Chapter 9
DISCLAIMER: However much I wish it was so, I do not own these characters. I'm going to simply let them play for a little bit and then put them back a little happier.
WARNING: Slash story - you have been informed!
ADDITIONAL WARNING: Very, very, very mild BDSM with the boys in this one. If that offends you, skip the 3rd segment down, it won't effect the story and you'll get the gist in later segments below.
Again, thank you to all Guest reviewers, I wish the site allowed individual responses to them, but it does not. Thanks again! :-)
A/N: Yeah, I know, I know you all wanted me to pull out Ziva's fingernails, but the muse did not head in that direction - this time! I can almost guarantee that she will suffer in future stories. Well, maybe not the fingernails thing, that's pretty nasty :-( Okay, back to the show - Enjoy! ;-)
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Tony and Jethro quickly drove to a small restaurant about a block from Tony's apartment and got their breakfast to go. They were back in Tony's apartment and eating by 8:00am.
"This is good. Have we ever gone to this place before?" Jethro asked him.
"No. They only opened this summer." Tony looked down at his food and got quiet.
"Tony, what's wrong?" Jethro asked when he noticed Tony's mood change.
Tony sighed quietly. "I was planning on taking you to this place before you got blown up. I'm glad we finally got to eat there together." He answered with a small smile. "Who knows," he continued, "Maybe we'll actually get to eat inside the restaurant one of these days." He finished with a bigger smile.
Jethro leaned forward and lightly cuffed Tony's head. "Smartass!" He smiled back. "I thought you had other plans for this morning?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, I do!" Tony replied with glittering eyes. "Are you almost done?" He asked innocently.
Jethro's eyes darkened as he saw the desire flare in Tony's eyes. He didn't say anything, he just started eating a little faster, still watching Tony.
Tony chuckled quietly and went back to leisurely eating his breakfast. Jethro quickly finished and leaned back in his chair watching Tony with an intense gaze. Tony lowered his eyes to his food and filled his fork again, deliberately slow. He put the fork in his mouth and then equally slowly removed it, all the while locking eyes with Jethro. He smiled to himself when he saw Jethro squirm in his chair.
He lowered his gaze to his plate again and said, "Put your dishes in the sink, go in the bedroom, get naked, lay on the bed and wait for me." He said in a husky voice. He sat back and watched as Jethro jumped up as if he were on a spring and smiled as he rushed over to the sink and started out of the kitchen.
He waited until he was almost out the door before calling out, "Jethro?" in a quiet voice. He was pleased when Jethro stopped immediately and whirled around to face him, almost vibrating with desire. "On your stomach, don't touch yourself." He instructed. He saw Jethro's eyes go impossibly darker as he nodded once and fled to the bedroom.
Tony smiled to himself as he finished the rest of his breakfast. Oh, he had missed this! he thought. Who would think that the poster boy for Alpha males loved to be controlled in bed? Huh, maybe that's why he joined the Marines. I wonder if he went through boot camp with a hard-on? he mused, tilting his head to the side. He shrugged and finished up his meal. He got up and stretched before taking his dishes to the sink.
He decided to prolong it a little and washed the dishes in the sink before taking care of Jethro. He was glad Jethro wasn't into anything too heavy, he just liked giving up control and letting his partner direct the lovemaking. Even though neither one of them minded being tied up once in a while (mainly with a tie to the headboard), Tony had no plans for that. They rarely did that, usually only after a particularly hard case. Tony knew Jethro liked to test his endurance so he would prolong the foreplay as long as possible, like now. It was an incredible rush for Tony to have Jethro trust him that much, knowing Tony would never hurt him and would make it feel so good for him.
He was smiling fondly to himself as he finished up the dishes and dried his hands. He then set his phone alarm for 11am, he knew they would be too out of it when they were finished and Jenny was coming for lunch. He made a circuit around the apartment, making sure the door was double bolted and the curtains drawn before facing the hallway down to the bedroom. He took a deep breath to calm himself, because this was all about Jethro. When he felt grounded and able to handle himself, he walked down the hall and opened the door to the bedroom.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Ziva spent the ride into NCIS in deep thought.
I used to be able to handle things. That was before I had seen and done all the things I had to in Mossad. I did not realize how far I had slipped away from myself. Mossad was never my choice, it was always abba's. He made me feel guilty for wanting something different, so I gave in and did all he asked.
Who would ask their child to do the things he has required of me?
Maybe that is why I have felt safe with Gibbs, he would never do such a thing to his child.
Ziva wiped angry tears from her face as she neared the Yard.
Why could I have not had a father such as him? She pounded on the steering wheel as this thought surfaced. My life would have been so different! I would not be in this mess!
No.
She calmed as she thought about that. If her life had been different she most likely would have never met these people. She was profoundly grateful that she had met them. They were her way back to herself. She had no doubt that all she had to do was ask, and they would help her. Why had she not seen this before?
She showed her badge as she entered the gate and was waved through. She was sad to note the guard seemed afraid of her. That was not the way she had wanted to be or to be seen as.
No. I cannot change the past, but I can change now. I will get that part of myself that I had lost, back. I can and I will make this work. She hoped it was not too late.
Ziva pulled into her spot in the parking lot and checked herself in the mirror. Her hair was in place and the tears she had shed on the way in had been swept away. She was happy to see a clear look in her eyes, something she had not seen in a long time. After giving herself a little smile, that got bigger when she saw how genuine it looked on her, she gathered her things and made her way into the building.
McGee was already hard at work and Franklin and Balboa had switched places. Balboa was now at Gibbs' desk and Franklin at Tony's. She was a little disconcerted when she noticed all three men tense up considerably when she walked in. As recent as yesterday that reaction would have pleased her greatly, but not today. Today, she felt ashamed at the reaction her presence in a room brought about.
No one was ever happy to see her.
Unlike Tony, McGee or Abby or any number of other people she could think of, who always invoked smiles when they entered a room. When she entered, others thought of the quickest routes to leave. That realization saddened her and hardened her resolve to fix this.
"Good morning McGee, Agent Balboa, Agent Franklin." She addressed them. All three men looked up at her and were surprised and not a little suspicious of her calm, seemingly happy demeanor.
Balboa and Franklin said, "Morning." together at nearly the same time and McGee mumbled, "Morning, Ziva." as she smiled back at them and sat to boot up her computer. She said nothing more and got right down to her reports. All three men looked at one another and then McGee went back to his reports with a confused look on his face. Franklin raised an eyebrow at Balboa who shrugged in response. They both then looked back at Ziva, who was working away and did not appear angry or disgruntled in any way. They both shook their heads and went back to their work a little less tense than they were before, but still alert for any storm clouds that might pop up.
Jenny Shepherd had watched the exchange from the balcony outside her office and smiled to herself at the change in Ziva. She took a deep breath and went back inside her office. She would tell Tony at lunch about what had happened and what the SecNav told her about Ziva's status. She made the executive decision to hold off getting her badge and gun until Tony was present and they could explain it to her together.
Maybe I should have Gibbs sit in on the meeting too. She thought to herself. If things go south with Ziva, I think the three of us could handle it. She mused.
There was a knock on her door and then Cynthia popped her head in.
"Director, your driver told me he dropped you back off here last night, did you stay all night?" She asked her.
"Yes, Cynthia. Pressing matters that needed attending. I will be leaving at 11:30 for lunch, could you make sure Greg and Marcus are informed? Also, since I was here all night and pretty much caught up on all paperwork, I won't be returning today. You can also take the rest of the day off if you want, Cynthia." She informed her.
"Thank you Director! I think I will take the afternoon off. I was just going to get some breakfast, did you want anything ma'am?" The young woman asked her.
"Maybe a bagel and some of that wonderful cappuccino where you get yours?" She asked as she handed Cynthia some money. "Thank you."
"You're welcome ma'am, be back in about 15 minutes." She replied as she left again, closing the door.
Jenny sent an email to Franklin and Balboa that she wanted to see one of them in her office at 11:15am, they could choose who came as long as the other stayed on the floor with McGee and David. She got a response saying Balboa would be up as Cynthia came back with her cappuccino and bagel, lightly toasted with strawberry jam, just as she liked it.
"I don't know what I'd do without you Cynthia, Thank you." She told her smiling.
"My pleasure ma'am. I'll be at my desk if you need me." She smiled back in response and then again closed the door as she returned to work.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Tony sucked in an involuntary air as he took in the scene before him.
Jethro was naked, on his stomach with his legs spread, one bent at the knee. His head was on a pillow that he had clutched in both hands to keep from touching himself as ordered. His head was turned towards the door, but his eyes were closed. Tony knew he wasn't sleeping, he was just trying to control himself.
Tony stepped all the way into the room and then closed the door behind him. He stood for a full minute, just taking in Jethro's naked form. His well-sculpted body and that beautiful, gorgeous ass. Tony licked his lips at the sight and dragged his eyes back up to Jethro's face when he heard a sharp intake of breath at his action. He was happy to see Jethro's eyes now open and watching him intently.
Good. Tony thought, because the anticipation was almost as good as the sex, itself.
Almost.
Tony detoured to the bathroom to grab a towel and moved back to the bed. He kept his gaze locked with Jethro's as he slowly removed his own clothing. He had a small smile on his face during the whole process that only increased when Jethro's breathing sped up when his rock hard erection was revealed. Tony's eyes took on a hooded appearance as he wrapped his hand around his own cock and started stroking slowly up and down while running his tongue out to sensuously wet his lips.
He heard a low groan from Jethro as he took in the show and he squirmed on the bed to ease his own engorged cock, trapped beneath him. Tony chuckled as he sauntered over to the bed to stand right next to it. His hand stroking his cock was now right next to Jethro's face and Tony saw Jethro's lips were parted and he was making a soft, panting noise.
"Very sexy." He commented as he watched Jethro's tongue dart out to moisten his own parched lips while he watched Tony.
"I think," Tony commented as he let go of himself and brought his hand up to his own mouth to lick off the pre-come that had smeared on it, "that you have the sexiest ass I've ever seen." He purred as he finished licking off his own come to the sounds of Jethro's moans. His squirming on the bed was becoming more pronounced too as he tried to ease the ache of his own erection.
Tony's hand shot out and delivered two quick slaps, one to each of Jethro's ass cheeks, that reddened them slightly. Tony smiled at the loud moan that produced from Jethro and then bent down so he was whispering directly into Jethro's ear, "I don't think I said you could move like that, did I?" He asked in a husky voice as he caressed Jethro's reddened ass.
Jethro moaned out a soft "nooo." That earned him another two quick smacks to his ass.
"I didn't hear you, Marine!" Tony barked out as Jethro's training took over and he quickly replied, "No, Sir!" Tony could see Jethro was struggling to maintain any semblance of discipline and thought it would not be too long before they pulled each other over the edge.
He leaned back in and licked the sensitive area right below Jethro's ear as the man took in another sharp breath at this action. "All I want to hear is your moans and you screaming out my name as you come, do you understand?" He whispered while again caressing Jethro's ass.
Jethro moaned in response and Tony smiled at his acquiescence. He stood up saying, "Good boy." that got another groan from Jethro.
Tony took his cock in hand and gathered the pre-come once again, only this time bringing his fingers to Jethro's mouth. Jethro immediately suckled on the fingers, lapping up any trace of Tony's come from them. The sight of this pulled a moan out of Tony too and his cock jerked. Tony pulled his fingers from Jethro's mouth and leaned down to kiss him tenderly on the cheek.
He moved back some and grabbed the lube from the nightstand before climbing up on the bed and moving between Jethro's spread legs. He then draped himself over Jethro's back. His hard cock was now pillowed between Jethro's ass cheeks and Tony could feel the heat his spanking had caused. This caused both men to moan loudly as the sensations heightened. Tony held himself up on one hand and leaned down to place a kiss at the base of Jethro's neck. He could feel Jethro struggling to not wiggle underneath him and he said softly, "Soon, love, very soon." as he kissed his way down Jethro's spine. He felt Jethro shudder beneath him in anticipation. He moved down the bed so he could play with Jethro's lovely ass again. He settled back on his knees and used both hands to knead and run his hands over those two perfect globes. He smiled as Jethro whimpered into the pillow.
He then moved up and straddled Jethro's hips, settling down so his cock was once again pillowed in Jethro's fevered ass and leaning down to run his fingers through Jethro's soft hair, massaging his scalp. Jethro took in a deep breath and released it as he tried to relax into Tony's ministrations. He then moved down to his shoulders and started working in earnest.
Another loud moan escaped Jethro's lips as Tony worked every knot of tension out of him. He felt Jethro loosen beneath him and moved down his back to work his sides and then all the way down his spine. He heard little pops and cracks and smiled proudly at the relieved moans now coming from Jethro. He lifted himself up and moved down the bed again so he could continue his massage down Jethro's right leg and up this left. He took extra care with each foot massage, eliciting another round of appreciative moans.
He removed his hands and said, "On your back, Marine!" and Jethro quickly complied, laying his head back on the pillow and sporting an impressive erection. Tony moved up, massaging Jethro's face, neck and both arms before starting on his chest. His talented hands were reducing Jethro to a puddle on the bed. He was still hard and had drops of pre-come on the tip of his cock, but Tony could tell he had messaged the urgency out of him. He worked on his abs and hips, skirting his cock and then moved up and down both legs again.
He finished by kneeling on the bed between Jethro's legs with his hands resting on Jethro's thighs. "How do you feel, Marine?" he asked in a silky voice.
The only response was a dreamy, "Mmmm…" from Jethro and Tony's mouth quirked in a smile. "That's good." He continued in that silky voice before ordering, "Flip over and get on your knees Marine, I want to see that gorgeous ass in the air, legs spread!" Jethro's eyes popped open and he quickly flipped over again and got into the position Tony wanted.
Tony's breath again caught in his throat as the view he now had threatened to undo him. Jethro's face was in the pillow and he had it again clutched in his hands. That lovely back was curved up and his beautiful ass was in the air, legs spread wide, waiting for Tony to take him. Tony clutched the base of his own cock to hold off coming just at the sight before him. He spread the towel on the bed beneath Jethro and then moved up between his legs and again messaged his ass as Jethro moaned into the pillow.
Tony popped the top on the lube and spread a liberal amount on his fingers. He placed a soft kiss on his still red ass cheek as he inserted a finger into him. Jethro again moaned deeply and pushed back a little on Tony's finger. Tony responded by kissing the other red ass cheek and inserting two more fingers, stretching him quickly. Jethro moaned louder and pushed back, fucking himself on Tony's fingers. Tony removed his fingers and quickly spread a generous amount of lube on his dripping cock and moved up into position behind Jethro.
He ran his hands down Jethro's flanks as he savored the sight before him. This strong, sexy man spread open, waiting for him to take him and waiting for permission to come on his orders. The depth of love and emotion and trust he was currently experiencing was intoxicating. He could not get enough of this man! He lined himself up and placed one hand on the small of his back, while the other guided his cock inside Jethro. Jethro's moan when he was finally all the way in and filling him completely was deep and throaty. He felt Jethro's velvet tightness gripping his cock as he clenched his inner muscles. Tony gasped and he knew Jethro was smiling into his pillow at his reaction. "Always the Alpha." he thought fondly.
He smacked Jethro's bottom again, one for each cheek earning another loud moan and leaned down over Jethro's back to whisper, "Better tone it down, you don't have my permission to come yet." He felt, both under his hands and in his cock, the ripple that went through Jethro's body. He then straightened and pulled his cock nearly all the way out again before slamming home, lifting Jethro's knees off the bed with the force of his thrust. This action resulted in another loud moan that ignited Tony's passion.
He set up a brutal rhythm with his thrusts, lifting Jethro's knees off the bed on each down stroke with the force of the pounding he was giving Jethro's ass. Jethro was gripping his pillow tightly and moaning continuously as he pushed back as much as he could into Tony's thrusts. The angle of Tony's thrusts hitting Jethro's prostate on every stroke, sending him even deeper into bliss.
Tony knew Jethro's body well, so he knew when Jethro was coming to the end of his endurance. He wriggled his hips in a certain way and his moans took on that certain note of desperation that Tony understood as the end of holding back. He leaned forward, still maintaining his thrusts, and snaked a hand around Jethro's waist to grasp his leaking cock and said, "Come for me, Jethro." Jethro immediately screamed out, "TONY!" as he completely let himself go. Tony felt Jethro spurting into his hand and onto the towel on the bed as his inner muscles clenched him tightly and he roared his own release with "JETHRO!" screaming from his lips.
Tony felt him collapsing beneath him, and he caught himself with his hand before he crushed Jethro and finished his orgasm with little thrusts deep inside him. They were both breathing heavily as Tony gently extracted himself from Jethro and flopped down on his back next to him.
Jethro immediately snuggled into him and Tony ran his hands over Jethro's back and softly patted his ass, which was still warm from Tony's spanking.
"Love you, Jethro." Tony said into his hair.
Jethro pulled back enough to look up at Tony and Tony smiled at the sleepy blue eyes looking back at him. "Love you too Tony, thanks." He said before burrowing down again to try and get even closer to Tony. Tony held him tighter and managed to get the comforter back over them as they fell into a light doze. They would be sticky when they got up, but right now neither one cared. They both drifted off, smiles firmly fixed on their faces.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
All four agents in the bullpen worked silently and without any drama. The only semi-tense moment came when Ziva rose to take finished reports to Franklin. He looked up and just said, "Please give them to Balboa today, David." She nodded her head and walked them over to Vince who had his hand out waiting. She handed them over and asked him if she could use the restroom. He nodded his okay and she walked off. She came back a few minutes later and went right back to her reports without another word or complaint. Tim had watched the whole proceedings with a furrowed brow. When Ziva resumed her reports, he got up and took the last two weeks of the second month of his own to Franklin.
He stood at Tony's desk after handing them over, looking to be in deep thought.
"Thank you McGee." Franklin said and got a distracted "Uh-huh." in response. He traded smiles with Balboa as McGee continued standing next to the desk. "You can sit down again, McGee." Franklin told him.
He replied, "Okay." and went back to his desk with a puzzled expression on his face. Both Balboa and Franklin looked at each other and shook their heads smiling as they went back to their own work.
About a half hour later Balboa stood up and Franklin nodded his head once in acknowledgement, it was time to see the director.
Balboa stopped at Ziva's desk with one file that he handed to her when she looked up.
"Good job on the reports, Ziva. The only correction you need on this one is the dates, you have the year as 2003 instead of 2006, just a typo, otherwise good to go." Balboa told her.
Both Franklin and McGee held their breath waiting for her reply.
When her only response was a nod of her head and her saying, "I will correct that immediately." They both let out the breaths they had been holding in. It appeared Ziva had finally seen the light and had decided to cooperate.
Balboa, satisfied with her answer, turned and made his way up the stairs to the director's office with a slight raising of his eyebrows to Franklin as he walked past him.
Vince Balboa greeted the director's assistant with a cheery "Good Morning, Cynthia! I'm here for my 11:15 meeting with the director."
"Good morning Agent Balboa, go right in, you're expected." She replied while smiling back at him.
He knocked once and entered the director's office to find her putting files into her briefcase.
"Good morning Vince, please take a seat. So, how have things been this morning?" She asked as she settled back in her chair.
"Quiet and very agreeable." He replied, shaking his head. "I don't know what you said to her last night director, but it sure left an impression, she's a different person today."
"Yes, I saw when she came in. How are the reports?" She asked him.
"Actually, very good. She's starting the first week of the second month and she only had a typo mistake in one report in the last stack she gave me." He told her.
"How did she handle that?" the director asked.
"I'd have to say professionally. Just said okay, I'll fix it right away and went back to work, no muss, no fuss." He answered with a smile.
"I have to say though, the new Ziva is seriously messing up McGee." He added as his smile got bigger.
"How so?" She asked.
"He's not sure what's going on. Now granted, all three of us were waiting for her to explode any minute when she first came in, but since that did not happen and doesn't look like it will, the puzzled furrows in his brow just keep getting deeper and deeper." He laughed.
"Poor McGee, his world just gets stranger every day, doesn't it?" she laughed.
"Well, I'm glad she's left the arrogant attitude at home and has decided to act like an adult. SecNav has been aware of what's been going on and there will be more big changes coming for her, I just hope she's smart enough to recognize the second chance she's getting." the director replied.
"Anything we need to know, director?" he asked her in a serious voice.
"Not now, as long as she keeps behaving herself." She answered as Balboa nodded back at her.
"I'm leaving in a few minutes to meet with Tony for an update. I then have meetings this afternoon so I won't be back in. Call me if you need anything." She informed him as she rose from her chair.
"Will do director, and say hi to Tony for me and Ted." Vince replied, also standing to leave.
"Oh and Vince?" the director called just before he reached the door.
"Ma'am?" He questioned when he turned around.
"If the reports are going well, let them both leave at a decent hour. Everyone has had a very stressful week and could use a little downtime." She told him.
"Yes, ma'am!" He nodded with a smile and then he was out the door.
The director gathered her things and followed him out to speak with Cynthia.
"Cynthia, there's a stack of mail on my desk that needs to go out today. Please drop it off on your way out?" She told her.
"Of course, ma'am! Do you need anything else?" She asked as she stood to retrieve the mail.
"Not at all, have a good weekend Cynthia!" She said as she turned and walked out.
"You too, ma'am!" Cynthia smiled back at her.
Jenny walked along the balcony above the bullpen and observed everyone working quietly and efficiently. She took the back elevator so she would not have to walk through the bullpen and maybe upset the calm that was now settled over them.
She thought of everything that had transpired just today as she rode down to the parking garage in the elevator. She really didn't know how Tony would react to what the SecNav ordered. She was pretty sure he would be relieved, but there was always the chance he would be upset the choice was taken out of his hands. Then there was the whole espionage thing she had to tell him. She sighed deeply. She was really going to need her bathtub after this lunch.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Jethro awoke to the sound of Tony's phone beeping loudly. He groaned and buried his face in Tony's neck as the damn thing kept making noise. Tony chuckled and kissed the top of his head as he extracted himself from Jethro's embrace and got up to turn off his phone.
Jethro moved to lie on his back and watched as Tony bent down to retrieve the phone from his pants on the floor. Tony straightened up turning off the phone and caught Jethro checking out his ass.
"Oh, no Marine! Jenny is coming for lunch, we have to throw the bed linens in the wash but first we have to shower, so get that cute ass moving!" He was smiling as he disappeared into the bathroom.
Jethro laughed as he stretched. Boy, he felt good! That massage and their lovemaking energized him. He winced a little as he sat up on the edge of the bed. His ass, inside and out, was a little sore, but it was a good ache. Jethro stood and rubbed a hand over his tender ass. He sighed to himself as he remembered the feel of Tony pounding into him after first warming his ass.
How could he have ever forgotten this?
He had never felt this safe with anyone before. He had been with other men, but he had never been on the bottom before Tony. He trusted Tony to take care of him, and he never let him down. A surge of happiness raced through him as he again thanked anyone listening above for giving him this chance. He would never let Tony down again. His smile increased as he relived every moment of their last lovemaking session.
Jethro turned around and started stripping the bed to throw the linens in the wash. He didn't notice a freshly showered Tony leaning on the doorjamb leading to the bathroom with a towel around his waist, watching him. He piled everything in the middle of the floor and then looked up to see Tony smiling at him. His smile only grew bigger as he stalked over to Tony and pressed his naked body against Tony's partially clothed one and kissed him deeply.
He leaned back and rested his hands on Tony's hips as Tony's hands cupped his ass. He winced as Tony squeezed it and an evil look manifested itself on Tony's face.
"A little sore, Gunny?" He asked in a low, husky voice.
Jethro focused his gaze on Tony's chest, shrugged and replied, "A little, but I asked for it. I think I needed it." He finished and moved his right hand up to gently caress Tony's chest.
He didn't see the loving gaze that softened Tony's features as Tony moved his hands up and pulled Jethro close to him, while Tony whispered in his ear, "I think we both needed it. You needed to let go and I needed to take control, we're a perfect match." he said while placing a kiss on Jethro's temple.
Jethro sighed in contentment and just snuggled into Tony's arms, he felt very safe. They cuddled for about a minute before Tony pulled back to search Jethro's face. Seeing nothing but satisfied contentment in it, he smiled a bright smile and leaned in to kiss Jethro on the cheek as he told him, "Go take a shower Marine while I make us all some lunch." He got a return kiss on his own cheek and a sweet boyish grin before Jethro pulled away and went into the bathroom. Tony couldn't wipe the smile off his own face if he tried. He hummed a Dean Martin tune as he dressed and then went out to the kitchen to make lunch.
He threw together a quick salad and had started assembling sandwiches when he heard Jethro starting the laundry. He would warm the soup when the director got here, it didn't take long. He smiled as strong arms encircled him from behind and Jethro rested his chin on Tony's left shoulder to watch his progress. Tony adjusted for the additional body attached to his back and quickly finished them up. Jethro pulled away long enough for Tony to put the ingredients and the covered plate of sandwiches away in the fridge before he pulled Tony back to him and kissed him deeply.
Tony had a dreamy look on his face when the kiss finished and Jethro lead him easily along and into the living room. He sat on the couch where Jethro pushed him down and held Jethro close when he also sat, very close and nuzzled his face into Tony's neck. Tony sighed happily and closed his eyes as he basked in the closeness and safety while they waited for the director to arrive.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Jenny Shepherd rang Tony's doorbell at two minutes to twelve. She heard slight movement inside and then the door opened to reveal both men waiting for her. She smiled as Tony took her coat. It had started raining again on the way over. It reflected her mood perfectly.
"Jen. What's up?" Gibbs asked her as soon as they made their way to the dining table.
Always direct. She thought before answering, "Change of plans. A few things have happened that you need to be aware of."
Tony came back in from the kitchen and placed bowls of soup before her and Gibbs and said once, "Jethro." Jenny watched as Gibbs immediately got up and followed him into the kitchen. They came back in less than a minute with another bowl of soup for Tony and Tony was carrying a tray of delicious looking sandwiches. Gibbs had a salad bowl and a selection of dressings. Tony then asked her what she would like to drink and she and Gibbs settled on coffee. Tony went back into the kitchen with a knowing smile on his face and came back out almost immediately with their coffee and a water for himself. Tony settled at the round table to her right, while Gibbs sat across from her.
They all started on their soup and then Tony asked, "What did she do?"
Jenny sighed as she told both men about the confrontation with Franklin last night and her talk with Ziva afterward. Gibbs looked troubled, but said nothing. Tony had an unreadable expression on his face and asked her, "Is what he said true?"
"Yes." She replied. "Ziva had been losing control for quite some time before the op with Ari. She seemed to have lost all sense of empathy. Eli talked to me right after I was appointed director of NCIS and asked me if there was a place here for her. He thought she needed to get away from Mossad, he saw his daughter disappearing before him." Both men nodded understanding as she went on. "There was more to it though. Eli just couldn't pass up the chance to take advantage." She said disgustedly.
Gibbs straightened further in his chair and a hard look came into Tony's eyes. She fortified herself with a deep breath before she went on.
"He tasked her with getting any information she could about the Navy and Marines and sending it back to him." She told them. She could tell both men were angry, but did not seem surprised.
"What did she send?" Tony asked in a quiet, deadly voice.
"Nothing of consequence." She replied. "She wasn't able to access much because of the restrictions the SecNav and I put in place." She finished with a smile.
Gibbs wore a proud smile, but Tony still had a deadly serious look on his face. "So, you knew this might happen and blocked her from seeing anything sensitive, at home too?" He asked her. She was impressed he had figured them out so quickly, but that was who he was and what he did. He continued after she nodded yes to him. "She still engaged in espionage, controlled or not. She cannot work for us. Will there be jail time?" He asked, looking sad.
"No." Phil and I structured her surveillance to include Eli never receiving anything she might send him. She only recently sent one envelope and it was intercepted and is in my possession." She saw both men relax slightly at that news.
"Phil has come to the end regarding her work with us, however. She will be suspended for three and a half months when she finishes the reports she neglected to do for the past three and a half months." She told them, giving Tony a pointed look. He nodded, understanding the symbolic suspension time. "He has already pulled her credentials, she will no longer be a field agent or work with anything above level 1 security clearance. We talked a little and he agreed she did have considerable talents, so we thought training in hand to hand combat and shooting skills for agents would be an appropriate use for her."
She was pleased to see both men relax considerably and nod once at each other at this news. She was a little puzzled by this until they related Ziva's early morning visit to Gibbs' house and what had transpired there. She was actually pleased with this outcome. That, and Ziva's actions today at work, showed she too had come to the end and was willing to change to stay here. Both men were pleased with her attitude at work today and laughed at Tim's confusion.
"Poor Timmy! His world's really been rocked, hasn't it?" Tony laughed as Gibbs smiled with him.
"It certainly has, but I think he'll survive in the new world order." She laughed.
"Tony, have you been able to look at those personnel files or make any decisions regarding new team members?" Jenny asked.
"No. I've been a little preoccupied the last few days." Tony smiled down into his plate and then glanced over at Jethro through his eyelashes in a surprisingly shy gesture. Jenny looked at Jethro and saw a gentle, fond smile on his face as he looked over at Tony. Jenny was charmed by the actions of the two men and warmed by their obvious love for each other.
Tony raised his head again and looked over at Jenny. "I'll look them over this afternoon. I should have a pretty good idea who I want by tomorrow. Will you be in the office tomorrow director?"
"Yes, I will. I think we should wait until both Tim and Ziva are done with the reports before meeting with them regarding their sanctions." Jenny replied.
Tony was nodding his head as he said, "How far along are they?"
"Tim might even be done today. He was working on the first week of the third month when I left. If he doesn't finish today, it should be early tomorrow. Ziva was halfway through the second month. If she stays on track today, she should also be done tomorrow. By the way, Vince and Ted send their regards." She told him.
"Thanks! I think I owe them lunch and maybe dinner for a month for putting up with them." He commented. "Although, I don't think McGee has been that much of a problem, if at all."
"No. Our meeting with him on Wednesday seems to have done the trick, he's back on track" She told him.
"I hope so. Or he's really not gonna be happy when he comes back. Speaking of that, I wonder if we could just suspend Ziva at half pay while she's off? I think she deserves the time off, but I don't want to make her homeless in the process." Tony replied.
"I think that's reasonable, Tony. I also wanted to talk to you about that time off. You are not going to have a team for at while. The files I gave you of potential agents will not graduate from FLETC for another three weeks and McGee will be gone for a month. I think you deserve a break too, so how about you take those three weeks off and come back to meet your new agents?" Jenny proposed.
"Sounds really good, but you won't have an MCRT for three weeks?" Tony questioned.
"I can split the calls between Balboa's and Franklin's teams, you may owe them meals for six months." She smiled.
"Ok, that sounds really good." Tony sat back in his chair and relaxed even further.
"So, will you go somewhere with you time off or stick around?" Jenny asked him.
"Oh, I have a few ideas on things to do while I'm off." Tony replied with a mischievous look towards Jethro.
Jethro returned his look with a heated one of his own and said, "Yeah, I think we can manage."
Jenny swore the temperature of the room went up at least ten degrees with the sparks flying between the two men. Jenny knew it was almost time for her to take her leave, but she had one more topic to address before she did.
"What are your plans, Jethro?" She asked.
His head whipped around to meet her questioning gaze and he said, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, are you going to stay retired or do you plan on coming back to NCIS? Because if you do, there are some things that you need to do first." She told him.
"Like what, director?" Jethro asked in a hard tone.
Tony lowered his eyes to the table and smiled to himself. There he is. Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs just stepped into the room. He thought.
"Like a physician, not Ducky, signing off on your medical health. Like a psychologist, also not Ducky, signing off on your mental health and you would have to re-qualify on the range and we would have to find a place for you, because the MCRT already has a capable leader!" She told him with an equally hard tone and a glare to rival his own.
His eyes flashed with anger for a few seconds before his features softened and he quirked a crooked smile at her. "Yeah, okay. I really haven't thought about it. My main goal in coming back here was Tony, and I think we're doing pretty good with that." His smile got bigger when Tony winked at him and just like that Agent Gibbs was gone and the sparks were back.
Jenny sighed exasperatedly and smiled to herself watching the two.
"Well, I guess that's my cue!" She told them as she gathered her things to leave. Tony, I will see you tomorrow and we will sort out Tim and maybe Ziva. Jethro, when you decide what you want to do, other than Tony, let me know and we'll talk." She smiled wickedly as Tony spit out the water he had taken a drink of and started coughing and Jethro turned a lovely shade of red.
Jenny laughed as she made her way to the door and retrieved her coat. Tony walked over to her with his mouth quirked and shaking his finger at her. "You," he admonished with a smile "are a very, very naughty director!" He kept smiling as he held the door for her as she made her way into the hall.
"Well, I couldn't resist, you two are just too cute together! Does Abby know you're back yet, Jethro?" She asked him as he walked up to stand next to Tony.
"No! Not yet." He answered and then looked to Tony.
Tony glanced at him before turning back to Jenny. "We'll tell her together, probably tomorrow night or Sunday."
"Fair enough. Thank you for a delicious lunch Tony, enjoy the rest of your day gentlemen." She smiled as she walked off down the hall.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Balboa looked at the clock on his computer and even though it was just a little after 1800 hours, decided to call it a day. McGee had finished the third month of his reports and he would have no trouble finishing up tomorrow when Tony was here. Ziva had also done very well. She was working on the second week of the third month and would also finish sometime tomorrow, both of them well before Sunday's 6pm deadline. He was also impressed with her accuracy and attention to details. She had only had two minor mistakes all day. Too bad she couldn't have done this right from the start.
"Okay people, pack it in for today. Be back bright and early at 0800 hours." He announced.
Both Ziva and McGee shut everything down and gathered their things.
"Good job today, both of you." Franklin added. Both junior agents seemed surprised at the unexpected compliment, but each nodded their thanks. Ziva walked a little ahead of McGee and both lead agents saw her tense as McGee kept walking past her and took the stairs so he wouldn't have to share an elevator with her. Her shoulders slumped a little as the door to the stairwell closed behind him and the elevator dinged it's arrival. She got on by herself without a word and was gone.
Balboa perched himself on the edge of Tony's desk with raised eyebrows.
"Well, that was interesting. I guess they're not partners in crime anymore!"
"Yeah, looks like McGee finally grew a pair." Franklin remarked. "Even if it was a little tense to start out, the quiet was nice and they both did good work today. She really only had two mistakes?" He asked Vince.
"Yeah, both minor too." Balboa told him. "I'd really like to know what the director said to her last night, because she was breathing fire when you got done with her!"
Franklin stretched back in Tony's chair and commented, "I do have a way with people, don't I?" he smiled up at Balboa.
"That you do. Sometimes you could give Gibbs a run for his money!" Vince replied.
"Thank you!" Franklin smiled brightly.
Balboa snorted and got up to shut down his own desk. "Only you would take that as a compliment!" He added while shaking his head. "I'm going to head over and check on my crew before I leave, see ya tomorrow!" He waved at Franklin as he walked away.
Franklin waved back and cleared off Tony's desk and shut it down before he checked on his team too. He took one last look at the quiet bullpen before heading off and thought, "I know Tony and the director are going to hand out suspensions tomorrow. I hope it goes as well as today did." When he disappeared around the corner, heading to his own area, the bullpen was again deserted and quiet. He wondered if it would ever again hold the life and laughter that it once did.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Tim McGee was almost sorry to leave. He only had another two weeks worth of reports to do. He should be done in about an hour in the morning. Maybe since they had left so early today, he would come in earlier and finish them before Tony got in. Then they could talk before Ziva showed up.
Ziva.
What was up with her today?
She was a different person! Not a bad thing, but really weird. He had been really surprised to get the compliment from Franklin when they left. He was sure neither of them would receive praise from any supervisor for a long time.
He had been relieved when Ziva stopped at the elevator and he could escape down the stairs. He did not want to spend any time alone with her. It's funny, he wasn't really afraid of her anymore, he was just still angry with himself for following her and he didn't want to say something he would regret. Huh! Thinking before I speak, should have learned that years ago. he chastised himself.
He dashed to his car through the rain and was driving out of the lot before Ziva came out of the building. He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding and decided to stop for a sandwich on the way home. Maybe he'd watch a little TV tonight since it was so early. He knew the conversation with Tony tomorrow would not be pleasant, but he was eager to get it done. He settled into his couch when he got home and let the mindless chatter on the screen hypnotize him.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Ziva was surprised by the compliment from Franklin, of all people, and felt some satisfaction as she made her way to the elevator. She had been meaning to talk to McGee on the way down and apologize for her actions, but he kept walking past her and took the stairs. She had tensed up when she realized what he was doing, and then the tension drained out of her all at once when she stepped into the empty elevator car.
"He does not even want to share an elevator ride with me." She thought dejectedly. She sighed as she realized it was nothing more than she deserved. She had treated him almost as poorly as she had treated Tony. She would find the time tomorrow to apologize personally to him. She doubted she would ever see him again after tomorrow. Once she was through with her reports, Tony would suspend her for her actions and would kick her off the team.
She walked slowly when the elevator deposited her on the ground floor and watched from the window as McGee ran to his car and left quickly in his haste to get away from her. She would not impose herself on him, she had put him through enough. She had no doubt he was also facing a suspension tomorrow too. Not that he didn't play his part, but she was the instigator.
She made herself some soup and had some tea when she got home, having gotten wet again on her way out of headquarters and then again on the way inside her building when the rain started coming down harder.
When she finished, she decided to read and retreated to her warm bed with a book. She fell asleep a few hours later with the book laying open beside her.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Jenny Shepherd had that long, hot bath she had so wanted when she finally got home. Her car had been stuck in snarled traffic because of the rain. She bid her two bodyguards goodnight and told them to be there at 6:30am.
Her mind contemplated the mess that had become the MCRT, but she knew it would right itself. She thought Tony would probably take Tim back onto the team and she had no doubt Mr. McGee would not make the same mistakes again! Tony would pick the best agents to fit into the team and would keep things rolling.
She wondered about Jethro and what to do with him, when he decided to come back. Hmm, if he could control himself from chasing off new agents, maybe she could have two MCRT teams. A nice dream, but she didn't think either Tony or Jethro would work without the other if they didn't have to but she wasn't about to let Tony take a demotion just to have Jethro back at work. Well, that brought up more interesting possibilities, she would have to investigate that further tomorrow.
She thought of contacting Reilly, who headed the training department tomorrow to get him up to speed on Ziva. He was a former Marine drill sergeant and would take no attitude from her. She thought that maybe the attitude had finally melted away. She had not missed the sad look that passed over Ziva's face this morning at McGee, Balboa and Franklin's reaction to her.
She hoped it was genuine, because she could very easily be sitting in Gitmo at this very minute. She would have to impress that reality upon her in their meeting tomorrow.
She finished her soak and had a lovely dinner of coq au vin that Noemi prepared expertly and retired early. Tomorrow would be a trying day and she wanted to be well rested for it.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
Tony had tried to read through the agent personnel files, really he had, but Jethro was having none of it.
Tony had originally sat at the dining room table with the files while Jethro watched a basketball game, but Jethro soon cajoled him into bringing the files and sitting next to him on the couch. After that it was just a matter of time before Jethro had taken the files out of Tony's hands and tossed them on the coffee table while he kissed Tony's neck.
They were now stretched out on the couch, with Tony on the bottom and Jethro's body pressed against his while Jethro mapped every centimeter of his mouth.
Tony pushed him back a little so he could take a breath and saw Jethro's dancing, smiling eyes looking back at him. Tony was rock hard again and he could feel Jethro's arousal through their layers of clothes. Tony got an evil smile on his face and told Jethro, "Stand up a minute, I've got an idea."
Jethro immediately stood up and then helped Tony to a standing position next to him. Tony reached down and undid Jethro's jeans and pulled them and his boxers down to his knees. Jethro's fully erect cock sprang free and Jethro moaned when Tony stroked it twice. He then directed Jethro to lie down on the floor with a pillow from the couch under his head.
Tony looked down at him as he removed his own jeans and boxers completely. Jethro licked his lips as Tony stroked his own cock a few times as he looked at Jethro. He then moved around so that he was facing Jethro's feet and straddled Jethro's head with his knees in the sixty-nine position.
Jethro moaned and immediately reached up to take Tony cock into his mouth as Tony arched his back and let out a moan of his own. He was constantly amazed at how good Jethro was at this! After allowing himself a few minutes of bliss being worked by that wonderful mouth, he opened his eyes and zeroed in on Jethro's cock that was bobbing directly below him.
He plunged down on that beautiful, hard member and savored the taste of Jethro. Jethro had increased suction on Tony's cock when he had felt Tony's mouth on him and both actions pulled moans from both men that only increased their pleasure. They both went to work trying to send the other over the edge as quickly as possible.
The following minutes were a symphony of moans, panting, caressing and slurping sounds that managed to bring both men off to a simultaneous finish. When they both released the other's now flaccid cock, Tony moved to lie on his back on the floor next to Jethro. He was caressing Jethro's thigh, that was next to his head and Jethro's hand caressed Tony's hip while they both caught their breath.
Jethro was the first to speak. "Damn, Tony! I forgot how voracious you were!"
"Me?! You're the one who started this little session! I was minding my own business, reading files, when you jumped me! Not that I mind, but still.." Tony finished with a smile.
Jethro sat up and winced a little at his still tender bottom and that increased Tony's smile to DiNozzo Dazzler proportions. He also sat up and pulled Jethro into a deep kiss. They both tasted themselves on their lover's lips and that caused both to moan into the kiss. When they parted for air, they both just sat close holding each other for a few minutes until the hardness of the floor pushed them both to get up and get cleaned up once again. They both worked together to re-make the bed with clean linens and were soon done with the task.
When they were finished, Tony ordered a Pizza and they ate it sitting closely side by side on the couch with a couple of beers, as Jethro found another game to watch on TV and Tony finished reading the files. Tony showed Jethro two files that he was satisfied with and Jethro agreed with his choices. They went to bed around nine and wrapped themselves around each other. Both falling into a deep sleep, feeling profoundly safe.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
TBC…
A/N: Well, Tony's going back to work tomorrow, I wonder what will happen? Please review if you feel so inclined, and thanks for reading! ;-)