chapter 10
I do not own the characters.
A/N Thanks as always for the reviews and alerts. Thank you to all anonymous reviewers.
spoilers:takes place after the last scene in the episode Family This isn't a long one, but I kept thinking of it since I just re watched it the other day. If I get enough reviews, I will try to post another chapter this weekend.
Gibbs saw the shake of his hair allowing droplets of water to splash on the other two members of his team. McGee feigned annoyance before breaking into a smirk purely for Tony's benefit. Ziva smiled coyly at the unspoken banter grateful to see that in her mind, Tony had made the right decision. Gibbs allowed his gaze to rest on his senior agent until Tony couldn't ignore the heat any longer.
"McGee?"
McGee turned to face Gibbs.
"Bring the car around. Ziva , make sure all the evidence is prepared..."
"Already, done, Gibbs."
Gibbs continued to face cold blue orbs deep into her brown ones.
"Uh...I will double check it."
McGee and Ziva knew they should make themselves scarce and quickly did so.
Tony swallowed knowing his Boss wanted to have a "talk". He really wasn't up for it. He started to follow the other two when Gibbs caught his arm.
"Not you, DiNozzo."
Tony sighed and ran his hand through his spiky hair.
"Can we walk and talk Boss?"
Gibbs looked over his agent's shoulder to the couple gushing over their newborn...a perfect family. Gibbs own heart crushed in envy.
He saw the gaze Tony had as he watched them. He lost something the other day that he never had and might never have again...a chance.
Gibbs jerked his head beckoning his agent to follow him outside. The wind felt cool against Tony's still damp skin as he heard the front door close behind him. . He unconsciously ran his fingers together still feeling the texture of the paper now burning in the fire place left behind. Kind of like me, he thought.
He looked to the ground and shoved his hands in his pockets, eyes closed as the wind began to pick up. Gibbs looked in the street as he saw McGee and Ziva doing their best to accommodate an awkward situation. He felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. It had taken him years to see someone besides Shannon and Kelly as family and he knew DiNozzo was the same way. The decision mustn't have come lightly, but he knew. He knew what was in that letter by reading in between the lines. He could see the loss on his second's face and knew he would feel it for months to come ...maybe longer knowing Tony. Still.... a simple gesture to show that there were people who cared about him, well, that was the least Gibbs could do.
"You OK?"
Tony raised his eyes from the ground to stare at the hand upon his shoulder. He had been standing there for what felt like forever staring wishing that the earth would swallow him whole as opposed to having to deal with Gibbs's pep talk. It would most likely have included a dressing down for being foolish enough to fall for a mark in the first place as well as other choice phrases Tony cared not to dwell on. This...gentle squeezing ...was not even in his top ten.
Tony's eyes fearful and cautious at best met Gibbs softened stare. No more lies. Tony was through with lies.
"No."
It was the only word he had left in him that was the truth.
Short and not happy I know but something that I think was needed. please review. Love your thoughts! Reviews make my day!