Tony held Gibbs until the shaking slowed then stopped, but still said nothing. When the older man heaved a heavy sigh, Tony withdrew his arms and scooted a little ways down the couch. The tragic story was still bouncing around his head, but he wasn't sure where they stood now. He sat, still thinking, as Gibbs excused himself and disappeared down the hallway. Moments later, Tony heard the water running. Gibbs returned, his face damp and red and his eyes slightly bloodshot. The two men sat and stood, not looking at each other.

"Do you want to lie down? Or want me to get something to eat or drink?" Tony inquired after a prolonged silence. He could hear in his head an answer, one he didn't really want to hear: "No, Dinozzo, I want my family back."

Tony turned to the kitchen to grab something, but a strong hand grabbed his wrist, not letting him leave. Tony turned and lost his breath at the sight of Gibbs' eyes. Even that last time in this apartment, he hadn't seen them more intense. "Tony, I didn't tell you all this for you to feel sorry for me. This wasn't a way of explaining why we have to avoid each other now." A firm yank on the wrist brought Tony stumbling into Gibbs' chest. He looked up, lips parted slightly, into very blue eyes.

Gibbs was looking down into Tony's eyes. He looked so…so… young. Innocent. Open. His eyes dropped from the shining green to the pink lips, parted. As he watched, his tongue darted out to wet his lips. He didn't even have time to think about it before he crushed his lips to Tony's.

Tony was shocked first by the kiss itself and then by the power behind it. He felt like all the emotions pooled up throughout the day or even week were being poured into the kiss. Gibbs slowly released his grip on Tony's wrist and placed his hands flat on Tony's back. Tony, who hadn't realized before how tight Gibbs' grip was, curled his hands into the silver hair at the back of his head. Both men knew that this was what they wanted— someone on his lips, in his mind, worming their way into his heart. For one man, the heart was walled off against an unloving family and a procession of one night stands and lonelier nights. For the other, the heart's defenses had been built up against each of the three wives who sought things from him, but couldn't give what he wanted- a heart to fill the gap in his own.

Eventually their lips parted and Tony took a step back as clinging holds loosened. Tony felt a slight self-satisfaction as he saw Gibbs pant a few breaths. He knew he was probably looking just as affected. But he also knew that he should move a little slower with this relationship than usual. So he turned and walked to the couch. When Gibbs looked at him curiously, Tony patted the seat next to him. When he dropped down and slumped against the back of the couch, Tony scooted a little closer and grabbed the remote to start surfing channels. Gibbs smiled and shook his head.

"Tony, when's the due date?" Tony's head snapped to look at Gibbs. He hadn't even thought of that…

"October 21st. In about three weeks."

"You gonna be there when she delivers?"

"The plan is that in two weeks I'll go up and stay with her. Her mom is staying there too and thankfully she isn't one of those mothers who would insist we get married. We'll work on a name and I'll stay until she delivers and the baby's released. Once Angie recovers, she'll spend most weekends here."

Gibbs could tell Tony was very anxious about his daughter, so he put an arm across his shoulders and they stayed like that, watching the hockey game.

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On Thursday, McGee walked over to Ziva's desk, looking around the room surreptitiously. "Hey Ziva, does Gibbs look really tired today? We were waiting here for Tony to bring the sergeant's wife in and I think he almost dozed off at his desk."

Ziva frowned. "I didn't notice. Maybe he's been working late. Hasn't caught his forty blinks yet."

McGee opened his mouth to correct her when Tony's voice interrupted him. "That's winks, Officer David. And I don't think the boss would appreciate finding you gossiping about him, McGee."

Ziva gave a very unladylike snort and retorted, "Like he's never caught you, Tony. Besides, how exactly does one catch a wink?"

Neither man answered as they wandered back to their desks to resume work. Tony, however, was thinking. Did Gibbs look more tired than usual? Was something wrong? They hadn't really talked since Sunday. Tony wanted to stay professional at work, because that's what Gibbs would want, so he hadn't reached out to touch him any of the moments he wanted to. Even a hand brushing his shoulder would be too much.

"Hey, Dinozzo!" Tony snapped back to work at the sound of his boss's voice.

"Yeah, Boss?"

"Abby's lab." Gibbs spun and walked to the elevators, Tony jogging to keep up. They got on the elevator and Tony glanced at the impassive face next to him. "Tony, why don't you pick up a pizza after work and come on over to my place?" Gibbs tried to stifle the smile that crossed his face as Tony's face lit up.

"Yessir!" he said, with a salute. Gibbs' face was unreadable again as he exited the elevator to Abby's, but Tony's face was still shining.

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Tony approached the door with a pizza balanced on one hand and opened it, knowing it would be unlocked. "Pizza!" he announced to the seemingly empty house.

"Hey," Gibbs said, as he entered from the kitchen. He took the pizza into the dining room and set it on the table. Turning around, he put his arms around Tony's waist and gave him a soft kiss.

"Good, I missed you too," Tony said when Gibbs pulled away. Gibbs laughed and ruffled his hair, turning back to the pizza to grab a slice. They ate in a companionable silence, Gibbs chuckling at the happy little noises Tony made when he ate.

When they finished, Tony turned to the living room to sit down and grab a movie, but Gibbs stopped him. "I need to go get something, why don't you wait down in the basement." Tony raised an eyebrow, but complied. As he usually did when in the basement, he began snooping. Both eyebrows went up as Tony saw the boat was covered by a tarp. He looked around and his eyes eventually rested on a blanket-covered object in the corner. He walked up to it, studying it, and slowly pulled the blanket off.

Before him stood a beautiful crib of red oak. It was sanded to a shine and looked tall and strong. He ran his fingers down a bar and they glided across the wood with nary a catch. On the inside at the head or the foot was carved Dinozzo. "Oh Gibbs…" Tony breathed.

"Yes?" came a quiet, amused voice as strong arms circled him.

"It's perfect; I- " Tony didn't know what to say. When he considered all the work that would have to have been done on this, he realized that Gibbs probably started it not long after he first found out. Even before they kissed, before he had told about Kelly, he had been making this for him. Tony turned in the embrace and, putting his hands on either side of Gibbs' face, showed him how grateful he was.

"It's perfect."