Workin' For… 13/?

12:45 P.M.

After they'd all washed and Tony was dressed again, the younger man made lunch. The other two devoured his grilled steak sandwiches and a large cup of homemade basil and tomato soup a piece. Tony, too excited to focus on eating, chose the soup only.

"You sure that's enough?" Cody questioned.

"Oh, I'm positive. I'll make up for it at dinner, believe me."

Jethro shot his sub a mock glare.

"And not gain a pound, damn it."

Tony rose, gathered most of the dishes and favored Gibbs with a light kiss and a smile before he headed to the sink.

"Hey, between work, Tai-Chi and the adventures you cook up for me at home, how am I supposed to gain weight, huh?"

"Yeah, yeah." Gibbs grumped, but returned the grin. "You decide the plan for the afternoon, then."

Tony contemplated as the water warmed enough to wash the plates, mugs and silverware.

"Quiet music, talk… naps if we feel like it. Maybe out to eat tonight?"

Cody stepped up behind him and placed the remainder of the dishes under the stream of water, careful to avoid splashes or sprays.

"Sounds terrific. I'm in. Can I dry?"

"Sure, if you want to."

"I do. It's funny the things you miss, you know? You'd think it would've been his laugh or his smile or just his voice… but the first night without Russ, I fell apart when I realized nobody was there to do the dishes so I could dry 'em."

"Mmmm. I, uh… I used to make my mom's before-dinner drink every night. After she died, the housekeeper found me zoned out in front of the table where all the glasses and decanters were kept. I'd fixed the drink on auto-pilot… then realized I didn't know what to do with it."

Jethro moved close and briefly laid a hand on Tony's back then moved into the living room to power up the stereo. Cody drew warm, damp fingers slowly down the sub's cheek and spoke softly to him.

"Thank you for that. It always helps to know somebody else has been where I am… that they genuinely understand."

"I wish I didn't."

"Yeah, me too. Let's finish these up and get on with our peaceful afternoon, hmmm?"

"Please." Tony responded with a half-hearted chuckle.

The pair were done in only a few more minutes and wandered in to join Jethro, who had settled on the couch. Tony took the space beside him and gestured, with a hopeful expression, to the cushion on his far side, which Cody happily occupied. Grinning, Tony lay down on his side; head in Jethro's lap, legs pulled up close to his body. When Cody drew the young man's bare feet and ankles across his own legs and began a gentle massage, Tony startled a bit, but recovered his composure swiftly.

"You don't have to. I mean…"

"It's my pleasure. Like I said this morning, it's the least you deserve."

Jethro added slow strokes up and down Tony's back and over his hair and the three men spent several minutes in silence, appreciating the opportunity to simply relax and not have to make conversation. Eventually, however, Tony spoke up, his voice so low the doms had to concentrate to understand him.

"If it's okay… I think I'm ready to talk about Wednesday. I don't know how far I'll get, but I need to try."

"Go on, sweetheart." Jethro encouraged. "You stop when you have to. No judgment."

"Okay. I know I'm not good with kids. I want them to like me so I push too hard instead of letting them come to me. I've always done that. It doesn't stop me from wanting one of my own. A little person I can make things right for… prove that the way I grew up isn't how it has to be. The more years that go by, the more it weighs on me that I have less and less time to make it happen."

After a deep sigh and a few moments to collect himself, Tony continued on to the heart of the story. "I was actually thinking about it when we got called to that house. Walking in and seeing somebody who had exactly what I want and… and literally threw it away… it just shook me down to my core. The worst part is that he was on drugs. They'll say he wasn't responsible and let him walk away."

"No high lasts forever, Tony." Cody gently reminded him. "By now he's fully aware that he killed his child. He'll carry that 'till the day he dies."

"I really hope so." Tony replied with a touch of bitterness, then went quiet. The other two continued the touches until he was able to fall asleep, then gradually followed suit.

TBC…..