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Chapter Five: 16

"Boss," Ellie came running towards where Tony and Gibbs were standing in front of the big screen in the bullpen. "I got something. Petty Officer Crate was involved in…"

"Gambling," Gibbs interrupted him at the same time that Tony brought up the evidence on the screen, causing McGee to chuckle.

"Forget it, Bishop," he said. "Tony and Gibbs are on a roll today. No chance you can bring any news, believe me."

"How did you know?" Bishop checked back incredulously. "I only just talked to his wife and…"

"Gibbs' gut is unbeatable. Just accept it," McGee grinned ever so slightly, even though he had just been annoyed about it only a few minutes before because Gibbs had been faster coming up with the same thing than he was.

"Actually," Gibbs replied sardonically. "It was Tony who came up with this one."

"Great," McGee groaned rather playfully. "We'll never hear the end of this."

"Ah, come on," Tony answered, only just suppressing a smile. "I won't say anything. I'm a grown-up. I just want to close the case as soon as possible."

"Sure," Bishop said as she sat down at her desk.

Tony looked at her for a moment before he turned back to the screen, picking up the conversation with Gibbs again, feeling oddly proud of himself. Praise from Gibbs would never get old, even after thirteen years working for the man. He chanced a glance at him and was mildly surprised when Gibbs was looking directly back at him. For a split of a second, Tony's stomach felt queasy before something similar to a smile was seen on Gibbs' face for a moment. But before he could dwell on it for too long, the older man was back to business and the day went on without a hitch, resulting in a murderer behind bars by five o'clock.

##

A couple of hours later Tony was getting slightly restless. He had sat down hours ago, switching on his television, but it didn't give him its usual comfort. His mind was running overtime like every moment he had had time to think ever since he had returned from Gibbs' the other night.
Would he really just leave his team like that? Would he really consider giving up this job and his friends? Just thinking about it now made him sick. He didn't want to leave. He didn't want to leave McGee and Abby. Didn't want to live without Jimmy's clumsiness or Ducky's wisdom. Hell, he'd even miss Bishop, who he'd grown attached to over the last couple of months. But most of all, he couldn't imagine ever being without Gibbs. They'd been partners and friends for thirteen years now and Tony just couldn't see himself leaving the one stable thing in his life. There was just no way. His soul mate would simply have to deal with that.

He chanced a look at his watch, trying to figure out if it was actually too late to go over there and watch him work on his brand new boat. It was a little after nine and while he usually wouldn't go that late, he decided to do it anyway. He needed someone to talk to in order to do something against the restlessness inside of him. Damn, this whole soul mate thing was messing with his head.

A little while later, Tony felt relief rush through him when he walked down the stairs to the basement where Gibbs was sanding away.

"Hey," he greeted him, sitting down on the last of the stairs.

"What's up?" Gibbs answered, not looking up from his work.

"Nothing, really. Just needed some company."

"Okay," Gibbs replied and Tony knew that he wasn't asking on purpose, giving him time to think and come up with the right words to say.

They stayed silent for a little while with Gibbs sanding and Tony watching him. He didn't know why he was looking for Gibbs' comfort so frequently these days, but it just seemed too right to really question it. The older man didn't seem to mind and Tony would enjoy the time they had left as much as he could. Just when he was about to actually speak up, talking about the latest game he had seen just an hour before, Gibbs' cell rang. He grudgingly picked it up, quite obviously expecting another case for them. When he answered, though, and listened to the other end, he suddenly turned white. Tony who had been watching him closely, immediately stood up, feeling shock suddenly rush through him. He only came to a stop right in front in Gibbs, who was currently answering a question as if on auto-pilot. He said something about a hospital and that he'd be there as soon as he could.

"What's wrong?" Tony asked as soon as the older man hung up, feeling dread suddenly settle in.

"My dad…," Gibbs replied hesitantly, running a rather shaky hand over his face. "He's dead."

"Shit," Tony cursed under his breath, suddenly feeling the overwhelming urge to hug the other man, but he refrained for the time being. "What happened?"

"Heart attack," Gibbs answered distractedly, looking around the basement as if it held the answers to all his questions. "Doc was too late."

"I'm sorry, Gibbs," Tony offered, feeling just as lost and sad as Gibbs looked. "Anything I can do?"

Almost imperceptibly the older man shook his head before he shrugged once.

"Don't know," he finally said quietly, still not looking at him, and Tony was sure that he was avoiding meeting his eyes on purpose now.

He couldn't blame him, either. He had no idea what he'd do if this was to happen to him, despite the difficulties with his own dad. Deep sadness settled within him as he thought about how Jackson had brightened each day he'd been here in DC or how open he'd been when the team had been in Stillwater.
He watched Gibbs become paler by the second and finally threw all caution to the wind and closed the remaining distance between them to give him a one-armed hug. To his utter surprise, Gibbs hugged him back, his arms coming around him, almost crushing him. For a fleeting moment, Tony was reminded of one of Abby's hugs. He breathed in the scent of sawdust that clung to the older man and suddenly felt a bit comforted just by the other man's hug. It was brief, however, but when Gibbs stepped away from him, he seemed a bit less pale.

"You going to Stillwater?" Tony finally asked when the silence stretched on.

Gibbs just nodded and Tony suddenly felt insecure because he had no idea what to do now. In an instant, though, he realized that he couldn't let the man drive like that. Not when he was a crazy driver on a good day.

"I'm driving," he stated, watching Gibbs' eyes go wide before he shook his head.

"No way," Gibbs finally spoke. "We've got work."

"I'll use some of my vacation days. I'm sure the probies can hold down the fort for a couple of days."

Gibbs seemed like he wanted to protest, but one look at Tony apparently was enough to shut him up. Slumping his shoulders, he nodded once. "Okay."

"Okay," Tony replied, trying to give him a smile, but he wasn't sure if the corners of his mouth even twitched. "I'll go home, pack some stuff and then pick you up again. Okay?"

"Yeah," Gibbs replied, already on his way up the stairs.

Tony stared after him for a second before he got moving, too. He wouldn't waste time like this. He had things to do and would do everything in his power to help his boss. He took two stairs at a time and dialed McGee's number as he climbed into his car and backed out of Gibbs' driveway.

"We got a new case?" McGee slightly slurry voice answered after a moment.

"No," Tony replied. "Jackson died… I'm going to Stillwater with Gibbs." He stopped for a second, a wave of sadness washing over him again. "I'll check in as soon as I can. Just wanted to let you know."

"Okay," McGee replied quietly. "Anything I can do?"

"Just take care of work stuff."

"Will do. Tell Gibbs I'm sorry. And call when you need anything."

"Thanks, Tim," Tony said and then hung up.

##

He had packed a couple of things for himself and half an hour later he was on his way back to Gibbs' place. Only now did the thought occur to him that Gibbs might have gone without him despite Tony's offer. It wouldn't be the first time Gibbs would pull a stunt like that after all. He accelerated ever so slightly. He wouldn't let the older man go without him. Not this time. He didn't know if Gibbs appreciated his help, but Tony knew that he as sure as hell would if it were him.
For a moment, his thoughts reached Jackson again and he felt his heart miss a beat. He had known, of course, that he was getting old, but he had still seemed like he was unbeatable despite that fact. He was full of life the last time Tony had seen him.

And now… he was just gone. Gone.

Tony took a deep breath, trying to clear his head. He felt tears stinging his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. This wasn't his job. His job was to be there for Gibbs, even though he had no idea, why he wanted to help him so desperately.

He finally pulled over into Gibbs' driveway and was relieved when the older man stood there, apparently waiting for him. He immediately walked over, threw his duffel bag onto the backseat and then climbed into the car. Tony looked at him for a moment and suddenly just knew that he had done the right thing. Gibbs was looking right back at him for a second before he grabbed for the seatbelt and just like that, Tony felt a bit better. He was right where he needed to be. So he let out a soft sigh and started to back out of the driveway again.

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the roaring of the engine the only sound to be heard. Then, Gibbs – of all people – turned on the radio, searching for and finding a station to his liking. For once Tony didn't complain about the country songs, as he found them oddly soothing at the moment.

They had just left DC when Gibbs finally cleared his throat and Tony could feel his eyes on him. He wanted to say something, but was at a loss for words, so he remained silent, knowing that the older man knew anyhow.

"Thanks," Gibbs said after a little while, his voice unusually quiet. "You didn't need to."

"Sure did," Tony said glancing at him. "Nowhere else I'm supposed to be."

He saw Gibbs nod once and he turned his head back to look at the street ahead of them. He really was where he should be and he knew that Gibbs agreed… because otherwise he wouldn't have let him drive in the first place.