Tony sat in the back row of the court room, staring blankly at all of the people in front of him, he really didn't want to be here, but he knew that by being here, he wouldn't have to endure anymore sleepless nights if he knew exactly where Luca was going to be for the rest of his life.
Gibbs sat down next to Tony and slipped his fingers between Tony's, holding onto the younger man's hand supportively, smiling over at him as the judge came out of his chambers. Everyone in the room stood up until the judge gave them permission to sit down, then they did so. Tony blew out a breath of air, looking around the room slowly "He doesn't have a lawyer… What's going on?" Tony whispered, looking up at Gibbs with a raised eyebrow.
Gibbs shrugged as he leaned back in the seat slightly "I think he's pleading guilty… Dunno, guess we'll find out here in a second." Gibbs said, nodding towards Luca who was standing up with a few sheets of paper in his hands.
"Mr. Moretti, if I am to assume correctly… You have taken a plea of Guilty, and waived your right to counsel, and are ready to proceed directly into sentencing, is that correct?" The judge asked as he looked at Luca.
Luca nodded as he stood up "Yes your honor. I have admitted to my guilt, and I'm ready to take the punishment handed down by the jurors." Luca said in a professional tone.
The judge nodded his head "Proceed with your statement please, Mr. Moretti." The judge said as he sat back in his large leather chair.
Luca nodded again as he moved to the podium in the center of the court room, he cleared his throat and set the papers down, "He deserved it! He needed to be brought back down to his rightful place in the world! That… That man has given Tony too much freedom to do what he pleases and when he pleases. Tony needs limits and needs to be reigned back in! He doesn't deserve all the things that that man gives him, he needs to be kept-…" Luca tried continuing but was cut off by the judge banging the gavel.
"I've heard enough, and I think so has everyone else in the room. Court officers, please remove Mr. Moretti, and make sure you restrain him… Jurors, you all may be excused." The judge said, remaining seated as the bailiffs cuffed Luca and led him out of the courtroom and the Jurors left the room.
Tony breathed out shakily, staring at the floor with tears in his eyes as he twisted his hands against the seat, the color in his face had all but drained as he listened to Luca then the judge who kicked Luca out of the courtroom.
Gibbs frowned as he leaned over, laying his head against Tony's shoulder "It's over Tony, we can leave now… there's no way in hell any juror in their right mind is going to let Luca be a free man." Gibbs whispered, looking up at Tony.
Tony shook his head "No… I gotta know what happens, I can't just leave it at this stage. I have to see this through to the very end, Jethro… If you wanna head home, that's fine, but I'm not leaving here until I know how long he goes to prison, and where he's going." Tony said, firm in his resolve as he idly tapped his fingers against the seat, his tears now silently falling down his cheeks as he stared at the floor.
Gibbs wrapped his arm securely around Tony, bringing the younger man's head against his chest, "Hey, you know I'm not going to let anything happen to you. You don't have to worry about this guy coming after you or me anymore." Gibbs said softly as he rested his forehead against Tony's head, kissing the other man reassuringly.
Tony sniffled as he looked up at Gibbs "But what if he's right about me? What if I don't deserve this? What if all of this was just… I don't know… I-… Jeth, what if we weren't supposed to be here?" Tony asked softly.
Gibbs shook his head as he brushed Tony's tears away softly with the pad of his thumb "Tony… Hey…" Gibbs said softly, kissing Tony's forehead "If we weren't supposed to be here, right now, together, in this moment, we wouldn't be. I love you Tony, and I will always love you. Our love, you absolutely deserve it, don't let this deranged lunatic try and take that away from you… from us." Gibbs said softly as he rested his forehead against Tony's, kissing the younger man softly.
Tony inhaled shakily, "You're right… He… He doesn't have control over me or what I do anymore… I'm my own person. I'm just… I'm sorry you had to hear about who I used to be…" Tony whispered sadly, lying his head against Gibbs' shoulder and sniffling slightly.
Gibbs shook his head and chuckled softly "That's not who you used to be Tony, I've known you longer than this guy, I know who you really are… and you're definitely not the 'lock you up and throw away the key' type of guy. You're a free spirit who deserves every opportunity that comes your way." Gibbs said as he kissed Tony on the lips lightly, then turned his head back to the front of the court room.
The jurors, the judge and Luca – who was now in full restraints – were all returned to the courtroom and their previously vacated seats "After speaking with the jurors, and prosecutors of this case, we have decided to go directly to the sentencing phase of this case. Mr. Moretti, if you would please stand up." The judge requested, looking directly at Luca with a disgusted look on his face.
"Mr. Moretti, as you've already pled guilty to the charges of Attempted Murder of a Federal Agent, Attempted Kidnapping of a Federal Agent…" the judge rambled on with the charges. Tony sighed as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, blinking his burning eyes a few times.
Gibbs sighed as he wrapped his arm around Tony's back and gently rubbed up and down the younger man's back, whispering soothing words into Tony's ear as they listened to the judge "You'll be serving the next sixty-five years in Lee County Federal Prison. Bailiff's please remove the defendant." The judge said, banging his gavel in finality.
Tony breathed a sigh of relief, resting his forehead against Gibbs' shoulder, "It's over… We… We can go home now… I'm… I need to lay down…" Tony stammered out, slowly standing up on shaky legs.
Gibbs sighed as he stood up, wrapping his arm around Tony "That's fine, we'll go home, and I'll make you some French toast and hot chocolate, and we'll watch Free Fall if you want." Gibbs said as he kissed Tony on the temple softly, Tony nodded mutely, tucking his head into Gibbs' side as they walked out of the courtroom together.
As Gibbs and Tony were headed away from the court house, they heard the screaming of tires on the wet city streets, a few seconds after that they heard something that sounded eerily like a vehicle smashing into a building. Gibbs turned the car towards the sound, and nearly froze when he saw the prison transport vehicle turned on its side.
There were already several people surrounding the vehicle, many of them had their phones to their ears, either reporting the accident or telling whomever they were on the phone with about the accident. Gibbs pulled the car over and looked at Tony who was as white as a sheet, his entire body trembling. Gibbs grabbed the plastic shopping bag from the backseat, handing it to Tony "Just breathe… I'll be back in a minute." Gibbs said as he got out of the car and locked the doors.
Tony watched Gibbs, breathing deeply as he kept his hand tightly clenched around the shopping bag in case he needed it. Gibbs slowly approached the transport vehicle, his badge displayed in his jacket pocket as he pushed his way through the crowd, the first thing he noticed was that the backdoor of the transport van was cracked wide open, he inhaled shakily as he looked inside to find it completely barren of the guard and Luca.
Gibbs growled deep in his throat, glancing over his shoulder at Tony, sighing heavily as he shook his head and continued walking around the van and taking note of the completely shredded back tire. "Damn it…" Gibbs growled as he walked back towards his car, withdrawing his cellphone. Gibbs dialed McGee's number as he slid into the front seat of his car "McGee… We're on 7th and Main – Yeah, no just LISTEN! There was an accident… Uh huh… I need you to track him, FIND HIM MCGEE!" Gibbs shouted angrily into the phone, slapping the device shut and tossing it into the backseat.
Tony turned to Gibbs, his bottom lip quivering slightly. Gibbs sighed as he reached over, cupping Tony on the side of the neck, "I'm going to find him, Tony… I will not let him get to you and hurt you again." Gibbs said firmly, looking the younger man directly in the eyes.
Tony nodded as the tears he'd been holding back fell down his cheeks "I believe you… Can… Can we just go home? I just… I just wanna go home…" Tony whispered sadly, curling into his body as he looked out the window blankly.
Gibbs frowned, nodding his head as he slipped his hand into Tony's hand as he started the engine and pulled away from the curb, pulling a one-eighty to the protests of several pedestrians and drivers alike. The two men rode home in silence, and Gibbs could feel the tension and fear in his husband's body just rolling off him in waves, and he knew he had to do something to bring Tony's spirits back up.
After several minutes of just sitting in the driveway, Gibbs finally managed to coax Tony out of the car and into the house where he took Tony straight to the den and laid the younger man out on the couch. Over the year that Tony and Gibbs had been dating and married, he knew that the younger man's silence was no longer uncommon, he has learned that Tony was often quiet throughout the day, and his non-stop chatter at the office was just something to fill the void of silence.
Gibbs walked to the kitchen after setting up the DVD player with Tony's favorite movie, he still had plans of making Tony's favorite meal, but Gibbs also needed a few minutes to gain composure for himself. The worry he felt for his husband was astronomical compared to anything he had ever felt before, even losing his wife and daughter tragically couldn't compare to the threat of someone out there wanting to harm Tony in a way that would be worse than instantaneous death.
Shaking himself mentally, Gibbs grabbed the fixings for his 'famous' triple-berry french toast and the frozen milk chocolate for homemade hot chocolate. Gibbs heard the front door open and close almost silently, he glanced around the corner of the kitchen and smiled sadly as McGee walked into the living room with his laptop bag slung over his shoulder, "Hey boss." McGee said quietly as he joined the older man in the kitchen.
Gibbs nodded at the younger man, remaining stoically silent as he flipped the French bread over in the skillet, "How is he doing? I saw the TV on in the den, but I didn't want to go in there unless you said it was okay…" McGee inquired, over the past year, McGee had also noticed the monumental differences in Tony, Pre-Gibbs and Post-Gibbs, and knew that his best friend needed space whenever things brought him down to his knees, or even further, in this case.
Gibbs shook his head, sighing noisily as he transferred the toast to the plate, pouring the berry compote over top and spraying whipped cream over top, "Not good, not good at all… I wouldn't recommend going in there right now." Gibbs said as he broke pieces of chocolate up into the boiling milk and whisked it rapidly until it was melted perfectly, "Have you found anything on Luca yet?" Gibbs asked, glancing over his shoulder at McGee who was looking worriedly in the direction of the den.
McGee nodded slowly "Yes, and it's not good boss… We were able to track him from Main, but we lost him about five miles from the crash site…" McGee said quietly, rubbing at his head tiredly.
Gibbs inhaled deeply, gripping at the countertop tightly "That… that's unacceptable McGee, I want him found… NOW!" Gibbs shouted, turning and pinning the young agent with a deadly glare, something he hadn't needed to use in quite a long time.
Tony shook his head as he came into the kitchen "Stop yelling at him, it's not his fault Jethro! He and the team are doing the best they can!" Tony exclaimed, his voice low but firm in his tone as he grabbed the plate and mug of hot chocolate, he turned to McGee and smiled, one that barely reached his eyes "You're doing just fine McGee, just don't give up hope… I'm sure that you will find him…" Tony whispered as he turned back to the den, disappearing through the pocket doors that were barely opened.
Gibbs frowned as he watched Tony leave the kitchen "I'm sorry McGee… It's just… I hate it when he's not his normally happy self…" Gibbs said quietly, staring down at the counter top.
McGee shook his head, waving off Gibbs' apology "I understand boss. You've always gotten a little more… snappy… when Tony isn't the bubbly and vibrant person that we know him to be." McGee said, grinning sheepishly as he looked up at the older man "I'm just going to set-up my laptop in here, and continue looking for Luca… you go comfort Tony and get him back to himself." McGee said as he pulled his laptop out of the bag and set it down, watching as Gibbs cleaned up the kitchen rather quickly and then disappeared into the den, pulling the pocket doors shut fully.
Gibbs slid in behind Tony, wrapping his arms around the younger man's stomach, "You didn't eat much, guess I should have only made one slice, huh?" Gibbs asked, running his fingers gently up and down Tony's stomach.
Tony nodded as he snuggled into Gibbs' chest, "S'okay, I drank all of the hot chocolate though… You did good." Tony whispered as the two men adjusted on the couch, lying down on their sides as they watched Free Fall together.
Gibbs smiled as he kissed the back of Tony's neck softly "I'm glad I made it right, do you want some more?" Gibbs asked softly, continuing to gently caress Tony's stomach in a soothing pattern.
Tony shook his head, snuggling deeper against Gibbs' body, tucking both of his legs between Gibbs' legs "No, I'm good for now." Tony said, his voice still low as he laid his head against Gibbs' bicep, keeping his eyes glued to the TV screen, although unseeingly staring at the movie instead of actually watching it.
Gibbs frowned as he rested his head against Tony's, "How are you feeling?" Gibbs asked, looking between the TV and Tony's blank expression.
Tony shrugged as he turned over onto his back, looking up at Gibbs with tears in his eyes, "I uhm… I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling right now. I'm pissed, I'm scared… and something else that I can't quite put into words…" Tony whispered as he turned again, this time tucking his head against Gibbs' chest, the tears in his eyes now unabashedly sliding down his cheeks as silent sobs shook the younger man's body.
Gibbs held onto Tony as tightly as possible, letting his husband expend the emotions out into his chest. Gibbs kept a steady rhythm of his hand moving up and down Tony's back as the younger man sobbed into Gibbs' chest, softly whispering words of comfort against Tony's forehead until the sobs slowly began subsiding, and Tony fell asleep in the comfort of his husband's arms.
McGee quietly came into the den two hours later, noticing that Tony was passed out against Gibbs' chest, and Gibbs was still holding Tony and rubbing the younger man's back the same way he'd been doing the entire time. McGee walked over to the coffee table and sat down in front of Gibbs.
Gibbs looked up at McGee expectantly, McGee sighed and shook his head "I was able to find him again, but… the guy is… Illusive as hell, boss. All I know is that he's somewhere in Virginia right now, but I have the team searching every traffic cam and security cam in Virginia… We're not going to let him get away." McGee reported, keeping his voice barely above a whisper as to not disturb Tony.
Gibbs nodded slightly "That's good work McGee, you can leave… Just make sure you lock the back door and front door before you leave." Gibbs said softly as he shifted on the couch, getting into a semi-comfortable position with Tony still tightly wrapped around his body.
McGee nodded as he patted Gibbs' shoulder affectionately, leaving the den to do as he was asked, then the house just as quietly as he'd come in three hours ago. Tony shifted slightly, sniffling as he opened his eyes and looked up at Gibbs, "We… don't have to stay on the couch…" Tony whispered, his voice deep and rough from the sleep and crying he'd done earlier.
Gibbs nodded as he kissed Tony's forehead, "Alright, let's go upstairs. Do you want to bring a few DVD's upstairs with us?" Gibbs asked softly. Tony shook his head as he rolled off the couch and shuffled up the stairs. Gibbs sighed as he turned off the TV, then all of the downstairs lights as he followed his husband up to the master bedroom.
Gibbs sighed as he pushed the bedroom door shut and stripped down to his boxers as he walked to the bed. Tony was already in bed, curled up on his side and hugging a pillow tightly to his chest, Gibbs crawled in and scooted himself flush up against Tony's back, he slid one arm around Tony's stomach, and slid the other underneath Tony's neck, "I love you Tony." Gibbs whispered against the back of Tony's neck, lying a gentle kiss against the flesh beneath his lips.
Tony nodded as he interlocked his fingers with Gibbs' fingers on his stomach, "Love you too Jethro… and… thank you, for not pushing… just being there for me." Tony whispered as he laid his head down in the curve of Gibbs' elbow, inhaling shakily as he closed his eyes.
After several silent minutes, feeling Tony shift restlessly in the bed several times, Gibbs sighed as he opened his eyes and looked at the back of Tony's head, "What can I do?" Gibbs asked, kneading his fingers into the firm muscles of Tony's stomach.
"Make love to me?" Tony questioned, turning over onto his back and looking up at Gibbs with a frown on his face, his bottom lip quivering as he gripped at Gibbs' side.
"Are you sure?" Gibbs asked as he looked into his husband's eyes, noticing the terrified look in them. Tony nodded mutely as he leaned up slightly, pressing his lips to Gibbs' lips, kissing him desperately.
Gibbs slowly turned onto his back, pulling Tony with him and holding onto them as they continued kissing. Tony let out a needy whimper as he straddled Gibbs' lap, rocking and grinding against the growing erection encased in Gibbs' boxers. Gibbs groaned slightly as he set his hands against Tony's hips, gently kneading into the trim muscles there.
Tony broke off the kiss, resting his forehead against Gibbs' shoulder as they continued rocking against each other, "Do you wanna prepare yourself, or do you want me to do it?" Gibbs asked softly as he ran his hands up and down Tony's back slowly, Tony mumbled into Gibbs' shoulder, then rolled off the older man, lying on his back and shimmying out of his boxers.
Gibbs stripped his boxers off, then grabbed the lube off the nightstand, rolling over onto his side, he set the lube between his and Tony's body, then gently caressed up Tony's thigh, he leaned his head over, pressing loving kisses against Tony's chest and stomach, slowly working his way down until his lips were hovering above Tony's cock.
Tony bit back his bottom lip as he watched Gibbs push his cock out of the way, a low moan rumbling in his throat as Gibbs kissed and suckled at Tony's perineum, then slowly trailed his tongue to Tony's hole. Tony clenched his fists around the sheets, his back arching off the bed as Gibbs swirled his tongue expertly around the ring of muscle, "Oh god…" Tony moaned out, his body writhing and thrashing on the bed.
Gibbs pressed his hand against Tony's stomach, keeping the younger man still on the mattress, his other hand grabbing the lube as he opened it and poured some onto his fingertips, slowly and easily slipping three fingers into Tony's hole, stretching and scissoring his fingers as he trailed his tongue up the underside of Tony's cock, his lips suctioning around the head as he sucked and swallowed Tony down inch-by-inch.
Tony carded his fingers through Gibbs' hair, lightly yanking on the silver threads. Gibbs grinned as he released Tony's cock and slowly moved up to his knees, he grabbed the lube once more, laying a thick coat of the lubrication onto his cock and removing his fingers from Tony's entrance, "Love you Tony." Gibbs whispered as he pressed the head of his cock at Tony's opening, slowly pushing in as he tossed the lube to the side, interlocking his fingers with Tony's as he leaned into Tony, their lips connecting in soft and sensual kisses as Gibbs rocked his hips forward, pushing himself deeper into Tony with each slow thrust.
Tony let out a needy moan as he wrapped his legs high around Gibbs' back, his fingers tightly clenching around Gibbs' fingers as his husband picked up the pace a bit more, thrusting deeply and slowly into Tony's body, twisting his hips every few thrusts, causing the needy moans and whimpers to grow louder. Tony arched and writhed restlessly on the bed as he gripped tighter around Gibbs' fingers, "Fuck… Please… please…" Tony babbled out incoherently, his entire body shuddering with sheer desire.
"What do you need, Tony? Tell me…" Gibbs whispered huskily as he continued thrusting slow and deep into Tony.
Tony whimpered as he bit back his bottom lip, "Rougher… please… I…I… wanna feel you… all of you…" Tony pleaded, looking up into Gibbs' eyes with tears dancing in his own.
Gibbs sighed as he pulled out, he grabbed Tony by the hips and flipped him over, then shoved a pillow underneath Tony's hips, and then thrusted himself back in deeply and roughly, pressing his palms into the mattress as he set the pace for a deep, slow but rough fuck.
Tony cried out, a mixture of pleasure and pain, as Gibbs began gradually thrusting faster into Tony. Loud grunts, flesh slapping against flesh, and Tony's whimpering cries filled the air around the two men, until Tony screamed out Gibbs' name, and without a single hand touching his cock, his come exploded out onto the pillow. Gibbs grunted a few more times as he thrusted short jabs into Tony, his own release spilling out and filling Tony.
Gibbs huffed out a breath of air as he pulled away from Tony and collapsed onto the bed, he looked over at Tony and smiled sadly at the younger man who was now curled up around the come-covered pillow, "Come here…" Gibbs said softly as he pulled Tony away from the pillow and against his chest.
Tony curled up around Gibbs' body, sobbing into the older man's side and holding onto his husband as tightly as possible. Gibbs rubbed his hands up and down Tony's side and back until the younger man settled back down, "I've got you Tony, I'm not going to let anything happen to you… I promise you." Gibbs said softly, kissing the top of Tony's head as he settled back into the bed, holding Tony closely and protectively until they fell asleep together. Neither man knowing that just outside of their house, a black SUV was parked down the road, watching the shadows that were in the bedroom window until the lights went out.
