Gibbs: Do you have a rule for everything?

Shannon: Working on it. Everyone needs a code they can live by…

--

Tony normally tried to hide his Gibbs gazing, but this time was hoping his boss would get aggravated and start this particular conversation himself. It didn't take long.

"Spit it out DiNozzo."

Tony stood up and awkwardly approached Gibbs desk. "I have to know boss, it's killing me…"

"It's not gonna be the only thing killing you if you don't ask."

Tony put his hands out. "The rules Gibbs…did you just come up with them on your own? Not that you're not capable of that type of creativity, but lets face it, people have rules but no one really numbers them…except you of course…so…"

Gibbs glanced at his watch. "Been a long day DiNozzo."

Tony sighed; then turned around and sulked back to his desk defeated. Some time passed before it was time to head home. Gibbs appeared in front of him right then. "Just how bad do you want to know Tony?"

"Really bad boss…"

"Then finish up that report and meet me at my place in an hour."

Tony didn't bother questioning the response and was quickly overcome with excitement.

He reached Gibbs basement to find him polishing the boat. He couldn't believe it was almost complete. "Gee boss, it looks great."

Gibbs handed him a bottle of finish in response. "Get to work."

Tony deduced that this was what Gibbs must've meant when he asked how bad he wanted to know. There was always a catch. But right now Tony didn't care. It was almost an hour before his hands were killing him. "Break time?" He questioned hesitantly; but sighed in relief as Gibbs motioned towards the work bench and poured them a drink.

"You want to have a family Tony?"

He was taken aback but went along with it. "Yeah, sure. Why not right?"

Gibbs realized he'd caught him a bit off guard. "Good answer."

"Really? Cuz I thought it was a bit flaky…"

Gibbs managed a smile. "Having a family is one of the greatest pleasures in the world DiNozzo…"

Tony agreed as he took a sip from his glass. "Even for guys like us?"

"Guys like us?"

"Well yeah, didn't exactly have the best Fathers…we're both sort of loners."

Gibbs was surprised at the parallel. "We are who we make of ourselves Tony."

"I know boss." He finished off his drink and set it down. "So seriously, how you gonna get the boat out?"

Gibbs ignored the comment and let his gaze drift to the picture frame hiding behind some of his tools. He contemplated pulling it out; then noticed Tony curiously following his gaze. He cleaned it off and handed it to him.

"She's pretty boss."

"Yeah…she was." He poured each of them another drink.

Tony took it solemnly as he handed the frame back to him. "Bet being back there brought back a lot of memories huh?" He waited for a response but realized he wouldn't be getting one. "Your rules…you didn't make up the idea on your own did you boss?"

Gibbs shook his head slowly and set the frame back behind the tools. "We met when I was shipping out… so she wrote to me. She ended every letter with one of her rules…and before I knew it, I was doing the same thing…"

Tony listened in amazement. "Wow boss, that's…wow."

"Yeah DiNozzo, wow." He took the glass from his hand and set his own down before motioning towards the boat. "You still got a half a bottle to use…get to it."

Tony stood up with a smile. "On it boss."