Title: southern migration

Disclaimer: not my characters

Warnings: future!fic

Pairing: Gibbs/Tony

Rating: PG

Wordcount: 470

Point of view: third

Prompt: Tony/Gibbs, 10 years to build something and 10 minutes to destroy it

Tony isn't sure when he fell in love with his boss, but he wakes up one morning and knows he is. They've been working together for three years and he doesn't say a word to anyone about it.

McGee joins up, Kate dies, Ziva moves in, Vance takes over-Tony never says a word to Gibbs and suddenly, it's been ten years since he was a cop in Baltimore and he was the only one who could keep up with the biggest bastard at NCIS. The only who thrived with Gibbs' version of tough love.

Ten years watching and wanting, fantasizing and dreaming, wishing... ten years of Abby telling him to go for it and Ducky rambling on about when he was a lad and native tribes in Africa and the mating habits of unladen swallows.

And it's something stupid, when it finally happens. Another last-minute escape, another almost-wasn't survival, and Gibbs burst in and Tony's covered in blood (not his) and Ziva's calling the all-clear and McGee is coordinating with the locals, and it's nothing new.

But this time, when Gibbs helps Tony to his feet, Tony leans into him and kisses him. Right on the lips.

And Gibbs just stands there, supporting his weight. Gibbs doesn't kiss back.

Tony had always known he wouldn't.

Gibbs tells him softly, "No, Tony. I'm sorry."

Soon as he's healed up, Tony puts in for a transfer. Vance sends him to Miami, gives him his own team, and Tony tells his agents to call him DiNozzo or Tony, never Boss.

Abby cries, Ducky tells him to be safe, McGee looks at him with wide eyes, and Ziva kisses him goodbye. Gibbs shakes his hand and says, "You'll do."

A month later, Gibbs shows up at his apartment. Apologizes, asks him to come home. And Tony had spent ten years in love with the man. Something that deep, it doesn't go away.

Tony kisses him, and Gibbs kisses back, but it's not enough, not anymore. There are baby agents depending on him, three ops in the works, and a city where it never snows. He's got a life now, a life that doesn't revolve around Jethro Gibbs. It doesn't hurt when he wakes up anymore.

Gibbs tells him softly, "Okay, Tony."

Another month later, Gibbs comes back, wearing a terrible Hawaiian shirt and says, "I retired. Moved to Florida."

Tony looks at him and says, "No, you didn't."

And Gibbs smiles, says, "I was proud and afraid. I'm sorry." He holds out his hand. "Jethro Gibbs, retired special agent. I'd like the chance to get to know you."

Ten years in love with this man, sure nothing would ever happen. "Tony DiNozzo," he replies, grabbing Gibbs' hand and clutching him close.

Jethro tastes like hope fulfilled and Tony pulls him into the apartment.