Chapter 19
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!
A/N: Thank you to all Guest reviewers, your kind words are appreciated - Enjoy! ;-)
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Jackson Gibbs smiled at Emily Rathburn who was finally, finally about to exit his store. She was sweet, and certainly a nice woman, but he was not interested, no matter how hard she tried to woo him. He had lost count of the number of casseroles, cakes, pies and cookies she had plied him with to wear down his defenses. He would not budge though, Jackson Gibbs was a stubborn man, his Leroy came by it honestly.
"Now, Miss Rathburn, I'm sure it'll be a very nice show, but I already told you I can't go. My son and his friend are in town and I intend to spend as much time with them as I can." Jackson told the woman standing by the front door. He also gave silent thanks to whatever deity saw fit to send his boys to him this week, so he had an ironclad excuse. Well, he had another good excuse, but he wasn't saying anything about that until they told his boys.
"As a matter of fact, I'm waiting to hear back from Tom Ramsey's boy David, to see if he can look after the store this week so I can have even more time with them." Jackson told her as he opened the front door and ushered her through it. "Now if I were you, I would scoot on down to the hardware store and ask George Mooney to go with you!" Jackson told her conspiratorially. "Why, old George has been sweet on you ever since your Melvin passed, I'll bet he'd do handstands to accompany you!" Jackson winked and immediately regretted the friendly gesture.
Emily Rathburn swatted his arm and batted her lashes at him while replying, "Oh, nonsense Jackson! George Mooney has no interest in me and as nice as he is, I have no interest in him." Jackson refrained from sighing, but just barely. Crap, now I've stepped in it. He thought as Emily continued batting her eyes coquettishly at him.
"Oh, I think you should give George a chance, Miss Rathburn, he might surprise you! You'll have to excuse me now, I've got things to plan with my boys." Jackson nodded his head in goodbye and closed the door of his store with a tinkle of bells as he escaped back inside.
Emily huffed out an exasperated "Humph!" as Jackson disappeared back inside his store. The very idea that she would choose George Mooney over Jackson was absurd! Jackson was tall and handsome with a full head of snow white hair. George was short and round and his hair had been escaping off the back of his skull for decades now, there was only a thin fringe clinging to the back of his head that refused to abandon ship!
Emily took off down the street, not noticing the longing look she was getting from George as he gazed at her through his window as she marched by, sighing to himself. She was nothing, if not resourceful. Children visiting or no, she would not be deterred from her goal: making Jackson Gibbs her own.
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Sarah Colfax, who had seen and heard the entire exchange between Jackson and Emily Rathburn as she stood in the dry goods aisle of Jackson's store, wore a knowing smile on her face. She saw how exasperated Jackson was and she had seen Emily march off with a determined look on her face, she would not be easily swayed.
"You know she won't give up that easy." Sarah remarked as Jackson flew past her, heading for the back room.
"I know, that's why I've got to be quick!" Jackson replied as he passed her.
"Quick about what? Where are you going Jackson Gibbs?" Sarah asked him.
"I've got to line up David Ramsey to watch the store!" He called out as he entered the back room, "If she's gone Sarah, lock the door and turn the sign, I've got to do this quick!" Jackson told her.
Sarah chuckled to herself as she walked over and flipped the 'Open' sign to 'Closed' and locked the front door. She then went back to her shopping with a smile on her face and thinking to herself, Oh, If Emily only knew!
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Jackson Gibbs tore into the back room of his store and made a beeline for his office, intent on getting David lined up to mind the store within the next few minutes. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the back door opened in front of him, just before he reached the office.
Thinking Emily Rathburn had flanked him, he was preparing to flee back into the store, when his mind registered that it was not her who came in, but his boys.
Heaving a relieved sigh, Jackson said, "Thank God it's you two! Lock the door before she gets any ideas!"
Jethro, who came in behind Tony, quickly stepped in and closed and locked the door behind them, asking, "Who's getting ideas?"
Jethro couldn't see Tony's face, but he saw the annoyed look Jackson sent their way when Tony asked, "Does Emily have the net out again?"
Both men were smirking when Jackson replied, "Yeah, and probably handcuffs too! Sarah's out front, go keep her company while I finish my business." as he rushed past them into his office.
Jethro was shaking his head and Tony was laughing as they moved into the store and both walked over to Sarah, who was finishing up her shopping. Jethro kissed her cheek in greeting and Tony took her basket to help her shop, like the gentleman he was.
"Hey, Miss Sarah! How are you this beautiful day?" Tony asked the petit woman in front of him.
"Oh, I'm just fine young man, and how are you boys today?" She replied, noting their attentiveness to her fondly. They were good boys.
"Pretty good, ma'am! I'm having a lot of fun discovering all the little and big surprises the Fielding farm has to offer!" Tony told her animatedly.
Sarah chuckled as she saw the enthusiasm in Jethro's young man. "Oh, Zach really loved his gadgets, didn't he?" she asked him.
"Boy, did he! I've only seen a few rooms upstairs and most of the main floor, but the man sure knew how to live well!" Tony replied.
"Well, I'm sure its still got a few more surprises in store for you." Sarah told him, while patting his arm. "At least, I think it does. It's been a while since I've been inside the house." she finished with a furrowed brow.
She saw Jethro and Tony exchange glances and she thought she saw Jethro incline his head slightly before Tony said, "In that case, would you like to join us for dinner tonight? I'm cooking my famous lasagna and Jethro said he'd do the desert, how about it?" He looked at her eagerly.
Sarah had just opened her mouth to accept their invitation when a loud knocking resounded through the store. All three of them looked to the front door to see their Sheriff, Ed Gantry looking in with a smirk on his face.
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Tony saw Jethro's body stiffen immediately and he reached out to squeeze his shoulder, making Jethro turn to face him as he said, "Just remember what I said - little pond."
Jethro nodded once at him as he visibly calmed himself before striding over to unlock the door and admit their unwanted guest with an unreadable expression on his face. Jethro held the door open for the other man as he swaggered confidently in, locking it again behind him and then stood in front of the door with his arms crossed, effectively trapping the other man in the store, between Jethro and Tony.
Tony had placed Sarah's shopping basket on the counter and had maneuvered himself between her and Ed. In case things went south, he didn't want the older woman to get hurt.
He needn't have worried, Sarah was the first to speak up and she immediately put Ed back on his heels.
She stepped forward in front of Tony and wagged her finger as she snapped at him, " Ed Gantry, don't you ever call my son and suggest I should be in a nursing home! Just who do you think you are?" Her voice had risen and she took a step forward, backing him up to the counter as he stuttered out, "Now Miss Sarah…"
"Don't you Miss Sarah me! I'm Mrs. Colfax to you and you haven't answered my question!" She pinned him with a steely gaze that Ed squirmed under.
"Mrs. Colfax, I was just doing my duty! You're all by yourself way out there on River Bend and just yesterday you called a false report in! We can't be running out there every time you see a branch move, we don't have the time!" Ed defended himself.
Sarah narrowed her eyes and spat out sarcastically, "Yes, I suppose running errands for Chuck Winslow does take up a big part of your day." This statement caused Ed's face to flush red and he stood up a little straighter to argue, "Now, just one minute! I take offense at the insinuation…"
Sarah's eyes glittered dangerously as she pointed at him, backing him up again without ever laying a finger on him as she said, "You know what offends me? It offends me that a spineless jellyfish like Chuck Winslow is able to buy an election and get his very own personal Sheriff!" She lowered her voice as she added, "Now, if you don't want the state police or maybe the Federal government looking into just what you and Winslow get up to, I'd suggest you mind your own business. You seem to have forgotten my son is in the DA's office in Philadelphia and my daughter works for a Senator and these two fine young men, who are the ones I saw at the farm yesterday as a matter of fact, are federal agents and would be more than happy to look into you and Chuck."
Ed's face got impossibly redder as he sputtered out, "There was NO one at that farm! I checked it myself!"
Tony and Jethro, who had been watching that sweet little old lady Sarah Colfax eviscerate Ed like a pro, decided now would be a good time to step in.
Tony stepped up next to Sarah and smoothly said, "Afraid you're wrong there Sheriff, we were both at the farm when you drove in, guess you didn't see us." Tony indicated Jethro with a nod of his head and he was happy to note that Jethro now had a smirk on his face as Jethro added, "Yup, you walked right by us Ed, maybe you need to brush up on those observation skills."
Ed Gantry was mad now. He had come in here looking forward to throwing his weight around and intimidating Jethro, just as he had always done. Sarah Colfax had blown that all to Hell, but he wasn't gonna back down on that, there was NO ONE at that farm yesterday!
"Like Hell I do!" He shouted. "There was NO ONE there! I checked the property, there were no cars and no signs of people, I don't believe you were there!" He challenged.
Jethro was breathing through his nose, obviously getting upset, and that pleased Ed, maybe he could provoke him into taking a swing and he could lock him up. He had just opened his mouth to poke him further when the other one spoke up.
"You drove in, did a perimeter check around the house and then you walked over to the barn. Jiggled the door handle and did another perimeter around the barn. You walked back to your car and stood outside the door to call in to dispatch, saying, and I quote "Marla, the Fielding farm is secure, there's no one here. Tell Sarah the next time she calls to pick up her new glasses at McAllister's!" "You then threw your hat on the passenger seat, got in and peeled out." Tony finished, with a cold, calculating look on his face. That last little bit about the glasses had the desired effect: Ed was looking at him stunned, realizing they had been there and he had not seen them, and it pissed Sarah off again. Tony smirked at Ed as he stepped back and let Sarah have another go.
"ED GANTRY! How many times do I have to tell you to MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!" Both Jethro and Tony snickered as Ed jumped at her tone. He was still sizing up the level of threat Tony posed and trying to figure out where they had been at the farm and she had taken him by surprise.
"Mrs. Colfax…" He started out and then another thought occurred to him and he tried to turn it back on Jethro again. "Wait a minute. Where were you two and where was your car? What were you doing, hiding from me?" He astutely deciphered.
Tony was impressed, old Ed was not as dim as he had been led to believe. Always two sides to every story. He thought to himself before stepping in again to field the question, he could see Jethro's hand fidgeting and wasn't entirely sure what he would do, so he came to his rescue.
"We were just coming out of the woods when you drove in. Gibbs was showing me the trails and the other barn. We were right there on the edge of the trees, didn't you see us, Sheriff? Because we saw you!" Tony interjected just the right amount of disdain into his response that had the other man bristling. Tony could see Ed working up to what would probably be a valid rebuttal (he had purposely left out any mention of their car in his explanation) when Sarah again swooped in, right on cue.
"Ed Gantry, I have had just about enough of your nonsense and your disrespect! You seem to forget that I was a teacher for forty years and your teacher, so I'm going to impart one more valuable lesson: If I ever hear of you or that sorry excuse for a human being, Chuck Winslow make any type of derogatory comment about my eyesight or my state of mind, I will OWN the Winslow mine and every last penny either of you have ever made! I never took your guff when you two were rampaging around town as kids, and I'm sure not going to start now! Do you understand me?" She asked him in a tone that every kid recognized: She was in full-on, teacher/authority figure mode, and that tone brooked no argument.
Ed's face had blanched a little at her words, but it flushed again when he realized how much Jethro and Tony were enjoying his dressing down. He might have been able to push Jethro into doing something stupid, he always knew what buttons to push with him, but that other one - he was a cool customer. Plus, he had a look in his eye like a viper about ready to strike. He knew instinctively that he wouldn't win going up against that one. He knew Chuck wouldn't have a chance either. Chuck was sneaky, but Ed had a feeling this one was deadly. Since he was outnumbered and outgunned he decided on a course of action that had always served him well: saving his own ass!
He mumbled a "Yes, ma'am." before edging around her and making his escape through the front door that Jethro was holding open for him, smirk firmly in place. Even though that pissed him off, he knew when he couldn't win. He knew Chuck's 'business' was not entirely above-board and would not hold up to the serious scrutiny that a federal investigation could bring to bear. He hopped in his patrol car and sped off down Main street, heading for his home. He sighed deeply as he got further away from the store and calmed down a little more. He thought maybe it was time to retire.
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Jethro closed and again locked the door and all three of them watched Ed scramble to his car and make a strategic retreat. Jethro, Tony and Sarah all looked at each other in silence and then all three jumped when the sound of Jackson's laughter rang out through the quiet store. He had obviously heard some, if not all, of the confrontation and it sounded like he approved.
Soon all four of them were wiping tears of laughter out of their eyes as the tension and adrenalin dissipated. Jackson had walked over to sling an arm over Jethro's shoulder as their laughter died down and Tony enveloped Sarah in a strong embrace and kissed her cheek as he commented, "I don't ever want to get on your wrong side, Miss Sarah!"
She just laughed and patted his back while replying, "I doubt you ever could, young man!" Earning a blinding smile from Tony as he pulled back and held her at arms length. "So, you never said, are you coming for dinner?" he asked her.
"Would not miss it, Tony!" she replied with a fond smile.
Tony looked over at Jackson as he added, "You too Jackson, are you coming?"
"I'll be there. In fact, as soon as David gets here, I'll come over and help you cook!" Jackson replied. "Then you can tell me how you like the house."
"Oh my God! That house is amazing!" Tony enthused as the others chuckled. "That master bedroom and closet and bathroom and the upstairs laundry room. Oh! And that library and the kitchen and I can't believe there's an elevator in it!" Tony stopped rambling on about the house when Jethro walked over and wrapped his arms around him from behind. Tony stilled instantly and melted back into Jethro's arms and both Jackson and Sarah smiled at the level of contentment the two men had.
They watched, entranced, as Jethro whispered something in Tony's ear that caused a sweet smile on the younger man's face. Jethro closed his eyes and kissed Tony on the cheek tenderly as Tony turned around in his arms and spoke softly to Jethro. Too softly for their older companions to hear, but it brought a huge smile to Jethro's face. Tony then leaned in and gently brushed his lips across Jethro's before pulling away to gather the groceries they needed for the house. Jethro watched his progress intently, his eyes following Tony around the store. Both Sarah and Jackson were deeply moved at the strong love that emanated from their boys. If Jethro had not been watching Tony, he would have seen his father and Sarah exchange watery smiles as Jackson squeezed Sarah's hand.
Jackson was elated that his boys had found each other again and they were both so happy. He was actually pretty happy himself, he thought, as he rang up Sarah's order. He didn't think he would ever find such happiness again, after Leroy's mother passed, but he wasn't gonna say no to it either. Sarah was such a lady, but boy, look out when she's riled up! Something he didn't think Ed Gantry would forget ever again.
Jackson had heard the pounding on the front door as he finished his call to David and he had snuck back out front without any of them seeing him. Everyone thought Leroy had learned his stealth from the Marines, but it was born right here. The Marines may have honed it a bit, but he had learned a lot by watching his father. People were always surprised Jackson could move so quietly, came in handy for finding out things other people didn't want known. He knew most of the town's secrets and could make a good guess on the rest. If Sarah hadn't flayed Ed so effectively, he would have stepped in to remind him about the illegal gambling Ed's son ran with Winslow. Turned quite a profit last month. He was sure the IRS would be very interested to hear all about that.
He was smiling to himself at the thought of siccing the IRS on the ones that used to make his boy's life miserable growing up when Sarah's voice broke into his plans for revenge.
"I don't know what you're planning, Jackson Gibbs, but you can just forget it!" Sarah told him firmly. "Ed won't do anything and he'll warn Chuck off. Both of them know I mean business and I don't say anything I don't mean!"
"Okay sweetie, I'll behave." Jackson smiled sheepishly at her stern look. He had gotten a little carried away.
Sarah nodded her head as she said, "Okay, then," They both ended up staring at each other with goofy smiles on their faces for, who knew how long, until they heard a throat being cleared near the end of the counter.
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Sarah and Jackson both turned to see Tony and Jethro standing at the other end of the counter, next to their groceries piled up next to them, with twin smiles of amusement as they regarded them.
"Something you want to tell us, Dad?" Jethro asked him, with an impish grin.
"Well, we…that is, Sarah and I…" Jackson's voice trailed off as he searched for the right words to describe what Sarah meant to him. The entire time he was stumbling over his speech, Leroy and Tony were sporting knowing smirks. Dang it! Those boys were too smart for their own good!
Sarah, as always, came to his rescue.
"Oh, I think you can figure out what we mean to each other, you boys shouldn't tease your father like that!" She lightly scolded them, wearing her own knowing smile.
Tony moved forward and again, enveloped Sarah in a hug as Jethro stepped around the counter and grabbed Jackson in a hug too. Jethro whispered in his father's ear, "I'm happy for you, dad." Before giving him another tight squeeze just before releasing him.
Tony was beaming at Sarah and told her as he kissed her cheek, "You two are perfect for each other! I'm so glad you both found happiness together!" He moved back slightly and sent an approving look at Jackson before he added, "You sure you can keep up, Jack? I think after witnessing that little episode with the Sheriff that you better stay on your toes with this one!"
Tony and Jethro erupted in laughter and Jackson blushed red as Sarah smacked Tony on the arm playfully and said, "Don't you worry, Jackson has no trouble keeping up with me!"
"Alright, alright, let's get finished up here before David comes in. I want to make a quick getaway in case Emily decides to mount another attack!" Jackson grumbled, good-naturedly, as he finished ringing up Sarah's order. After giving her the obligatory twenty percent family discount, he started bagging her purchases with Leroy's help. When they were finished, both of the boys carried everything out to her car and advised her to come over to the house as soon as she wanted.
Jethro told Tony that he was heading down to the hardware store to pick up brackets to mount the TV's and a few other things for the house. After a quick squeeze to Tony's shoulder, Jethro walked off down the sidewalk and Tony went back inside the store. Jackson was finished ringing up their order, including discount, and after paying, Tony helped pack up everything and he lugged it all to their car sitting in the alley behind the store.
"Why don't you pack a bag and stay with us out at the farm for a few days?" Tony asked him. "I know how persistent Emily is, maybe it would be better if you took off for a little while." He offered as he leaned back on the counter.
"Well, I was going to pack a bag, but I'm going to see if Sarah will let me use her guest room. Even though it's a big house, you boys need your privacy."
Jackson informed Tony, as he wiped down the counter, not looking up at the younger man.
Tony smiled at the show of Jackson's uncharacteristic nervousness and decided not to make the other man even more uncomfortable, so he just said, "That sounds like a good plan, much harder for Emily to find you."
Jackson looked up at Tony, wearing a grateful smile. He realized Tony had let him off the hook and he really appreciated it. He was so happy Leroy had this smart, funny man in his life and watching out for him. They really looked after each other.
"You know, I saw you jump in when Ed was here and was trying to get at Leroy. I wanted you to know I was real proud of you for doing that. Ed always knows what to say to provoke Leroy, it might have turned out bad if you hadn't done what you did." Jackson thanked Tony.
Tony sighed deeply before replying, "Yeah, I could tell Jethro was about to blow, plus I really didn't like the son of a bitch and it was fun poking him."
Both men laughed at that and when it was quiet again, Tony said to Jackson, "I've heard a lot of stories about Ed, but I always got the impression from those stories that he was maybe not too bright, more of a follower. The guy I met today doesn't fit into that box. He's pretty sharp and if your intended hadn't distracted him by chewing off his ass, he would have figured out a few things."
Jackson smiled shrewdly at Tony before replying, "Oh, Ed's no dummy, but the main goal in his life is to save his own rear end and to work as little as possible, which he's very good at, been doing it a long time. Ed has always stuck by Chuck Winslow because he recognized a free ride when he saw it."
Tony nodded in understanding as Jackson continued. "Ed always got a lot of mileage out of being the best friend to the richest guy in town. In fact, Chuck didn't have any friends until Ed saw an opportunity and took it. Chuck was always a snotty little bastard and the other kids never put up with him until Ed stepped up."
Tony asked, "Is Chuck as smart as Ed, or does Ed do his thinking for him?"
Jackson leaned back on the stool he was sitting on to consider his response before he finally said, "Hmm, well Chuck is no Einstein, but he's sure not stupid. I would say he's probably of average intelligence, but above average at sneaky. He's real good at figuring out a way around something, and that way around is usually blackmail."
Tony's attention sharpened when he heard that and he asked, "Is that how he keeps Ed in line? Do you know what he has on him?"
"It's more of a mutual destruction deal with Ed. They both know where the other's skeletons are hiding and agree to keep quiet, for their own good. Although, Chuck upped the stakes this last year." Jackson stated. He continued after Tony gave him an inquisitive look.
"Ed's oldest boy, Damon, is running an illegal gambling den with Chuck. I'm not sure if Ed is aware of that or not. I'm sure Chuck will let him know when the need arises" Jackson told him.
"Well, that's very interesting. Do you know where the place is?" Tony asked him.
"They move around, but there's only four places they use, one of them being Damon's own barn." Jackson informed Tony.
"Is Damon looking for the easy ride his father took, or is he more ambitious?" Tony asked.
"Ambition is not a word I'd use to describe Damon. Actually, he and Chuck are a lot alike. He always did the bare minimum in school and skated by getting others to do his work." Jackson explained, distaste plainly shown on his face. "When I say getting others to do his work, I mean threatening them. Many times Sarah caught him terrorizing a younger, smarter kid and I once heard him threaten Jackie Taylor at the Bakery, trying to get free goods from her."
Tony's eyes narrowed as he asked, "Threatened her how? Bodily harm?"
"No, the lazy little idiot never goes that far, he threatened to have his Uncle Chuck have a talk with the bank and have her loan pulled." Jackson informed him with a frown.
"What a devious little shit! Has he ever threatened you?" Tony asked him hotly.
Jackson chuckled as he responded, "Hell no! I've never heard a peep from him or Ed or Chuck. People like that seem to have a sixth sense to know who they can push around. Must never have felt that way about me."
Tony smiled wryly as he said, "I don't imagine they did. You never struck me as a pushover Jackson! You said you heard him threaten Jackie Taylor, were you outside or right there in the shop?" Tony asked him.
"I came in the shop behind him, he didn't even hear me. He was only about fourteen at the time and I scared the crap out of him. He never tried that again with any business here in town." Jackson recalled with a smile.
Tony and Jackson were still laughing about that when a young man, about nineteen entered the store. He was almost as tall as Tony with sandy colored hair and brown eyes. Tony noted that an easy smile broke out on his face when he heard their laughter and he was still smiling as he walked up to Tony with his hand out to shake as he introduced himself.
"Sounds like somebody is having a good time in here! You must be Tony, my name's David Ramsey sir, good to meet you!" He said as he shook Tony's hand. "I recognized you from the pictures in Jackson's office, is Leroy doing okay?" He asked and seemed genuinely concerned about the answer.
Tony liked the young man immediately. He was easy-going and friendly, his personality seemed to be a lot like Jackson's. Tony studied him as he made his introduction and did not detect any type of deception in him. He knew Jackson trusted the boy, but his inner cop was still glad to check him out in person. He had already done a background and criminal check on him months ago when Jackson had told him about his new hire. You can't be too careful, when it comes to family.
"Tony DiNozzo, good to meet you too. Jackson's told me many good things about you and as for Leroy, you can ask him yourself." Tony smiled and pointed behind David to where Jethro had stealthily entered the store and now stood near the door watching the interaction.
David spun around and walked over to Jethro with his hand out and the smile still on his face as he said, "It's good to see you so well, Mr. Gibbs! We were all worried when we heard about your accident." Tony noted a small wince from Jethro when David mentioned the explosion, but he covered it well. "I'm David Ramsey, Mr. Gibbs. Your father hired me some months ago to help out with the store, it sure is good to finally meet you."
Tony was amused to see a pleasant smile on Jethro's face as he shook David's hand and replied, "Thank you David, good to meet you too. So, you're the one putting up with my father's crap on a weekly basis."
Jackson let out an annoyed snort as he said, "You watch yourself, Leroy! You're not too old to take over my knee!"
Jethro's smile morphed into a smirk as he playfully replied, "You'd have to catch me first."
Causing Tony and David to bust out laughing and Tony commented, "I'd be careful Jethro, I don't think I'd test him!"
"You best listen to this young man, Leroy. You never got away before, you're not starting now!" Jackson advised his son with a twinkle in his eye.
"Yes, sir!" Jethro replied as he moved to stand close to Tony. "Are you all set to go? I put everything I got at the hardware store in the car already. Do you have anything else to carry out?"
"I'm done, we better go so I can start dinner and Jackson can escape before Emily comes back!" Tony replied.
"Oh Lord, is Emily hunting again?" David asked with a roll of his eyes.
"Boy, is she!" Jackson replied with a shudder. "Now I know what a mouse feels like being hunted by a hawk!"
All three men laughed at Jackson's discomfort before David asked, "Did you steer her in George Mooney's direction? I know he would sure love to spend some time with her."
"I did, she was not happy with the suggestion. Maybe you could nudge her along that way when she comes looking for me?" Jackson asked, hopefully.
David chuckled and replied, "That I can do, but she won't give up as long as you're unattached."
"Well, then you can mention to her that I am attached! Sarah and I told the boys here, so now it's official - I am off the market!" Jackson told David proudly while Tony and Jethro smiled at him.
"Well that's great news, sir! I'd be happy to tell her, is it okay to say who you are off the market with?" David asked.
"We're not hiding, tell anyone you want! We just wanted these two to be the first to hear the news." Jackson told him as he winked at Tony and Jethro and smiled fondly at his boys.
"So, you've got your keys. I'll probably stop in on Saturday to run the deposit up to the bank. If you need me, call my cell. I'm not going to be home, but I won't be far away. I'm going to skedaddle while I can! Thanks for your help David." Jackson informed the younger man as he came from behind the counter and shook David's hand.
"No problem sir, anytime! Have a nice visit." David told him and then addressed his last comment to all three men.
Tony and Jethro smiled back at him as they followed Jackson out the back, to their cars. After agreeing that Jackson should come over as soon as he was packed, they all got in their cars and went their separate ways.
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Jethro was driving back to the farm at a rather sedate pace when he glanced over at a surprisingly silent Tony, gazing out the side window.
"So, you did a background check on the kid?" Jethro asked him, already knowing the answer.
"You know I did. No issues, not even a parking ticket, he's a good guy, reminds me a lot of Jackson. They have the same personality." Tony told him.
"Nah, I wouldn't have gotten along with him so easily." Jethro deadpanned.
Tony barked out a laugh and squeezed the hand Jethro had taken his own into as he drove. "You're not as surly as you'd like everyone to believe." He said as he placed a tender kiss on the back of Jethro hand. "You know I like this new, more easygoing you. Much easier to cuddle." Tony remarked as he slid over on the front seat and lay his head on Jethro's shoulder.
"We used to cuddle all the time!" Jethro retorted, although he was secretly thrilled with Tony's closeness and that Tony liked his new outlook. He used to only let himself relax when he and Tony were alone, but being a bastard to everyone was exhausting and he didn't want to do it anymore. He was a different person now, and he was looking forward to life again as he had not done in many years.
"Yeah, but I usually had to trick you into it if anyone was around. Since you came back you don't seem to care who sees us together." Tony told him.
"I don't, I'm not ashamed of you or us, Tony. I'll take out a billboard on Times Square telling the world about us if you want me to. It took an explosion to knock some sense into me, and I'm not gonna waste it." Jethro told him sincerely.
Tony chuckled and raised his head to kiss Jethro's cheek, telling him, "I don't think you need to go that far, but it's sweet that you are willing to. I'm happy with the way things are."
They drove a few minutes in comfortable silence before Jethro cleared his throat and said, "I wanted to thank you for running interference with Ed back there. He could always get to me and I was right on the edge of doing something stupid."
Tony caressed Jethro's right hand between his two as he said, "I could tell. Ed's a typical bully, but I will never let him hurt you again!" Tony told him forcefully. "Besides, that's what partners do - we slay each others dragons. That's why we're so good together."
Jethro felt a warmth enveloping him as Tony's words sunk in. It was true. He would move Heaven and Earth to protect Tony and he knew Tony would do the same. They did fit so well together.
"I think you did more than slay that dragon, you didn't see Ed's face as he went out the door. You scared the hell out of him! He has no doubt that he should never mess with you. Made my day." Jethro smiled happily at the memory as he turned off River Bend Rd into their driveway.
Tony sat up and turned to Jethro as Jethro pulled the car up to the kitchen door in the back of the house and shut off the motor. "Good! Just as long as he knows he should never mess with you either. He will be very sorry if he does!"
The love Jethro felt for the man next to him was all encompassing. He was so lucky to have him on his side. He leaned forward to capture Tony's lips in an affectionate kiss that illustrated his feelings. They would have guests soon, so they couldn't take it further, but he needed just a little intimacy from Tony until they were shut behind closed bedroom doors tonight.
Both men wore satisfied expressions as they emptied the car and went inside to prepare for dinner with their family.
************NCIS********************NCIS********************
TBC….