Title: never can it be
Disclaimer: not my characters
Warnings: UST
Pairings: completely requited and still un-acted upon Gibbs/Tony
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 285
Point of view: third
Notes: flipside of chapter 20
Jethro knows that DiNozzo has a crush on him. DiNozzo is a consummate actor, but Jethro is no fool. DiNozzo hero-worships him, and Jethro will admit it makes him feel good. Sometimes he thinks of DiNozzo like a kid in need of protection. Other times…
Other times, Jethro looks back. DiNozzo is handsome, funny, and sweet, as well as being far smarter than he acts and one of the most competent agents Jethro has ever worked with.
Things change on the tail-end of a difficult case. Ziva has already gone home. McGee is 'helping' Abby shut down her lab for the night. Ducky headed out a few minutes ago, promising to see Palmer to his door.
And DiNozzo is sitting at his desk, staring at his hands.
"DiNozzo," Jethro says gently. "With me."
He doesn't intend for anything to happen, but he can't deny he's thought about it. Who hasn't thought about it? Anyone with sense would want DiNozzo.
DiNozzo drinks enough that Jethro won't let him drive him, and wouldn't trust him on his own for the night.
And DiNozzo—Tony—slurs out some declaration he's probably been composing in his head for ten years and misses Jethro's lips for the side of his neck. He'd have fallen if Jethro hadn't caught him.
Jethro helps him upstairs and tosses him on the couch.
In the morning, Tony tries to repeat himself. Jethro cuts him off to say, "Rule 12, DiNozzo." He could say more, talk about DiNozzo needing someone his own age, someone gentle, someone good enough for him.
But Tony—DiNozzo—being smart and competent, being the best agent Jethro has ever trained, pulls on his laughing mask and never mentions that night again.