Gibbs was sitting on the couch in only his boxers, resting his head on his hands. What had he just done? He was waiting for Tony to make his escape. How could he let that happen? How could all of that happen? God damn! How had he lost it this much? How was he supposed to work with him now. Rule # 12 existed for a reason.

Tony was at the end of the stairs, watching Gibbs. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings. It made him worry about the older. Normally, he would have senses Tony within a distance of a few miles. He slowly walked over to the man and squatted in front of him, grabbing the others thigh to steady himself, while the other hand still pressed a tissue to his wound.

"Jethro?"

Gibbs mind was spinning. Tony hadn't left. He was still right in front of him. Why? He didn't dare raise his head. He didn't want to see those green eyes.

"Gotta need your help again, Jethro." Tony smiled uncertainly.

Gibbs raised his head a bit and saw the red stained tissue on the others abdomen. "Oh, great." He groaned, getting to his feet and taking Tony with him.

"Kitchen table!"

Tony was chuckling. This old man was really no man of words. He walked behind Gibbs in the kitchen. His mind still set on the declaration of love earlier. He lowered himself on the table again.

"Can't believe, I have to do it again!" Gibbs muttered, highly uncomfortable to touch Tony again. He just wanted to run and hide.

"Arr…" Tony hissed as the antiseptic reached his wound. "Please be gently."

"No"

"Why? Do you like to torture the one you love?" Gibbs let the bottle nearly drop as Tony finished. It amused the younger. Having the upper hand for the first time since they had meet, he pressed on. "Or did I get that wrong?"

Gibbs let the bottle sink. What was he supposed to say now? He settled for nothing. It had worked for the bigger part of his life, so he quietly started to dress the wound for the second time. His fingers weren't as sure as he would have liked them to and he needed three attempts to place the first patch.

Tony was watching the trembling fingers and internally discussed if he should let it go. But his own desire for the man didn't let him. What next? It was obvious that Gibbs preferred to ignore it. As the older placed the last patch, Tony went for action instead for words. He slowly took Gibbs' hand and pulled it up to kiss it, locking eyes with the blue ones.

"Just tell me you meant it." Tony whispered low, fearing the answer.

The older was in shock. Did this mean, what he was thinking? Could he bent #12? Could this be some proper thing and not just a one-nighter? As he focused on the eyes in front of him, reality hit him. How had he not seen the love and desire in Tony's eyes before? Their still joined hands sank to the younger's chest as Tony's eyes made clear he hoped for a repeat.

Gibbs bent down and ghosted a kiss on the bandage. "I did." He whispered.

Getting to his feet, he pulled Tony up from the table and into his arms. "But I'm still not your mom, Tony!" And with a broad grin he captured the lips in front of him.

Tony smiled just as wide as Gibbs did. Pulling back, he studied the blue eyes again.

"Thank god! My feelings for you would be highly improper, if you were."

Gibbs slapped his head.

"Uh, I mean, love ya, too."

The end