Section 30

It had been too much. Gibbs had been watching Tony for his breaking point. The night in solitary, the wedding and escape from the press, confronting senior, the perp walk; it was too much in only… Gibbs thought for a minute… four days. Was it only four days ago that he had walked in to find Agents Sacks and Maison cuffing Tony? He could feel tremors running through Tony's body even as he pushed the glass away insisting he was okay. Gibbs was grateful when his father interceded.

"Son, you're not okay." Jackson took ahold of one of Tony's hands. "After everything you've been through, it's amazing you're still sane."

Gibbs couldn't resist, well, he could have but, it was Tony. "Sane may be an exaggeration."

Jackson glared at his son but Tony only snickered and admitted. "He may have a point."

Making a decision, Jackson stood and pulled on Tony's hand urging him to his feet. "You need a rest." Jackson glared at Gibbs again who stood and put his arm around Tony's waist to steady him. "I know that you can't sleep with everything rolling around in your brain, but at least lay down on the couch for awhile." Jackson glared at Gibbs, again. "That couch needed replaced before you were born. I've never known anyone to latch on to anything like you. You're worse than a snapping turtle, I swear."

"Tony has a nice set in the garage," Gibbs admitted. "I thought we would swap them out this weekend. Then we can put this one in the basement."

"Humph." Jackson snorted. At the door to the kitchen, he released his hold on Tony. "I've got to run out for a couple things. Packed in a bit of a hurry."

"I could pick up what you need, dad."

Jackson glared at Gibbs. His son could be dense at times. "No, you take care of Tony. Settle him on the couch, I'll be back in a bit."

"Just leave the door unlocked."

"Like I don't know you?" Jackson patted his pocket to ensure he had his wallet.

"Come on, Tony." Gibbs lead him into the living room as Jackson shut the front door. He settled Tony on the sofa with a pillow and pulled afghan off the back of the couch covering him snuggly.

When Gibbs turned to leave, Tony grasped his hand. "Don't go, please?"

Gibbs eyed the old sofa and then urged Tony onto his side. It took a bit of maneuvering but eventually they settled. Tony lay facing the back of the sofa with Gibbs spooning in behind him. "He always hated me, didn't he?"

"I think so."

"Why didn't she ever tell me?"

"You said yourself, she had crawled into a bottle."

"He must have hated her, too. All over me. I wonder if that's why she drank?"

"Didn't you say the Paddingtons had a history of alcoholism? It wasn't because of you, Tony. She was susceptible to it, but wasn't strong enough to break the alcohol's hold. What she ultimately did was be strong enough to keep you at home and not in boarding school, until she died." Gibbs felt Tony stiffen at the mention of boarding school. "What's wrong?" He felt a shudder run through the other man's body. "You don't owe me an answer."

Gibbs' caring was Tony's undoing. "He didn't send me away because she died."

"You don't have to tell me."

"I want to." Tony felt the need to finally share his burden. "You saw what he was like when he found out we were married. When I was young I… there wasn't a lot of affection. I guess I was looking for it. Senior was out of town, as he usually was. I didn't know he came home early. He caught us kissing and went wild. Screamed at me that I was filth, that I was not his son and never would be." Tony stopped for a minute, Gibbs hadn't made a sound, just silently supported him. "It was another boy. He said he would not have a homosexual in his house; only not so nicely. Senior threw him out of the house and then he… Senior… he…"

"He'll never hurt you again." Gibbs promised. "Senior is out of your life. That's what got to you in the bullpen."

"That's why he disinherited me; why he sent me away. If you don't want me here, I'll understand."

"Why would I not want you here?" Gibbs asked.

"Because I … uh…"

"Is that why you didn't want to share a bed at the cabin?"

"I thought you'd hate me if you found out. Bad enough you had to marry me and others will think you're a faggot."

"Ahhh." Gibbs pulled Tony closer. "You thought I would be angry because you're bisexual? Tony, I'm not a homophobe. It would be hypocritical."

"You were married…" Tony whispered.

"Shannon was part of my heart. The others? Trying to recapture what I had with her. Doesn't mean I always dated women. Just couldn't marry a man at that time or I'd probably have had another ex or two. I learned that it's what's inside that is important. Sure, I kept it quiet; but being a marine doesn't mean everyone is straight. Just that you know what to say and what not to." The two men were silent for a while. "Relax, Tony. I've got your six."

Tony felt Gibbs wrap his arm around him and pull him snuggly against him. Tony felt safe, cocooned where nothing or no one could harm him. Slowly the tension drained from his body and he relaxed into Gibbs. He finally gave in to the weariness and closed his eyes. As he drifted off, he felt Gibbs' breath on his neck.

Section 31

At the barely audible close of a car door, Gibbs eased away from Tony. Leaving him sleeping soundly, he made it to the front door as his father stepped in. "What is that?" Gibbs hissed.

"It's a pet carrier. I thought you were smarter than that, Leroy." Jackson whispered back.

"Why do you have a pet carrier?"

"It's a wedding present. Tony needs something for comfort at this time and you aren't the most cuddly fellow in the best of times."

"Absolutely not." Gibbs whispered furiously. "No dog."

Jackson arched his eyebrow at his son. "And remind him of the dog when he was little?"

"Then what…" Gibbs bent silently to peer in and wicked claws emerged through the wire, followed by a hiss. "No, no way. You are not giving Tony a cat."

"This poor fellow is the last of his litter. No one seemed to want him." Jackson looked at the carrier fondly. "Not a pure bred. But I don't think Tony will mind."

"Absolutely not." Gibbs had no doubt Tony would love the creature when he found out no one else wanted him but there would be no cats in the DiNozzo-Gibbs household. "No cats. Do you hear me, dad? A dog is one thing, that is…" The cat hissed at him again.

"You said, no dog." Jackson said in a confused manner.

"If you had bought a dog that would have been okay." He'd learned early in life that cats detested him; it was that thought that lead him to put his foot down, thus making a big mistake.

Jackson opened the door and stepped back as if to put the carrier outside. He handed to the young salesman waiting on the porch. "Thank you for the loan. Thank the manager for me. I'll take him now. Just leave his things right there." Jackson stepped in and let the door close again. He was still holding the pet carrier.

"Didn't you hear me? I said no cats." Gibbs voice raised slightly forgetting to whisper.

"Of course, I heard you." Jackson lifted the cage up.

Involuntarily, Gibbs pulled back expecting claws. Instead he got a glimpse of pink nose. "No. I told you..."

"You said a dog would be okay." Jackson caught a glimpse of motion in the living room. "Did Leroy wake you? Did you have a nice rest, son?"

"I was just napping." Tony approached not wanting to intrude on what appeared to be a private discussion. "Did you get everything you needed?"

"Sure did." Jackson motioned him closer. "Picked up something for you both while I was out."

"What?" Tony was puzzled by the carrier.

"I thought you and Leroy needed a little pick me up." Jackson used his free hand to open the carrier, reach in and pull out a fuzzball.

"For us?" Tony's eyes brightened. He smiled at Jackson as he reached out and gently took the small puppy. "Oh, Jethro, isn't he cute?"

Gibbs played the conversation back trying to decide just where he lost control. He came to the conclusion that he had never been in control and had been totally played by his own father. Jackson knew his relationship with cats. Gibbs wasn't slow to figure out that the cat had been a decoy; based on the conversation with the unknown person, borrowed just for the purpose of getting Gibbs to agree to a dog.

"Jethro?"

Gibbs refocused on Tony, whose tone was a bit nervous. He was holding the puppy to him as if afraid it would be torn from his arms. "I'm not sure a handsome fellow like that would approve of being called cute. I think he'd prefer handsome." Tony's uncertainty vanished and he smiled joyfully at Gibbs.

"You are handsome, aren't you?" Tony was mesmerized by the puppy.

Jackson acknowledged his son's slight nod as surrender. He really was a good boy, Jackson thought, just a bit too rigid most of the time. He steered Tony and the puppy into the living room. "His things are on the porch, Leroy."

Shaking his head, Gibbs opened the door collecting a huge bag of puppy food, a nice dog bed which he envisioned many a fight over and a large bag of mixed paraphernalia. He left the puppy chow in the hallway, the bed along an empty stretch of wall and hauled the rest into the living room. Jackson was seated in Gibbs' favorite chair, so Jethro sat next to Tony on the couch. The sleepy puppy was stretching his limbs and yawning.

"What kind is he?"

"Big. Look at those paws." Gibbs said. "Could call this fella big foot."

Tony covered the puppy's ears before scolding Gibbs. "You'll give him a complex."

"I told the manager that you worked in law enforcement and liked to run." Jackson felt sad inside and watched Tony brighten at the fact that he knew he enjoyed jogging. "He's part German Shepherd and part Collie, that they know of."

Gibbs took another look at the paws. "Might be a bit of retriever mixed in."

"Not a pure bred, of course."

"Pure breeds are all show, no heart. Aren't they?" Tony cooed at the puppy. "You're such a good boy. You're going grew big and strong. We'll go running in the park and take long walks. Won't we?"

Gibbs realized the last sentence was directed at him. "He's yours, Tony."

"He's ours." Tony decreed. "We can walk him after we get home from work. Oh, no."

"What's wrong?" Gibbs tensed.

"He's going to need a place outside for when we're at work."

And there it was. The puppy had been deemed an in-house dog. Gibbs could just tell Jackson was smirking inside. "I can make him a house that he can use when we're gone."

"We need to go shopping. He's going to need a bowl, a collar, a …"

Jackson smiled at his son-in-law. "That bag there has the essentials. Well, don't just sit there, Leroy."

Before Gibbs could react, he felt it. No. No. No. He had decided, regardless what Tony said, it was Tony's dog. He was not going to get involved, well other than the walks but there it was. Tony had handed off the taffy colored fuzzball. Instinctively, he brought the other hand up to secure the puppy. Before he could hand it back, a pink tongue swabbed his chin. He had dog slobber, well, puppy slobber, on his chin.

"He likes you, don't you?" Tony beamed at Gibbs and the puppy before diving for the bag. Jackson had covered the necessities and more. Tony pulled out a set of new bowls, a leash and a collar with an engaveable tag.

"Once you name him, they can put his name and yours on the tag."

"His name. What are we going to call him? Jethro…"

"No, one Jethro in the house is plenty. He needs a name all his own." Gibbs misunderstood. He was stroking…uh, corralling the fuzzball in his hands.

Tony and Jackson exchanged a smirk. Rough, tough Gibbs was melting in the puppy's paws. Tony reach in the bag again, pulling out grooming tools and finally toys. As he pulled out a rubber ball, it squeaked slightly.

Gibbs fumbled as the puppy jerked in his hands and its ears perked. "What'd you hear? Huh, what was that?" The puppy swiveled his head, intent on listening. He motioned for Tony to squeeze the toy again. The puppy froze in place, looking in Tony's direction. Gibbs held his hand out and Tony gave him the ball. "You're gonna be a guard dog, aren't you?"

Shoot and score, Jackson chortled internally. No dogs. Look at him, Tony and that puppy have him so wrapped. Within minutes, Tony had his big, tough husband on the floor with him and the puppy playing ball. He was sure Gibbs would claim it was training. Jackson smiled, this was working out just fine. He leaned back in the chair content to watch his boys play with their puppy.

Section 32

Gibbs sat in his favorite chair listening to the quiet. His father had retired earlier and Tony was letting the fuzzball run around the backyard before bedtime, trying to wear him out. He wasn't sure which would wear the other out. He sighed as his cellphone disturbed the quiet. "Gibbs."

"Boss."

"What's up, McGee?"

"I was calling about the envelope Tony gave me."

Gibbs heard the back door close followed by a scrambling sound on his linoleum. That fuzzball was going to punch it full of nail holes. "Jethro."

"In here." Gibbs replied. When Tony followed the mutt into the room, he indicated the cellphone. "It's McGee." He hit the button and put him on speaker.

"Hey, McGee."

"Tony." The puppy yapped and looked frantically about the room for the unknown speaker. "Is that a … dog?"

"You think Gibbs had started barking?"

The puppy yapped again. "Silly thing, that's just McGee. Take your ball and lay down." Tony sank to the floor and leaned against Gibbs' legs while he soothed the puppy.

"I didn't know you had a dog."

"Jackson gave him to us as a wedding present. Wait till you see him. He is so adorable."

"McGee, you called to ask something."

"Yes, boss." McGee turned his attention back to the reason for his call. "I hadn't had a chance to look at that envelope you gave me. Do you still want me to run the information?"

"Yes. This whole thing is a major mess." Tony looked at Gibbs for confirmation as he replied.

"I got to thinking about that guy who gave you the envelopes. So I sort of ran facial recognition on incoming national flights.

"McBadBoy, did you hack Homeland Security again?"

"Uh…"

"Don't worry about it, McGee." Gibbs glared at his husband. "What'd you find?"

"How did you know I found something?"

"You wouldn't have called this late for nothing."

"Oh, yeah." McGee agreed.

"Well."

"Right, boss. The person who gave you the envelope came in on a flight from Rome this morning."

"You know where he's staying?"

"That's just it, boss. He isn't. He left for Rome this evening."

Tony and Gibbs exchanged looks. "Did you get anything on him, McGee?" Gibbs asked.

"Yes, boss. His name is Vincente Rossi. He works for the Moretti law firm in Palermo."

"Are you sure it's in Palermo? Not Rome." Tony asked.

"No, he took a flight from Palermo to Rome and caught the international flight."

"That's weird."

"Why, Tony?" Gibbs asked as McGee listened.

"The DiNozzos came from Rome. I've never heard of Palermo."

"McGee."

"Yes, boss."

"Find out what you can."

"Will do. Tony, if you need anything…"

"Thanks, McGee. Sleep well."

"This makes no sense, Gibbs." Tony cuddled the sleepy puppy for security.

Gibbs couldn't stop thinking about the deed for a villa in Palermo. Unable to help himself, he ran his fingers through Tony's hair soothing him. "It's going to be okay. We'll get to the bottom of this."

Section 33

"Gibbs…" Tony reached out for his husband's shoulder as he had rolled away the last time Tony begged.

"No."

"Please…" Tony tried to tug Gibbs back onto his back.

"I said 'No.' Now roll over and go to sleep."

"I can't sleep like this." Tony pleaded. "Can't we just…"

The knock on the bedroom door was followed by a loud yap before the mournful whimpering began again.

"Leroy, you awake?" Jackson opened the door and stuck his head in.

With a disgruntled sigh, Gibbs rolled over and sat up in bed. "Yes, dad." He switched on the light on the bedside table. "Come on in."

"How can you sleep with that racket?" Jackson asked cantankerously.

"He's just scared." The minute the light was on, Tony was out of bed and on the floor next to the dog bed where the puppy lay whimpering. He lifted off the piece of wood Gibbs had sanded and put over it to keep the puppy in and scooped him up in his arms. "If Gibbs wasn't such a meanie…"

"He is not sleeping with us." Gibbs repeated for what he was sure was the hundredth time.

"He's lonely. He's used to having someone to help keep him warm."

"That's why he has the hot water bottle."

Jackson leaned back against the wall, sleep forgotten for the moment. This was better than the comedians on that late show. Too bad there was no one to bet with, he thought. He knew where that puppy was going to sleep.

"He's used to live bodies."

"The alarm clock will simulate a heartbeat. Tony, put the puppy back in his bed."

Tony reluctantly put the puppy down on the nice comfortable bed, with the cozy hot water bottle and the wrapped ticking alarm clock. Knowing a soft touch the moment Tony's hand withdrew, the puppy let out a mournful wail. He was instantly back in Tony's arms and looking at Gibbs with triumphant eyes or at least that was Jethro's interpretation.

Jackson realized that the battle could rage all night and while it was amusing, the boys needed their sleep. How Leroy ever got so stubborn was beyond him. He looked at Tony pouting. That boy needed some tips on how to get around Leroy's stubbornness. Well, there'd be plenty of time for that later. He'd give the boy a bit of help tonight.

"Son, I'm an old man. I need my rest." Jackson smirked internally as Gibbs bit back a retort that reminded his dad just who bought the puppy.

Tony looked guilt-stricken. "I'm so sorry, Jackson. I'll take him downstairs so you can sleep."

"Son, you need your rest, too."

Gibbs saw the trap but again he had been out maneuvered by a sneaky old man. "Tony, you need to sleep. You can let him sleep next to you, but only for tonight. Tomorrow, he sleeps in his bed." He already knew he'd lost the battle and the war, but appearances must be made.

"Thank you, Jethro. You won't even know he's here."

Tony scurried back to bed and laid down on his side, snuggling the puppy into his chest. His work done, Jackson headed back to bed; answering Jethro's dry goodnight with a cheerful goodnight to his boys. Gibbs turned out his light and settled back down; laying on his back and pulling the covers up over his and Tony's shoulder.

"Jethro…"

"Yes, Tony?"

"Are you angry with me?"

"No." As he said the word, Jethro realized he really wasn't. He'd known from the moment Tony laid eyes on the puppy where he would end up. Tony wouldn't be Tony with any other outcome.

"Jethro…"

"Yes, Tony?"

"Could you…"

Gibbs rolled towards Tony. "What's wrong, Tony?"

"Could you hold us? Like you did on the couch earlier." Tony's tone reflected his fear of rejection.

In answer, Gibbs pulled Tony towards him spooning him. Dislodged, the puppy give a small whine which ended when Tony pulled him back against his chest. Gibbs laid his arm over Tony lacing his fingers through the hand Tony had over the small pup. The trio slowly drifted off; Tony protecting the puppy and Gibbs protecting them both.

Section 34

Bacon. It had a way of seeping into your dreams. Enticing you to open your eyes. Tony fought for as long as he could. He felt secure. Behind him he could feel Jethro pressed against his back. Their fingers were tangled in the puppy's fur. He hated sleeping with someone else in his bed. Tony never felt secure sleeping with anyone; a nice leftover from living with his mother and Senior; but this…this felt nice, this felt right. It felt so right that all of Tony was awake or rapidly waking up. Where Jethro was snuggled against him; he could feel that part of him was already awake. He stiffened slightly; but the arm over him tightened and Gibbs whispered in his ear.

"We're both men, Tony. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Nothing needs to happen now and even if it did, we're married."

"Just to keep me out of jail." Tony muttered.

"Doesn't have to be." Gibbs said. "We've known each other a lot longer than most of my ex-wives. Won't scare you off with my temper."

"Second 'B' for bastard."

"I trust you at my six all day. Never trusted anyone but my dad or… or Shannon that much."

"You're the only person I know that's never told me a lie. The only person who told me that they had my six and actually meant it." Tony admitted. "Afraid of screwing that up."

"Who says we couldn't make it work?"

"If we don't…" Tony shivered.

"Rule five and I think this could be good."

"But if it goes wrong…"

"You'd still be family." Gibbs said firmly. "We've gone through a lot together. The plague. My amnesia. Somalia. Ari. Didn't always agree; you were the only one who stood up to me; called me on my shit."

"Marriage is more than just companionship, what about…."

"Sex?" Gibbs said bluntly.

"Well, yeah…" Tony was glad Gibbs couldn't see his face.

"Lived without it before." Gibbs said matter-of-factly. "We're not horny teenagers. We both have been attracted to men before. Why don't we just see take the time and see what happens? Marriages have started with a lot less."

Tony felt the puppy start to move and just like that the minute was over. Gibbs pushed himself back and swatted him on the behind. "Best take that fuzzball outside before you end up washing the bed."