A/N: So I too noticed that this would occur in the middle of a work week - let's pretend they had the day off, shall we?

"Hey, Babe."

"I don't do endearing names."

"Fine. Hi Jethro."

"Hi yourself."

"What are you doing?"

"I was reading the paper."

"Who reads the paper anymore?"

"I do."

"OK."

Jethro got up and poured himself another cup of coffee when his cell phone buzzed again.

"…"

"What does that mean?"

"I'm waiting for you to say something."

"Got nothing to say."

"Nothing at all?"

"Nope."

"OK. Have a good day."

"You too."

'Shit! That didn't go as planned.' Tony thought to himself. He flopped down on his couch and turned on the TV. Soon thereafter, sleep overtook him.

~~~~~~~~~~NCIS~~~~~~~~~~

Jethro paced. He hated pacing. Something went wrong in the last text conversation and even though he revisited the words, he didn't see where it went wrong. His phone had been silent for hours. While he was almost relieved, his gut was telling him he was missing something huge.

It was almost 3pm when his stomach growled to let him know he had missed lunch. That accompanied by his anxiousness had him out the door and headed straight for his favorite diner. There was comfort in the familiar. Walking in, he was grateful when he saw "his" booth was unoccupied and he slid in.

"Hey Jethro." The server, Cyndi, sauntered over and poured him a cup of coffee. "Just you today or is your boy going to join you?"

"My boy?"

"Yeah, that handsome fellow that meets you here once in a while. What's his name? Tony?"

Jethro gave her a wistful smile. "No, it's just me today."

Cyndi looked slightly disappointed. "OK. What are you in the mood for today? Ann's whipped up her famous meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli or we have Swiss steak with a mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans, and of course, whatever you want from the menu."

"I'll take the meatloaf special and…"

"A small pot of black coffee." Tony finished his sentence as he sat down across from him.

Gibbs couldn't hold back the small grin. "Yeah, what he said."

"I'll go for the Swiss steak special and a large sweet ice tea." He grinned. "Thanks, Cyndi."

Cyndi gave him a huge smile and went to place their order.

Turning his focus on Gibbs his smile changed becoming less alluring and more genuine. "So, hi. I hope you don't mind…"

"No, not at all." Jethro interrupted.

"Good". Tony kept the smile in place. "I really like it here. The food is amazing."

"Yeah, yeah it is." Gibbs responded feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I'm a little surprised to see you here at this hour. Thought you'd be at Home Depot or in your basement.

"Nah – just hungry." His cell phone chimed. "Hold on."

Tony smirked and leaned back in the booth watching as Jethro read his most recent text.

"Would they notice if I slid under the table and sucked you off?"

Gibbs glanced up quickly and then back to his cell, texting back. "Probably but I dare you to try."

Stowing the phone, he said, "Sorry about that". He face gave nothing away.

"No worries. Do we have a case?" Tony played the game just as well as Gibbs.

"No, no." He looked up as Cyndi brought their drinks, thankful for the distraction.

They both nodded their thanks and sipped quietly.

Tony got up. "Gotta hit the head." He made a show of leaving his jacket in the booth though his burn phone was in his pocket.

When he reached the private confines of the restroom, he pulled out the phone and read the text. "Nice.' he thought to himself. He couldn't very well respond now, it would be obvious. Instead, he set up the next text to be sent in one hour and wrote, "Ah, were it not a family establishment and you were dining alone…but I know a place where such things are decidedly overlooked if you want to be adventurous".

He set his next text to follow just three minutes after stating, "I am tiring of this game. Are you? Never mind. You never liked it in the first place. No matter what, know someone out there loves you, Jethro. And wants you." He headed back to their booth.

Conversation was general and they both enjoyed their meals when they arrived.

Swallowing the last bite Tony sighed contently. "That was amazing as always."

Gibbs leaned back, patted his stomach and smirked. "Never disappointed when I come here."

Tony raised an eyebrow as Cyndi stepped up to their table, "You boys want some pie?"

Flashing his trademark grin, Tony atoned to the negative deferring to Jethro. "No, I think we are good."

With a broad smile Cyndi nodded, "Check coming right up. Separate or together this time?"

"Separate." Tony spoke up and Gibbs gave a curt nod.

"Huh." Cyndi left their table looking decidedly perplexed.

They walked to their prospective vehicles. As Tony opened unlocked his door and opened it he said, "Have a good night, Boss. Thanks for sharing lunch with me."

"Glad for the company."

As Tony started to slide in the driver's seat, Jethro spoke up. "Hot date tonight, DiNozzo?"

The question surprised him so that Tony knocked his head on the doorframe. Wincing, he straightened up and rubbed his sore head. "I don't know right now. Working on it though. You got any plans?"

"Nope."

"OK then. Well, have a good evening."

Gibbs nodded, got in his truck and pulled away leaving Tony sitting in his car still rubbing his head and a little more than slightly curious.

~~~~~~~~~~NCIS~~~~~~~~~~

About 3 minutes into his drive Jethro's cell chimed with the incoming texts that Tony had sent from his burn phone. He ignored them until he got home, never one to jeopardize the safety and security of those round him for social contact.

Rereading the last message he responded, "You want me and love me?"

He waited but no response came immediately as he thought it should and shut down his truck, making his way into his house, tossing his cell on the kitchen table while he grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. The loud buzzing noise his phone made caused him to turn around and pick it up.

"I do."

"But you don't know me."

"I know you well enough."

"OK. I want to know you more. IF and I say IF I guess who you are, how do you imagine our first meeting?" Jethro took the stairs to his bedroom two at a time and stood in front of his closet willing the appropriate clothing to show itself.