Chapter 21
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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Tony closed the front door a little harder than necessary with a scowl on his face and the receipt from the cable guy crumpled in his fist. His mood did not improve when he turned around and saw Jethro leaning on the doorframe to the hallway on the right, arms and ankles crossed, wearing an extremely smug smirk.
"I don't know what you think is so funny! This is all your fault!" Tony snapped.
Jethro's smile grew bigger as he pushed himself away from the doorframe and sauntered over, pulling Tony into a reluctant embrace.
"Hey, I wasn't the one who told him the reason you were walking funny was because your back was out, was I?" Jethro teasingly scolded him. "I would have been perfectly fine with telling him the reason for your discomfort was because I fucked you into the matress last night, that was totally your call." Jethro finished, smug smile firmly in place.
Tony huffed out a frustrated breath as he relaxed in Jethro's arms, but still held onto his scowl as he retorted, "How was I to know his brother in law was a chiropractor and he'd try to get me to make an appointment every five minutes!"
Tony's scowl turned into a serious pout when Jethro started laughing. "It's not funny!" Tony said sulkily, increasing his pout, that Jethro thought was adorable, and making Jethro laugh harder.
"I'm sorry, babe, you're right. You couldn't have known about his connections, but you didn't have to prolong his visit by getting every upstairs bedroom wired for cable!" Jethro told him with a fond smile when he had gotten control of himself again.
"They needed it!" Tony protested. "I thought it would be easier to get it all done at once! I didn't know you were going to fuck me into oblivion last night and I wouldn't be able to sit today! God! I thought he'd never leave!" Tony retorted before laying his head on Jethro's shoulder and nuzzling his face into his neck, still pouting.
Jethro chuckled and placed his hands on either side of Tony's head, bringing it up so he could kiss Tony's adorable pout before saying, "Why don't you go downstairs and lay on the couch and I'll make us some lunch. You can channel surf and rest your tender ass."
"Fine." Tony sighed. He then looked at Jethro with a mischievous gleam in his eye as he added, "You'll make me grilled cheese and tomato soup?"
Jethro rolled his eyes at the blatant manipulation, but replied with a smile, "Yes, I'll make you grilled cheese and tomato soup."
"You'll put the sweet pickle chips on the sandwich, just like I like it?" Tony asked, teasing pout still in place.
Jethro snorted and pulled Tony in, kissing him until the younger man was breathless, before releasing him. "Yes, I'll put sweet pickle chips on the sandwich, just like you like it."
Tony smiled brilliantly and pulled away, saying brightly "Okay! I'll meet you downstairs."
Jethro shook his head as he watched Tony shuffle slowly over to the hallway.
"Where are you going?" Jethro asked him with a puzzled expression.
"Library, office, whatever you want to call it. I have to make a file for this receipt so I don't lose it. It should only take a few minutes. I'll go downstairs when I'm done." Tony called over his shoulder before disappearing around the corner, heading to the library.
Jethro shook his head and headed for the kitchen thinking, 'Details, that's why he's such a good leader.'
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An hour later Tony lay back with a satisfied sigh after finishing three grilled cheese sandwiches and a bowl of soup. His head was resting in Jethro's lap and they were both lounging comfortably on the couch, watching TV.
Jethro was running his fingers through Tony's hair as he asked, "So, did you have anything you wanted to do today, besides getting the cable and internet hooked up?"
"Umm, no, that was it. Do you have something you wanted to do?" Tony replied.
"Nope. I'm good." Jethro softly replied.
Tony craned his neck so he could see Jethro's face and was happy to see his own quiet satisfaction mirrored on the older man. 'Perfect!' he thought, before replying, "Good, let's take a nap."
Jethro smiled down at Tony and tapped his head lightly to get him to sit up. Which Tony did, with a groan. Jethro knew he should feel guilty for the discomfort Tony was in, and a small part of him was, but a bigger part of him was overwhelmingly smug at the knowledge that he had caused that discomfort making love to Tony. That he had worn him out. He couldn't help it, it was a guy thing.
Jethro stretched out on his side on the deep couch and motioned Tony to lay down in front of him, which he did, snuggling back into Jethro's arms. While he was still incredibly sated, Jethro could not help but feel a stirring in his loins when Tony scooted back and wriggled his bottom into Jethro's lap. Jethro sucked in a sharp breath and Tony chuckled quietly, knowing full well the effect he was having on Jethro.
"Brat!" Jethro said as he bit Tony's ear playfully.
"Yeah, but you love me." Tony sighed as he relaxed into Jethro's embrace.
"Oh, I so do." Jethro said softly as he followed up his bite with a gentle kiss behind Tony's ear, relishing the feel of the man he loved in his arms.
Less than a minute after settling down, both men were sleeping deeply, TV playing softly in the background.
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Emily Rathburn was frustrated and angry. She had taken dinner over to Jackson's house last night, enough for him and the two boys visiting and no one was home! She had sat outside his house for nearly three hours before giving up and going home.
After putting the food away that had not been ruined, she had driven by Jackson's house one more time and everything was still dark, no cars in the driveway. She had given up last night, but she would not be deterred.
Emily had gotten up at 4am this morning and had made cinnamon buns and was over at Jackson's house by 5am, knowing that he and Leroy were early risers. She had pounded the steering wheel when faced with a still dark house and no cars to be seen. They hadn't even come home last night!
Emily was now sitting in her car outside of Jackson's store impatiently drumming on the console next to her, rehearsing the piece of her mind she was about to give Jackson. In the few seconds she took to glance down at her watch to check the time, the lights had gone on in the store and the sign had been turned to 'Open'.
Emily set her jaw and grabbed her purse as she exited the car and hurried across the street, bursting into the store with a full head of steam. David Ramsey looked up in surprise when the door flew open and suppressed a smile when Emily Rathburn rushed in and slammed her purse down on the counter.
"Young man, you get Jackson Gibbs out here right now!" Emily demanded with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Rathburn, Mr. Gibbs is not here today." David politely told her.
"Well, where is he?" Emily snapped out. "And don't you tell me he's at home, because I know he's not!"
"Well ma'am, he's visiting with his sons and Miss Sarah." David replied, trying very hard to maintain a straight face. Here it comes! David thought to himself.
"SARAH COLFAX!?" David winced at Emily's loud tone. "What is she doing with Jackson and his sons?" She demanded.
"I would imagine they're just getting to know each other better ma'am, seeing as how Jackson and Miss Sarah are exclusive now, and…" David explained.
"WHAT!?" Emily bellowed making David wince again. "Since when are Jackson and Sarah dating, let alone being exclusive?"
"Oh, Jackson told me he and Miss Sarah have been dating for over a year and exclusive for about four months. They wanted to tell their boys first though before telling anyone else. They had to wait when Leroy got hurt a while ago and Tony took over their team, boy, was I glad to see Leroy in one piece!" David said conspiratorially. "Don't they make the sweetest couple? I tell you, Jackson and Miss Sarah are just made for each other!" David finished by leaning on the counter and smiling widely.
"But, but they can't!" Emily stuttered. "She…he…they, they can't!" Emily was completely flustered and it didn't help that David Ramsey was standing there in front of her wearing a big, goofy grin and expecting her to agree with him!
At that moment, the bell over the door rang again and David's smile got even bigger when George Mooney walked in. Emily's mood soured further when George gave her a big smile and seemed delighted to see her.
"Mr. Mooney!" David straightened behind the counter and smiled even wider as he said, "Did you hear the good news? Jackson and Miss Sarah are exclusive! I wouldn't be surprised to get a wedding announcement before the end of the year!"
George Mooney thought that was the best news he had heard in years and said just that, not noticing the horrified look on Emily's face when David imparted his opinion about a wedding. Having Jackson off the market improved his chances with Emily and now was as good a time as any to start his courting.
"Emily, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me this Friday?" George asked her with a large smile.
Emily Rathburn huffed in annoyance, grabbed her purse and marched out of the store without another word.
George blinked, with wide eyes as both men watched Emily's exit. He turned to David, asking, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Oh, no Mr. Mooney!" David told him as he came around the end of the counter and placed a hand comfortingly on the older man's shoulder. "You just hang in there. I think Mrs. Rathburn was a little sweet on Jackson and the news of him and Miss Sarah was a bit of a shock. Ask her again tomorrow when she's had some time to adjust." David advised him.
"You think so?" George asked him with a hopeful expression.
"I sure do! I think you and Miss Emily would make a really great couple!" David told the older man confidently, bringing another big smile to the older man's face.
"Yeah! I think I'll do that! Emily comes into the store on Wednesdays for her baking cups, I'll talk to her then." George said decisively.
"Good man!" David clapped George on the back before asking, "Now, what can I do for you today, Mr. Mooney?"
The two men walked around the store gathering the items on George's list as Emily drove back to her house with her hands gripping the wheel so hard her knuckles were white, and wearing a thunderous look on her face. Anyone looking at her could almost see the steam coming from her ears.
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Sarah finished up the excellent quiche she had ordered for lunch. She and Jackson had eaten a leisurely breakfast with their boys and then hit the road, heading north to stay in a bed and breakfast for a few days and do some antiquing. This would also give the boys some time alone. Although, judging by the way Tony had been moving this morning, both she and Jackson thought their boys would be snuggling more than anything else.
"Are you almost done, sweetpea?" Jackson asked her as he fiddled with his phone.
"Yes, done now, is something wrong?" Sarah asked him.
"Well, we'll find out when we get to the car. David sent me a clip from the security feed at the store." Jackson informed her as he covered the bill and a generous tip before steering her out of the small restaurant they had stopped for lunch at.
Sarah put on the brakes before they reached the door, asking, "Is it something bad?"
"I don't think so, he ended his message with a smiley face." Jackson told her.
"Well in that case, I'm using the ladies room before we go. That place I wanted to see is over an hour away." Sarah informed him as she slipped the grip he had on her elbow and quickly disappeared towards the restroom.
Jackson chuckled at her headstrong personality and then stopped himself from leaving. Dang it! he thought as he too made his way towards the restrooms. He huffed out a laugh thinking, Should know better, she's always right!
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A few minutes later, Sarah and Jackson, much more comfortable than before their pit stop, were sitting in the front seat of their car watching what had transpired at the store today when David had told Emily about them on the small screen of Jackson's phone.
Sarah had to bite her lip to keep from laughing, but lost that battle when Jackson burst out in loud guffaws that had tears running down his cheeks. Both of them were unaware of the people passing their car who were also smiling, seeing the joy on their faces. Emily had unknowingly brought a lot of joy to a great many people today.
Jackson was determined to continue spreading that joy as he brought himself more or less under control. He quickly forwarded the video to Leroy and Tony and advised them they would check in tonight when they got back to the bed and breakfast.
Still chuckling happily, Jackson and Sarah pulled out of the restaurant parking lot and continued on their way.
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David Ramsey whistled as he wound down his day at the store. Things had been pretty smooth and uneventful after the commotion first thing this morning with Emily Rathburn. David smiled as he thought back to Emily's reaction to the news of Jackson and Sarah dating.
Boy, was she mad!
David hoped that she finally gave up chasing Jackson and saw what was right in front of her. George Mooney adored her and they had so much in common. Emily's deceased husband had been a teacher and George had been a teacher before taking over the hardware store when his brother had a stroke. Both Emily and George's late wife had worked in the office at the elementary school and both of them had met their spouses while working at the school.
David sighed as he continued working on the inventory sheets while sitting behind the counter. Just because two people seemed to be perfect for each other, didn't mean they belonged together. The heart wants what the heart wants. You can't make someone love you. David just hoped Emily wasn't too cruel to George, he really was a very sweet man, he was just smitten.
David looked up as the bell over the door jingled and smiled at his customer.
"Good evening Sheriff Gantry! You made it in just in time, I was about to close up for the day. What can I get for you?" David asked brightly while noting the haggard look the Sheriff wore.
Gantry mumbled, "Milk, bread…" before disappearing into the last aisle to gather what he came in for.
David moved the inventory sheets he had been working on to the shelf underneath the counter as he waited for the Sheriff to come back. From the mirrors in the store, David watched as Gantry got his milk from the cold case in the back and picked up a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter before heading back to the counter. He saw the difficulty Gantry appeared to have walking and briefly wondered if the Sheriff was drunk, but a closer inspection when the older man got back up to the counter dismissed that idea from David's mind.
No, the Sheriff wasn't drunk, he looked sick or maybe injured.
David had lived his entire life in Stillwater and was well aware of the dubious circumstances that had put Ed Gantry in office. Everyone knew he was in Chuck Winslow's back pocket, but as long as he kept the peace and didn't abuse the position (too much), nobody said anything. Chuck Winslow was, after all, the owner of the biggest employer in town. No one wanted to rock the boat. As long as Chuck left them alone, they were happy to do the same, and if that meant turning a blind eye to Ed Gantry's 'landslide' victory, then so be it.
David had only met the Sheriff after he had started working here in Jackson's store, before then he had only seen him in passing. He had observed Ed and a few of his deputies breaking up some rowdy customers fighting outside the bar down the street, and had been impressed with how quickly he had gotten them under control. He had his deputies drive them home after the altercation, not even forcing them to spend a night in jail. He seemed to be doing his job, so David was a little worried about him.
"Excuse me Sheriff, but are you alright? You look like you might have been hurt." David tentatively asked him as he bagged the Sheriff's purchases after giving him his change.
Ed Gantry looked up and focused his attention on David, seeming to see him for the first time before answering, "You're Tom Ramsey's boy, aren't you?"
"Yes sir, I am!" David replied with a smile.
Ed sighed as he reconsidered the snotty response he had been about to say. This kid was not to blame for the mess he was in. No, he had stepped into this all on his own, no sense taking it out on him.
"Good man, your father." Ed replied instead. "You've been working here a few months now, haven't you?" he asked.
"Yes sir, four months now! Jackson is great to work for, I've learned a lot from him." David replied enthusiastically.
"I'm sure you have." Ed murmured. Jackson Gibbs was sharp as a tack and didn't miss much. It seemed he had passed along that skill to his newest employee.
"It's David, isn't it?" Ed asked as he picked up the bag the young man had packed for him.
"Yes sir!" David replied with another smile. Ed remembered wistfully when his Damon used to smile like that, a long time ago. He was lucky to get anything out of him now that was not sulky or downright hostile. Now he would be lucky if Damon didn't spend the next twenty years behind bars after what Chuck had gleefully told him earlier.
"Well David, I just got some bad news today, that's all. Thank you for being concerned though." Ed told the young man in a tired voice.
David came out from behind the counter and followed the Sheriff to the door, turning the sign to closed when he opened the door for Gantry.
"I'm sorry to hear that sir. I hope everything works out okay for you." David told him sincerely as Ed stepped outside.
"Me too David, me too. You make sure everything is locked up tight, you hear?" Gantry told him.
"I will sir! Jackson is very security conscious, so I take every precaution." David told him seriously.
"Good man!" Ed managed a small smile as he clapped the young man on the shoulder. "Have a good night David."
"You too sir! Have a good evening and thanks for stopping by!" David replied before closing and locking the door.
Ed nodded in approval before getting back in his car and heading home. He sighed again as he drove slowly out of town. He wished his son had never met Chuck Winslow. Actually, he wished he had never met him either!
David Ramsey finished the inventory sheets quickly and locked them and the till back in the safe in Jackson's office. He made one last circuit of the store, making sure all was secure, before grabbing his jacket and exiting through the back of the store. David bolted the back door and got into his car thinking about Sheriff Gantry. Whatever bad news he had gotten must have been really something, he looked like death warmed over. David hoped the Sheriff's bad news would be resolved quickly and he really hoped whatever it was would not spill out on the town or anyone who lived here.
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Emily Rathburn was still spitting mad! She had traveled over to Jackson's house several times that day, but had not been able to catch anyone home. She had even ventured out to Sarah Colfax's house, way out on River Bend, but no one had been there either.
She decided, as she got ready for bed, that she would just have to vary the times she checked both places. Sooner or later one or both of them would come back and she would catch them. They had some serious explaining to do!
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Jackson hugged Sarah closer as they both cuddled on the love seat in the sitting room of the bed and breakfast, watching TV. Well, Sarah was watching TV, he was enjoying their closeness while lost in thought. Their antiquing today had been successful and Sarah was the proud new owner of several vintage Christmas Tree pins. They had only cost a few dollars each and Jackson had been surprised at how happy, something so small, could make her.
Although he wasn't one to talk. She had found a few unique fishing lures for him that had tickled him to no end. It made him smile again that things so simple brought such joy to them both. They really were perfect together.
Jackson thought of how lucky he and Leroy were. They both had found someone to share their lives with that made them happy. His mouth quirked into another smile as he thought of the conversation he had a little while ago with Leroy and Tony. They both had several comments about the video he had sent them. They all agreed George had his work cut out for him.
He was a little troubled by Emily's persistence. David had mentioned when he had called him this afternoon that Emily told him she had been at his house. A quick check with one of his neighbors confirmed that Emily had been by several times after leaving the store. He had hoped that the news of his unavailability would deter her, but it appeared not. He would just have to make the situation plain to her when they got back. He and Sarah were happy and he was not gonna let anyone get in the way of that.
His musing came to an end when Sarah patted his hand and told him the show that he had not been watching had ended and it was time to get to bed. He had agreed quickly and they both stood, saying their goodnights to the couple who ran the bed and breakfast and made their way upstairs.
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Tony again slid his aching cock into Jethro's reddened ass. Jethro was on his knees in the middle of their bed. His forehead was resting on the bed, ass high in the air, giving Tony a perfect target. Jethro moaned loudly as Tony increased his pace, thrusting deeper, Tony's balls slapping on his ass and against his own swollen balls.
Jethro groaned as Tony pushed all the way inside and moved his hips in a circle, his pubic hair scratching his heated ass. Jethro pulled his bottom lip in between his teeth as he tried to control his desire to speak. Tony had forbidden him to talk and his spanked bottom was testament to his pushing that rule earlier.
Jethro moaned again and wiggled his ass as images of being draped over Tony's lap as he was soundly spanked raced through his mind, making his cock impossibly harder. He tried to sneak a hand down to relieve the pressure, but only got about halfway there before Tony pulled out again and delivered six sharp smacks to his already tender ass, three for each cheek.
Jethro moaned into the sheets as Tony delivered his punishment. He was then quickly flipped on his back, hissing as his spanked bottom met the cool sheets.
"Now, now, now! Did I not say to keep your hands to yourself?" Tony scolded. "I'm just going to have to keep you on your back so you behave yourself." Tony told him as he pushed Jethro's legs open and back and slid back inside him, all the way in.
Jethro moaned loudly as Tony brushed against his prostate and the feeling of Tony's red-hot cock moving inside his heated ass and the soft, cool sheets against his sensitive body pushed him quickly to the edge. Just a few more deep thrusts, with Tony hitting his sweet spot every time, drove him insane. Tony leaned forward and suckled on one of Jethro's nipples while his other hand grasped Jethro's leaking cock, making the older man inhale sharply and Tony chuckle evilly.
"Come for me, Jethro." Tony breathed out against his chest as he started to lazily stroke Jethro's hard length.
"AHHHHH, TONY!" Jethro screamed out as his body started to jerk through his orgasm. Jethro pushed himself down against Tony to get his lover's cock imbedded as deep inside as possible as he moaned through his release. About halfway through he heard Tony's roar, as he too came explosively and Jethro felt the sudden warmth in his lower belly that signified Tony shooting his seed deep inside of him.
This erotic feeling only intensified Jethro's orgasm and he continued to rock up and down on Tony's cock, spreading his legs as far as he could to get Tony as deep inside him as possible.
Gradually, their breathing started to return to normal and Jethro cracked one eye open to determine what state Tony was in. He found an intense, green gaze studying him back and found that Tony had locked his arms to keep from collapsing on top of Jethro and crushing the air out of him. As Jethro opened his eyes fully, he saw the merriment dancing in those gorgeous green eyes.
"You, are a naughty, naughty boy, Jethro!" Tony teased him and then gasped as Jethro clenched his internal muscles around the big cock that was still buried deep inside of him, proving Tony's point.
Tony moaned at the tightness around his cock and the feel of Jethro starting to rock back and forth on him, filling out his erection once again. Tony growled and started thrusting quickly into Jethro again, hitting Jethro's sensitive prostate and making the older man gasp and whimper at the intense feelings sparking from his overly-sensitized body.
Tony quickly brought them both off again, relishing the sound of Jethro sobbing out his name as he thrashed through another intense orgasm, desperate to have Tony inside of him for as long as possible, but unable to stand the stimulation for much longer.
Tony gently extracted himself after once again emptying himself deep inside of Jethro and milking the older man's cock with his tight grip. Jethro was still riding out his latest orgasm, squirming on the bed beneath him, as Tony leaned forward and kissed him, getting a happy sigh and a sexy moan from the man with this action.
Damn! Tony thought, Jethro is insatiable, and I'm a lucky, lucky guy! Tony smiled as he watched Jethro's movements slow and finally stop with a deep sigh and a frustrated pout when Jethro realized Tony was no longer inside of him. Tony marveled at the sexiness Jethro oozed. You gotta watch out for those quiet ones! He thought and then another evil smile graced his features before he leaned forward again and took Jethro's cock into his mouth.
Jethro's hips shot off the bed as Tony's tongue teased his sensitive cock head, which was still expelling little bursts of come and moaned loudly as Tony's talented tongue coaxed every last drop out of the rosy-red cock in his mouth. Tony swallowed every bit and only released Jethro's cock when it started to soften in his mouth. Tony kissed and licked his way up Jethro's stomach and chest until he captured Jethro's mouth in a deep, sensual kiss, letting the other man taste himself on Tony's tongue.
Tony broke the kiss when both men required oxygen and watched with a smirk as Jethro's face relaxed into a sated, satisfied expression. Tony kissed his cheek and rolled off the older man, standing and stretching next to the bed. Tony huffed out a laugh as he noticed Jethro's eyes slit open to watch him and saw Jethro's hand travel down to grasp his cock again.
"You are never satisfied, naughty boy!" Tony told him as he playfully smacked Jethro's ankle.
"Never with you, Tony, never." Jethro replied in a husky whisper.
"Well, I'll have to punish you later, I need some sleep!" Tony said as he disappeared into the bathroom, coming out a few minutes later after cleaning himself up and bringing a warm washcloth to clean Jethro. Jethro squirmed throughout the entire process and Tony was again amazed at Jethro's stamina.
Tony shook his head fondly and tossed the wet washcloth back into the bathroom before climbing back into bed and stretching out onto his back. Jethro was immediately plastered to his side, throwing a leg over Tony's and snuggling his face into Tony's neck while running his hand over Tony's stomach and chest. Tony felt Jethro's semi-hard erection against his hip and realized he'd have to force Jethro to get some rest, so he moved his hand down to Jethro's still warm ass and delivered two quick slaps, one to each cheek, as he commanded, "Sleep! We'll play later."
Jethro gasped and squirmed against him, but he immediately replied, "Yes, sir!" and snuggled closer. Tony felt him relaxing into sleep less than a minute later, knowing that Tony would take care of him when they woke up. Tony smiled into the darkness and pulled Jethro tighter against him, hand cupping Jethro's ass possessively, as he slipped into a satisfied sleep.
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TBC…
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