing's wrong. Just thinking about what I'm going to say to my dad. He should be getting here right about the time we should be home from work tonight."
Tony nodded and sat up so that he was leaning against the headboard. He yawned loudly, his mouth opening all the way. He saw that Jethro was still a little lost in thought, and he wrapped his arm around him and pulled him towards him so that Jethro's head landed on his shoulder. He was surprised when Jethro simply fell against him limply.
"So what have you decided to say?" Tony asked quietly.
"I have no idea."
"Do you want me there?"
Jethro nodded in a series of short emphatic nods. "Definitely. I do know that part. I have gone back and forth with the idea, and I just…"
"I'll be there." Tony's words were simple, but it made all the difference to how Jethro felt. He sighed deeply in relief, and closed his eyes. Tony's hand came up and started carding through Jethro's short hair. He hadn't had it cut in a few weeks now, and it was getting a little shaggy, which for Jethro simply meant it wasn't so short you could see his scalp. A smile ghosted across Tony's lips as he thought about how long it had gotten while he was Mexico. His thoughts caught for a moment when he realized that it was the first time he had thought about Jethro's hiatus without feeling the familiar pain and resentment that came with it. He realized that he was finally moving past it since Jethro's apology. His thoughts wandered back to the man against him.
"I guess this means that we're telling him as soon as we see him tonight."
"Yeah. Gonna have to." Jethro sounded resigned, and Tony was searching desperately for a way to make it easier on him.
"Well, let's think about this. What are all of the possible outcomes here? Do you really think he's going to get really angry? Is that even a possibility?" Tony resumed stroking Jethro's hair as he waited for an answer.
"I don't think he'd get mad that you're a guy. I think if anything, he's going to be concerned about things like our age difference, why I haven't told him anything, how quickly this is moving, especially considering how many times I've been married…" Tony heard him sigh heavily, and then felt Jethro's face turn into him so that it was buried in his shoulder. He dipped his head so that it rested against Jethro's.
"Is this something you'd rather tell him before he came down here? He's probably getting ready to leave already."
"I told him when I checked in with him yesterday that I had something I had to tell him when he came down. I figure that's enough of a warning. He seemed really excited to be coming down. Even commented on my mood." Jethro's words were barely more than a whisper as he talked close to Tony's ear.
"Your mood?" Tony asked just as quietly.
"Yeah. He said I sounded like I was in a good mood. I told him I was, and that I had something to tell him, but it would wait until he got here."
"Ahhh."
"I'm just worried he's going to have all these questions, and I don't think I have the answers, or at least the patience to answer them."
"You don't have to answer them alone. Part of your story is my story. I can help."
Jethro nodded, but his face remained buried in Tony's neck.
"Don't worry Jethro. We've got this. And I have a feeling he's going to be happy for us. I think he likes me. At least we've got a better chance of Jackson approving than Senior." Tony grimaced at the thought of telling his own dad. That was a moment he definitely wasn't looking forward to. The statement made Jethro chuckle though, so Tony took it as a win.
"That's the truth," Jethro mumbled under his breath, sitting up.
The smell of coffee brewing started wafting up the stairs.
"Guess that means it's time," Tony said half-heartedly.
"Yup." Jethro leaned in and kissed him gently. "Thanks, Tony."
"Anytime."
NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS
Tony and Gibbs arrived in the bullpen with a tray of coffee each and a box of pastries lying on top of them for each team. No one was there yet, but it didn't take long for them to start filtering in, each looking as tired as the next, but still in good spirits.
Gibbs spent the day going over all of the reports from the day before, McGee's paperwork, the forensic reports and finally a meeting with Vance. Tony spent the day getting his newest team member settled in, explaining what he hoped Critten would be able to work on with Dorney, and discussing what they were going to pick up on Monday when Parke was back. He'd decided that since Parke couldn't go out in the field anyway, he'd have him start compiling information from the Melinda Stafford videos in each of the described killings. They'd then run each murder, looking for similar cases that could be connected back to her.
Towards the end of the day, Tony called Fornell to check on Malcom's status. Elly looked up at him once he heard what he was doing, and Tony noticed that all of the knee bouncing and pencil tapping stopped as he listened for information. Even Dorneget stopped going through the case file on the Stafford case to listen. There was no change though. Malcom was still in a medically induced coma in critical condition. They planned to try to bring him out of it at some point that weekend, but there wasn't any indication so far that he was doing better or worse. When Tony got off the phone, he relayed the information to Dorneget and Elly, who pulled out his phone and updated Parke.
Tony got to his feet with a yawn, and stuck his head over the wall.
"Psst!"
Jethro's head snapped up, and looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"Coffee?" Tony asked. Jethro nodded, and Tony tossed his head towards the elevator. "Be back soon, guys." He headed for the elevator, and Jethro met him there. They didn't say anything until they were locked alone in the box together.
Jethro sighed once the doors closed, and a moment later, Tony was flipping the switch.
"Haven't been able to check in with you today."
"Been one of those days."
"Yeah, I get that," Tony nodded, worried about the defensive tone in Jethro's voice. "Just wondering how you're doing."
Jethro nodded, and Tony could see that his fiancé was trying to curb his frustration and remember that Tony wasn't the enemy.
"It will all be over soon," Tony said gently, trying to ease some of the tension oozing from him.
"Yeah. Still don't know how I'm going to…" Jethro shook his head as he contemplated announcing to his dad that he and Tony were getting married.
"Which part makes you more nervous? Telling him that you're with a guy or that you're getting married again?" Tony didn't mean to sound so insecure, but a part of him was trying to beat down this little voice in his head that was trying to make him think Jethro was ashamed of them.
"I think if it was just one or the other, it wouldn't be so bad, but putting them together is going to be a lot to for him swallow, and I'm just not sure…"
"The two of you have been through a lot of changes over the past couple of years. I'm not sure this is going to be so different. It's just another thing you're letting him in on. Hell, after Reynosa showing up in Stillwater, I'm pretty sure he can handle anything." Tony was relieved to see Jethro smile and hear the chuckle escape him.
"That is true." Jethro nodded and then looked up at Tony. He saw the desperation in Tony's eyes to make this better for him, and he realized he was subconsciously running his thumb across the band on his third finger, twirling it. He smiled a genuine smile at his partner, and simply stared back into eyes that suddenly twinkled with relief. He reached his hand out for Tony to take, and he didn't have to wait a moment before their hands were clasped. "Thanks, Tony."
Tony reached out to flip the switch on the elevator, but Jethro reached out and slammed it again, then pulled Tony against him, kissing him deeply, taking both of their breaths away.
"You know," Tony said, panting when they finally withdrew their tongues from one another. "If you do that in front of him, I'm pretty sure you won't have to say anything at all."
Jethro chuckled and cuffed Tony lightly across the back of the head, letting his fingers linger a moment before reaching back toward the panel and turning the elevator back on. They both schooled themselves as they got out of the elevator to head towards the exit. They broke out into the fresh air, assaulted by the sudden warmth that had followed the storm in the day before.
"Got warm out here," Tony said shifting to unbutton his jacket.
"I dunno. Thought it was getting pretty warm in there, too."
Tony smirked at Jethro. "Tsk! Tsk! And just who do you think was to blame for that?"
"You," Jethro said as if though the answer was obvious. They ordered their coffees then stepped aside to sit on the wall.
"Me? I don't think I was the one that stopped the elevator again, and shoved his tongue down my throat." Tony blew on his coffee, but he stared at Jethro the whole time. Jethro wouldn't look at him though, a smile on his face and the slightest bit of pink creeping up his neck.
"Well, if you hadn't been all understanding and staring at me like that…"
Tony cut off his argument. "Well, if you hadn't been sitting behind me half of the day getting crankier by the minute, maybe I wouldn't have worried."
"Yeah! Well! You're wearing the tie from the other night! I win." Jethro got up and started towards the building with Tony on his heels. When the elevator opened for them, they weren't alone. They tried not to look guilty as they thought about what they had been doing in the elevator earlier, both men biting their tongues as they waited to get off on their level. Once the doors opened to let them out, they cast each other a look and Tony snickered his way back to his desk as Jethro headed to his with a bright smile and a shake of his head.
Both McGee and Ziva noticed the change in their boss, and a few minutes later, Tony had instant messages from both of them.
TMcGee02: Don't know what you did to cheer him up, and I don't want to know, but thanks!
ZDavid01: Gibbs certainly seems to be in a better mood.
Tony read their messages and rolled his eyes. He saw the notepad next to him, tore off two sheets inconspicuously, and wadded them up. He stood up and launched one at Ziva, who immediately sat up with a jerk from the case she was looking over, then looked up at Tony with that usual affronted look. Then he took launch at McGee who looked at Tony in disbelief.
"What did I do?" he asked.
Jethro glared at him, and Tony smiled back.
"Just making a point, Boss." Tony turned around and sat back down at his desk, Dorneget and Critten looking at him in confusion.
Gibbs' voice rang out, addressing McGee and Ziva while informing Tony's probies about the situation. "If the two of you have time to be sending emails to DiNozzo, you have time to be finding leads in those cold cases. Get busy."
"Yes, Boss," McGee said, looking back down into his folder immediately.
Ziva did the same, trying to catch McGee's eye as she did so. Some things will never change, she thought, but then she realized that she was comforted by the idea.
An hour and a half later, everyone was scattering to turn off their desk lamps and computers, and get out of the office. Tony and Jethro were right there with them, cramming into the elevator. Tony was reminding everyone to be there at their house for dinner on Sunday when he realized that he hadn't invited Dorneget who was standing right behind him. He looked at Jethro sideways when he realized what he had just said, and saw the slightest shrug. He extended the invitation to Dorneget, and the ecstatic disbelief on his face was enough to tell Tony that it was both a good thing he kept sticking his foot in his mouth, and that it was going to be an interesting dinner.
He and Jethro got into his car. Since he had been parked closest to the street, he'd driven that morning. He found that he didn't mind since he still got to hold Jethro's hand through most of the ride to work. He was still surprised that Jethro enjoyed things like that, but he took the opportunity every chance he could to hold hands.
They were halfway home when Jethro's cell phone rang. It was his own home line. He looked at Tony. "It's Dad. He's at the house."
Tony looked over at his lover, and saw the apprehension.
"Are you going to answer it?" he asked. "We'll be there in ten minutes."
"Hey, Dad," Jethro said into the phone.
"Leroy? Where are you?" Jackson asked suspiciously.
"On the way home. Should be there in about ten minutes." Jethro's grip on Tony's hand tightened, and Tony tightened his grip back in support.
"Oh, I thought you might already be here because both your car and truck were in the driveway, but you weren't here, and let's face it, that doesn't look good." Jethro rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Be there soon, Dad." He disconnected the line and sighed heavily. "Dad saw both the truck and the Challenger there and was worried I'd been kidnapped." Tony couldn't help the laugh that burst out of him.
"Well, I guess that is clue number one, Watson. Maybe by time we get home, he'll put all the pieces together himself and we won't have to say much at all."
"I think he's gotten that I'm not living alone, but the reason why is probably still not clear to him." Jethro looked at Tony for a moment and Tony shrugged, pulling off the highway.
"I'm glad I still have scotch at home," Tony said quietly. "Sounds like I'll need it after this weekend."
Jethro looked at Tony who hadn't let go of his hand once since they had gotten in the car. He saw the concerned look, and the way his eyes were squinting just a little as he concentrated on the drive home, and he could suddenly feel the warm metal band across his finger standing out to him as distinctly as the fingers that were entwined with his. His pulse stopped racing so hard, and he could feel the tension start to bleed out of him. He was sitting next to the man that had made so much of the past twelve years possible for him, opening him back up to people, and that included opening him up to let his father back in. Tony was his priority, and his source of happiness. It didn't really matter any longer what his dad thought of their relationship. Tony made him happy, and that's all that mattered. If his dad accepted them, that was great, but he wasn't going to let the fear that he wouldn't take another moment of happiness from him.
"Love you, Tony," he said with a soft smile. Tony looked at him and saw the change right away. He looked to the road for a second, then back, and smiled at Jethro's sudden brightness.
"Love you, too, Jethro."
"I don't care what he says. When all is said and done, I've got you, and you've been there when no one else has. I'll never let anyone say that we're not supposed to be together, because I know that there is no one in this world I'd rather be with."
Tony pulled up to a stop sign in their neighborhood, and turned to Jethro with a smile that made Jethro want to lean in and kiss him senseless. He'd forgotten how insecure Tony could be with all of the confidence he'd seen Tony gain over the past couple of weeks, and he thought for a moment that he was an idiot for going on and on about this when it had to be affecting him as well.
A few minutes later, and they were pulling into their driveway. Once the car was in park and the engine cut, Tony looked at Jethro.
"Are you ready?" he asked softly.
Jethro nodded and smiled brightly at him. "Yeah, I'm ready." They finally let go of one another's hands and got out. Tony grabbed his back pack from the back seat, and he and Jethro walked towards the house together.
"You know, it's going to be really hard to be quiet enough that he doesn't hear us tonight," Tony said quietly as they approached the door. Jethro laughed as he opened the door, and Tony laughed with him.
"Ya think?" Jethro said as he slipped out of his jacket and hung it on the coatrack by the door. Tony followed suit, and kicked off his shoes.
"Oh, I don't think, I know," he said happily.
"Dad?" Jethro hollered.
"In here," Jackson replied from the kitchen. Both men headed into the back room. Jackson was pouring a cup of coffee when he turned and saw both men. "Hello, son! Tony!"
"Hey, Jack!" Tony said brightly.
"Hey, Dad," Jethro said, opening the fridge and grabbing a beer. He went to get one for Tony, who shook his head. "Oh, yeah, you're on call." Tony nodded with a smile.
"Tony's on call, but you're not? How does that work?" Jackson asked, looking at them both with a confused expression.
"Let's talk, Dad," Jethro said leading them all back into the dining room to sit at the table. Tony sat next to Jethro on one side of the table, and Jackson sat across from them.
"This sounds serious, Leroy."
"It is. A lot has happened over the past few weeks, and I figured it was better to tell you in person." Jethro felt Tony's hand land on his knee, and he turned to Tony with a smile. "Tony's not on my team anymore." He looked to Jackson for a reaction, and saw the confusion deepen. "He's actually in charge of his own team now." Jackson's eyes lit up.
"Congratulations, Tony! That's great news! My boy finally let you go, eh?" He lifted his cup to his mouth to take a drink of his coffee.
"Well, not quite," Tony said with a sheepish smile.
"Dad, Tony and I are engaged."
Jackson looked at Jethro as if though he hadn't heard correctly. He shook his head a little then leaned in. "Did you say engaged?" he finally said.
Jethro smiled at Tony, and Tony smiled back. "Yeah, we're engaged."
"As in, to get married, that kind of engaged?" Jackson asked.
"Yes, Dad. We're getting married. We're living together, and we're getting married." Jethro's hand took Tony's under the table. Jackson didn't look angry, but he did look really confused, and Tony understood where Jethro's fear of questions came from.
"How did I not know any of this?" he finally asked.
"Well, I just asked him to marry me this week," Tony said, looking at Jethro for permission to be a part of the explanation and seeing it written clearly all over his lover's face. "Jethro wanted to wait and tell you the good news in person," he continued, hinting to Jackson that he should be happy for them.
"No, I mean, all of it." He looked at Jethro intently. "I know you've always had a soft spot for the kid, but I didn't think it was quite like this."
Jethro's free hand came to the back of his neck as he felt Tony's eyes turn back on him. He could feel the blush creeping up his neck in a raging warmth, and he couldn't help but smile.
"I didn't think he felt the same way I did! I wasn't about to pursue something with him that could destroy our careers if I wasn't certain he loved me too." He looked at Tony with softening eyes. "But he does, and once I knew, I decided I wasn't going to let him go."
"I was just as worried as he was, and we spent twelve years figuring this out," Tony said as he stared back into Jethro's eyes with a matching smile. "After spending so long denying what we'd been feeling, we've been playing catch up."
Jackson looked at his son and Tony staring back at each other like nothing could take away their happiness. He was torn. He hadn't seen Jethro look that happy since his first wife, but he had so many questions and concerns about such a quick development.
"Leroy, I've never thought for a moment that you were interested in men," he said, then a thought came to him. "Is that why none of the marriages worked out?"
Jethro's head turned to him with a crack. "What?" he asked as he tried to figure out what his father had just asked. "Oh, no. That's not why." He tried to school himself so the next words would come out as confident and as casual as possible. "I've always been interested in both women and men."
"Me, too," Tony said much more casually than Jethro had just managed. He shrugged, playing it off, trying to get a read on Jackson.
"Ahh," Jackson replied.
Tony was impressed that Jethro was keeping his cool so well on the surface, especially because the death grip on his hand had intensified greatly over the past minute. The silence grew heavy in the room, and Tony wasn't sure what to say to break the tension.
"Dad, are you okay with this?" Jethro finally asked.
Jackson looked up from his coffee with surprise.
"Of course, Leroy! I want you to be happy! I'm just a bit surprised and confused is all. I'm sure it will all sink in eventually. I think I just need some time to get my thoughts around it."
Tony felt Jethro's grip lighten just a little.
"Good, I'm glad. I am happy, and I'd really like it if you were happy for us. Take all the time you need, and if you have questions, feel free to ask us. I can't promise I'll have the answers, but I'll do what I can."
"That goes for me, too," Tony said quietly giving a soft and genuine smile to Jackson.
"Well, thank you. I think I'll go get situated upstairs for a bit. What are we doing for dinner?" he asked as he got to his feet.
"Something take-out tonight," Tony said. "We're having both of our teams over on Sunday for dinner so we'll be going to the store in the morning. Until then, our options come from a can or the phone, and I'm voting phone."
"Everyone is coming over?" Jackson asked perking up a bit.
"Yup. Big family dinner," Jethro answered with a smile.
Jackson smiled back brightly, and both Jethro and Tony felt the tension break in the room.
"I like the sound of that, son," he said as he went to put his cup in the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway though and turned back to them. "Do they all know about the two of you, yet?"
Both men nodded. "Every one of them," Jethro answered.
"Even the Director, though he's not going to be here on Sunday," Tony added.
"And they're all okay with your relationship?" Jackson asked with a suddenly protective edge.
"Yeah, Dad. They've been nothing but supportive," Jethro said with a smile, feeling the concern for their wellbeing in his dad's stare and tone of voice.
"Good," Jackson said before retreating to the kitchen.
Tony and Jethro waited for him to come back through the dining room, and remained silent as they counted the steps he creaked up. Once they heard the door close to the guest room, Jethro leaned his forehead against Tony's shoulder.
"Could have been much worse," Tony said as he leaned down to kiss Jethro's head which then lifted back up to look Tony in the eyes.
"Oh, yeah. Went much better than I thought it would."
"Really?" Tony asked.
"I don't know what I was thinking would happen, but that wasn't so bad," Jethro said, pulling Tony towards him and planting a soft kiss on his lips. "Thanks for being here with me."
Tony smiled brightly at his fiancé. "There's nowhere in the entire world I'd rather be, no matter what you're going through, than right here by your side."
"See? That's what I meant earlier about that whole being understanding thing," Jethro leaned forward and kissed Tony again, but this time he let his tongue slip past the inviting lips, and made sure Tony understood how grateful he was for him. When they broke the kiss, his lips moved to Tony's ear and whispered, "If my father wasn't wandering free through the house right now, I'd take you right here on this table."
Tony groaned. "We could always get lost when we go to pick up dinner," he suggested as he clung to Jethro.
"Get lost where?" Jethro asked before nibbling on his neck.
"I know there's not much left, but there's always the floor in my old apartment. I still have the keys for another few weeks." Tony's hand was pulling Jethro's silver strands as he had his neck nibbled.
"Hmmm…" Jethro said as he thought about the proposition. "I think I'd rather wait until Dad goes to bed and see how quiet we can be."
Tony pulled back to look into Jethro's eyes. "Sounds like you have a thing for almost getting caught," he said with a smirk.
Jethro merely shrugged. Tony looked down and back up, drinking in every inch of his lover.
"Okay, but if I have to wait, we play by my rules tonight."
Jethro groaned. "I can handle that," he said. "I can definitely handle that."
"I'm sure you think you can," Tony said with a smirk. "We'll see."
Jethro watched Tony get up and head to the kitchen to find the stack of menus on top of the fridge. He took in the graceful confidence of Tony's movements, and he couldn't wait to have them used on him later that night. For now, he was content to sit back, watch and wait.