Title: You Notice Everything Chapter 4
Slash/Mature: Don't like, don't read.
Summary: At the Reception for Delilah and Tim, a surprise guest shows up. Like always, Gibbs notices everything.
Includes some spoilers for Episode 23 "Something Blue."
All mistakes are mine, this has not been proofed.
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They were sitting at a table on the outdoor patio of a little café in the middle of nowhere enjoying a meal. The conversation never stop it flowed so naturally and so easily that Tony was both elated an annoyed by it. It reminded him of years gone by when steak dinners were an every week occurrence and then reminded him of the distance that had developed between them in the last year or so that he was at NCIS.
"How in the world did you find this place?" Tony asked again glancing around the outdoor patio of the little bistro in the middle of nowhere.
"I was out driving around and got hungry this is the first place that I found."
"Why in the world were you driving around out in the middle of nowhere?" Tony guffawed.
"Sometimes a drive to nowhere helps to clear the mind."
"The boat isn't enough anymore?"
Gibbs took another bite of his sandwich then changed the subject, ignoring the question. "Are you still doing the consulting?"
Tony nodded. "I work with the Paris Police now and then. I get more work from Private Investigators and divorce attorneys." He saw Gibbs' eyebrow go up. "It's easy for a tourist dad with his little girl to snap pictures as if he's on vacation than some PI to hide in a car and try and take them."
Gibbs chuckled and nodded.
"I know this has pretty much been about me." Tony paused. "But how are you doing?"
"Good." Gibbs said as he took a sip of coffee.
"That's it, that's all I get?"
Gibbs shrugged. "You talk to Abby every week, I'm sure you know pretty much everything."
"She tells me the basics when it comes to you."
"I'm a pretty basic man."
"Yes, you are, but still." Tony knew it came out with more of an annoying tone than he intended.
"I work come home work on the boat, eat in there sometimes and sleep when I absolutely have to."
"So nothing's changed." Tony chuckled.
"One important thing has changed…you're not here."
Tony drew back surprised as he stared into the blue eyes. "You actually miss me? Notice that I'm gone even with all the new faces around to take my place?"
"No one is taking your place they're filling a job position. And yes, I miss you. " Gibbs paused trying to stop himself from adding the next two words, but they spilled out unwillingly. "Very much."
"Gibbs." The name came out as a sad whisper as Tony looked away, unable to take the intensity of Gibbs gaze. Tony rubbed his forehead. "I know I haven't been the greatest at keeping in touch, random calls here and there, but I miss you, all of you. It's just been-"
"I know." Gibbs paused. "Believe me I do." Clearing his throat, he tried to lighten the mood. "What's Tali going to think of Abba's new look."
Tony felt as if more needed to be said, but he knew if Gibbs wasn't willing to talk there was no sense trying. "With her you just never know." Tony lit up as he spoke of Tali. "She may not even notice, especially with everyone fawning all over her."
"It's okay if you wanna call her or video whatever."
"No, I mean I do but it's good for her to be out having fun." Tony picked at the few chips still left on his plate. "If she needed me Abby would have called." He gave a smile to Gibbs. "Trying to take the advice a friend just gave me."
Gibbs glanced at his watch. "How about we get a coffee to go and head back to Senior's."
Tony looked at his own watch realizing how late it was getting. "Sounds good."
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The drive back was spent with Tony sharing stories of Tali and their time in Israel and Paris. To Gibbs the time flew by and before he knew it, he was pulling into the parking lot at Senior's. They made their way up to the apartment and walking inside it was silent. Tony tossed his key on the stand just inside the door.
"I can make some coffee or there's beer or Bourbon."
"I'm good." Gibbs stood just inside the doorway.
"Thanks for today." Tony smiled.
Gibbs nodded.
"Why does this suddenly feel like the end of the night of a first date?" Tony suddenly started laughing. "That moment where you're like should I kiss him or shouldn't I."
Gibbs forced himself to chuckle.
They heard a commotion in the hallway and Gibbs stepped away from the door knowing what was about to happen. The door opened and the group poured in, Tali in the lead. Her eyes lit up and she smiled the instant she saw Tony.
"Abba!" She roared as she ran to him and was swooped up in his arms.
"There's my girl." Tony smiled kissing her cheek. "Did you have fun today?"
She nodded repeated then stopped as she stared at Tony her head slightly cocked. Her two little hands went to Tony's cheeks and she smiled. "You are beautiful, Abba."
The group let out a collective aah.
"Still not as beautiful as you, yaqar." He kissed her forehead and she hugged his neck tightly.
"What's yaqar?" Abby asked.
"Precious." Senior answered and the group looked at him. "He's been calling her that since the beginning."
"She's right though." Tim added. "You look great."
"Thanks Tim." Tony sighed. "I feel a lot better."
"We had so much fun." Abby couldn't contain her excitement any longer. "We had breakfast at the diner then went to the park were we played with some puppies."
"Oh I bet you loved that." Tony looked at Tali.
"Then we hit Barston's for some toy shopping, and to-"
"I drove a car and went round and round on the horsey."
Tony's brow furrowed. "You drove a car?"
"We went to Clemyjonti Park. They have those kid cars and carousal." Abby talked with her hands. "She loved the carousal. She just wanted to ride the horsey."
"Was it a pretty horsey?"
"White." Tali smiled. "It went up and down and round and round."
Tony chuckled as he put her down and she ran to Delilah. She put her hand on Delilah's belly. "There's a baby in there." Tali said eyes wide.
"Yes there is." Tony looked at Delilah.
"Sorry, she's fascinated with me being pregnant." Delilah put her hand over Tali's on her belly. "Do you think it's a boy or girl?"
"Boy." Tali answered excitedly. "He's going to be my boyfriend."
Tony's eyebrow went up. "No boyfriends until you're forty."
"Wouldn't that be adorable though?" Delilah sighed. "Our kids growing up together and getting married." She realized what she'd said and saw the look on Tony's face. "They can video chat and we can visit…I love Paris."
"I'd love for you two to visit, well three when that little one gets here." Tony gave Delilah and Tim a smile.
Having grown bored with the adult's conversation, Tali went to Gibbs. "Juice." She said taking his hand trying to pull him with her. When he didn't budge, she laughed. "Hey." She looked up at him as he stared down at her. "May I have juice?" She asked.
"Tali I can-" Tony went to say he would get it when Gibbs glanced over at him.
"Gibbs." She looked up at him with the crooked smile and cocked head.
Gibbs smirked. God she reminded him of Ziva. Then she smiled and made a funny face. And there was Tony.
Seeing the smile that came to his face, she pulled his hand again and this time he followed her as she led him to the kitchen. She stopped when they reached the fridge and looked up at him. Her eyes went big and she laughed as she was lifted into the air and into his arms.
Gibbs opened the fridge and looked at the two bottles of juice then back at her.
"Apple." She answered without being asked.
"Good choice." He winked taking it out of the fridge and closing the door.
"Up there." She pointed to a cabinet again without being asked the question.
Opening the cabinet there was a pink plastic cup with flowers all over it and he grabbed it. Putting it on the counter he filled it half way with juice. He sat her on the counter in front of him and handed her the juice. She took a drink then looked at him. "Not supposed to sit on the counter."
"Well I think Abba will let you this one time as long as I stay here with you."
She held the cup out offering him some.
He shook his head. "I'm good."
She pushed it towards him. "Drink."
Gibbs sighed and took the cup taking a little sip.
Her face lit up and she took the cup back and took another drink. She grinned and made a face.
He raised an eyebrow then scrunched up his face and stuck out his tongue.
She giggled and made another face.
Gibbs did the same and she giggled again. Then he heard the stifled chuckled from behind him. He turned and saw Tony leaning his shoulder against the wall leading into the kitchen, a wide grin on his face.
"She can go on like this for hours."
"I'm sure she can." Gibbs snickered as he picked up Tali and put her down.
She quickly emptied the glass and handed it to Gibbs. "Thank you." With that she ran off to the living room. He put the cup in the sink and leaned back against the counter.
"You and kids, it's so natural, they just take to you."
Gibbs shrugged.
"I know no BS, honesty."
"Yeah."
"I think everyone is getting ready to leave." Tony stood up and was about to turn around and go back to the living room.
"You have plans for tomorrow?"
Tony turned back around. "Not yet."
"The zoo, the alligator exhibit, I thought Tali would like it."
"She'd love it."
"I didn't wanna say anything to her until I talked to you."
"Did you just want to take Tali?" Tony tried to hide a grin.
Gibbs rolled his eyes.
"Sharing juice, making facing at each other, pretty soon she's gonna want you to be her boyfriend." This time the grin engulfed Tony's face.
Another eye roll as Gibbs shook his head.
"We'd love to go to the zoo."
"Good."
"Tony, we're heading out." Abby's voice bellowed in from the living room.
"Coming." Tony hollered back. "Can you stay once everyone leaves and we can tell Tali about the zoo?"
Gibbs nodded.
Tony headed towards the living room to say goodbye.
Gibbs came in a few seconds later, thanking everyone for their help.
"Any time you need a sitter while you're here." Tim chimed in. "We'd love to watch Tali."
"It's good practice, right." Tony patted Tim shoulder. "You're gonna be a great dad."
"Thanks." Tim hugged Tony. "Glad you finally made it back, even if it is just for a short visit."
"It's good to be back."
With another offer from Abby to babysit and hugs from everyone for Tali, the three finally made their way out of the apartment.
Cradled in one of Tony's arms, Tali had her arms around his neck. "Gibbs has a question for you?" Tony said to her and she looked over at Gibbs.
"I thought you and Abba might like to go to the zoo with me tomorrow."
Her eyes got big. "The zoo?"
"They have alligators." Gibbs added.
"Can we pet them?"
"No." Gibbs and Tony said in unison.
"But you'll see them up close." Gibbs explained.
"I wanna go!" Tali exclaimed.
"Well, the princess has spoken." Tony smiled. "The zoo it is."
"These alligators are behind glass or something right?" Senior asked from his position on the couch.
Tony and Gibbs looked over at Senior.
"What, you're taking my granddaughter around an animal that takes children from beaches. I can be concerned."
"Dad." Tony rolled his eyes.
"That's my cue." Gibbs snickered.
"Yeah, thanks." Tony stuck out his tongue.
"Night." Tali let go of Tony and reached out to Gibbs.
Hugging the little girl he kissed her temple. "Night you."
Falling back against Tony's chest she sighed.
"Someone's getting sleepy." Tony looked at Gibbs. "What time tomorrow?"
"Around ten, if that works."
"Ten it is."
Opening the door, Gibbs had taken a step when he felt the hand on his arm and stopped.
"I know I've already said it, but-"
"Get some sleep." Gibbs cut in. "We're going to have a busy day at the zoo tomorrow."
"Alliegators!" Tali perked up.
"Aliegattors." Gibbs repeated her mispronunciation. "Night Tony."
"Night Gibbs." Tony slowly closed the door behind the older man and walked back into the living room. "I'm gonna put her down for a nap." He carried Tali into the spare room and emerged a few minutes later. He dropped down on the other end of the couch.
"Seems like you had a good day." Senior looked at his son.
"I did." Tony leaned back. "I really did."
"Good enough to want to stay."
"Dad." Tony groaned.
"What? This is your family." Senior scoffed. "They miss you. They would love to have you here."
Tony leaned forward and ran his hands down his face.
"There's nothing keeping you in Paris, why not be here with family."
"We've talked about this."
"No I've talked, you've given excuses."
"Dad please." Tony sighed. "Not now."
Senior seemed about to back off. "You're happier here, I can tell, but if you want to keep making excuses that's fine."
Tony rubbed his forehead then flopped back onto the couch.
"Bourbon."
"God yes."
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Walking into the house, Gibbs dropped his keys on the table, threw his phone down beside them and flopped face first down onto the couch. He laid there a minute, then rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. He's leaving again. The words had been on repeat in his brain since he'd left Senior's. He's leaving again. Tony was only here for a visit, how long Gibbs hadn't even asked. He didn't want to know, didn't want to have a day were he knew they would say goodbye again. How long would it be this time, another year, maybe two before Tony made a visit back? Rubbing his temples, Gibbs tried to calm the dull ache that threatened to become a full blown headache. And tomorrow…tomorrow would be worse.
No it wouldn't, because he wouldn't let it. Tomorrow would be about Tali and that's what he would focus on instead. He laid there for hours trying to convince himself…convince himself he could make it about Tali and forget about Tony and everything else. Yet he still wasn't convinced even as he finally fell asleep.