Title: Coasting. Author: SA3466996. Rating: T, FR15. Category: Angst. Genre: Slash (nothing explicit). Pairing: Gibbs/DiNozzo. Character(s): Gibbs, DiNozzo. Summary: Tony needs a reason to stay. Will Gibbs deliver? Spoilers: None. Disclaimer: NCIS characters belong to Bellisario, CBS and Paramount. No copyright infringement intended.

AN: Based on 'Run' by Snow Patrol (5:54). 453 words. This is one of the ones that I went over time on. Really sorry. *ducks head slap*

His ass was numb. Sitting on the basement steps for over two hours watching Gibbs as he worked on the boat did that to his ass.

Truth was he didn't want to move because if he did it meant he'd probably never sit on those same steps again. His bag was packed and already in the trunk of his car; the letter–hand written–in his jacket pocket. All he had to do before he finally left, was to put it on the kitchen table where Gibbs would find it in the morning.

"Going somewhere?"

"What?"

"Simple question, Tony," Gibbs stated, putting the sanding block down and turning to look him squarely in the eye.

Tony swallowed. He should have known. Gibbs always knew everything. "Any reason to stay?"

Gibbs took a step towards Tony. "We're not at work, Tony. Not gonna make you do anything you don't wanna do."

"So what you're saying is that you're giving up. I'm not worth fighting for?"

"Do you think you're worth fighting for, Tony?"

After a pregnant pause, Tony shook his head in disbelief. "Doesn't matter what I think. Never has really, has it?" Tony raised himself up from the step. "Okay, I'm done. I'm gone. I'll collect the rest of my things next week. As for work, Owens is looking for a new Team Leader. Asked if I was interested. Said I'd think about it. Thought about it. I'm saying yes. It's time. I'll work whatever notice I need to." Tony turned to go and started up the steps.

He'd almost reached the top when he felt a strong hand grip his right arm spinning him round to face two steel blue eyes. Blue eyes that easily penetrated his protective layers; blue eyes that could have him scrabbling for his backpack in an instant; blue eyes that Tony often glimpsed studying him closely after each and every difficult case. Blue eyes that shone with concern as they looked at him now.

"I know."

The soft voice startled him somewhat. "What?"

"I know... about the job."

"How? No. Wait, I don't want to know. Just tell me you didn't set this up. You didn't suggest me to Owens, Gibbs. Because I don't need that. I can get my own job. I'm not completely incapable, despite what the rest of them think."

"I didn't suggest you to Owens."

"Good."

"He asked for you. Told him it was your decision."

"What?"

"Been coasting, Tony. You do your job; can't fault you. Don't want you to go..." Gibbs stated, relaxing the grip on Tony's arm. "But you need to," he added.

Tony cocked his head on one side and snorted. "Right."

"Doesn't mean you have to leave though."