Four Days
Chapter 6
Thank you for all the reviews and enjoying the story. Can't wait to find out what everyone thinks of this chapter :)
Again, a huge thanks to Srienia for all the amazing hard work on beta reading this story for me.
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"Hey." Conor waved as Tony and Gibbs walked onto the balcony patio.
"Looks good." Tony said, taking the empty seat next to Michelle, forcing Gibbs into the seat next to Conor. "I'm starved."
Taking the only open seat, Gibbs sat down next to Conor. A second later a plate was prepared and placed in front of him and Tony by a servant.
Without a word, Tony started to eat, refusing to look up, knowing Anna was across the table just waiting to say something about earlier.
Conor nudged Gibbs' shoulder. "I'm telling you, the pool is so much better for having sex." Conor nodded. "It has a heated and non-heated section."
Tony's head dropped forward, his chin touching his chest as he overheard the comment. Jerking his head up, he bellowed. "We did not have sex in the hot tub, so everyone can just move on!"
Ian sat back in his chair. "So you were just dry humping like two teenagers?"
Tony shook his head and heard Gibbs snicker. He glared over at the older man. "Don't encourage them!"
Again, Conor nudged Gibbs' shoulder. "Our third daughter was conceived in the pool."
"CONOR!" Rachael slapped his arm.
"What?" Conor looked at her and shrugged.
"Anna just needs to learn what sex looks like." Tony raised an eyebrow. "Been that long that you forget?"
Ooohhh echoed around the table.
Anna leaned across the table towards Tony. "Excuse me? You're in Jethro's lap, rocking back and forth and up and down, you're asking him does that feel good." She grinned. "That would look and sound like sex to anyone."
Tony rolled his eyes.
"She's right." Conor nodded.
Running his hands down his face, Tony groaned. Why did he even try?
"Jethro, you've been awfully quiet about all this." Anna grinned.
Gibbs shook his head. "I know when I'm outnumbered."
"Smart." Conor chuckled. "Tony hasn't learned that yet."
The lights surrounding the balcony went on as the darkness grew thicker around them. Anna clapped. "Time for the surprise."
"Saved by the lights." Michelle winked at Tony.
Standing Tony held out his hand to Gibbs. "Follow us."
"Where?"
"Surprise." Tony smiled.
Gibbs took Tony's hand and stood up
"Are we going too?" Conor asked, looking at his wife.
Rachael groaned. "I am not going up all those stairs."
Gibbs gave Tony a puzzled look.
"We're going up, all the way up." Tony tried to explain without giving it away to Gibbs.
"I'm in." Ian said standing up.
"Me too." Michelle jumped up. "One of my favorite places in the house."
Anna, Rachael, Ian and Michelle led the way with Tony still holding Gibbs' hand and leading him up the stairs. Then up more stairs, and even more stairs until they finally stepped into a large round room with a domed roof at the top of the house. There was a huge telescope in the middle of the room.
"Here we go." Anna grinned as she pushed a button and the ceiling opened up to the night sky.
"Hell of a view." Gibbs said standing behind Tony, looking up at the stars.
"It is." Tony turned back to Gibbs and smiled.
"We all used to sleep up here as kids in the summer." Anna sighed. "It was amazing."
"God it was." Tony smiled, feeling the heat from Gibbs' body behind him.
"Even as an adult it's still amazing to see all the stars." Anna said as she continued to stare out at the night sky.
Tony leaned back against Gibbs, the strong arms circling his waist and pulling him deeper into the embrace. Tony let out a contented sigh, his fingers brushed back and forth over Gibbs' arms.
Gibbs' lips pressed a gentle kiss against Tony's neck feeling the body shiver in his arms.
"Anyone want to look through the telescope?" Anna asked.
"Sure." Tony slipped from Gibbs' arms and towards the telescope.
"Jethro you should look at this." Tony smiled over at him.
"Yeah sure." Tony stepped aside letting Gibbs look through the lens.
"Amazing isn't it?" Tony asked.
Gibbs looked away from the telescope and over at Tony. "Yes."
Tony grinned. "I was talking about the stars."
"Who says I wasn't talking about the stars." Gibbs smirked.
They both heard the muffled laughter and rolled their eyes.
"Sorry, you two are just too cute." Michelle grinned.
Gibbs took a step back away from the telescope.
"Maybe you two should sleep up here tonight." Anna chimed in. "The blankets and pillows are still in the trunk over there." She nodded towards a trunk across the room.
Tony rolled his eyes again.
Walking over to him, Anna hugged his arm. "Remember all the fun we had up here?"
"Yeah." Tony sighed, kissing the top of her head.
"And all the deep conversations." She smiled up at him.
Tony nodded.
She glanced over at Gibbs, then back at Tony. "You got your wish."
Another nod.
Anna saw the look from Gibbs. "He wanted a man that loved him unconditionally, flaws and all. Someone that saw past the jokes and-"
Tony put his hand over her mouth. "He gets it."
She nodded and Tony removed his hand.
"Who's next?" Stepping back, Tony inadvertently backed right into Gibbs and was drawn into the older man's arms. This night needed to end, all he could think about was wanting to be alone with Gibbs again, alone in bed, tangled in each other's arms.
"We're heading back down." Anna grinned at Tony. "Why don't you two stay up here awhile?"
"No." Tony shook his head. "I'm pretty tired, it's been a long day."
"Right." Ian smirked.
"Aren't you tired?" Tony asked, turning in Gibbs' arms and gazing intently into the blue eyes.
"Um, yeah." Gibbs nodded, knowing Tony would not accept any other answer.
"Well, then you two better get some sleep." Like Anna believed that. Heading down the steps, everyone stopped at Gibbs and Tony's room.
"Night." Tony smiled, hand on the door knob.
"Night you two." Michelle smirked.
"Sleep well." Anna winked kissing Tony's cheek.
Tony waited for everyone to disappear from view, then stepped into the room, Gibbs about to close the door behind them.
"Seems like all of you had fun up-" Gibbs next word was swallowed by Tony's lips as he was slammed against the door, forcing it closed behind him.
Tony's hands were already working on unbuttoning Gibbs' shirt. "Your skin, against mine." Tony groaned, breaking their kiss just long enough to speak before devouring Gibbs' mouth again. Finally reaching the last button, he grabbed Gibbs by the shirt and dragged him towards the bed, never letting their lips part. At the edge of the bed, he tore the shirt down Gibbs arms and shoved Gibbs down onto the mattress.
Crawling further up onto the bed, Gibbs watched as Tony stalked up his body. Straddling his hips, Tony's hands caressed up his bare chest, then the younger man descended, capturing his lips yet again. Gibbs' hands reached around and drifted up under the back of Tony's shirt clawing at the flesh of Tony's back.
Wanting more, Tony's hands left Gibbs' chest jerking Gibbs' belt open, then opening the jeans within seconds.
Ripping their lips apart, Gibbs tried to speak. "Tony, I-" He gasped, losing his thought as Tony shoved a hand into his pants and boxers grabbing his cock. He thrust into Tony's hand. "Fuck."
"Actually." Tony nipped at Gibbs' neck. "I was thinking more of sucking." Drawing back, he grinned down at Gibbs. "You can fuck me after that." He paused, unsure of the look in Gibbs' eyes. "Or maybe you would rather just fuck me."
Yanking Tony's hand from his cock, Gibbs tugged the shirt over Tony's head, refusing to deal with the buttons, he tossed it across the room. Rolling them over, Gibbs gazed down at Tony as his fingers tried to unbutton Tony's jeans.
When Gibbs failed the third time, Tony realized that Gibbs' hand was shaking slightly. "Jethro, are you nervous?" He touched Gibbs' cheek. "It's just me."
"Yeah."
Taking Gibbs' hand he placed it on his denim covered cock and Gibbs instantly squeezed, causing them both to moan. "Feel how hard you make me?"
"God yes." Gibbs squeezed again.
"I want you." Tony growled, staring into the steel blue eyes and realizing something else was wrong. "What's wrong? Too fast...did you change your mind?"
"No." Gibbs sighed, seeing the fear in Tony's eyes. "I want you."
Tony looked at Gibbs confused. "Then what?" He shook his head. "I've never seen you this tentative about anything, it's like you've never-" Tony stopped, his mouth dropping open as realization set in. "You've never-oh God-I just- This is what you were trying to tell me? Earlier and in the hot tub."
"Yeah."
"Did you think it would matter to me?" Tony asked.
Gibbs shook his head.
"Then what is it?" Tony's hand continued to caress Gibbs' cheek. "Are you afraid or not sure what to do?"
"Tony." Gibbs rolled his eyes as he slipped off of Tony and down onto the bed.
Taking a deep breath, Tony crawled onto Gibbs' body, straddling his hips again. "This is a situation where you need to open your mouth and talk to me."
Why was this so hard to say? Gibbs had played out this scenario in his head countless times. Knew exactly what he should say, wanted to say, needed to say. The problem was he was great at playing the scenario out in his head, but when it came to actually opening his mouth and speaking, everything went to hell in a handbasket. There was a reason he didn't talk about his emotions, because he sucked at it. Everything always came out wrong.
Seeing it was going to take more coaxing, Tony asked a question. "You said you were going to tell me how you felt, why? What changed that you were ready to tell me?"
"I was tired of not being happy." Gibbs sighed, staring into those sparkling green eyes. "Of having you in my life, but not in the way I wanted."
A soft tender smile played across Tony's lips, surprised by Gibbs honesty. "I'm here now and I want you."
"I know."
Tony still heard the trepidation in Gibbs' voice, an underlying concern. "So what is it, the sex? I mean there's really no difference. You've had anal sex before right?" For some reason, Tony felt like the sex was what had Gibbs unnerved.
"Yeah." The annoyance returned to Gibbs' voice. "I know how to have sex Tony, doesn't matter that you're a man."
"Then what the hell is it?" Tony's own annoyance creeping in. "Is there something else you need to tell me, you have some freakish fetish, you can't have sex in an unfamiliar bed, you want the lights off? Just tell me, because I've pretty much been begging you to just fuck me since the hot tub and I'm not sure what else I need to do here to get this ball rolling!"
Grabbing Tony by the upper arms, Gibbs threw the younger man down on the bed, glaring angrily down into the shocked green eyes. "When I said I was going to tell you how I felt, it wasn't just telling you I wanted you. I love you." He growled. "And "just fucking you" isn't an option, at least not for me."
The air rushed from Tony's lungs and he couldn't get his body to refill them.
"Do you get that?" Gibbs hissed through clenched teeth.
Somehow Tony managed to nod.
"I know you have feelings for me." Some of the tension left Gibbs' jaw. "But if those feelings are based just on sex." Gibbs shook his head and let go of Tony's arms. "I can't do this, because I can't separate loving you and just having sex with you... I can't do that and I won't."
Tony was still, his heart and mind trying to process what he had just heard. Taking a deep breath, his hand caressed up Gibbs' chest and around his neck, then gently drew the older man's face towards him. His eyes closed as his lips swept across Gibbs' in a soft brief kiss. Drawing back, he waited for Gibbs' eyes to open. As their gaze met, Tony whispered. "Make love to me."
Looking down into the eyes of the man he loved, part of Gibbs wanted to hear more, wanted to hear Tony say the three words it had taken him so many years to say himself. Still, he knew the love was there, knew part of the reason it was so difficult for Tony to say the words, but the words would come, he hoped. And Gibbs would do everything within his power to make sure Tony knew how much he was loved.
Never letting his eyes leave Tony's, Gibbs undid Tony's jeans one handed, popping the button, then slowly gliding the zipper down over the younger man's hard cock.
Biting at his lower lip with a sly smile, Tony sensed the change in Gibbs, felt it in every little movement the older man made. The tentativeness was gone.
Dipping down, Gibbs placed a kiss on Tony's shoulder, kissing across to his neck then down his chest to his stomach stopping at his belly button. The whole time listening and learning the spots that made Tony sigh, whimper, and squirm under his kiss. Then he ascended back up, making sure to kiss each and every one of those sensitive spots. Looking back down into the face of the man he loved, his hands had their turn touching every inch of Tony's torso. His fingers feathered up Tony's rib cage causing the younger man's body to shiver when he hit a ticklish spot. Caressing across Tony's chest, his hands paused momentarily as his thumbs brushed across Tony's nipples. Gibbs smiled when he heard and felt Tony's sharp intake of breath and the nubs hardened under his touch. Continuing his exploration, his hands moved on, brushing across Tony's stomach, his fingers skimming across the waist of Tony's jeans.
Arching up, Tony tried to encourage Gibbs to explore further south.
"Roll over."
The touch of Gibbs' hand at his hip made Tony obey. Gibbs shifted to allow Tony to turn. Once he was lying on his stomach, Gibbs straddled one of Tony's legs. Tony whimpered, when he felt the kiss at the small of his back.
Gibbs placed his hands at the top of Tony's hips, his fingers caressing the younger man's rib cage, his thumbs following a path along either side of Tony's spine, while his lips were kissing and licking directly over Tony's spine. He moaned against Tony's skin as he felt the muscles under his hands and lips contract and relax as he crawled up Tony's body. Reaching the back of Tony's neck, Gibbs let his breath whisper across the nape of Tony's neck causing Tony to shiver.
Tony felt the slight shift as Gibbs moved, then the hand nudged at his hip again and he instinctively rolled over.
"Rise up."
Lifting his hips, Tony helped shimmy his jeans down over his hips and legs, using his feet he pushed them the rest of the way off. Instantly, Gibbs slipped back between his open legs, standing there on his knees.
Gibbs' eyes slowly traveled down the length of Tony's naked body, then back up. He shook his head. "Amazing." The word came out breathless and needy.
"Jethro." It was little more than a whimper as Tony's hands reached up caressing Gibbs' chest.
Leaning back down, Gibbs kissed Tony's forehead, down his nose, then stopped just before reaching Tony's lips. His blue eyes capturing green, Tony's eyes filled with an unusual mixture of desire, unmet need and apprehension. All Gibbs could think about was wanting to kiss the apprehension away. He let his lips sweep across Tony's, the younger man trying desperately to hold onto the embrace. Gibbs' fingertip traced down Tony's jaw line.
"I knew after kissing you in the lake..." Gibbs sighed. "That I would never want to kiss anyone else again."
"Please."
The word carried like a prayer through the air and Gibbs answered. He seized Tony's lips, wanting to discover every way Tony liked to be kissed. Tender and gentle at first, he felt Tony's fingers softly touch his ribcage drifting around to lightly caress his back. His own body shivered at the feather light touch. Letting the passion build, Gibbs' kiss turned demanding as his tongue brushed across Tony's lips and was eagerly given entrance. He tasted the sweet minty flavor of Tony, memorizing it as he had done with every touch of Tony's body. When he felt Tony's tongue mingle with his, the kiss turned hungry, his hand clutching at the side of Tony's neck.
Tony's touch intensified, his fingers clawing up Gibbs' spine then clawing at the older man's shoulders.
Again, Gibbs' body shivered, the desire causing his entire body to burn with need. He forced himself to pull back.
"Take these off, please." Tony pleaded, tugging at Gibbs' jeans. "I need to feel you against me."
Replacing Tony's hand, Gibbs removed his jeans and boxers, dropping them beside the bed. Slowly, he let the length of his body settle against Tony.
Heat, so much heat. Gibbs' body was like fire against his and it caused Tony to draw a sharp breath. But it was the feel of Gibbs' hard cock against his own that made Tony moan and toss his head back.
"God, Jethro." Tony groaned, rocking against Gibbs' need.
"I want you so much." Gibbs tempered the growl that threatened.
"Top drawer, on the left."
Drawing back, Gibbs leaned over to the night stand and opened the top drawer, surprised to find lube and condoms. He looked at Tony.
"I was hoping..." Tony's voice trailed off.
Grabbing what he needed, Gibbs laid it on the bed a few inches from Tony's body. He descended on Tony again, capturing Tony's lips as his fingers skimmed up the inside of Tony's right thigh.
Tony's lips parted with a whimper and Gibbs' tongue devoured Tony's mouth. His fingers brushed against the soft hairs around Tony's cock, swallowing the moan of need from the younger man. His fingers drifted back down Tony's thigh and Tony arched his hips begging Gibbs to stay, to touch him.
Their lips finally parted and Gibbs watched Tony's face as he finally let his fingers brush up the underside of Tony's cock.
Tony's mouth opened in a silent cry as he arched up into the touch. The vision took Gibbs' breath away. Tony's lips swollen and red, the green eyes glazed over with unfulfilled desire, head thrown back, body crying out with silent need.
"Gorgeous." Gibbs growled, unable to stop himself. A hand wrapped around his neck and pulled him back down, Tony stealing Gibbs' lips demanding a kiss. Another growl, as the want, the passion, the yearning in Tony's kiss made Gibbs' entire body hum with the force of its intensity. His cock twitched reminding him that a kiss was not enough, he wanted more, wanted all of Tony.
Reaching out and touching the small bottle, he opened it and somehow managed to get some onto his fingers as he continued to revel in Tony's kiss. His hand found its way between Tony's legs and he gently slipped a finger through the puckered muscle.
Tony moaned with surprise, breaking the kiss and taking a deep breath contracting around the intrusion.
The action caused Gibbs to groan and a second finger joined the first as he relaxed the snug opening. Soon Tony was working back against each of his forward movements.
"Please." Tony pleaded. "I need you, Jethro."
Letting his fingers gradually slip from Tony, Gibbs picked up the condom, ripped it open and slid it on. Tony tried to roll over, but Gibbs' hand pushed down on Tony's hip. "No."
Tony stilled and again Gibbs saw the apprehension. He gently bent Tony's knees, pushing them apart as he crawled between them. His eyes fixed on Tony's, he watched as he guided his cock against Tony's opening. When his head breached the muscle, Gibbs let his upper body fall forward, one hand on the mattress beside Tony's body, the other cupping Tony's cheek.
Gibbs' eyes locked on green as he let the weight of his body gradually draw his cock into Tony.
Slow, so slow, it caused Tony to moan as he felt inch by excruciating inch penetrate him. He rocked his hips up, taking the last of Gibbs' cock into him and purring with satisfaction at how full he felt.
"Good?" Gibbs whispered with a brush of his lips against Tony's.
Tony nodded, still rolling his hips to feel Gibbs' cock move inside him.
Gibbs' forehead touched Tony's, groaning at how amazing the small movements of the man beneath him felt. When Tony's gyration grew more needy, Gibbs finally drew his hips back, his cock inching out slowly.
"Yes, God yes."
Fingers clutched at his ribcage and Gibbs sank back in, the warmth enveloping him again. "God, Tony." Gibbs hissed, creating a calm dreamy pace between their joined bodies.
Tony's eyes slammed closed.
"Tony."
He wanted to ignore the voice, the sound of his name spoken so lovingly, because he knew what Gibbs wanted. Taking a deep breath, Tony let his eyes open and gazed into the intense stare of the blue eyes above him. "Jethro." Tony's voice quivered as his hands clutched at both sides of Gibbs' face.
His eyes waiting for the reaction, Gibbs let his hand engulf Tony's cock, his strokes matching the rhythm of their love making.
A loud gasp as Tony's body trembled, overcome by the combined sensation. Tony panted out the word. "More."
Increasing the speed of both points of contact, Gibbs' own body shook, consumed by the bliss that was Tony.
"So close." Tony whimpered, his eyes still locked on blue.
"Tell me?" Gibbs panted his own release teetering on the edge.
"Harder, you inside me." Tony's legs suddenly wrapped around Gibbs' waist, plunging Gibbs deeper into him. They weren't close enough, Tony wanted their bodies to somehow become one and know that nothing would ever separate them.
Gibbs gasped, battling to contain his own need as he thrust into Tony, searching for that spot. The third downward movement he found it.
Tony screamed, some beastly cry then buried his head in the crook of Gibbs' neck biting down hard stifling a second scream.
The growl was deep from somewhere in the pit of his stomach, Gibbs commanded his body not to give in, even though every fiber of his being wanted to. Warm lips brushed against his neck, then the whispered words.
"I don't want it to end."
"Then hold on." Gibbs whispered back. "As long as you want."
A soft whimper escaped Tony's lips as he allowed his body to continue to revel in the euphoria of Gibbs making love to him. So gently and tenderly, yet full of passionate need and desire bubbling just below the surface. Was this what it was supposed to be like? It was the most exquisite feeling he'd ever experienced. For the first time someone was giving to him, putting him first, instead of just taking what they wanted from him. Without warning, his body started to convulse and the world splintered around him. He clung to the body above him as he descended into the darkness.
"That's it, ride it out." Gibbs sighed, his hand still gently stroking Tony's cock, his hips making quick short thrusts into Tony's trembling body. Over and over, Tony's muscles contracted around Gibbs' cock, driving him over the edge. "Tony!" Gibbs howled as he completely unraveled.
Finally, Tony collapsed on the bed, sprawled out in a heap, physically and emotionally spent. Sleep tugged at him as he heard the whispered 'I love you' against his ear. His eyes closed as he felt the warm cloth on his stomach.
Letting out a sigh, Gibbs smiled as the image of earlier floated through his waking mind. He rolled over and reached out, his eyes popping open when he touched an empty bed. Sitting up, he glanced towards the bathroom. The door was open, the light off. Climbing out of bed, he grabbed his jeans and pulled them on as he looked around the room. Tony's jeans weren't at the end of the bed. Digging through his bag he found a t-shirt and tugged it over his head.
Heading out of the room, Gibbs quietly made his way downstairs. Knowing Tony, he was probably in the kitchen getting a midnight snack.
"Tony?" Gibbs stormed into the kitchen.
"No." The woman looked at him. "Did you lose your boyfriend?"
"Just thought maybe he came down for a snack."
"He's in the observation room." Sasha said, taking a sip of her tea. "Saw him going up there when I was coming down."
"Thanks." Gibbs turned to leave, then stopped and turned back to her. "Why don't you just say or ask whatever it is you want. You've wanted to say something to me since dinner that first night."
Sasha leaned back against the counter. "Whose idea was it to do this boyfriend ruse?" She continued not waiting for an answer. "I'm pretty sure it was yours."
"And why do you say that?" Gibbs asked, figuring he had given something away, showing her that it was an act.
"You love him, wanted to play this little act to show him, see how he would respond."
"And how do you know all that?"
"Because I could tell the minute you went to him on the balcony that you were in love." She shook her head. "Tony, on the other hand, was nervous, uncomfortable, hiding something."
"He didn't know."
"I noticed that." Sasha snickered. "That a requirement for NCIS agents? Being oblivious to what's right in front of them. Because you were clueless about how Tony felt too."
"Yeah." Gibbs rubbed his forehead.
"And you really don't strike me as a man that misses much."
"Normally I don't."
"Emotions have a way of interfering with our normal powers of observation."
He nodded.
"Give it time."
His brow furrowed.
"You know exactly what I mean." Sasha sighed. "You're concerned, still wondering exactly how he feels. You see the fear and apprehension in his eyes. You're wondering why it's there, when you're doing everything in your power to show him how much you love him."
He hated when people could read it.
She chuckled. "Please, it's not really about seeing into your soul. Although, storming in here with that worried look on your face kinda gave it away."
"Yeah." Gibbs chuckled.
"But I know Tony and how hard love is for him."
Gibbs saw the sadness in her eyes when she made the statement.
"Tony was devastated when his mother died. She adored him." Sasha smiled. "And when she passed, well his father wasn't exactly the epitome of the grieving husband or the loving father." She paused. "Do you know Senior?"
"Yeah." Gibbs said with a roll of his eyes. "I know Senior."
"Then you have an idea of what Tony went through."
"I do."
"Right." Sasha shook her head. "Senior didn't have time for a grieving child, hence the boarding schools. Tony actually spent most of his vacations from school here with Anna and me."
"That I didn't know."
"He just wanted someone to talk to, someone to care, to know someone loved him, flaws and all." She sighed heavily. "We did."
"I can tell."
She smiled at the memories of their childhood. "Anna became like Tony's big sister, they did everything together. Trusted each other, without question. Fought, teased, but still were always right beside each other."
"And you became the mother figure."
"In a way." She shrugged. "I was older. The one always telling the two of them to put on a coat, don't jump off the tree into the lake, brush your teeth, you get the picture."
"You watched out for them." He smiled.
"Tried." The sadness returned to her eyes. "I tried to be there for Tony after his first breakup with some girl. I could tell he was hurting, that whole first love thing, but he wouldn't hear anything I had to say. He just kinda laughed it off."
Gibbs knew all too well how Tony hid behind the humor.
"He already had this mantra in his head that he wasn't worthy of being loved, love was pain and loss. And he never wanted to feel that pain and loss again. So to keep himself safe, he stopped expecting love or wanting it." Taking a deep breath, she looked at him again. "A couple people got close."
"A hear a but." Gibbs waited.
"No one really ever got in."
"Are you warning me?"
She laughed. "No, you're too far gone."
"That I am."
"I'm telling you because you already got through. He loves you." She paused letting the information sink in. "Now he just needs to accept the fact that you love him and that you're not going anywhere, no matter what."
"I love him, nothing's going to change that."
"I know that." She smiled at him. "And in his heart, he knows that, it's just hard to accept something you've told yourself you don't deserve and never expected to get. The observatory is where he always goes to hide, think, work it out." Putting her tea down, she folded her arms across her chest. "I knew, years ago the way he talked about you, that he was in love with you."
"Can I ask a question?"
"Sure."
"This whole standoffish thing of yours, you were sizing me up, making sure?"
"Just because I knew you loved him, doesn't mean I knew you were a good guy." She smirked.
"And what convinced you that I was "a good guy?""
"I didn't say I was convinced." She picked up her tea and walked towards Gibbs. "You do know my room is beside yours, right?"
"Didn't know that." Gibbs shook his head. "I'll remember for the future."
She laughed. "You do that." Patting his shoulder, she headed out of the kitchen. "Better yet just spend the night in the observatory. No one will hear you up there."