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Abby was turning off her computer when Tony appeared next to her.
"Not sure about this." Tony sighed.
"About what?"
He rolled his eyes. "Gibbs."
"What did you do something?" She bounced up and down.
"Yeah, just some little touches, didn't really get a reaction."
"It's going to take more than a few little touches in just one day." Abby shook her head. "You two have known each other so long, Gibbs probably didn't think anything of it."
"Maybe." Tony nodded. "He tensed slightly when I touched his back getting out of the elevator."
"See that's something!" Abby grinned.
"I need sleep and I'll think about this tomorrow." He sighed.
"Exactly. Tomorrow you'll have fresh ideas on how to get Gibbs' attention." She brimmed with excitement.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Of course I am!" Like that was a surprise. "The Master at work, working on the Silver Haired Fox. How can I not love that?"
##########
Climbing into bed, Tony laid down on his back, slipped his arm under his head and stared at the ceiling. What the hell was he doing? This was ridiculous, all because a psychic told him someone at work was his soul mate and foible was a clue. If Gibbs knew this was all based on a psychic, he'd get a head slap that would knock him into next week.
Blowing out a long breath, he groaned. Truth was he wanted to believe it, wanted to believe it might be Gibbs. He hadn't been completely honest with Abby, he'd had a lot of fantasies about Gibbs. Them in the elevator, in MTAC, in the basement, on the table, on the couch, in the bed, on the floor, in the kitchen, pretty much everywhere. He just always believed they could only be fantasies. The thought that Gibbs would want him or be his soul mate had never crossed his mind. Sure, everyone could hit for the other team if the right person came along, at least that's what he thought. He just figured if Gibbs was gonna hit for the other team it would be with some young hard body.
Gibbs wanting him just seemed like an impossibility. They were friends, cared about each other, but he also annoyed the hell out of his boss. The lack of focus, the movie references, putting his foot in his mouth, ogling women-(although that was kinda to keep a certain image), and countless other things he was sure. Still, their friendship had grown over the years, changed and matured, Gibbs talked more when they were alone in the basement, showed more concern, like today. Love, that had never once entered Tony's thoughts, soul mates, seemed like some weird cosmic joke.
Then again everyone said they were so much alike, that he was like Gibbs used to be. He grinned, he would have liked to know the younger Gibbs, before the pain of Shannon's and Kelly's deaths changed him, before he had become the legendary Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He laughed out loud, Gibbs as a probie, that would have been priceless.
Shaking his head, Tony pushed all of that from his mind. He had to look at this as him just flirting with some guy he'd met in a bar and was interested in. If he worried about the fact it was Gibbs, he'd never be able to do this. But trying to flirt at work was going to be difficult. He either had to do it when they were alone or be extremely discrete about it, last thing he wanted was McGeek or Ziva seeing him flirting with the boss, especially if the outcome went badly. There was still a chance this was all a mistake and Gibbs had no interest in him. Again, he couldn't think about that. He needed to believe that Gibbs was the one and that Gibbs just needed to know he was interested to step over the line. And if that wasn't the case, he prayed Gibbs would at least send him somewhere warm for his new position.
##########
Sitting at his desk, Gibbs didn't even bother looking at the clock. He'd told his team to come in late, which normally meant everyone would start showing up around nine or ten. He should have just given everyone the day off after the three days of nonstop work. The hum of the elevator reaching the floor made him look up and he was shocked when the man walked off the elevator. He glanced at his watch, quarter after eight, not like Tony to show up early when he didn't have to.
"Hey Boss." Tony smiled, dropping his backpack on his chair.
Gibbs tipped his head at Tony.
Opening his backpack, he pulled out a couple of files and made his way over to Gibbs' desk. When Tony didn't just throw the files on the desk, Gibbs looked up.
"Wanted to clarify something on my report before I finished it up."
Gibbs nodded and watched as Tony walked around the desk and stood beside him.
Flipping open the file, Tony laid it on the desk, and leaned over Gibbs' shoulder pointing at a paragraph. "Todd, the reporter admitted being the seller, did he give up his source?" He let his other hand rest on Gibbs' shoulder.
"Yeah." Gibbs said staring at the file on his desk.
"So are we going after his source?" Tony asked, glancing at Gibbs.
"Turned it over to Metro." Gibbs looked up at Tony out of the corner of his eyes.
"Great." Tony's hand left Gibbs' shoulder and he closed the file, picking it up and heading back to his desk.
Something was definitely going on with his Senior Field Agent, Gibbs just couldn't put his finger on what it was. "Figured you'd have a date last night?" He asked, never looking up from his desk.
"No." Tony shook his head. "Just relaxed at home. Taking a little break."
"From dating?" Gibbs snickered. That was like an addict saying he was going to take a little break from his drug of choice.
"Yeah." Tony shrugged. "Until someone interesting comes along."
Gibbs didn't respond.
"Someone different, that can get the mojo flowing." Tony looked over at Gibbs. "Know what I mean?"
"Ah huh." Gibbs answered without looking up.
"You still seeing Dr. Ryan?"
Looking up with only his eyes, he glared at Tony. Everyone, especially Tony, knew not to ask about his personal life. Like yesterday in the elevator, he expected the glare to be enough to make Tony look away and drop the subject. Again, it didn't work. Tony just stared at him as if waiting for an answer. Gibbs let his eyes drift back down to the paper on his desk.
"I'll take that as a no." Tony smirked then tapped at his keyboard and pulled up his e-mail.
Shoving his chair away from his desk, Gibbs got up and made his way to the elevator. He needed coffee.
Tony leaned back in his chair as the doors closed on Gibbs. Dr. Ryan was definitely out of the picture, he knew all of Gibbs' looks. He smirked to himself, this was actually starting to be fun. Today he had woke up with a new determination and a new goal. It wasn't just about finding out if Gibbs was interested anymore, now it was about wanting to make Gibbs interested. He wasn't just a master of flirtation, he was a master of seduction when he put his mind to it.
##########
"Here you go." The woman smiled, handing Gibbs the coffee cup.
"Thanks." Taking the coffee, Gibbs walked slowly back towards the building. Normally, he could read Tony pretty easily, but not this time. Touchy feely Tony was completely new, at least when it came to him. Tony was affectionate with Abby and Ziva, hell even McGee sometimes, but never with him. But then he always made it pretty clear, he wasn't the affectionate kinda guy, especially not at work. Still, Tony being in his personal space was completely out of character. Something was going on and Gibbs just couldn't put his finger on it. Give it time and he'd figure it out or maybe it would just stop.
Strolling into the building, Gibbs went to step into the elevator and paused.
"Abby got a hit on a print from a cold case, wants to see us in the lab." Tony smiled.
He stepped into the elevator, pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. A missed call.
"Stuck on vibrate again?" Tony chuckled plucking the phone from Gibbs' hand. He pushed a button and handed it back to Gibbs. "If that keeps happening people are going to start thinking you just like it vibrating in your pocket."
Eyebrow raised, Gibbs glanced back at Tony.
"Just saying." Tony grinned, taking a step and standing beside Gibbs. "I can show you how to fix that, it's just pushing one button."
"Then what would I need you for?" Gibbs took a sip of his coffee.
"Eye candy."
Gibbs' head turned.
"What, come on?" Tony smirked. "Ziva's the female eye candy, sultry, deadly, but sweet on the inside. I'm the male eye candy, boyish good looks, humor, charm and always at your six."
"What does that make McGee?"
Tony shrugged. "The McSidekick."
Gibbs shook his head.
The door opened and Gibbs stepped out Tony on his heels. Stepping into Abby's lab, Gibbs stopped suddenly, when he saw the lab full of people.
Tony ran right into Gibbs, his hand grabbing Gibbs' hip instead of stumbling back.
Glancing back at Tony, Gibbs gave him a glare.
"Hey you're the one that just stopped!" Tony balked.
Taking a step forward, Gibbs felt the hand fall from his hip.
"Hey Gibbs." Abby smiled.
"Abs." Gibbs replied then looked around at all the faces.
"A class from FLETC." She explained.
Gibbs nodded.
"Agent Flynn will take you to the break room." Abby looked over at the agent escorting the class.
"This way everyone." Agent Flynn said as he led them out the back of the lab.
"Fingerprint?" Gibbs asked.
"Caf-Pow?" She eyed his hand with the coffee.
"Abby."
"Your phone was on vibrate again, wasn't it?"
He took a deep breath.
"Fine." She turned around and tapped a few keys. "Ran the fingerprints from Agent Coleman's case and got a match to a cold case from last year." A picture of a young attractive man appeared on the screen along with his ID.
"Which case?" Gibbs asked looking at the picture.
"The Rantson case."
Gibbs remembered that case, dead petty officer, couldn't say if it was murder or suicide, looked like an overdose but murder is always on the table. They had a few leads, but nothing had panned out. They knew he had sex before he died, but couldn't find any physical evidence of the partner. One unknown print was found at the scene, but they never found who it belonged to.
"Why'd we get a match now?"
"Our mystery man, who we now know is Ken Rosen, was picked up for DUI six months ago."
Gibbs nodded. "Coleman bring him in for questioning?"
"Yes." Abby smiled. "And I told Agent Coleman you would probably want to talk to him."
Kissing Abby's cheek, he smiled. "Good job Abs."
"Thank you."
Gibbs started out the door. "You're with me eye candy."
Abby's brow furrowed and she looked at Tony for an explanation.
Tony grinned. "I'll explain later." He quickly followed Gibbs out of the lab.
"Oh, yes you will." Abby grinned.
############
Agent Coleman and a member of his team were standing in the hallway beside the interrogation room when Gibbs and Tony approached. Gibbs had a file in his hand.
"Agent Gibbs." Agent Coleman nodded. "He's all yours, we're done with him."
"Not involved in your case?"
Agent Coleman shook his head. "He was just bartending at the club our suspect was at."
"Thanks." Gibbs turned the handle of the interrogation door and strolled in with Tony behind him.
Ken Rosen looked up as the two men entered the room.
Tossing the file on the table, Gibbs sat down and opened it up.
Tony leaned back against the wall behind Gibbs and waited.
Gibbs glanced at the file then up at Rosen. "Wanna explain to me why your prints were at Petty Officer Rantson's apartment the night he died two years ago?"
Right to the point. Tony chuckled to himself. Gibbs evidently wasn't in the mood for foreplay today.
All the color drained from the man's face and his gaze dropped to the table.
Gibbs let the silence settle in the room, then slammed his hand on the table. "I asked you a question!" He bellowed.
Rosen nearly fell out of his chair as the sound echoed through the room. Tony didn't even flinch, he knew all of Gibbs' interrogation routines.
Rosen glanced up at Gibbs then back down. "I was there, earlier that night."
"Why?" Gibbs asked his voice still slightly raised.
"We were hanging out." Rosen shrugged.
"Why didn't you come forward? Story was all over the news."
"Didn't seem necessary."
Gibbs cocked his head and leaned forward. "You were probably the last person to see him alive and it wasn't important?"
"It wasn't important to the case." Rosen finally looked at Gibbs for longer than a moment, but his voice trembled. "He was alive when I left." He swallowed the emotion. "I swear."
Leaning back Gibbs' eyes narrowed. "You had sex with him."
Rosen looked away again, then nodded.
Gibbs knew that look, a secret love, not wanting to call attention to the secret. "Petty Officer Rantson wasn't out?"
Rosen shook his head. "Well sort of."
"His ex-wife and kids didn't know?"
"No."
"Anyone else know?"
"A few close friends." The tears welled in Rosen's eyes. "I didn't think it was my place to out him after he was dead. I didn't wanna put his family through that." A pause. "I loved him and...it was better they didn't know and back then, DADT, he couldn't come out to the Navy."
Gibbs rubbed his chin. "Anyone have a problem with him?"
"No." Rosen chuckled, wiping away the tears. "Everyone loved Danny, even his ex-wife."
Yeah, Gibbs remembered interviewing her. She was still in love with the Petty Officer, didn't even understand why the marriage had ended. Now it made sense.
"Do you think it was suicide?" Tony asked, his arms across his chest.
"Maybe." Rosen looked back at Tony. "He attempted suicide when he was a teenager, he never said why, but I pretty much figured it was because of hiding who he was. But that night, when I left, he was happy. We were talking about taking a vacation, going to Key West."
"Why didn't you stay that night?" Gibbs questioned.
"He had to be up early, he was going to get his kids for the weekend."
"Where did you go when you left?"
"Club Caesar, I was there till after three am, think I got there around eleven." Rosen sighed. "I was with some of our friends, you can ask them."
Pulling his notebook and pen from his pocket, Gibbs slid them to Rosen. "Names."
Picking up the pen, Rosen scribbled down a few names. "They all knew about us." He said as he slid the notebook and pen back to Gibbs.
Gibbs grabbed them and tucked them in his pocket. "We're done." He stood up. "The agent outside will escort you out."
Rosen nodded.
Walking out of the room, Gibbs stepped outside and Tony stepped out a moment later, closing the door behind him.
"Suicide?" Tony knew Gibbs didn't think Rosen was involved.
"Probably." Gibbs answered as he made his way to the elevator.
Standing next to Gibbs, Tony stared at the elevator doors. "Has to be hard, hiding your feelings like that."
Gibbs shrugged.
"And keeping your dead lover's secret, that's love."
Gibbs nodded.
Tony shook his head. "I think some deep secret like that would drive me crazy. Why not just be happy and honest?"
Gibbs glanced over at Tony as the elevator doors open. "Maybe you should be as honest about the men you sleep with as you are about the women."
Tony's mouth dropped open as he watched Gibbs walk out of the elevator and towards the bullpen. He was so shocked the doors closed and he hadn't even moved.
##########
Gibbs stopped at McGee's desk and handed him the slip of paper. "Go have a chat with them."
"Okay." He scanned the names. "And what am I asking them?"
"Take DiNozzo, he'll explain." Gibbs sat down at his desk. "He's in the elevator."
"Right." He grabbed his gear and headed towards the elevator. When it opened Tony was standing there. "Gibbs wants us to go talk to-"
"Names on the list." Tony stepped out. "I'll grab my gear." Without even glancing in Gibbs direction. Tony grabbed his gun and backpack and hurried back to the elevator.
##########
"What's wrong with you?" McGee asked as Tony drove to the first address.
"Nothing."
"Something's wrong, you've been tired, anxious, not even making jokes, and you went to help Abby when we had down time." He shook his head. "That's not like you."
Tony's hand tightened on the wheel.
"Problems with your latest conquest?"
Tony shook his head.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm fine." Tony continued to stare at the road.
They drove on in silence.
"I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer honestly." Tony took a deep breath.
"And this stays between us."
"Okay." McGee drew out the word.
"Do you think I've ever been with a man?"
"What?" McGee asked eyes wide.
"You heard me."
McGee's mouth opened slightly. "Um, well, I think that, I mean you-"
"MCGEE just spit it out!"
"Yes." McGee said it quickly then closed his mouth tightly.
"Why?"
"Tony." McGee sighed.
"Just tell me!"
What the hell had brought this on and why was he the one that Tony had finally asked about it? Everyone knew Tony swung both ways, at least they thought he did, they just didn't really have any proof. Well, they were pretty sure Abby knew, but she never said a word.
"McGeek! Answer the question." Tony wanted an answer and he wanted it now.
"Come on Tony, all the women you talk about, the endless flirting." McGee smirked. "You teasing me about being gay. There had to be a man in there somewhere."
"That's it?" What the hell kinda answer was that.
"I saw you staring at some guys' asses."
Jerking his head sideway, he stared at McGee. "Who?"
"Watch the road!" McGee yelled, pointing out the front window.
"Whose ass was I staring at?" Tony didn't date people at work, but that didn't mean he hadn't meant men on a case. Still, he tried to be discrete and he definitely tried not to leer when any of the team were around.
"You really want me to try and list all the guys asses you stared at?"
"Tell me one?" Tony at least wanted to see if McGee had really seen him staring at some guy's ass or if he was making it up.
"Two months ago, the Yarmon case." McGee paused. "The neighbor we interviewed, you were checking him out."
Damn. Tony winched. He had been checking the neighbor out.
"No one cares Tony." McGee rolled his eyes.
"Yeah."
McGee turned towards Tony. "Is that what this is about? Are you having problems with some guy?"
"No."
"Thinking of coming out?" McGee asked eyebrow raised.
"No." Tony rolled his eyes. "Nothing to come out about."
"Would you come out if you met the right guy?"
Tony let out a long breath. "Yeah." For the right man, Tony would do just about anything. He just wished he knew if the right man was even interested in him. He groaned out loud. When did he suddenly realize Gibbs was the right man?
"There is a guy." McGee grinned. "A guy you really like."
"Okay, enough with the Thelma and Louis moment." Tony glanced over at McGee. The younger agent's face was full of compassion.
"If you need anything-"
"I know." Tony nodded. "Thanks."
For all the ribbing they gave each other, they were friends and Tony always knew he could count on McGee.
##########
Sitting at his desk, Gibbs didn't even look up when McGee and Tony came in.
"They were all at the club, verified it with the club security as well." McGee said standing in front of Gibbs' desk.
"Good, go home." Gibbs ordered.
"Night boss." McGee stopped at Tony desk. "You wanna go get a drink?"
Tony shook his head. "No, but thanks."
Once McGee was at the elevator, Gibbs spoke again. "Go home Tony."
"Just a couple things I need to do." Tony grabbed a report form and transferred his notes from the interviews to the paper. They worked in silence, until Tony finished and walked over in front of Gibbs' desk.
Gibbs looked up.
"The notes from the interviews."
"And you're giving it to me from the front of the desk?" Gibbs asked, his gaze fixed on his Senior Field Agent.
"Yeah." Tony chuckled, a nervous chuckle at Gibbs' reference about earlier this morning. Gibbs' comment earlier had Tony rethinking his initial plan.
Taking the paper, Gibbs laid it on his desk, then went back to the file in front of him. "Go home."
"Will do." Back at his desk, Tony turned off his computer and grabbed his backpack. He was just about to walk out of the bullpen when he heard his name.
"Tony."
"Yeah Boss?" Tony turned around.
"I shouldn't have brought that up, at the elevator today." Gibbs paused. "What you do in your personal life, is your business."
Tony nodded. That was as close to an apology as anyone ever got from Gibbs.