Warning: There's a slash-try in this! I don't write slash and in this story both Tony and Gibbs are completely straight. But also in this story Tony is extremely pig headed and confused and it is really early on in their father/son-relationship. So beware there is a slash- move in this!

Chapter 14:

"You actually do have a DVD-player!" He was standing in front of the TV-set in deep awe.

Tony would have bet his own DVD collection that his boss didn't even own a TV. Let alone an up to date entertainment system.

So the grumpy technophobe, who wrecked one cell phone a week, wanted to watch a DVD, with him of all people. The world was going all crazy.

Gibbs obviously wasn't a cineaste, though. He had proved to be completely ignorant to Tony's numerous movie references on various occasions.

"Why do you have a DVD- player?"

"Only thing the last ex-wife left, when moving out. She probably thought it would be funny. There are some movies too; in the drawer." Gibbs sat down on the couch, taking a sip from his beer and placing a bottle for Tony on the table.

Tony searched the drawer, curious about Gibbs' choice of movies, or at least the choice of movies of the woman that Gibbs had chosen to marry.

"These are a bunch of chick flicks!? Oh, and the Indiana Jones –Collection, Sabrina, Working-girl, Regarding Henry, The Fugitive, Six Days Seven Nights. That's all Harrison Ford?"

"She had a thing for him."

Okay!, Tony thought, she obviously liked a certain type of man.

"Is any of those good? One you'd like to watch?"

"You don't know these?"

"No."

"Why? Uhhh …. You have no idea how to use the player, do you?" Tony assumed, really amused now. Gibbs didn't handle high-tech very well.

"Nope!"

"Here – The Fugitive, you might like it!"

"Fine with me."

Tony started the film and settled next to Gibbs at the other end of the couch, taking his beer.

Finally he would have some time to gather his thoughts. He wondered once again what had gotten into his boss. Return of the brain eaters!

He had expected Gibbs to punish him, but he hadn't. Thankfully, Gibbs had not been so strangely nice, like earlier in the day, either. Still, why would he let him stay at his house of all places?

Could all of this be only a trick? Was all of this a scheme to lure him into believing he was safe and … wanted!? Aimed to make the punishment that was to come, hit him harder?

That would be the kind of mind game he was all too familiar with.

Tony was starting to fidget, suddenly aware that he was sitting directly next to his boss. Why hadn't he kept more distance? Why had he chosen to sit on the couch? There was an armchair; he could have sat there, being out of reach from any sudden blow in his direction.

Unfortunately, now it was impossible to change and sit somewhere else. That would be all awkward and put all the attention on him again. Gibbs surely would see right away just how nervous he was. He couldn't afford to show that kind of weakness to anyone.

He tensed, concentrating hard to stop his fidgeting.

Gibbs normally didn't show much patience regarding his urge for constant motion anyway. He had been on the receiving end of a lot of head slaps, aimed to stop him from fidgeting since he had begun working at NCIS. Probably, justified head slaps, it could be kind of annoying to have someone around who couldn't sit still.

Gibbs had always told him when he was getting annoyed, or at least had shown it with a very demonstrative gesture. He usually handled things directly, pretty much attacking them face on.

He wasn't one to beat around the bushes or play mind games either, was he?

He did tell him that he wasn't going to punish him. Could he believe that? Gibbs had never deceived him yet. Could he trust him?

If he couldn't trust Gibbs, of all people…

So, if Gibbs wasn't going to turn on him, if he hadn't taken him here to punish him, why would he take him in over night?

He had offered his guest-room, he had cooked dinner and he was even watching a movie. Tony had played along with all of it, even though feeling extremely awkward in doing so. Gibbs made sure not to leave room for protest anyway.

Gibbs was a marine; even though resigned from duty about a decade now it was still in him, there was nothing like an ex-marine. You could take the man out of the corps, but you couldn't take the corps out of the man. He was still committed to their doctrine.

Semper Fi. Always faithful.

So maybe he felt obliged.

Tony didn't want to be a burden, or make Gibbs feel obligated to take him in.

He had tried to be as less of a bother as he could be. He had tried to at least not cause any extra-work for his host. He had tried to help, to be useful. He should have known that that venture was doomed to go titanic. He was a screw up after all.

And Gibbs, well, he had not seemed been amused by his futile attempts of help either.

Hospitality was a thing that wore out extremely fast. He needed to find way to show his appreciation.

He turned his head away from the screen to study his boss. He seemed at ease, like enjoying the movie. Well, it was a good one!

In that moment Gibbs was taking the last sip of his beer. That's a chance. Tony jumped up, snatching the empty bottle. "I'll get you a new one."

For a moment images from his childhood rose before his eyes. He remembered vividly, painfully maybe, how he used to serve drinks for his father. But a beer wasn't the same as a sumptuous Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, especially imported for his father from Scotland. With a smile he shook off the haunting memories.

Still, fetching a beer wouldn't be enough to repay Gibbs' kindness. He had to repay.

He handed him the new bottle and sat next to him again.

"Boss, the food and the room… You've got expenses. I'll pay you for it."

Gibbs shot him a funny look. Tony got the impression that he'd censored his response, holding back the answer that first sprung to his mind.

His patience was playfully short edged, when he asked. "You've got that kind of money?"

Well, Gibbs was on to something with that question. Tony was pretty tight right now; with the rent for his apartment, the gas for the car, food, the designer clothes he bought for work and the money he sent back to Peoria to support the widow of his ex-partner and her children, there wasn't much left. He couldn't afford a hotel and he couldn't actually afford to pay Gibbs.

His boss read the silence right. "You are not going to give me money! Now, watch the damn movie!" End of discussion.

Tony settled back down, staring at the TV screen and did like he was told to. His thoughts were racing, though. Why wouldn't Gibbs let him pay? What was he expecting from him? All this kindness demanded repayment. But what did Gibbs want? What did he need?

Realization hit Tony like a bulldozer.

His first impulse to his new found realization was to doubt his own sanity. Gibbs couldn't be! He wasn't the type. But after all you didn't know what happened behind peoples doors! Don't ask, don't tell.

He scolded himself for being so blind before.

What else could be his motivation to watch a movie with him? He didn't especially care for this kind of entertainment usually. But it had led them to sitting next to each other on the couch. It was plainly obvious, once you dared to look.

He couldn't believe that he had misjudged his boss so completely. His claim to being able to read the formidable Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs had been nothing but a delusion.

Tony had never done anything like this before. He was strictly, well, a ladies' man.

Anyway, he owed Gibbs. There was no way around this. He had to repay him.

His stomach turned, but he kept control.

Out of the corners of his eyes, careful not to turn his head and give away that he was looking at him, he eyed his boss. Gibbs was leaning back, relaxed into the cushions.

He was waiting for him to finally make a move; probably already annoyed that he, Tony, was so oblivious until now.

Tony swallowed hard, fighting the urge to run away.

Don't be silly, you owe him, you can do this! You've been through worse, he is one of the good guys, he is your damn role model, if he wants this you can pull your shit together and get this over with!

But how? He was pretty good at getting it on with the girls. In college he had know some guys, who were into that, it seemed not too different. Only, there was a huge difference after all!

No way around it, just get it over with.

"Tony?" Tony jumped as he was startled out of his troubled thoughts; obviously Gibbs had noticed him getting worked up over something. He'll lose his patience soon. Great! Okay, just do it.

"I'm fine!" Tony gave him a wide smile.

He did know how to seduce, he had been seduced himself; he also was a decent piano player, he would just transpose.

He shifted, under the pretence to find a position more comfortable, to get closer to Gibbs. He could nearly feel his thigh now touching the one of the older man. He was in pretty good shape, by common standards he was an attractive man. Strong!

A small spark of doubt took hold of Tony, what if he was mistaken again? No turning back now!

In a smooth motion he placed one of his hands gently on Gibbs' neck, the other on his thigh. He felt warm and firm under his touch. The odor of soap and saw dust, that had started to surround his boss a few weeks ago, encased him, as he was bringing his face close to the other's.

For a moment everything stood still.

Then Gibbs grabbed the wrist of the hand lying on his thigh in a steal-like grip and turned a fiery glare at him.

For one horrible moment Tony thought that he was in for a rough ride.

But Gibbs pushed him away, still keeping the strong hold on his wrist.

"DiNozzo? What the hell?"

Tony's heart sank. He lowered his gaze, avoiding looking at Gibbs.

Looking down he missed the twirl of emotions visible on Gibbs face.

There was a very long pause, until the older man finally found enough control to ask in a quiet voice "You aren't gay, Tony, are you?"

"No, I'm sorry, I'm not."

Gibbs let go of him, searching him closely to find a clue to what had just happened. "So why for Christ's sake did you try to hit on me?" he asked obviously still at loss for a reasonable explanation for the behavior of his Field Agent.

Tony's eyes shot up at Gibbs, suddenly realizing just how completely he had screwed up this time. He had gotten it wrong. Oh no!

He tried to back paddle immediately. He freed himself from Gibbs' grip and scooted away from him, back to the far end of the couch again, not daring to actually stand up, partly not sure if Gibbs would jump at him, partly not trusting his legs to support him and flee.

Gibbs must have read it in his eyes and suddenly he began to realized what the motivation of this pull on him of Tony had been.

And upon this realization he exploded.

He jumped to his feet with a deep guttural roar. Not trusting himself, he distanced himself with two big steps from Tony. He turned to the next wall and slammed his open palms against it. He remained in this position leaning against the wall, trying to control his anger.

After a while, shocked by the harsh reaction, Tony said in a small voice. "I'm sorry!"

Gibbs turned to him again, motioning to him with his palm open in a half defending half accusing gesture: "Don't… Don't! Apologize!"

He took a couple of deep breathes. "You thought I wanted sex from you for letting you stay here?!"

Tony cringed under the blunt statement. It sounded horrible that way. He wearily rose from the couch to.

"I'm out of here. Sor…"

"Stop, Tony!" Gibbs called out.

Tony froze and when he finally turned to face his boss again, he once again saw that same expression he had seen in autopsy this afternoon. Concern?

"Tony, how can you think that?" The question wasn't accusing, but yet again patient and that was unsettling Tony the most.

Gibbs was asking for an explanation instead of demanding it. It seemed like he longed to understand some deeper truth. Tony just couldn't understand why he would look at him to find that.

He chose lopsided-smile number 12 and gave his answer a coloring of jocularity. "I don't know." He just didn't have the means to handle this situation differently. "I owe you, I guess."

Gibbs shook his head in quiet desperation.

Author's note: Please review!