Tony POV
After my talk with Abby, we sit and watch the rest of the film before she leaves. I go to bed but I don't sleep and at 5 I give up, getting up, showering, drinking coffee then leaving for work, hoping Gibbs won't be early today. It appears I'm right, he's not in yet but then I don't know what time he usually gets here. I dump my pack and go off to get coffee from the break room but as I get back I see Gibbs sitting at his desk apparently working on something although I don't know what.
"Hi Boss" I great him with my usual enthusiasm and I get the usual 'DiNozzo' back. Nothing changed there then. Maybe today will be bearable. Ziva arrives earlier than usual and I glance at Gibbs, he looks almost relieved someone else is here. Maybe not so normal then. Just as McGee arrives Director Shepherd comes down and orders us down to the gym to do hand-to-hand combat training, with an instructor. Great. Having changed we all assemble in the gym where the instructor pairs us up, McGee with Ziva and me with Gibbs. Neither of us argue, this is how Gibbs usually pairs us, so why would today be any different. I decide Abby's advice is good, I need to talk to him about all this or its going to affect how the team works. You can already cut the tension between us with a knife. Apparently I've been lost in thought too long because I'm being shouted at to get moving, sounds like Gibbs. We do the usual dancing around each other, feigning punches but without my usual chatter. Then I feel the pain in my gut and double over, seems Gibbs realised I wasn't paying attention and took advantage laying a blow to my abdomen. The instructor missed it, too busy trying to get Tim to hit Ziva. I hear him mumble something about being a gentleman. Then I see her hit him and that's it, there off. The instructor comes over to us, so I have to start paying attention to the fight not how I'm feeling. I start up the usual chatter and land a few blows before Gibbs floors me, landing directly on top of me. We continue to grapple on the floor with me changing the position so it's me on top of him. I realise I'm straddling his lap and he takes advantage of my momentary distraction to change our positions and end the fight by putting me in some hold. One i can't remember how to get out of. Apparently this is what the instructor wanted to see because, whilst Gibbs still has me in the hold the instructor tells me just how to get out of this hold. It works but we've run out of time and have to get back up to the bullpen to get on with reviewing old case files. Its lucky I was laying on my front the whole time he had me in that hold or I'd have a lot more explaining to do. We go through to the showers me in front, with the remark I need more time to get ready than everyone else, which usually I'd have a smart retort too but all I can think about is a very cold shower, or to take care of a problem and quick. Given that we're all showering together separated by a thin wall and no curtain I go for the cold shower option. Ziva and McGee are ready first and leave to get on with some work, leaving just me and Gibbs still in the shower, I hope he leaves first or we're gonna have to have that talk now. I hear his shower cut off and turn around and face the back of the shower stall so I don't get myself another not so small problem. But I don't hear the usual sounds of a person drying off and getting dressed, no drop of a towel on the floor, no fabric rustling, no chink of a belt. I must have stood there for 5 minutes pretending to still be rinsing my hair. Then I hear him moving, slowly, towards my shower cubicle.
"Tony, you gonna wash your hair all day or do what you've wanted to do since we were in the gym?" He whispers this in my ear, a growl more like, and I jump a mile in the air.
"errgghh" it's all I can manage with him pressed up against me like he is now. He reaches around me and tests the water to my shower.
"So you always take cold showers after sparring, or just after sparring with me."
"God boss, that was so cheesy." Woops maybe not the most appropriate comment given he's…well I don't really know what he's trying to do. Seduce me, or test the waters, find out what I want. And there's the head slap.
"Sorry boss". He walks away and at last I hear the rustle of clothing. Just as he's about to leave the room I say in a whisper I almost hope he won't hear but know he won't miss,
"Just with you boss, the cold shower after sparring, just with you." He freezes but only for a split second then walks out of the room. I shut off my shower and quickly get dressed despite the problem I now have.
Gibbs POV
As soon as the director comes down and says we've got sparring with the instructor this morning, I realise it's going to be awkward with me and Tony, especially if we're paired together, and especially after what happened over the weekend. We head down together as a team, and get dressed listening to the quibbling between Ziva and McGee about something trivial. DiNozzo really is to quite. He's usually bragging about some new move he's seen recently in some movie or other and wants to try. The instructors waiting for us and as suspected he pairs me and Tony together, and McGee with Ziva. We dance around each other as per usual but DiNozzo seems distracted so I manage to get a punch in hitting him in the abs, making him pay attention to what's going on. He snaps back to reality and for a while it seems we're back to normal him talking rubbish and pretending to be an excellent boxer. That is until we get into the holds, grappling on the floor trying to get one up on the other, to be on top. We switch positions a few times before I manage to get Tony underneath me, face down and unable to get out the hold. He really is distracted, usually this wouldn't happen. The instructor comes over and tells DiNozzo how to get out of the hold, and he manages it. As soon as he does the instructor tells us time up and Tony practically runs to the shower room, closely followed by Ziva's retort, something about needing the most time to get ready. He's already in the shower when we get in there facing the wall but there's no steam coming out his cubicle. That sparring session must have really affected him, given his need for a cold shower after. I make up my mind then to confront him after the others have left and deliberately make my shower last longer than it normally would. As soon as Ziva and McGee leave, I shut my shower off but make no move to get dressed, just syking myself up for what I'm about to do. I walk over to his shower cubicle where he's facing the wall and whisper into his ear.
"Tony, you gonna wash your hair all day or do what you've wanted to do since we were in the gym?"
"errgghh" that's the response I get out of him. I reach around pressing against him in the process and test the water making sure my theory is correct. It is he's still half-hard but I don't let on I looked and he seems to not have noticed.
"So you always take cold showers after sparring, or just after sparring with me."
"God boss, that was so cheesy." I don't know how to respond to that one so I do what I'd usually do. A head slap, softer than usual, and he notices.
"Sorry boss". I walk away and get dressed. Just as I'm about to leave the room I hear a whisper.
"Just with you boss, the cold shower after sparring, just with you." I freeze but only for a split second then walk out of the room. That's all I needed to hear. He's confirmed what I thought but we still need to talk, given that he's obviously in a relationship given what I saw just 2 days ago. Tonight. I'll tell him cowboy steak and beer at my place, and then we can talk, if he shows that is.
The whole day after the 'shower room' is filled with cold cases but none of us get any further so I call it a day at 6.
"Go home. Here tomorrow at 8 sharp people." That's it Ziva and McGee are gone but Tony dawdles, so I grab my pack and coffee walking past my desk on the way to the elevator, he follows. The ride down is awkward, uncomfortable even and spent in total silence. As we step out, I tell Tony of the plan.
"Cowboy stake, my place, tonight at 7, don't be late, and bring the beer."
"R-Right Boss" he stammers, I've never heard him stammer, not even when I tried to take his case from him when I first met him. I walk to my car, and pull out driving past him. He's still standing where I left him. I hoot the horn making him jump and start walking to his car, seemingly still in a slight daze. I go home, stopping off to buy the steaks and some beer, half guessing that DiNozzo is probably gonna forget the beers if he turns up.
Tony POV
After the boss offers me dinner at his place, I stand there numb with shock, until he drives past me and beeps, making me jump into action and get back to my car. He's only left me with an hour to get back to mine, shower, change, buy beer and get to his place. Not good. I speed all the way home thinking about what happened in the shower room this afternoon and make it in a record 2o minutes leaving me with 40 minutes to get ready. This is not good. I pick out an outfit before going to shower. It's a pair of blue jeans, not dark, slightly faded, which hug my butt and groin. I know I shouldn't but he's figured it out so I may as well help tonight along a little. But what do I want to happen? Do I want anything to happen? Or do I just want to talk? I pick out a shirt as well, a baby pink, it goes well with the tanned complexion as Abby's always saying. Not too smart but then not overly casual either. Am I going too far? It is only cowboy steak after all. Maybe I should leave the shirt and go for a t-shirt and pullover. Yes that's what I'll do. Thank god the outfit's sorted but I've only left myself 30 minutes to get to Gibbs and I haven't even showered, looks like I'm gonna be late. With the clothes laid out I walk through to the en-suite turning the water on, allowing it to heat up, whilst stripping off today's clothes and throwing them in the hamper. I step under the spray of water, hot now almost scolding trying to wash away thoughts of Gibbs. I need a clear head for tonight. I don't stay in the shower half as long as I usually do given my need to get to Gibbs house in less time than I've actually got. I virtually fly into my clothes, but spend a bit more time trying to get my hair just perfect, so it looks kind of ruffled but not like I haven't bothered. And off I go, running back in three times having forgotten, keys, cell and wallet, all necessary if I'm going to make it to Gibbs house before midnight. Driving to Gibbs is filled with thoughts of possible outcomes of tonight. What does Gibbs want? What do I want? Will tonight just be dinner or something more? I try and fail to find answers for all these questions and more, pausing only to run into the gas station to buy a six pack of beer, Gibbs favourite brand, although why it matters I don't know. All too soon I'm pulling into Gibbs driveway already 15 minutes late, but unable to get out the car. I just sit there staring at the front door but obviously not seeing given that the next thing I know Gibbs is banging on the car window.
"You gonna sit there all night DiNozzo or you gonna come in and eat?"
"Err coming boss just making sure I've got everything." Well that's a lame excuse I think as I get out the car. He's wearing a pair of worn out jeans, but not the baggy ones he usually wears, they're fitted, hug all the right places. On top he's got a red hoody, not bad, so I made the right choice about a pullover and not a shirt. I follow him inside my eyes straying to his backside and they stay there until he turns around when we get to the hallway. My head snaps up, but I know I've been caught "Make yourself comfy Tony; I'll go get the steak out the oven, given your late." Where did Tony come from?
"Yeah sorry boss stopped off to get the beer."
"Yeah, I'll take it put it in the fridge." I sit down on the couch trying to relax. This is getting weird. He walks back in with the steak on two plates. I tuck in straight away wanting at the very least to delay the conversation I know is coming and I think he gets the hint because he eats too. That's good so we get time to get comfy around each other before the awkwardness starts. That's something at least.
"You got that beer boss?" I ask just to cut the tension that's currently in the room, as opposed to wanting a drink.
"In the fridge."
"Thanks Boss, you want one?"
"Yeah sure thing." I walk through to the kitchen and I can feel his eyes on me until I'm out of sight behind the kitchen wall. I take a moment just a few deep breaths but apparently that's too long.
"DiNozzo, the beer."
"Coming up Boss." I quickly grab 2 beers out the fridge and pop the caps walking them back through to the kitchen where he's turned on a baseball game on his black and white contraption he calls a TV. We settle back down finishing the steaks and watch the game in silence for a while until I can't stand it anymore.
"So Boss, err Sunday morning, the whole Scott thing," but he cuts me off.
"Tony I shouldn't have come back that early, what I saw I can forget, it's got nothing to do with me."
"And today, in the shower room? What was that Boss?"
"Shouldn't have happened, there's obviously something going on between you and Scott, I mean no-one showers the next morning with a one night stand. And I'm not going to get in the middle of that."
"That's not, me and Scott, he walked out after you came, said that we, me and you, need to sort things out. He said he could feel the tension in the room."
"Is that what he said tony? He could feel the tension."
"Well no... he kinda said he could feel the jealousy coming off you in waves, and that he wasn't gonna interfere with that, believe me I tried to tell him you weren't jealous but after today, In the shower room I'm not so sure what's going on Gibbs?"
"I was jealous yes Tony, but what you had with Scott? Was it good? Was it what you wanted?"
"It was good, sure boss, but no it's not what I want for the rest of my life, yeah a quick fool around, a few dates, I don't think it would have gone much further than that to be honest."
"Are you sure Tony?"
"No Boss, im not sure, I don't know anything anymore. Everything about out dynamic seems to have changed since yesterday, since you found out about me and Scott, well me really, and then the shower room today."
"Tony, I'm not your boss here ok? You can call me Jethro, or Gibbs whatever you're more comfortable with. And yes our dynamic has changed since yesterday. Why didn't you tell me, us, the team about being gay Tony? You know we wouldn't judge you."
"Ok, Gibbs it is. It wasn't about being judged Gibbs, I know you guys would have accepted, but I couldn't risk it getting out. You ever wondered why I had so many police forces over the years. Because they found out and they didn't like it. Hiding it from work was a survival mechanism Gibbs. One I relied on."
"Ok Tony, thanks for talking to me. I know it was difficult."
"Err Bo- sorry Gibbs, we haven't sorted out the main issue here."
"We haven't?"
"No Gibbs we haven't. The shower room. What happened today? What was it? A one-time thing? Something more? Or am I in completely the wrong ballpark? Help me out here Gibbs."
"Tony, I don't know what you want me to say. I've liked you a long time, longer than I care to admit, but you've just come out of a relationship. The shower thing, I don't know what that was. Would you want it to be a one-time thing?"
"Gibbs, what Scott and I had wasn't exactly what I'd call a relationship. And yeah I'd like it to be more than just a one-time thing, but it's what we both want Gibbs, not just what I want."
"What would you call it Tony? Because I'm not gonna be the rebound."
"A bit of fun maybe, nothing serious it was only on for like 2 weeks, hardly what I'd call a relationship."
"Ok then, well in which case we've got beer to drink and a game to watch."
And that was it, the serious discussion we'd just been having over in a split second, decision made, we're going to give it a go. Well that wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was gonna be. So we sit there and watch the game, beer in hand. Comfortable silence this time, and before i know it I'm sitting there, shouting about all the fouls the ref lets go and cheering when the team I've chosen to support wins. I look at Gibbs, maybe Jethro now, and he looks back. I grin like a Cheshire cat. I don't know why, seemed appropriate. It makes him smile and suddenly it's all worth it. That's what I've been waiting for since I realised what I felt for him. The simplicity of him, the generosity, and the smile, solely aimed at me and not when I've cracked the case. The game finishes me having sneaked peeks at him the whole time and him pretending not to notice. It gone 10 and I stand to leave, knowing it's an early start tomorrow for work. He stands with me.
"Well Gibbs, I'd better be making a move, my boss doesn't like it when I'm late and if I get home too late I might not be able to wake up on time."
"No I've heard that Boss of yours can be a bit of a slave driver. I'll have to talk to him for you, get him to give you more weekends off."
"Funny Gibbs, real funny, but I really do have to go."
"I know but I wish you didn't have too." Too bad I think to myself. I kiss him on the cheek, tender, and then turn to leave, and he lets me.
"Night Jethro." And I'm gone. I virtually skip to my car and wave like a maniac at him, just before I turn the car I see him smiling at me then I'm gone driving home, with nice thoughts in my head this time, like what are we gonna do next time we get together outside of work? I feel almost too awake to sleep but I get into bed anyway, but this isn't the case, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Gibbs POV
Oh God, ok that conversation went slightly better than I imagined it would. This is good. We could have just ruined our entire friendship and the whole team dynamic, but we haven't. I know I should be thinking about how good my life just got, but I can't. I know what a failed relationship can do to a team. I've been through it before, with Jenny. Rule 12 was created for a reason and I just blew it off, like it doesn't matter. But then Tony smiling when I, we agreed to this relationship comes to the front of my mind and I can't help but smile and feel all warm inside, like I did when Shannon first told me about her rules. I feel comfortable moving on with Tony, unlike I have when I tried to move on with the other 3 women. This just feels right. Like it should. Great now I sound like Abby. I sit and watch Tony enjoying the game, shouting at the ref, cheering when one of the teams score. I'm not following the game, but I am following Tony. He keeps looking at me, like I'm an apparition and going to disappear any moment. I smile every time he does this, just to let him know I am real, that I'm not going anywhere. When the game finishes he stands up too leave and I stand too not wanting him to go.
"Well Gibbs, I'd better be making a move, my boss doesn't like it when I'm late and if I get home too late I might not be able to wake up on time."
"No I've heard that Boss of yours can be a bit of a slave driver. I'll have to talk to him for you, get him to give you more weekends off."
"Funny Gibbs, real funny, but I really do have to go."
"I know but I wish you didn't have too." He kisses my cheek, not my lips and I take his cue that we're taking it slow, adjusting to one another.
"Night Jethro." And that's it, he's gone, I have to remind myself it's only for the night, that I'm going to see him again tomorrow at work, and again and again. He waves as he drives past and I close the door as soon as he's out of sight. I know I won't be able to sleep much tonight so I get changed into the baggy jeans to work on the boat. At least Tony noticed the jeans. I pull the hoody off and leave it lying across the bed with the jeans and make my way to the basement, stopping to grab my coffee mug from the kitchen. I start on the boat, sanding, slowly thinking about where me and Tony can go, what we can do, couples things. Even if they do have to be under the radar. It's going to be hard, not telling people about us, but if Tony doesn't want to tell people, ill be patient, wait until he's ready. I let my mind wander about anything and everything Tony, and then I hear my phone ringing, it sounds far away and I realise I must have fallen asleep under my boat again. I look around for my phone and see it flashing on the workbench. It won't stop ringing and I hope its not a case. The caller i.d tells me it's Tony calling.
"Hey Boss, we caught a case up on Norfolk Naval Base, dead marine." Oh crap so straight onto business.
"Got it DiNozzo, call Ziva and McGee, I'll meet you there." I hang up and call Ducky and Abby, letting them know what we've got coming in and to let Ducky know where to be and where to get Palmer. I go upstairs, quick change of clothes and then out, unable to stop for coffee. To damn early for the shops to be open. It doesn't take long to get to Norfolk given the early hour, the roads are pretty empty. When I arrive at the scene my teams already there, DiNozzo sketching, Ziva photographing, and McGee bagging and tagging. Ducky I note is not yet here. DiNozzo pushes a cup of coffee into my hand and starts updating me on the case.
"Dead marine, a Lt Andy Davidson, 27, no known family. Was found at approximately 4.30 this morning by the housekeeper who was coming in to get the house ready for its next occupents. Only this is what she found."
"You mean he wasn't supposed to be in here?"
"That's what it looks like Boss." The crime scene was bad, not as bad as some I've seen but still pretty gruesome. He was lying in bed, with a slit throat and gaping stomach wound. I leave the team to it, they know what to do and go outside to phone Ducky. He's on his way; turns out Palmer got them lost again. Local LEO's were all too happy to hand over the case.
"DiNozzo. Any witnesses, anyone hear anything, see anything?"
"No Boss." Ducky and Palmer pull up in the NCIS van arguing about whose fault it is they got lost.
"OK then let's see what we got, Mr Palmer. Ahh young male, late 2o's."
"Cause of death Duck?"
"Jethro, I've only just walked through the door, but id hazard a guess at the slit throat being the main cause of death but I'll have to get him back to NCIS before I can tell you for definite."
"As soon as you know Duck."
"You'll be the first to know Jethro, after me and Mr Palmer of course."
"Thanks Duck, right finish up here, then back to NCIS." I get in the car and drive back to NCIS knowing the rest of the team have brought their own cars to get here in the first place or I'd have Tony ride with me. I've been in the bullpen sitting at my desk at least 20 minutes before the rest of them get back, having delivered all the evidence to Abby they get started, knowing exactly what I want each of them to do. This sets the pace for the majority of the next 3 weeks, chasing suspect after suspect, finally coming up with the killer. He laughed when I confronted him in interrogation, say the guy deserved it. After 3 weeks of little more than a few hours' sleep each night and barely any time to eat the whole team is exhausted. I haven't had chance to speak to Tony about anything other than the case since we watched the game from my couch. I let everyone go as soon as the case is tied up and reports are done. They practically run out the bullpen, and I have to shout after them they've got the whole weekend off because we aren't on call. Tony however when I look up is still at his desk not doing anything just watching me sign off on the reports. I finish up and walk towards his desk as I reach it, I tell him the same thing I told him 3 weeks ago.
"Cowboy steak and bring the beer. Whenever you're ready." Well almost the same thing. he stands and follows me to the elevator, which arrives as we get to it.
"So Gibbs, I'm just gonna follow you to your place, if I go home I don't think I'll ever wanna leave again Boss, I could sleep for a week."
"Ok Tony, wanna leave your car here, we can come back for it tomorrow?"
"Is that an offer of a sleepover Jethro?"
"If you want it to be."
"I want it to be alright, let's go." The elevators reached the parking garage and we head to my car. The drive to the house is spent in comfortable silence, Tony too tired to keep up his usual spiel of useless rubbish. Getting to the house is no problem but as soon as we get there I feel as though in Tony's words ' I could sleep for a week'.
"Hey Boss, alright if I take a shower?"
"Yeah sure there's towels in the linen closet, I'll get you some sweats to sleep in."
"Thanks Jethro." I really need Tony to get used to using Jethro outside the office, or it's going to be hard to separate business Tony with pleasure Tony. He heads straight to the main bathroom and I head to the bedroom to get Tony sweats and so I can shower in the en-suite. I know I'll be done before him, but I lay the sweats on the couch before going in the shower just in case. I am done before him and I get dressed into sweats and t-shirt then go into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Even I'll admit sometimes coffee just isn't necessary. I'm still in the kitchen standing by the sink, when Tony comes in, having found the sweats.
"Hey, err where'm I sleeping tonight Bo-Jethro?"
"Well I was thinking in bed like a normal person, but if you want the floor" I smile and he takes the bait.
"You know how much I love the floor, but to be honest tonight I think I'd prefer the bed."
"Ok well it's a bit early for bed, I was going to work on the boat, if you don't mind that is?" Tony doesn't reply but he walks towards me, taking my hand and leading me through the kitchen and down into the basement. Letting go of my hand he places himself down on the second to last step. I don't move.
"Well, you gonna work on your boat or you just gonna stand there?" I clear my throat and walk over to the workbench. A few minutes later and I start on the boat, just sanding for now, it wraps me up, as usual and I almost forget Tony is watching me until I hear the soft snores coming from the step side of the basement. He's fallen asleep, head leaning against the wall. I stop sanding and walk over to him.
"C'mon Tony, let's go to bed your exhausted."
"Not exhausted I'm just watching you sand the boat."
"Tony you were snoring, let's go upstairs it can't be comfortable on the step." We walk upstairs and Tony collapses onto the bed, not my side I notice, asleep almost as soon as his head hits the pillow. I climb in next to him pulling the covers over us, and he instantly rolls over towards me but not touching. And that's it, I fall asleep.